A primer composition comprising (A) a diorganopolysiloxane having an average degree of polymerization of 500-2,000 and alkenyl groups at both ends of its molecular chain in an amount of 0.001-0.005 mol per 100 g of the diorganopolysiloxane, (B) an organohydrogenpolysiloxane having at least two SiH groups in a molecule, (C) a platinum base curing catalyst, and (D) a retarder is effective for improving the adhesion between various plastic films and silicone pressure-sensitive adhesives and thus forming satisfactory pressure-sensitive adhesive tapes.

This invention relates to a primer composition for silicone pressure-sensitive adhesives, and more particularly, to a primer composition for use in a pressure-sensitive adhesive tape for providing a firm bond between a plastic film and a silicone pressure-sensitive adhesive layer thereon.
Prior art heat resistant pressure-sensitive adhesive tape typically includes a plastic film backing such as polyester film or polyimide film on which a heat resistant, silicone pressure-sensitive adhesive is applied to form an adhesive layer. The pressure-sensitive adhesive tape is generally wound into a roll form. When the adhesive tape is forcedly unraveled on use, the silicone pressure-sensitive adhesive layer can sometimes be stripped from the backing. Also when the adhesive tape is cut, it sometimes happens that only the backing is torn off, but the silicone pressure-sensitive adhesive layer remains uncut and becomes stretched with strings being drawn. Sometimes the adhesive layer is partially separated apart from the backing.
Such problems arise on use of the pressure-sensitive adhesive tape because the adhesion between the plastic film backing and the silicone pressure-sensitive adhesive is not fully tight. One common solution employed heretofore is to apply a carbon functional silane-based primer composition to a film backing as an adhesion improver, then applying a silicone pressure-sensitive adhesive thereon, for thereby improving the adhesion between the film backing and the silicone pressure-sensitive adhesive. However, the adhesion achieved thereby was not satisfactory.
A number of primer compositions using organopolysiloxane have been proposed for helping silicone pressure-sensitive adhesives firmly bond to plastic films. For example, JP-B 54-44017 discloses a primer composition comprising a diorganopolysiloxane having hydroxyl groups at both ends of its molecular chain, an organohydrogenpolysiloxane, and a tin salt of organic carboxylic acid. JP-B 6-39584 discloses a primer composition comprising a diorganopolysiloxane having hydroxyl groups at both ends of its molecular chain, an organohydrogenpolysiloxane, a vinyl and/or acrylic copolymer containing hydrolyzable silyl groups, and a tin salt of organic carboxylic acid.
These primer compositions, however, sometimes fail to provide a satisfactory bond. For example, in the event of addition curing type silicone pressure-sensitive adhesives which are recently on use and to be cured at lower temperatures, it is more difficult to provide a firm bond between the pressure-sensitive adhesive and the backing. This is true especially when the backing is of polyimide film having better heat resistance. It is thus desired to have a primer composition capable of forming a tight bond therebetween.
Therefore, an object of the invention is to provide a primer composition capable of forming a tight bond between various film backings and silicone pressure-sensitive adhesives.
The invention pertains to a primer composition comprising an alkenyl group-containing organopolysiloxane, an organohydrogenpolysiloxane, a platinum base curing catalyst, and a retarder. It has been found that the objects are achieved when the alkenyl group-containing organopolysiloxane is a diorganopolysiloxane having an average degree of polymerization of 500 to 2,000 and alkenyl groups at both ends of its molecular chain in an amount of 0.001 to 0.005 mol per 100 g of the diorganopolysiloxane. When various plastic film backings are treated with this primer composition, and silicone pressure-sensitive adhesives are applied thereto, very tight bonds are established between the backings and the adhesives. This is true even when the plastic film backings are polyimide films which are believed difficult to establish a tight bond with silicone pressure-sensitive adhesives, and also when the adhesives are addition curing type silicone pressure-sensitive adhesives. As a consequence, satisfactorily heat resistant pressure-sensitive adhesive tapes are obtained.
Accordingly, the invention provides a primer composition for silicone pressure-sensitive adhesives, comprising
(A) a diorganopolysiloxane having alkenyl groups at both ends of its molecular chain and an average degree of polymerization of 500 to 2,000, the amount of alkenyl groups being 0.001 to 0.005 mol per 100 g of the diorganopolysiloxane,
(B) an organohydrogenpolysiloxane having at least two hydrogen atoms directly attached to silicon atoms in a molecule,
(C) a platinum base curing catalyst, and
(D) a retarder.
In one preferred embodiment, the primer composition further includes
(E) an organopolysiloxane having at least one epoxy group-containing organic group, at least one hydrogen atom, and at least one alkoxysilyl group-containing alkyl group, each directly attached to a silicon atom, in a molecule and/or
(F) at least one additive selected from among a fatty acid, an acid anhydride resulting from intermolecular condensation thereof, and an intramolecular acid anhydride thereof.
In the primer composition for silicone pressure-sensitive adhesives according to the invention, component (A) is a diorganopolysiloxane having alkenyl groups at both ends of its molecular chain and an average degree of polymerization of 500 to 2,000, the amount of alkenyl groups being 0.001 to 0.005 mol per 100 g of the diorganopolysiloxane. The preferred diorganopolysiloxane is of the following general formula (1).
Herein R1 is alkenyl, R2 is a substituted or unsubstituted monovalent hydrocarbon group, xe2x80x9caxe2x80x9d is an integer of 1 to 3, and n is from 500 to 2,000.
Preferably R1 stands for alkenyl groups of 2 to 8 carbon atoms, such as vinyl, allyl and butenyl, with vinyl being most preferred. R2 stands for substituted or unsubstituted monovalent hydrocarbon groups of 1 to 16 carbon atoms, especially 1 to 8 carbon atoms, for example, alkyl groups such as methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl and octyl, cycloalkyl groups such as cyclohexyl, alkenyl groups such as vinyl and allyl, aryl groups such as phenyl and tolyl, and aralkyl groups such as benzyl and phenethyl, and substituted groups in which some or all of the hydrogen atoms on the foregoing groups are replaced by halogen atoms, cyano groups or the like, for example, haloalkyl groups such as chloropropyl and trifluoropropyl. Of these, methyl and phenyl are preferred for the industrial use.
The diorganopolysiloxane having alkenyl groups at both ends of its molecular chain represented by formula (1) has an average degree of polymerization of 500 to 2,000 and alkenyl groups in an amount of 0.001 to 0.005 mol per 100 g of the diorganopolysiloxane. Preferably, the average degree of polymerization is from 1,000 to 2,000 and the amount of alkenyl groups is from 0.001 to 0.0025 mol per 100 g of the diorganopolysiloxane. With an average degree of polymerization of less than 500, the primer composition in the cured state is likely to strip from the film surface, failing to exert its effects. An average degree of polymerization of at least 500 prevents stripping and ensures primer effects. With an average degree of polymerization of 1000 to 2,000, the primer composition forms a more tight bond. An average degree of polymerization of more than 2,000 aggravates the adhesion between the pressure-sensitive adhesive and the backing. If the molar amount of alkenyl groups is less than 0.001 mol per 100 g of the diorganopolysiloxane, the primer composition will not cure. In excess of 0.005 mol/100 g, the primer effects are restrained.
The organohydrogenpolysiloxane (B) serves as a crosslinking agent to component (A) such that hydrogen atoms directly attached to silicon atoms (SiH groups) in component (B) undergo hydrosilylation reaction with alkenyl groups in component (A) for curing. The organohydrogenpolysiloxane is not critical as long as it has at least two hydrogen atoms directly attached to silicon atoms (SiH groups) per molecule. Illustrative examples are represented by the following general formulas (2) to (4).
In the formulas, R3 is a substituted or unsubstituted monovalent hydrocarbon group, b is an integer of at least 2, d is an integer of at least 3, each of c, e and f is an integer inclusive of 0.
Preferably, R3 stands for substituted or unsubstituted monovalent hydrocarbon groups of 1 to 16 carbon atoms, especially 1 to 8 carbon atoms, and free of aliphatic unsaturation, for example, alkyl groups such as methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl and octyl, cycloalkyl groups such as cyclohexyl, aryl groups such as phenyl and tolyl, and aralkyl groups such as benzyl and phenethyl, as well as substituted groups in which some or all of the hydrogen atoms on the foregoing groups are replaced by halogen atoms, cyano groups or the like, for example, haloalkyl groups such as chloropropyl and trifluoropropyl. Of these, methyl and phenyl are preferred for the industrial use.
The organohydrogenpolysiloxane preferably has a viscosity of about 1 to 500 centipoise, and especially about 1 to 100 centipoise at 25xc2x0 C.
Components (A) and (B) are blended in such amounts that the ratio of the moles of hydrogen atoms directly attached to silicon atoms in the organohydrogenpolysiloxane to the moles of alkenyl groups in the both end alkenyl group-terminated organopolysiloxane, represented as H/Vi hereinafter, may range from 0.5/1 to 10/1, and especially from 1/1 to 4/1. With a H/Vi below 0.5, the primer composition will not fully cure. With a H/Vi beyond 10, the primer composition may degrade its adhesion with the lapse of time (referred to as aged adhesion).
On use, a platinum base curing catalyst (C) is added to the primer composition, which is cured by heating. The platinum base curing catalyst is preferably platinum or platinum base compounds. Exemplary platinum base compounds include platinum black, chloroplatinic acid, alcohol-modified chloroplatinic acid, and complexes of chloroplatinic acid with olefins, aldehydes, vinylsiloxanes and acetylene alcohols.
An appropriate amount of the platinum base curing catalyst is preferably about 1 to 500 parts, and especially about 5 to 100 parts by weight, calculated as platinum, per million parts by weight of the primer composition. Less than 1 ppm of platinum may fail to achieve the curing effects whereas more than 500 ppm may degrade the aged adhesion of the primer composition and is uneconomical.
Component (D) is a retarder for restraining the composition from reacting near room temperature. It may be selected from those compounds which are conventionally used in the addition reaction between an alkenyl-bearing polysiloxane and an organohydrogenpolysiloxane in the presence of a platinum base curing catalyst.
Useful reaction regulators include acetylene alcohols, vinyl-bearing siloxanes and silylated acetylene alcohols, as well as combinations of two or more reaction regulators as disclosed in JP-A 9-143371. Exemplary are 3-methyl-1-butyn-3-ol, 3,5-dimethyl-1-hexyn-3-ol, 3-methyl-1-penten-3-ol, 1-ethynylcyclohexanol, 1,1,3,3-tetramethyl-1,3-divinyl-disiloxane, methylvinylcyclotetrasiloxane, and 3-methyl-3-trimethylsiloxy-1-pentyne.
An appropriate amount of the reaction regulator blended is 0.01 to 10 parts, and especially 0.1 to 5 parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of components (A) and (B) combined. Less than 0.01 part would be too small to control the reaction whereas more than 10 parts would adversely affect cure.
In one preferred embodiment, the primer composition further includes (E) an organopolysiloxane having at least one epoxy group-containing organic group, at least one hydrogen atom, and at least one alkoxysilyl group-containing alkyl group, each directly attached to a silicon atom, in a molecule. This component is effective for further enhancing adhesion.
Preferred as component (E) are those of the following general formulas (5) and (6).
Herein, R3 is as defined above. R4 is hydrogen or R3. R5 is an epoxy group-containing organic group. R6 is alkoxysilyl group-containing alkyl group. Each of s, u, v, w, y and z is an integer of at least 1, and each of t and x is 0 or an integer of at least 1.
The epoxy group-containing organic groups are exemplified by the following.
Herein R7 is an alkylene group of 1 to 6 carbon atoms, preferably 2 to 4 carbon atoms, which may be separated by an oxygen atom, or an oxyalkylene group. Specific examples of the epoxy group-containing organic group are given below.
The alkoxysilyl group-containing alkyl groups are exemplified by the following.
Herein R2 is as defined above, R8 is an alkylene group of 1 to 6 carbon atoms, preferably 2 to 4 carbon atoms, R9 is an alkyl group of 1 to 6 carbon atoms, and m is an integer of 1 to 3, preferably 2 or 3. Specific examples of the alkoxysilyl group-containing alkyl group are given below.
Illustrative, non-limiting, examples of component (E) are given below.
An appropriate amount of component (E) blended is 0.01 to 10 parts, and especially 0.1 to 1 part by weight per 100 parts by weight of components (A) and (B) combined. Less than 0.01 part of component (E) would be too small to enhance adhesion whereas more than 10 parts would adversely affect cure.
In another preferred embodiment, the primer composition further includes (F) at least one additive selected from among a fatty acid, an acid anhydride resulting from intermolecular condensation thereof, and an intramolecular acid anhydride thereof. This organic compound is also effective for enhancing the adhesion of the primer composition.
Exemplary additives are those of the following formulas (7) and (8).
In the above formulas, R10 is hydrogen or a saturated or unsaturated, substituted or unsubstituted, p-valent hydrocarbon group of 1 to 30 carbon atoms, and preferably 5 to 20 carbon atoms, and p is an integer of 1 to 10, and preferably 1 to 5. R11 is a saturated or unsaturated, substituted or unsubstituted, 2q-valent hydrocarbon group of 1 to 30 carbon atoms, and preferably 2 to 20 carbon atoms, and q is an integer of 1 to 3.
The hydrocarbon groups represented by R10 and R11 include alkyl groups, aryl groups such as phenyl, aralkyl groups, combinations of these groups; divalent or more valent hydrocarbon groups in which a predetermined number of hydrogen atoms are eliminated from the foregoing monovalent hydrocarbon groups; substituted hydrocarbon groups in which hydrogen atoms on the foregoing hydrocarbon groups are replaced by halogen atoms or hydroxyl groups; and substituted hydrocarbon groups in which two hydrogen atoms attached to carbon atoms in an alkyl group are replaced by an oxygen atom, that is, having Cxe2x95x90O.
Illustrative, non-limiting, examples of component (F) are given below.
An appropriate amount of component (F) blended is 0.01 to 10 parts, and especially 0.1 to 1 part by weight per 100 parts by weight of components (A) and (B) combined. Less than 0.01 part of component (F) would be too small to enhance adhesion whereas more than 10 parts would adversely affect cure.
In order to apply the primer composition as a thin uniform coating, it is advantageous to blend an organic solvent in the primer composition. The type and amount of the organic solvent are determined by taking into account such factors as the ease of application of the resulting composition. Examples of the organic solvent include toluene, xylene, benzene, heptane, hexane, trichloroethylene, perchloroethylene, methylene chloride, ethyl acetate, and solvent gasoline. These solvents may be used alone or in admixture of two or more depending on the wetting of film backings with the resulting primer composition.
In applying the primer composition using the organic solvent, an alkenyl group-bearing polyorganosiloxane having a degree of polymerization of at least 3,000 may be added to the primer composition for further improving coating characteristics insofar as it does not compromise the benefits of the invention. When the alkenyl group-bearing polysiloxane is added, the amount of component (B) is increased if necessary.
Other optional components which can be added to the primer composition include well-known additives, for example, heat resistance improvers, coloring agents and antistatic agents, such as red iron oxide, cerium oxide, cerium hydroxide, titanium oxide, and carbon black. Such additives are included insofar as they do not compromise the benefits of the invention.
On use, the primer composition is prepared by uniformly mixing the above-mentioned components, then uniformly applied onto a plastic film, followed by heat curing. The coverage or buildup of the primer composition is a sufficient amount to form a thin primer film on the plastic film surface, for example, about 0.05 to 2.0 g/m2. Application of an excessive amount rather impedes the adhesion of the silicone pressure-sensitive adhesive to the backing and is thus undesirable. After application, the primer coating is heated for curing. The temperature for heat curing may be selected as appropriate in the range from 80xc2x0 C. for 120 seconds to 180xc2x0 C. for 15 seconds although the curing conditions vary with the type of film backing and the coverage.
The plastic film backings to which the primer composition is applicable include polyester resins such as polyethylene terephthalate and polybutylene terephthalate, polyimide resins, polyimide ether resins, epoxy resins, phenolic resins, polyphenylene sulfide resins, ABS resins, and perfluoroalkoxy (PFA) resins.
The silicone pressure-sensitive adhesives which can be applied onto the primer include well-known adhesives, for example, adhesives of the peroxide curing type to be cured with organic peroxides, and adhesives of the addition curing type to be cured in the presence of platinum base catalysts at room temperature or elevated temperature. It is noteworthy and advantageous that the primer composition of the invention is compatible with silicone pressure-sensitive adhesives of the addition curing type.
The primer composition of the invention helps a silicone pressure-sensitive adhesive form a firm bond to a plastic film backing. The firm bond of the primer composition is fully durable for a time, that is, aged adhesion is good. The primer composition thus finds a wide variety of applications.

Primer composition for silicone pressure-sensitive adhesives


When bubbles affecting the performance of spitting ink are generated in an ink reservoir, the bubbles are completely removed to attain a state full of ink without bubbles of the ink reservoir. An inkjet head comprising an ink tank, an ink reservoir having a nozzle array, and an ink supply path for introducing ink from the ink tank into the ink reservoir is characterized in that, with the ink supply path being closed and with a vent hole for making the ink reservoir in communication with the external being open, an ink suction device introduces the outside air via the vent hole into the ink reservoir to which negative pressure is applied by the suction of ink, while ink in the ink reservoir is sucked out to the external via a suction path.

1. Field of the invention
The present invention relates to an inkjet head, and more particularly, to a bubble remover for an inkjet head comprising an ink tank, an ink reservoir having a nozzle array, and an ink supply path for introducing ink from the ink tank to the ink reservoir, and a method for removing bubbles thereof.
2. Description of the Related Art
FIG. 7 is a sectional view illustrating a conventional inkjet head and a maintenance mechanism disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-open Application No. Hei 5-220970.
First, the inkjet head is described. Numerals 1, 2, and 7 of the figure denote a nozzle array where a plurality of nozzles are provided, an opening for directly sucking ink from an ink reservoir 3, and an ink cartridge as an ink tank, respectively. The ink reservoir 3 has the nozzle array 1 formed of the plurality of nozzles, and is normally filled with ink supplied from the ink tank 7. A numeral 4 denotes an ink supply path for introducing ink from the ink tank 7 to the ink reservoir 3.
Next, the maintenance mechanism is described. A cap portion 8 is detachably attached to the distal end side of the nozzles of the nozzle array 1, and sucks ink via the nozzles from the ink reservoir 3. A numeral 9 denotes a second cap portion for sucking ink via the opening 2 from the ink reservoir 3. Numerals 15 and 16 are solenoid valves for opening and closing suction paths extendedly provided from the first and second cap portions 8 and 9, respectively. A numeral 17 denotes a suction pump for sucking ink via the suction paths from the first and second cap portions 8 and 9.
A conventional inkjet head and a conventional maintenance mechanism are constructed as mentioned in the above. Ink suction ordinarily conducted for maintenance (hereinafter referred to as ordinary ink suction) is carried out by, after closing the solenoid valve 16 leading to the second cap portion 9 and opening the solenoid valve 15 leading to the first cap portion 8, actuating the suction pump 17 to suck ink via the nozzles from the ink reservoir 3, thereby discharging bubbles 19 inside the ink reservoir 3, particularly those generated in the vicinity of the region where the nozzle array 1 is provided on the base side, to the side of the first cap portion 8 together with the sucked ink.
However, the bubbles 19 in the ink reservoir 3 which can not be removed by the ordinary ink suction in the construction mentioned in the above are dealt with by special ink suction described in the following.
First, the solenoid valve 15 leading to the first cap portion 8 is closed, and the solenoid valve 16 leading to the second cap portion 9 is opened. Then, the suction pump 17 is actuated to directly suck ink in the ink reservoir 3 not via the nozzles but through the suction path via the opening 2 and the solenoid valve 16. This special ink suction makes ink in the ink tank 7 continue to flow from the ink supply path 4 through the ink reservoir 3 into the opening 2 during the suction continues. The bubbles 19 in the vicinity of the region where the nozzle array 1 is provided, which is a connecting portion between the ink reservoir 3 and the nozzles, are washed away by the continuous ink flow toward the opening 2, and, eventually, the bubbles 19 are taken out on the side of the second cap portion 9 via the opening 2.
With the conventional construction mentioned in the above, since the special ink suction, which is sucking operation not via the nozzles but from the opening 2 provided on the side of one end of the ink reservoir 3, can be conducted other than the ordinary ink suction for maintenance which is sucking operation via the nozzles, two kinds of ink flows can be generated in the ink reservoir 3. The bubbles 19 generated in or moved into the regions of the ink flows can be washed away by the ink flows.
However, the bubbles 19 generated in or moved into a region out of the two kinds of ink flows mentioned in the above, particularly relatively fine bubbles 19 generated in and attached to the vicinity of the region where the nozzle array 1 is provided on the base side, have strong adhesion. There was a problem that, since it is difficult for the conventional ink flows to wash such bubbles away or separate them from the place where they adhere and they are difficult to float in the ink flows, they can not be easily removed.
Further, since the conventional method requires continuous ink flow in order to remove the bubbles 19, there is a problem of diseconomy, i.e., waste of ink.

Bubble remover for inkjet head and method for removing bubbles thereof


An ignition control device for changing the ignition timing of an internal combustion engine during and after the occurrence of engine braking, i.e., during a condition of increased speed and low load, as during coasting. The device includes a circuit which receives signals related to engine load and engine speed and determines therefrom the onset of engine braking. The device then retards the engine timing so as to reduce the amount of positive engine torque, whereafter the fuel supply may be entirely shut off. Upon establishment of normal operation or idling, the fuel supply is restored and the ignition timing is gradually returned to the normal setting.

The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for controlling the operation of an internal combustion engine during and after engine braking, thereby improving driver comfort and diminishing the concentration of toxic exhaust components. The invention relates more particularly to a method and apparatus for changing the engine timing in a manner related to the occurrence of engine braking.
During engine braking or overrunning, there exists a state of operation in which the engine delivers no torque to the vehicle but is turned at a speed higher than that which would result from a given load condition and a given throttle position due to the momentum of the vehicle in which it is installed. In such a state of operation, the accelerator pedal would normally be permitted to assume its zero position. In particular, if the accelerator pedal is released while the vehicle is in normal operation, the engine will enter a condition of engine braking. This condition may be accompanied, as is usually the case, by actuation of the wheel brakes but is may also occur, for example, in downhill operation, without application of the wheel brakes.
The engine braking which takes place under these conditions is normally desired. However, to insure the most effective degree of engine braking, the engine must be prevented from delivering a positive torque, i.e., the combustion processes must either be suppressed or must be conducted with such timing as would prevent the delivery of positive torque. Generally, the fuel supply is entirely interrupted which results in fuel economy and is referred to as fuel cut-off or engine braking cut-off. In order to insure that the engine will operate properly at idling speed, however, the fuel supply is restored when the engine speed has dropped to a so-called reinstatement speed hereinafter labeled "nW." Fuel cut-off during engine braking may take place, in principle, in all fuel injection systems and even in engines having carburetors with the aid of solenoid valves associated with the idling mechanism of the engine. Fuel cut-off has the advantage of providing fully effective engine braking and a substantial saving in fuel, especially when the vehicle is operated in heavy traffic.
The invention constitutes an improvement of a fuel supply system for an internal combustion engine in which the fuel supply is shut off during engine braking until a reinstatement speed nW has been reached. Subsequently, the combustion chambers of the engine again receive fuel. It has been shown in practice that, when the fuel supply is reinitiated, the vehicle is subjected to a certain forward lurch or jolt which leads to driver discomfort. In addition, the emission of toxic substances is increased for some time, after the reinitiation of fuel supply because the engine generally is cooled off substantially during engine braking and the formation of a satisfactory optimum mixture is difficult, thereby preventing full combustion.

Method and apparatus for controlling an internal combustion engine during and after engine braking


Device for discharging loose products includes a conveyor body attachable with its first end to a treatment machine for the loose products. The conveyor body, in correspondence to its second end, comprises a wall in which a collection aperture is made, selectively openable/closable by means of an opening/closing member to allow the discharge of said loose products. The discharge device for loose products further includes a pneumatic deliverer located in the conveyor body and configured to deliver a stream of gas at least toward the wall and determine the discharge, through the collection aperture, at least of the loose products that are deposited on the wall.

Machines for treating loose products are known, for example to perform sterilization or washing treatments on closing stoppers of test tubes for laboratory analyses, small instruments or objects used in operating theatres or laboratories.
Within the field of sterilization, it is known to sterilize the loose products in sterilization machines provided with an airtight chamber in which a rotary drum receives the products to be sterilized on a loading side, or "dirty" side; it then sterilizes the products during a treatment cycle that normally lasts between one and five hours, and then discharges them on a discharge side or "sterile" side, so they can be packaged.
The rotary drums are typically divided up into sectors, or baskets, each containing a predefined quantity of loose products to be loaded into packages after sterilization.
The discharge operations provide to position one of the sectors on each occasion in proximity to a discharge aperture provided in correspondence with the discharge side of the airtight chamber, and then to discharge the loose products present in the sector.
A conveyor body is typically attached to the discharge aperture with a first end; the conveyor body defines a conveyor compartment to direct the loose products that are discharged from the baskets toward the package where they are collected.
The conveyor body is provided with a second end, opposite the first end, having a collection aperture in correspondence with which the package is attached in order to collect the loose products.
The collection aperture is usually made in a plate or wall positioned to close the conveyor compartment.
The conveyor body is also provided with an opening/closing member, configured to selectively open or close the collection aperture. The opening/closing member guarantees the airtight seal of the chamber during the sterilization process, and allows to discharge the loose products from the chamber once the sterilization process is terminated.
One disadvantage of this known solution is that during the discharge operations some loose products can position themselves stably in dead zones of the conveyor compartment, for example in correspondence with the plate where there is the collection aperture.
This does not guarantee that the predefined number of loose products will be present in the package, and therefore it does not guarantee a precise metering of the loose products into the package.
In some situations, moreover, the loose products can be positioned in correspondence with the edges defining the collection aperture, and can interfere for example with the closing of the opening/closing member.
In the latter case, intervention is often required by operators, to remove and evacuate the loose products from the conveyor body. However, these interventions entail a loss of the sterile conditions of the chamber, and therefore another sterilization cycle is required to sterilize the loose products in the chamber.
Within the field of transferring loose products pneumatic transporters are also known, used in plants for washing stoppers, an example of which is described in JP-A-2013.94768.
Pneumatic transporters of this type comprise a tubular element, hollow inside and through which the stoppers are made to pass.
The tubular element comprises a plurality of delivery nozzles disposed both longitudinally and angularly distanced along the development of the tubular element.
In particular, the delivery nozzles have delivery apertures disposed inside the tubular element, each of which delivers a stream of gas in a longitudinal direction of the tubular element.
The streams of gas delivered in the tubular element determine a thrust of the stoppers in a longitudinal direction along the tubular element itself.
However, this solution is not able to solve the problem of the unwanted positioning of loose products in dead zones of the tubular element, and therefore is not able to ensure the correct transfer of all the loose products to the desired destination.
There is therefore a need to perfect a device for discharging loose products for a treatment machine that can overcome at least one of the disadvantages of the state of the art.
In particular, one purpose of the present invention is to obtain a device for discharging loose products for a treatment machine that allows correct operations to discharge the loose products from the treatment machine.
Another purpose of the present invention is to obtain a device for discharging loose products that is reliable and accurate.
Another purpose of the present invention is to obtain a device for discharging loose products that limits, and even eliminates, control and maintenance interventions by operators.
The Applicant has devised, tested and embodied the present invention to overcome the shortcomings of the state of the art and to obtain these and other purposes and advantages.

Device for discharging loose products from a treatment machine


An elastic multilayer composite includes a pattern unbonded elastic layer attached to at least one extensible facing layer. A method for forming an elastic multilayer composite includes the steps of providing an elastic material; bonding the elastic material to form a pattern unbonded elastic material; and attaching the pattern unbonded elastic material to at least one facing material.

Elastic multilayer composites are useful in a wide variety of applications including use as personal care product bodyside facing liner material (or topsheets), outercovers, waist elastic materials, side panel materials, ear materials, containment flaps, leg elastics (gasketing) and hook and loop fastening materials. Various elastic multilayer composites have been formed by bonding an elastic layer to one or more facing layers to form either a stretch bonded laminate, a neck bonded laminate or a neck stretch bonded laminate. Stretch bonded laminate materials offer machine direction stretch and recovery properties. Neck bonded laminates offer cross-machine direction stretch and recovery properties. Neck stretch bonded laminates offer stretch and recovery properties in both the cross-machine and machine directions.
Various types of elastic layers have been utilized in the production of elastic multilayer composites, such as elastic films, strands, foams, fibers or fibrous webs, and so forth. Despite all of these types of elastic layers, there remains a need for improved elastic multilayer composites that have good elastic properties (for example, reduced hysteresis and/or permanent set). Other desirable properties include good breathability, good barrier properties, and an acceptable price point. There is also a need for efficient methods of manufacturing such materials which do not hamper the elastic performance of the materials produced. It is to such desires that the current invention is directed.

Elastic multilayer composite including pattern unbonded elastic materials, articles containing same, and methods of making same


Methods are provided for using an intraocular shunt deployment device to deploy an intraocular shunt from the device and into an eye.

Field of the Invention
The invention generally relates to methods for using an intraocular shunt deployment device to deploy an intraocular shunt from the device and into an eye.
Description of the Related Art
Glaucoma is a disease of the eye that affects millions of people. Glaucoma is associated with an increase in intraocular pressure resulting either from a failure of a drainage system of an eye to adequately remove aqueous humor from an anterior chamber of the eye or overproduction of aqueous humor by a ciliary body in the eye. Build-up of aqueous humor and resulting intraocular pressure may result in irreversible damage to the optic nerve and the retina, which may lead to irreversible retinal damage and blindness.
Glaucoma may be treated by surgical intervention that involves placing a shunt in the eye to result in production of fluid flow pathways between the anterior chamber and various structures of the eye involved in aqueous humor drainage (e.g., Schlemm's canal, the sclera, or the subconjunctival space). Such fluid flow pathways allow for aqueous humor to exit the anterior chamber. Generally, the surgical intervention to implant the shunt involves inserting into the eye a deployment device that holds an intraocular shunt, and deploying the shunt within the eye. A deployment device holding the shunt enters the eye through a cornea (ab interno approach), and is advanced across the anterior chamber. The deployment device is advanced through the sclera until a distal portion of the device is in proximity to a drainage structure of the eye. The shunt is then deployed from the deployment device, producing a conduit between the anterior chamber and various structures of the eye involved in aqueous humor drainage (e.g., Schlemm's canal, the sclera, or the subconjunctival space). See for example, Prywes (U.S. Pat. No. 6,007,511).
A problem associated with such surgical interventions is ensuring that placement of the shunt does not change during deployment of the shunt from the deployment device. Deployment devices that are used to place the shunt in the eye generally rely on multiple moving components in order to deploy the shunt. Movement of the components of the deployment device shifts the position of the deployment device within the eye during the deployment process, and thus shifts the position of the shunt as it is being deployed. Such movement leads to improper placement of the shunt within the eye.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.


A container hanger for manual attachment to a conventional plastic bottle such as a shampoo bottle at its flat end portion which allows the support device to be fastened by screwing into the base of the container and hung inverted from a towel rack or shower pipe, thereby allowing easy access to the fluid within the container while greatly organizing a bathroom area to keep containers off the counter top surfaces and floors. The support device includes a self-drilling threaded fastener for manual insertion and attachment to the plastic container.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to a reusable hanger that can be manually affixed to a plastic container, and in particular, to a manually attachable hanger that is used to support a plastic container typically containing shampoos, soaps or the like for use in a shower area to facilitate dispensing of the liquids in an inverted position from the plastic container.
2. Description of the Prior Art
In many households the bathroom shower area is often littered with various plastic containers housing soaps, shampoos, conditioners and other liquids which are used by a person during a shower. Typically, the containers are stacked or placed in the shower area on shelves or on the shower floor itself resulting in an array of unsightly containers and clutter. Also, the containers are not readily accessible for use in the shower area and often spill their contents as a result.
The present invention overcomes these problems by providing a reusable hanger that can be manually and quickly affixed to the base of a plastic container, such as a shampoo container. Once the present invention is attached to the container, the container can be hung by the hook from a shower discharge pipe or towel rack in an inverted position so that the spout or outlet from the container faces downward allowing its contents to be dispensed. Thus, the present invention provides for the organized and convenient arrangement of loose containers, such as shampoo or conditioning containers, in a bathroom area. In addition, the present invention may be readily and manually removed for reuse with another container once the contents of a previous container have been depleted.


A vest can be worn by a visually impaired pet, such as a dog, to help the pet navigate without hurting themselves by bumping into walls or objects. The vest includes plastic tubing with wire woven therein. The tubing is shaped like a halo that surrounds the front and sides of the pet's head. Should the visually impaired pet run into an object or wall, the halo will hit before their head hits and the pet will turn away before injuring themselves. The vest can be worn about their torso with their front legs fitting in leg holes of the vest. The vest can be adjustable to fit a range of pet sizes. The halo can also be adjustable to provide safe navigation of the pet. Typically, the vest is designed for dogs, but other visually impaired pets or animals may benefit by using the vest.

The present invention relates to pet accessories and, more particularly, to a dog vest with an integrated flexible bumper to aid visually impaired dogs and prevent the dog from injuring themselves by alerting the dog of walls or objects in their path.
There are many visually impaired and blind dogs. Typically, these dogs do not move around much and can suffer from a lower quality of life due to fear of bumping into objects, walls or the like. Moreover, many owners of visually impaired dogs cannot move furniture or place objects in various locations, as their dogs often have set paths that they know are safe. If they run into an unexpected object in this path, the visually impaired dog may be fearful of even traveling along their usual path.
Very little is currently done to help such animals. Many pet owners use a collar and leash to help guide their visually impaired dog to lead them outdoors, to other locations, and the like.
As can be seen, there is a need for a device that can give a visually impaired dog the confidence to navigate without fear of injuring themselves by bumping into objects or walls.

Dog vest with integrated flexible bumper


Methods of performing link adaptation in a wireless communication system for simultaneous transmission of codewords include selecting initial modulation and coding scheme (MCS) levels for the codewords, estimating a size ratio of the codewords, determining a number of scheduling blocks (SB) for the codewords with the initial MCS levels, and determining revised MCS levels for the codewords in response to the determined number of SBs. Transport block sizes are computed for the codewords, and it is determined if there is a need to increase the number of scheduling blocks in at least one of the codewords. If there is a need to increase the number of scheduling blocks in a codeword, scheduling blocks are added to the codeword, and the transport block size for the codeword is recomputed. The codewords are then simultaneously transmitted over different multiple input-multiple output (MIMO) communication channels using the same time and frequency resources.

In a typical cellular radio system, wireless terminals (also known as mobile stations and/or user equipment units (UEs)) communicate via a radio access network (RAN) to one or more core networks. User equipment units (UE) may include mobile telephones ("cellular" telephones) and/or other processing devices with wireless communication capability, such as, for example, portable, pocket, hand-held, laptop computers, which communicate voice and/or data with the RAN.
The RAN covers a geographic area which is divided into cell areas, with each cell area being served by a base station, e.g., a radio base station (RBS), which in some networks is also called a "NodeB" or enhanced NodeB (eNodeB or eNB). A cell is a geographical area where radio coverage is provided by the radio base station equipment at a base station site. The base stations communicate over the air interface operating on radio frequencies with UEs within range of the base stations.
FIG. 1 is a simplified block diagram of a Long Term Evolution (LTE) RAN 100. The LTE RAN 100 is a variant of a Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) RAN in which radio base station nodes (eNodeBs) are connected directly to a core network 130 rather than to radio network controller nodes. In general, in LTE the functions of a radio network controller node are performed by the radio base stations nodes. Each of the radio base station nodes (eNodeBs) 122-1, 122-2, . . . 122-M communicate with UEs (e.g., UE 110-1, 110-2, 110-3, 110-L) that are within their respective communication service cells. The radio base station nodes (eNodeBs) can communicate with one another through an X2 interface and with the core network 130 through S1 interfaces, as is well known in the art.
The LTE standard is based on multi-carrier based radio access schemes, such as Orthogonal Frequency-Division Multiple Access (OFDMA), in the downlink (base station to UE direction) and single carrier (SC)-FDMA in the uplink (UE to base station direction).
The spread spectrum technique used in orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) distributes the data to be transmitted over a large number of closely spaced orthogonal sub-carriers. The data is divided into several parallel data streams or channels, one for each sub-carrier. Each sub-carrier is modulated with a conventional modulation scheme (such as quadrature amplitude modulation or phase-shift keying) at a low symbol rate.
Because the sub-carriers are orthogonal to each other, cross-talk between the sub-channels is greatly reduced and inter-carrier guard bands are not required, which simplifies the design of both the transmitter and the receiver, as a separate filter is not required for each sub-channel. The benefits of OFDM are high spectral efficiency, resiliency to RF interference, and lower multi-path distortion.
Data transmission in an LTE system is organized in a sequence of frames. An LTE frame is ten milliseconds in duration and includes ten 1 ms subframes. Each subframe is composed of two 0.5 ms slots. The LTE frame structure is illustrated in FIG. 2A. An LTE frame can include both downlink portion(s) and uplink portion(s) that are communicated between the base station and UEs.
FIG. 2B illustrates a resource grid for frequency and time resource elements 135, where frequency subcarriers (e.g., each having 15 kHz frequency bandwidth) can be assigned to a plurality of UEs for transmitting and/or receiving data with an associated radio base station node eNodeB during assigned slots. A Resource Element (RE) 135 is one 15 kHz subcarrier for the duration of one symbol (66.7 μs).
FIG. 2C illustrates a resource block (RB). A resource block 137 is a group of 12 adjacent subcarriers for a duration of 1 slot (0.5 ms, or one half a sub-frame), or seven symbols. Also illustrated in FIG. 2C is a Scheduling Block (SB), which includes two consecutive resource blocks RB. A scheduling block SB spans one transmission time interval (TTI) or 1 ms and has a bandwidth of 180 kHz. A scheduling block SB occupies 168 resource elements (REs) within the 180 kHz bandwidth. The scheduling block SB is the smallest resource unit that a resource scheduler can allocate to a user.
One or more resource schedulers in the LTE RAN 100 assign the REs for downlink communications (e.g., the downlink shared channel (DL-SCH)) and for uplink communications (e.g., the uplink shared channel (UL-SCH)). The assignments for downlink shared channel (DL-SCH) and uplink shared channel (UL-SCH) are transmitted in a few OFDM symbols at the beginning of each downlink subframe.
Typically, wireless communication channels change with time, due, for example to motion of a UE, changing environmental conditions, etc. In order to maximize throughput of a wireless channel, a transmitter and/or a receiver can estimate the channel characteristics and adapt the transmission and/or reception of signals to account for changes in the channel. Link adaptation refers to the use of adaptive modulation and coding (AMC) to match the modulation, coding and other signal and protocol parameters to the conditions on the radio link (e.g. the path loss, the interference due to signals coming from other transmitters, the sensitivity of the receiver, the available transmitter power margin, etc.). Stated differently, link adaptation uses a rate adaptation algorithm that adapts the modulation and coding scheme (MCS) that is used for a particular transmission according to the quality of the radio channel.
In general, LTE downlink data scheduling and link adaptation require intensive computations in order to achieve high throughputs, effective physical resource usage, and/or high capacity of number of scheduled UEs.
Data throughput, or transmission capacity, can also be increased through the use of multiple transmitters/receivers at one or both terminals. MIMO (for multiple input/multiple output) refers to the use of multiple transmitters/receivers at both terminals, such as an eNodeB 122 and a UE 110, as illustrated in FIG. 2D. In MIMO, both transmitters can transmit independent data streams using the same transmission resources (in time and frequency). Using channel estimation techniques, each of the receivers can separate the data streams and demodulate the transmitted data.
A "codeword" represents user data before it is formatted for transmission. One or two codewords, CW0 and/or CW1, can be used depending on the channel conditions and transmission mode. In single-user MIMO (SU-MIMO), two code words are sent to a single UE. In multi-user MIMO (MU-MIMO), each code word may be sent to a different UE. In general, one codeword is equivalent to the data that can be transmitted in one transport block (TB). The size of a transport block can vary depending on the currently available resources in the UE and the eNodeB and based on the modulation and coding scheme that is used.
For MIMO, at least two data streams (referred to in LTE as "layers") must be used. Up to eight layers are defined for downlink MIMO in LTE Release 10. The number of layers used in a particular transmission is always less than or equal to the number of antennas.
Using MIMO technology for two codeword transmission can increase the downlink data throughput. However, using MIMO for downlink transmission requires more computing efforts in order to adapt each transport block to the associated channel quality in an efficient way.
The increased number of rules and metrics that should be considered by resource schedulers when scheduling downlink transmission resources has substantially increased their processing demands and challenged their ability to efficiently manage resource elements. The resource schedulers are further stressed by demands for dynamic decision making to provide high bit rate packet switched services simultaneously with providing delay sensitive services, such as voice calls, and to make these decisions while adjusting to changing radio conditions to provide increased air interface data capacity. Accordingly, there is a continuing need to develop improved resource schedulers and methods that can process increased numbers of scheduling rules and metrics to provide more efficient resource scheduling.

Methods and apparatus for link adaptation for single user and multi-user MIMO


An integrated monolithic device with a micro-electromechanical system (MEMS) and an integrated circuit (IC) and a method of forming thereof is disclosed. The monolithic device includes a substrate with IC components and a MEMS formed over the IC. A back-end-of-line (BEOL) dielectric having IC interconnect pads in a pad level is formed over the substrate. A MEMS is formed over the BEOL dielectric with the IC interconnect pads. The MEMS includes a MEMS stack having an active MEMS layer and patterned top and bottom MEMS electrodes formed on the top and bottom surfaces of the active MEMS layer. IC MEMS contact vias are formed at least partially through the active MEMS layer. IC MEMS contacts are formed in the IC MEMS contact vias in the active MEMS layer and configured to couple to the IC interconnect pads.

Integrated micro-electromechanical system (MEMS) devices, such as filters, and integrated circuit (IC) devices, such as complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) devices, have various applications, such as mobile communication applications. Such applications are provided as system-in-packages (SiPs). However, conventional SiPs with integrated MEMS devices and IC devices suffer from various issues. For example, conventional SiPs have large footprints due to horizontal hybridization integration of the MEMS devices and ICs. In addition, conventional SiPs are inflexible due to impedance matching requirements between the MEMS devices and IC devices.
The present disclosure is directed to integrated monolithic MEMS devices and IC devices which is flexible and facilitates smaller footprints.

Monolithic integration of MEMS and IC devices


An electronic device, a cable, and a method of driving the same are provided. The cable that transmits data and power includes a notification device comprising notification circuitry configured to output a notification when the power is transmitted, a first connector positioned at one end of the cable, a second connector positioned at an other end of the cable, a wire connecting the first and second connectors and including a data line that transmits the data and a power line that transmits the power, and a cable controller connected to the power line and configured to identify a characteristic of power transmitted through the power line and to change a form of the notification output from the notification device based on the identified power characteristic.

Field
The present disclosure relates generally to an electronic device, a cable, and a method of driving the same.
Description of Related Art
In general, a cable connects electronic devices and relays transmission and reception of data between electronic devices. Further, the cable may transmit power as well as data.
Nowadays, while demand increases for improved battery charge technology of an electronic device, a protocol that transmits power bi-directionally and a cable that supports the protocol are suggested. According to bi-directional power transmission technology, a user may connect different electronic devices using a cable and transmit power bi-directionally through the cable. For example, the user may connect a Moving Picture Experts Group layer-3 (MP3) player and a smart phone using a cable. Accordingly, the user may charge a battery of the smart phone with power stored at the MP3 player or may charge a battery of the MP3 player with power charged at the smart phone battery.
However, in conventional bi-directional power transmission technology, in order for a user to determine a present state such as a voltage magnitude and a current direction, the user should directly determine a connected electronic device.

Electronic device and cable and method of driving the same


The present invention relates to the treatment and prevention of cancer, viral infections and microbial infections by the administration of anti-C3b(i) antibodies. The present invention also relates to methods of treating and preventing cancer, viral infection, or microbial infection in an animal comprising administering to said animal IgG antibodies, IgM antibodies and/or complement components in combination with antibodies specific for C3b(i). The present invention also relates methods of treating and preventing cancer, viral infection or microbial infection in an animal comprising administrating said animal antibodies that immunospecifically bind to one or more cancer cell antigens, viral antigens or microbial antigens, respectively, in combination with antibodies immunospecific for C3b(i). The present invention further relates to the detection, imaging, diagnosis and monitoring of cancer utilizing C3b(i) specific antibodies.

The present invention relates to methods of treating and preventing cancer, viral infection, or microbial infection in an animal comprising administrating to said animal antibodies specific for C3b(i). The present invention also relates to methods of treating and preventing cancer, viral infection, or microbial infection in an animal comprising administering to said animal IgG antibodies, IgM antibodies and/or complement components in combination with antibodies immunospecific for C3b(i). The present invention also relates methods of treating and preventing cancer, viral infection or microbial infection in an animal comprising administering to said animal antibodies that immunospecifically bind to one or more cancer cell antigens, viral antigens or microbial antigens, respectively, in combination with antibodies immunospecific for C3b(i). The present invention also relates to pharmaceutical compositions for the treatment and prevention of cancer, viral infection, and microbial infection comprising antibodies immunospecific for C3b(i). Further, the present invention relates to the detection, imaging, and diagnosis of cancer utilizing antibodies immunospecific for C3b(i).
The complement system which is composed of some 21 plasma proteins plays an important role in the human immune system, both in the resistance to infections and in the pathogenesis of tissue injury. The activated products of the complement system attract phagocytic cells and greatly facilitate the uptake and destruction of foreign particles by opsonization. There are two distinct pathways for activating complement, the classical pathway and the alternate pathway, that result in conversion of C3 to C3b and subsequent responses (e.g., the formation of the membrane attack complex (xe2x80x9cMACxe2x80x9d)). Activation of the classical pathway is initiated by antigen-antibody complexes or by antibody bound to cellular or particulate antigens. The alternate pathway is activated independent of antibody by complex polysaccharides in pathogens such as bacterial wall constituents, bacterial lipopolysaccharides (LPS) and cell wall constituents of yeast (zymosan).
The classic complement pathway is initiated by the binding of C1 to immune complexes containing IgG or IgM antibodies. Activated C1 cleaves C2 and C4 into active components, C2a and C4b. The C4b2a complex is an active protease called C3 convertase, and acts to cleave C3 into C3a and C3b. C3b forms a complex with C4b2a to produce C4b2a3b, which cleaves C5 into C5a and C5b. C5b combines with C6, and the C5b6 complex combines with C7 to form the ternary complex C5b67. The C5b67 complex binds C8 to form the C5b678 complex which in turn binds C9 and results in the generation of the C5-C9 MAC. The insertion of the MAC into the cell membrane results the formation of a transmembrane channel that causes cell lysis.
In the alternative pathway, conversion of C3 to C3b (or C3i) produces a product that can combine with factor B, giving C3bB (or C3iB). These complexes are acted upon by factor D to generate C3bBb, which is a C3 convertase capable of cleaving more C3 to C3b, leading to more C3bBb and even more C3 conversion. Under certain circumstances the C3bBb complex is stabilized by association with the positive regulator properdin (P) by association of C3b and Bb. The C3 convertases can associate with an additional C3b subunit to form the C5 convertase, C3bBb C3b, which is active in the production of the C5-C9 MAC.
In both the classical and alternative pathways, the critical step in the activation of complement is the proteolytic conversion of C3 to the fragments C3b and C3a. C3a is an anaphylatoxin that attracts mast cells to the site of challenge, resulting in local release of histamine, vasodilation and other inflammatory effects. The nascent C3b has an ability to bind to surfaces around its site of generation and functions as a ligand for C3 receptors mediating, for example, phagocytosis.
Endogenous cell surfaces normally exposed to complement are protected by membrane-bound regulators such as decay accelerating factor (xe2x80x9cDAFxe2x80x9d), C59 (xe2x80x9cprotectinxe2x80x9d), MCP, and the soluble C1 inhibitor or C1NH. DAF and MCP are responsible for limiting production of C3b and insure the generation of inactive forms of C3b, C3bi and C3dg from C3b. CD59 prevents attack of the MAC, which would otherwise destroy the cancer cell. C1 inhibitor binds to the active subcomponents of C1, C1r and C1s, and inhibits their activity.
Despite advances in prevention and early detection, refinements in surgical technique, and improvements in adjuvant radiotherapy and chemotherapy, the ability to cure many patients of cancer remains elusive. This is especially pertinent to prostate cancer, which remains the most prevalent visceral tumor in American men, with approximately 180,000 new cases and nearly 40,000 deaths expected in 1999 (Landis et al., 1999, Cancer J Clin 49: 8-31). The continuing challenge of prostate cancer treatment is the successful management and eradication of recurrent, metastatic, and hormone-refractory disease, which accounts for the vast majority of prostate cancer-specific morbidity and mortality (Small, 1998, Drugs and Aging 13:71-81).
Many treatment modalities currently under investigation for prostate and other cancers depend upon tissue-specific delivery of anti-neoplastic agents. One immunotherapeutic approach involves conjugating cytotoxic agents to monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) specific for a particular cancer cell epitope. In this manner, the therapeutic agents can be delivered at a high therapeutic dose directly, and selectively, to the tumor site, thereby minimizing injury to healthy tissue (Bach et al., 1993, Immunol Today 14:421-5; Reithmuller et al., 1993, Cur. Op. Immunol 5:732-9; and Gruber et al., 1996, Spring Sem Immunopath 18:243-51). This method first requires the identification of specific epitopes for each cancer type. Such candidate epitopes must be expressed at high levels on the cancer cells compared to normal tissue. Second, this method requires the development of high affinity mAbs specific for these epitopes and these mAbs must show minimal cross-reactivity with self tissue. The biological mechanism of killing with mAbs will be variable, depending upon the epitopes identified on the cancer cells, and the effector functions of the specific mAb isotype. However, due to antigenic modulation and/or mutation, the cancer cells may reduce the available levels of the target epitope per cell, or eliminate it from their surface altogether. Thus, the use of mAbs in cancer diagnosis and treatment remains problematic.
A more widely applicable approach to treatment of cancer with mAbs would be to identify a ubiquitous antigenic site, present on virtually all cancer cells, and then to develop a panel of mAbs specific for this antigen. A voluminous literature reveals that cancer cells share certain common characteristics. Many types of human cancer cells are characterized by substantial abnormalities in the glycosylation patterns of their cell-surface proteins and lipids (Hakomori et. al., 1996, Canc Res. 56:5309-18; Castronovo et al., 1989, J Nat Canc Inst 81:212-6; Springer et al., 1984, Science 224:1198-206; and Springer et al., 1997, J Mol Med 75:594-602). These differences have led to the identification of antigenic determinants on cancer cells which are expressed at far lower levels on normal cells. Natural IgM antibodies to these epitopes are present in the circulation, and the interaction of such IgM antibodies with these cancer cell surface antigens leads to activation of complement and covalent coupling of complement activation products (C3b and its fragments, collectively referred to as C3b(i)) to the tumor cells (Okada et al., 1974, Nature 248:521-25; Irie et. al., 1974, Science 186:454-456; Desai et al., 1995, J Immunol Methods 188:175-85; Vetvicka et al., 1996, J Clin Invest 98:50-61; Vetvicka et al., 1997, J Immunol 159:599-605; and Vetvicka et al., 1999, Clin Exp Immunol 115:229-35). Although relatively large amounts of C3b(i) can be deposited on cancer cells, the concomitant expression of high levels of membrane-associated complement control proteins (e.g., decay accelerating factor (xe2x80x9cDAFxe2x80x9d), membrane cofactor protein (xe2x80x9cMCPxe2x80x9d), and, in particular, xe2x80x9cprotectinxe2x80x9d i.e., CD59) usually prevents complement-mediated lysis (Cheung et al., 1988, J Clin Invest 81:1122-8; Gorter et al., 1996, Lab Invest 74:1039-49; Maenpaa et al., 1996, Am J Path 148:1139-52; and Li et al., 1997, Int J Canc 71:1049-55). Further, several investigators have established that in most cases, cancer patients have substantially lowered levels of the potentially protective IgM antibodies. Thus, in many cases the cancer cells cannot easily be killed by complement activation because of the reduced levels of protective IgM antibody and the increased expression of human complement control proteins on their surface.
Innate immunity allows humans and most animals to respond to foreign organisms even before the initiation of the immune response. One of the most important aspects of innate immunity involves the complement system (Cooper, N. R. Complement and viruses. Volanakis, J. B. and Frank, M. M. The Human Complement System in Health and Disease. 18, 393-408. (1998) New York, Marcel Dekker, Inc.; and Petry, F. and Loos, M. Bacteria and complement. Volanakis, I. E. and Frank, M. M. The Human Complement System in Health and Disease. 171, 375-392. (1998) New York, Marcel Dekker, Inc.). It is now well-documented that a wide variety of bacteria, viruses and other microorganisms activate complement in the immunologically naive individual (Peterson et al., 1978, Infect. Immun. 19:943; Verbrugh et al., 1982, J. Immunol. 129:1681; Newman et al., 1985, J. Exp. Med. 161:1414; Seelen et al., 1995, Immunol. 84:653; Wagner et al., 1998, J. Immunol. 160:1936; Bakker et al., 1992, AIDS 6:35; Hiavacek et al., 1999, Proc. Nat!. Acad. Sci. 96:14681; Schmitz et al., 1994, J. Immunol. 153:1352; Tacnet-Delorme et al., 1999, J. Immunol. 162:4088; Joling et al., 1993, J. Immunol. 150:1065; Dominguez et al., 1999, J. Exp. Med. 189:25; and Washburn et al., 1991, Molec. Immunol. 28:465). These include, but are not limited to, both gram positive and gram negative bacteria, and the virus which causes AIDS, HIV. As a consequence of complement activation, these organisms are covalently labeled with complement activation fragments, and in particular with C3b(i). Moreover, in individuals with previous exposure to these pathogens (either through immunization or previous infection), specific antibodies will bind to the pathogens and also activate complement and promote C3b(i) deposition. Although in many instances this complement activation ultimately leads to the clearance and destruction of the microorganism, in some cases the C3b(i)-labeled invader remains in the circulation and can still infect susceptible tissues and organs. In fact, there are many examples of microorganisms which actually use these covalently attached C3b(i) molecules to gain entry into cells (which have receptors for C3bCi)) and establish productive infections (Bakker et al., 1992, AIDS 6:35; Tacnet-Delorme et al., 1999, J. Immunol. 162:4088; Cooper, N. R. Complement and viruses. Volanakis, J. B. and Frank, M. M. The Human Complement System in Health and Disease. 18, 393-408. 1998. New York, Marcel Dekker, Inc.; and Petry, F. and Loos, M. Bacteria and complement. Volanakis, I. E. and Frank, M. M. The Human Complement System in Health and Disease. 171, 375-392. (1998) New York, Marcel Dekker, Inc.). Several lines of evidence indicate that C3b(i)-opsonized HIV can persist in the body bound to the surface of dendritic cells for very long periods of time, and this cell-bound HIV may represent one of the main obstacles to the permanent elimination of HIV from the body (Hiavacek et al., 1999, Proc. Nat!. Acad. Sci. 96:14681; and Schmitz, et al., 1994,. J. Immunol. 153:1352).
Citation of a reference in this section or any section of this application shall not be construed as an admission that such reference is prior art to the present invention.
The present invention encompasses compositions comprising antibodies immunospecific for C3b(i) and methods for the treatment and prevention of cancer, viral infection, and microbial infection in an animal comprising administering such compositions to said animal. In particular, the present invention provides methods for treating or preventing cancer, viral infection, and microbial infection in animal comprising administering to said animal a therapeutically or prophylactically effective amount of an antibody immunospecific for C3b(i), an antibody immunospecific for C3b(i) covalently linked to a second molecule (e.g., an IgM antibody and IgG antibody, a glycoprotein or a glycolipid), a nucleic acid sequence encoding an antibody immunospecific for C3b(i), or a nucleic acid sequence encoding an antibody immunospecific for C3b(i) covalently linked to a second molecule. The present invention also provides methods for the treatment and prevention of cancer, viral infection, and microbial infection in an animal comprising administering to said animal IgG antibodies, IgM antibodies and/or complement components in combination with anti-C3b(i) antibodies. The present invention also provides methods for the treatment and prevention of cancer, viral infection, and microbial infection in an animal comprising administering to said animal antibodies immunospecific for one or more cancer cell antigens, viral antigens, or microbial antigens, respectively, in combination with anti-C3b(i) antibodies. The present invention further provides methods for depleting cancer cells from cells obtained from an animal with cancer comprising contacting in vitro a sample comprising cells obtained from said animal with one or more antibodies immunospecific for C3b(i) or C3b(i) covalently linked to a second molecule.
The present invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising one or more antibodies immunospecific for C3b(i) or C3b(i) covalently linked to a second molecule, in an amount effective for the treatment or prevention of cancer, a viral infection, or a microbial infection in an animal. The present invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising one or more nucleic acid molecules encoding one or more antibodies immunospecific for C3b(i) or C3b(i) covalently linked to a second molecule, in an amount effective for the treatment or prevention of cancer, viral infection, or microbial infection in an animal. The present invention further provides a pharmaceutical composition comprising a bispecific antibody which is immunospecific for C3b(i) or C3b(i) covalently linked to a second molecule and an effector cell receptor or antigen, in an amount effective for the treatment or prevention of cancer, viral infection, or microbial infection in an animal.
The present invention encompasses methods for the detection, imaging, and diagnosis of cancer utilizing antibodies or fragments thereof immunospecific for C3b(i). The present invention provides methods for detecting cancer in an animal comprising: a) administering to said animal an effective amount of a labeled antibody that immunospecifically binds to C3b(i) or C3b(i) covalently linked to a second molecule; b) waiting for a time interval following the administering to permit the labeled antibody to preferentially concentrate at any cancerous site in the subject; c) determining background level; and d) detecting the labeled antibody in the animal, wherein detection of the labeled antibody above the background level indicates the presence of a cancer. The present invention also provides a method for detecting cancer in an animal, comprising imaging said subject at a time interval after administrating to said animal of an effective amount of a labeled antibody that immunospecifically binds to C3b(i) or C3b(i) covalently linked to a second molecule, said time interval being sufficient to permit the labeled antibody to preferentially concentrate at any cancerous site in said subject, wherein detection of the labeled antibody localized at said site in the animal indicates the presence of cancer.
The present invention provides kits comprising, in one or more containers, an antibody immunospecific for C3b(i) or C3b(i) covalently linked to a second molecule with instructions for use in the detection, imaging or diagnosis of cancer.
The term xe2x80x9cC3b(i)xe2x80x9d as used herein refers to C3b and its fragments, including, but not limited to, C3b(i), C3b, and C3d.
As used herein, reference to an antibody immunospecific for C3b(i), C3b(i) specific antibodies, or anti-C3b(i) antibodies and the like shall be construed as including one or more antibodies immunospecific for C3b(i) covalently linked to a second molecule, unless indicated otherwise explicitly or by context. In a preferred embodiment, an anti-C3b(i) antibodies preferentially bind to C3b-opsonized cancer cells, and not C3b(i) in the mileau. In another preferred embodiment, anti-C3b(i) antibodies preferably bind to C3b(i) deposited on viruses or microbes, and not C3b(i) in the mileau.
The term xe2x80x9cfusion proteinxe2x80x9d as used herein refers to a polypeptide that comprises an amino acid sequence of an antibody or fragment thereof and an amino acid sequence of a heterologous polypeptide (i.e., an unrelated polypeptide).
The term xe2x80x9chost cellxe2x80x9d as used herein refers to the particular subject cell transfected with a nucleic acid molecule and the progeny or potential progeny of such a cell. Progeny of such a cell may not be identical to the parent cell transfected with the nucleic acid molecule due to mutations or environmental influences that may occur in succeeding generations or integration of the nucleic acid molecule into the host cell genome.
An xe2x80x9cisolatedxe2x80x9d or xe2x80x9cpurifiedxe2x80x9d antibody or fragment thereof, or polypeptide is substantially free of cellular material or other contaminating proteins from the cell or tissue source from which the protein is derived, or substantially free of chemical precursors or other chemicals when chemically synthesized. The language xe2x80x9csubstantially free of cellular materialxe2x80x9d includes preparations of an antibody, an antibody fragment, or a polypeptide in which the antibody, antibody fragment or polypeptide is separated from cellular components of the cells from which it is isolated or recombinantly produced. Thus, an antibody, an antibody fragment or a polypeptide that is substantially free of cellular material includes preparations of antibody, antibody fragment or polypeptide having less than about 30%, 20%, 10%, or 5% (by dry weight) of heterologous protein (also referred to herein as a xe2x80x9ccontaminating proteinxe2x80x9d). When the antibody, antibody fragment, or polypeptide is recombinantly produced, it is also preferably substantially free of culture medium, i.e., culture medium represents less than about 20%, 10%, or 5% of the volume of the protein preparation. When the antibody, antibody fragment or polypeptide is produced by chemical synthesis, it is preferably substantially free of chemical precursors or other chemicals, i.e., it is separated from chemical precursors or other chemicals which are involved in the synthesis of the protein. Accordingly such preparations of the antibody, antibody fragment, or polypeptide have less than about 30%, 20%, 10%, 5% (by dry weight) of chemical precursors or compounds other than the antibody, or polypeptide fragment of interest. In a preferred embodiment, antibodies of the invention or fragments thereof are isolated or purified.
An xe2x80x9cisolatedxe2x80x9d nucleic acid molecule is one which is separated from other nucleic acid molecules which are present in the natural source of the nucleic acid molecule. Moreover, an xe2x80x9cisolatedxe2x80x9d nucleic acid molecule, such as a cDNA molecule, can be substantially free of other cellular material, or culture medium when produced by recombinant techniques, or substantially free of chemical precursors or other chemicals when chemically synthesized. In a preferred embodiment, nucleic acid molecules encoding antibodies of the invention or fragments thereof are isolated or purified.
FIG. 1 (A-D). Representative flow cytometry data from a study with serum from a normal donor (A, B) and a cancer patient (C, D). Measurement of C3b(i) (A, C) and IgM (B, D) deposition on C4-2 human prostate cancer cells is shown. Abundant C3b(i) is deposited on C4-2 cancer cells in response to the addition of normal human serum; this opsonization appears to be facilitated by both the classical and alternative complement pathways. After opsonization with serum from a prostate cancer patient, significantly less C3b(i) and IgM are deposited on the tumor cells (C, D). C3b(i) deposition via the alternative pathway (serum with Mg-EGTA), however, is comparable for both the normal and cancer patient serum, suggesting that the alternative pathway of the complement system remains intact in prostate cancer patient serum.
FIG. 2 (A-B). Flow cytometry (A) and radioimmunoassay (B) data demonstrating that removal of IgM from AB-positive serum results in a large reduction in the amount of C3b(i) that is deposited on LNCaP (A) or C4-2 (B) cells. C3b(i) deposition can be erstored with either whole normal human plasma (A, B) (e.g., plasma/IgM-depleted serum), whcih provides a source of human IgM, or with purified IgM/IgM-depleted serum (B).
FIG. 3 (A-B). Radioimmunoassay data demonstrating that complement activation generates between 50,000 and 500,000 C3b(i) epitopes/opsonized cancer cell (net binding, background subtracted), as defined by binding of both 125I-labeled mAb 7C12 and 3E7. In panel A, an AB-positive serum was used for opsonization and, after three washes, cells were probed with differing amounts of the two mAb. Alternatively, mAb 3E7 was added to the cells just before the serum, and was present during opsonization. In panel B, AB-positive serum was used in conjunction with the 1-xcexcg/ml and 10-xcexcg/ml probes, and an AB-positive citrated plasma (different donor from that in A) was used for the 3-xcexcg/ml probes
FIG. 4. Flow cytometry results from surveys of sera from normal donors and patients with prostate cancer. Binding of human immunoglobulin to LNCaP and C4-2 prostate cancer cells was measured. Significant differences were determined by t-tests.
FIG. 5 (A-B). Immunohistochemical staining of normal (A) and neoplastic (B) human prostate tissue after incubation with anti-C3b(i) mAb.
FIG. 6. Rosetting experiment using erythrocytes and opsonized LNCaP prostate cancer cells incubated in plasma in the presence of an anti-CR1 X anti-C3b(i) bispecific monoclonal antibody complex (7G9 X 3E7).
FIG. 7 (A-B). In vitro killing of LNCaP (A) and C4-2 (B) prostate cancer cells using 131I-labeled mAbs. Dashed line ( - - - ) delineates normal serum opsonized cells treated with 131I-labeled irrelevant mAbs; dotted line ( . . . ) delineates non-opsonized cells treated with 131I-anti-Cb3(i) mabs; solid line (xe2x80x94) delineates normal serum opsonized cells treated with 131I-labeled anti-C3b(i) mAbs. Measured as cell proliferation relative to non-treated cells.
FIG. 8. The schematic illustrates the steps of the invention, all of which occur on the cell surface of tumor cells within the body of the cancer patient. In the first step, human IgM (either endogenous, or infused into the patient) binds to specific sites on the cancer cell. In the second step, complement (either endogenous, or infused into the patient as fresh plasma) is activated, and the resulting proteolytic fragment C3b(i) is deposited on the surface of the cancer cell. In the third step, a mAb specific for the C3b(i) epitope is administered. The mAb can be associated with a toxic, enzymatic, genetic, differentiating, and/or imaging agent (therefore it is an xe2x80x9ceffector mAbxe2x80x9d), which results in the destruction or imaging of the cancer cell.
FIG. 9. Red cell binding experiment using erythrocytes and opsonized Rajii cells. Rajii cells treated with: serum alone; EDTA treated serum alone; serum and Rituximab; EDTA treated serum and Rituximab; serum and anti-C3b(i) X anti-CR1 bispecific monoclonal antibody complexes; EDTA treated serum and anti-C3b(i) X anti-CR1 bispecific monoclonal antibody complexes; serum, Rituximab, and anti-C3b(i) X anti-CR1 bispecific monoclonal antibody complexes; and EDTA treated serum Rituximab, and anti-C3b(i) X anti-CR1 bispecific monoclonal antibody complexes.
FIG. 10. Red cell binding experiment using erythrocytes and opsonized Rajii cells. Rajii cells treated with: washed whole blood reconstituted serum alone; washed whole blood reconstituted serum and Rituximab; washed whole blood reconstituted serum and anti-C3b(i) X anti-CR1 bispecific monoclonal antibody complexes; and washed whole blood reconstituted serum, Rituximab, and anti-C3b(i) X anti-CR1 bispecific monoclonal antibody complexes; washed whole blood reconstituted serum, Rituximab (15xe2x80x2), and anti-C3b(i) X anti-CR1 bispecific monoclonal antibody complexes; and washed whole blood reconstituted serum, anti-C3b(i) X anti-CR1 bispecific monoclonal antibody (15xe2x80x2), and Rituximab.

Methods for the prevention and treatment of cancer using anti-C3b(i) antibodies

The University of Virginia Patent Foundation


A valve spool may include a cylindrical spool body having a spool longitudinal axis, a first spool body end wall and a second spool body end wall disposed axially opposite the first spool body end wall, and a spool outer surface. The spool outer surface may include a first spool guide region proximate the first spool body end wall and having a spool guide region outer diameter, a second spool guide region proximate the second spool body end wall and having the spool guide region outer diameter, and a spool tight clearance region disposed between the first spool guide region and the second spool guide region. The spool tight clearance region may have a spool tight clearance region outer diameter that is greater than the spool guide region outer diameter.

In many hydraulically actuated systems, such as hydraulically actuated fuel injectors, cryogenic pumps and the like, two-position, three-way spool valve assemblies control the operation of hydraulic components of the system. In general, the spool valve assembly opens an internal work fluid passage to a high pressure supply passage when the hydraulic fluid is supplied to the hydraulic component, such as to hydraulically move a piston. Between operation events, the internal work fluid passage is opened to a low pressure fluid passage or drain so that the used pressurized fluid in the internal work fluid passage can be removed, and the hydraulic component reset for its next operation event. In some cases, the operation of the spool valve assembly is controlled by a pilot valve member that is moved by a solenoid actuator to alternately provide and cut off pilot fluid that causes a valve spool to move between positions to control the flow of hydraulic fluid to and from the internal work fluid passage.
One example of a spool valve assembly is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,283,441 issued on Sep. 4, 2001, to Tian and entitled, "Pilot Actuator and Spool Valve Assembly." The Tian patent disclosed a pilot actuated spool valve assembly that includes a valve body that defines a first passage, a second passage and a flow passage. A unitary pilot body is at least partially positioned in the valve body and has a first valve seat and a second valve seat. A pilot member is moveable in the pilot body between an up position in which the pilot member closes the first valve seat and a down position in which the pilot member closes the second valve seat. A spool valve member has a control hydraulic surface and is positioned in the valve body. It is moveable between a first position in which the first passage is open to the flow passage, and a second position in which the second passage is open to the flow passage. At least one of the valve body, the pilot body, the pilot member and the spool valve member define a control volume fluidly connected to the first passage when the pilot member is in one of its up position and its down position. The control hydraulic surface of the spool valve member is exposed to fluid pressure in the control volume. The disclosed valve assembly finds application in a hydraulically actuated fuel injector having a direct control needle valve.

Edgeless valve spool design with variable clearance


Joints for industrial fabrics are made such that the end edge of each part of the fabric is formed with projecting loops (5), which are formed by bending the warp threads of each part backwards, the return parts of these threads being woven into the fabric for a given length. The loops of one part are inserted between the loops in the opposite part for being fixed in this position. It is desirable that all warp threads in the fabric can coact in the joint, even if their collective width is greater than 100% of the fabric width. The individual loops (5) along at least some portion of the end edges (3, 4) of the parts (1, 2) are therefore formed from at least two juxtaposed threads (7, 8; 11, 12) crossing each other at least once (at 9) before the point of return into the fabric.

The present invention relates to a joint for industrial fabrics where each part of the fabric is formed with projecting loops formed by bending backwards the warp threads of the fabric, the return portions of these threads being reinserted in the weave for a given distance, the loops in one part of the joint being inserted between the loops in the opposite part for fixing in this position.
Examples of specifications which describe joints of the kind mentioned above are SE 7510836-5, SE 330825 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,658,863. The loops are normally fixed in their juxtaposed positions by a thread being inserted through all the loops and thus transverse the longitudinal direction of the fabric. A problem in joints of this kind is that all the warp threads in the fabric cannot be used to form loops when the collected width of the threads exceeds about 90% of the width of the fabric. The explanation for this is that it is not possible to obtain a sufficiently wide space between the loops for permitting the insertion of loops from the opposing fabric edge between these loops. This problem has been solved in different ways, inter alia by having only alternate threads forming loops, while intermediate threads have been cut off or returned into the weave without forming free loops. There has also been the procedure of forming loops at different distances from the end edge so that two or three rows of loops are formed, for example, where each row of loops is connected by a locking filament, e.g. according to U.S. Pat. No. 4,658,863.


The invention relates to the construction of an in-vehicle magnetic disk drive and a case for holding the in-vehicle magnetic disk drive. The in-vehicle magnetic disk drive must meet a condition peculiar thereto requiring normal operations under severe temperature conditions. An environment of an excessively low temperature disturbs a normal information recording operation, while an environment of an excessively high temperature makes the retention of recorded information impossible. The case is provided with a cold insulator, a heat insulator, a heat insulating material and a temperature sensor and is set in a specific position. The operation of the magnetic disk drive at temperatures outside a predetermined temperature range is inhibited.

Generally, a magnetic disk drive is held in a case provided with a cooling fan as mentioned in Japanese Patent Laid-open No. 4-49590. Usually, the case is placed in a completely air-conditioned room.
Recent vehicles are equipped with a navigation system and other electronic systems. Those in-vehicle systems exchange information with external systems through a satellite, and mails can be sent out and received at optional places by mobile telephones. Thus, the amount of information with which in-vehicle systems need to deal has progressively been increased. To meet such a trend, an information recording/reproducing device for recording and reproducing information including still pictures, animations and music numbers, particularly, a magnetic disk drive is necessary. A magnetic disk drive enables, for example, a navigation system to achieve quick response and information update. A magnetic disk drive is capable of downloading (storing) a large amount of information through a private telecommunication network using ground waves and satellites or the Internet
Usually, the operating environment of a magnetic disk drive was in a room, and the magnetic disk drive was held in a case provided with a cooling fan. It has been a technical subject relating with the temperature of the environment in which the magnetic disk drive operates to control the temperature of a heat source to limit the upper limit of temperature in the magnetic disk drive to, for example, about 50° C.
The temperature of the interior of a vehicle exceeds, sometimes, several tens degrees Celsius when the vehicle is parked under a burning sun in summer and drops, sometimes, below −20° C. when in the morning in winter. A magnetic disk drive mounted on a vehicle is exposed to such a severe thermal environment. In a low-temperature environment, the rotation of magnetic domains and the displacement of magnetic domain walls in a magnetic disk are difficult and the magnetic disk drive is unable to write information to the magnetic disk. In a high-temperature environment, the rotation of magnetic domains and the displacement of magnetic domain walls in a magnetic disk occur easily. Consequently, written information cannot be held in the magnetic disk; that is, the magnetic disk is unable to keep storing information. An in-vehicle magnetic disk drive is required to operate normally under vibrations.

Method of mounting magnetic disk device, cabinet for magnetic disk device, and magnetic disk device

Hitachi Global Storage Technologies Japan, Ltd.


System and method embodiments are provided for configuring a network to forward traffic from a first network zone to a second network zone. In an embodiment, a first zone controller of the first zone receives information indicating network capability. The information includes a plurality of parameters of a constraint function. The first network controller provisions a network node, e.g., at the second zone, to forward traffic from the first zone to the second zone in accordance with the received information. The information indicating network capability includes one or more variables relating to the constraint. The constraint relates to at least one current traffic level or at least one wireless link in the second zone.

Traffic engineering (TE) refers to configuring data plane hardware, including various communications nodes of a network, to route traffic based on information collected from the network. TE is typically used to optimize or improve network traffic communications and resource utilization. Centralized TE may be computationally complex in large networks, and require control signaling that exhibits latency at the network edge. Alternatively, distributed TE architectures may divide the data plane of large networks into TE zones, which may be configured using distributed TE controllers and signaling. The network hardware and nodes are thus assigned to multiple zones, each being managed with less complexity and communication delay than managing the entire network in a central manner. The distributed approach also improves the scalability of implementation. However, since zones may pass traffic between each other, adjacent zones should coordinate their handling of traffic rate and other resources. This coordination can require extensive communication between the different zones, which can increase signaling overhead and latency. Thus, there is a need for schemes to handle traffic flow between zones. This is particularly true when wireless aspects are taken into account, because low latency is desired in wireless networks.

System and method for overlapping rate region zoning


Provided is a monitoring device having a control part for monitoring, wherein the control part for monitoring has a first data processing part, a second data processing part, and an indication value output part. The first data processing part generates, as indication values for optical axis adjustment, the first indication value showing the intensity of a light-receiving signal obtained from the particle analysis apparatus. The second data processing part generates, as indication values for gain adjustment of the light-receiving signal, the second indication value showing the intensity of a light-receiving signal obtained from the particle analysis apparatus, which is different from the aforementioned first indication value. The indication value output part outputs the first and second indication values to a display device.

As a method for optically analyzing particles dispersed in a sample liquid (e.g., blood cells in blood and the like), flow cytometry is known. Flow cytometry includes irradiating predetermined irradiation light to particles in a sample liquid advancing through a flow path in a flow cell, obtaining optical characteristics such as light scattering, light absorbance and the like, and performing analysis such as identification, counting and the like of the particles (e.g., patent documents 1, 2).
A particle analysis apparatus used for analyzing particles in a sample liquid based on flow cytometry is called flow cytometer, and the main constitution comprises, as shown in FIG. 6, a flow cell 110, an optical device (in the example of FIG. 6, a light source device OP11, an optical element (lens and the like) OP12 on the irradiation side, an optical element OP13 on the light receiving side, and a light receiving device OP14) and a control device (not shown). In the particle analysis apparatus of FIG. 6, a sample liquid M10 containing particles X10 flows through a flow path 111 in a flow cell 110, the optical device irradiates irradiation light L10 on the flow cell and receives the light L20 obtained by the irradiation, and the control device processes a light-reception signal obtained from the light receiving device and performs analyses of particles size, classification of particles based on the size, particle frequency distribution and the like. In the particle analysis apparatus exemplified in FIG. 6, the flows of sheath liquids M20, M30 surround doubly on the periphery of the sample liquid M10, and by this constitution, particles flow stably one by one in the flow path.
In the particle analysis apparatus exemplified in FIG. 6, electrodes E10, E20 are formed on the upstream side and the downstream side of the flow path so that the particles can also be measured in the flow cell based on the impedance method (electric resistance method). When a particle X10 passes through an aperture (fine pore) 112, the voltage or current between the aforementioned electrodes changes. The impedance method is a method for specifying the particle size based on the values of voltage and current. A particle analysis apparatus for performing a method that simultaneously conducts flow cytometry and impedance method (also called light-focused flow impedance method) is also encompassed in the particle analysis apparatus for analyzing particles in a sample liquid based on flow cytometry. In the following, the particle analysis apparatus in the present specification is an analysis apparatus provided with at least a constitution for analyzing particles in a sample liquid based on flow cytometry.
Patent Document 1 JP-A-H09-257684
Patent Document 2 JP-A-2016-024024
During production, maintenance and the like of a particle analysis apparatus, the center axis of the flow path of the flow cell is aligned with the optical axis of the irradiation light of the optical device (hereinafter to be also referred to as "optical axis adjustment"), and gain adjustment (adjustment of amplification of light-reception signal, light-receiving sensitivity and the like) of light-reception signals is performed.
For optical axis adjustment, a standard solution for flow cytometry containing standard particles is generally used, and displacement of a flow cell (or displacement of an optical device) needs to be adjusted while observing the intensity of the light-reception signal (=intensity of transmitted light), such that the intensity of the light-reception signal, when the irradiation light is irradiated on the standard particles flowing through the flow path, is lowest due to light absorption, scattering, and the like (namely, such that the irradiation light is best blocked by particles). Therefore, during adjustment of the optical axis, an oscilloscope is utilized to check the intensity of the light-reception signal with high real-time property.
However, the oscilloscope only shows the intensity of the light-reception signal, and determination of whether the gain adjustment of the light-reception signal is appropriate requires other method, for example, by measuring standard substances such as control blood and the like and confirming based on the measurement values and the like. Therefore, adjustment of light irradiation in a particle analysis apparatus (optical axis adjustment and gain adjustment) is time-consuming requiring preparation and operation of a plurality of measuring apparatuses.
The problem of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problem and provide a new device for adjusting light irradiation in a flow cytometer with reduced time and labor.

Monitoring device for adjusting light irradiation in particle analysis apparatus