A color liquid ink printing system, including multiple processors, depositing color liquid ink to form a color image on a recording medium in response to color image data. The printing system includes a processor, receiving the color image data, and outputting a plurality of color image signals, each of the plurality of color image signals representing color information of one of a plurality of color planes. A plurality of graphics processors, coupled to the processor, receive the plurality of color image signals and output a plurality of bitmap image signals in response thereto. A color liquid ink printhead, coupled to the plurality of graphics processors, receive the plurality of bitmap image signals and deposit liquid ink on the recording medium in response thereto.

Liquid ink printers of the type frequently referred to as continuous stream or as drop-on-demand, such as piezoelectric, acoustic, phase change wax-based or thermal, have at least one printhead having drop ejectors from which droplets of ink are directed towards a recording sheet. Within the printhead, the ink is contained in a plurality of channels. Power pulses cause the droplets of ink to be expelled as required from orifices or nozzles at the end of the channels.
In a thermal ink-jet printer, the power pulses are usually produced by resistors, each located in a respective one of the channels, which are individually addressable to heat and vaporize ink in the channels. As voltage is applied across a selected resistor, a vapor bubble grows in the associated channel and initially the ink bulges from the channel orifice. The bubble quickly collapses and the ink within the channel then retracts and separates from the bulging ink thereby forming a droplet moving in a direction away from the channel orifice and towards the recording medium whereupon hitting the recording medium a dot or spot of ink is deposited. The channel is then refilled by capillary action, which, in turn, draws ink from a supply container of liquid ink. Operation of a thermal ink-jet printer is described in, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,849,774.
The ink jet printhead may be incorporated into either a carriage type printer, a partial width array type printer, or a page-width type printer. The carriage type printer typically has one or more relatively small printheads containing the ink channels and nozzles. The printheads can be sealingly attached to one or more disposable ink supply cartridges and the combined printheads and cartridge assembly is attached to a carriage which is reciprocated to print one swath of information (equal to the length of a column of nozzles), at a time, on a stationary recording medium, such as paper or a transparency. After the swath is printed, the paper can be stepped a distance equal to the height of the printed swath or a portion thereof, so that the next printed swath is contiguous or overlapping therewith. This procedure is repeated until the entire page is printed.
In contrast, the page width printer includes a stationary printhead having a length sufficient to print across the width or length of a sheet of recording medium at a time. The recording medium is continually moved past the page width printhead in a direction substantially normal to the printhead length and at a constant or varying speed during the printing process. A page width ink-jet printer is described, for instance, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,192,959.
Printers typically print information received from an image output device such as a personal computer. Typically, these output devices generate pages of information in which each page is in the form of a page description language (PDL). An electronic subsystem (ESS) in the printer transforms the page description language into a raster scan image which is then transmitted to a peripheral or image output terminal (IOT). The raster scan image includes a series of scan lines in which each scan line contains information sufficient to print a single line of information across a page in a linear fashion. In the page description language, printed pages also include information arranged in scan lines.
In known thermal ink jet printheads or printbars which print a single line of pixels in a burst of several banks of nozzles, each bank prints a segment of a line. The banks of nozzles are typically fired sequentially and the nozzles within a bank are fired simultaneously. An ink jet printbar having banks of nozzles is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,300,968 to Hawkins, incorporated herein by reference. These printbars include a plurality of printhead dies, wherein each die prints a portion of a line. Within the die, the banks of nozzles print a segment of the portion of the line. Many printing devices, including xerographic printers having a laser raster output scanner, use information in raster scan format to print the image without performing manipulation of the image data received. The architecture of liquid ink printheads, however, being dependent on the sequential firing of banks of nozzles and the simultaneously fired nozzles within a bank requires some type of manipulation of the image information. Historically, the necessary data manipulation has been done with software. Software processing performed the manipulation before the data was shipped to the printhead. These processes, however, can be time consuming and not very efficient.
Various printers and methods for manipulating image data for printing on a recording medium are illustrated and described in the following disclosures which may be relevant to certain aspects of the present invention.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,567,570 to Peer describes a logic network and method for processing columns of vertically oriented image data bits to produce control signals for operating a linearly slanted printhead. The network and method includes writing different equal byte segments of each column into a RAM memory while preskewing successive bytes, respectively, from one another by the equivalent of the number of columns of print resolution capability between successive print elements of the printhead represented by each byte.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,016,190 to Thomson describes a method and apparatus for converting data representative of a plurality of cells arranged independently of one another on a page into data in raster scan order for subsequent printing. Cell data for individual cells is fetched in an order dependent on the line of raster scan where the cell first appears in the bit position for the first bit representing the cell.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,579,453 to Lindenfelser describes a smart direct memory access controller for data transformation. The controller is used in computer systems to read and/or write data in a non-linear fashion in order to alter the organization of data stored within the computer system.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,619,622 to Audi et al. describes a full width array raster imaging interface for an ink jet printer. The raster imaging interface transforms raster information for printing by a thermal ink jet full width array printbar.

Liquid ink printer having multiple processors for fast color imaging


A gettering agent for gettering metals from a solution. The gettering agent has a surface layer of SiO.sub.2 which is greater than 15 angstroms in thickness.

The present invention relates to the gettering of metals from a solution, and in particular, to the gettering of metals from an alkaline solution such as a semiconductor wafer cleaning solution.
The preparation of single crystal silicon wafers typically involves the steps of growing a single crystal ingot, slicing the ingot into wafers, and lapping, etching and polishing the wafers. Prior to being packaged for delivery to a customer, the polished wafers are routinely cleaned by a procedure commonly known as the RCA method developed by Kern. See W. Kern and D. Puotinen, RCA Rev. 31 (1970) 187. In this method the wafers are immersed in a series of alkaline and acidic baths. One of the alkaline baths ("SC-1") typically contains H.sub.2 O-H.sub.2 O.sub.2 -NH.sub.4 OH and one of the acidic baths ("SC-2") typically contains H.sub.2 O-H.sub.2 O.sub.2 -HCl. SC-1 which may range from about 1000:1:1 to 1:1:1 parts by volume H.sub.2 O:H.sub.2 O.sub.2 :NH.sub.4 OH, removes organic contaminants and particles by both the solvating action of ammonium hydroxide and the powerful oxidizing action of hydrogen peroxide. The ammonium hydroxide also serves to complex metals such as copper, gold, nickel, cobalt, zinc and calcium. SC-2 which may range from about 1000:1:1 to 1:1:1 parts by volume H.sub.2 O:H.sub.2 O.sub.2 :HCl, removes alkali and transition metals, and prevents redeposition from the solution by forming soluble metal complexes. F. Shimura, Semiconductor Silicon Crystal Technology (Academic Press; London, England; 1989), page 189.
Although the RCA method is relatively effective for cleaning particles from the surfaces of wafers, it is not without its disadvantages; SC-1 has been identified as a source of metal contamination. Silicon wafers bathed in a SC-1 cleaning bath prepared from ultrapure solutions typically have a surface contamination of about 1.times.10.sup.10 to about 1000.times.10.sup.10 metal atoms per square centimeter when the cleaning bath is fresh and the surface contamination will progressively increase as the number of wafers bathed in the cleaning bath increases. For this reason, SC-2 cleaning traditionally follows SC-1 cleaning but has proven to be only marginally efficient for removing Al and Fe. Significantly, however, current leading edge applications of silicon wafers require that the total of all surface metals be less than 1.times.10.sup.10 atoms per square centimeter. The present invention enables such metal contamination levels to be achieved.


This invention relates to tricyclic compounds having spiro union represented by the following formula (I) or its salt which is useful as a drug, and in particular, as an inhibitor for activated blood coagulation factor X, which can be administered orally and which exhibits strong anticoagulation action.

With the westernization of the life style and the increasing number of aged people, ischemic heart diseases and other pathology of heart and blood vessels are increasing year after year. In particular, increase of vascular occlusive diseases such as myocardial infarction, cerebral thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, and peripheral arterial and venous occlusive disease is increasing each year and treatment of such diseases has become a serious social issue. In the treatment and prevention of the thrombosis, anticoagulation therapy has been playing an important role in internal medicine together with anti-platelet therapy and thrombolytic therapy. For the treatment and prevention of thrombosis, safety that permits long-term drug administration and the development of a positive and appropriate anticoagulant activity are essential. Heretofore, anticoagulants such as warfarin and heparin have been used in order to prevent and treat thrombosis due to hypercoagulability. However, such use of the anticoagulants has been pointed to be associated with various demerits including the risk of bleeding and interactions with other drugs. Warfarin is extensively used in the world as the solo peroral anticoagulant. However, due to its characteristics based on the mechanism of action, the concentration range for the development of efficacy is narrow and yet it takes long to develop efficacy and the half-life in blood is as long as 36 hours; what is more, for several reasons such as the great individual difference of effective dose, it is difficult to control the anticoagulability of warfarin (N. Eng. J. Med. 324 (26) 1865–1875, 1991) and frequent monitoring is required in order to prevent bleeding as a side effect. In addition, warfarin also has many other side effects such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and alopecia; thus, warfarin is a drug that involves considerable difficulty in clinical use. On the other hand, heparin is extensively used in the world as an intravenously administrable anticoagulant. However, since it is a direct inhibitor of thrombin, heparin has a high risk of bleeding and needs as frequent monitoring as warfarin; what is more, due to its characteristics based on the mechanism of action, adequate coagulation inhibiting effect is not expected at a lowered antithrombin III level; thus, heparin is a drug that involves considerable difficulty in clinical use. In view of such situation, improved anticoagulants have been desired that has none of the defects inherent in warfarin and heparin.
The blood coagulation cascade is a chain reaction involving limited protein hydrolysis triggered by activation of the extrinsic coagulation cascade or the intrinsic coagulation cascade, and once the cascade is activated, the reaction is amplifies like an avalanche. Since the final stage of the blood coagulation cascade is thrombin-mediated conversion of fibrinogen to fibrin, efforts have recently been made to develop thrombin inhibitors; however, drugs that directly inhibit thrombin are known to increase the risk of bleeding. In addition, they have low bioavailability in oral administration; therefore no thrombin inhibitor, which can be orally administered, has been introduced into market.
FXa is a key enzyme, which is located in the upstream of the thrombin in the coagulation cascade, and also at the point of convergence between the extrinsic and the intrinsic coagulation cascade. One molecule of FXa is known to produce about a hundred molecules of thrombin per minute. Therefore, an FXa inhibitor can potentially inhibit the coagulation cascade more efficiently than a thrombin inhibitor (Thrombosis Research, vol. 19, pages 339–349, 1980; Mebio vol. 14, No. 8, 1997).
Compounds that exhibit FXa inhibiting actions have been disclosed in several patents, among which Japanese Patent Application Laid-Opened No. 208946/1993 and WO96/16940 disclose aromatic amidine derivatives, and in particular, amidinonaphthyl derivatives, and WO97/38984 and the like disclose cyclic urea compounds having an aminodiphenyl group. However, these compounds are still in the process of development and none have been commercialized to date.
These compounds also suffer from low bioavailability in oral administration, and there is good room of improvement in separating the thrombin inhibitory action and the trypsin inhibitory action from the FXa inhibitory action. In addition, there is apprehension that these compounds are associated with decrease of blood pressure, respiratory insufficiency, and other side effects induced by the amidino group.
With regard to the compound of Japanese Patent Application Laid-Opened No. 208946/1993, use of this compound as a preventive and therapeutic agent for influenza virus is disclosed. The activity of this agent to inhibit the influenza virus propagation is based on the FXa inhibitory action.
Compounds having an aminoheterocyclic group typified by 1-(4-pyridyl)piperidin-4-yl group can be used as FXa inhibitor; for example, disclosed in prior art references including WO96/10022, WO97/28129, WO97/29104, WO98/21188, WO98/54164, WO99/06371, and WO99/09027.
These compounds have been developed for the purpose of providing an FXa inhibitor, which is effective in oral absorption. However, low molecular weight FXa inhibitors are still under development and no drug of low molecular weight FXa inhibitors has been commercialized.
In the development of pharmaceutical products, the desired pharmacological activity is not the sole requirement. Another requirement is that strict criteria be met in various aspects including absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion, and the like. For example, the drugs are required to pass various examinations for drug interaction, desensitization or tolerance, absorption from digestive tract in the oral administration, transfer rate to small intestine, absorption rate and first pass effect, organ barrier, protein binding, induction of drug metabolizing enzyme, excretion pathway and clearance from body, administration method (site, method, and purpose of administration), and the like, and a drug meeting all such requirements are seldom discovered.
The anticoagulants also share such general challenge of the drug development.
In the case of the FXa inhibitor, circumvention of the problem of the side effects associated with the oral administration of the warfarin as well as risk of bleeding based on the thrombin inhibition as found in the case of heparin whose administration is only accomplished by intravenous injection is required.
When the FXa inhibitor is constructed by molecular designing method, condition of the binding between the FXa and the FXa inhibitor has great significance. In the three-dimensional structure of FXa, active site of the FXa is formed in the structure characteristic to a chymotrypsin-like serine protease.
The active center of a serine protease is formed from a plurality of pockets called subsites, and it is known that substantially all of the inhibitors which do not form covalent bond with Ser195 residue bind to these pockets. Among such pockets, S1 pocket is believed to be the most important in the serine protease in the binding with the substrate, or in the development of the substrate selectivity.
S1 site is also believed to be the most important in the serine protease inhibitor for the development of the inhibitory activity and the enzyme selectivity. The residue which is generally believed to be the most important for the substrate specificity in the S1 pocket is the residue corresponding to chymotrypsin No. 189, and FXa has Asp (Asp189) as this residue and the inside of the pocket is believed to be negatively charged.
However, this is also the case in serine proteases other than the FXa, namely, in trypsin, thrombin, protein C, tissue plasminogen activator, and the like, and such resemblance is one cause of difficulty in enzyme specificity in FXa inhibitor. The substrate specificity of the entire enzyme is determined by structural difference of the subsite such as S3 pocket in addition to the structural difference of S1, and designing of an inhibitor selective for FXa can be accomplished by using such structural difference.
With regard to the binding state between the FXa and the FXa inhibitor, there has been only the report for specific compounds (DX-9065a and FX-2212a) by X-ray crystallographic analysis.
In DX-9065a, amidino group is bound to S1 pocket of the FXa, and in particular, Asp189 and the amidino group are firmly bound to each other by electrostatic interaction and hydrogen bonds. This is the binding manner commonly known in trypsin inhibitors and thrombin inhibitors.
It has also been found out for FX-2212a that the amidino group is bound to the S1 pocket of the FXa by the similar known binding manner (J. Biol. Chem. 1996 November 22; 271(47):29988–92 Brandstetter H. et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA (1998) Jun. 9, 1995(12):6630–5 Kamata K. et al.).
However, DX-9065a and FX-2212a are insufficient in their efficacy in oral administration, and there was also apprehension for the side effects induced by amidino group and guanidino group. In the meanwhile, it has not been even found out for the FXa inhibitors having other structure whether such X-ray crystallographic analysis is possible, and the binding state with the FXa was not at all found out.
Accordingly, despite the recognition of the usefulness of the amidino group and the guanidino group, there has been no indication as to what structure should be focused in the effort of searching or developing the FXa inhibitor of different type wherein such defects have been improved since no clue has been provided from the information on interaction based on the crystal structure data of such complex of the FXa with known FXa inhibitory compound, and the structural clue has been sincerely awaited.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Abstract: The invention also relates to a pharmacophore which was derived from the compound and is useful in molecular designing of the FXa inhibitor.


The present invention provides an organic electroluminescent element that includes a pair of electrodes and a plurality of organic compound layers being disposed between the pair of electrodes. The organic compound layers include a luminescent layer containing a blue phosphorescent luminescent material and a host material having the lowest excited triplet energy (T1) of 272 kJ/mol (65 kcal/mol) or more, and hole transport layers. One of the hole transport layers is a layer adjacent to the luminescent layer, and when the ionization potentials of the luminescent layer, the hole transport layer adjacent to the luminescent layer, and another of the hole transport layers, respectively, designated to Ip1, Ip2 and Ip3, the relationship Ip1>Ip2>Ip3 is satisfied.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an organic electroluminescent element that converts electric energy to light and luminesce.
2. Description of the Related Art
An organic electroluminescent element is made of an organic compound layer that includes at least a luminescent layer and a pair of electrodes that sandwich the organic compound layer. When an electric field is applied between both electrodes, electrons are injected from a cathode and holes are injected from an anode. The electrons and holes recombine in a luminescent layer to luminesce.
One important problem in an organic electroluminescent element is a problem of development of a blue phosphorescent organic electroluminescent element (hereinafter, referred to as "blue phosphorescent luminescent element" for convenience). When a blue phosphorescent luminescent element is designed, it is important to achieve firstly high luminous efficiency and secondly high driving durability.
As a blue phosphorescent luminescent element that takes the problem into consideration, for instance, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open (JP-A) No. 2004-6287 discloses a blue phosphorescent luminescent element in which differences of energy levels of LUMO and energy levels of HOMO in between a hole block layer and a luminescent layer and relationship between a band gap and a molecular weight of a host compound are taken into consideration. However, the blue phosphorescent luminescent element disclosed in the literature is not sufficiently high in the luminous efficiency and the driving durability.
Furthermore, in a luminescent layer of a blue phosphorescent luminescent element, a blue phosphorescent luminescent material and a host material are included. The blue phosphorescent luminescent material normally has the lowest excited triplet energy (T1) (hereinafter, referred to as "T1 energy" for convenience) of 272 kJ/mol (65 kcal/mol) or more. Accordingly, in order to achieve high luminous efficiency, a host material having a T1 energy of 272 kJ/mol (65 kcal/mol) or more is necessary. However, the host material having a T1 energy of 272 kJ/mol (65 kcal/mol) or more is difficult to inject with electric charges (holes or electrons), as a result, there is a problem in that the driving durability is poor.
Thus, at present, a blue phosphorescent luminescent element that combines high luminous efficiency and high driving durability is not yet provided.

Organic electroluminescent element including blue phosphorescent luminescent material


A method for optimizing uplink power control settings in a wireless network, the method comprising generating a first gene pool comprising a set of parent genes, wherein each parent gene comprises a set of first generation power control solutions for a set of base stations in the wireless network. The method may further include performing natural selection on the first gene pool to generate a second gene pool comprising selected ones of the set of parent genes, wherein the selected parent genes are chosen by probabilistically selecting some of the parent genes based on fitness values assigned to the parent genes. The method may further include evolving the second gene pool into a descendent gene, wherein the descendent gene comprises a set of local power control solutions for the set of base station in the wireless network.

Uplink power control (PC) is an important consideration in modern day cellular communication systems that rely on code division multiple access (CDMA) schemes, Orthogonal Frequency-Division Multiple Access (OFDMA) schemes, single carrier frequency division multiple access (SC-FDMA) schemes, etc. to manage uplink communications. Uplink PC may, for instance, control uplink transmissions in the Physical Uplink Shared Channel (PUSCH) of a long term evolution (LTE) wireless network. Specifically, uplink transmissions may undergo varying degrees of signal attenuation (e.g., path loss, etc.) as they travel through the PUSCH, and consequently may have a decreased power level upon reception. The power level of the uplink signals at reception may directly affect throughput such that uplink signals with higher power levels at reception are able to carry data at a higher bit rate. Hence, one way to increase the throughput of an individual uplink signal may be to transmit the uplink signal at a higher power level. However, increasing the transmission power of one uplink signal may also increase the degree to which that uplink signal interferes with other uplink signals in the PUSCH, thereby reducing the data throughput of those uplink signals accordingly. One way to address this problem is to develop an uplink PC solution that governs the PC settings for each of the user equipments (UEs) in a coverage region. Effective uplink PC solutions should improve network throughput while providing adequate coverage at the cell-edge.
An uplink PC solution may comprise a set of PC settings that control user equipment (UE) uplink transmissions to prevent substantial interference in the uplink channel. An optimal uplink PC solution may reduce network interference while achieving satisfactory data-throughput for all UEs in a base station's (BS's) coverage area, thereby maximizing throughput while maintaining desired network coverage. Uplink PC solutions may be computed locally at the BS level (referred to herein as the "gradient search approach") or globally at the network level (referred to herein as the "exhaustive search approach"). The uplink PC solutions may be based on various PC computation schemes, including fractional power control, interference based power control, cell interference based power control, etc. While much of the discussion herein is in the context of a fractional power control scheme, the concepts are equally applicable to other power control schemes.
In wireless systems that manage uplink PC via the gradient search approach, each BS may unilaterally compute its own uplink PC solution based on its own measured PC parameters (i.e., irrespective of the PC solutions of other BSs). While the gradient search approach may efficiently compute locally optimal PC solutions, it may fail to achieve a globally optimal set of local PC solutions for the wireless network because it may fail to account for the effect each local PC solution will have on neighboring BSs. Specifically, changing a PC setting for a UE in one coverage area may affect the interference realization of a neighboring base station.
In wireless systems that manage uplink PC via the exhaustive search approach, a centralized PC controller may compute a globally optimized set of uplink PC solutions based on an exhaustive search of all possible uplink PC solutions for a cluster of proximately located base stations. Specifically, the globally optimized set of uplink PC solutions may be computed based at least in part on PC parameters reported by the cluster of BSs. While the exhaustive search approach may effectively compute a globally optimized set of PC solutions, the complex nature of the computation may consume large amounts of network resources (e.g., processing capacity, time, etc.). As such, a less computationally complex approach for finding a globally optimal set of uplink PC solutions is desired.

Method and system for self-optimized uplink power control


A fluid catalytic reactor vessel having at its upper end a single centrally positioned primary cyclone having a gas-solids inlet fluidly connected to the downstream end of a fluid catalytic riser, which riser is positioned externally from a fluid catalytic reactor vessel. The primary cyclone is further provided with a gas outlet conduit at its upper end fluidly connected to one or more secondary cyclone separators, which secondary cyclone separators are positioned in the space between the centrally positioned primary cyclone and the wall of the reactor vessel and which secondary cyclones have means to discharge solids to the lower end of the reactor vessel and means to discharge a gaseous stream poor in solids to a gas outlet of the reactor vessel. The primary cyclone is further provided with a primary stripping zone at its lower end and means to discharge pre-stripped solids from the primary cyclone to the lower end of the reactor vessel. The reactor vessel further comprises at the lower end of reactor vessel a secondary stripping zone is and means to discharge stripped solids from the reactor vessel.

Such a reactor is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,449,498. According to this publication the lower end of the primary cyclone is provided with an opening to allow stripping gas and stripped hydrocarbons as discharged upwardly from the stripping zone to enter the primary cyclone from below. Special measures are needed at this opening connecting the primary cyclone and the stripping zone to ensure that catalyst particles can flow downwards and striping gas and stripped hydrocarbons can flow upwards into the primary cyclone.
A disadvantage of this reactor is that the separation in the primary cyclone can be negatively influenced when level fluctuations may for example be caused by pressure fluctuations in the system, by standpipe-instabilities or slide-valve problems.


A field emission display (FED). A vacuum assembly is formed with first and second substrates and a sealant. An electron emission assembly is formed on the first substrate and emits electrons by the formation of electric fields. An illumination assembly is formed on the second substrate and realizes a display of images by electrons emitted from the electron emission assembly. The illumination assembly includes a transparent conductive layer formed on the second substrate and having an anode input terminal that extends outside the vacuum assembly and to which an anode voltage is applied, a phosphor screen formed on the transparent conductive layer, and a metal layer formed on the phosphor screen within the vacuum assembly in such a manner that a portion of the metal layer contacts the transparent conductive layer.

(a) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a field emission display, and more particularly, to a field emission display that includes a thin metal layer formed on a phosphor screen, which is provided on a faceplate, to improve brightness and contrast.
(b) Description of the Related Art
In a conventional field emission display (FED), there are formed on a backplate emitters that are electron emission sources, and electrodes (i.e., cathode electrodes and gate electrodes) that operate such that electrons are emitted from the emitters. A phosphor screen is formed on a surface of a faceplate opposing the backplate.
With this configuration, a difference in potential between the cathode electrodes and the gate electrodes is used to effect the emission of electrons from the emitters. The emitted electrons strike the phosphor screen to illuminate phosphors thereof, thereby realizing the display of predetermined images.
In order to attract the electrons emitted from the emitters toward the phosphor screen, a high potential state of the surface of the faceplate on which the phosphor screen is formed must be maintained. To realize this in the conventional FED, a transparent conductive layer (typically, an ITO layer) is formed between the faceplate and the phosphor screen, and an anode voltage of a few hundred to a few thousand volts is applied to the transparent conductive layer.
There have been efforts to improve screen brightness and contrast by adding to the above basic structure a thin metal layer (generally an aluminum layer), which is formed on the phosphor screen. U.S. Pat. No. 5,986,398 discloses an FED using such a structure.
With the formation of a thin metal layer on the phosphor screen, in addition to improvements in screen brightness and contrast resulting from a metal black of the metal layer, the anode voltage may be directly applied to the metal layer and the transparent conductive layer need not be included in the structure. As a result, a greater brightness may be realized since a higher anode voltage may be applied to the metal layer than to the transparent conductive layer.
FIG. 7 is a partial sectional view of a conventional FED. Phosphor screen 3 and metal layer 5 are formed on one side of faceplate 1. Anode voltage Va is applied to metal layer 5 during operation. Metal layer 5 extends past sealant 7 for connection to an external circuit (not shown). Sealant 7 is positioned on metal layer 5 and seals faceplate 1 and backplate 9.
However, there are problems associated with metal layer 5, and in particular, with metal layer 5 made of aluminum. That is, although an adhesive strength of metal layer 5 is exceptional immediately following a layer forming process such as sputtering, if thermal deformation occurs as a result of a baking process following sputtering, the adhesivity of metal layer 5 is significantly reduced. Accordingly, metal layer 5 having undergone a baking process is easily separated from faceplate 1 such that it is unable to perform its function. This makes metal layer 5 unsuitable for use as a terminal that receives the anode voltage.
Further, the strength of metal layer 5 is reduced for the above reasons such that metal layer 5 is damaged in the vicinity of sealant 7. This reduces the degree of vacuum in the FED, negatively affecting the overall operation of the display.

Field emission display having damage prevention anode input terminal layers


Embodiments are directed to eyewear. The eyewear may include a frame, a left cord, a right cord, and an adjustable coupler. The frame may have a left end piece and a right end piece. Each of the left and right end pieces may have one or more apertures. The left cord has a proximal end portion and a distal end portion. The proximal end portion of the left cord may extend through at least one of the one or more apertures in the left end piece. The right cord has a proximal end portion and a distal end portion. The proximal end portion of the right cord may extend through at least one of the one or more apertures in the right end piece. The adjustable coupler may couple the left cord to the right cord.

Over the last 150 years, the general design of eyewear has largely remained the same. Traditional eyewear such as spectacles are typically secured to the face with temple pieces that connected to the sides of the frames and wrapped around the ears. Traditional eyewear is susceptible to falling off a wearer's face or into an uncomfortable position when the wearer looks down or bends over. In attempt to remedy this problem, wearer's may attach a retainer strap (such as those available under the mark CROAKIES®) to the temple tips that wrap around the ears to provide the eyewear with additional retention to the wearer's face. The typical retainer strap can hold the eyeglasses in place during physical activity or can facilitate carrying the eyeglasses while the eyeglasses dangle from the wearer's neck when not in use.
Traditional eyewear, with or without the typical retainer strap, can become uncomfortable if worn for long periods of time as the temple pieces press against the wearer's head or ears, often causing external compression headaches. The traditional eyewear is also heavy, adding to the discomfort of extended use. The bulk of the traditional eyewear also makes storage inconvenient, with the traditional eyewear typically being too large for comfortable storage in a pocket. The temple pieces are also prone to breaking or bending, which can make it difficult to keep the traditional eyewear in a level position on the wearer's face. The various metallic or composite compounds of the traditional eyewear, especially the temple pieces, can lead to allergic skin reactions. Moreover, the hinges that connect the temple pieces to the frame in the traditional eyewear are usually fragile and susceptible to breaking. Thus, it is with respect to these considerations and others that the present invention has been made.


The present invention discloses an improved multi-purpose convertible bed assembly. The bed assembly main components include a head board, foot board, a first side panel, a second side panel, and a mattress support frame. The mattress support frame comprises a first bed frame and a second bed frame of substantially the same size and shape. A single bed frame supports a mini-size crib. The first and second frame can be interconnected into a rectangular structure to support a full size crib. The head board and footboard have substantially the same size and shape. Each foot board and head board are supported by a pair of adjustable leg members. Additionally, a telescopically L-shape bracket member is mounted into the top side of each foot board and head board. The first side panel and second side panel have substantially the same size and shape. Each side panel further includes a first section and a second section which are interconnected utilizing an adjustable sliding mechanism which allows the user to adjust the length of the bed between a full size crib and a mini-size crib. The main components of the bed assembly can be assembled and converted into various configurations including a mini-crib, a full-size crib, a sofa crib, bedside crib, day bed, toddler bed, and security gates.

Cribs are a necessity for a mother of a newborn infant. As an infant matures the sleeping arrangements of the infant changes. With a newborn, because the parents want the baby near them, a small crib or bassinet is desired. As the infant gains weight and becomes more independent, the parents desire a secure full size crib. Then, as the child becomes a toddler a toddler bed along with security gates are desired. If a parent purchases all of these products independently, they could be expensive. As the infant matures the parents normally, take these products down and put them in storage, sells them, or gives them away. The present invention provides the parents an improved multi-purpose crib bed assembly that meets the child sleeping arrangements from infancy through the toddler age of the child.


A method for etching a metal layer is described. That method comprises forming a metal layer on a substrate, then exposing part of the metal layer to a wet etch chemistry that comprises an active ingredient with a diameter that exceeds the thickness of the metal layer.

It may be desirable to use a metal gate electrode when making a MOS field-effect transistor that includes a high-k gate dielectric. When forming such a metal gate electrode, it may be necessary to remove portions of a previously deposited very thin metal layer. As shown in FIG. 1a, patterned masking layer 102 may define sections of metal layer 101 to be removed. If a wet etch process is applied to remove part of metal layer 101, that process may etch metal layer 101 isotropically. As a consequence, part of metal layer 101 may be etched from beneath masking layer 102, as FIG. 1b illustrates. The resulting undercut may have adverse consequences.
Accordingly, there is a need for an improved process for etching a very thin metal layer. There is a need for such a process that may enable part of such a layer to be removed, without removing significant portions of it from beneath an overlying masking layer. The method of the present invention provides such a process.
Features shown in these figures are not intended to be drawn to scale.


An image display apparatus includes an image signal generating unit for generating an image signal and an image display element for displaying an image on a screen according to the image signal inputted from the image signal generating unit. When the screen is divided into a portion in which the image is to be displayed and a dark display portion in which no image is to be displayed, a non-dark display is performed in the dark display portion for a very short time period from a start time of display control until a start time of a process for terminating the display control.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an image display apparatus that displays various images and a method of driving the image display apparatus.
2. Related Background Art
(1) Generally, display images have different aspect ratios (ratios between horizontal sizes and vertical sizes), depending on the types of image sources. The screen sizes (length-to-width ratios of screens) of image display apparatuses have conventionally been set so as to match the aspect ratios of images to be displayed. As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, however, there may be cases where the aspect ratios (x1:y1 and x1:y3) of screens do not match the aspect ratios (x2:y1 and x1:y2) of images. This problem is described in more detail below.
It is currently required that image display apparatuses display various types of images, such as television images and Internet images, that have different aspect ratios. FIG. 7A shows an example of an Internet image that is displayed on a personal computer screen and has an aspect ratio of x2:y1=4:3, while FIG. 7B shows an example of a television image that is displayed on the screen of a wide television set and has an aspect ratio of x1:y2=16:9.
It has conventionally been sufficient that image display apparatuses of television sets only display television images and image display apparatuses of personal computers only display specific images such as Internet images. That is, the aspect ratios of images to be displayed by image display apparatuses have been predetermined and the screen sizes (aspect ratios of screens) of the image display apparatuses have been set to match the aspect ratios of images to be displayed.
Recent advancements in the multimedia field, however, make image display apparatuses not only to display specific images but increases the opportunities for them to display images in various image signal formats. For instance, television sets (image display apparatuses) capable of displaying Internet images and conversely personal computers (image display apparatuses) capable of displaying television images are now on the market. These image display apparatuses are designed not only to display images having a fixed aspect ratio but to display images having various aspect ratios.
Also, there appear television images having various aspect ratios. That is, images broadcasted by terrestrial analog broadcast services have an aspect ratio of 4:3, while images broadcasted by satellite broadcast services or digital broadcast services have an aspect ratio of 16:9. This raises the possibility that even if image display apparatuses display only television images and do not display Internet images, images displayed by them vary in the aspect ratio.
As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, if images are displayed by image display apparatuses whose screen sizes do not match the aspect ratios of the images, the screen areas of the image display apparatuses are divided into two types of portions: portions B1 (hereinafter referred to as "effective image areas B1") where various images are displayed, and portions B2 (hereinafter referred to as "non-effective image areas B2") where no image is displayed and masks are applied. Note that FIG. 1A shows a state where an Internet image (aspect ratio=4:3) is displayed on an image display apparatus whose screen aspect ratio is 16:9, while FIG. 1B shows a state where an image (aspect ratio=16:9) is displayed on an image display apparatus whose screen aspect ratio is 4:3. In either case of these image display apparatuses, black masks are displayed in the non-effective image areas B2.
(2) Image displays have conventionally been performed by sequentially scanning pixels that are capable of performing multi-level display and are arranged within display screens, although there appear on the market display apparatuses adopting a different display method where image display (multi-level gradation display) is performed by performing time divisional display of each display value subjected to a pulse width modulation (PWM) using pixels for binary display.
FIG. 2 shows an example construction of an image display apparatus (projection-type display apparatus using a mono-plate scheme) that performs the time divisional display. Here, the term "mono-plate scheme" means a method of displaying images in each color (such as, red (R), green (G), and blue (B)) using a single spatial modulation element (image display element). This method simplifies optical systems and electric circuit systems and therefore is suitable for realizing a low-cost and lightweight display unit.
An image display apparatus 1 in FIG. 2 includes a binary-display-type image display element 2, such as an MEMS (micro-electromechanical systems) spatial modulation element. The image display element 2 is also of a reflection type and reflects light. On the side, toward which the image display element 2 reflects light, are arranged a screen 4, on which images are to be projected, and an optical system 5 for projecting reflection light (light that has been spatially modulated by the image display element 2 and includes display information) onto the screen 4. Note that reference numeral 50 represents a lens.
A lighting device 3 is provided with a metal halide lamp 30 that emits white light using power supplied by a ballast power source 31. A disc-like rotary color filter 32 is disposed between the lamp 30 and the image display element 2 so as to be freely rotated and the color filter 32 is structured so as to be rotated and driven by a filter driving unit 33. Here, as shown in FIG. 8, the color filter 32 is divided into three color regions 32R, 32G, and 32B. Light in three colors (red, green, and blue) is sequentially irradiated onto the image display element 2 according to the rotation of the color filter 32.
Note that reference numeral 34 indicates a lens disposed between the color filter 32 and the lamp 30, and numeral 35 indicates a lens disposed between the color filter 32 and the image display element 2.
Also, reference numeral 7 represents an input unit for inputting image signals. Further, reference numeral 8 denotes a signal processing unit that processes the inputted image signals by adjusting image quality (such as brightness, color characteristics, and gamma characteristics) of the inputted image signals and converting the adjusted image signals into PWM-modulated time divisional signals that are appropriate for the driving method of the display element. The signal processing unit 8 also generates a driving pulse for the display element, a control signal for a motor, and the like. Reference numeral 8a indicates a data bus that transmits the time divisional signals to the display element, and numeral 8b indicates a control line that transmits the driving pulse to the display element.
According to these signals from the signal processing unit 8, the image display element 2 sequentially displays images in synchronization with light irradiation. In this manner, images in different colors are sequentially displayed on the screen 4, on which these images are mixed visually and are recognized as full-color images by viewers.
The construction of the signal processing unit 8 stated above is described in more detail below with reference to FIG. 9. Here, FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing the detailed construction of the signal processing unit 8.
In this drawing, an input unit 7 for inputting various image signals includes an input terminal 71 for inputting an image signal, an input terminal 72 for inputting a horizontal synchronizing signal (IHD) among the input signals, an input terminal 73 for inputting a vertical synchronizing signal (IVD) among the input signals, and an input terminal 74 for inputting a clock signal (ICLK) among the input signals.
In this drawing, reference numerals 711, 712, 713, and 714 each represent a data bus for transmitting these image signals. Reference numeral 721 indicates a signal line for transmitting the horizontal synchronizing signal (IHD) among the input signals, numeral 731 indicates a signal line for transmitting the vertical synchronizing signal (IVD) among the input signals, and numeral 741 indicates a signal line for transmitting the clock signal (ICLK) among the input signals.
Reference numeral 80 denotes an image input unit. In more detail, the image input unit 80 is an image signal receiving unit. For instance, the image input unit 80 includes a decoder that receives a signal based on a TMDS scheme and decodes the received signal into 24-bit data (three pieces of 8-bit data corresponding to respective colors (R, G, and B)). Here, the TMDS scheme is an image transmission scheme adopted by, for instance, a DVI (Digital Visual Interface) specification published by a standardizing group "DDWG (Digital Display Working Group)". Alternatively, the image input unit 80 includes a decoder that receives a compression signal in an MPEG format via IEEE 1394 and decodes the received compression signal into 24-bit data (three pieces of 8-bit data corresponding to respective colors (R, G, and B)).
Reference numeral 81 represents a format conversion unit that performs resolution conversion, image refresh frequency conversion, non-interlace processing, color matrix conversion, and the like. Here, the resolution conversion means magnification conversion and interpolation processing that are appropriately performed for an image signal whose resolution does not match the number of display pixels of the image display unit. Also, reference numeral 82 represents a memory unit that provides an image storage area used by the format conversion unit to perform the image processing. Reference numeral 82a indicates a control line group of the memory unit, and numeral 82b indicates a data line group for transferring data between the memory unit and the format conversion unit. Reference numeral 83 denotes a crystal oscillator. According to the clock signal (OCLK) generated by the crystal oscillator, the format conversion unit 81 generates a horizontal synchronizing signal (OHD) and a vertical synchronizing signal (OVD), which are used to establish synchronization after the format conversion processing, under the control by a microcomputer unit (not shown). Reference numeral 811 indicates a signal line for transmitting the horizontal synchronizing signal (OHD), numeral 812 indicates a signal line for transmitting the vertical synchronizing signal (OVD), and numeral 813 indicates a signal line for transmitting the clock signal (OCLK) generated by the crystal oscillator.
Reference numeral 84 represents an image quality adjusting unit that receives the image signal subjected to the format conversion and adjusts image quality, such as brightness, color characteristics, and gamma characteristics, of images to be displayed on the display unit, according to the control by the microcomputer (not shown).
Reference numeral 85 indicates a PWM conversion unit for converting an ordinary image signal for sequential scanning into a time divisional display signal by performing the pulse width modulation (PWM), numeral 86 indicates a time divisional sequence storage unit for storing time divisional drive sequence data describing the display order and display time period of the PWM-modulated data, numeral 87 indicates a PWM driving timing generating unit for generating, according to the time divisional drive sequence, driving timing used by the PWM conversion unit 85 and the spatial modulation element (image display element) that is an image display unit. Reference numeral 861 denotes a transmission line for transmitting the drive sequence data from the time divisional drive sequence storage unit 86 to the PWM drive timing generating unit 87, and numeral 871 indicates a control line group for transmitting a driving pulse generated by the PWM driving timing generating unit 87 and other signals. Also, reference numeral 872 represents an output terminal via which control signals, such as the driving pulse, are outputted to the image display element 2, numeral 851 a data bus for transmitting the image data converted by the PWM conversion unit 85, and numeral 852 indicates an output terminal via which the image data is outputted to the image display element 2.
The PWM drive timing generating unit 87 generates the control signal for the PWM conversion unit 85 and the driving pulse for the display element according to the sequence data in the time divisional sequence storage unit 86. That is, the image inputted into the signal processing unit is subjected to appropriate format conversion and image quality adjustment and then is converted into the time divisional drive signal by the PWM conversion unit 85. The PWM conversion unit 85 and the display element are driven in synchronization with each other.
FIG. 10 shows an example of the display data sequence that has been PWM-modulated by the PWM conversion unit 85. In this drawing, the horizontal axis represents time and reference numeral 201 denotes a start pulse designating the start of image display in each color (R, G, and B) within one field. Reference symbol FR indicates a time period during which red display is performed, reference symbol FG indicates a time period during which green display is performed, and reference symbol FB indicates a time period during which blue display is performed. In this specification, a time period composed of one FR period, one FG period, and one FB period is referred to as one field period.
Also, reference symbols DR1–DR6 represent display data in red that has been PWM-modulated. Here, for ease of explanation, the display data is expressed as 6-bit signal, with reference symbol DR1 representing the first-bit signal, reference symbol DR2 the second-bit signal, reference symbol DR3 the third-bit signal, reference symbol DR4 the fourth-bit signal, reference symbol DR5 the fifth-bit signal, and reference symbol DR6 the sixth-bit signal. The pulse length of each bit signal is twice as long as that of the next lower bit signal. For instance, the length of the second-bit signal DR2 is twice as long as that of the first-bit signal DR1 and the length of the third-bit signal DR3 is twice as long as that of the second-bit signal DR2. According to the image data inputted by the PWM conversion unit 85, each bit is selected so that the pulse width matches the gradation value of the image data. In this manner, a time series ON/OFF signal subjected to the pulse width modulation is obtained. According to this ON/OFF signal, each pixel of the image display element 2 is placed in one of the binary states. By performing light reflection in one of the binary states, an image in red is displayed within one field period according to the integral in the FR period.
Reference symbols DG1–DG6 represent display data in green that has been PWM-modulated, and reference symbols DB1–DB6 represent display data in blue that has been PWM-modulated. In either case of green display data and blue display data, the pulse length of each bit signal is twice as long as that of the next lower bit signal. According to the image data inputted by the PWM conversion unit 85, a signal having a pulse width corresponding to the gradation value of the image data is generated. The image display element 2 is driven and light reflection is controlled according to the signal subjected to the pulse width modulation. Images in green and blue are displayed within one field period according to the integral value in the FG period and the integral value in the FB period.
In this manner, a full-color image in one field is displayed according to the integral in each color period in one field.
As described above, image (gradation) display in the effective image areas B1 is performed by placing each pixel of the image display element 2 in one of binary display states according to a pulse train that has been PWM-modulated based on the gradation value of image data in each color. (Here, in this specification, a state where light is reflected is referred to as an "ON state" and a state where light is not reflected is referred to as an "OFF state".) That is, image display is performed according to the integral of one of binary display states. Consequently, as distinct from an analog gradation TFT liquid crystal, the state of each pixel of such a binary-type image display element is switched between the ON state and OFF state in one field period even during still image display.
On the other hand, no image is basically displayed in the non-effective image areas B2, so that each pixel in these areas B2 of the binary image display element 2 is continuously placed in the OFF state and dark display is performed. In this example where display data is expressed as 6-bit signal, the dark display corresponds to a situation where each of RGB (red, green, and blue) has shade 0 among 64 (0–63) shades of gray scale.
It should be noted here that an example measure against hinge storage (to be described later) is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 08-195963.
Also, Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 09-322101 discloses a measure against image burn-in (to be described later). This patent application discloses a measure against image burn-in on a CRT caused by still image display. With this technique, the input current into the fluorescent surface of the CRT is maintained basically constant during both of display time periods and non-display time periods.
Another conventional technique of preventing image burn-in is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 5-153529. This patent application discloses a technique of achieving a liquid crystal display panel, which is easy to view, and of preventing image burn-in on the display panel. In particular, with this technique, white display is performed in side panel areas of the liquid crystal display panel for a predetermined time period before a display operation is stopped.
Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 5-122633 discloses still another conventional technique of reducing a brightness unevenness in non-image areas occurring when an image whose aspect ratio is 4:3 is displayed on a wide aspect television set. With this conventional technique, if non-image areas are generated on the screen of a cathode ray tube due to the display of a 4:3 image, light emission is performed in the non-image areas for a time period before the system is turned off, with the time period being determined according to the display time period of the image signal whose aspect ratio is 4:3.

Image display apparatus and method of driving the same


A system for establishing a safe environment for removing dangerous, hazardous fibrous materials in situ over a substrate, comprises a flexible film wrap and fluid distribution system for providing a continuous misting of fluid to initially wet the materials and then continuing the misting of fluid intermittently to achieve saturation of the materials to the substrate. Thereafter, the materials are cured to substantially eliminate the generation of airborne fibers during removal of the materials.

In the prior art methods and apparatus for asbestos abatement and removal concentrated on particulate contamination control, such as the method and filtration device described and claimed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,604,111 issued to Anthony Natale. Other similar apparatus and methods are disclosed in such operations as those undertaken by Environet Inc., 323 West 39th Street, New York, N.Y., 10018 and in the patents disclosed and cited in the aforementioned Natale patent.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has produced a publication on toxic substances entitled "Guidance For Controlling Asbestos-Containing Materials In Buildings", EPA, 560/5-85-024 June 1985, Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, D.C. 20460. Therein various methods and apparatus are disclosed for treating and removing asbestos. One section of that publication, Section 5.1.3 describes a method of encapsulation with sealants. Encapsulation refers to the spraying of ACM (asbestos-containing materials) with a sealant. As stated in this section, the sealant should bind together the asbestos fibers and other material components and offer some resistance to damage from impact. In this section it further states that the sealant should penetrate the ACM and adhere to the substrate or form a tough skin over the material to withstand moderate impact, be flexible and flame retardant, resist deterioration over time and be non-toxic. The publication further states that latex paint has been used as a sealant and that the user should select a brand with a high vehicle content. For encapsulating ACM, the publication states that the paint applied should be considerably thicker than that recommended for painting. It further recommends that a method is to apply a light (mist) coat, then a full coat applied at a 90 degree angle to the direction of the first coat. It also states that the full coat may be applied by the use of a roller.
Various companies supply products designated as asbestos removal encapsulants, such as a product identified as 32-60 by Foster Products Corporation, 3200 LaBore Rad, Vadnais Heights, Minn. 55110. In literature describing such a product it states that the product penetrates deeply and quickly, such as for example: 3 inches of depth of penetration in 15 minutes on 100% amosite matrix. However, personnel of the company indicate that the actual penetration is on the order of one-eighth of an inch.
The problem with the removal of asbestos materials or the encapsulation of those materials in place, is that asbestos can be friable; that is to say, it is a material which can be crushed or pulverized with hand pressure and is subject to having fibers released into the atmosphere when it is crushed, thus causing a hazard to those in contact with that atmosphere. The object of the prior art has been to either contain this material or filter out the airborne fibers created in a controlled environment, such as a bag or room which is sealed off and subject to negative pressure. In addition to those referred to above, one such technique is the "glove bag". See for example U.S. Pat. No. 4,626,291.
Of course the problem with these prior art methods is that they either create airborne fibers which they have to rearrange or they encapsulate them creating additional problems for future removal.
The object of my invention is to eliminate to the fullest extent possible, under given circumstances, the creation of airborne fibers during the removal of asbestos-containing materials.
Further objects are as follows:
1. To eliminate the need for containment;
2. To eliminate the need for negative air systems (which, indeed, even require backup generators to take care of potential power outages);
3. To eliminate the need for decontamination chambers, under given circumstances;
4. To eliminate the need for any further containment within the immediate area;
5. To eliminate the need of further containment of adjoining areas or outside the area being worked on; and
6. To eliminate the expelling of 0.03% contamination to the environment from the filtering systems.
These and other objects of my invention will be apparent from the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Flexible blanket system for treating asbestos containing materials


A spectral correlator comprises a specimen and an optical device configured to collect light from the specimen and to optically determine a similarity of a received first spectra of the light collected from the first spectra and a second known spectra.

1. Field of the Invention
The present disclosure generally relates to the field of identifying a molecular substance by a substance's spectra when spectra contains a plurality of colors, and more particularly to identifying an unknown molecular substance by comparing the substance's spectra with a spectra of a known substance.
2. Background
There are two primary categories for the detection of substances by spectral measurement and identification. The first is to detect a sample remotely. Such a system is frequently referred to as performing standoff detection. In this configuration a light source may be used to illuminate the target material from a distance and receive light scattered from the sample in a Lidar type system or it may receive light scattered from natural illumination or it may receive light produced by a self-illuminating material. Remote detection systems currently are Differential Absorption Lidar (DIAL), Differential Scattering (DISC), Infrared Fourier Transform Spectroscopy, (IR FTS), and Raman Lidar. IR FTS can also operate on self luminance or in a passive configuration using natural illumination.
The most common standoff chemical detection techniques are DIAL and DISC. Both systems employ the same basic phenomenology to remotely detect airborne or surface contaminants. In most configurations, such systems transmit a succession of highly monochromatic pulses at and near known absorption lines of materials of interest. These laser pulses reflect off airborne aerosols and/or hard surfaces and are detected by the DIAL or DISC receiver. If the material of interest is not present, the ratio of the reflected signal strength at the absorption wavelength to the reflected signal strength near the absorption wavelength is ideally one. A ratio value of less than one is a measure of the concentration of the material of interest.
Although DIAL and DISC techniques have been shown effective, they possess significant inherent deficiencies. Typically, current systems employ CO2 lasers operating from 9.2 μm to 10.8 μm. CO2 lasers have numerous R- and P-branch transitions with sufficient gain for efficient laser operation. However, switching from one laser transition at one wavelength to another requires retuning the laser. Rapid tuning of the laser cavity requires extremely precise control. Transmitter lasers based upon cavity tuning tend to be complex, require precision instruments to control the tuning, and are prohibitively expensive. Current efforts to transition technology from the former Soviet Union for the frequency conversion of CO2 laser lines using high-pressure ammonia (NH3) is promising, but the technology is not sufficiently mature for deployment. Non-CO2 systems include optical parametric oscillators and optical parametric amplifiers configurations. These also tend to be very complex and, therefore, expensive. The complexity of these devices also reduces their reliability.
A serious limitation of these techniques are that the atmosphere or a potentially contaminated surface cannot be interrogated for multiple chemical species simultaneously with a single laser. A minimum of two pulses must be transmitted for each chemical of interest (one on the absorption line and one adjacent to it). The transmission of multiple pulses is required to evaluate multiple contaminants, even under the best of conditions. In practice, many lines are required to identify just one substance in the presence of interferants. An "interferant" refers to any substance other than the desired substance, which also emits a spectra. The wavelength of these laser pulses must match the absorption line within restrictive tolerances. This complicates system design and system cost, as laser wavelength cannot be selected arbitrarily in most lasers. In this regard, most laser wavelengths are dictated by quantized atomic or molecular energy states. The selected wavelength(s) must be precisely controlled to ensure that they match the absorption line. In addition, many useful detection lines (e.g., 3-5 μm, 8.3 μm) fall outside of the normal CO2 laser gain lines, even for isotopic CO2 lasers. Optical parametric oscillators and amplifier may also be used in such a scenario.
IR FTS measures the absorption spectra through a transmission/reflection path in the atmosphere or a test cell, or the spectra reflected or radiated from a solid surface. As a result, it often requires a calibrated source or reflector located on the opposite side of the volume to be interrogated. This is a viable approach in the laboratory or at fixed locations, but it is currently impractical for tactical and strategic applications.
Recent advances have implemented this technique with natural illumination as the source. This approach requires large training sets and extensive computation to remove background effects. Site contamination by the material of interest or by other chemical compounds require that training sets be collected at the test site prior to the introduction of real-time monitoring. Although promising, this approach is immature for tactical field deployment.
Raman Lidar transmits an intense pulse of monochromatic light, which stimulates the material in airborne gases, aerosols, liquids, and/or solids to radiate a spectrum of colors possessing wavelengths that are typically longer, but can be shorter, than the wavelength of the transmitted laser pulse. The offset of the wavelength of the radiated colors (i.e., the Raman spectrum) is a characteristic of the material of interest. However, while the offset is fixed, the wavelength of the transmitted laser light may be made variable. The transmitted light must be highly monochromatic, but the absolute wavelength of Raman Lidar is of less significance than in a DIAL system. As a result of the aforedescribed Raman process, the transmitter in a Raman Lidar may be considerably simpler than in a DIAL or DISC system.
Since all illuminated materials are exposed to the transmitted light simultaneously, all re-radiate their characteristic Raman spectra simultaneously. Thus, multiple species can be detected in parallel. The historical disadvantage of Raman Lidar is its lower sensitivity when it is compared to a DIAL system. This lower sensitivity is partially the result of the receiver architectures, which were designed for use in previous Raman Lidars. In addition, sensitivity is further reduced due to the relatively smaller Raman cross-section of the material as compared to the absorption cross sections observed in DIAL systems.
A Raman Lidar receiver commonly used is shown in FIG. 1A. Received light, via receiver element 8, is separated into its component wavelengths by a dispersive filter 6 (e.g., a grating or a prism). The separated light is imaged by imaging lens 4 onto a detector array 2.
The spectral resolution of the array 2 is determined by the characteristics of dispersive filter 6, the f-number of the imaging lens 4, and the size of the individual detectors. If the detector size is the limiting resolution parameter, the spectral range of the array 2 can be no greater than the resolution of a single detector multiplied by the number of elements in the array.
The very close spacing of some Raman lines often dictates high spectral resolution in many applications. The wide spectral separation of other lines simultaneously requires a large spectral range. Satisfying both requirements can necessitate a large number of detectors. Over 4000 detector elements (and in some cases 10,000) are not uncommon.
Charge coupled device (CCD) detector arrays are commonly used in Raman receivers since they permit a large number of detectors with a minimal number of electrical connections. Wiring 4000 individual detectors in parallel is impractical. Unfortunately, CCD detectors are not highly sensitive detectors. Furthermore, the overall sensitivity of the system is based upon its ability to detect the weakest (critical) line in the Raman spectra. An additional disadvantage is that the range resolution of this type of Raman Lidar is limited by the readout time of the detector array and typically not by the pulse length of the laser. Currently, a 4000 element CCD arrays can be readout in approximately 10 microseconds, which corresponds to a range resolution of about 1.5 kilometers. Thus, the speed at which data can be read via a CCD limits bandwidth, and therefore limits the range resolution.
Another Raman Lidar receiver commonly used is illustrated in FIG. 1B. Received light, via receiver element 8, is collected via collection optics 14 and imaged onto a spectral filter 12. The spectral filter will typically transmit only a single wavelength of light. The light which emerges from the spectral filter 12 is then imaged by lens 11 onto the single detector 10. In this regard, the spectral filter 12 is configured to enable only one wavelength of light to be passed through to the detector 10, and such a system typically operates effectively when a low concentration of an interferant exists in the light received by the receiver element 8.
The spectral filter 12 is typically designed to image the received light onto the single detector 10. In this regard, the spectral filter 12 is configured to only enable one predominant molecule corresponding to one wavelength of light to be passed through the detector 10, and such a system typically operates effectively when a low concentration of an interferant exists in the light received by the receiver element 8. Typically, these filters are made to observe atmospheric characteristics such as O2, O3, or N2. However, since only one, or a very small number of detectors are used, detectors having greater sensitivity and bandwidth than CCD detectors can be used. In this configuration signal as a function of distance can be recovered to improve range resolution.
The spectral filter 12 may be implemented using a variety of optical principles. For example, it may comprise a grating, which refers to an optical device consisting of a surface with many parallel grooves in it that disperses a beam of light into its component wavelength. Generally, the angle of the gratings determine the wavelength of light that is output from the grating, and the grating's resolution is determined by the number of lines in the grating. It may also comprise an interference filter, etalon, other devices or a combination of these techniques. Thus, with reference to FIG. 1B, the spectral filter 12 may be manipulated mechanically, electrically, and/or thermally, such that the filter is "tuned" to transmit a particular wavelength.
Although the system of FIG. 1B can have high sensitivity and bandwidth, there are various disadvantages. Most notably, much of the content of the received spectra is lost, because of all the wavelengths received in the spectra only one of them is transmitted and is available for detection by detector 10. Likewise, in order to subsequently obtain any information related to the wavelengths not previously detected, the spectral filter 12 must be tuned a plurality of times to detect the corresponding plurality of wavelengths. Further, for each wavelength that one desires to discern, a corresponding pulse must be initiated, resulting in a lengthy process.
As described herein, manipulation of the spectral filter 12 is usually performed by tuning to a particular wavelength, imaging the received light onto a detector 10, then retuning the spectral filter 12 to a different desired wavelength, thereby requiring that the process be repeated for each desired wavelength. Various monochromators provide this functionality by enabling a user to turn a knob on the monochromator to select various wavelengths, which adjust a grating within the monochromator.
Another disadvantage of DIAL and DISC systems which transmit multiple wavelengths, Raman systems which transmit multiple pulses and retune the receiver to observe multiple Raman spectral lines, and FTS systems which must collect signals for a significant period of time in order to obtain sufficient sensitivity is that the sample must not change during the measurement period. Changes in material composition during the measurement period can result in erroneous readings.
The second category for spectral measurement and identification is commonly referred to as point detection. The characteristic for this category is the specimen is in direct proximity to the instrument. For example, during atmospheric measurements when an operator is located in the same area as the sample and is exposed to the sample this is a point detection configuration. In contrast to point detection, stand off detection occurs when the operator is so remote from the sample that they are unaffected by its composition. Overall the same methods and techniques used for remote detection may also be used for point detection. In general, point detection systems may be more sensitive as they operate at shorter distances.

System and method for detection and identification of optical spectra


A food additive useful for lowering serum cholesterol in humans contains a sterol or stanol ester of a fatty acid or a dicarboxylic acid ester of a sterol or stanol made by reacting a sterol, stanol and a carboxylic acid in the presence of an effective amount of a catalyst selected from the group consisting of calcium oxide, calcium hydroxide, a calcium salt of a carboxylic acid, magnesium hydroxide and combinations thereof described herein below.

Phytosterols have been found to be effective in reducing serum cholesterol in humans. Phytosterols are steroids that bear a close structural relationship to cholesterol but differ in the configuration of the side chains at the 17-position. It is well known that β-sitosterol and the fatty acid esters of β-sitosterol are effective in reducing serum cholesterol. Recent studies have found that β-sitostanol and the fatty acid esters of β-sitostanol are particularly effective in reducing serum cholesterol and LDL levels. It has been recently reported that the fatty acid esters of β-sitostanol are particularly effective cholesterol-reducing agents presumably because they are in solution. Such esters can be introduced into the body as additives in food products such as margarine. Margarines containing β-sitosterol and those containing β-sitosterol fatty acid esters as well as margarines containing β-sitostanol and β-sitostanol fatty acid esters have been shown to reduce serum cholesterol levels in humans.

Food additive compositions containing sterol esters, solubilizing agents, dispersants and antioxidants


An osteosynthesis ring for maintaining one or more fractured bones in compression, the ring being used in combination with a pin, includes a hollow cylindrical body. The body is made of an elastic biocompatible material. The body has a channel extending therethrough along an axis of revolution of the body for receiving a pin. The body is structured for blocking at least one of translation and rotation of the body. A proximal part of the body includes a slot along at least one diameter of the body, the slot defining at least two separate parts, the at least two separate parts being adapted to spread apart from one another.

The present invention relates to osteosynthesis devices, and more particularly to an improved ring which can be used in combination with a pin or a screw and is intended to maintain one or more fractured bones in compression, such as a bone of the hand or of the foot, and also to a device specially designed for compressing it.
Numerous devices intended to maintain two bones, or two bone fragments of a fractured bone, in compression have been described in the literature. For example, patent FR-A-2,549,650 describes an intra-medullary compression device which comprises a threaded rod bearing two opposite elements which each include disks for anchoring in the medullary cavity of the fractured bone, into which medullary cavity this device is introduced. The devices of this type are not suitable, however, for osteotomy of small bones.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,990,438 describes a fixation device for fractured bones comprising two parts, one of which has cutting threads which anchor in the main fragment of the bone, while the other part includes a thread cooperating with a screw, protruding from the bone, providing for the axial compression. This device cannot be used on bones of small dimension. Furthermore, the removal of the screw is very difficult on account of the osseous incarcerations which occur between the threads of the distal part of the screw and, in addition, the compression is not satisfactory.
Patent EP-A-085,493 describes a compression device comprising a self-tapping screw which engages in a sleeve, and the point of which fixes in the distal bone, as well as a blocking ring which is placed between the body of the screw and the sleeve.
Patent FR-A-2,695,026 describes a screw with fold-back wings integral with the proximal end of the screw, the head of which is hollow and can receive a cylindrical element acting on the free ends of the wings in order to fold them back. The whole arrangement can include an axial channel for the passage of a pin which is used for certain types of fractures.
Patent EP-A-0,209,685 describes a compression device formed by a screw which engages in a peg with a slotted head capable of fixing itself in the bone. This device has the disadvantage of being difficult to withdraw on account of the regrowth of bone which can block the peg.
These known devices are not generally designed for use in the reconstructive surgery of small bones, for example the bones of the foot and of the hand. Moreover, the head of the screw which is traditionally used stands out and forms a projection beyond the surface of the bone, and this entails serious risks of pain and of formation of seats of infection. This difficulty is eliminated in the screw known as the Herbert screw and formed by a headless compression screw, bearing on the two opposite cortical walls of the fractured bone or of the bone fragments, but the positioning of such a screw is a delicate operation.
Finally, it is generally imperative to prepare a very precise drill hole before putting into position the device for maintaining the fractured bone in compression, and this positioning, as well as the compression, are then often awkward to perform under good conditions.
The subject of the present invention is a novel osteosynthesis ring which is particularly designed for small bones, but may also be suitable for bones of large dimension, and which can be used in combination with a pin or a screw, and, where appropriate, an osteosynthesis plate.
Another subject of the invention is a device specially designed for the compression of such an osteosynthesis ring.
The osteosynthesis ring according to the present invention, for maintaining one or more fractured bones in compression, is intended to be used in combination with a pin or a screw, and, where appropriate, an osteosynthesis plate, and is of the type comprising a hollow cylindrical body; it is distinguished by the fact that:
the body of the ring is made of an elastic biocompatible material, PA1 the body of the ring has a channel passing right through it along its axis of revolution and matching the pin, PA1 the body of the ring is equipped on its outer and/or inner part with a means for blocking in translation and/or in rotation, PA1 the proximal part of the body and/or the head of the ring is slotted along at least one diameter in order to form at least two separate parts which are capable of spreading apart from one another.
The means for blocking the osteosynthesis ring according to the invention can be formed by a spiral screw thread on the outer surface of the cylindrical body, cooperating, for example, with a tapped hole made in the osseous part where the ring is to be positioned. In one variant, the outer cylindrical surface is smooth, and the blocking means is formed by at least one flexible tongue, the free end of which will anchor itself in the osseous part or, preferably, in an osteosynthesis plate. In another variant, the blocking is achieved by fixation on the pin itself, and in this case the blocking means is provided on the inner face of the channel passing through the ring.
The osteosynthesis ring according to the invention is preferably formed by a headless screw, but it is possible to use headed screws of various forms.
According to a preferred embodiment, the osteosynthesis ring includes means for temporary attachment to the pin, which means can consist of a circular flange inside the axial channel.
As has been indicated hereinabove, the proximal part of the body and/or the head of the ring is divided into at least two parts by a diametral slot, or by two perpendicular slots, in this case forming a cruciform recess.
This diametral slot can advantageously have a beveled section over part or all of the diameter, facilitating the positioning of the ring, in combination with an apparatus or ancillary device of the type described hereinafter. Moreover, the ring can also include a transverse slot, in a plane perpendicular to the axis of the ring, and passing through the latter along approximately half its diameter, preferably in its distal part, near its central part.
The osteosynthesis ring according to the invention is made of any biocompatible material having satisfactory mechanical properties, and for example of treated steel, stainless steel, steel having a high nitrogen content, an alloy based on titanium, aluminum and vanadium or molybdenum, such as TA6V or TA6M alloys, and in a general manner all the metals corresponding to the standard ISO 5832.
The osteosynthesis ring according to the present invention affords several advantages compared to the conventional devices used in the art.
As in the case of the Herbert screw, it does not form a protrusion at the bone surface, and, moreover, its positioning is made easy because it is guided by the pin. In addition, the same osteosynthesis ring can be used in situations where conventional screws of different sizes would have to be employed.
Furthermore, in the case of an osteosynthesis screw, it is no longer necessary to prepare a drill hole specially designed for the screw, and the positioning of the screw according to the invention is made easier. Consequently, the risks of loss of the reduction of the fracture during the osteosynthesis are greatly reduced.
The production of the ring according to the present invention is simple and relatively inexpensive, since it is not necessary to carry out a delicate operation of perforation for a screw of very small dimension, in contrast to the well known Herbert screw which is poorly adapted to osteosynthesis of the small bones of the foot and of the hand.
The positioning of the ring according to the invention can advantageously be effected using a dynamometric compression device, which greatly limits the risks of excessive traction leading to extraction of the fixation thread of the screw or of the pin from the cortical bone during compression of the fractured bone.
In the case of surgery of the foot, and, especially, of the hand, the ring of the invention, used in the variant of the ring with an external spiral thread, combined with a pin on which it is fixed, permits osteosynthesis of the small bones of the hand to be carried out with greater ease and improved efficacy compared to the conventional techniques, which entail a substantial risk of loss of reduction of the fracture.
In one variant according to the present invention, the ring is associated with a pin including a so-called "distal cancellous" thread and a polygonal cross section, for example hexagonal, permitting the osteosynthesis of fractures of the scaphoid bone, with a possibility of dynamometric compression, avoiding the risks of extraction from the cancellous bone in the distal part.
The invention also extends to an ancillary device specially designed for the compression of an osteosynthesis ring such as has been described hereinabove.
The ancillary device for compression of a fractured bone, using a ring according to the invention, comprises at least two coaxial cylinders which can slide one inside the other along their axis and are connected by a spring, one of the cylinders including means for temporary attachment to the pin or the screw passing through the ring.
The spring is a preset dynamometric spring which can be compressed prior to the positioning of the ring and the compression of the fractured bone.
In a variant designed for a ring fixed on a pin, one of the cylinders comprises, at its free end, means for holding the ring during its positioning, and the other cylinder is provided with a collar or a mandrel for clamping on the pin.
In a second variant designed for a ring fixed on a screw rod associated with an osteosynthesis plate, the ancillary device includes an intermediate cylindrical tube including means for fixing to the plate, for example a screw thread cooperating with a tapped hole provided in the plate.
In a general manner, the ring according to the present invention, combined with a pin and/or a plate, can be employed in all applications where use is made of lost pins, that is to say pins which are left in place after the surgical intervention.
Thus, it can be used in osteosynthesis of fractures of the tibial plateaus, where the characteristics of the ring prevent the pin from migrating. Moreover, the pin can be cut flush with the surface of the bone and no longer protrudes under the skin. This reduces the risks of pain and infection.
The ring of the invention can also be employed in the osteosynthesis of osteochondral fractures of the lower end of the femur, as well as of the astragalus, where the use of the ring in arthroscopy is made easier by the fact that the specially designed ancillary positioning device forms, together with the ring, an assembly which it is easy for the surgeon to manipulate.
In the case of fractures of the wrist, it is possible to use the technique of styloid pinning, and the absence of a protrusion of the pin avoids the risk of tendon rupture on the pin and of infection on the pin, very common in the conventional techniques. Moreover, the lifetime of the osteo-synthesis is distinctly improved by virtue of the good implantation of the pin held by the screw, or the ring, which prevents it from migrating.
The osteosynthesis ring according to the invention can also be used for the reduction of fractures of the neck of the femur, in the same way as in the case of fractures of the scaphoid bone, by giving the twin advantage, compared to the conventional techniques, of great simplicity of positioning and the possibility of dynamometric compression.
In accordance with the present invention, the positioning is carried out in the following manner, more particularly in the case of the variant consisting of a ring with an external screw thread. Once the fracture has been reduced and is being held by a pin, for example a notched pin, the first cortical bone is hollowed out slightly using a suitable instrument, for example a perforated square point. The ring is then mounted on the screwdriver, the effect of which is to spread open the upper parts of the ring by distancing them from one another, and the assembly is engaged on the part of the pin protruding from the bone. The ring is then screwed until it is flush with the surface of the bone, and then the screwdriver is removed.
By virtue of the elasticity of the material used, the upper parts of the ring are drawn together, and the ring is thus blocked on the pin. The form given to the means of attachment of the ring and of the pin makes it possible to obtain a unidirectional or bidirectional blocking in translation, depending on the result which is sought.
The same operation is performed on the opposite cortical bone.
The compression is then carried out on one or other of the two sides, if desired, by means of the ancillary device for dynamometric compression. It then suffices to cut the protruding ends of the pins flush with the rings.
In one variant according to the invention including a pin with a distal threading which can anchor in the opposite cortical bone, this pin is used as a conventional screw, then the ring according to the invention is engaged on the pin, compressed and blocked on the pin as indicated hereinabove.
The pin can have a polygonal cross section and have a male head, in which case a screwdriver with a female head is used.
In the case of a ring according to the invention combined with an osteosynthesis plate, the positioning can be carried out as is described in greater detail hereinafter.

Osteosynthesis ring usable in combination with a pin or a screw, and compressing device therefore


A substrate cleaning apparatus, includes a vaporizer configured to generate water vapor, a first heating part configured to heat a nitrogen gas to a first temperature, a second heating part configured to heat the nitrogen gas to a second temperature, wherein the second temperature is higher than the first temperature, and at least one cleaning chamber connected to the vaporizer, the first heating part, and the second heating part, wherein the at least one cleaning chamber is configured so that at least one substrate is exposed to the water vapor, the nitrogen gas having the first temperature, or the nitrogen gas having the second temperature under an atmospheric pressure.

Patent Document 1 discloses a substrate processing method including a first step of processing a substrate with a gas containing fluorine and a second step of exposing the substrate to an atmosphere containing moisture. In this substrate processing method, fluorine remaining on the surface of the substrate is removed by exposing the substrate to an atmosphere containing moisture.

Substrate cleaning apparatus and substrate cleaning method