A patient with an inflammatory disease of the head and neck is treated with a therapeutic amount of a selective inhibitor of cyclooxygenase-2 or a cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor from a natural source. In one embodiment, a patient with a sore throat caused by tonsillitis or pharyngitis is treated with the topical application of a cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor from a natural source. In other embodiments, patients with sore throat caused by tonsillitis or pharyngitis or a patient with sinusitis are treated by systemic administration of a selective inhibitor of cyclooxygenase-2. In another embodiment, a patient with periodontitis is treated by administration of a cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor from a natural source.

The invention herein is directed to an expansion of the use of selective inhibitors of cyclooxygenase-2 and of natural substances which inhibit cyclooxygenase-2.
Prostaglandins are important mediators of inflammation that are produced at elevated levels in inflamed tissues. The increased amounts of prostaglandins produced in inflamed tissues reflect enhanced synthesis, which occurs by cyclooxygenase-catalyzed metabolism of arachidonic acid. Two different isoforms of cyclooxygenase (COX) designated cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) have been identified. COX-1 is a constitutive isoform present in most tissues. COX-2 is not detectable in most normal tissues, but it is induced by cytokines, growth factors, oncogenes and tumor promoters. The increased production of prostaglandins in the joints of patients with rheumatoid arthritis has been attributed to elevated levels of COX-2.
Traditional nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as aspirin inhibit the activities of COX-1 and COX-2 and therefore the synthesis of pro-inflammatory prostaglandins. NSAID-mediated inhibition of COX-1 is believed to be responsible for side effects such as peptic ulcer disease. Selective inhibitors of COX-2 have been developed in an effort to decrease the side effects of traditional NSAIDs. In fact, selective inhibitors of COX-2 do appear to be very effective inhibitors of rheumatoid arthritis while causing fewer gastrointestinal side effects than traditional NSAIDs.
While aspirin has been used to treat sore throat, heretofore there has been no proof that COX-2 is upregulated in sore throat and no suggestion of the use of selective inhibitors of COX-2 or of use of COX-2 inhibitors from natural sources, to treat sore throat.
While nitric oxide synthase inhibitors have been suggested for treating acute and chronic inflammatory diseases including sinusitis (see Williamson et al. U.S. Pat. No. 5,710,181), heretofore there has been no description of the use of selective inhibitors of COX-2 or of the use of COX-2 inhibitors from natural sources, to treat sinusitis.
The invention herein is directed to a method for treating a patient with an inflammatory disease of the head and neck comprising administering to said patient a therapeutic amount of a selective inhibitor of cyclooxygenase-2 or of a cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor from a natural source.
The term xe2x80x9cinflammatory disease of the head and neckxe2x80x9d includes, without limitation, sore throat, e.g., that caused by tonsillitis or pharyngitis, and sinusitis.
The term xe2x80x9ctonsillitisxe2x80x9d is used herein to mean an acute inflammation of the palatine tonsils and includes tonsillitis caused by bacterial and viral infections.
The term xe2x80x9cpharyngitisxe2x80x9d is used herein to mean an acute inflammation of the pharynx and includes pharyngitis caused by bacterial and viral infections.
The term xe2x80x9csinusitisxe2x80x9d is used herein to mean an inflammatory process in the paranasal sinuses and includes such condition caused by viral, bacterial and fungal infections or allergic reactions.
The term xe2x80x9cinhibitor of cyclooxygenase-2xe2x80x9d is used herein to mean a compound which directly inhibits cyclooxygenase-2 metabolized catalysis of arachidonic acid and/or inhibits the transcription of cyclooxygenase-2 and excludes nitric oxide synthase inhibitors. The term includes competitive inhibitors as well as non-competitive inhibitors.
The term xe2x80x9cselective inhibitor of cyclooxygenase-2xe2x80x9d is used herein to mean compound which selectively inhibits cyclooxygenase-2 in preference to cyclooxygenase-1 and particularly compound for which the ratio of the IC50 concentration (concentration inhibiting 50% of activity) for cyclooxygenase-1 to the IC50 concentration for cyclooxygenase-2 is greater than 1. Such ratio is readily determined by assaying for cyclooxygenase-2 activity and assaying for cyclooxygenase-1 activity by the methods set forth at column 39, line 55xe2x80x94column 40, line 36 of Talley et al. U.S. Pat. No. 5,633,272, which is incorporated herein by reference, and from the resulting data obtaining a ratio of IC50s.
The term xe2x80x9cnatural sourcexe2x80x9d in the phrase xe2x80x9ccyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor from a natural sourcexe2x80x9d is a plant, marine or animal organism.
We turn firstly to the selective inhibitors of cyclooxygenase-2. The selective inhibitors of cyclooxygenase-2 are synthetic compounds.
The selective inhibitors of cyclooxygenase-2 are preferably those where the ratio of the IC50 concentration for cyclooxygenase-1 to the IC50 concentration for cyclooxygenase-2 is 100 or more.
Selective inhibitors of cyclooxygenase-2 include the following compounds:
(1) 4-[5-(4-Chlorophenyl)-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide
(2) 4-[5-(4-Bromophenyl)-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide
(3) 4-[5-(3-Chlorophenyl)-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide
(4) 4-[5-(4-Methylphenyl)-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide
(5) 4-[5-(2-Chlorophenyl)-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide
(6) 4-[5-(4-Trifluoromethylphenyl)-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide
(7) 4-[5-(4-Fluorophenyl)-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide
(8) 4-[5-Phenyl-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide
(9) 4-[5-(4-Methoxyphenyl)-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide
(10) 4-[5-(4-Trifluoromethoxyphenyl)-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide
(11) 4-[5-(2-Methylphenyl)-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide
(12) 4-[5-(4-Chlorophenyl)-3-(difluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide
(13) 4-[4-(Aminosulfonyl)phenyl]-5-(4-chlorophenyl)-1H-pyrazol-3-carboxylate
(14) 4-[4-(Aminosulfonyl)phenyl]-5-(4-chlorophenyl)-1H-pyrazol-3-carboxamide
(15) 4-[5-(4-[Methylthio]phenyl)-3-(difluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide
(16) 4-[5-(4-[Methylsulfonyl]phenyl)-3-(difluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide
(17) 4-[5-(2,4-[Difluoro]phenyl)-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide
(18) 4-[5-(2,6-[Difluoro]phenyl)-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide
(19) 4-[5-(4-Cyanophenyl)-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide
(20) 4-[5-(4-Chlorophenyl)-3-(heptafluoropropyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide
(21) 4-[5-(4-Chlorophenyl)-3-(chloro-difluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide
(22) 4-[5-(4-Chlorophenyl)-3-(pentafluoroethyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide
(23) 4-[5-(4-Biphenyl)-3-(difluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide
(24) 4-[5-(4-Pyrazinyl)-3-(difluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide
(25) 4-[5-(5-Chloro-2-thienyl)-3-(difluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide
(26) 4-[5-(4-Morpholino)phenyl)-3-(difluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide
(27) 4-[5-(1-Cyclohexyl)-3-(difluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide
(28) 4-[5-(5-Bromo-2-thienyl)-3-(difluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide
(29) 4-[5-(4-Thienyl)-3-(difluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide
(30) 4-[5-(4-[Trifluoromethyl]phenyl)-3-(difluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide
(31) 4-[5-(3,4-Dichlorophenyl)-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide
(32) 4-[5-(2,4-Dichlorophenyl)-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide
(33) 4-[5-Phenyl-3-(3-hydroxypropyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide
(34) 4-[5-(4-Fluorophenyl)-3-(3-hydroxypropyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide
(35) 4-[4-(Aminosulfonyl)phenyl]-5-(4-fluorophenyl)-1H-pyrazole]-3-propanoic acid
(36) 4,5-Dihydro-4-[3-trifluoromethyl]-1H-benz[g]indazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide
(37) 4-[5-(4-Chlorophenyl)-4-chloro-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide
(38) 4-[5-(4-Chlorophenyl)-3-(trifluoromethyl)-4-chloro-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide
(39) 4-[1-(4-Fluorophenyl)-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-5-yl]benzenesulfonamide
(40) 1-(2,4,6-Trichlorobenzoyl)-5-methoxy-2-methyl-3-indolyl acetic acid
(41) 1-(2,6-dichlorobenzoyl)-5-methoxy-2-methyl-3-indolyl acetic acid
(42) 3-(4-Aminosulfonyl)phenyl)-2-(4-fluorophenyl)-5-(2-hydroxy-2-propyl)thiophene
(43) 3-(4-(Aminosulfonyl)phenyl-2-(4-fluorophenyl-thiophene
(44) 3-(4-(Aminosulfonyl)phenyl)-2-(4-fluorophenyl)-5-(2-propyl)thiophene
(45) 3-(4-(Aminosulfonyl)phenyl)-2-cyclohexylthiophene
(46) 5-(4-Carboxyphenyl)-4-(4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl)thiophene-2-carboxylic acid
(47) 4-(4-Fluorophenyl)-2-methyl-5-(4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl)thiazole
(48) 2-(4-Fluorophenyl)-3-(4-methylsulfonyl)phenyl)-2-cyclopenten-1-one
(49) 4-(4-(Methylsulfonyl)phenyl-5-(4-fluorophenyl)-isothiazole
(50) 3-(4-Fluorophenyl)-4-(4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl-2-(5H)-furanone
(51) 3-(4-Fluorophenyl)-4-(4-(aminosulfonyl)phenyl)-2-(2H)-furanone
(52) 3-(4-Fluorophenyl)-4-(4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl)furan
(53) 5,5-Dimethyl-3-(4-fluorophenyl)-4-(4-methylsulfonyl-phenyl)-2-(5H)furanone
(54) 2-((4-Aminosulfonyl)phenyl)-3-(4-fluorophenyl)thiophene
(55) 3-(2,4-Difluorophenyl)-4-(4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl)-2-(5H)-furanone
(56) 3-(3,4-Difluorophenyl)-4-(4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl)-2-(5H)-furanone
(57) 3-(2,6-Difluorophenyl)-4-(4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl)-2-(5H)-furanone
(58) 3-(2,5-Difluorophenyl)-4-(4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl)-2-(5H)-furanone
(59) 3-(3,5-Difluorophenyl)-4-(4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl)-2-(5H)-furanone
(60) 3-(4-Bromophenyl)-4-(4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl)-2-(5H)-furanone
(61) 3-(4-Chlorophenyl)-4-(4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl)-2-(5H)-furanone
(62) 3-(4-Methoxyphenyl)-4-(4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl)-2-(5H)-furanone
(63) 3-(Phenyl)-4-(4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl)-2-(5H)-furanone
(64) 3-(2-Chlorophenyl)-4-(4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl)-2-(5H)-furanone
(65) 3-(2-Bromo-4-fluorophenyl)-4-(4-(methylsulfon-yl)phenyl)-2-(5H)-furanone
(66) 3-(2-Bromo-4-Chlorophenyl)-4-(4-(methylsulfon-yl)phenyl)-2-(5H)-furanone
(67) 3-(4-Chloro-2-fluorophenyl)-4-(4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl)-2-(5H)-furanone
(68) 3-(3-Bromo-4-fluorophenyl)-4-(4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl)-2-(5H)-furanone
(69) 3-(3-Chlorophenyl)-4-(4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl)-2-(5H)-furanone
(70) 3-(2-Chloro-4-fluorophenyl)-4-(4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl)-2-(5H)-furanone
(71) 3-(2,4-Dichlorophenyl)-4-(4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl)-2-(5H)-furanone
(72) 3-(3,4-Dichlorophenyl)-4-(4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl)-2-(5H)-furanone
(73) 3-(2,6-Dichlorophenyl)-4-(4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl)-2-(5H)-furanone
(74) 3-(3-Chloro-4-fluorophenyl)-4-(4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl)-2-(5H)-furanone
(75) 3-(4-Trifluoromethylphenyl)-4-(4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl)-2-(5H)-furanone
(76) 3-(3-Fluoro-4-methoxyphenyl)-4-(4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl)-2-(5H)-furanone
(77) 3-(3-Chloro-4-methoxyphenyl)-4-(4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl)-2-(5H)-furanone
(78) 3-(3-Bromo-4-methoxyphenyl)-4-(4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl)-2-(5H)-furanone
(79) 3-(2-Fluorophenyl)-4-(4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl)-2-(5H)-furanone
(80) 3-(4-Methylthiophenyl)-4-(4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl)-2-(5H)-furanone
(81) 3-(3-Fluorophenyl)-4-(4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl)-2-(5H)-furanone
(82) 3-(2-Chloro-6-fluorophenyl)-4-(4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl)-2-(5H)-furanone
(83) 3-(3-Bromo-4-methylphenyl)-4-(4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl)-2-(5H)-furanone
(84) 3-(4-Bromo-2-fluorophenyl)-4-(4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl)-2-(5H)-furanone
(85) 3-(3,4-Dibromophenyl)-4-(4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl)-2-(5H)-furanone
(86) 3-(4-Chloro-3-fluorophenyl)-4-(4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl)-2-(5H)-furanone
(87) 3-(4-Bromo-3-fluorophenyl)-4-(4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl)-2-(5H)-furanone
(88) 3-(4-Bromo-2-chlorophenyl)-4-(4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl)-2-(5H)-furanone
(89) 3-(2-Naphthyl)-4-(4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl)-2-(5H)-furanone
(90) 3-(7-Quinolinyl)-4-(4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl)-2-(5H)-furanone
(91) 3-(3,4-Dichlorophenyl)-4-(4-(aminosulfonyl)phenyl)-2-(2H)-furanone
(92) 3-(3,4-Dichlorophenyl)-4-(4-(aminosulfonyl)phenyl)-2-(2H)-furanone
(93) 3-(3,4-Dichlorophenyl)-4-(4-(aminosulfonyl)phenyl)-2-(2H)-furanone
(94) 3-(3-Bromo-4-methoxyphenyl)-4-(4-(aminosulfonyl)phenyl)-2-(2H)-furanone
(95) 3-(4-(Methylsulfonyl)phenyl)-2-phenylbenzo[b]furan
(96) 3-(4-Methylsulfonyl)phenyl)-2-phenylbenzo[b]thiophene
(97) 3-(4-Methylsulfonyl)phenyl-2-phenylinden-1-one
(98) 2-(4-Fluorophenyl)-3-(4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl)indole
(99) 3-(4-Fluorophenyl)-2-(4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl)indole
(100) 2-(4-Fluorophenyl)-3-(4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl)-4H-thieno[2,3-c]-furan-6-one
(101) 2-(3,4-Difluorophenyl)-3-(4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl)-4H-thieno[2,3-c]-furan-6-one
(102) 2-(4-Fluorophenyl)-3-(4-(aminosulfonyl)phenyl)-4H-thieno[2,3-c]-furan-6-one
(103) 2-(3,4-Difluorophenyl)-3-(4-(aminsulfonyl)phenyl)-4H-thieno[2,3-c]-furan-6-one
(104) 3-(4-(Methylsulfonyl)phenyl)-2-phenyl)-4,7-dihydro-thieno[2,3-c]pyran-5-one
(105) 2-(4-(Methylsulfonyl)phenyl)-3-phenyl)-4H-thieno[2,3-c]furan-6-one
(106) 5-(4-(Methylsulfonyl)phenyl)-6-phenylimidazo[2,1-b]thiazole
(107) 2-Methyl-5-(4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl)-6-phenylimidazo[2,1-b]thiazole
(108) 3-Methyl-5-(4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl)-6-phenylimidazo[2,1-b]thiazole
(109) 2-Bromo-5-(4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl)-6-phenylimidazo[2,1-b]thiazole
(110) 3-Trifluoromethyl-5-(4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl)-6-phenylimidazo[2,1-b]thiazole
(111) 2,3-Dimethyl-5-(4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl)-6-phenyl-imidazo[2,1-b]thiazole
(112) 5-(4-(Methylsulfonyl)phenyl)-6-(4-fluorophenyl)imidazo[2,1-b]thiazole
(113) 5-Phenyl)-6-(4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl)-imidazo[2,1-b]thiazole
(114) 2-Chloro-5-(4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl)-6-(4-chlorophenyl)imidazo[2,1-b]thiazole
(115) 2,2-Dichloro-5-(4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl)-6-(4-chlorophenyl)imidazo[2,1-b]thiazole
(116) 5-(4-(Methylsulfonyl)phenyl)-6-(imidazo[2,1-b]-1,3,4-thiadiazole
(117) 5-Phenyl-6-(4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl)-imidazo[2,1-b]-1,3,4-thiadiazole
(118) 2-Methyl-5-(4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl)-6-phenyl-imidazo[2,1-b]-1,3,4-thiadiazole
(119) 2-Methyl-5-phenyl-6-(4-methylsulfonyl)phenyl)-imidazo[2,1-b]-1,3,4-thiadiazole
(120) 5-(4-(Methylsulfonyl)phenyl)-6-(4-fluorophenyl)-imidazo[2,1-b]-1,3,4-thiadiazole
(121) 5-(4-(Methylsulfonyl)phenyl)-6-phenyl-1H-imidazo[2,1-b]-s-thiazole
(122) 5-Phenyl-6-(4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl)thiazolo[3,2-b]-1,3,4-triazole
(123) 2,3-Dihydro-5-(4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl)-6-phenylimidazo[2,1-b]thiazole
(124) 2-[(4-Methylthio)phenyl]-1-biphenyl
(125) 1-Cyclohexene-2-(4xe2x80x2-methylsulfonylphenyl)benzene
(126) 3-(4xe2x80x2-Methylsulfonylphenyl)-4-phenylphenol
(127) 1-[2-(4-Methylsulfonylphenyl)phenyl]piperidine
(128) 1-[2-(4xe2x80x2-Methylsulfonylphenyl)phenyl]pyrrole
(129) 1-Phenoxy-2-(4xe2x80x2-methylsulfonylphenyl)benzene
(130) 5-(4-Fluorophenyl)-2-methoxy-4-[4-(methylsulfon-yl)phenyl]-6-(trifluoromethyl)pyridine
(131) 2-Ethoxy-5-(4-fluorophenyl)-4-[4-(methylsulfon-yl)phenyl]-6-(trifluoromethyl)pyridine
(132) 5-(4-Fluorophenyl)-4-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-2-(2-propynyloxy)-6-(trifluoromethyl)pyridine
(133) 2-Bromo-5-(4-fluorophenyl)-4-[4-(methylsulfon-yl)phenyl]-6-(trifluoromethyl)pyridine
(134) 3-[1-(p-Bromobenzyl)-5-methoxy-2-methylindol-3-yl]propanoic acid
(135) 3-[1-(p-Bromobenzyl)-5-methoxy-2-methylindol-3-yl]butanoic acid, sodium salt
(136) 2-Benzyl-3-[1-(p-bromobenzyl)-5-methoxy-2-methylindol-3-yl-propanoic acid
(137) 3-[1-(p-Bromobenzyl)-5-methoxy-2-methylindol-3-yl]-2,2-dimethylpropanoic acid
(138) 3-[1-(p-Bromobenzyl)-5-methoxy-2-methylindol-3-yl]-4,4,4-trifluorobutanoic acid, sodium salt
(139) trans-2-[1-(p-Bromobenzyl)-5-methoxy-2-methylindol-3-yl]-cyclo-propanecarboxylic acid, sodium salt
(140) 3-[1-(p-Bromobenzyl)-5-methoxy-2-methylindol-3-yl]-hydroxy-2-methyl propanoic acid, sodium salt
(141) [1(1-(p-Bromobenzyl)-5-methoxy-2-methylindol-3-yl]-cyclopropylacetic acid, sodium salt
(142) trans-(+)-2-[1-(p-Bromobenzyl)-5-methoxy-2-methylindol-3-yl]cyclopropanecarboxylic acid, sodium salt
(143) 3-[1-(p-Bromobenzyl)-5-methoxy-2-methylindol-3-yl]-2-methylpropanoic acid and sodium salt
(144) 3-[1-(p-Chlorobenzyl)-5-methoxy-2-methylindol-3-yl]-4,4,4-trifluorobutanoic acid and sodium salt
(145) syn-3-[1-(p-Bromobenzyl)-5-methoxy-2-methylindol-3-yl]-2-methylbutanoic acid
(146) anti-3-[1-(p-Bromobenzyl)-5-methoxy-2-methylindol-3-yl]-2-methylbutanoic acid and sodium salt
(147) 3-[5-(Bromo-1-(p-bromobenzyl)-2-methylindol-3-yl]butanoic acid and sodium salt
(148) (xe2x88x92)-3-[1-(p-Bromobenzyl)-5-methoxy-2-methylindol-3-yl]-butanoic acid and sodium salt
(149) (+)-3-[1-(p-Bromobenzyl)-5-methoxy-2-methylindol-3-yl]-butanoic acid and sodium salt
(150) trans-(xe2x88x92)-2-[1-(p-Bromobenzyl)-5-methoxy-2-methylindol-3-yl]cyclopropanecarboxylic acid and sodium salt
(151) 3-[1-(p-Bromobenzyl)-2,5-dimethylindol-3-yl]propanoic acid
(152) 3-[5-(Bromo-1-(p-bromobenzyl)-2-methylindol-3-yl]propanoic acid
(153) 3-[1-(p-Bromobenzyl)-5-chloro-2-methylindol-3-yl)propanoic acid
(154) 3-[1-(p-Chlorobenzyl)-5-methoxy-2-methylindol-3-yl)-2-methylpropanoic acid
(155) Methyl 3-[1-(p-bromobenzyl)-5-methoxy-2-methylindol-3-yl)propanoate
(156) 3-[1-(p-Bromobenzyl)-5-methoxy-2-methylindol-3-yl)-3-methylbutanoic acid
(157) 5-Methanesulfonamido-6-(2,4-difluorophenylthio)-1-indanone
(158) 5-Methanesulfonamido-6-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy)-1-indanone
(159) 2-(4-Chlorophenyl)-4-hydroxy-1-[4-(methylsulfo-nyl)phenyl]-4-(trifluoromethyl)-4,5-dihydro-1H-imidazole
(160) 2-(4-Chlorophenyl)-1-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-4-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-imidazole
(161) 1-(4-Fluorophenyl)-4-hydroxy-2-[4-(methylsulfo-nyl)phenyl]-4-(trifluoromethyl)-4,5-dihydro-1H-imidazole
(162) 1-(4-Fluorophenyl)-2-[4(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-4-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-imidazole
(163) 2-(4-Chlorophenyl)-1-[4-methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-4-methyl-1H-imidazole
(164) 2-(4-Chlorophenyl)-1-[4-methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-4-phenyl-1H-imidazole
(165) 2-(4-Chlorophenyl)-4-(4-fluorophenyl)-1-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-1H-imidazole
(166) 4-(4-Bromophenyl)-2-(4-chlorophenyl)-1-[4-(methylsulfo-nyl)phenyl]-1H-imidazole
(167) 2-(4-Chlorophenyl)-1-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-4-(2-naphthyl)-1H-imidazole
(168) 2-(4-Chlorophenyl)-1-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-4-[4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl]-1H-imidazole
(169) 2,4-Bis(4-chlorophenyl)-1-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-1H-imidazole
(170) 2-(4-Chlorophenyl)-4-(3-chlorophenyl)-1-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-1H-imidazole
(171) 2-(4-Chlorophenyl)-4-(4-methoxyphenyl)-1-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-1H-imidazole
(172) 2-(4-Chlorophenyl)-4-(3-fluorophenyl)-1-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-1H-imidazole
(173) 2-(4-Chlorophenyl)-4-[(4-chlorophenoxy)methyl]-1-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-1H-imidazole
(174) 2-(3-Chloro-4-methylphenyl)-1-[4-(methylsulfo-nyl)phenyl]-4-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-imidazole
(175) 5-[1-[4-(Methylsulfonyl)phenyl)-4-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-imidazole-2-yl]-1,3-benzodioxole
(176) 2-(3-Fluoro-4-methoxyphenyl)-1-[4-(methylsulfonyl)-phenyl-4-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-imidazole
(177) 2-(4-Chlorophenyl)-4-[(phenylthio)methyl]-1-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-1H-imidazole
(178) 2-(4-Chlorophenyl)-4-[(N-methyl-N-phenylamino)methyl]-1-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-1H-imidazole
(179) 2-(4-Chlorophenyl)-4-[2-quinolyl)methoxymethyl]-1-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-1H-imidazole
(180) 2-(4-Chlorophenyl)-4-methoxymethyl-1-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-1H-imidazole
(181) 2-(4-Fluorophenyl)-1-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-4-trifluoromethyl-1H-imidazole
(182) 1-[4-(Methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-2-phenyl-4-trifluoro-methyl-1H-imidazole
(183) 2-(3-Chloro-4-methoxyphenyl)-1-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-4-trifluoromethyl-1H-imidazole
(184) 2-(4-Methylphenyl)-1-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-4-trifluoromethyl-1H-imidazole
(185) 1-[4-(Methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-2-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-4-trifluomethyl-1H-imidazole
(186) 4-[2-(4-Chlorophenyl)-4-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-imidazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide
(187) 4-[2-(3-Chloro-4-methylphenyl)-4-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-imidazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide
(188) 3-[1-(4-Methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-4-trifluoromethyl-1H-imidazol-2-yl]pyridine
(189) 2-[1-(4-Methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-4-trifluoromethyl-1H-imidazol-2-yl]pyridine
(190) 4-[1-[4-(Methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-4-trifluoromethyl-1H-imidazol-2-yl]pyridine
(191) 2-Methyl-5-[1-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-4-trifluoromethyl-1H-imidazol-2-yl]pyridine
(192) 2-Methyl-6-[1-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-4-trifluoromethyl-1H-imidazol-2-yl]pyridine
(193) 5-Methyl-2-[1-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-4-trifluoromethyl-1H-imidazol-2-yl]pyridine
(194) 4-Methyl-2-[1-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-4-trifluoromethyl-1H-imidazol-2-yl]pyridine
(195) 2-Methoxy-5-[1-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-4-trifluoromethyl-1H-imidazol-2-yl]pyridine
(196) 4-[2-(6-Methylpyridin-3-yl)-4-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-imidazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide
(197) 4-[2-(6-Methylpyridin-2-yl)-4-(trifluoromethyl)-H-imidazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide
(198) 3-Methyl-5-[1-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-4-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl]pyridine
(199) 4-[2-(4-Methylpyridin-2-yl)-4-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-imidazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide
(200) 2-[1-[4-(Methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-4-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl]thiophene
(201) 3-[1-[4-(Methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-4-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl]thiophene
(202) 4-[2-(5-Methylpyridin-3-yl)-4-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-imidazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide
(203) 2-Methyl-3-[1-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-4-(trifluoro-methyl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl]thiophene
(204) 4-[2-(2-Methylpyridin-3-yl)-4-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-imidazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide
(205) 4-[2-Pyridin-3-yl)-4-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-imidazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide
The synthesis of compounds 1-39 is disclosed in Talley et al. U.S. Pat. No. 5,466,823. The synthesis of compounds 40 and 41 is disclosed in Black et al. U.S. Pat. No. 5,436,265. The synthesis of compounds 42-94 is disclosed in Ducharme et al. U.S. Pat. No. 5,474,995. The synthesis of compounds 95-105 is disclosed in Prasit et al. U.S. Pat. No. 5,521,213. The synthesis of compounds 106-123 is disclosed in Gauthier et al. U.S. Pat. No. 5,552,422. The synthesis of compounds 124-129 is disclosed in Batt U.S. Pat. No. 5,593,994. The synthesis of compounds 130-133 is disclosed in Lee U.S. Pat. No. 5,596,008. The synthesis of compounds 134-156 is disclosed in Lau et al. U.S. Pat. No. 5,604,253. The synthesis of compounds 157 and 158 is disclosed in Guay et al. U.S. Pat. No. 5,604,260. The synthesis of compounds 159-205 is disclosed in Khanna et al. U.S. Pat. No. 5,616,601.
Other selective inhibitors of cyclooxygenase-2 and their syntheses are taught in Examples 2-108, 110-129, 131-150, 152, 301-312, and 401-413 of Batt et al. U.S. Pat. No. 5,593,994, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Still other selective inhibitors of cyclooxygenase-2 and their syntheses are taught in Examples 1-11, 13-16, and 18-25 of Guay et al. U.S. Pat. No. 5,604,260, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Still other selective inhibitors of cyclooxygenase-2 and their syntheses are taught in Examples 1-13 including Examples 1a-1p and 4a-4h of Talley et al. U.S. Pat. No. 5,633,272, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Still other selective inhibitors of cyclooxygenase-2 are taught in Examples 1-131 of Lau et al. U.S. Pat. No. 5,639,780, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Still other selective inhibitors of cyclooxygenase-2 are taught in Examples 1-6 of Talley et al. U.S. Pat. No. 5,643,933, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Still other selective inhibitors of cyclooxygenase-2 are taught in Examples 1-4 of Lau et al. U.S. Pat. No. 5,510,368, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
Another example of a selective inhibitor of cyclooxygenase-2 useful herein are those which directly inhibit the enzyme cyclooxygenase-2 and which also inhibit the synthesis of cyclooxygenase-2 protein and which have antioxidant properties. These cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors preferably contain phenyl group with two or more substituents selected from the group consisting of hydroxy and C1-4-alkoxy (e.g., methoxy) on the phenyl. Specific compounds of this class includes, for example, 4-[5-methyl-3-[[(2,3-hydroxy)phenoxy]methyl]-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide and 4-methyl-5-(4-methylsulfonyl)phenyl-2-[(2,3-hydroxyphenoxy)methyl]oxazole and the corresponding compounds where methoxy or ethoxy replaces hydroxy. These compounds and their syntheses are described in Dannenberg Provisional Application No. 60/069,955 the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
A preferred selective inhibitor of cyclooxygenase-2 for use herein is 4-[5-(4-methylphenyl)-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide which is compound (4) set forth above. It is believed that this compound is celecoxib (Tradename Celebrex).
Another preferred selective inhibitor of cyclooxygenase is vioxx which is MK-0966; it is compound (63) set forth above.
The dosage of selective inhibitor of cyclooxygenase-2 for the method herein is a cyclooxygenase-2 inhibiting amount which is a therapeutically effective amount. In general, the dosage ranges from 0.1 to 30 mg/kg. The dosages for any particular agent will vary within said range. For compound (4) referred to above, the dosage preferably ranges from 3 to 12 mg/kg.
The route of administration of selective inhibitor of cyclooxygenase-2 is systemic or local for the treatment of sore throat including that caused by tonsillitis or pharyngitis. For systemic administration, the route of administration is preferably oral but other routes of systemic administration, e.g., parenteral such as intravenous, are also useful. For local administration, the selective inhibitor of cyclooxygenase-2 is applied directly to the sore tissue, e.g., formulated as a lozenge, oral rinse or spray.
The route of administration of selective inhibitor of cyclooxygenase-2 is systemic for the treatment sinusitis. Preferably, the route of administration is oral but other routes of systemic administration, e.g., parenteral such as intravenous, are also useful.
We turn now to the cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors from natural sources. These cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors from natural sources also inhibit cyclooxygenase-1.
The cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors from natural sources include, for example, resveratrol, curcumin, caffeic acid phenethyl ester, ursolic acid, carnosol, shikonin and licochalcone A.
Resveratrol has the structure
and is found in grapes and other foods. Inhibition by resveratrol of cyclooxygenase-2 transcription and activity is described in Subbaramaiah, K., et al., The Journal of Biological Chemistry, Vol. 273, 21875-21882 (1998).
The inventor herein has published abstracts showing that curcumin and caffeic acid phenethyl ester can inhibit cyclooxygenase-2.
The inhibitors of cyclooxygenase-2 from natural sources are preferably used as topical therapy for sore throats, e.g., tonsillitis and pharyngitis. In such case, the agent is readily administered as a lozenge, oral rinse or spray. In general, the dosages for inhibitors of cyclooxygenase-2 from natural sources used in this way ranges from 1 to 100 mg/kg. For resveratrol, a single application is, for example, 0.25 to 4 grams, administered from one to six times a day as needed.
The inhibitors of cyclooxygenase-2 from natural sources can be administered systemically for the treatment of sore throat or sinusitis. In such case, the route of administration is preferably oral but other routes of administration, e.g., parenteral such as intravenous, are also useful. In general, the dosage of inhibitors of cyclooxygenase-2 from natural sources for systemic administration ranges from 10 to 100 mg/kg and the dosage for resveratrol for systemic administration preferably ranges from 10 to 100 mg/kg.
The treatments are repeated from day-to-day as long as symptoms ameliorate. For tonsillitis, sore throat and pain are ameliorated. For pharyngitis, sore throat and pain on swallowing are ameliorated. For sinusitis, pain in the maxillary area and teeth and frontal headache are ameliorated.
One genus of inflammatory diseases herein constitutes diseases of the head and neck except for periodontitis.
In one embodiment herein, the inflammatory disease of the head and neck is periodontitis and the treating agent is a cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor from a natural source. Thus, in this case, the method is for treating a patient with periodontitis and comprises administering to said patient a therapeutic amount of a cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor from a natural source. The cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors from a natural source are those described above and are preferably used as topical therapy for periodontitis. In such case, the agent is readily administered as a lozenge, oral rinse or spray. In such case, in general, the dosage ranges from 1 to 100 mg/kg. For resveratrol, a single application is, for example, 0.25 to 4 grams, administered one to six times a day. The cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors from a natural source can also be administered systematically for the treatment of periodontitis. In such case, the route of administration is preferably oral but other routes of administration, e.g., parenteral such as intravenous are also useful. In general, the dosage for systemic administration ranges from 10 to 100 mg/kg, and the dosage for resveratrol for systemic administration preferably ranges from 10 to 100 mg/kg. The treatment is continued from day-to-day, as long as improvement occurs, e.g., as long as decrease in bleeding of gums and stopping of pocket formation and bone loss, occurs.

Treating inflammatory diseases of the head and neck with cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors


A display includes a panel and a backlight module. The backlight module includes a reflective board, a shell, at least two lenses and a light source. The lenses are installed on the reflective board. The reflective board is installed on the shell. The light source is installed in the shell and the light from the light source passes through the lenses. Each lens includes a bottom portion on the reflective board and an extending portion protruding slantwise from the bottom portion. The extending portion includes a reflective surface opposite to the reflective board approximately. A light from the light source is reflected onto the reflective board via the reflective surface, and then reflected onto the panel via the reflective board.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a lens and a backlight module of a display utilizing the same.
2. Description of the Related Art
A conventional lens 10 is shown in FIG. 1. A light source 20 emits light to enter the lens 10. The lens 10 comprises an incident surface 11, a refracting surface 12, a reflective surface 13 and an exiting surface 14. The light emitted from the light source 20 enters the lens 10 via the incident surface 11. After the light enters the lens 10, the light is divided into two optical paths A and B. The optical path A shows light transmitted to the refracting surface 12 from the incident surface 11, passes through the refracting surface 12 to leave the lens 10. The optical path B shows light transmitted to the reflective surface 13 from the incident surface 11, passes through the exiting surface 14 to leave the lens 10. Referring to FIG. 1, regardless of whether the light is transmitted in the optical path A or the optical path B, the light finally leaves the lens 10 horizontally. When the conventional lens 10 is applied to the backlight module, the light passes through the lens 10 and proceeds toward two sides of the backlight module. The conventional lens 10 increases the distance of adjacent lenses 10, however, the conventional lens 10 do not control light distribution. Thus, the thickness of the backlight module must be increased (about 50 mm) for averaging the lights.

Lens and backlight module of display utilizing the same


A system and method for wireless communication among embedded devices using visual images. More specifically, a signal receiving device uses a visual recording device to locate the signal display screen of a signal transmitting device by employing an alternating image detection method. An image decoder embedded in the signal receiving device decodes the signal received by the visual recording device. In addition, a method is employed for automatically controlling the position and orientation of the signal display device and the visual recording device. Advantageously, communication among embedded devices can be effectuated without the emission of potentially harmful radiation.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates generally to communications and, more specifically, to a system and method for wireless communications among computers and other pervasive processing devices.
2. Description of the Related Art
As processing devices become less expensive and more compact, the all-purpose desktop computer is giving way to a new generation of embedded or "smart" devices such as video phones, interactive kiosks, and embedded household devices such as intelligent refrigerators, smart TVs, and intelligent dishwashers. Embedded devices are devices embedded with computing capability, making these devices "intelligent".
As embedded devices become more widely used, they need to be able to communicate and exchange information with each other. For example, a video phone must be able to transmit and receive information with other video phones for effective communication.
Communication between computers is typically through a communication network, in which computers are connected to each other or to peripherals by hard wire. This technique has a number of disadvantages. For example, cable connection interfaces such as parallel printer ports, are limited in the distance they can reliably transfer data. In addition, coaxial cables, which are used for longer distance hard wire communications, require a relatively expensive terminal interface and therefore are not widely used for connecting peripheral devices to computers. Moreover, when computers are hard-wired, any movement or change in the physical locations of the computers requires rewiring and reinstallation.
The prior art teaches communication between embedded devices similar to the communication between computers, as well as existing wireless communication techniques. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,613,070 discloses, a system for providing improved communication to data and computer communications network using parallel and serial communication buses and master and local routers. Communication through said network includes use of a master system board with a plurality of subsystem boards.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,369,755 discloses a computer communication bus system using multiple content induced transaction overlap (CITO) communication channels having a plurality of data transmission lines and a plurality of transmission nodes connected to the communication bus. Each transmission node has a data source providing multi-bit data to be transmitted on the communication bus, a plurality of data transformers for encoding or transforming the multi-bit data into different multi-bit encoded data formats, and a plurality of CITO transmitters for transmitting the transformed data on different data transmission lines using a content induced transaction overlap (CITO) protocol. Using the CITO protocol, the CITO transmitters transmit the same data on each of the transmission lines in a different order.
Another form of communication between embedded devices is wireless communication. Existing wireless technology includes microwave systems, infrared laser systems, or spread spectrum. However, all these approaches have various disadvantages, including health concerns due to radiation emission and interference of signals.
Microwave is the oldest technology for wireless communications. For decades, most major telecommunications companies have used microwave systems within their networks for transmission of telephone communications, data and video. However, this form of wireless communication has significant disadvantages. For example, microwave signals travel in straight lines and do not readily diffract around barriers such as large man-made structures, hills and mountains. Some attenuation occurs when microwave energy passes through trees and frame houses. In addition, exposure to microwaves (a form of radiation) poses a health hazard and can cause nerve, fetal and DNA damage, cataracts, behavioral disturbances, changes to blood chemistry and impaired immune defense.
For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,933,682 discloses a point to point microwave communication service antenna pattern with anull in an interfering direction that includes a microwave antenna system at each point directed at the other point, the radiation pattern of the antenna system at least one point has a substantial null in the direction of an antenna of another microwave communication service to avoid an exchange of signals with the other service, the antenna system provided at said one point includes two antenna elements having substantially equal directional radiation patterns, so oriented and spaced apart a distance that is at least several wave length of the operating frequency of the elements so that the radiation patterns of the elements overlap producing a net radiation pattern that results from interference of the patterns and the net pattern has a substantial lobe in the direction of the other point of said service and a substantial null in the direction of an antenna of the other microwave communication service.
Another form of wireless communications is spread spectrum. Spread spectrum uses de-restricted radio frequencies and comes in two forms: direct sequencing and frequency hopping. Direct sequencing involves the use of a constant frequency for direct transmission. However, this form of spread spectrum is subject to problems such as catastrophic interference since it uses a signal whose frequency is constant. Catastrophic interference occurs when another signal is transmitted on, or very near, the frequency of the desired signal. In addition, a constant-frequency signal is easy to intercept, and is therefore not suited to applications in which information must be kept confidential between the transmitting and receiving parties.
Frequency hopping transmissions seek open frequencies and hop from frequency to frequency at split second intervals according to a specific and complicated mathematical function. Although this form of spread spectrum is more secure than direct sequencing, transmissions are secure only if the mathematical function is kept out of the hands of unauthorized people or entities. In addition, radio frequency emission is a type of electromagnetic energy or radiation, and thus is a possible health risk and cause for concern due to radiation exposure.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,854,985 discloses, an adaptive omni-modal radio apparatus and method for describing a frequency and protocol agile wireless communication product, and chipset for forming the same, including a frequency agile transceiver, a digital interface circuit for interconnecting the radio transceiver with external devices, protocol agile operating circuit for operating the radio transceiver in accordance with one of the transmission protocols as determined by a protocol signal and an adaptive control circuit for accessing a selected wireless communication network and for generating the frequency control signal and the protocol control signal in response to a user defined criteria.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,761,621 discloses a network and method of operating a network of wireless service providers adapted to interact with a plurality of omni-modal wireless products within a given geographic area in a manner to permit the wireless service providers to "borrow" radio frequencies from other wireless service providers within the same geographic region.
Another form of wireless communication is the infrared laser communication system, which is used in thousands of installations world-wide for cable-free transmission of data, voice and video at speeds from T-1 through 622 Mbps. These systems can provide a transparent and cost effective connection between buildings at distances up to 6000 meters (3.69 miles). These free-space, optical laser communications systems are wireless connections through the atmosphere communicating via electromagnetic radiation. Infrared laser systems work basically the same as fiber optic cable except the beam is transmitted through open space rather than glass fiber. The systems operate by taking a standard data or telecommunications signal, converting it into a digital format and transmitting it through free space. Two parallel beams are used, one for transmission and one for reception. The carrier used for the transmission of this signal is infrared and is generated by either a high power LED or a laser diode. The disadvantage of this form of wireless communication, however, is the possible health risk due to emission of radiation, especially in enclosed spaces where there are numerous devices communicating with each other via infrared, which have frequencies higher than those of microwaves.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,247,380 discloses an infrared data communications network in which groups of personal computers and associated peripherals may communicate by infrared signals with each other. The system utilizes a error correction and a packet switched protocol which allows any terminal to select communications with any other terminal or terminals without degradation of the error rate. Error free transmission is maintained by means of error correcting encoding and a handshake protocol. The packet switched protocol permits any terminal to function as a store and forward repeater thus making the system less susceptible to beam blockage.
As embedded devices become more commonplace, homes and offices are becoming occupied by greater numbers of various intelligent appliances which need to communicate with each other. Using current wireless communication techniques may be a health hazard because of the high output of emitting rays in relatively small enclosed spaces. In larger amounts, microwave and spread spectrum radio waves in enclosed spaces can interfere with each other. Accordingly, an efficient, accurate and non-emitting wireless communication technique which allows embedded devices to communicate with each other is highly desirable.

System and method for communication among embedded devices using visual images

International Business Machines Corporation


An apparatus is provided for the transport and management of liquid bearing waste, such as sludge and ash, having a container body which tapers inwardly from the top to the bottom so that the majority of the container is able to be nested vertically within an empty container of similar construction. The container has a pair of elongated support rails longitudinally affixed thereto, the support rails and each of the container sidewalls having a pair of apertures transversely therethrough to enable lifting and manipulation of the containers by apparatus such as a forklift. A modified forklift is also provided adapted to tilt its blades downwardly to a substantially vertical angle to enable tipping the containers for emptying.

In recent times, environmental concerns have significantly changed the manner in which liquid bearing waste is disposed of. Where such waste was once simply discarded in any manner which was most convenient, it must now be collected and transported to a processing facility where it is decontaminated in accord with a variety of federal, state and local regulatory provisions, and then transported to a governmentally approved disposal site for final elimination.
These requirements make the once simple affair very handling intensive, insofar as the waste must be put into a container for accumulation and the container then manipulated for transport, and the container must be manipulated again upon delivery at the processing site. The container must further be manipulated to empty the contents for processing, including moving of the container to the appropriate location for emptying, and possibly tipping the container for emptying into the processing apparatus. The temporarily empty container must then be moved to another location and stored until it is to be moved to another location for refilling with the waste which has been processed and otherwise decontaminated in conformity with the appropriate regulations. The refilled container must be again manipulated for loading and again transported to the final dumping site, where it is typically unloaded to await further manipulation for final dumping. The emptied container is then stored until it can be returned to its owner, who will again store it until it is put back in service, repeating the above process of transporting, manipulating, storing, etc..
Transport of the liquid bearing waste is typically accomplished by either railway or truck so that sufficiently large quantities can be accommodated to make such handling economical. Accordingly, the containers used for such waste are typically box type railway cars, in the case of railway transport, and box type roll off containers, such as those used by the Dempster Dinosaur or the like, in the case of truck transport. These known types of transport containers offer the important advantage of being able to be left behind after transport, so that the transporting vehicle of may continue productively without awaiting filling, emptying, or processing.
Unfortunately, these known methods of transporting waste impose their own requirements in terms of expensive specialized facilities and equipment. For example, in order to enable railway transport of the waste, the handling facility must be located near railroad tracks and have some network of rails for movement of the containers, with the added need for equipment to move the railway cars. Additionally, sufficient vacant track space is needed for temporary storage of the railway cars. The high cost and geographic requirements of providing a facility so equipped to accommodate railway car containers is often preclusive, and necessitates truck transport as an alternative.
Currently used means for truck transport of the liquid bearing waste likewise has significant disadvantages. For example, trucks adapted for the loading, unloading and transport of roll off containers, such as the Dempster Dinosaur, are specialized and expensive, which is likely to necessitate the special dispatch of such a vehicle when transport of such a container is necessary. Because these trucks are adapted to handle a specialized container, very often the trip to pick up such a container, or the return trip after dropping off such a container are done without a paying load, which in turn adds to fuel usage and transportation costs, since the expenses of the empty trip must be absorbed nonetheless. Another disadvantage of such transport of these containers is that the empty containers require as much space as full containers, and in the case of truck transport, often only one such container can be transported at a time.
The containers themselves in which the liquid bearing waste is transported have significant disadvantages beyond their need for specialized transport vehicles. Because the containers are specialized, they are often custom fabricated, which precludes their manufacture by modification of preexisting containers which are no longer suitable for their original purpose. Furthermore, just as the presently known containers require the same amount of space for transport whether full or empty, they require the same amount of space for storage whether full or empty. This can require considerable real estate resources, which is costly and particularly inefficient in the case of empty containers.
Another problem with these known containers is that their structures are adapted primarily for complementing their respective transport vehicles, and not for manipulation or transport after being unloaded from their vehicles. Thus it is often quite difficult to move the containers from place to place as necessary for filling, emptying or storing, and specialized equipment such as cranes are necessary to do so. Likewise, because of their structure, the containers are not suited to being tipped over by substantially unmodified common equipment, which could otherwise be the most convenient and economical means of emptying.
While nestable waste containers are known such as that taught by Bock, U.S. Pat. No. 5,022,546, such containers are heavy to transport and quite expensive to manufacture, and they do not nest within one another to a sufficient degree when empty to make storage or transport of numerous units particularly efficient. Furthermore, their construction necessitates special and expensive equipment for manipulation and dumping or emptying.
Consequently, a need exists for an improved waste container for liquid bearing waste such as sludge and ash, and means for the manipulation and management thereof.

Apparatus for the transport and management of liquid bearing waste


A switch control circuit turns on/off second and third switches, while turning off/on first and fourth switches, in a complementary manner in an integrator constituted by using a switched capacitor including the first to fourth switches and, where the first and fourth switches are turned off and the second and third switches are turned on, the switch control circuit turns on the second switch before turning off the fourth switch.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a switch control circuit, a ΔΣ modulation circuit, and a ΔΣ modulation analog to digital (AD) converter.
2. Description of the Related Art
An AD converter using a ΔΣ modulation circuit (see, e.g., Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. 2002-141802) is known as an AD converter used in audio equipments, etc. The ΔΣ modulation circuit used in such a AD converter is realized by an integrator that integrates and outputs an input analog signal, a quantizer that outputs a digital signal converted from the integrated analog signal, etc.
The integrator can be constituted by combining a switched capacitor and an operational amplifier. FIG. 9 shows a configuration example of an integrator using a switched capacitor and an operational amplifier. An integrator 100 includes an operational amplifier 110, an integration capacitor 111, and a switched capacitor including switches SW11 to SW14 and a capacitor 112.
One electrode of the integration capacitor 111 is electrically connected to an output terminal of the operational amplifier 110 and the other electrode is electrically connected to an inverting input terminal of the operational amplifier 110. An intermediate voltage Vdd/2 is applied to a noninverting input terminal of the operational amplifier 110. The switched capacitor including the switches SW11 to SW14 and the capacitor 112 is electrically connected to an inverting input terminal of the operational amplifier 110.
While the switches SW12, SW13 are turned on and the switches SW11, SW14 are turned off in such an integrator 100, the capacitor 112 accumulates electric charge corresponding to a difference between an input voltage Vin and the intermediate voltage Vdd/2 (a sampling process). When the switches SW12, SW13 are turned off and the switches SW11, SW14 are turned on, the electric charge accumulated in the capacitor 112 flows into the integration capacitor 111 and the capacitor 111 accumulates the electric charge (an integration process). When the sampling process and the integration process are performed repeatedly, the output voltage Vout of the operation amplifier 110 is a voltage acquired by integrating the input voltage Vin.
By the way, since the ΔΣ modulation circuit must perform the sampling process and the integration process highly accurately to increase resolution, the on/off timing of the switches SW12, SW13 may be shifted or the on/off timing of the switches SW12, SW14 may be shifted (see, e.g., Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. 1990-84255). FIG. 10 shows a typical configuration example of a switch control circuit that generates a four-phase clock controlling the on/off of switches SW11 to SW14. A switch control circuit 120 includes NOR circuits 130 to 132 and inverter circuits 133 to 138.
To the NOR circuit 130, a standby signal STB is input through the inverter circuit 133 and a main clock CLK is input. The standby signal is H-level at the time of operation. Therefore, at the time of operation, the NOR circuit 130 outputs a signal that is the inverted main clock CLK.
The signal output from the NOR circuit 130 is input to the NOR circuit 131 and is input to the NOR circuit 132 through the inverter circuit 134. An even number of the inverter circuits 135 is disposed at a subsequent stage of the NOR circuit 132, and the output thereof is a clock signal CK1 controlling the on/off of the switch SW11. An even number of the inverter circuits 136 is disposed at a subsequent stage thereof, and the output thereof is a clock signal CK4 controlling the on/off of the switch SW14. The output of the inverter circuit 136 is input to the NOR circuit 131.
Similarly, the inverter circuits 137 of the same number as the inverter circuits 135 are disposed at a subsequent stage of the NOR circuit 131, and the output thereof is a clock signal CK2 controlling the on/off of the switch SW12. The inverter circuits 138 of the same number as the inverter circuits 136 are disposed at a subsequent stage thereof, and the output thereof is a clock signal CK3 controlling the on/off of the switch SW13. The output of the inverter circuit 138 is input to the NOR circuit 132.
In this example, when the clock signals CK1 to CK4 are H-level, the switches SW11 to SW14 are turned on, respectively.
FIG. 11 is a timing chart of the operation of the switch control circuit 120. It is assumed that the main clock CLK is changed from L-level to H-level at time t1. One input of the NOR circuit 131 becomes L-level and One input of the NOR circuit 132 becomes H-level. Therefore, the output of the NOR circuit 132 becomes L-level; the clock signal CK1 becomes L-level at time t2; and the clock signal CK4 becomes L-level at time t3. When clock signal CK4 becomes L-level, the output of the NOR circuit 131 becomes H-level; the clock signal CK2 becomes H-level at time t4; the clock signal CK3 becomes H-level at time t5.
It is assumed that the main clock changes from H-level to L-level at time t6. One input of the NOR circuit 131 becomes H-level and One input of the NOR circuit 132 becomes L-level. Therefore, the output of the NOR circuit 131 becomes L-level; the clock signal CK2 becomes L-level at time t7; and the clock signal CK3 becomes L-level at time t8. When clock signal CK3 becomes L-level, the output of the NOR circuit 132 becomes H-level; the clock signal CK1 becomes H-level at time t9; the clock signal CK4 becomes H-level at time t10.
In this way, the highly accurate sampling process and integration process are performed by turning on/off the switches SW11 to SW14 with the four-phase clock signals generated by the switch control circuit 120.
As described above, when the switches SW12, SW13 are turned on and the switches SW11, SW14 are turned off, the capacitor 112 accumulates electric charge, and when the switches SW12, SW13 are turned off and the switches SW11, SW14 are turned on, the electric charge flows into the capacitor 111. Since the noninverting input terminal and inverting input terminal of the operational amplifier 110 are imaginary-shorted, the voltage of the inverting input terminal becomes equal to the intermediate voltage Vdd/2 applied to the noninverting input terminal in theory. Therefore, the whole electric charge accumulated in the capacitor 112 flows into the capacitor 111 when the switches SW12, SW13 are turned off and the switches SW11, SW14 are turned on.
However, actually, since the operational amplifier 110 has an offset, the voltage of the inverting input terminal becomes a voltage higher or lower than the intermediate voltage Vdd/2 applied to the noninverting input terminal by the offset α. Therefore, if the switches SW11, SW14 are turned on, in the electric charge accumulated in the capacitor 12, electric charge corresponding to the offset α does not flow into the capacitor 111 and stays in the capacitor 112.
If the electric charge stays in the capacitor 112, the accuracy of the integration of the input voltage Vin is reduced in the integrator 100. When such a integrator 100 is used, the modulation accuracy of the ΔΣ modulation circuit is reduced and a distortion rate is deteriorated in the ΔΣ modulation AD converter.
FIG. 12 shows theoretical distortion rate characteristics corresponding to amplitude of an analog signal (the input signal Vin) input to the ΔΣ modulation AD converter. The distortion rate (THD+N) has a lower value in the upper portion of FIG. 12. As shown in FIG. 12, in theory, the distortion rate is minimized at amplitude (−1 to −3 dBFS) slightly lower than the full scale (0 dBFS), which is the maximum amplitude that can input.
FIG. 13 shows actual distortion rate characteristics corresponding to amplitude of the analog signal input to the ΔΣ modulation AD converter. As shown in FIG. 13, when the distortion rate is minimized in the actual distortion rate characteristics, the input amplitude is lower than the theoretical amplitude and the distortion rate has a value higher than the theoretical distortion value. That is, since the electric charge stays in the capacitor 112 constituting the integrator used in the ΔΣ modulation AD converter, the distortion rate is deteriorated as shown in FIG. 13.

Switch control circuit, ΔΣ modulation circuit, and ΔΣ modulation AD converter


A pair of glasses with a heart-rate monitor according to one embodiment. The heart-rate monitor is configured to measure the heart rate of the user of the glasses. The heart-rate monitor can include a sensor with a radiation transmitter and a radiation receiver. The radiation could be infrared radiation. In one approach, the receiver measures signals transmitted by the transmitter through a body part of the user to measure the user's heart rate. The sensor could be incorporated in a clip to clip onto the body part of the user, such as the ear lobe of the user. In another approach, the receiver measures signals transmitted by the transmitter and reflected by a body part of the user to measure the user's heart rate.

There are various devices to measure heart rates. For example, one approach depends on wrapping a band across a person's chest. Electrodes in the band can sense the person's heart beat and wirelessly transmit the measured signals to a receiver. This approach can be quite inconvenient because the person has to wear a band across his chest in order to get the necessary measurements.
Another approach to measure heart beat is to clip an infrared sensor onto a person's finger. The sensor is connected to a machine through a wire. This approach is unsatisfactory if one intends to remain active, or to use one's hands while measurements are taken.
It should be apparent from the foregoing that there is still a need for an accurate heart rate monitor that is convenient to use for a person who may be in motion.


A method and apparatus to improve swing velocity, hand speed, and time to impact when swinging weighted, club-like equipment such as sporting equipment and tools. The method and apparatus include an enlarged flange positioned on the handle of the equipment. The flange includes a greater size than the handle to contact against the user's hand. The apparatus may be manufactured on new equipment, or added to existing equipment. The device and methods also improve safety by preventing hand injury during a swing, and prevent accidental release of the equipment during a swing.

Many types of equipment such as but not limited to baseball bats, softball bats, golf clubs, tennis racquets, hammers, pickaxes, and sledgehammer generally include a handle which is gripped by the hands at the proximal end, and a weighted object at the distal end of the handle. The weighted object may be incorporated into the handle (e.g., a barrel of a baseball bat that is integrally formed with the baseball bat handle) or may be a separate element attached to the handle (e.g., head of a hammer that is attached to a handle). The act of swinging weighted, club-like equipment in a circular or elliptical trajectory generates several dynamic forces.
More specifically, turning forces result because a spinning object such as a baseball bat swung in a circular or elliptical trajectory has angular momentum and resists a change in direction. Also, during the swing centrifugal force is created such as when the barrel of the baseball bat or golf club is pulled away from the body and centripetal force is generated to pull the weighted object proximal to the body. Because of these forces it is necessary for the user to tightly grip the handle with their hands to hold on to the equipment.
A tight hand grip can result in multiple negative consequences. For example, one negative consequence of tight hand grip during a swing is the generation of friction between the skin of the hands and the handle. Friction results from the force of the weighted equipment which pull the equipment away from the body, and the force created when the bat handle moves due to opposing forces to pull the handle towards the body. Therefore, the user tightens the hand grip to hold on to the handle which prevents the forces from causing the equipment to fly out of their hands.
Another negative consequence of tight hand grip during a swing is injury to the hands. Friction from repetitive swings using known, traditional equipment can result in skin blisters. Further, tight hand grip during a swing may result in injury to the user's hand bones. Specifically, bruising and fracture of the tricumvarate, pisiform, and hamate bones in the hand results from pressure generated against a narrow surface area of the hand in contact with the swinging equipment. Also, damage to the ulnar nerve in the hand may occur when the forces generated during a swing of weighted equipment are transmitted to a narrow surface area on the hand. This damage may result in loss of grip during a swing and the equipment being thrown from the hand.
A third negative consequence of tightened hand grip is decreased swing velocity. Tight hand grip promotes slower swing speed because of large muscle contraction. Slower swing speed decreases impact and results in less force for hitting an object, such as a baseball, nail, or a golf ball. Tight hand grip can also produce less precision due to the aforementioned loss of fine motor muscle use in the hands.

Method and apparatus for increased swing velocity, hand speed, and time to impact when swinging weighted equipment


The present invention relates to a medical clip, a clip unit, and a clip device by which accuracy in access to a target (a site to be treated) can be secured and also which can be employed to suture or remove a site involving widespread tissue injury. As one example to achieve this, the present invention provides a medical clip including: a first arm and a second arm between which a target is placed and which together squeeze the target; a ring configured to connect one end of the first arm with one end of the second arm; a first ancillary arm articulated with the other end of the first arm; and a second ancillary arm articulated with the other end of the second arm.

As a unit for suturing a wound site (hereafter, referred to as "wound"), for example, a technique for suturing wound by a clip unit operated by being inserted into a treatment instrument insertion channel for endoscope is known in the art as disclosed in Korean Patent No. 10-0815378.
In general, a clip unit (a) having a conventional structure as disclosed in Korean Patent No. 10-0815378 is a device structure designed to be used for suturing wound involving narrow tissue injury.
However, in an actual medical procedure, there may be a case where wound involving widespread tissue injury needs to be sutured, and, thus, a clip unit suitable for such a procedure is required.
For example, as shown in FIG. 1a, for the narrow wound of a site "A", a surgical procedure of suturing the wound by picking up (clipping) an edge of the wound with the clip unit a having a conventional structure, but for the relatively wide wound of a site "B", since an arm b of the clip unit a cannot completely cover an edge of the wound, there is a problem that other alternative methods for suture are to be sought.
Meanwhile, in the case of additionally extending the arm b of the clip unit a in order to solve the problem, as shown in FIG. 1b, a turning radius for operating an apparatus (endoscope) c is decreased, and, thus, there is a problem that accuracy in access to a wound site is considerably reduced.


A solar photovoltaic (PV) water heating system includes a tank including at least a first heating unit having at least first and second heating elements, at least one of which is switchable; a PV solar collector; an inverter adapted to convert the output from the PV collector to an alternating power supply; a modulator to modulate the alternating power supply from the inverter; a controller adapted to control the modulator and the switching of the or each switchable heating element; wherein the controller is adapted to control the modulator and the switchable heating elements to maximize the energy drawn from the PV collector.

This invention relates to the utilization of renewable energy. The sources of some forms of renewable energy, such as solar and wind, have a highly variable output. For example, solar collector output varies with the amount of insolation impinging on the collector, and this varies gradually with the position of the sun and rapidly with the passing of clouds. Similarly, wind generators are subject to wind fluctuations. While the invention is applicable to the different forms of renewable energy, the invention will be described primarily in the context of a solar photovoltaic energy system.
With the adoption of smart electricity meters, power companies can charge different tariffs during periods of the day according to the load on the power generator equipment.
There are many ways of using solar energy and the invention will be described in the context of a solar electric storage water heater. Solar thermal water heating systems heat a heat transfer fluid and use this to heat water in a storage tank. Solar photovoltaic (PV) water heating systems convert solar energy to electric energy and use the electrical energy to heat a resistive heating unit in the tank. Water heating consumes about a quarter of a typical household's electricity usage for households equipped with electric water heaters. Water heating also makes up a significant portion of gas consumption for households with gas water heating. Solar energy is tariff free.
Solar thermal water heaters have a disadvantage in relation to solar electric water heaters in that, at low levels of insolation, if there is insufficient solar input to heat the heat transfer fluid above the temperature of the water in the tank, no useful energy can be collected. On the other hand, as long as there is sufficient solar input to a solar photovoltaic (PV) collector to generate electrical output, the heating unit can still deliver heat to the water in the tank due to the higher exergy value of the PV energy, the thermal system having no useable energy when the temperature of the heat transfer fluid is not hotter than the water in the tank.
There are many roof top PV systems installed in Australia. These systems were popularised due to a generous feed in tariff that enabled their owners to receive a reasonable payback for their investment. Some solar PV systems were designed to maximize the benefit of the feed in tariff and delivered the PV power to the utility grid system. However, home owners with PV collectors may wish to use the PV energy to replace some or all of their utility grid power consumption. As water heating is a significant portion of household consumption, this invention proposes a system and method to utilize solar PV to supply a water heater.
One problem with solar energy is that it can be subject to random fluctuations especially on partially cloudy days.
Typically, electric storage water heaters have a single heating unit.
WO2014089215 describes a method of using DC from the solar collector to power the heating unit. A disadvantage of DC is that it is difficult to interrupt a DC current, and connector contacts can be eroded by sparks on switching the current off.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,293,447 (1994) describes a means for improving efficiency by measuring the incoming solar energy intensity and switching the resistance to approximate the maximum power point (MPP) at low levels of insolation. The heating unit is driven by DC from the PV collector. The system requires a separate heating unit for use with utility grid power.
Modulation of the current supplied to heating units is known. However, it has the problem that modulation systems may generate unacceptable amounts of electromagnetic interference or cause fluctuations in the power system.
It is desirable to provide an efficient means of delivering energy from the solar photovoltaic collector to the heating unit assembly of a water heater tank which mitigates or resolves one or more of these problems.
It is desirable to provide a means to facilitate internal consumption of PV energy or for adapting existing systems to this end.
It is also desirable to provide an effective means of adding heat to water in a water heater tank.
It is also desirable to devise a heating assembly which can be adapted to operate with existing water heater tanks.

System, apparatus and method for efficient use of solar photovoltaic energy


A divided armature for the trip mechanism of a circuit breaker especially useful for low trip current breakers allows for two independent adjustments: first of the magnetic air gap between the yoke and the armature and second of the clearance between the trip bar and the back plate of the armature. The divided armature allows the force of a return spring of the trip mechanism to be unchanged while adjusting the magnetic air gap to set the trip current point.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to electromagnetic actuators and more specifically to actuators such as trip mechanisms found in circuit breakers, accessories of circuit breakers, relays, or actuators.
2. Discussion of the Related Art
Referring to FIG. 1, in a known armature-yoke system 11, the input current in a conductor (not shown) within the yoke 13 creates a magnetic field in the yoke 13, the armature 14 and the magnetic air gap (g) between them. This results in a magnetic torque that rotates the armature 14 towards the stationary yoke 13 and moves the trip bar 16. The hammer 18 is then released and strikes a target device, e.g. a breaker latch release (not shown), as is understood by those in the art.
The magnetic torque on the armature 14 is adjusted by turning a screw 20 to set the magnetic air gap (g). The smaller the magnetic air gap (g) the higher the magnetic torque. However, as the armature 14 moves closer to the yoke 13, the force of the return spring 22, attached to the bell crank 24 for resetting the armature 14, also increases, thus counteracting the effect of the magnetic torque. The net result is a reduced sensitivity of the system to gap adjustment and a lower net torque on the armature 14. This may not be desirable in applications where the input current is low.

Divided adjustable armature for a circuit breaker


A vibration device that includes a vibration unit that has a vibrator which vibrates in a plane direction; and a sensor arranged on at least a portion of the vibration unit around the vibrator in a plan view of the vibration unit, and the sensor is constructed to detect a pressing operation in a direction normal to a pressing surface of the vibration device.

In recent years, in an input device such as a touch panel, a tactile presentation device has been proposed which makes a user feel a response that he/she has pushed on the input device by transmitting vibration when the user performs a push operation.
For example, Patent Document 1 has proposed a tactile presentation device that gives tactile feedback to a user using a film 12. In Patent Document 1, the film 12 is deformed in a plane direction by a voltage being applied thereto. Due to the expansion and contraction of the film 12, a vibrating portion 14 connected to the film 12 vibrates in the plane direction.    Patent Document 1: International Publication No. 2019/013164


The present invention is related to methods of fabricating neural interfaces using 3D projection micro-stereolithography.

Peripheral neural interfaces are intended to facilitate the exchange of information between the nervous system and electrical circuits that can be used to control sensorimotor prosthetic devices, to restore lost function due to nerve damage, and to improve human understanding of the fundamental mechanisms of nervous system operation. This exchange of information can be bidirectional, meaning that interfaces are capable of both recording and stimulating neural activity. While neural interface applications vary widely, it is generally desirable for the devices to provide a high degree of selectivity (i.e., to independently address large numbers of very small bundles of axons at geometries that approach the single micron scale) and to stay in place for long periods of time, up to many years if possible. Like other tissue interfaces and scaffolds, the physical properties of neural interfaces must be carefully tailored to provide the desired function while maintaining the health of the surrounding tissue system. Electrical properties must be tuned to enable the interface to reliably generate and/or sense the action potentials that travel in neurons. Recording electrodes are characterized primarily by their site impedance measured at the 1 kHz characteristic frequency, which ranges from approximately 50 kΩ to 1 MΩ. Neural stimulation requires safe reversible charge injection, typically at levels of tens of microamps for several milliseconds. Biphasic charge pulses are used to balance the total potential at the electrode-tissue interface, avoiding oxidation and protecting both the electrode and the surrounding tissue. Stimulating and recording microelectrodes typically range from tens of microns to several hundred microns in diameter, while extraneural macroelectrodes are generally larger. To maintain the quality of electrical connection required, neural interfaces intended for chronic use must also be highly biocompatible and must develop a healthy and intimate coupling to the nerve tissue. Therefore, surface biocompatibility, structural biocompatibility—including the minimization of forces applied to the nerve as it grows and moves—and conductivity of the nerve/device interface are required for a good neural interface.
One of the more promising neural interfaces that may enable a high degree of interconnectivity is the regenerative or sieve electrode type. Regenerative electrodes require the nerve to be transected and to re-grow through an artificial interface, ultimately reconnecting with the original or alternative tissue target. The regenerative electrode presents an opportunity to establish a permanent, integrated contact between the interface and the nerve. While highly invasive, this approach makes sense in cases where the nerve is already severed or in cases, such as amputation, where the efferent and afferent receptors that the nerve addresses are missing.
However, implementing a highly selective, healthy regenerative interface has presented a number of challenges. See A. Mannard et al., Science 183(4124), 547 (1974); D. J. Edell, IEEE Trans. Biomed. Eng. BME-33(2), 203 (1986); G. T. A. Kovacs et al., IEEE Trans. Biomed. Eng. 39(9), 893 (1992); T. Akin et al., IEEE Trans. Biomed. Eng. 41(4), 305 (1994); Q. Zhao et al., Biomaterials 18, 75 (1997); and A. F. Mensinger et al., J. Neurophys. 83, 611 (2000). In general, axons regenerate in greater numbers, to greater length, and with greater health through larger holes. See Q. Zhao et al., Biomaterials 18, 75 (1997); X. Navarro et al., Restorative Neurology and Neuroscience 9(3), 151 (1996); and S. P. Lacour et al., IEEE Trans. Neur. Sys. Rehab. Eng. 17(5), 454 (2009). However, larger holes decrease selectivity, creating a fundamental tradeoff between selectivity and quality of regeneration. Moreover, axons are sensitive to physical loading on the implant both during and after regrowth, and such loadings can cause high rates of axonal degeneration. See D. J. Edell, IEEE Trans. Biomed. Eng. BME-33(2), 203 (1986). A successful regenerative implant that could be seriously considered for chronic use in humans would need to withstand loading due to patient movement both during and after regeneration, and allow axons to grow without significant constriction.
Several approaches to interfacing between electronics and nerves have been evaluated previously and some have shown success including penetrating electrodes, sieve electrodes, and cuff electrodes. See A. Normann Richard, Nat. Clin. Pract. Neurol. 3(8), 444 (2007); W. L. C. Rutten, Annu. Rev. Biomed. Eng. 4, 407 (2002); K. H. Polasek et al., J. Neural Eng. 6(6), 066005 (2009). The elastic moduli of these state-of-the-art interface materials are orders of magnitudes higher than the modulus of the peripheral nerves which is around 0.45 MPa. See B. L. Rydevik et al., J. Orthop. Res. 8(5), 694-701 (1990). The compliance mismatch between the implant and the natural tissue creates stresses at the interfaces, impacting interface longevity and nerve health.
Common materials used for neural interfaces have included stainless steel, tungsten, platinum, platinum-iridium alloys, iridium oxide, titanium nitride, and PEDOT. See S. F. Cogan, Annu. Rev. Biomed. Eng. 10, 275 (2008). Most common materials that are highly electrically conductive, notably metals, are characterized by also having a large modulus of elasticity, low yield strain, and high surface hardness, meaning that they require large applied forces to deform significantly at either a surface or bulk level, and that even small deformations are permanent. Structures that include such materials (e.g. wires) can be made somewhat flexible by reducing physical dimensions. However, at the scale of peripheral nerves it becomes impractical to achieve additional flexibility by shrinking rigid conductive structures.
Therefore, a need remains for a regenerative neural interface and a method to fabricate the same that can provide significantly more mechanical flexibility at the interface to the nerve to accommodate both normal movement and natural axonal regrowth. In particular, a need remains for neural interfaces that are compatible with the mechanical properties of nerve tissue (i.e., generally have low elastic modulus, large yield strain, and low surface hardness) and simultaneously achieve high, selective and controllable electrical conductivity.

Fabrication of neural interfaces using 3D projection micro-stereolithography


An engine-driven welder generator is controlled based upon power draw for welding and other applications. Once a welding arc is initiated, the power draw is monitored. The engine speed, and therefore the power output of the generator, may be increased or maintained based upon the power draw. The power draw may include both welding power draw and auxiliary power draw. The engine speed is increased in increments. The initial engine speed and subsequent increments may depend upon particular welding processes or regimes.

The present invention relates generally to the field of welding systems, and more particularly to engine-driven welder generators.
Many applications exist for welding systems and methods. Many of these are industrial in nature and setting, allowing for connection to the power grid or to some other centralized source of power. However, many other applications do not lend themselves to such easy connectivity, such as where the location of a weld is outside or otherwise remote from a power connection. Such applications may require mobile units that generate their own power. Welding system for these applications often include an internal combustion engine that drives a power generator. The generator provides power that may be converted to various forms, depending upon the type of welding process and the power requirements to initiate and sustain a welding arc.
Concerns with noise, fuel consumption, emissions and general wear and tear on power generating equipment are always present in such applications, and are becoming more so. In general, it is desirable to reduce all of these factors, where possible, while nevertheless providing sufficient power for the current loads. Such loads may include welding draw, but also auxiliary power output for lights, tools and so forth. During some times of operation, the auxiliary loads may make up the only draw from the power supply. However, during welding, loads may vary, and a single power output setting may be insufficient to adapt the system for such variability.
There is a need for improved techniques for controlling engine-driven power supplies, particularly for varying loads such as those encountered in welding.


A connector receptacle assembly for facilitating electrical connections is provided. The receptacle assembly includes a housing having a mating end for receiving a plug assembly; and at least one flexible latch member disposed on and projecting from an outer surface of the housing. Each latch member is defined by a longitudinally extending slot formed in the housing and extending along a side edge of the latch member and a transversely extending slot formed in the housing and extends along a rear edge of the latch member. In one embodiment, each latch member is pivotable about a pivot axis extending between a distal end of the longitudinally extending slot and a distal end of the transversely extending slot.

1. Technical Field
The present disclosure relates generally to a connector receptacle assembly and, more particularly, to an electrical connector receptacle housing assembly having flexible latch members.
2. Description of Related Art
Electrical connector receptacle assemblies are commonly used for interconnecting a plurality of wires, such as, for example, a modular jack assembly type. This type of electrical connector assembly typically includes a housing of dielectric material having an opening or plug receiving cavity in its front or mating end. The electrical receptacle may be mounted in a device, panel or wall for enabling a plug assembly, such as a modular plug assembly, to be received within the plug receiving cavity. In many current applications, the electrical connector receptacle assembly is mounted to a wall using a cover plate which includes an opening for access to the plug receiving cavity.
One method of mounting the receptacle assembly to a wall or cover plate is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,041,018 which describes an electrical connector receptacle assembly of the modular jack assembly type. The receptacle assembly includes a pair of flexible members or latches mounted on an exterior surface of the housing. During mounting of the receptacle assembly to the cover plate, the flexible members are deflected into the cavity by squeezing, depressing or otherwise manipulating for mounting the electrical connector receptacle assembly to the cover plate. Similar steps in reverse are generally followed for releasing the electrical connector receptacle assembly from the cover plate and from the surface of the wall, i.e. the flexible members are squeezed for removing the receptacle assembly from the cover plate.
As shown by U.S. Pat. No. 5,041,018, the flexible members are mounted on the surface of the housing as cantilever structures. That is, one end of each flexible member is attached to the housing while a substantial portion of the flexible member hangs freely. Thus, the flexible members act as a lever. Cantilever deflections however, permit the buildup of residual stress about the fixed end of the flexible members, effectively creating inelastic deformations. In addition, cantilever deflections may also exhibit oscillatory behavior resulting from temperature fluctuations due to mechanical stress. The inelastic deformation and mechanical stresses resulting from the cantilever deflections may eventually lead to mechanical failure, such as, for example, permanent deformation, and breaking of the flexible member, thus requiring the installation of a new communication outlet.
Accordingly, a need exists for a new and improved connector receptacle assembly having flexible members or latches which are less likely to be permanently deformed or broken when bent for engaging (mounting) or disengaging the connector receptacle assembly.


A smoke exhauster structure comprises an enclosure having a releasably secured lower hood plate and a releasably secured fan housing disposed therein. The hood plate has a pair of spring loaded pivoting catches provided on respective rear corner portions thereof and a pair of protruding tabs on the front edge thereof which overlap and abut a retaining rim provided under the front panel of the enclosure. Each pivoting catch engages a respective locking bar in a rear portion of the enclosure to releasably secure the hood thereunder. The fan housing which surrounds the exhaust fans of the exhauster is releasably secured to the underside of a top plate of the enclosure by a set of latches provided around the periphery thereof. Each latch has a pivoting buckle whose ends are connected to a spring loaded lever, each buckle engages a corresponding hook shaped securing appendage provided on the underside of the top plate.

The present invention relates to a smoke exhauster and more particularly to an improved structure smoke exhauster having a quick releasable hood and fan housing that facilitates the rapid and thorough cleaning thereof.
In a conventional smoke exhauster structure, of the type usually found disposed over a stove or cooking range in a kitchen, the cleaning of the lower surfaces or hood thereof is usually an arduous and tiresome task requiring a user to stand on an elevated platform while scrubbing the surfaces with a detergent cleaner to remove the accumulated layers of oil and grime thereon. Further, though the lower surfaces of the hood are accessible the fan blades and interior of the fan housing which have the highest concentrations of oil and grime are usually out of reach, with the cleaning thereof necessitating the removal of the assemblies. As this normally requires the disengagement of a plurality of interrelated fasteners, posing what to many is a formidable task, the fans and housing thereof are often cleaned only infrequently if at all.
The smoke exhauster structure of the present invention overcomes these shortcomings of a conventional smoke exhauster by providing a smoke exhauster whose hood and fan housing therein can be quickly removed or re-installed for cleaning.
With the quick releasable hood removed, the cleaning thereof could commence at a more convenient location such as over a sink or wash basin where a user could comfortably and safely scrub both surfaces thereon clean using far more vigor than would be feasible if the hood were still in an overhead position. Similarly, the fan housing covering the fans and fan motors can be rapidly detached for thorough cleaning leaving the fans and blades thereon fully exposed.

Suite 1, 11 F, 95-8 Chang Ping Road, Sec. 1


A system and method communicate signals between a portable unit and a communications system. The portable device communicates with a base unit using inductive coupling. The base unit is further connected to a wider communication system such as a telephone network. Multiple, orthogonally arranged transducers are used in the base unit to provide a more complete magnetic field and to prevent mutual inductance nulls which are otherwise present in a magnetic field. The use of short-range inductive coupling minimizes the power requirements and limits interference with other sources. The inductive coupling may also be used to recharge a battery in the portable device.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to short-range wireless communication systems, and more particularly to systems utilizing inductive coupling.
2. Discussion of the Related Art
When using a telephone, continually holding the handset to one's ear can be awkward. Also, holding the telephone interferes with the use of both hands for other work while trying to talk. In particular, the use of cellular telephones, which has increased dramatically, can interfere with the user's proper operation of an automobile. Various techniques have been used to overcome these difficulties.
Speakerphones allow one to talk while roaming around a room and using one's hands. However, speaker volume can disturb others around the user. They also cannot be used in close proximity to other speakerphones due to interference. They have limited privacy since the speaker broadcasts the conversation to all within earshot. Typically, the user must speak more loudly than normal to have proper reception at the microphone. Also, they tend to have poor sound quality because the user is not near the microphone and acoustics in the room are poor.
Headsets have been another way to free up the hands of a telephone user. Typically, the headset includes an adjustable strap extending across the user's head to hold the headset in place, at least one headphone located by the user's ear, and a microphone which extends from the headset along and around the user's face to be positioned in front of the user's mouth. The headset is attached by a wire to the telephone. Headsets have the disadvantages of being bulky and somewhat awkward to use. Although they permit hands free use of the telephone, the user has limited mobility due to the connecting wire.
Wireless headsets have also been developed which eliminate the connecting wire to the telephone. The wireless headset uses radio frequency (RF) technology or infrared technology for communicating between the headset and a base unit connected to the telephone. The need for communications circuitry and sufficient power to communicate with the base unit increases the bulk and weight of the headset. This increased weight can become tiresome for the user. One alternative has been to attach the headset by a wire to a transmitting unit worn on the belt of the user. As with wired headsets, the wire can become inconvenient and interfere with other actions by the user. Significant interference rejection circuitry is also needed when multiple wireless headsets are used in close proximity.
Therefore, a wireless communication system for telephones is desired with will provide greater convenience and comfort for the user.

Inductive communication system and method


A hammer mill apparatus to shred and chip boards fed therethrough comprising a shredding rotor assembly rotatably disposed within a debris chamber formed within a rotor housing including an entry portion and an exit portion formed therein, the shredding rotor assembly includes at least one rotor disc assembly having a plurality of hammer elements pivotally coupled to the periphery thereof being operatively connected to a rotor drive assembly including a drive motor and a rotatable rotor drive shaft to rotate the rotor disc assembly exerting centrifugal force on the plurality of hammer elements such that a line coincident with the longitudinal axis of each hammer element extends through the rotatable rotor drive shaft whereby the outer end of the hammer elements engage boards in the entry portion to shred and chip such boards entering the debris chamber and discharges the reduced material from the exit portion.

1. Field of the Invention
A hammer mill apparatus to shred and chip boards fed therethrough.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Numerous devices have been developed to chip, shred, mulch and otherwise reduce wood, branches, limbs, leaves and the like.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,824,034 shows an apparatus for shredding branches, limbs, twigs, leaves or like material including a housing having a rotatable shredding mechanism disposed in the lower portion thereof including a plurality of pivotally mounted substantially triangular shaped hammers for shredding material within the cavity.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,724,767 discloses a chipper comprising a housing to support a feed roll positioned above a guide chute extending to a rotor having a series of axially spaced circular rotor plates rigidly secured to a driven rotor with a series of peripherally spaced shaft members extending axially through segments of the rotor plates and a plurality of hammer elements mounted on each shaft member between the rotor plates for full 360 degree rotation.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,627,212 teaches a hammer hog to reduce various materials into different sizes including a hinged housing top having a rotatable assembly of hammers and/or impactors disposed therein.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,674,220 shows a chipping knife and shredder flails mounted for rotation about a common axis.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,856,134 discloses a soil pulverizer and horticultural hammer mill comprising a housing having a material feeding hopper opening through one wall thereof and at least one discharge therefrom, a rotor mounted for rotation in the housing and having a plurality of rows of blades each pivotally supported on axes parallel to the rotor axis.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,946,950 shows a material reducer for coal and the like comprising rotary hammers, bars or the like to crush the material and to propel the crushed material upwardly along a confined or partially confined path which discharges onto an output conveyor or directly to a screen or other processing equipment.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,030,865 teaches an apparatus to defiberize waste paper stock and uniform dispersion and accumulation the defiberized fine fiber stock for dry web formation comprising a defiberizing drum having cylindrical teeth formed on the inside circumferential plane and an outlet for delivery of the defiberized fine stock formed of this lower portion, a hollow rotary shaft provided rotatably in the defiberizing drum, a multitude of swing hammers provided swingably around the hollow rotary shaft both circumferentially and axially at respectively regular intervals.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,558,826 discloses a hammer comprising a hammer body with a substantially bell-shaped profile having a larger end and sides converging to a smaller end with front and back faces that are substantially flat. A large mounting bore extends through the body to receive a pivot shaft from which the hammer may pivotally swing.
East German 243,219 shows a cutter bar for a hammer-type crusher movable in the horizontal direction in a guide in a crusher housing having a spindle mechanism therein coupled to an indexing electric motor.


A device for carrying artillery shells, each shell having a cylindrical body and a conical head, is disclosed. The device includes an upper body and a lower body. A gripper assembly is connected to the lower body and has an inner circumferential surface corresponding to the cylindrical body. A driving unit pivots the gripper assembly about an axis. A shell-head stopping unit is connected to the lower body at a position which may be adjusted along the length of the lower body. The shell-head stopping unit receives the conical head of a shell to hold the shell in a set position. Also included is a shell-rear stopping unit connected to the gripper assembly and elastically biased upward with respect to the inner circumferential surface of the gripper assembly. The shell-rear stopping unit holds the rear end of the shell in the gripper assembly.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an artillery shell carrier. More particularly, the present invention relates to an artillery shell carrier which carries shells from a shell stacker to a shell loader.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Mobile artillery units are essential in modern warfare. These units must be able to move quickly while being heavily loaded with shells and must be able to fire each shell within a small predetermined period of time. Furthermore, since the shells are explosive, safety precautions must be incorporated into the design of the mobile unit's shell stacker.
A shell firing unit of, for example, a self-propelled artillery unit or a tank, is functionally divided into three parts: a shell stacker, a shell carrier, and a shell loader. Once the shell stacker stacks a plurality of shells, the shell carrier carries the stacked shells from the stacker to the shell loader. The shell loader then loads the shells into a gun barrel.
In the prior art, the function of the shell carrier is performed manually by artillerymen. However, due to the shell's heavy weight (typically 40-50 kg), artillerymen can be easily fatigued by carrying the shells. An additional problem with the prior art is that the manual carrying of the shells limits the firing speed of the shell firing unit, thus limiting the ability to achieve a concentrated attack.