The present disclosure details header flow divider designs and methods of electrolyte distribution. Internal header flow dividers may include multiple flow channels and may be built into flow frames. Flow channels within internal header flow dividers may divide evenly multiple times in order to form multiple flow channel paths and provide a uniform distribution of electrolytes throughout electrode sheets within electrochemical cells. Furthermore, uniform electrolyte distribution across electrode sheets may not only enhance battery performance, but also prevent zinc dendrites that may be formed in electrode sheets. The prevention of zinc dendrite growth in electrode sheets may increase operating lifetime of flow batteries. The disclosed internal header flow dividers may also be included within end caps of electrochemical cells.

Field
The present disclosure relates generally to flowing electrolyte battery systems, and more particularly, to electrolyte distribution enhancement within high performance battery cells.
Background Information
Battery electrodes currently employed in flow batteries may have several performance and durability limitations. In zinc-bromine flowing electrolyte batteries, stacks share an aqueous zinc bromide electrolyte and each cell may have its own bi-polar electrode for deposit and dissolution of elemental zinc during charge and discharge cycles. In this type of battery, the electrolyte flow to a stack or specific cell(s) can be inhibited by poorly placed zinc deposits. Additionally, nucleation on electrodes can cause Zinc dendrite formation and branching between cells. As a result of the lowered zinc availability, the energy storage capacity of the neighboring stacks may be reduced. Another consequence is that the stack having the increased zinc accumulation may not fully deplete the zinc during discharge; eventually resulting in zinc accumulating on electrode sheets of the faulty stack to such an extent that may cause internal short circuiting between the cells of the stack which can potentially destroy the stack and possibly, the entire battery system. A further consequence is that the increased zinc accumulation can restrict the channels through which the electrolyte flows. As the electrolyte stream may act to cool the stack, the restricted flow may cause the stack to overheat and damage critical components. Therefore, zinc dendrites may reduce not only the performance of flow batteries but also the operating lifetime.
Additionally, flowing electrolyte batteries need a uniform electrolyte flow rate in each battery cell in order to supply chemicals evenly inside the battery cells. To achieve a uniform electrolyte flow rate through the cells, flowing electrolyte batteries define complex flow distribution zones. However, because electrolyte may have an oily, aqueous and gaseous multiphase nature, and because of structural constrain on the battery cells, uniform electrolyte flow rate is often not achieved.
For the foregoing reasons, there is a need for design and methods of flow channels which may provide good electrolyte distribution along the surface of electrode sheets, within electrochemical cells, in order to enhance flow battery conductivity and performance.

Internal header flow divider for uniform electrolyte distribution


A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device having a conductive film formed overlying an insulating film overlying the surface of a semiconductor substrate, the conductive film being made, for example, of a material such as polysilicon, WSi.sub.2, Al and Al alloy, and the like. An antireflection film, made of silicon nitride, for example, is formed overlying the surface of the conductive film, the antireflection film reducing light scattering from the conductive film and having a lower etching rate than the etching rate of the conductive film. The antireflection film is patterned to provide a mask for etching the conductive film, and the conductive film is etched using the patterned antireflection film as a mask to form a gate electrode for an MOS transistor, for example. Source and drain regions, for the MOS transistor, for example, are formed in the semiconductor substrate, and an interlayer insulating film is formed overlying the insulating film overlying the semiconductor substrate, the gate electrode and the antireflection film mask remaining on the surface of the gate electrode. The interlayer insulating film is selectively etched to form a deep contact hole, piercing to the semiconductor substrate in the source region, for example, and a shallow contact hole, piercing to the gate electrode. The antirefiection film mask remaining on the surface of the gate electrode retards the etching of the shallow contact hole so that the etchings of the shallow contact hole and of the deep contact hole are completed substantially simultaneously.

a) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a semiconductor device having an antireflection film on the surface of a wiring layer, and a method of manufacturing such a semiconductor device. More particularly, the invention relates to a semiconductor device and a method of manufacturing the same, capable of forming a fine wiring at a high precision.
b) Description of the Related Art
A resist exposure process such as illustrated in FIG. 11 has been used for manufacturing a semiconductor device such as an LSI.
Referring to FIG. 11, on the surface of a semiconductor substrate 1 such as silicon (Si) substrate, an insulating film such as silicon oxide is selectively formed by thermal oxidation. Thereafter, a wiring layer 3A made of aluminum (Al), alloy or the like is formed by sputtering or other methods. A photoresist layer 4A is coated on the surface of the substrate by spin coating or other methods. In the following description, it is assumed that a positive resist is used.
For the resist exposure, a light shielding mask 5 corresponding to a desired wiring pattern is disposed above the substrate, and light 6 is radiated down to the resist layer 4A. Since the surface of the wiring layer 3A made of Al alloy or the like has a light reflection property, the light 6 is reflected also at the slopes AB and CD at a step region. The light 6 goes back to the area of the resist layer 4A andl exposes it, in spite of the fact that the area is covered by a mask 5 and should not be exposed.
After the following resist development process, the remaining resist layer takes different sizes and dimensions in the slope area and the flat plane area such as shown in FIGS. 12 to 14. Namely, as shown in the plan view of FIG. 12, the width W at the step area becomes narrower than the width at the flat area. In other words, the wiring layer has a neck or a notch shape. The cross sections taken along lines X--X' and Y--Y become as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, respectively. As shown in FIG. 13, the cross section at the flat area is rectangular as designed. However, as shown in FIG. 14, the cross section at the step area is semicircular and has a width W narrower than the designed width.
The narrow part having a smaller width W of the resist layer 4 broadens the variation of dimension of a wiring layer pattern formed by dry-etching the wiring layer 3A by using the resist layer 4 as the etching mask. Moreover, during the etching process, the narrow part may cause a breakage of wiring if the etching rate relative to the resist layer is low. The variation of dimension, particularly of gate electrodes, may easily become a cause of a variation of device performances.
As a method of reducing the generation of the narrow part of a resist pattern to be caused by reflected light from a slope, methods such as using resist added with dye which absorbs reflected light from a slope, and coating an antireflection film such as titanium nitride (TiN) on the surface of a wiring layer to suppress reflection at a slope, are known.
In the case of the dry etching using the resist layer 4 as the etching mask, there is another problem of a low etching rate relative to an SiO.sub.2 film which underlies of the wiring layer. For example, in forming gate electrodes and wirings of a MOS LSI, the gate electrode/wiring layer such as polysilicon is dry-etched using the resist layer as the etching mask, under the condition that the etching rate or speed of the gate electrode/wiring layer is faster than that of the mask. If the etching rate relative to the SiO.sub.2 is low, the SiO.sub.2 film serving as the gate insulating film is over-etched and made thin. As a result, the device performance iaiay change because the SiO.sub.2 film is very thin. It is therefore required to raise the etching rate relative to an underlying layer such as an SiO.sub.2 film.
In order to meet this requirement, use of a silicon oxide film in place of a resist film as the etching mask, is known (for example, refer to a monthly magazine "Semiconductor World", January, 1990, pp.81 to 84). In this case, in order to stop or reduce a supply of carbon (C) to the etching system, a silicon oxide film not containing C is used as the etching mask instead of a resist film containing C. By using a chlorine-based (Cl-based) or bromine-based (Br-based) based gas as an etchant, the etching rate of a wiring layer relative to an SiO.sub.2 film can be improved.
If a resist film added with dye is used, the resolution of the resist film patterning lowers so that a fine wiring is difficult to form. Moreover, as shown in FIG. 15, the resist layer 4 is likely to have a tapered section with skirt regions 4a and 4b. The skirt regions 4a and 4b are etched at the later process, making the width of the wiring layer narrower than a desired width.
If a TiN antireflection film, the resist layer 4 as an etching mask, and gas containing Cl or Br, are used to plasma-etch the lamination of the wiring layer and TiN film, a wiring made of the remaining wiring layer 3 and TiN film 5 can be obtained as shown in FIG. 16. However, because of a low etching speed, the etching selectivity relative to the resist film lowers, and a fine wiring is not able to be formed.
Furthermore, the reaction product by the etching gas and TiN attaches to the pattern side walls to form sticking layers 6a and 6b: As a result, the width W.sub.1 of the resist layer increases to W.sub.2, making the width of a wiring broader than a desired width. The increase of the width depends on the density of a pattern. The coarser the pattern, the increment width becomes greater and the variation of dimension becomes larger.
If a silicon oxide is used as an etching mask, the narrower area of a resist pattern caused by reflected light from a slope is inevitable because the silicon oxide film will not function as an antireflection film.

Method of manufacturing a semiconductor device using antireflection coating


A biosensor that includes working and counter electrodes of substantially the same size and made of the same electrically conducting material. A reagent is contained in a reagent well in the biosensor. The reagent includes a redox mediator, an enzyme, and a buffer, and covers substantially equal surface areas of portions of the working and counter electrodes. When a sample, containing the analyte to be measured, is added to the reagent well, a reaction occurs that oxidizes the analyte and reduces the redox mediator. After this reaction is complete, an electrical potential difference is applied between the electrodes. The amount of oxidized form of the redox mediator at the counter electrode and the applied potential difference must be sufficient to cause diffusion limited electrooxidation of the reduced form of the redox mediator at the surface of the working electrode. After a short time delay, current produced by the electrooxidation of the reduced form of the redox mediator is measured and the observed current is correlated to the amount of the analyte in the sample. In some cases, the analyte sought to be measured may be reduced and the redox mediator may be oxidized. In such cases, current produced by diffusion limited electroreduction of the oxidized form of the redox mediator is measured and correlated to the amount of analyte in the sample.

Biosensors are not new. Their use in the determination of concentrations of various analytes in fluids is also known.
Nankai et al , WO 86/07632, published Dec. 31, 1986, discloses an amperometric biosensor system in which a fluid containing glucose is contacted with glucose oxidase and potassium ferricyanide. The glucose is oxidized and the ferricyanide is reduced to ferrocyanide. (This reaction is catalyzed by glucose oxidase.) After two minutes, an electrical potential is applied and a current caused by the re-oxidation of the ferrocyanide to ferricyanide is obtained. The current value, obtained a few seconds after the potential is applied, correlates to the concentration of glucose in the fluid.
Because Nankai et al. discloses a method in which the reaction of glucose and ferricyanide may run to completion prior to the application of an electrical potential, this method is referred to as the "end-point" method of amperometric determination.
Nankai et al. discloses a system, wherein the glucose oxidase and potassium ferricyanide are held on a non-woven nylon mesh. The mesh is positioned so that it is in contact with a working electrode, a counter electrode and a reference electrode. The total surface area of the counter and reference electrodes is twice that of the working electrode.
Wogoman, EP 0 206 218, published Dec. 30, 1986 discloses a biosensor having two electrodes, the electrodes being made of different electrically conducting materials. For example, the anode is formed from an anode material, such as platinum, and the cathode is formed from a cathode material, such as silver. The anode is coated with an enzyme. In a preferred embodiment, the coated electrode is covered with an elastomer that is permeable to glucose.
Pottgen et al., WO 89/08713, published Sep. 21, 1989, discloses the use of a two electrode biosensor, wherein the electrodes are made of the same noble metal, but one of the electrodes (referred to as a pseudoreference electrode) is larger than the other (working) electrode.
Conventional wisdom in the electrochemical arts suggests biosensors of the following types:
1) a three electrode system, wherein a working electrode is referenced against a reference electrode (such as silver/silver chloride) and a counter electrode provides a means for current flow;
2) a two electrode system, wherein the working and counter electrodes are made of different electrically conducting materials; and
3) a two electrode system, wherein the working and counter electrodes are made of the same electrically conducting materials, but the counter electrode is larger than the working electrode.
Conventional wisdom in the electrochemical arts does not suggest that a biosensor could include a two electrode system, wherein the working and counter electrodes are substantially the same size (or wherein the counter electrode is smaller than the working electrode) and made of the same electrically conducting material.


An electromagnetic fluid pressure transducer is provided which uses the opposing magnetic fields of a permanent magnet and an electromagnet to sense a change in a differential force. The differential force is the result of a pressure applied to the unequal surface areas of two pistons attached to opposite poles of the permanent magnet. The differential force displaces the permanent magnet which activates a counter whose output controls the field strength of an electromagnet. The magnetic field of the electromagnet is varied by the counter output to counterbalance the differential force by interacting with the field of the permanent magnet. The field strength of the electromagnet is varied until the magnetic force is sufficient to overcome the differential force and return the permanent magnet to its original position which stops the counter. As a result, the counter output which changes in proportion to change in the ambient pressure acting against the pistons can be used to indicate pressure.

Pressure transducers are used in a variety of industries and applications. They are used in manned and unmanned underwater vehicles to measure depth. They are used in aircraft to measure altitude and to monitor pressure in the compression stages of jet engines. Additionally, hydraulic and pneumatic control systems use pressure transducers for pressure control. The single largest user of pressure transducers is the automotive industry which uses transducers to monitor engine intake manifold pressure in order to control electronic fuel injection systems and to determine shift points for automatic transmissions.
Pressure transducers are available in a variety of types. Among the most commonly used pressure transducers are bellows type transducers, spring/diaphragm type transducers and diaphragm/strain gauge type transducers. Bellows type transducers are widely used in applications such as barometers and aircraft altimeters. On the other hand, because of the inability of the bellows to handle moderate to high pressures, this type of transducer is limited to low pressure applications.
Spring/diaphragm transducers are commonly used in applications such as oxygen regulators. Spring/diaphragm transducers, however, have the drawback that they are inherently inaccurate because the spring and the diaphragm will fatigue over time. As the parts fatigue, the transducer must often be adjusted and calibrated to compensate for the changes in the materials.
Diaphragm/strain gauge transducers, while commonly used for high pressure applications such as torpedoes, still have several drawbacks. Since the total deflection in this type strain gauge may be very small, often measured in microns, precision machining and assembly is required. Often these devices have a limited range of use and mechanical stops must be used to prevent failures when exposed to pressures outside the allowable range. As a result of this limited range, multiple transducers having different ranges must often be used. In the design of diaphragm/strain gauge transducers, great care must be taken in the selection of materials to ensure that dissimilar materials having different temperature coefficients don't distort the diaphragm when the device is exposed to varying temperatures during operation. Moreover, the resistors in the strain gauge must be temperature compensated as well. Still further, care must be taken when assembling a diaphragm/strain gauge type transducer to minimize machining, welding and bonding stresses. This is necessary because these stresses, will relax over time and appear during operation as long term stability problems or drift. As a result of the foregoing, diaphragm/strain gage type transducers are relatively expensive.
The foregoing transducers universally rely on physical deformation of a mechanical part to monitor pressure. Over time all will need adjustment because of fatigue stresses and strains in the deforming member. This presents its own problem because most pressure transducers must be removed from their installed positions for testing and calibration. Another problem affecting all the above transducers, and briefly touched upon, above is that temperature affects their structural components and therefore their performance. Finally, the foregoing mechanical pressure transducers only approximate linearity and are subject to pressure bias offset if stressed beyond their design limit. These problems are the result of the incomplete or imperfect elasticity of the deforming mechanical component.
In light of the above it is an object of the present invention to provide a pressure transducer which is compact and easy to use. It is another object of the present invention to provide a pressure transducer which is able to detect small variations in pressure over wide range of pressures. It is still another object of the present invention to provide a pressure transducer which is reliable and accurate. Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a pressure transducer which is operationally rugged. And yet another object is to provide a pressure transducer which is not affected by operating temperatures or residual manufacturing or assembly stresses. It is another object of the present invention to provide a fluid pressure transducer having long-term stability. Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a pressure transducer which is relatively easy to manufacture and which is relatively economical.

Pressure transducer using permanent magnet and opposing variable magnetic field


A roller mechanism for separating paper has a fusing roller, a following roller, and at least two paper-separating rings. The fusing roller is formed with at least two annular grooves on a periphery thereof. The two paper-separating rings are respectively mounted in the annular grooves correspondingly. The following roller is contiguous to the fusing roller for heating a paper therebetween and transporting out the paper smoothly.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a roller mechanism for separating paper, and particularly to a roller mechanism applied in a business machine (for example, a laser printer, or a copy machine) for transporting out paper smoothly.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The operating principle of all the laser printer or copy machine, referring to the FIG. 1, is making a paper (P) absorbed carbon powder via electric charge, and making the carbon powder fused on the paper (P) by heating via a heating mechanism (H). The heating mechanism (H) is mounted in a fusing roller 2a. A follower roller 3a which is assembled under the fusing roller 2a exerts pressure upon another surface of the paper (P). Because of the carbon powder, the paper (P) will easily adhere to the fusing roller 2a when the fusing roller 2a heats the paper (P). Therefore, it needs a paper-separating mechanism for separating the paper (P) from the fusing roller 2a.
The fusing roller 2a of prior art comprises a pivoting device 4a which is disposed adjacent a paper outlet 5a, and a plurality of separating claws 6a which are pivoted on an end of the pivoting device 4a. The separating claws 6a are respectively formed with a sharp tip, and the sharp tips are contact with the surface of the fusing roller 2a. When the paper (P) passes the fusing roller 2a, the separating claws 6a separates the paper (P) from the fusing roller 2a, and the paper (P) is guided along the separating claws 6a to the paper outlet 5a.
However, the separating claws 6a of the prior art must be disposed accurately, each of the separating claws 6a must closes to the surface of the fusing roller 2a accurately. If one of the separating claws 6a is not closed, the paper (P) will probably adhere to the fusing roller 2a and roll thereon, even the paper (P) will wrap around the fusing roller 2a. At that time, it usually need to dismantle a rear panel of the laser printer and take the paper (P) out carefully to avoid injuring the separating claws 6a and the fusing roller 2a. Besides, it must consider particularly the material of the separating claws 6a for withstanding high temperature and not injuring the fusing roller 2a. Therefore the cost and accurateness requirement of the prior art are high.
Hence, an improved roller mechanism for separating paper is required to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art.


There is provided a substrate integrated waveguide filter having a central region and a peripheral region surrounding the central region, and including: a first substrate; a second substrate opposite to the first substrate; a plurality of conductive support pillars between the first substrate and the second substrate, within the peripheral region, and surrounding the central region, wherein a distance between at least one pair of adjacent two of the plurality of conductive support pillars is less than a wavelength of an electromagnetic wave to be transmitted by the substrate integrated waveguide filter; and a dielectric layer between the first substrate and the second substrate, wherein a permittivity of the dielectric layer is configured to be changed as a strength of an electric field formed between the first substrate and the second substrate is changed to adjust a frequency of the substrate integrated waveguide filter.

A substrate integrated waveguide filter generally includes a dielectric substrate and metal layers respectively arranged on an upper side and a lower side of the dielectric substrate. Further, a plurality of metal through holes are periodically arranged in a peripheral region of the dielectric substrate, and penetrate through the dielectric substrate to connect the metal layers respectively on the upper and lower sides to each other, such that the metal through holes and the metal layers respectively on the upper and lower sides form a rectangular waveguide resonant cavity, and an electromagnetic wave may be transmitted in a space of the resonant cavity. However, in the related art, it is difficult to manufacture a filter having an adjustable frequency, or it is difficult to adjust a frequency of a filter by using a mechanical adjustment (e.g., screw adjustment) method.

Substrate integrated waveguide filter comprising an electric field responsive dielectric layer configured to adjust a frequency of the filter


Human colon specific gene polypeptides and DNA (RNA) encoding such polypeptides and a procedure for producing such polypeptides by recombinant techniques is disclosed. Also disclosed are methods for utilizing such polynucleotides or polypeptides as a diagnostic marker for colon cancer and as an agent to determine if colon cancer has metastasized. Also disclosed are antibodies specific to the colon specific gene polypeptides which may be used to target cancer cells and be used as part of a colon cancer vaccine. Methods of screening for agonists and antagonists for the polypeptide and therapeutic uses of the antagonists are also disclosed.

This invention relates to newly identified polynucleotides, polypeptides encoded by such polynucleotides, and the use of such polynucleotides and polypeptides. The present invention further relates to inhibiting the production and function of the polypeptides of the present invention.
The gastrointestinal tract is the most common site of both newly diagnosed cancers and fatal cancers occurring each year in the USA, figures are somewhat higher for men than for women. The incidence of colon cancer in the USA is increasing, while that of gastric cancer is decreasing, cancer of the small intestine is rare. The incidence of gastrointestinal cancers varies geographically. Gastric cancer is common in Japan and uncommon in the United States, whereas colon cancer is uncommon in Japan and common in the USA. An environmental etiologic factor is strongly suggested by the statistical data showing that people who move to a high-risk area assume the high risk. Some of the suggested etiologic factors for gastric cancer include aflatoxin, a carcinogen formed by aspergillus flavus and present in contaminated food, smoked fish, alcohol, and Vitamin A and magnesium deficiencies. A diet high in fat and low in bulk, and, possibly, degradation products of sterol metabolism may be the etiologic factors for colon cancer. Certain disorders may predispose to cancer, for example, pernicious anemia to gastric cancer, untreated non-tropical sprue and immune defects to lymphoma and carcinoma, and ulcerative and granulomatous colitis, isolated polyps, and inherited familial polyposis to carcinoma of the colon.
The most common tumor of the colon is adenomatous polyp. Primary lymphoma is rare in the colon and most common in the small intestine.
Adenomatous polyps are the most common benign gastrointestinal tumors. They occur throughout the GI tract, most commonly in the colon and stomach, and are found more frequently in males than in females. They may be single, or more commonly, multiple, and sessile or pedunculated. They may be inherited, as in familial polyposis and Gardener's syndrome, which primarily involves the colon. Development of colon cancer is common in familial polyposis. Polyps often cause bleeding, which may occult or gross, but rarely cause pain unless complications ensue. Papillary adenoma, a less common form found only in the colon, may also cause electrolyte loss and mucoid discharge.
A malignant tumor includes a carcinoma of the colon which may be infiltrating or exophytic and occurs most commonly in the rectosigmoid. Because the content of the ascending colon is liquid, a carcinoma in this area usually does not cause obstruction, but the patient tends to present late in the course of the disease with anemia, abdominal pain, or an abdominal mass or a palpable mass.
The prognosis with colonic tumors depends on the degree of bowel wall-invasion and on the presence of regional lymph node involvement and distant metastases. The prognosis with carcinoma of the rectum and descending colon is quite unexpectedly good. Cure rates of 80 to 90% are possible with early resection before nodal invasion develops. For this reason, great care must be taken to exclude this disease when unexplained anemia, occult gastrointestinal bleeding, or change in bowel habits develop in a previously healthy patient. Complete removal of the lesion before it spreads to the lymph nodes provides the best chance of survival for a patient with cancer of the colon. Detection in an asymptomatic patient by occult-bleeding, blood screening results in the highest five year survival.
Clinically suspected malignant lesions can usually be detected radiologically. Polyps less than 1 cm can easily be missed, especially in the upper sigmoid and in the presence of diverticulosis. Clinically suspected and radiologically detected lesions in the esophagus, stomach or colon can be confirmed by fiber optic endoscopy combined with histologic tissue diagnosis made by directed biopsy and brush sitology. Colonoscopy is another method utilized to detect colon diseases. Benign and malignant polyps not visualized by X-ray are often detected on colonoscopy. In addition, patients with one lesion on X-ray often have additional lesions detected on colonoscopy. Sigmoidoscope examination, however, only detects about 50% of colonic tumors.
The above methods of detecting colon cancer have drawbacks, for example, small colonic tumors may be missed by all of the above-described methods, The importance of detecting colon cancer is also extremely important to prevent metastases.


A medical teaching apparatus enables medical students, physicians, and surgeons to hone their skills of examination and surgical procedures upon the human ear. This includes the tympanic membrane and also some structures of the human middle ear such as the malleus, the incus, and the stapes bones. The apparatus is in the form of a "book" like structure including two generally rectangular plates which can be joined by a hinge. When the book sections are closed one upon the other, abutting surfaces mate to sandwich a sheet of film therebetween that simulates a patient's tympanic membrane. Each of the sections has correspondingly sized and shaped openings through which a surgeon can insert an examination instrument or different types of surgical probes and instruments. One of the book sections carries an insert plug that reproduces structure of the patient's middle ear.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to medical devices, and more particularly medical teaching devices for teaching the skills of examination and surgical procedures of the human ear. The present invention more particularly relates to an improved apparatus for teaching examination and surgical procedures of the human ear that includes a properly oriented tympanic membrane and anatomical structures of the middle ear, such as the malleus, the incus, and the stapes bones.
2. General Background of the Invention
A certain number of practitioners make a decision to "give up" stapedectomy procedures each year because of the time interval since their last procedure and/or the lack of an available temporal bone laboratory in which they can perform a number of practice procedures prior to the real one. There is thus a need for an inexpensive "trainer" that could simply be used in an office setting using an existing office microscope such as after patient visiting hours.
Numerous anatomical teaching devices have been patented, some of which are directed to the human ear. At least one prior art patent, U.S. Pat. No. 2,778,125, is directed to a teaching device that simulates the human ear. That patent was issued to Irvin Hantman and is entitled "Teaching Device Simulating The Human Ear".
Other patents that relate to anatomical displays include U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,009,267; 4,209,919; and 5,505,623. The present invention relates to a model that enables a surgeon to perform a myringotomy. The Goldsmith U.S. Pat. No. 5,053,040 is directed to a method of performing a myringotomy.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,944,681 discloses an ear examination simulator unit for use by parents, children and health care professionals to recognize ear disorders in children. The apparatus includes an ear structure simulator module that is mounted within a head portion of a furry animal facsimile. The ear structure simulator module includes a tube body having orifices defined in ends thereof for receiving an otoscope or other examination tool. Mounted within the tube portion is a semi-translucent membrane and a photographic slide depicting an eardrum in normal or various diseased states. A source of illumination provides light which is distributed by the membrane in order to provide back lighting of the images on the photographic slide. In addition, the membrane may be textured and colored so as to simulate a human eardrum in its healthy state.

Training device for myringotomy and middle ear surgery


A tubular extruded member particularly suitable for use in medical devices such as intravascular catheters and guide wires, wherein the extruded tubular member includes multiple layers having biaxial helical orientation in different directions. A counter-rotation extrusion process may be used to orient the layers in different biaxial helical directions. The counter-rotation extrusion process provides orientation in two different circumferential directions in addition to a longitudinal direction. By combining the dual direction or biaxial helical orientation with multiple layers, different layers of the tubular member may be tailored to have the desired mechanical properties.

A wide variety of medical devices utilized extruded polymeric members. For example, intravascular catheters and guide wires commonly utilize an extruded polymeric tube as a shaft component. Because intravascular catheters and guide wires must exhibit good torqueability, trackability and pushability, it is desirable that the extruded polymeric shaft component have good torque transmission, flexibility and column strength. These attributes are commonly incorporated into intravascular catheters by utilizing a composite shaft construction. Alternatively, the polymer material which forms the extruded polymeric shaft component may be oriented to enhance the mechanical characteristics thereof.
For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,951,494 to Wang et al. discloses a variety of medical instruments, such as guide wires and catheters, formed at least in part of elongated polymer members having helical orientation. The helical orientation is established by post-processing an extruded elongate polymer member with tension, heat and twisting. Wang et al. theorize that the tension, heat and twisting process results in a polymer member that has helical orientation on the molecular level. Such molecular helical orientation enhances torque transmission of the elongate polymer member, which is important for some types of intravascular medical devices to navigate through tortuous vascular pathways.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,059,375 to Lindsay discloses an extrusion process for producing flexible kink resistant tubing having one or more spirally-reinforced sections. The extruder includes a rotatable member having an extrusion passageway for spirally extruding a thermoplastic filament into a base thermoplastic material to form a tube. The rotatable member is rotated to form the reinforcement filament in a spiral or helical pattern in the wall of the tubing.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,639,409 to Van Muiden discloses an extrusion process for manufacturing a tube-like extrusion profile by conveying a number of divided streams of material of at least two different compositions through a rotating molding nozzle. The streams of material flow together in the rotating molding nozzle to form at least two helically shaped bands of material. After allowing the combined streams of material to cool off, an extrusion profile comprising a plurality of bands of material extending in a helical pattern is formed.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,248,305 to Zdrahala discloses a method of manufacturing extruded catheters and other flexible plastic tubing with improved rotational and/or longitudinal stiffness. The tubing comprises a polymer material including liquid crystal polymer (LCP) fibrils extruded through a tube extrusion die while rotating the inner and outer die walls to provide circumferential shear to the extruded tube. Rotation of the inner and outer die walls orients the LCP in a helical manner to provide improved properties, including greater rotational stiffness.
Although each of these prior art methods provide some degree of orientation which enhances the mechanical characteristics of extruded polymeric members, there is an ongoing need to further enhance the mechanical characteristics of medical devices such as intravascular catheters and guide wires to improve performance thereof.

Biaxially oriented multilayer polymer tube for medical devices


According to the preferred embodiment, an erosion and dishing monitor and monitor method are provided that facilitates the accurate optimization of a planarization process as in semiconductor process. The dishing monitor comprises at least two monitor structure sets embedded in a semiconductor substrate, the monitor structure sets comprising a plurality of monitor structures connected together with a plurality of connective conductors. The erosion monitor comprises a plurality of elongated conductors embedded into a semiconductor substrate, the plurality of conductors having varying conductor widths and adjacent substrate widths.

1. Technical Field
This invention generally relates to semiconductor circuit fabrication, and more specifically relates to damascene metal processing.
2. Background Art
In semiconductor fabrication there is a constant need for methods to improve the reliability, yield and cost of fabrication. For this reason, the damascene metal deposition process was invented. Today, the damascene process is used for a variety of wiring and contacts in semiconductor fabrication, replacing the more expensive traditional reactive ion etch (RIE) metal processing in products such as CMOS memory and logic.
Single damascene is defined as where the damascene process is used for global wiring and interconnects only. Double damascene is where damascene wiring is combined with a damascene contact or via for even greater cost reduction.
The damascene metal process involves first etching a trench into a dielectric layer. The wafer is then covered with a conductor, this conductor filling the trench and covering the dielectric layer. The wafer is then polished, typically using a form of chemical mechanical polish (CMP), down to the dielectric layer. The dielectric layer, typically an oxide, is not as easily polished away by the CMP as t he metal. Thus, the oxide serves as a "stop" for the polish process. The CMP leaves the conductor embedded as wires in the dielectric. This process can be used to create global wiring, interconnects, contacts and vias. The damascene process has been used extensively with tungsten as the conductor and silicon dioxide as the dielectric.
One of the key areas of concern in damascene processing is the optimization of the CMP, particularly the thickness and planarity of the conductor wires as determined by the CMP process. For example, for relatively large conductors made of tungsten, there is a problem of the CMP "dishing" the conductor. Dishing is non-planarity caused by accelerated polishing at the center of relatively large conductors. The oxide around the conductor serves as a stop for the CMP, but because the CMP "pad" is flexible, it will flex into the center portions of the conductor. Thus, dishing is primarily caused by deformation of the pad used during CMP.
Erosion is another potential problem that arises from CMP during damascene processing. Erosion occurs where there is insufficient oxide to act as a CMP stop. With insufficient oxide, the oxide can be thinned down by the CMP. With the oxide thinned, the conductor can be over-polished, resulting in conductors with insufficient thickness. Erosion is a particular problem in structures that have a high number of tightly packed conductors with small amounts of oxide between them.
Numerous variables determine the rate of dishing and erosion that occur in a CMP. For example, the size of the conductor pattern is a key feature. Also, the amount of dishing and erosion is determined by the density of fine metal features that have insufficient oxide available as a polish stop. In these local regions where there is more tungsten than oxide, the narrow oxide pillars will polish at a rapid rate, resulting in over polishing.
Other key variables are the particular methods used for the CMP. For example, a key variable is the selectivity of the tungsten polish to the underlying oxide, where selectivity is the ratio of tungsten to oxide polish rates. This selectivity is influenced by the chemistry of the slurry used as a polishing compound, the hardness of the oxide, and the physical tool conditions. Additionally, the slurry composition, the pressure of the polish head, the plate and carrier rotational speeds, and the pad hardness all play a role in this selectivity.
These variables can be adjusted to minimize the dishing and erosion to optimize the CMP for desired results. Unfortunately, one of the problems in achieving a well optimized CMP has been the difficulty in measuring the planarity and thickness of the resulting conductors, i.e., the amount of erosion and dishing. Without accurate measurements, it is very difficult to optimize the CMP.
Several methods have been used to quantify the resultant amount of metal thinning caused by dishing and erosion. For example, if the dishing is severe enough to break through the tungsten, then it can be seen optically. Otherwise, as a non-transparent film, it cannot be measured with standard film thickness measurement techniques that measure the thickness of transparent films.
Another method to measure the dishing and erosion in the past has been to use scanning electron microscope (SEM) cross-sections. This requires slicing the semiconductor wafer into cross sections and measuring the thickness of the conductor with an electron microscope. This is a very expensive and time consuming method and cannot be used for in-line, real-time optimization of the fabrication process.
Another method uses stylus dragging techniques for measuring changes in surface planarity. Unfortunately, this also gives limited data and is subject to other sensitivities including the effect of underlying topography.
Because of the inability to effectively optimize the CMP process, manufacturers have been forced to use a minimum amount of polishing. This is done by polishing a minimum amount and then visually inspecting the wafer. The under polished wafers show residuals that are visible in an optical microscope. The polish time is increased until no residuals are seen. Unfortunately, because it is possible that some dishing will occur before all the residuals are gone, this solution does not always lead to the optimum CMP process.

Dishing and erosion monitor structure for damascene metal processing

Internatioal Business Machines Corporation


A stimulation electrode for a stimulation device for stimulating organs in the case of spinal paraplegia, more particularly in the case of detrusor sphincter dyssynergia, including an electrode shaft, at one end of which an electrode tip is arranged for emitting a stimulation signal and at the other end of which a connection region is provided for a signal line, and also at least one fixing mechanism for fixing the position of the electrode shaft in the surrounding tissue along the longitudinal axis of the electrode shaft, the fixing mechanism having at least one holding member preventing a withdrawal and at least one holding member preventing an advance.

Micturition, defecation and sexual dysfunctions result from damage to the central autonomic centers of spinal sympathetic and parasympathetic nuclear regions or to the peripheral autonomic ganglia and nerves.
Electric stimulation devices, as described in e.g. US 2006/0190047 A1, are known in the field of micturition disorders, i.e. disorders of the urine-passing and bladder system. Such stimulation devices have, until now, already been used for micturition disorders of other types. By contrast, only medicinal therapies or much more invasive measures are offered to patients with paraplegia and neurogenic disturbances of micturition. However, the minimally invasive implantation thereof is advantageous.
Spinal paraplegia, a synonym for paraplegia, paraplegic lesions, transversal syndrome, is understood to mean a group of symptoms that occur if the nerve lines in the spinal cord are interrupted. The cause can be injury to the spinal cord, e.g. in the case of vertebral fractures, or else tumors and other specific diseases, e.g. multiple sclerosis. Here there is neuronal dysfunction from the region of the damage, which may, e.g. in the region of the urogenital tract, lead to incontinence/problems when passing urine, detrusor sphincter dyssynergia (DSD) and to a loss of sexual functions and bowel movements (dysfunction of the lesser pelvis).
The most difficult event, DSD, leads to impaired coordination of the musculature required for a normal bladder function with the formation of residual urine and increased intravesical pressure during micturition. This can lead to detrusor damage, vesicoureteral reflux and, ultimately, to kidney damage as a result thereof.
Moreover, the sexual functionality may also be greatly impaired in the case of paraplegia, particularly in the case of male patients due to the inability of having an erection.
Previous minimally-invasive therapies utilize stimulation electrodes, which are implanted at suitable positions, and support/take over the required stimulation of the neuronal structures. Here, the implantation is matched individually to the most successful stimulation result, which in turn significantly depends on the position of the electrode in respect of the musculature to be stimulated.
A problem here is that the position of the electrodes may shift at a later time because there is a movement of the body and the tissue that holds the electrode. The precise and matched positioning is lost in the process.


An assembly includes a housing with opposite first and second layers. The first and second layers are spaced apart to define a confined interior space. A semi-permeable membrane is attached to the first layer, the semi-permeable membrane covering a porous area portion of the first layer. An outlet port and an inlet port are in fluid communication with the interior space. The assembly includes a first circulator for circulating a first fluid between the outlet port and the inlet port, and a second circulator for circulating a second fluid along an exterior surface of the semi-permeable membrane. The second circulator includes a fluid duct attached to or integrated within the housing. The fluid duct is isolated from the interior space and is porous to provide fluid access to an exterior surface of the semi-permeable membrane. The semi-permeable membrane forms a barrier allowing exchange of compounds across the membrane.

Membrane bioreactors (MBRs) are considered for use in biotechnological applications for producing and recovering compounds of interest from complex biomass feeds. There are different benefits sought by utilization of membrane bioreactors in these applications, amongst others the ease of product recovery as a result of high separation efficiency of the membranes, high product yield and biological conversion rate due to high cell concentration, low energy demand and ease of operation in continuous mode. However, conventional MBRs show limitations for bioconversions of certain feed streams. In particular, handling feed sources containing a high concentration of inhibitory compounds or containing several different substrates is inefficient. Moreover, feeds with high suspended solid (SS) content are problematic in that they negatively affect cell/medium separation.
In order to cope with the above drawbacks, membranes are being used to encapsulate cells and/or enzymes inside so called membrane pockets or sachets. Through cell encapsulation, a high local cell concentration is provided inside the membrane pocket which is kept separated from the main bioreactor medium by a synthetic semi-permeable membrane. This microenvironment gives the cells the ability to tolerate high inhibitor content and also co-utilize different substrates in the feed which reach the cell through diffusion through the membrane. Experiments have indicated that cell encapsulation through membranes allows for increasing bioconversion efficiency. The above encapsulated cell applications are referred to as reverse MBR since the bioreactions occur at the inside of the membrane pockets while the feed is at the outside.
It is known from WO 2016/060892, University of South Florida, 21 Apr. 2016, an algae cultivation system including a passive membrane photobioreactor container having an interior space in which algae can be cultivated and a porous membrane that separates growth media from the interior space. Water, carbon dioxide, and nutrients contained within the growth media can pass through the membrane and into the interior space but microbial contaminants cannot. A recirculation system is provided in fluid communication with the interior space via a container outlet and a container inlet. The recirculation system includes a pump mechanism that is used to draw algae from the interior space and a dewatering mechanism that is used to dewater the algae so that concentrated algae sludge can be output from the system and collected. The recirculation system then pumps the remaining algae and water back into the interior space for further algae cultivation. The photobioreactor container can include multiple laterally extending baffles provided within the interior space that force the algal culture to travel a serpentine path through the container from the inlet to the outlet. This improves mixing, prevents internal biofouling, and potentially increases the concentration gradient between the growth media and algal culture as it prevents short circuiting in which the algae does not have enough time to grow.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

VITO NV (VLAAMSE INSTELLING VOOR TECHNOLOGISCH ONDERZOEK NV)


A fluid level detection device for a chamber containing a fluid includes a sensor configured to indicate one of at least two states; a first state when a present fluid level in the chamber is above a threshold level with respect to a chamber floor, and a second state when the present fluid level in the chamber is below the threshold level. A stabilizer is configured to at least partially surround the sensor. The stabilizer includes a base portion and a plurality of sidewalls defining a storage well configured to store a portion of the fluid around the sensor. The stabilizer is configured to prevent the sensor from indicating the second state when a present fluid volume in the chamber is above a predetermined minimum amount. The stabilizer is configured to prevent the sensor from indicating a false “low fluid” state during a non-stable event.

Engine oil is typically circulated in the engine to lubricate moving components in the engine. Typically, an oil pump pumps the engine oil from an oil sump to various other locations within the engine. Gravity causes engine oil to return to the oil sump. When the engine is switched off, the oil pump no longer pumps the engine oil, and therefore a substantial portion of the engine oil returns to and remains in the oil sump. The engine oil must be maintained above a certain level to prevent damage to the engine components while the engine is running. An oil level sensor is generally employed to ensure that the engine oil is maintained above a minimum level. During a non-stable event, such as rapid acceleration or braking, movement of the engine oil may cause the oil level sensor to falsely indicate that the engine oil is below the minimum level.

Fluid level detection device with stabilizer


Apparatus and method for detecting the presence or amount or rate of binding of an analyte in a sample solution is disclosed. The apparatus includes an optical assembly having first and second reflecting surfaces separated by a distance “d” greater than 50 nm, where the first surface is formed by a layer of analyte-binding molecules, and a light source for directing a beam of light onto said first and second reflecting surface. A detector in the apparatus operates to detect a change in the thickness of the first reflecting layer resulting from binding of analyte to the analyte-binding molecules, when the assembly is placed in the solution of analyte, by detecting a shift in phase of light waves reflected from the first and second surfaces.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for detecting the presence, amount, or rate of binding of one or more analytes in a sample, and in particular, to apparatus and method based on fiber optic interferometry.
2. Description of the Related Art
Diagnostic tests based on a binding event between members of an analyte-anti-analyte binding pair are widely used in medical, veterinary, agricultural and research applications. Typically, such methods are employed to detect the presence or amount or an analyte in a sample, and/or the rate of binding of the analyte to the anti-analyte. Typical analyte-anti-analyte pairs include complementary strands of nucleic acids, antigen-antibody pairs, and receptor-receptor binding agent, where the analyte can be either member of the pair, and the anti-analyte molecule, the opposite member.
Diagnostics methods of this type often employ a solid surface having immobilized anti-analyte molecules to which sample analyte molecules will bind specifically and with high affinity at a defined detection zone. In this type of assay, known as a solid-phase assay, the solid surface is exposed to the sample under conditions that promote analyte binding to immobilized anti-analyte molecules. The binding event can be detected directly, e.g. by a change in the mass, reflectivity, thickness, color or other characteristic indicative of a binding event. Where the analyte is pre-labeled, e.g., with a chromophore, or fluorescent or radiolabel, the binding event is detectable by the presence and/or amount of detectable label at the detection zone. Alternatively, the analyte can be labeled after it is bound at the detection zone, e.g., with a secondary, fluorescent-labeled anti-analyte antibody.
Co-owned U.S. Pat. No. 5,804,453, (the '453 patent) which is incorporated herein by reference, discloses a fiber-optic interferometer assay device designed to detect analyte binding to a fiber-optic end surface. Analyte detection is based on a change in the thickness at the end surface of the optical fiber resulting from the binding of analyte molecules to the surface, with greater amount of analyte producing a greater thickness-related change in the interference signal. The change in interference signal is due to a phase shift between light reflected from the end of the fiber and from the binding layer carried on the fiber end, as illustrated particularly in FIGS. 7a and 7b of the '453 patent. The device is simple to operate and provides a rapid assay method for analyte detection.
Ideally, an interferometer assay device will yield readily observable changes in spectral peak and valley (extrema) positions within the range of a conventional visible-light spectrometer, that is, in the visible light range between about 450-700 nm, such that relatively small optical thickness changes at the fiber end can be detected as significant changes in the spectral positions of interference wavelength peaks and valleys. One limitation which has been observed with the device described in the '453 patent is the absence of readily identified wavelength spectral extrema over this spectral range.
The present invention is designed to overcome this limitation, preserving the advantages of speed and simplicity of the earlier-disclosed device, but significantly enhancing sensitivity and accuracy. The present invention also provides a more convenient disposable-head format, as well as a multi-analyte array format, e.g., for gene-chip and protein-chip applications.

Fiber-optic assay apparatus based on phase-shift interferometry


A process cartridge provided attachably and detachably to and from an image forming apparatus main body, and including an image carrier, a developing unit for visualizing an electrostatic latent image on the image carrier and a toner replenishing unit for replenishing at least a toner to the developing unit, includes: an image carrier cartridge unitized by including at least the image carrier and positioned and supported by the image forming apparatus main body; and a developing cartridge unitized by including at least the developing unit and urged to press to the image carrier cartridge in a state of being positioned relative to the image carrier cartridge, wherein: the toner replenishing unit is included in at least either of the image carrier cartridge and the developing cartridge; and at least a portion of the toner replenishing unit is supported by the image forming apparatus main body.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a process cartridge used in an image forming apparatus of an electronic photography copier, a printer or the like, particularly relates to an improvement in a process cartridge of a mode in which a developing cartridge including a developing unit is urged to press to an image carrier cartridge including an image carrier in a state of being positioned thereto and an image forming apparatus using the same.
2. Background Art
In a background art, there is used an image forming apparatus of, for example, an electronic photography system normally arranged with various devices for electronic photography such as a charging unit, a developing unit, a transcribing unit, a cleaning unit at a surrounding of an image carrier of a photosensitive drum or the like and there has already been provided an image forming apparatus in which the various devises having the same service life are summarized to form a process cartridge and when the service life is expired, interchanging operational performance is simplified.
As a process cartridge 500 of this kind, as shown by, for example, FIG. 15, there is normally adopted a system including an image carrier cartridge 501 including an image carrier 511 of a photosensitive drum or the like and a charging unit 512, a cleaning unit 513, and a developing cartridge 502 including a developing unit (including developing function parts of a developing roll and the like) 521 arranged opposedly to the image carrier 511 and a toner replenishing unit 522 for replenishing a toner to the developing unit 521, in which the image carrier cartridge is positioned and fixed by an image forming apparatus main body, relative to the image carrier cartridge 501, the developing cartridge 502 is pivotably positioned to engage with the image carrier cartridge 501 by a pivot shaft (engaging shaft), not illustrated, further, the developing cartridge 502 is urged in a predetermined direction by an urging element of an urge spring or the like, and is urged to press to the image carrier cartridge 501 in a state of positioning the developing cartridge 502 thereto (for example, JP-A-2004-37638 and Japanese Patent No. 3534104).
However, according to the process cartridge described in JP-A-2004-37638 and Japanese Patent No. 3534104, the developing cartridge 502 is constituted by integrating the toner replenishing unit 522 to the developing unit 521 and therefore, when a weight of the toner replenishing unit 522, that is, a toner containing amount is changed, a press urge force of the developing cartridge 502 to the image carrier cartridge 501 is varied and there is a concern of bringing about a disturbance in an image.
That is, in the case of setting the press urge force of the developing cartridge 502 to be proper when a toner containing amount of the toner replenishing unit 522 is full, when the toner containing amount becomes small, the press urge force becomes deficient and there is a concern of separating the developing roll of the developing unit 521 from the image carrier 511.
Conversely, in the case of setting the press urge force of the developing cartridge 502 to be proper when the toner containing amount of the toner replenishing unit 522 is small, when the toner containing amount is full, the press urge force of the developing cartridge 502 becomes excessively large, and there is a concern that a gap adjusting spacer between the image carrier cartridge 501 and the developing cartridge 502 is deformed, or a rotational load of the image carrier 511 becomes excessively heavy.
Further, JP-A-7-146634 proposes to make the press urge force of the developing cartridge constant by devising a point of engaging the image carrier cartridge and the developing cartridge (a structure of installing the point of engaging the two units on a perpendicular line passing a gravitational center of the developing cartridge or a vicinity thereof).
However, although the technology described in JP-A-7-146634 is applicable to a mode in which a position of the gravitational center of the developing cartridge is not varied, in a number of modes in which the developing unit and the toner replenishing unit are integrated in the developing cartridge, the position per se of the gravitational center of the developing cartridge is varied and therefore, the situation of varying the press urge force of the developing cartridge cannot effectively be avoided.

Process cartridge supported by image forming apparatus main body and image forming apparatus using the same


The invention is a methods of connecting wire that is suitable to connect electrical devices implanted in a living body. The invention enables manipulation of a narrow wire and a crimping component that are on the order of a millimeter in size. The method utilizes a crimper having a slideably attached connector holder that moves relative to the crimper to position an open end of the crimp connector between the crimp die and the crimp anvil, and a slideably attached wire holder that allows the wire holder to be moved relative to the crimper to position a portion of the wire within the open end of the crimp connector. Small components are positioned with precision using a combination of the user's senses, not necessarily including vision. The method does not require stripping electrical insulation from the wires and is also useful for interconnection of miniaturized non-medical electrical devices.

The invention relates in general to joining of electrical conductors and more specifically to devices and methods for connecting medical wires.
Medical wires, also sometimes referred to as biomedical wires and leads, provide electrical paths between different locations within a host. Medical wires are typically very thin, insulated wires formed of materials that are compatible with biological substances and which can be implanted into a host to provide electrical connections between medical devices, connectors, electrodes and other wires. Techniques include implanting medical devices such as, for example, sensors and stimulators into living tissue. These medical devices are often connected to an electrode through a medical wire that allows electrical energy to travel between the implanted medical device and the electrode. Such an arrangement is useful in situations where the medical device can not be implanted at the sensing or stimulation target area of the tissue due to size or other limitations. Other medical techniques also require the use of insulated electrical conductors such as medical wires and surgical wires to mechanically and electrically connect devices, connectors and other wires.
Conventional techniques for connecting medical wires are significantly limited. For example, wire connection techniques that include welding are less than optimum due to the limited types of materials that can be welded and convenience issues. All implanted materials must provide long-term compatibility with the host such that tissue inflammation, cellular alteration, and other adverse reactions are avoided or minimized. In addition, the materials should not be susceptible to damage or deterioration due to chemicals, electrolytes and other substances present in the host. Many biologically compatible materials can not be welded to other biologically compatible materials. For example, titanium and titanium alloys can not be welded to platinum, iridium or alloys of platinum and iridium. In addition, the use of welding equipment is often inconvenient and impractical. Welding at a surgery location, for example, can not be easily facilitated.
Other techniques for connecting medical wires include crimping connectors to the medical wire or device. Such connectors may include metal sleeves or tubes that are crimped around the conductor of a medical wire. Many conventional crimping techniques, however, are limited in that the insulation on the medical wire must be stripped before crimping. The insulation is difficult to remove. Further, insulation particles may irritate healing tissue and cause other adverse effects if the wire is stripped at the surgical site. Most methods of removing insulation cause changes in the chemical composition of the insulation resulting in the creation of pyrogens or toxic byproducts. Other crimping techniques are further limited by the awkward crimping tools that are difficult to use with the small and delicate medical wires, connectors and devices that require precision assembly to form a reliable and sturdy connection.
Accordingly, there is need for device and a method for easily, efficiently, and conveniently connecting medical wires that result in reliable electrical connections.

Alfred E. Mann Foundation for Scientific Research


A timing generator sets a 1-frame period, in which a pixel signal is read from a CCD, at a first period or a second period that is longer than the first period. The timing generator outputs specific timing signals (with optimal driving frequencies) to a vertical driver and a horizontal driver. If it is discriminated that the timing signal for a time period necessary for reading the pixel signal for one frame is output, the timing generator stops the output of the timing signal. Thereby, power saving can be achieved without deterioration of image quality, while reading of the pixel signal is being executed with an optimal driving frequency for the image-capturing element.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a camera, such as a digital camera, a digital video camera or a camera-equipped mobile phone, which generates a timing signal for driving an image-capturing element and reads out a pixel signal, and a timing signal processing apparatus which generates a timing signal for use in the camera.
2. Description of the Related Art
In recent years, with an increase in the number of pixels in cameras such as digital cameras, there is a tendency for higher power to be needed to drive an image-capturing element such as a charge-coupled device (COD). In addition, with the provision of various functions such as an anti-shake function (correction of image distortion due to shaking of the hand), there is a tendency for the power consumption of the entire camera to increase. In contrast, in consideration of the convenience for users, there is a demand for longer battery life, that is, lower power consumption.
In the prior art, there has been proposed a camera which can reduce power consumption in the case where a CCD with a great number of pixels is used (see, e.g. Jpn. Pat. Appln. KOKAI Publication No. 2003-60994).
In the prior-art camera, the power consumption is reduced by switching the driving frequency of a driving pulse, which is supplied from a timing signal generating circuit to the CCD, between a first frequency, which is generated on the basis of a clock that is supplied from a clock generating circuit, and a second frequency which is higher than the first frequency, in accordance with a read mode which is selected from a plurality of read modes.
However, in some types of CCDs, a driving frequency, which is set by specifications, needs to be used for stable operations. Even in cases where the driving frequency is variable, the operation may become unstable when the driving frequency is dynamically varied.
When the driving frequency for the CCD is lowered, the transfer time of a charge (pixel signal) from a light-receiving element (photodiode) of the CCD increases. For example, if intense light is incident, leakage of charge from the light-receiving element to a vertical CCD occurs and mixes in the read charge. That is, smear occurs. As the read time becomes longer, the leakage of charge becomes greater. Thus, if the driving frequency is lowered and the read time is increased as in the prior art, the image quality may deteriorate.

Timing signal processing apparatus for controlling driving of image-capturing element, and camera


An operation device according to the present disclosure includes a number of hard keys, a function icon display unit, a condition icon display unit, a function item receiving unit, a function item change unit, a condition item receiving unit, and a setting condition receiving unit. The function icon display unit can display a number of function icons indicating the function item respectively assigned to the number of hard keys. The condition icon display unit can display a condition icon indicating a condition item. The function item change unit changes an assignment to the hard keys from the function item to the condition item. The condition item receiving unit displays a condition icon corresponding to the condition item assigned to the hard key. The setting condition receiving unit receives a setting condition indicated by the condition item corresponding to the hard key for which the selection was received.

The present invention relates to an operation device and an operation method.
In image forming apparatuses, including duplicating machines, printers, facsimile machines, or a multifunction machine (multifunction peripheral) of these, there has been development into multifunctionalization in order to satisfy a variety of needs of users. Furthermore, accompanying this multifunctionalization, the number of functional items in image forming apparatuses has also increased continuously.
In this regard, in order for a user to use a plurality of functions of an image forming apparatus of a type using soft keys, it is necessary to configure the soft key corresponding to a functional item indicating an available function to be displayable on an operation panel (touch screen).
However, expansion of the space for the display screen of an operation panel equipped to the image forming apparatus has not been secured sufficiently due to the development into multifunctionalization. As a result, an image forming apparatus has thus far been known that, in order to effectively utilize the limited space of the operation panel, has a configuration in which only functional items for representative functions are listed in an indexed manner, and functional items for other functions are classified over several levels into lower layers of the functional items for the representative functions.
In the abovementioned technology, if a functional item related to a request by a user is allocated to a deep layer such as the fifth lower layer of the layered structure, it would be necessary to selectively operate in a sequence through the layers of the multi-layered structure until reaching the functional item. As a result, the manipulations for such operations may be troublesome for the user.
To address this, an image forming apparatus has been disclosed that includes a plurality of function setting keys that is operated when setting various functions for image forming; a shortcut key that is operated when directly setting a function related to combination of one, two or more functions registered in advance; and a display unit that displays setting information of a key for a function setting including the shortcut key (Related Art 1:Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication 2009-229972). This image forming apparatus includes a function registration unit in which setting information for realizing a function related to a combination of at least two functions is registered to be associated with the shortcut key; and a difference extraction unit that, when the shortcut key is operated, extracts the difference between setting information for the shortcut key read from the function registration unit and setting information for default. The image forming apparatus further includes a display control unit that performs control to display, as a list on the display unit, all of the setting information relating to the difference extracted at the difference extraction unit.
In the image forming apparatus of Related Art 1, all of the contents of setting changes from the default for the shortcut key are listed and displayed on the display unit. As a result, it becomes possible for the user to know the details of the setting changes from the default by glancing the list display screen on the display unit. Therefore, the image forming apparatus of Related Art 1 can utilize limited shortcut key resources as well as maintain utilization efficiency at a high level as an apparatus overall by remarkably improving the usability of the shortcut.
However, in the technology disclosed in Related Art 1, there may be a case in which, it is necessary for the user to input (register) the setting conditions (setting information) corresponding to the shortcut key in advance through the operation panel, and thus the initial setting operation may be troublesome.
Furthermore, the function of the abovementioned shortcut key or a program function that associates only a specific setting condition with a specific key in advance have superior convenience when reproducing a specific setting condition. However, in a case of inputting setting conditions differing from the specific setting conditions, it is not possible for the user to use the function of the shortcut key or the program key, and the user must input the desired setting conditions from the beginning through the operation panel.
However, in the image forming apparatus, the functions frequently used by the user are usually limited to a predetermined number such as the copy function and scan function. Therefore, an operation device (image forming apparatus) has been demanded that allows the setting conditions of such a limited predetermined number of functions to be input simply and quickly. The image forming apparatus providing aforementioned operation panel requires key operations to be made several times in order to input the setting conditions of a specific function, whereby it is not possible to simply and quickly input predetermined setting conditions. Furthermore, the image forming apparatus having the aforementioned operation panel is configured so that the screen on the panel changes with every key operation, and the keys of lower layers are displayed. As a result, in a case of the setting conditions of a specific function being on a lower layer, it may be difficult for the user to remember on which of the lower layers the setting conditions of the specific function exists, and the key operations themselves may be difficult to remember.

Method and device for displaying and selecting functions and associated conditions using a set of hard keys


A device for measuring angles between surfaces of a physical object includes a linkage having two or more gauging arms and a metered arm. The metered arm is coupled to one arm of the linkage. The metered arm indicates an angle between two or more surfaces of the physical object. The angle measurement device may allow measurement of both interior and exterior angles, and acute, obtuse, and right angles.

1. Field of the Invention
Embodiments of the invention generally relate to apparatus and methods for measuring physical objects, such as in carpentry. More particularly, embodiments of the invention relate to apparatus and method for measuring and replicating angles between surfaces of one or more physical objects.
2. Description of Related Art
Carpenters often wish to measure and replicate angles. One tool used by carpenters is a T-bevel square. A T-bevel square is used to replicate an angle by aligning the two sides of the square with the sides of the angle. A protractor is then used to measure the angle formed by the T-bevel square.
Another method of measuring angles is to use a digital angle finder. A digital angle finder uses an electronic device to measure the angular separation between two rotating arms. Some existing digital angle finders may not be able to measure small angles in fine or finish carpentry because of their widths.


A computer-facilitated service receives a request from a user to access resources provided by the computer-facilitated service. In response to the request, the computer-facilitated service selects an authentication method that can be performed by a remote authentication provider. The computer-facilitated service causes the remote authentication provider to perform the authentication method. In response to an authentication decision provided by the remote authentication provider, the computer-facilitated service determines whether the user has been authenticated by the remote authentication provider. If so, the computer-facilitated service fulfills the request from the user to access the resources.

Computer-facilitated services and other services often utilize a variety of methods to authenticate users requesting access to resources provided by these services. For instance, in response to a request from a user, a server of a computer-facilitated service issues a challenge to the user. The user provides a response to the server, which evaluates the response and determines whether the user can be authenticated. However, it may be difficult for these services to utilize alternative authentication methods that may be superior to options that can be presented by these services and that are available through alternative services and devices utilized by users. Further, implementing these alternative authentication methods may be costly to the organizations that provide the computer-facilitated services and the other services.

Service-initiated user authentication via delegated methods


There is provided a test apparatus for testing a memory under test that is addressable by the number of pulses of an address signal supplied thereto. The test apparatus includes a pattern generating section that generates writing data to be written into the memory under test, a first address generating section having an address information storing section that stores thereon address information indicating an address of the memory under test to which the writing data is to be written, and a waveform shaping section that generates an address signal by outputting one or more pulses at a predetermined time interval during a time period determined in accordance with the address information stored on the address information storing section.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to a test apparatus and a test method for testing a memory under test, a computer program product to cause the test apparatus to function, and a recording medium. More particularly, the present invention relates to a test apparatus for testing a memory under test that is addressable by the number of pulses of an address signal supplied thereto.
2. Related Art
A known test apparatus designed to test a memory under test such as a semiconductor memory tests a plurality of memories under test concurrently. The test apparatus judges whether the individual addresses are acceptable in each memory under test, and stores thereon the judgment results of the individual addresses.
Referring to memories under test of a certain type, it is necessary to write unique data into each memory under test in accordance with the judgment results of the individual addresses. Such data is different among the memories under test that have been tested. This is the reason why the test apparatus has a plurality of memories in a one-to-one correspondence with the memories under test for storing the above-mentioned data for the corresponding memory under test. Each of the memories in the test apparatus stores data used to repair a defective address in the corresponding memory under test, data indicating manufacturing information, and the like.
Each of such memories in a conventional test apparatus has a memory that stores 1-bit data at each address thereof and an address pointer that sequentially designates the address in the memory. For example, when the test apparatus applies a pattern "101101" to one of the memories under test, the corresponding memory in the test apparatus stores the individual bit values of the pattern at different addresses. The corresponding memory in the test apparatus uses the address pointer to sequentially designate the respective addresses, to output the pattern.
Memories under test of a certain type are addressable for the repairing processing by the number of pulses of a signal supplied to a particular pin during the defective address repairing processing. Note that each memory under test has different addresses which should be subjected to the repairing processing. Therefore, the information indicating such addresses is stored on a corresponding one of the memories which are provided in the test apparatus in a one-to-one correspondence with the memories under test.
As mentioned above, the address signal is stored on the corresponding memory in the test apparatus. Here, note that the memories in the conventional test apparatus store 1-bit data at each address thereof. Therefore, the individual bit values of the address signal need to be stored on different addresses. For example, when the test apparatus performs the repairing processing on the address No. 32760 in one of the devices under test, the corresponding memory in the test apparatus is required to have at least 32760 addresses. This indicates that the test apparatus needs memories with a very large storage capacity.
Furthermore, the address signal indicating the address to be repaired needs to be generated based on the results of judging whether the individual addresses in each memory under test are acceptable and the generated address signal needs to be stored on the corresponding memory in the test apparatus. Here, the address signal needs to be stored on multiple addresses as mentioned above. Therefore, it takes a long time to store the address signal onto the corresponding memory in the test apparatus.
Therefore, it is an object of an aspect of the innovations herein to provide a test apparatus, a test method, a computer program product, and a recording medium, which are capable of overcoming the above drawbacks accompanying the related art. The above and other objects can be achieved by combinations described in the independent claims. The dependent claims define further advantageous and exemplary combinations of the innovations herein.

Testing device, testing method, computer program product, and recording medium


An apparatus for wrapping material onto and around a pipe, the apparatus including a shaft, the shaft rotatable by a driving apparatus, a payout core containing material to be wrapped onto a pipe, the payout core releasably mounted on the shaft, a deflection arm assembly secured to the shaft for rotation by the shaft, rotation of the shaft rotating the deflection arm assembly with respect to the payout core so that the deflection arm assembly takes material from the payout core and wraps the material onto a pipe adjacent the deflection arm assembly, each of the shaft and deflection arm assembly having a central opening through which is movable the pipe as the pipe is being wrapped.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention in certain aspects, is directed to systems and methods for making pipe liners, to lined pipe and pipelines, to pipelines with liners and fiber optic sensors, to methods for lining pipe and pipeliners, and, in certain particular aspects, to continuous reinforced thermoplastic pipe liner intended for use as a stand alone pipe liner in the restoration of degraded pipelines.
2. Description of Related Art
Pipeline and/or underground transport of liquids and gases has been utilized for many years. Such pipeline and/or underground transport has proven to be an efficient and safe manner in which to transport potentially explosive, flammable, and/or toxic liquids (e.g. crude oil) and gases (e.g. methane and propane) over long distances. One method for providing such long distance underground transport has been through metal tubes and pipes. In the past, the utilization of metals (such as steel, copper, lead, and the like) was effective from cost and raw material supply perspectives. However, with the population growing throughout the world and the necessity for transporting liquids and gases to more locations increases, the continued utilization of such metal articles has become more and more difficult for a number of reasons. Initially, the production of such metal tubes and pipes is done with high-temperature production methods at specific foundries which are often located a substantial distance from the desired installation site. Such off-site production can require transport of cumbersome metal articles to an installation location and then subsequent placement into already-dug channels. These procedures can be difficult to follow since metal articles are rather heavy and must be connected together to form the desired pipeline. Additionally, in order to reduce the number of connections between individual pipes, longer metal pipes could be formed, which adds to the complexity with an increase in required welded connections. Further problems associated with metal pipes and tubes include the potential for internal and external corrosion (which may contaminate the transported liquid or gas), the low threshold of earth-shifting resistance which could cause a break within the pipeline, and the difficulty in replacing worn out metal pipes in sections, again due to the metal pipe weight, metal pipe length, and connection welds. These problems have proven to be extremely troublesome in certain geographic areas which are susceptible to earthquakes and tremors on a regular basis. When unexpected earthquakes have occurred in the past, the metal gas and liquid pipelines have not proven to be flexible enough to withstand the shear forces applied thereto and explosions, leaks, or discontinued supplies to such areas have resulted. These metal articles have remained in use because of their ability to withstand high pressures. Furthermore, although such metal pipes are designed to withstand such high pressures (e.g. above 80 bars) once a crack develops within the actual metal pipe structure, it has been found that such cracks easily propagate and spread in size and possibly number upon the application of continued high pressure to the same weakened area. In such an instance, failure of the pipe is therefore imminent unless closure is effectuated and repairs or replacements are undertaken.
Although there is a need to produce new pipelines in various locations around the world, there is also a growing need to replace the now-deteriorating pipelines already in use. Aging pipelines have recently caused concern as to the safety of utilizing such old articles. Unexpected explosions have occurred with tragic consequences. Thorough review and replacement of some old metal pipes is thus necessary. Some of these older pipelines were constructed in what were rural areas but are now heavily populated urban areas, thus increasing the risk associated with a failure. There is a desire to completely replace old pipelines following the same exact routes. In heavily populated areas, the dig and replace method becomes extremely difficult, inconvenient and costly.
Due to the difficulties noted above, there is a need to develop pipeline materials that are safer, longer-lasting, easier-to-install, non-corroding, non-crack propagating, and more flexible. To date, there have been some thermosetting or thermoplastic articles which are designed for such applications. These include certain fiber-wound reinforcement materials (including fiberglass, poly-aramids, polyesters, polyamides, carbon fibers, and the like). However, the resultant articles do not include specific fabric reinforcements (they are fibers wound around specific layers of plastic material) and thus are difficult and rather costly to produce. Furthermore, such fiber-wound materials often cannot be easily produced at the pipe installation site due to the complexity of creating fiber-wound reinforcement articles subsequent to thermoplastic or thermosetting layer production. Additionally, with off-site production, transport and in-ground placement can be a difficult problem. Thus, although some improvements have been provided in the past in relation and in comparison to metal pipes and tubes, there simply is no viable alternative presented to date within the pertinent prior art known to the present inventor which accords the underground liquid and gas transport industry a manner of replacing or restoring such high pressure metal articles.
Pipe liners have been used in a variety of applications to stop further degradation of a pipeline due to internal corrosion, to provide improved resistance to abrasion, and to stop leakage at joints. Pipe liners are generally designed to resist only installation loadings and to serve as a pressure barrier for transported fluids operating loadings are transferred directly to the wall of, and resisted by, a host pipe that may have already exceeded its design life. Pipe liners typically do not restore the operating parameters of a pipeline. Pipe liners come in a variety of known forms. These include cured-in-place pipes ("CIPP"). The CIPP product is a fiber reinforcement that is impregnated with an un-cured thermosetting resin that is used primarily in sewer and watermain rehabilitation. The CIPP is inserted into the host pipeline and expanded into contact with the host pipe walls and then cured, often by pumping heated water through the CIPP which is reinforced by the pipeline. CIPP liners are designed to resist only the installation forces and typically do not contribute, or add significantly to, to the strength of the host pipeline. Further they generally do not provide protection against external corrosion. Examples of this type of pipe-liner are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,064,211 and 6,708,729 (and in prior art cited therein). The use of such pipe liners is well documented in the industry literature and is not applicable to the high-pressure applications.
Another type of prior art pipe liner is the extruded thermoplastic pipe-liner. These products are continuous lengths of thermoplastic material such as HDPE (high density polyethylene), nylon, PVC (polyvinylchloride) alloys, and other such materials commonly used for piping applications and/or corrosion mitigation. These materials are sometimes used in combination, that is, multiple layers of different materials, or with discrete length fiber reinforcement, to obtain improved properties. Limitations of this type of product are that it relies on the strength of a host pipeline to resist operating stresses; it has limited tensile strength and can therefore be pulled into a host pipeline only in relatively short lengths, usually one mile or less; and it cannot provide protection against external corrosion. A further limitation of this type of product is the ability of fluids to permeate through the wall. All thermoplastics are permeable to some degree. Gases that permeate tend to be collected in a space at the pipe liner host-pipe interface where pressure can increase to a level approaching the operating pressure of the pipeline. When the pipeline pressure is suddenly reduced, the entrapped gas follows the normal gas laws and expands. Such expansion, often results in a buckling of the pipe liner called "liner collapse". As a result, pipelines with polymer pipe liners are normally equipped with "venting systems" and operational procedures are established to "vent" permeated fluids (see, e.g. U.S. Pat. No. 5,072,622 which describes a method for removal of such gases before they are able to collapse a pipe liner). Methods developed to install thermoplastic pipe liners include swage-lining, the use of sized rollers and liner tension to reduce the pipe liner diameter (see, e.g. U.S. Pat. No. 6,240,612), and the "fold and form" method in which the round liner is folded into a "C," "H," "W," "U" or other shape for insertion (see, e.g. U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,863,365; 4,985,196; 4,998,871 and 6,058,978). Applications involving the use of such pipe liners are well documented in the industry literature.
Another well-known pipe liner product and method for rehabilitation of pipelines is the flexible yet rigid spoolable composite pipe member which can be pulled or otherwise inserted into a host pipe. The spoolable composite pipe is of significantly smaller diameter than the host pipe to allow it to be installed. This pipe and method of installation can provide increased pipeline pressure rating and increased internal and external corrosion resistance, but can result in a significant reduction in the effective inside diameter of the host pipe. This results in an increase in pipeline operating costs. An additional significant limitation of this product is the difficulty of road transport of rigid spoolable pipe sizes greater than about four inches in diameter in sufficient continuous length to be cost effective (see, e.g. U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,769,127; 4,053,343, 5,755,266; 5,828,003 and 6,065,540).
Another well-known documented pipe liner product and method for the rehabilitation of pipelines is reinforced thermoplastic pipe which can be inserted or otherwise pulled into a host pipe. This product typically consists of an extruded thermoplastic liner that is reinforced by fiber or tapes which are protected by a cover. This relatively flexible, yet rigid, pipe and method can provide increased pipeline pressure rating and increased internal and external corrosion resistance, but can result in a significant reduction in the effective inside diameter of the host pipe, and in increased pipeline operating costs. Another limitation of this method is the difficulty of road transport of rigid pipe sizes greater than about four inches in diameter in sufficient continuous length to be cost effective (see, e.g. U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,502,638; 4,000,759; 4,384,595; 5,072,622; and 6,305,423).
Wound-fiber reinforced plastic pipe is commonly available in a variety of forms, including discrete length products in which a specific length of pie, e.g. 30-feet, is produced and continuous length products, often referred to as "Spoolable Composite Pipe" or "SCP." One common type of SCP utilizes a polymer liner or core pipe reinforced by layers of wound-fibers in a polymer matrix, e.g. epoxy or polyester, see, e.g. U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,782,932, 5,933,945, 5,921,285, 4,384,595, 4,142,352 and 4,120,324. Another common type of SCP has a polymer liner or core pipe reinforced by wound-tapes or fibers using an orbital process in which material is pulled from bobbins or rolls that orbit a polymer liner as it translates through the apparatus; see, e.g. U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,502,638, 3,616,072 4,259,139 and 4,495,018 and U.S. Patent Application Pub. No. 20040144440, U.S. Pat. No. 351,350 filed Jan. 27, 2003.

Systems and methods for making pipe liners