A tape measure is disclosed which has a spooled measuring blade mounted via a rotatable connection within a casing (100). The tape measure has impact-protection components. These components may be resilient means (46, 60, 62, 82, 108) arranged between the spooled blade and the case, such as at the rotatable connection. Further impact-protection components are resilient pads (112, 114) which are molded into impact-vulnerable locations on the outer surface of the case.

Known tape measures include tape measures having a measuring blade which is spooled within a casing. The blade is extendable from the casing by pulling its free end. When released, the blade is automatically retracted back into the casing. Typically, this retraction is due to a spring within the casing, for example a spring connected between the casing and a reel on which the blade spools.
For ease of manufacture, the casing is typically made from moulded plastics material. This allows the casing to be relatively lightweight and easy to handle. The moulding operation also allows the incorporation of detailed functional shapes into the casing in a single forming step.
Usually, the blade of the measure is metallic. For many applications, the blade must be strong and inextensible. Furthermore, it should also be stiff. This is particularly the case where the blade should be able to extend from the blade and hold itself in an approximately straight configuration without support at its distal end (the end furthest from the casing). Often, this desirable feature is achieved using a relatively thin blade which, when pulled longitudinally straight from the casing, has a transversely curved character. It is this transverse curvature which acts to maintain the blade in an approximately straight longitudinal configuration.
Typically, other materials (e.g. most plastics materials) do not give the blade the above advantageous features. In particular, most plastics materials are not stiff enough to enable the blade to remain approximately straight when extended from the casing and yet flexible enough to allow the blade to be spooled easily within the casing and tough enough to withstand repeated use.
However, one disadvantage of metallic blades is their weight. Most suitable metallic materials for the blade are more dense than equivalent plastics materials which might be considered for the application. For this reason, the blade is usually by far the heaviest (i.e. most massive) part of the tape measure.
Associated with the blade is the spring which acts to recoil the blade back into the casing after the blade has been extended from the casing. Again, the spring is usually made from metal and so is dense and therefore heavy.
The blade is usually spooled, within the casing, on a spool or other rotatable mounting. The blade is therefore rotatably mounted within the casing, for example a reel or spool may be rotatably mounted on a post within the casing in order to define an axis of rotation for the reel or spool. Typically, the spring is attached between the post and the blade, so that when the blade is unspooled, the spring is tightened to provide a return force on the blade.
Tape measures are often subjected to rough handling. In particular, in building, maintenance or DIY applications, tape measures are often dropped, e.g. from ladders. Drops onto relatively hard surfaces can be catastrophic for the tape measure. This is usually due to a combination of the plastics casing and the heavy blade. Since most of the mass of the whole tape measure is concentrated in the blade, during an impact on the casing, the blade is likely to move relative to the casing. Often, the result of this is damage to the case. More specifically, the post on which the blade is rotatably mounted usually either breaks or breaks away from the casing. This renders the tape measure inoperative or seriously impaired.


A remotely controlled adjustable height support stand 200 for positioning the laser scanner 50 vertically as well as a remote control for adjusting the height and/or angular position of the laser scanner 50 is disclosed.

Prior art exists in the field of measuring a horizontal plane relative to gravity. Standard transits, theodelites, and builder's levels are tripod mounted optical devices. To be accurate, such devices require an extremely precise leveling of the unit relative to the tripod. The bubble levels and electronic sensors used in the instrument mounts are elaborate, expensive, and very time consuming to use each time the unit is moved to a new location.

Remotely positionable gravity oriented laser scanner


According to an embodiment of the invention, a method and apparatus for support of a non-standard device containing operating system data are described. According to one embodiment, a circuit comprises a first device that is not compliant with a PCI (peripheral component interconnect) standard, the first device containing operating system data, where the operating system data is not bootable for any non-standard device; a second device that is compliant with the PCI standard, the second device being associated with the operating system data, the association of the second device with the operating system data from the first device enabling the operating system data from the first device to be booted according to the PCI standard; and a memory to receive the operating system data from the first device.

In a computer environment, including an embedded computer or other specialized computer system, one or more devices may be connected to a bus. The devices and the bus may operate in compliance with a standard or specification, which may include a PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect) standard.
However, a device in the environment that does not comply with the bus standard may also contain operational data. In addition, a standard device may operate as a non-standard device because the use of the device is non-complying. The data contained in the non-complying device may be the operating system (OS) for a system. In certain environments, the utilization of the data from the non-complying device or otherwise providing support for a non-standard device may cause complications in system operation, including a need for extensive modification to the BIOS (basic input output system) source code.

Support for non-standard device containing operating system data


Methods and systems are provided for using an engine laser ignition system to perform a visual inspection of an engine and diagnose various cylinder components and conditions based on engine positional measurements. Laser pulses may be emitted at a lower power level during an intake and/or exhaust stroke to illuminate a cylinder interior while a photodetector captures images of the cylinder interior. Additionally, laser pulses may be emitted at a higher power level to initiate cylinder combustion while the photodetector captures images of the cylinder interior using the light generated during cylinder combustion.

Engine system components (such as cylinder valves, crankshafts, camshafts, pistons, fuel injectors etc.) may be intermittently diagnosed for damage incurred during engine operation. Diagnostics may involve visually inspecting the components for damage (e.g., misalignment or twisting), such as by removing a spark plug and obtaining a bore scope to view inside the cylinder. Damage to crankshaft and/or camshafts can lead to variability in determining their position (in order to identify engine and piston positions). As such, the position of the cams/pistons is required during an engine restart to enable coordination of the spark timing and fuel delivery in the engine. Thus, any errors in position determination can lead to reduced ability in achieving and maintaining fast synchronization, reliable combustion, and reduced emissions. Further, any delays in identifying engine position can also delay engine starting.
The inventors herein have recognized that the above discussed approaches for visually inspecting engine components can add extensive time, cost, and complexity to the diagnostics. In particular, most of the above approaches require a skilled technician, complex diagnostic tools, specialized laboratory facilities, and time consuming engine teardown. In view of these issues, the inventors have realized that in engine systems configured with laser ignition capabilities, components of the laser ignition system can be advantageously used to diagnose various engine system components.
In one example, the engine may be diagnosed by a method comprising: over an engine cycle, operating a laser ignition device in each engine cylinder; identifying a piston position in each cylinder based on the operating; and indicating degradation of an engine crankshaft based on a piston position of each cylinder. In another example, a cylinder valve position in each cylinder may be identified based on the operating; and degradation of a camshaft may be indicated based on the valve position of each cylinder. In still a further example, laser illumination based piston position measurements may be used to determine the position of a crankshaft while laser illumination based intake or exhaust valve position measurements may be used to determine the position of a camshaft. Based on the relative positioning of the crankshaft relative to the camshaft, misalignment errors may be identified.
For example, a laser ignition device may be operated at a lower power level during an intake stroke of a cylinder to rapidly direct laser pulses into a cylinder and perform a planar sweep of the cylinder. Based on a duration elapsed since the emission of the laser pulse and the detection of the laser pulse following reflection off the piston surface, the position of the piston in the given cylinder may be determined. In addition, the duration may be used to infer whether a cylinder valve is open or closed. For example, based on the elapsed duration estimated following laser pulse emission in an intake stroke, it may be determined if the intake valve is open or closed, and thereby the position of an exhaust valve may be inferred. Alternatively, based on the elapsed duration estimated following laser pulse emission in an exhaust stroke, it may be determined if the exhaust valve is open or closed, and thereby the position of an intake valve may be inferred. By comparing the piston position of each cylinder relative to one another crankshaft alignment errors may be determined. For example, by comparing the estimated position of each cylinder to the expected position of each cylinder (based on the cylinder firing order, the engine configuration, etc.), it may be determined if the crankshaft position is deviated from a home position, and crankshaft degradation due to twisting or breaking may be indicated. Likewise, by comparing the intake or exhaust valve position of each cylinder relative to one another, camshaft alignment errors may be determined. For example, by comparing the estimated position of each cylinder's intake valve, and thereby intake cam, to the expected position of each cylinder's intake valve and intake cam (based on the cylinder firing order, the engine configuration, the cylinder stroke, etc.), it may be determined if the camshaft position is deviated from a home position, and camshaft degradation due to twisting or breaking may be indicated. Further still, by comparing the estimated crankshaft position to the estimated camshaft position, misalignment errors may be determined.
In this way, engine position based diagnostics can be expedited and simplified without necessitating engine disassembly. In particular, it may be possible to use piston position and cylinder valve position estimates, as determined using an engine laser ignition system, to determine crankshaft and/or camshaft alignment errors. By taking advantage of the laser ignition system to estimate the piston and valve position, positional information can be gathered faster and more reliably. By using the positional information to diagnose the crankshaft and camshaft, the time and cost associated with the visual inspection of the components is reduced. Overall, engine inspection can be simplified without reducing inspection accuracy.
It should be understood that the summary above is provided to introduce in simplified form a selection of concepts that are further described in the detailed description. It is not meant to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter, the scope of which is defined uniquely by the claims that follow the detailed description. Furthermore, the claimed subject matter is not limited to implementations that solve any disadvantages noted above or in any part of this disclosure.


A facility is provided for locating a file in a backup memory, in which each of the components forming a hierarchical pathname identifying the file is converted into a unique identity using a minimum of bytes, and in which the location of the file in backup memory is determined as a function of each such identity rather than the component names forming the hierarchical pathname.

A computer system typically employs a memory "backup" arrangement for storing copies of system files and programs. In such systems the backup memory may be either magnetic tape or a disk memory. An operator periodically replaces the backup memory with a new tape or disk, and stores the backup in a library of such tapes or disks. To access a particular file stored in the backup memory, then, the operator first has to locate in the library the magnetic tape or disk memory containing the file, and then load the contents of the tape or disk into the backup system. It can be appreciated that such an arrangement is labor intensive. A more efficient arrangement uses large scale memory, such as optical disks, which can store a very large number of backup files, thereby eliminating the need to maintain a library of magnetic tapes or disks. In the latter arrangement, each time a file is stored in the backup memory its storage location in the backup memory as well as its name and version number are stored in a Table of file names. Thus, the location of a file stored in the backup memory can be quickly ascertained by referring to the Table of file names. I have recognized, however, that 10%-15% of the capacity of the backup memory needs to be reserved to maintain such a Table. The reason for this is that, after a period of time, an appreciable number of entries (records) in the Table would contain the same file name, but different version numbers. Thus, in the case where a large number of files of different names are stored in the backup and each of those file names is associated with a number of different versions, then the entries in the Table would indeed consume an appreciable amount of the storage capacity of the backup memory.


A slidable and automatic rotatable apparatus disposed in a portable electronic device and providing the portable electronic device, which includes a first housing and a second housing, with a first status and a second status is provided. The apparatus includes a third housing, a protruding part disposed on the second housing and opposite to the first track, and a rotary module passing through the second track. The third housing, which is fixed on the first housing and movably connected with the second housing, includes a first track, a second track, and a first rib disposed on a first side of the second track. A first end of the rotary module is fixed on the second housing, while a second end is disposed between the first housing and the third housing. The rotary module has at least one protruding point positioned at the second end for contacting the first rib.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates in general to a slidable and automatic rotatable apparatus, and more particularly to a slidable and automatic rotatable apparatus providing the portable electronic device with a first status and a second status.
2. Description of the Related Art
Along with the rapid advance in electronic industry in recent years, portable electronic devices such as mobile phone and personal digital assistant (PDA) have become more and more popular.
Take the mobile phone for example. The mobile phone, which enables telecommunication whenever and wherever it is needed, has become an important telecommunication device to consumers. Apart from the basic conversation function, the mobile phone also provides transmission services such as voice mail and text message to encompass a wider range of functions.
For a user, sending/receiving a text message is a frequently used function of a mobile phone. Therefore, whether the input method of a text message is easy or not is directly relevant to the convenience of operation, hence becoming an important factor in purchasing a mobile phone.
The current practice regarding the arrangement of the key pad of a mobile phone is to add letter key function to the number keys of 0˜9. For example, the 26 English alphabets A˜Z are assigned to 10 number keys. Thus, each of the number keys also denotes at least 3 English alphabets, e.g., the number key '2' also denotes English alphabet 'A', 'B' and 'C'. Since each number key also denote plural English alphabets, when using the number keys input a text message, the user has to press a number key first then pick up the desired English alphabet to be inputted. The more English alphabets to be inputted, the more selections have to be made. This is indeed annoying. Moreover, it is inconvenient for users who are not familiar with the arrange of English alphabet on the number keys to spend a large amount of time searching for the right letters to be inputted

Slidable and automatic rotatable apparatus


It is one of objects to provide a liquid crystal display device capable of low power consumption, with a driver circuit having a new circuit structure and a pixel. In the liquid crystal display device displaying an image using an n bit digital image signal (n is an integer), by incorporating n×m storage circuits (m is an integer) per pixel, it comprises a function of storing an m frame digital image signal in the pixel (in the illustrated figure of an example where n=3, m=2, 3 bits×2 frames are stored in storage circuits A1 to A3, and B1 to B3). Therefore, in the display of a still image, by repeatedly reading the digital image signal stored temporarily in the storage circuit and displaying in each frame, the drive during such time of a source signal line driver circuit is stopped, to reduce the power consumption of the liquid crystal display device.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a driver circuit of a semiconductor display device (hereinafter referred to as display device), and to a display device provided with the driver circuit. More particularly, the present invention relates to a driver circuit of an active matrix display device having a thin film transistor formed on an insulator and an active matrix display device provided with the driver circuit. Of those, in particular, the present invention relates to a driver circuit of an active matrix liquid crystal display device using a digital image signal as an image source and an active matrix liquid crystal display device provided with the driver circuit.
2. Description of the Related Art
Recently, the spreading of a display device formed with a semiconductor thin film on an insulator, particularly on a glass substrate, and in particular to an active matrix display device provided with the thin film transistor (hereinafter referred to as TFT) is significant. The active matrix display device using a TFT has several hundred thousands to several millions of TFTs arranged in a matrix, and the display of images are performed by controlling an electric field of each pixel.
Further, recently, techniques relating to polysilicon TFTs which simultaneously form a driver circuit using TFTs in the periphery of a pixel portion, in addition to pixel TFTs structuring the pixel is developing. This technique greatly contributes to miniaturization of a device and low power consumption, and in addition to that, the liquid crystal display device is becoming an indispensable device to a display portion or the like of mobile equipment which has significantly increased field of use recently.
A schematic diagram of a normal digital method liquid crystal display device is shown in FIG. 13. A pixel portion 1308 is arranged in the center. On the upper side of the pixel portion is a source signal line driver circuit 1301 for controlling the source signal line. The source signal line driver circuit 1301 is comprised of a first latch circuit 1304, a second latch circuit 1305, a D/A converter circuit 1306, an analog switch 1307 and the like. On the right and left side of the pixel portion is arranged a gate signal line driver circuit 1302 for controlling the gate signal line. Note that, in FIG. 13 the gate signal line driver circuit 1302 is arranged on both the right and left side of the pixel portion, but may be arranged on only one side. However, it is preferable from the point of view of the driver efficiency and driver reliability that they are arranged on both sides of the pixel portion.
The source signal line driver circuit 1301 has a structure as shown in FIG. 14. The driver circuit shown as an example in FIG. 14 is a source signal line driver circuit corresponding to a display of a horizontal resolution of 1024 pixels and a 3 bit digital tone, and comprises a shift register circuit (SR) 1401, a first latch circuit (LAT1) 1402, a second latch circuit (LAT2) 1403, a D/A converter circuit (D/A) 1404 or the like. Note that, although not shown in FIG. 14, a buffer circuit, a level shift circuit or the like may be arranged if necessary.
The operations are described briefly with reference to FIGS. 13 and 14. First, a shift register circuit 1303 (shown as SR in FIG. 14) is input with a clock signal (S-CLK, S-CLKb) and a start pulse (S-SP), and is sequentially output with a sampling pulse. Subsequently, the sampling pulse is input to the first latch circuit 1304 (shown as LAT1 in FIG. 14), and a digital image signal (digital data) also input to the first latch circuit 1304 are respectively maintained. This period is referred to as a dot data sampling period. Here, D1 is the most significant bit (MSB: most significant bit) and D3 is the least significant bit (LSB: least significant bit). In the first latch circuit 1304 when holding of digital image signals for one horizontal period is completed, the digital image signals held in the first latch circuit 1304 are all transferred at once to the second latch circuit 1305 (shown as LAT2 in FIG. 14) according to the input of a latch signal (latch pulse) in a retrace period. The period the digital image signal is transferred from the first latch circuit to the second latch circuit is referred to as a line data latch period.
Thereafter, the shift register circuit 1303 operates again and storing of the digital image signal for the next horizontal period is started. At the same time, the digital image signal stored in the second latch circuit 1305 is converted to an analog image signal by the D/A converter circuit 1306 (shown as DAC in FIG. 14). This digital image signal which is made analog is written in the pixel through the source signal line. By repeating this operation display of the pixel is performed.
In a typical active matrix liquid crystal display device, in order to display a dynamic image smoothly, an updating of the image display is performed approximately 60 times in one second. That is, a digital image signal is supplied to every one frame, and needs to be written in to the pixel every time. Even if the image is a still image, the same signal has to be supplied for every one frame, thus it is necessary for the driver circuit to repeat the processing of the same digital image signal continuously.
There is a method of temporarily writing in the digital image signal of a still image to the external storage circuit and thereafter supplying the digital image signal from the external storage circuit to the liquid crystal display device for every one frame, but in either case the external storage circuit and the driver circuit need to continue to operate.
Particularly, in mobile equipment, low power consumption is greatly desired. Further, although the mobile equipment is mostly used in a still image mode, as described above, since the driver circuit continues to operate when displaying a still image, low power consumption is obstructed.

Liquid crystal display device and driving method thereof

Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.


The control inputs of reset switch elements 41 to 45 are commonly connected to a row reset line 51. In a line black clamp type, cathodes as reset ends of photodiodes (31) of optical black pixels 21 to 23 are commonly connected to a potential averaging line 30. In a frame black clamp type, potential averaging lines are connected similarly to respective pixel rows on the vertical scanning start side of an optical black pixel region, and the potential averaging lines may be commonly connected to each other to operate just like one pixel row. A first block includes a pixel array and a vertical scanning circuit, while a second block includes sample and hold circuits, a horizontal scanning circuit, an amplifier and an A/D converter 19. In a low power consumption mode, power supply to the second block is ceased in a light integration period of one frame with performing light integration in the pixel array, power supply to the first and second blocks is performed in a read-out period of one frame to read out integrated signals, and power supply to the first and second blocks is ceased in a power-off period of one frame.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to an image sensor, more particularly, to an image sensor having plurality of pixels arranged in rows and columns, for use in such an electronic camera, an image reader or a facsimile, with a stabilized black level and low power consumption.
2. Description of the Related Art
In an image sensor, each light receiving element outputs a signal having an integrated light component and an integrated dark current component. This dark current has a strong temperature dependency that the current becomes about twice with rise of 9° C.
In order to remove the integrated dark current component from the signal to obtain true integrated light signal, in the prior art, the peripheral region of a pixel array was covered with a light shielding film to form an optical black pixel region, and an integrated dark current signal was read out from the optical black pixels in a blanking period to obtain the average voltage Vd of the integrated dark current signals in a black clamp circuit as an offset value (a black clamp level). The average Vd was subtracted from each pixel signal Vs in the black clamp circuit in a period of reading out from an effective pixel region.
There are two kind of black clamps, one is a line black clamp performed in each horizontal scanning, the other is a frame black clamp performed in each frame, and one of them is adopted.
FIG. 19 shows an integrated dark current signal read out from an optical black pixel region in a horizontal blanking period. The signal is not constant according to characteristics of each pixel.
Especially, when a defective pixel exists, an integrated dark current signal suddenly changes as shown in FIG. 19, therefore an offset value becomes incorrect in a black clamp circuit having a integration capacitor for obtaining an average value, which causes lateral stripe noise. If the width of the optical black pixel region is wide in order to prevent the noise, the offset component could not be obtained in a horizontal blanking period in an image sensor having quite many pixels, or a chip area increases with the result of higher cost.
On the other hand, in an image sensor adopted in portable equipment, reduction in power consumption has been required.
There are following methods for reduction in power consumption of a semiconductor chip:
(1) to stop an operation clock in a period where no operation is required; and
(2) to reduce a clock frequency by a divider, for example, to a half, a quarter and one-eighths thereof.
However, the chip of an image sensor includes an analogue circuit and a digital circuit, power consumption of the analog circuit is larger than that of the digital circuit with a large ratio, and power consumption of an image sensor for taking a moving picture cannot decrease to a great extent by such methods.
When a power source for the analog circuit is on/off controlled, the influence of off appears after one frame, therefore the power source cannot be simply turned off.

Image sensor with stabilized black level and low power consumption


A voltage compensation unit reduces the effects of induced voltages upon a device having a single wire line. The single wire line has balanced characteristic impedance. The voltage compensation unit includes a tunable compensation circuit connected to the wire line. The tunable compensation circuit applies supplemental impedance to the wire line. The supplemental impedance causes the characteristic impedance of the wire line to become unbalanced, thereby reducing the effects of induced voltages caused by changing magnetic fields.

Magnetic resonance imaging has been developed as an imaging technique adapted to obtain both images of anatomical features of human patients as well as some aspects of the functional activities and characteristics of biological tissue. These images have medical diagnostic value in determining the state of the health of the tissue examined. Unlike the situation with fluoroscopic imaging, a patient undergoing magnetic resonance imaging procedure may remain in the active imaging system for a significant amount of time, e.g. a half-hour or more, without suffering any adverse effects.
In a magnetic-resonance imaging process, a patient is typically aligned to place the portion of the patient's anatomy to be examined in the imaging volume of the magnetic-resonance imaging apparatus. Such an magnetic-resonance imaging apparatus typically comprises a primary electromagnet for supplying a constant magnetic field (B0) which, by convention, is along the z-axis and is substantially homogeneous over the imaging volume and secondary electromagnets that can provide linear magnetic field gradients along each of three principal Cartesian axes in space (generally x, y, and z, or x1, x2 and x3, respectively). The magnetic-resonance imaging apparatus also comprises one or more RF (radio frequency) coils that provide excitation and detection of the magnetic-resonance imaging induced signals in the patient's body.
The gradient fields are switched ON and OFF at different rates depending on the magnetic-resonance imaging scan sequence used. In some cases, this may result in a changing magnetic field on the order of dB/dt=50 T/s. The frequency that a gradient field may be turned ON can be between 200 Hz to about 300 kHz.
For a single loop with a fixed area, Lenz's law can be stated as:EMF=−A@dB/dt where A is the area vector, B is the magnetic field vector, and "@" is the vector scalar product. This equation indicates that an electro-motive-force (EMF) is developed in any loop that encircles a changing magnetic field.
In a magnetic-resonance imaging system, there is applied to the biological sample (patient) a switched gradient field in all 3 coordinate directions (x-, y-, z-directions). If the patient has an implanted heart pacemaker (or other implanted devices having conductive components) the switched gradient magnetic fields (an alternating magnetic field) may cause:                1. Erroneous signals to be induced/generated in a sensing lead or device or circuit;        2. Damage to electronics; and/or        3. Harmful stimulation of tissue, e.g. heart muscle, nerves, etc.
As noted above, the use of the magnetic-resonance imaging process with patients who have implanted medical assist devices; such as cardiac assist devices or implanted insulin pumps; often presents problems. As is known to those skilled in the art, implantable devices (such as implantable pulse generators (IPGs) and cardioverter/defibrillator/pacemakers (CDPs)) are sensitive to a variety of forms of electromagnetic interference (EMI) because these enumerated devices include sensing and logic systems that respond to low-level electrical signals emanating from the monitored tissue region of the patient. Since the sensing systems and conductive elements of these implantable devices are responsive to changes in local electromagnetic fields, the implanted devices are vulnerable to external sources of severe electromagnetic noise, and in particular, to electromagnetic fields emitted during the magnetic resonance imaging (magnetic-resonance imaging) procedure. Thus, patients with implantable devices are generally advised not to undergo magnetic resonance imaging (magnetic-resonance imaging) procedures.
To more appreciate the problem, the use of implantable cardiac assist devices during a magnetic-resonance imaging process will be briefly discussed.
The human heart may suffer from two classes of rhythmic disorders or arrhythmias: bradycardia and tachyarrhythmia. Bradycardia occurs when the heart beats too slowly, and may be treated by a common implantable pacemaker delivering low voltage (about 3 Volts) pacing pulses.
The common implantable pacemaker is usually contained within a hermetically sealed enclosure, in order to protect the operational components of the device from the harsh environment of the body, as well as to protect the body from the device.
The common implantable pacemaker operates in conjunction with one or more electrically conductive leads, adapted to conduct electrical stimulating pulses to sites within the patient's heart, and to communicate sensed signals from those sites back to the implanted device.
Furthermore, the common implantable pacemaker typically has a metal case and a connector block mounted to the metal case that includes receptacles for leads which may be used for electrical stimulation or which may be used for sensing of physiological signals. The battery and the circuitry associated with the common implantable pacemaker are hermetically sealed within the case. Electrical interfaces are employed to connect the leads outside the metal case with the medical device circuitry and the battery inside the metal case.
Electrical interfaces serve the purpose of providing an electrical circuit path extending from the interior of a hermetically sealed metal case to an external point outside the case while maintaining the hermetic seal of the case. A conductive path is provided through the interface by a conductive pin that is electrically insulated from the case itself.
Such interfaces typically include a ferrule that permits attachment of the interface to the case, the conductive pin, and a hermetic glass or ceramic seal that supports the pin within the ferrule and isolates the pin from the metal case.
A common implantable pacemaker can, under some circumstances, be susceptible to electrical interference such that the desired functionality of the pacemaker is impaired. For example, common implantable pacemaker requires protection against electrical interference from electromagnetic interference (EMI), defibrillation pulses, electrostatic discharge, or other generally large voltages or currents generated by other devices external to the medical device. As noted above, more recently, it has become crucial that cardiac assist systems be protected from magnetic-resonance imaging sources.
Such electrical interference can damage the circuitry of the cardiac assist systems or cause interference in the proper operation or functionality of the cardiac assist systems. For example, damage may occur due to high voltages or excessive currents introduced into the cardiac assist system.
Moreover, problems are realized when the placement of the implant is next to particular organs. For example, when a pacemaker is placed in the upper chest and the lead tip is placed into the heart, a loop (an electrical loop) is created. A changing magnetic field (the switched gradient field) over the area of the loop (through the area of the loop) will cause an induced voltage (and current) across the heart. This induced voltage (current) can stimulate the heart inappropriately and can cause heart damage or death.
Therefore, it is desirable to provide a medical device or system that reduces or eliminates the undesirable effects of changing magnetic fields from a magnetic-resonance imaging system on the medical devices and/or patients undergoing medical procedures or that have temporary or permanent implanted materials and/or devices with conducting components.
A voltage compensation unit reduces the effects of induced voltages upon a device to a safe level. The voltage compensation unit includes a sensing circuit to sense voltages induced in conductive components of the device, the voltages being induced by changing magnetic fields and a compensation circuit, operatively connected to the sensing circuit and responsive thereto, to provide opposing voltages to the device to reduce the effects of induced voltages caused by changing magnetic fields.
A voltage compensation unit reduces the effects of induced voltages upon a tissue invasive medical tool to a safe level. The voltage compensation unit includes a sensing circuit to sense voltages induced in conductive components of the medical tool, the voltages being induced by changing magnetic fields; a compensation circuit, operatively connected to the sensing circuit and responsive thereto, to provide opposing voltages to the medical tool to reduce the effects of induced voltages caused by changing magnetic fields; and a connection device to provide an electrical connection between the sensing circuit and the compensation circuit and the medical tool.
A voltage compensation unit reduces the effects of induced voltages upon a device to a safe level. The voltage compensation unit includes a communication circuit, communicatively linked to a magnetic-resonance imaging system, to receive information associated with a start and end of an application of changing magnetic fields produced by the magnetic-resonance imaging system and a compensation circuit, operatively connected to the communication circuit and responsive thereto, to synchronize application of opposing voltages to the device with the sensed changing magnetic fields, the opposing voltages reducing the effects of induced voltages caused by the changing magnetic fields.
A voltage compensation unit reduces the effects of induced voltages upon a device to a safe level. The voltage compensation unit includes a communication circuit, communicatively linked to a magnetic-resonance imaging system, to receive information associated with a start and end of an application of changing magnetic fields produced by the magnetic-resonance imaging system and a compensation circuit, operatively connected to the communication circuit and responsive thereto, to apply opposing voltages to the device, the opposing voltages reducing the effects of induced voltages caused by the changing magnetic fields.
A voltage compensation unit reduces the effects of induced voltages upon a device having a single wire line, the single wire line having a balanced characteristic impedance. The voltage compensation unit includes a tunable compensation circuit, operatively connected to the wire line, to apply supplemental impedance to the wire line, the supplemental impedance causing the characteristic impedance of the wire line to become unbalanced, thereby reducing the effects of induced voltages caused by changing magnetic fields.
An electrical lead component for a medical device reduces the effects of magnetic-resonance imaging induced signals. The electrical lead component includes a medical device electrical lead capable of providing an electrical path to a desired tissue region and a coil that generates a voltage due to a changing magnetic-resonance imaging electromagnetic field opposite to that which would be induced by the changing magnetic-resonance imaging electromagnetic field in the medical device electrical lead so as to reduce voltages induced by the changing magnetic-resonance imaging electromagnetic field.
An electrical lead component for a medical device reduces the effects of magnetic-resonance imaging induced signals. The electrical lead component includes a medical device electrical lead capable of providing an electrical path to a desired tissue region and a plurality of coils, each coil generating a voltage due to a changing magnetic-resonance imaging electromagnetic field such that a combination of voltages due to a changing magnetic-resonance imaging electromagnetic field provides a combined voltage that is opposite to the voltage which would be induced by the changing magnetic-resonance imaging electromagnetic field in the medical device electrical lead so as to reduce voltages induced by the changing magnetic-resonance imaging electromagnetic field.
An electrical lead component for a medical device reduces the effects of magnetic-resonance imaging induced signals. The electrical lead component includes a medical device electrical lead capable of providing an electrical path to a desired tissue region and three orthogonally planar coils, each coil generating a voltage due to a changing magnetic-resonance imaging electromagnetic field such that a combination of voltages due to a changing magnetic-resonance imaging electromagnetic field provides a combined voltage that is opposite to the voltage which would be induced by the changing magnetic-resonance imaging electromagnetic field in the medical device electrical lead so as to reduce voltages induced by the changing magnetic-resonance imaging electromagnetic field.
An electrical lead component for a medical device reduces the effects of magnetic-resonance imaging induced signals. The electrical lead component includes a medical device electrical lead capable of providing an electrical path to a desired tissue region; a plurality of coils, each coil generating a voltage due to a changing magnetic-resonance imaging electromagnetic field; a sensor to measure a strength of voltages induced by the changing magnetic-resonance imaging electromagnetic field; and a switching device, operatively connected to the sensor and plurality of coils, to operatively connect a number of the plurality of coils in response to the measured strength of voltages induced by the changing magnetic-resonance imaging electromagnetic field such that a combination of voltages due to a changing magnetic-resonance imaging electromagnetic field provides a combined voltage that is opposite to the voltage which would be induced by the changing magnetic-resonance imaging electromagnetic field in the medical device electrical lead so as to reduce voltages induced by the changing magnetic-resonance imaging electromagnetic field.
An electrical lead component for a medical device reduces the effects of magnetic-resonance imaging induced signals. The electrical lead component includes a medical device electrical lead capable of providing an electrical path to a desired tissue region; three orthogonally planar coils, each coil generating a voltage due to a changing magnetic-resonance imaging electromagnetic field; a sensor to measure a strength of voltages induced by the changing magnetic-resonance imaging electromagnetic field; and a switching device, operatively connected to the sensor and the coils, to operatively connect a number of the coils in response to the measured strength of voltages induced by the changing magnetic-resonance imaging electromagnetic field such that a combination of voltages due to a changing magnetic-resonance imaging electromagnetic field provides a combined voltage that is opposite to the voltage which would be induced by the changing magnetic-resonance imaging electromagnetic field in the medical device electrical lead so as to reduce voltages induced by the changing magnetic-resonance imaging electromagnetic field.
An electrical lead component for a medical device reduces the effects of magnetic-resonance imaging induced signals. The electrical lead component includes a medical device electrical lead capable of providing an electrical path to a desired tissue region; a plurality of coils, each coil generating a voltage due to a changing magnetic-resonance imaging electromagnetic field; a transceiver to receive a signal indicating a number of coils to be connected; and a switching device, operatively connected to the transceiver and plurality of coils, to operatively connect a number of the plurality of coils in response to the received signal indicating the number of coils to be connected such that a combination of voltages due to a changing magnetic-resonance imaging electromagnetic field provides a combined voltage that is opposite to the voltage which would be induced by the changing magnetic-resonance imaging electromagnetic field in the medical device electrical lead so as to reduce voltages induced by the changing magnetic-resonance imaging electromagnetic field.
An electrical lead component for a medical device reduces the effects of magnetic-resonance imaging induced signals. The electrical lead component includes a medical device electrical lead capable of providing an electrical path to a desired tissue region; three orthogonally planar coils, each coil generating a voltage due to a changing magnetic-resonance imaging electromagnetic field; a transceiver to receive a signal indicating a number of coils to be connected; and a switching device, operatively connected to the transceiver and the coils, to operatively connect a number of the coils in response to the received signal indicating the number of coils to be connected such that a combination of voltages due to a changing magnetic-resonance imaging electromagnetic field provides a combined voltage that is opposite to the voltage which would be induced by the changing magnetic-resonance imaging electromagnetic field in the medical device electrical lead so as to reduce voltages induced by the changing magnetic-resonance imaging electromagnetic field.
A device for a medical device reduces the effects of magnetic-resonance imaging induced signals. The medical device includes a medical device capable of providing medical treatment to a desired tissue region and a coil that generates a voltage induced by a changing magnetic-resonance imaging electromagnetic field opposite to a voltage which would be induced by the changing magnetic-resonance imaging electromagnetic field in the medical device so as to reduce voltages induced by the changing magnetic-resonance imaging electromagnetic field.
A device for a medical device reduces the effects of magnetic-resonance imaging induced signals. The medical device includes a medical device capable of providing medical treatment to a desired tissue region and a plurality of coils, each coil generating a voltage due to a changing magnetic-resonance imaging electromagnetic field such that a combination of voltages due to a changing magnetic-resonance imaging electromagnetic field provides a combined voltage that is opposite to the voltage which would be induced by the changing magnetic-resonance imaging electromagnetic field in the medical device so as to reduce voltages induced by the changing magnetic-resonance imaging electromagnetic field.
A device for a medical device reduces the effects of magnetic-resonance imaging induced signals. The medical device includes a medical device capable of providing medical treatment to a desired tissue region and three orthogonally planar coils, each coil generating a voltage due to a changing magnetic-resonance imaging electromagnetic field such that a combination of voltages due to a changing magnetic-resonance imaging electromagnetic field provides a combined voltage that is opposite to the voltage which would be induced by the changing magnetic-resonance imaging electromagnetic field in the medical device so as to reduce voltages induced by the changing magnetic-resonance imaging electromagnetic field.
A device for a medical device reduces the effects of magnetic-resonance imaging induced signals. The medical device includes a medical device capable of providing medical treatment to a desired tissue region; a plurality of coils, each coil generating a voltage due to a changing magnetic-resonance imaging electromagnetic field; a sensor to measure a strength of voltages induced by the changing magnetic-resonance imaging electromagnetic field; and a switching device, operatively connected to the sensor and plurality of coils, to operatively connect a number of the plurality of coils in response to the measured strength of voltages induced by the changing magnetic-resonance imaging electromagnetic field such that a combination of voltages due to a changing magnetic-resonance imaging electromagnetic field provides a combined voltage that is opposite to the voltage which would be induced by the changing magnetic-resonance imaging electromagnetic field in the medical device so as to reduce voltages induced by the changing magnetic-resonance imaging electromagnetic field.
A device for a medical device reduces the effects of magnetic-resonance imaging induced signals. The medical device includes a medical device capable of providing medical treatment to a desired tissue region; three orthogonally planar coil, each coil generating a voltage due to a changing magnetic-resonance imaging electromagnetic field; a sensor to measure a strength of voltages induced by the changing magnetic-resonance imaging electromagnetic field; and a switching device, operatively connected to the sensor and plurality of coils, to operatively connect a number of the plurality of coils in response to the measured strength of voltages induced by changing magnetic-resonance imaging electromagnetic field such that a combination of voltages due to a changing magnetic-resonance imaging electromagnetic field provides a combined voltage that is opposite to the voltage which would be induced by the changing magnetic-resonance imaging electromagnetic field in the medical device so as to reduce voltages induced by the changing magnetic-resonance imaging electromagnetic field.
A device for a medical device reduces the effects of magnetic-resonance imaging induced signals. The medical device includes a medical device capable of providing medical treatment to a desired tissue region; a plurality of coils, each coil generating a voltage due to a changing magnetic-resonance imaging electromagnetic field; a transceiver to receive a signal indicating a number of coils to be connected; and a switching device, operatively connected to the transceiver and the coils, to operatively connect a number of the coils in response to the received signal indicating the number of coils to be connected such that a combination of voltages due to a changing magnetic-resonance imaging electromagnetic field provides a combined voltage that is opposite to the voltage which would be induced by the changing magnetic-resonance imaging electromagnetic field in the medical device so as to reduce voltages induced by the changing magnetic-resonance imaging electromagnetic field.
A device for a medical device reduces the effects of magnetic-resonance imaging induced signals. The medical device includes a medical device capable of providing medical treatment to a desired tissue region; three orthogonally planar coil, each coil generating a voltage due to a changing magnetic-resonance imaging electromagnetic field; a transceiver to receive a signal indicating a number of coils to be connected; and a switching device, operatively connected to the transceiver and the coils, to operatively connect a number of the coils in response to the received signal indicating the number of coils to be connected such that a combination of voltages due to a changing magnetic-resonance imaging electromagnetic field provides a combined voltage that is opposite to the voltage which would be induced by the changing magnetic-resonance imaging electromagnetic field in the medical device so as to reduce voltages induced by the changing magnetic-resonance imaging electromagnetic field.
An electrical lead component for a medical device reduces the effects of magnetic-resonance imaging induced signals. The electrical lead component includes a medical device electrical lead capable of providing an electrical path to a desired tissue region; a voltage source; a sensor to sense voltages induced by the changing magnetic-resonance imaging electromagnetic field; and a switching device, operatively connected to the sensor and voltage source, to operatively connect the voltage source to the medical device electrical lead in response to the sensed voltage induced by the changing magnetic-resonance imaging electromagnetic field such that the voltage source provides a voltage that is opposite to the voltage which would be induced by the changing magnetic-resonance imaging electromagnetic field in the medical device electrical lead so as to reduce voltages induced by the changing magnetic-resonance imaging electromagnetic field.
A device for a medical device reduces the effects of magnetic-resonance imaging induced signals. The medical device includes a medical device capable of providing medical treatment to a desired tissue region; a voltage source; a sensor to sense voltages induced by the changing magnetic-resonance imaging electromagnetic field; and a switching device, operatively connected to the sensor and voltage source, to operatively connect the voltage source to the medical device in response to the sensed voltage induced by the changing magnetic-resonance imaging electromagnetic field such that the voltage source provides a voltage that is opposite to the voltage which would be induced by the changing magnetic-resonance imaging electromagnetic field in the medical device so as to reduce voltages induced by the changing magnetic-resonance imaging electromagnetic field.
A lead for medical applications reduces the effects of magnetic-resonance imaging induced signals. The lead includes two coiled conductive strands forming a spring-like configuration such that current flows over a surface thereof, through contact points between adjacent loops of the coiled conductive strands and an insulating coating formed over a portion of the two coiled conductive strands such that an inline inductive element is formed, the current flowing along a curvature of the two coiled conductive strands in the insulating coated portion of the two coiled conductive strands.
A lead for medical applications reduces the effects of magnetic-resonance imaging induced signals. The lead includes two coiled conductive strands forming a spring-like configuration such that current flows over a surface thereof, through contact points between adjacent loops of the coiled conductive strands and an adjustable resistive material formed over a portion of the two coiled conductive strands such that an inline inductive element is formed, the current flowing along a curvature of the two coiled conductive strands in the adjustable resistive material portion of the two coiled conductive strands.
A lead for medical applications reduces the effects of magnetic-resonance imaging induced signals. The lead includes a coiled conductive strand forming a spring-like configuration such that current flows over a surface thereof, through contact points between adjacent loops of the coiled conductive strand and an insulating coating formed over a portion of the coiled conductive strand such that an inline inductive element is formed, the current flowing along a curvature of the coiled conductive strand in the insulating coated portion of the coiled conductive strand.
A lead for medical applications reduces the effects of magnetic-resonance imaging induced signals. The lead includes a coiled conductive strand forming a spring-like configuration such that current flows over a surface thereof, through contact points between adjacent loops of the coiled conductive strand and an adjustable resistive material formed over a portion of the coiled conductive strand such that an inline inductive element is formed, the current flowing along a curvature of the coiled conductive strand in the adjustable resistive material portion of the coiled conductive strand.
A lead for medical applications reduces the effects of magnetic-resonance imaging induced signals. The lead includes two coiled conductive strands forming a spring-like configuration such that current flows over a surface thereof, through contact points between adjacent loops of the coiled conductive strands; a first insulating coating formed over a first portion of the two coiled conductive strands such that a first inline inductive element having a first inductance is formed, the current flowing along a curvature of the two coiled conductive strands in the first insulating coated portion of two coiled conductive strands; and a second insulating coating formed over a second portion of the two coiled conductive strands such that a second inline inductive element having a second inductance is formed, the current flowing along a curvature of the two coiled conductive strands in the second insulating coated portion of two coiled conductive strands. The first inductance is different from the second inductance.
A lead for medical applications reduces the effects of magnetic-resonance imaging induced signals. The lead includes two coiled conductive strands forming a spring-like configuration such that current flows over a surface thereof, through contact points between adjacent loops of the coiled conductive strands; a first adjustable resistive material formed over a first portion of the two coiled conductive strands such that a first inline inductive element having a first inductance is formed, the current flowing along a curvature of the two coiled conductive strands in the first adjustable resistive material portion of the two coiled conductive strands; and a second adjustable resistive material formed over a second portion of the two coiled conductive strands such that a second inline inductive element having a second inductance is formed, the current flowing along a curvature of the two coiled conductive strands in the second adjustable resistive material portion of the two coiled conductive strands. The first inductance is different from the second inductance.
A lead for medical applications reduces the effects of magnetic-resonance imaging induced signals. The lead includes a coiled conductive strand forming a spring-like configuration such that current flows over a surface thereof, through contact points between adjacent loops of the coiled conductive strand; a first insulating coating formed over a first portion of the coiled conductive strand such that a first inline inductive element having a first inductance is formed, the current flowing along a curvature of the coiled conductive strand in the first insulating coated portion of the coiled conductive strand; and a second insulating coating formed over a second portion of the coiled conductive strand such that a second inline inductive element having a second inductance is formed, the current flowing along a curvature of the coiled conductive strand in the second insulating coated portion of the coiled conductive strand. The first inductance is different from the second inductance.
A lead for medical applications reduces the effects of magnetic-resonance imaging induced signals. The lead includes a coiled conductive strand forming a spring-like configuration such that current flows over a surface thereof, through contact points between adjacent loops of the coiled conductive strand; a first adjustable resistive material formed over a first portion of the coiled conductive strand such that a first inline inductive element having a first inductance is formed, the current flowing along a curvature of the coiled conductive strand in the first adjustable resistive material portion of the coiled conductive strand; and a second adjustable resistive material formed over a second portion of the coiled conductive strand such that a second inline inductive element having a second inductance is formed, the current flowing along a curvature of the coiled conductive strand in the second adjustable resistive material portion of the coiled conductive strand. The first inductance is different from the second inductance.
An electrical lead is capable of providing an electrical path to a desired tissue region, including a coil that generates a voltage due to a changing magnetic-resonance imaging electromagnetic field opposite to that which would be induced by the changing magnetic-resonance imaging electromagnetic field in the electrical lead without the coil so as to reduce voltages induced by the changing magnetic-resonance imaging electromagnetic field.
An electrical lead is capable of providing an electrical path to a desired tissue region, including a plurality of coils, at least one coil generating a voltage due to a changing magnetic-resonance imaging electromagnetic field such that a combination of voltages due to a changing magnetic-resonance imaging electromagnetic field provides a combined voltage that is opposite to the voltage which would be induced by the changing magnetic-resonance imaging electromagnetic field in the electrical lead without the plurality of coils so as to reduce voltages induced by the changing magnetic-resonance imaging electromagnetic field.
An electrical lead is capable of providing an electrical path to a desired tissue region, including planar coils, at least one coil generating a voltage due to a changing magnetic-resonance imaging electromagnetic field such that a combination of voltages due to a changing magnetic-resonance imaging electromagnetic field provides a combined voltage that is opposite to the voltage which would be induced by the changing magnetic-resonance imaging electromagnetic field in the electrical lead without the planar coils so as to reduce voltages induced by the changing magnetic-resonance imaging electromagnetic field.
An electrical lead is capable of providing an electrical path to a desired tissue region, including a plurality of coils, at least one coil generating a voltage due to a changing magnetic-resonance imaging electromagnetic field; a sensor to measure a strength of voltages induced by the changing magnetic-resonance imaging electromagnetic field; and a switching device, operatively connected to the sensor and plurality of coils, to operatively connect a number of the plurality of coils in response to the measured strength of voltages induced by the changing magnetic-resonance imaging electromagnetic field such that a combination of voltages due to a changing magnetic-resonance imaging electromagnetic field provides a combined voltage that is opposite to the voltage which would be induced by the changing magnetic-resonance imaging electromagnetic field in the electrical lead without the coils so as to reduce voltages induced by the changing magnetic-resonance imaging electromagnetic field.
An electrical lead is capable of providing an electrical path to a desired tissue region, including planar coils, at least one coil generating a voltage due to a changing magnetic-resonance imaging electromagnetic field; a sensor to measure a strength of voltages induced by the changing magnetic-resonance imaging electromagnetic field; and a switching device, operatively connected to the sensor and the coils, to operatively connect a number of the coils in response to the measured strength of voltages induced by the changing magnetic-resonance imaging electromagnetic field such that a combination of voltages due to a changing magnetic-resonance imaging electromagnetic field provides a combined voltage that is opposite to the voltage which would be induced by the changing magnetic-resonance imaging electromagnetic field in the electrical lead without the planar coils so as to reduce voltages induced by the changing magnetic-resonance imaging electromagnetic field.
An electrical lead is capable of providing an electrical path to a desired tissue region, including a plurality of coils, at least one coil generating a voltage due to a changing magnetic-resonance imaging electromagnetic field; a transceiver to receive a signal indicating a number of coils to be connected; and a switching device, operatively connected to the transceiver and plurality of coils, to operatively connect a number of the plurality of coils in response to the received signal indicating the number of coils to be connected such that a combination of voltages due to a changing magnetic-resonance imaging electromagnetic field provides a combined voltage that is opposite to the voltage which would be induced by the changing magnetic-resonance imaging electromagnetic field in the electrical lead without the coils so as to reduce voltages induced by the changing magnetic-resonance imaging electromagnetic field.
An electrical lead is capable of providing an electrical path to a desired tissue region, including planar coils, at least one coil generating a voltage due to a changing magnetic-resonance imaging electromagnetic field; a transceiver to receive a signal indicating a number of coils to be connected; and a switching device, operatively connected to the transceiver and the coils, to operatively connect a number of the coils in response to the received signal indicating the number of coils to be connected such that a combination of voltages due to a changing magnetic-resonance imaging electromagnetic field provides a combined voltage that is opposite to the voltage which would be induced by the changing magnetic-resonance imaging electromagnetic field in the medical device electrical lead without the planar coils so as to reduce voltages induced by the changing magnetic-resonance imaging electromagnetic field.
An electrical lead includes an electrical strand to provide an electrical path between a tissue region and a medical device and a RF choke, operatively connected to the electrical strand, to significantly reduce currents induced by a changing MRI electromagnetic field in the electrical strand. The RF choke allows a signal corresponding to a measured characteristic of the tissue region to pass therethrough.
An electrical lead includes an electrical strand to provide an electrical path between a tissue region and a medical device and a RF filter, operatively connected to the electrical strand, to significantly reduce currents induced by a changing MRI electromagnetic field in the electrical strand. The RF filter allows a signal corresponding to a measured characteristic of the tissue region to pass therethrough.
An electrical lead includes an electrical strand to provide an electrical path between a tissue region and a medical device and a notch filter, operatively connected to the electrical strand, to significantly reduce currents induced by a changing MRI electromagnetic field in the electrical strand. The notch filter allows a signal corresponding to a measured characteristic of the tissue region to pass therethrough.
An electrical lead includes an electrical strand to provide an electrical path between a tissue region and a medical device and a bandpass filter, operatively connected to the electrical strand, to significantly reduce currents induced by a changing MRI electromagnetic field in the electrical strand. The bandpass filter allows a signal corresponding to a measured characteristic of the tissue region to pass therethrough.
An electrical lead includes an electrical strand to provide an electrical path between a tissue region and a medical device and an inductor, operatively connected to the electrical strand, to significantly reduce currents induced by a changing MRI electromagnetic field in the electrical strand. The inductor allows a signal corresponding to a measured characteristic of the tissue region to pass therethrough.
An electrical lead includes an electrical strand to provide an electrical path between a tissue region and a medical device and a RF choke, operatively connected to the electrical strand, to significantly reduce currents induced by a changing MRI electromagnetic field in the electrical strand. The RF choke allows a therapeutic signal to pass therethrough.
An electrical lead includes an electrical strand to provide an electrical path between a tissue region and a medical device and a RF filter, operatively connected to the electrical strand, to significantly reduce currents induced by a changing MRI electromagnetic field in the electrical strand. The RF filter allows a therapeutic signal to pass therethrough.
An electrical lead includes an electrical strand to provide an electrical path between a tissue region and a medical device and a notch filter, operatively connected to the electrical strand, to significantly reduce currents induced by a changing MRI electromagnetic field in the electrical strand. The notch filter allows a therapeutic signal to pass therethrough.
An electrical lead includes an electrical strand to provide an electrical path between a tissue region and a medical device and a bandpass filter, operatively connected to the electrical strand, to significantly reduce currents induced by a changing MRI electromagnetic field in the electrical strand. The bandpass filter allows a therapeutic signal to pass therethrough.
An electrical lead includes an electrical strand to provide an electrical path between a tissue region and a medical device and an inductor, operatively connected to the electrical strand, to significantly reduce currents induced by a changing MRI electromagnetic field in the electrical strand. The inductor allows a therapeutic signal to pass therethrough.
An electrical lead includes an electrical strand to provide an electrical path between a tissue region and a medical device and a tank circuit, operatively connected to the electrical strand, to significantly reduce currents induced by a changing MRI electromagnetic field in the electrical strand. The tank circuit allows a signal corresponding to a measured characteristic of the tissue region to pass therethrough.
An electrical lead includes an electrical strand to provide an electrical path between a tissue region and a medical device and a tank circuit, operatively connected to the electrical strand, to significantly reduce currents induced by a changing MRI electromagnetic field in the electrical strand. The tank circuit allows a therapeutic signal to pass therethrough.

Magnetic resonance imaging interference immune device


The present invention provides an internal thread member and an external thread member that can achieve stable finishing accuracy, can assure a desirable thread overlap, and have sufficient breaking strength and pullout strength. This invention also provides a cutter which can machine internal threads with stable finishing accuracy and can assure improved durability.

The present invention relates to an internal thread member, an external thread member, and a cutter for machining an internal thread.
As basic screw shapes, the JIS standards have included descriptions of, for example, miniature thread screws, pipe screw threads, metric screw threads, unified screw threads, and cycle threads. Specifically, please refer to JIS B 0201 "Miniature Screw Threads," JIS B 0202 "Parallel Pipe Threads," JIS B 0205 "Metric Coarse Screw Threads," JIS B 0206 "Unified Coarse Screw Threads," JIS B 0216 "Metric Trapezoidal Screw Threads," and JIS B 0225 "Cycle Threads."
Since threads are cut in an external thread along its outside surface, it is easy to machine the external thread. According to the JIS standards, for performance reasons, a rounded root of the external thread is designed to have a large radius, and its height of thread engagement on the external thread side with reference to its pitch diameter that constitutes a part of its thread overlap is smaller than its height of thread engagement on the internal thread side that constitutes the remaining part of the thread overlap.
Concerning metric screw threads and unified screw threads, no specific requirements are established with regard to the rounded roots of their internal threads. However, the height from the top of a fundamental triangle to the top of an external thread root is H/8 (H=(√3/2) P; where P represents the pitch of the thread). Accordingly, when the pitch is 1 mm, the radius of a rounded root is approximately 0.072 mm, which means that the rounded root is very small. However, cycle threads with rounded roots have the largest radius among various types of screws. In the case of the cycle thread, the radius of the rounded root of an internal thread is one-sixth (⅙) of the pitch. The size of the cycle thread is normally expressed in inches. However, assuming that its pitch is 1 mm, the radius of its rounded root would be approximately 0.16667 mm. Therefore, the thread overlap of the cycle thread would be small.
Cutters such as screw taps, end mill taps (or planet taps), and cutting tools are used to grind and machine internal threads. When machining an internal thread that has a rounded root of a small radius, the tip (or crest) of the cutting edge of the cutter tends to wear out quickly and to easily become chipped or to suffer damage. This tendency is particularly strong when the material for the internal thread is hard. Accordingly, there is a possibility that it may become difficult to secure stable finishing accuracy and the life of the cutter may be shortened.
Moreover, as described above, if the rounded root of the internal thread is designed to have a large radius, its thread overlap becomes small, thereby making it difficult to secure sufficient breaking strength and pullout strength.

Threaded assembly comprising internal thread member, and external thread member


A computer programming system for multilingual scripting and executing an application program includes a processor, an object oriented programming language system, and a memory. The object oriented programming language system includes a multilingual scripting program for composing code written in a text file according to an object oriented programming grammar. The multilingual scripting program includes a small number of basic keywords defining one or more task actions, one or more anti-task actions terminating the actions of the corresponding one or more tasks, one or more objects and one or more object properties. The programming language system also includes a parser program for converting the code written in the text file into one or more executable task actions, one or more executable anti-task actions and one or more properties of one or more objects, and an execution engine for executing the one or more task actions and the one or more anti-task actions upon the one or more properties of one or more objects.

A typical programming system includes hardware and software components. Hardware components are computing devices and include personal computers (PC), mainframe computers, and computing circuits, among others. The basic architecture of a computing device includes a central processing unit (CPU) which actually executes instructions and a memory unit which stores instructions and data. Instructions and data are transmitted from the memory unit to the CPU and the results of the CPU operations are sent back to the memory unit. Software components are applications programs, which contain the set of instructions that are executed by the CPU unit. The applications programs include, system programming software, word processing software, spreadsheet evaluation software, drawing software, mathematical and other scientific software, among others. The majority of computer users regard a programming system as a computing tool to perform simple or complicated tasks. Typically a user defines a problem statement and/or an objective and sets out to solve the problem and accomplish his objective by carrying out one or more tasks with the computing tool. Each interaction of the user with the computing tool defines a Task Action and is an active step towards solving the stated problem and accomplishing the objective. The objects of the Task Action are called Task Action Objects. After each interaction the user decides on the next interaction based on the result of the previous interaction and the next desirable interaction to accomplish the set objective. This process of solving a defined problem is captured in the set of instructions that are contained in the application program. A computer programmer scripts the set of instructions in a source file using the grammar rules of a programming language. In the example of FIG. 1 a programmer scripts the source file using the grammar and syntax of the JAVA™ programming language 82. The JAVA™ scripted file passes through a JAVA™ compiler 84 where it gets analyzed and parsed. The parsed file is used to generate a JAVA™ bytecode, i.e., a code that is readable by a JAVA™ virtual machine. The JAVA™ bytecode is executed by the JAVA™ virtual machine 86. JAVA™ is an object-oriented programming language. In an object-oriented programming language computation on a data object is specified by calling subprograms associated with the data object. Object-oriented application programs typically model a problem domain using an "object model" that defines classes of objects representing elements of the problem domain. A class definition defines the class in terms of the relationship of the class to other classes, the data associated with objects in the class, the operations that can be performed on objects in the class. During execution of an object-oriented application program, instances of the classes in the object model, referred to as "objects," are produced and manipulated. Object-oriented programming languages are well known in the art and are described in "Programming languages" Chapter 11, p 435-483, edited by Robert W. Sebesta.
The development of an application program is a complicated process. This complication is a result of the large variety and complexity of the programming languages, data types, hardware types, operating system types, and program auditing techniques, among others. Software programmers are usually highly trained software engineers with many years of practical experience. Programming overall is an expensive operation. Attempts have been made to make programming languages more interpretive, so that they can be easily learned and used by programmers with no background or interest in professional software engineering or software development. However, these interpretive languages have very limited performance and have not gained acceptance in the industry. Characteristics of a "good" programming language include readability, writability and reliability. Readability is the ease with which a program can be read and understood. Writability is a measure of how easily a language can be used to create programs in a chosen domain, and a program is said to be reliable if it performs to its specifications under all conditions. Readability and writability depend upon the overall simplicity and orthogonality of the language. Simplicity requires a small number of basic components and orthogonality means that a relatively small number of primitive constructs can be combined in a relatively small number of ways to build control and data structures of the language. Adequate facilities for defining data types and structures are another aid to readability and writability. Furthermore, the syntax, or form of the basic elements of the language needs to be easily recognizable and unambiguous. Writability also depends upon abstraction and expressivity of the language. Abstraction means the ability to define and then use new and complicated structures and operations in ways that allow many details to be ignored. Expressivity refers to having powerful operators that allow a great deal of computation to be accomplished with a very small program. Reliability depends primarily upon error checking during the compiling and execution of the program and the ability to handle exceptions, i.e. the ability of a program to intercept run-time errors and to take corrective actions.
The worldwide proliferation of software tools and software applications, and the increased worldwide awareness of the versatility and problem-solving capabilities of those software tools and software applications, have led to an emerging need to be able to write software programs using words and instructions that are not limited to one spoken language. A related problem that has emerged with the worldwide marketing expansion of software programming is the need to translate software programs from their original language into the spoken language of the specific user or location where the program is used. Many software programs are developed using a programming language comprising words and instructions based in one spoken language, usually English. Although some of these programs may be written to produce messages and information in any language of choice, the logic and algorithms in those programs is usually only expressed in one language, for the most part, in English. Translating the logic and algorithms into other spoken languages for worldwide distribution is a time consuming and expensive endeavor that requires a lot of labor. In addition to the added cost, mistakes often occur during the translation of the software. These translation mistakes could result in misunderstanding of the original logic and algorithms and the translated program could perform differently than originally intended.
Accordingly, there is a need for an intuitive programming language that is suitable for multilingual programming and can be used by any programmer who can read and write in at least one spoken language. The programming language needs to be simple, but flexible enough to be used to script complicated programs, orthogonal, reliable, able to handle exceptions, easily expandable in terms of new constructs and new languages, and able to support multilingual programming without the need to recompile the original program.

Requirement-centric extensible multilingual instruction language with anti-task actions for computer programming


A method for manufacturing a film-coated article by the following steps. A pre-molded film having a backing surface and a decorative surface is formed in the shape of the molded article. The film includes an opening that allows the molted plastic to pass through the film. The film is placed within a mold press having a mold with a cavity surface and a movable core. The mold includes an resin inlet with an inlet surface. The film is placed on the mold with the decorative surface juxtaposed the mold. The opening on the film overlies the resin inlet. The mold is closed and the film held securely in place against the inlet surface. A molten plastic material is injected through the resin inlet. The plastic material passes through the film and fuses to the backing surface. After the article has cooled, the press is opened. The molded article is retained on the core and removed from the press.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method for molding a film-covered article. More specifically, the invention relates to a method and apparatus that enables a stationary resin inlet to inject a plastic material behind a pre-molded flexible film.
2. Description of the Related Arts
It is known to manufacture molded articles by a method called in-mold film laminates. The method is described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,668,034 ('034). The '034 patent teaches placing a decorative laminate within a mold and then injection molding a polymeric material behind the laminate. The resin inlet is juxtaposed the laminate backing. The polymeric material heats, softens and finally fuses to the backing on the laminate.
There are several problems arising from injecting molten plastic from the cavity surface opposite the film decorative surface. Is it generally desirable to use a stationary cavity and a movable core. The part is retained on the core after molding and is easily removed when the press is opened. The resin inlet is preferably placed in the cavity. The resin inlet is almost always stationary because it is connected to an auger feeding molten plastic material. It is desirable to place the resin inlet in the cavity because the cavity has many fewer moving parts than the core and it is easier to remove the part from the core than from the cavity.
It is also possible to use edge gating to supply molten plastic behind the film. In edge gating, plastic is injected around the edge of the film either through the cavity or the core. Edge gating only allows the gate to be placed a short distance from the edge of the part. The central area of large parts is not reached by edge gating. Additionally, edge gating leave a substantial core plug that must be trimmed and removed from the runners by pins or other means. Extended lengths of edge gating are difficult to maintain and often require heated runners and gate valves.
Heretofore, in-mold film laminates have been manufactured using movable cavities and stationary cores as illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 5,514,427 ('427). The '427 patent teaches a press having a stationary core. The resin inlet is placed within the core and injects molten plastic material behind the film. The '427 patent does not teach how the finished molded article is removed from the press. U.S. Pat. No. 5,599,608 similarly teaches a movable core having a resin inlet injecting plastic behind the film.
It is desirable to provide a method and apparatus for injecting molten plastic through the cavity. It is further desirable to provide a mold press for in-mold film laminates that retains the finished molded article on a moveable core. Finally, it is desirable to provide method for sealing the film and resin inlet so that molten plastic does not flow to the decorative surface of the film.
These deficiencies and problems are overcome by the present invention.

Method for molding a film-covered article


Images are projected onto two adjacent screens whereby one screen is movable with respect to the second screen. A projection system disposed generally in front of the two screens is capable of displaying images on each screen independently when the two screen are in an “open” position or on both screens together when the two screens are configured in a “closed” position. In a first “open” configuration, the images viewable on one screen are not viewable to the viewers of images on an adjacent screen and, in a second “closed” configuration, images are displayed on both screens together so as to be viewable by all members of the audience. In addition, a berm is configured between the viewing area of one screen and the viewing area of the other screen to create an audio and visual barrier between the two screens.

Today, most film-projectors incorporated in movie theatre auditoriums utilize lamps that output approximately 15,000 lumens of light. Lamps that output in excess of approximately 15,000 lumens of light cause 'celluloid' film to disintegrate and melt because of the heat buildup associated with illuminating film. Because of the relatively low level of light output from old-fashioned film projectors; there is a natural limit to the size of the screen onto which filmed content may be projected without becoming so dim as to become undecipherable.
Newer generation digital projectors are now available that are capable of generating approximate 25,000 lumens of light. Three of these projectors can be stacked on top of one-another or can be placed side-by-side (all projecting precisely the exact digital image) to attain up to approximately 75,000 lumens of light. These projectors are very well suited for the exhibition of blockbuster movies, television and CATV content, and immersive advertising either 'live' or from pre-recorded mediums onto large screens. However, because of the economic constraints of constructing large, column-free, free-span, air-conditioned envelopes around such large screens, there are no indoor auditoria in the United States capable of accommodating such screens. It is possible, however, to project images on such a large screen without sustaining the economic burden of constructing large, column-free, free-span, air-conditioned envelopes by projecting the images in an outdoor, open-air theater.

Method and system for projecting audio and video in an outdoor theater