A dermatological treatment device includes a device body; a laser diode bar configured to generate laser radiation for delivery to a target area of tissue, the laser diode bar having a fill factor of at least 50%; a power source; and control electronics configured to provide power from the power source to the laser diode bar such that the laser diode bar generates a laser beam; wherein the device is configured for delivering the generated laser beam to the target area of tissue to provide a dermatological treatment.

Laser-based treatment of tissue is used for a variety of applications, such as hair removal, skin rejuvenation, wrinkle treatment, acne treatment, treatment of vascular lesions (e.g., spider veins, diffuse redness, etc.), treatment of cellulite, treatment of pigmented legions (e.g., age spots, sun spots, moles, etc.), tattoo removal, and various other treatments. Such treatments generally include delivering laser radiation to an area of tissue on a person's body, e.g., the skin or internal tissue, to treat the tissue in a photochemical, photobiological, thermal, or, other manner, which can be ablative or non-ablative, among other properties, depending on the particular application.
Laser-based treatment devices may include any suitable type of laser, e.g., laser diode, fiber laser, VCSEL (Vertical Cavity Surface Emitting Laser), LED, etc. A device may include a single laser or multiple lasers, e.g., a laser diode bar including multiple distinct emitters arranged in a row, or multiple fiber lasers arranged in a row or array.
Diode lasers are particularly suitable for certain treatments and devices for providing such treatments. For example, diode lasers are compact, as they are typically built on one chip that contains all necessary components. Further, diode lasers typically provide an efficiency of up to 50%, which enables them to be driven by low electrical power compared to certain other lasers. Further, diode lasers allow direct excitation with small electric currents, such that conventional transistor based circuits can be used to power the laser.
Other characteristics of diode lasers include high temperature sensitivity/tunability, and a highly divergent beam compared to certain other lasers. Diode lasers typically emit a beam having an axis-asymmetric profile in a plane transverse to the optical axis of the laser. In particular, the emitted beam diverges significantly faster in a first axis (referred to as the "fast axis") than in an orthogonal second axis (referred to as the "slow axis"). In contrast, other types of lasers, e.g., fiber lasers, typically emit a beam having an axis-symmetric profile in the transverse plane.
Laser-baser treatment devices include larger-scale devices typically operated by a physician or other professional in a clinic or other office, as well as hand-held devices for home-use, allowing users to provide treatment to themselves. Some hand-held laser-baser treatment devices are battery powered, e.g., using a Li ion battery cell (or multiple cells). Such battery-powered devices may be recharged between use, e.g., by plugging into an A/C wall outlet, either directly or by docking in a docking unit plugged into the wall.
Some laser-baser treatment devices apply laser radiation directly from the laser source to the target tissue to create a pattern of radiated areas (e.g., spots, lines, or other shapes) in the tissue. Others include optics between the laser source and the target tissue. Such optics may include optical elements such as lenses, mirrors, and other reflective and/or transmissive elements, for controlling optical parameters of the beam, such as the direction, shape (e.g., convergent, divergent, collimated), spot size, angular distribution, temporal and spatial coherence, and/or intensity profile of the beam. Some devices include systems for scanning a laser beam in order to create a pattern of radiated areas (e.g., spots, lines, or other shapes) in the tissue. For some applications, the scanned pattern of radiated areas overlap each other, or substantially abut each other, or are continuous, in order to provide generally complete coverage of a target area of tissue. For other applications, e.g., certain wrinkle treatments and other skin rejuvenation treatments, the scanned radiated areas may be spaced apart from each other such that only a fraction of the overall target area of the tissue is radiated. In this case, there are generally regions of untreated tissue between regions of treated tissue. This latter type of treatment is known as "fractional" treatment (or more specifically, fractional photothermolysis) because only a fraction of the target area is irradiated.
Laser-baser treatment devices may deliver radiation as continuous wave (CW) radiation, manually pulsed radiation, automatically pulsed radiation, or in any other manner, and according to any suitable parameters, e.g., wavelength, current, power level, etc. For example, a wavelength of about 650 nm to about 1100 nm (e.g., about 810 in some applications) may be used for hair removal treatment. As another example, wavelengths absorbed by water in the skin, e.g., between 1400 nm and 2000 nm, may be used for certain treatments. For certain "fractional" skin treatments, a wavelength of about 1450-1550 nm±50 nm may be used, with a total energy of about 2 mJ-30 mJ delivered to the target tissue at each treatment zone, or "microthermal zone" (MTZ).

Dermatological treatment device with one or more laser diode bar


The radar apparatus includes an antenna device including a transmitting antenna and a receiving antenna, and a main body which generates an FMCW-modulated radar wave, transmits the radar wave from the transmitting antenna at a transmit timing, and receives the radar wave reflected from an obstacle by the receiving antenna at a receive timing, the transmit timing and the receive timing temporally overlap each other at least partially. The radar apparatus further includes a cover member covering the main body and the antenna device on a side of a transmission direction of the radar wave and located out of contact with the main body and the antenna device, the cover member having a transmission portion allowing the radar wave to pass therethrough, a surface of the transmission portion facing the antenna device being out of perpendicular alignment with the transmission direction.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a radar apparatus, and a holding structure of the radar apparatus.
2. Description of Related Art
As described, for example, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2003-240838, it is known to mount a radar apparatus on the inner surface of a bumper of a vehicle so as to be covered by the bumper as a cover member.
However, when a radar apparatus is mounted on the inner surface of a bumper, there is possibility that the radar apparatus is damaged by the bumper when the bumper vibrates even slightly, or when the bumper is hit by a stone or the like.
It may occur that the radar apparatus is mounted not on the inner surface of the bumper, but fixed to a certain member located inside a vehicle body so that there is some distance between the radar apparatus and the bumper. However, in this case, the radar apparatus undergoes significantly large effect of the radar wave reflected from the bumper. That is, in this case, since the input level of the radar wave reflected from the bumper becomes very large with respect to a sensitivity of a receiver of the radar apparatus, and accordingly the level of the received radar wave becomes saturated in a receiver circuit of the receiver, it becomes very difficult for the radar apparatus to accurately detect an obstacle (a detection target), if the radar apparatus is configured to receive the reflected radar wave while transmitting the radar wave.
This is further explained below with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9. FIG. 8 is a diagram explaining an obstacle detecting process performed by the radar apparatus in a normal state, and FIG. 9 is a diagram explaining an obstacle detecting process performed by the radar apparatus when the level of the received radar wave saturates in the receiver circuit.
A receiving antenna of the radar apparatus receives a mixture of the radar wave reflected from the obstacle, and the radar wave reflected from the bumper. This received mixture is converted into digital values by an A/D converter (see (a) and (b) of FIG. 8). By detecting through FFT analysis a peak of the digital values, which corresponds to the obstacle, the obstacle can be detected normally (see (c) of FIG. 8).
That is, in the normal state in which the level of the received reflected radar wave does not exceed the sensitivity range of the receiver circuit, the obstacle can be detected normally. On the other hand, if the level of the received wave saturates in the receiver circuit, that is, if the level of the received reflected radar wave exceeds the sensitivity range of the receiver circuit, portions of the received reflected radar wave outside the sensitivity range are cut off. In this case, a noise level (a noise floor) relative to the input level of the radar wave reflected from the obstacle may rise to such an extent that the radar wave reflected from the obstacle is buried in the noise even after performing FFT, as a result of which it becomes difficult to detect the obstacle (see (b) of FIG. 9).

Radar apparatus and mounting structure for radar apparatus


An evaporator includes a first heat exchanger and a second heat exchanger. The first heat exchanger includes a first path in which coolant flows downwardly, a second path in which the coolant from the first path flows upwardly, and a third path in which the coolant from the second path flows downwardly. The second heat exchanger includes at least two paths including a first path in which the coolant from the first heat exchanger flows upwardly. The number of tubes in the first path of the first heat exchanger is smaller than that in any one of the other paths of the exchangers. The number of tubes in the second path of the first heat exchanger is equal to or greater than that in the third path of the first heat exchanger. The number of tubes in the first path of the second heat exchanger is smaller than that in the third path of the first heat exchanger.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an evaporator having two heat exchangers arranged face-to-face in an air flow direction.
2. Description of Related Art
Examples of an evaporator having two heat exchangers arranged on the windward and leeward sides of an air flow, respectively, are disclosed in, for example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publications No. Hei-6-74679, No. Hei-10-238896, and No. 2000-105091. Each of the heat exchanges in either example has an upper tank, a lower tank, and tubes that connect the upper and lower tanks to each other and communicate therewith. Each heat exchanger is sectioned into paths each involving a group of the tubes. In the evaporator, the two heat exchangers complementary cool air to reduce unevenness in a temperature distribution to a grater extent than an evaporator having a single heat exchanger.


A secondary or redundant battery supply which nests in-line in a tubular or oval housing. The present invention also provides for a flashlight or flashlight laser illuminator with a secondary or redundant battery supply.

1. Field of the Invention
This present invention relates to a novel redundant and secondary power supply for use with both submersible and non-submersible handheld illumination devices such as flashlights, laser pointing devices or the combination of both such as those disclosed in applicants' related application Ser. No. 08/918,514, and more particularly to a novel redundant or secondary power supply for use within a ovoid or round cylindrical flashlight-type body for supplying back-up current to a primary illumination source, or for supplying current to a secondary illumination source.
2. Background
The benefits of a combination flashlight for illumination, and laser pointer for precise communication are set forth in applicant's related application Ser. No. 08/918,514. Moreover, those acquainted with underwater or emergency situations will recognize the associated benefits of having selectable secondary or redundant power sources should the first source fail.
Uses of the redundant or secondary power supply nested inside a tubular flashlight housing include supplying power to a second illumination source such as a laser, LED, or a second filament in a dual filament light bulb.
Those familiar with handheld flashlights will recognize the utility of having a switchable secondary or back-up power supply available should the primary system fail. This simple removable in-line module, which fits neatly into a flashlight body and, acts as both a conductive link for the primary power supply and a independent secondary power supply provides a new measure of reliability for those using handheld illumination devices.

Secondary power supply for use with handheld illumination devices


A method and apparatus for preparing a specimen adapted for electron microscopy comprises an evacuated specimen-processing chamber. A specimen having a surface to be processed is placed inside the processing chamber A beam-blocking member is placed close to the processed surface so as to block a part of an etching beam A first etching step is performed by directing the beam at the specimen via the blocking member. Then, the specimen and the blocking member are moved relative to each other. Finally, a second etching step is performed by directing the beam at the specimen via the blocking member. As a result, the specimen becomes a thin film and it can be observed with the electron microscope.

A transmission electron microscope (TEM) is an instrument for obtaining a TEM image of a specimen by directing an electron beam at the specimen and magnifying and projecting an electron image transmitted through the specimen, for example, onto a fluorescent screen. The thickness of the specimen observed with this transmission electron microscope is required to be less than 200 nm so that the electron beam can penetrate through the specimen. This specimen has been prepared by the prior art procedure described below.
It is assumed that an integrated circuit has been fabricated on a silicon wafer W. For example, when a cross section of this wafer taken in the direction (indicated by t) of the thickness is observed with a transmission electron microscope, the wafer is processed by the following sequence of steps:
(1) As shown in FIG. 25, a plurality of specimens S1 are cut out from the wafer W. PA1 (2) As shown in FIGS. 26, (A) and (B), the extracted specimens S1 are stacked on top of each other in the direction of thickness indicated by t and glued together. PA1 (3) As shown in FIGS. 26, (C) and (D), the glued specimens are cut into a cylinder having a diameter of about 3 mm. PA1 (4) As shown in FIG. 26(E), the cylindrical specimen is sectioned into disks, each about 0.2 mm thick. PA1 (5) Each specimen disk approximately 0.2 mm thick is thinned to a thickness of about 70 .mu.m by a polishing machine. FIG. 26(F) shows a specimen polished to a thickness of approximately 70 .mu.m. PA1 (6) As shown in FIGS. 27, (A) and (B), the specimen with a dimpled center is polished while rotated. As a result, the thickness of the specimen taken in the center is about 10 .mu.m. PA1 (7) As shown in FIG. 27(C), an ion beam is made to impinge on the specimen at a shallow angle to polish the specimen surface with ions. Thus, the thickness of the specimen in the center is less than 200 nm. During observation of the specimen, an electron beam is directed at the center of the specimen thinned in this way.
The prior art specimen preparation work as described above needs sophisticated art. It takes a long time even for a skilled person to prepare the specimen by this technique. Furthermore, it is difficult to accurately bring a desired portion of the wafer W into the center of the specimen S and to thin it.

Method and apparatus for preparing specimen


A polysilicon resistor is added between a source (ground or power) of an EMI core circuitry and a source of the EMI peripheral circuitry. In this way, the electromagnetic interference of an integrated circuit is reduced. The added polysilicon resistor reduces the di/dt of the current passing between the power and the ground of the EMI core circuitry so that the EMI is reduced.

The present invention relates to methods and structures for reducing electromagnetic interference (EMI) on integrated circuits. Some integrated circuits inadvertently transmit electromagnetic energy that can interfere with electronic devices. For this reason, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has regulations concerning the acceptable levels of transmitted energy for electronic devices.
Electromagnetic interference is especially a problem for small-channel size integrated circuits. By reducing the channel size, the total size and thus the cost of the integrated circuit is reduced. However, small-channel integrated circuits operate faster.
It is desired to reduce electromagnetic interference in order to meet the FCC requirements and device specifications. One way to reduce electromagnetic interference is to use metal shielding about the integrated circuit. Metal shielding prevents electromagnetic energy from radiating away. Unfortunately, metal shielding is prohibitively expensive for some applications.
It is desired to have an improved and more economical method of reducing the electromagnetic interference caused by an integrated circuit.

Layout solution for electromagnetic interference reduction


A microcellular carbon foam characterized by a density in the range of about 30 to 1000 mg/cm.sup.3, substantially uniform distribution of cell sizes of diameters less than 100 .mu.m with a majority of the cells being of a diameter of less than about 10 .mu.m, well interconnected strut morphology providing open porosity, and an expanded d(002) X-ray turbostatic spacing greater than 3.50 angstroms. The precursor for the carbon foam is prepared by the phase inversion of polyacrylonitrile in a solution consisting essentially of at least one alkali metal halide and a phase inversion solvent for the polyacrylonitrile.

The present invention relates generally to microcellular carbon foam precursors based on foamed gels of polyacrylonitrile (PAN), and more particularly to microcellular carbon foam prepared from such precursors and characterized by a well-interconnected strut morphology, an expanded d(002) X-ray turbostatic spacing, and a uniform distribution of cell sizes with the majority of cells having diameters less than about 10 micrometers (.mu.m).
Microcellular carbon foams having open porosity with cell sizes less than about 100 .mu.m have been successfully used as catalyst supports, absorbents, filters, electrodes and the like. Microcellular carbon foams have been produced from precursors prepared by various manufacturing processes including sol-gel, replication and phase inversion processes. These processes are generally described in the publication "Low-Density Microcellular Materials", R. W. Hopper et al, Report No. UCRL-JC-104935, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory Preprint, December 1990. The phase inversion process as described in this publication and in U.S. Pat. No. 4,832,881, issued May 23, 1989, involves dissolving polyacrylonitrile and other carbonizable polymers in a suitable solvent such as maleic anhydride, methyl sulfone blends with water or cyclophexanol or norcamphor, dimethyl sulfoxide with ethylene glycol, ethylene carbonate, and dimethylformamide with water, at an elevated temperature and cooling the resulting solutions at a controlled rate to allow the selected polymer to undergo phase inversion and form a porous gel. The solvent is removed from the gel by vacuum sublimation or extraction with supercritical carbon dioxide. The porous gel is then air cured at an elevated temperature and carbonized to form a microcellular carbon foam product.
While previous phase inversion processes for preparing carbon foam precursors such as generally described above have been found to be successful, there are still some shortcomings which detract from the known phase inversion processes. For example, when using solid solvents such as maleic anhydride only relatively small and thin castings (less than about 1 cm in thickness) of the carbon foam precursors can be produced without the carbon foam being highly stressed and subject to cracking due to the brittle nature of maleic anhydride. Also, when a solid solvent such as maleic anhydride freezes, the resulting stress of the gel during the formation thereof imparts a ring defect know as a Liesegang ring structure into the gel. Further, the production of microcellular carbon foam in a relatively low density range of about 30 to 100 mg/cm.sup.3 by the phase inversion of polyacrylonitrile dissolved in solvents such as gamma-butyrolactone, dimethyl sulfoxide, ethylene carbonate and maleic anhydride has not proven to be adequately satisfactory. It was found that this problem in the production of low density carbon foams was due to the fact that while these solvents are capable of dissolving polyacrylonitrile at elevated temperatures they either fail to adequately release the dissolved polymer at lower temperatures or release the polymer as a poorly interconnected ball precipitate which results in a highly friable carbon foam.
It was also found that the preparation of microcellular carbon foams in a density range of about 30 to 1000 mg/cm.sup.3 while providing such carbon foams with well interconnected strut morphology has not been satisfactorily achieved in a reproducible manner by the practice of previously known phase inversion processes, particularly since the carbon foams could be produced in only relatively small sizes or often exhibited poorly interconnected strut morphology which detracted from the use of such carbon foams in many applications such as filters for corrosives liquids. Additionally, it was expected that microcellular carbon foam with a well interconnected strut morphology as previously available would be useful in the fabrication of super capacitors or in lithium battery applications such as providing an intercalation anode structure for secondary lithium batteries or a cathode for primary lithium batteries. However, even the microcellular carbon foams with well-defined strut morphologies as previously provided have not been proven to be adequate for such super capacitor and battery applications since the expanded d(002) X-ray turbostatic spacing of existing microcellular carbon foams often is less than 3.50 angstroms (.ANG.) which is insufficient to provide for repeated intercalation of Li.sup.+ ions without spalling of the carbon gallery. Moreover, any graphitic character of the carbon reduces the d(002) spacing toward that of graphite (3.37 .ANG.) and further aggravates spalling during intercalation.


A circuit for controlling a switch in a power converter in which peak current is regulated to achieve a specified average current through a load. Control logic is operable to monitor a voltage across a sensing resistor such that when the voltage across the sensing resistor reaches or exceeds a threshold value, the control logic generates a signal that causes a switch to be turned OFF.

Switched power converters, such as Buck converters, can convert an input power to an output power so as to drive a load with specified voltage or current values. There are various topologies to control the converter output. In some applications, such as light emitting diode (LED) lighting applications, it may be desirable to control the average output current flowing through the LED load.
Some converters include a control loop to regulate the average output current. The control loop may include sensing circuitry to sense the average output current, an error amplifier to amplify the signal from sensing circuitry, and control logic to adjust the pulse width modulation (PWM) pulse duty cycle of the power switch. To ensure that the loop is stable, a compensation network typically is needed. Furthermore, because the loop has limited bandwidth (e.g., in the kHz range), there sometimes is a delay in the output response when there is a sudden change of input power. These factors can limit the transient response of the power converter.

Average current control for a switched power converter


A grommet used in an automobile reduces noise leakage from the engine compartment to the passenger compartment. It is made of rubber or an elastomer, and it includes a small tube portion, through which a wiring harness is passed, a frustoconical tube portion flaring from an edge of the small tube portion and a flared portion, on the outer surface of which is formed a recess for fitting into a body panel. An internal tube portion through which the wiring harness is passed extends axially from the small tube portion in the frustoconical tube portion, and a closing portion is connected to the flared portion and to the edge of the internal tube portion distal to the edge of the small tube portion.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a noise-prevention grommet used in an automobile. More particularly, the invention relates to a grommet fixed to a wiring harness and an automobile body panel which partitions an engine compartment and a passenger compartment. The grommet is positioned at the intersection of the harness and the body panel, such that it prevents water and dust penetration from the engine compartment to the passenger compartment. Moreover, it improves noise insulation.
2. Discussion of Background Information
As shown in FIG. 1, when a harness is wired through the body panel 4 which partitions the engine compartment X and the passenger compartment Y, a known grommet 3 is fixed on the body panel and shields the passenger compartment Y from water and dust.
As shown in FIG. 2, the known grommet 3, made of a rubber or an elastomer, is an integral piece having two portions. One is a small tube portion 1 to be fixed on the circular surface of the wiring harness. The other is a frustoconical tube portion 2 flaring therefrom.
Electrical cables W are first bundled, then a tape T1 is helically wound thereon to create the wiring harness. The harness is passed through the grommet 3 and is fixed by firmly winding a tape T2 around the small tube portion 1 from the outside. The frustoconical tube portion 2 is provided with a fitting recess 2a on the outer circular surface of its flared end portion, while the body panel 4 is provided with a through-hole 4a. When mounting grommet 3 and a wiring harness W/H to an automobile, the grommet 3 is passed through the hole 4a, such that the rim of hole 4a is fitted in recess 2a.
The installation of grommet 3 and harness W/H into hole 4a of body panel 4 can be done either from the passenger compartment or the engine compartment. In either case, it is necessary to deform the frustoconical tube portion 2 when passing grommet 3 through hole 4a. The frustoconical tube portion 2 thus has a thinly constructed flaring portion 2b.
Noise generated in the engine compartment X (shown by arrows in FIG. 2) is transmitted through a thinner portion of the frustoconical tube portion 2 towards the inside of the grommet 3. The transmitted noise (shown by dotted arrows) passes therefrom through a space S formed between the external surface of the harness and the internal surface of the grommet, then into the passenger compartment Y.
The problem of noise-shielding has not been taken into account in the known grommet, so that the passenger compartment is rendered somewhat less comfortable because of this noise diffusing through the path hole of the harness.
To reduce the noise in the passenger compartment, it is proposed to fill the space S beforehand with a rigid material 6, as shown in FIG. 3. However, this rigid material makes it difficult to pass the wiring harness through the grommet. Another possible method is to fill space S with a sealing agent. However, this method adds another working step, i.e., the step of filling with a sealing agent.
Moreover, according to the above methods, the rigid material 6 or the solidified sealing agents prevent the grommet from deflecting, so that positioning the body panel becomes difficult. In addition, the wiring harness W/H becomes less flexible in the region where it passes through the grommet, so that positioning the wiring harness in the car body becomes more difficult. Accordingly, in the past, attempts to reduce the transmitted noise led to decreased workability.

Noise-prevention grommet and process for manufacturing the same


A method and an apparatus for the treatment of either endo-cavital infections or abnormal surface tissue conditions, particularly destructive bacterial infections, post major invasive surgery abscesses and skin infections such as vitiligo and psoriasis. If required, a catheter system is used, which allows the simultaneous drainage of an infected locus and irradiation of the infected locus with laser-generated pulsed ultraviolet light. The laser light wavelength is chosen so as to require radiation, which is lethal to the microorganisms causing the infection, at the lowest possible dose which will provide ameliorative therapty. Alternatively, a diode-pumped solid state Raman laser device is used which can be configured to provide in sequence a selected number of output wavelengths in the ultraviolet spectral range.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a method and apparatus for the treatment of infections, particularly abscesses such as cavernous tuberculosis, post-surgical intra-abdominal tissue conditions such as ulcers, vitiligo and psoriasis. More specifically, this invention relates to a system which allows the simultaneous drainage of an infected space and irradiation of an infected locus with laser-generated ultraviolet light. Additionally, this invention relates to a system which allows the simultaneous drainage of an endo-cavital space and irradiation of an infected locus with laser generated ultraviolet light.
2. Related Art
The use of ultraviolet light is a known and proven technique in procedures for sterilising liquids and for rendering drinking water safe for public consumption. For these purposes, short wavelength, spectrally non-selective ultraviolet light is used having a wavelength of from about 200 nm to about 350 nm. Within the so-called UV-C wave length range (200-270 nm), ultraviolet light is most effective in destroying the microorganisms commonly found in untreated water. Typical procedures are described by Dunn et al. in U.S. Pat. No. 5,900,211; by Nesathurai in U.S. Pat. No. 4,983,307; and by Wang et al. in U.S. Pat. No. 5,236,595.
It is generally accepted that microorganisms can be broadly grouped into five basic families; these are bacteria, viruses, fungi, protozoa and algae. These five families have different properties, occur in different habitats and respond differently to microbiocides such as antibiotics. Bacteria, fungi, protozoa and algae are generally characterised as comprising a cell wall, a cytoplasmic membrane and genetic material which is essentially DNA material. Viruses are somewhat different and generally have an outer coating of proteins surrounding genetic material which again is DNA material. When harsh ultraviolet light penetrates the microorganism, it causes disruption of chemical bonds within the DNA system thus preventing the DNA replication step required for reproduction of the microorganism. If a microorganism cannot reproduce itself, it is effectively dead.
However, the cells of different microorganisms are not the same: different microorganisms have different sensitivities to different wavelengths of light within the UV range; also the dose of UV light required to effect microorganism destruction varies for different microorganisms. The dose (or accumulated energy) is a product of the time for which the microorganism is exposed to the radiation, and the radiation power; most commonly, power is measured in Watts (W), and time is measured in seconds. This approach also appears to be applicable to vitiligo and psoriasis infections, even though microorganisms are not involved. Indeed for both of these infections the etiology is poorly understood and the causative agents for these infections have not been identified.
TABLE 1Average lethal dose densities fordifferent microorganisms (in mWsec/cm2) measuredunder a non-selective UV irradiation (a Xenon lampwith a UV band filter centered at 254 nm).MicroorganismDose/cm2MicroorganismDose/cm2Bacillus anthracis8.8Dysentery bacilli4.2Shigella dysentariae4.3Escherichia coli7.0Shigella flexneri3.4Streptococcus10.0faecalisCorynbacterium6.5Staphylococcus5.8diphtheriaeepidermisVibri commo6.5Bacteriophage6.5(cholera)(E. coli)Hepatitis8.0Salmonella10.0Influenza6.6Baker's yeast8.8Legionella3.8Mycobacterium10.0pneumophiliatuberculosisSalmonella paratyphi6.1Polio virus7.0Salmonella typhosa7.0
Table 1 shows that for different microorganisms, the measured lethal dose (in vitro) is not constant.
In addition to using UV light to sterilise fluids such as drinking water, lasers generating spectrally narrow-line light in ranges other than in the UV range have also had some use in medical therapy. In this context, it is relevant to distinguish between the use of non-UV lasers for surgical and other techniques and the use of UV light to treat microorganism infections. For example, in some therapeutic procedures, He—Ne or Nd-YAG lasers are used as localised heat sources, which stimulate blood supply and heat or destroy selected tissues; these laser radiation wavelengths are generally in the red or near infrared ranges. Any microorganisms present will only be affected by the laser irradiation if the heat generated by the laser causes the temperature of the microorganism to reach or exceed about 40° C. Although temperatures in this range are lethal to many microorganisms, the use of such lasers as a therapeutic tool to control microorganisms is circumscribed by the unacceptable damage this level of temperature can cause to surrounding uninfected tissues.
The treatment of destructive forms of endo-cavital infections, such as tuberculosis and post-surgical intra-abdominal abscesses, is a particularly difficult therapeutic area. The pathologically changed structures of cavital walls and substantial amounts of pus inside cavities prevent efficient administration of antibiotics. Also, many pathogens causing endo-cavital infections have become antibiotic-resistant. Similar considerations apply to the treatment of abnormal surface tissue lesions, such as abcesses, ulcers, vitiligo and psoriasis.
The procedures used at present to deal with endo-cavital infections are not as effective as is desired; a two step therapy is generally used. First, the cavity is drained to remove as much material as possible; this will include both cell debris due to the infection and to some extent the microorganisms causing the infection. Second, an antibiotic medication is administered to the patient. If the antibiotic(s) are to be successful, maximal cavity drainage is essential. In order to achieve maximal drainage, a hollow catheter is inserted cutaneously into the cavity either blindly or with guidance. Guidance is normally effected either by the use of an ultrasonic probe, or by the use of an endoscopic fiber-optic device included in the drainage catheter. But drainage is hampered by the flow characteristics of the fluid and pus containing cell debris being removed from the cavity, and by the relatively small size of the catheter in comparison with the potential volume of the cavity requiring drainage. An additional problem is the unavoidable presence of microorganisms both elsewhere in the cavity and on and around the catheter. As a consequence of these difficulties, in practice it is rarely possible to drain a cavity to the desirable level. It is also of importance that there is a real risk that some of the microorganisms are the so-called "super bugs", which are mutant strains of common microorganisms such as staphylococcus; these strains are resistant to the currently available antibiotics.
Endo-cavital infection-caused diseases, such as destructive forms of tuberculosis and post-surgical intra-abdominal abscesses, present a rapidly growing concern internationally. In North America, post-surgical intra-abdominal abscesses are a major post-operative problem for a wide range of invasive surgical procedures. It has been estimated that the percentage of patients who develop post-surgical intra-abdominal abscesses ranges from about 30% for colorectal surgery, through about 15% for pancreatic or biliary surgery to about 2% for gynecologic surgery. Patients undergoing intra-abdominal surgery in North America alone, on an annual basis, number in the millions. These infections can be traced to several causes, including both airborne microorganisms and spontaneous leaks or perforations of either the biliary tract or the intestines. In other words, any procedure devised to treat such infections has to accommodate the fact that the infection will almost certainly involve several strains of microorganisms; each strain will respond differently to any applied procedure. Again, many of these considerations apply to abnormal surface tissue conditions.
It has been reported by Apollonov et al. in RU 2141859 (issued in 1998) that laser-generated ultraviolet light can be used in treating tuberculosis. By using a suitable fiber-optic catheter, the laser-generated UV light is used to irradiate and to destroy, within the lung cavern, the microorganisms, which are the cause of the tubercular infection. The method includes puncturing or draining the destructive cavern in the lungs, evacuating the purulent contents of the cavern and then exposing the interior surface of the cavern to ultraviolet laser radiation. This involves 10 to 12 minutes of exposure to the defocussed pulsed radiation of a solid-state laser at a wavelength from about 220 nm to about 290 nm, and energy density of 200 mWsec/cm2 with the pulse repetition frequency controlled as a function of the degree of destruction in the lungs, to ensure irradiation with an average energy density of 10 to 15 mWsec/cm2. A treatment session is concluded with a single introduction of 1.0 units of streptomycin or canamycin into the cavern. A course of treatment comprises 10-12 sessions of laser irradiation of the cavern.
However, there are several difficulties with the apparatus and the procedure described by Apollonov et al. These are as follows.    (1) The need for repeated puncturing of the cavern, which increases the degree of trauma experienced by the patient.    (2) Before the procedure is carried out, each repeated puncturing requires repeated radiological investigations, which increase the X-ray dose to which the patient is subjected.    (3) Each treatment session is concluded with a single introduction into the cavern of a full daily dose of an anti-tubercular medication dissolved in 2 to 3 ml of a 0.5% Sol. Novocain. The introduction of a full daily dose of anti-tubercular medication in a single dosage unit does not permit maintaining its bactericidal concentration within the cavern at a steady level throughout a period of 24 hours. In addition, because of the quantity involved, an introduction of such an amount of anti-tubercular medication at once frequently causes irritation of the mucous tissue of the bronchi draining the cavern, and this leads to a debilitating cough and expectoration in the sputum of a considerable quantity of the anti-tubercular medication that was introduced into the cavern; it also reduces the concentration of medication and lowers its bactericidal effect.    (4) To irradiate the cavern, Appolonov et al. used the emission of an available laser generating within the UV-C spectral range (266 nm, the fourth harmonic of the Nd:YAG laser). While that wavelength is still capable of producing bactericidal effect on tuberculosis pathogens, it is apparently not optimal for destroying the majority of tuberculosis microorganisms. This relationship is shown graphically in FIG. 1. Inspection of FIG. 1 shows that the most efficient wavelength to kill tuberculosis bacteria is about 250 nm, and that some UV wavelengths may not be efficient at all to treat tuberculosis. At the same time, other bacteria are more susceptible to the wavelengths efficient in the tuberculosis treatments. The use of a UV light wavelength which is not the most efficient wavelength, while it has specific values characteristic of each microorganism strain, or class of strains, means increased exposures, higher irradiation energy density and an increased risk of side effects.
Usually, patients to receive antibacterial treatment are already under a major stress, often with depressed immune systems after having undergone a major invasive surgical procedure, or suffering from a severe infection such as tuberculosis or intra-abdominal abscess. Thus, it is very desirable that any treatment procedure to deal with such infections would expose the patient to as little further stress as possible. It is therefore a prime concern to avoid having to surgically re-enter the cavity. The traumatic levels associated with repeated cavity re-entry implies that the level of antibiotics required to control the so-called "super bugs" may be more than the weakened patient can tolerate. Yet again, similar considerations often apply to abnormal surface tissue conditions such as ulcers and abscesses.

Method for treatment of infections with ultraviolet laser light


A radio base station node (20) of a telecommunications network comprises a baseband transmitter (22) and plural radio frequency (RF) paths (24) between the baseband transmitter (22) and an antenna system (30). A measurement entity (32) is provided, preferably near the antenna system (30), for making a measurement or comparison of a time of detecting of a power modulation for each of plural RF transmission paths (24), e.g., a time of detecting of a power modulation for a first of the plural RF transmission paths and a time of detection of a power modulation for a second of the plural RF transmission paths. A transmission timing adjustment unit (34) uses the power modulation measurement or comparison for adjusting timing of transmission of signals for the plural RF transmission paths for obtaining a desired time alignment for the plural RF transmission paths.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention pertains to wireless telecommunications, and particularly to alignment of plural transmit paths in a radio base station node of a telecommunications system.
2. Related Art and Other Considerations
In a typical cellular radio system, mobile user equipment units (UEs) communicate via a radio access network (RAN) to one or more core networks. The user equipment units (UEs) can be mobile stations such as mobile telephones ("cellular" telephones) and laptops with mobile termination, and thus can be, for example, portable, pocket, hand-held, computer-included, or car-mounted mobile devices which communicate voice and/or data with radio access network.
The radio access network (RAN) covers a geographical area which is divided into cell areas, with each cell area being served by a (radio) base station. A cell is a geographical area where radio coverage is provided by the radio base station equipment at a base station site. Each cell is identified by a unique identity, which is broadcast in the cell. The radio base stations communicate over the air interface (e.g., radio frequencies) with the user equipment units (UE) within range of the base stations. In the radio access network, several radio base stations are typically connected (e.g., by landlines or microwave) to a radio network controller (RNC). The radio network controller, also sometimes termed a base station controller (BSC), supervises and coordinates various activities of the plural radio base stations connected thereto. The radio network controllers are typically connected to one or more core networks.
One example of a radio access network is the Universal Mobile Telecommunication System (UMTS) Terrestrial Radio Access Network (UTRAN). The UMTS is a third generation system which in some respects builds upon the radio access technology known as Global System for Mobile communications (GSM) developed in Europe. UTRAN is essentially a radio access network providing wideband code division multiple access (WCDMA) to user equipment units (UEs). The Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) has undertaken to evolve further the UTRAN and GSM-based radio access network technologies.
For sake of providing diversity, some radio base stations have plural RF transmission paths between a baseband transmitter and a radio base station antenna. In such cases, and particularly in a WCDMA system, significant constraints are imposed on the operation of the radio base station regarding the allowed timing difference of transmit (TX) transmission on the different transmission paths. For example, in accordance with one 3GPP technical specification, the allowed deviation between transmission paths is ⅛ chip, which corresponds to approximately 32 ns.
The technology currently used in radio base station nodes which operate in accordance with GSM or WCDMA is to statically calibrate the delay (e.g. on the transmit paths). This static delay calibration occurs e.g. during start-up of the system. The delay values used in the calibration are either general design based figures or explicitly determined by production measurements for hardware entities.
It has also elsewhere been proposed to use test mobiles or other type of radio based receivers for calibration and adjustment purposes related to transmit delay and time alignment. For example, see U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/045,024, filed Jan. 15, 2002, entitled "DIVERSITY BRANCH DELAY ALIGNMENT IN RADIO BASE STATION," which is incorporated herein by reference.
It is extremely onerous to comply with the requirements concerning the allowed timing difference of transmit (TX) transmission on the different transmission paths. Difficulties arise from various factors or timing uncertainties and/or variations in the radio base station nodes themselves, both in digital components and (perhaps even more) in analog components forming a transmit path up to the antenna. The problems of delay differences and variations are particularly acute in the case of co-sited radio base stations (occurring, e.g., in GSM and UMTS) where radio frequency (RF) equipment is shared.
What is needed, therefore, and an object of the present invention, is technique, apparatus, and method for providing more accurate alignment timing between differing transmit branches of a radio base station node.

Aligning radio base station node transmission timing on multiple transmit paths


An automotive information system has a main unit including a CPU and component units connected to the main unit through a universal serial BUS (USB), such as a car audio system including a CD-ROM auto-changer, a security control system, and a telephone system. At least one of the USB-connected component device, e.g., the security control system and/or the telephone system, has a detecting unit that detects occurrence of an event such as illegal approach to the automobile or receipt of telephone call. The USB-connected component device also has a start signal transmitting unit that transmits a start signal to the main unit when occurrence of the event is detected by the detecting unit. The main unit has a start signal receiving unit and a power control unit that serves turn on the power supply to the main unit in response to the start signal received by the start signal receiving unit. The main unit also has an inquiring unit which inquires the USB-connected component devices whether these component devices have sent the start signal. The USB-connected component device has an answering unit which answers the inquiry.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an automotive system which is composed of systems such as a car audio system and also to a method of controlling such an automotive information system, as well as to a storage medium that stores a control program. The present invention also is concerned with an information processing apparatus, an electronic device and a control unit that are suitable for use in the automotive information system. The present invention also pertains to a disk playback apparatus, as well as to a semiconductor integrated circuit, suitable for use in the automotive information system.
2. Description of the Related Arts
Car audio systems that are used on automobiles are known. Such a car audio system has a major function to provide audio information through a speaker mounted on the automobile, based on sound information acquired through a radio tuner, a cassette tape deck or a CD player. Current progress in the semiconductor technology has made it possible to combine with a car audio system various systems or apparatuses such as a car navigation system, a CD auto-changer or an MD auto-changer, cellular phone and so forth. In this specification, such a consolidated system will be referred to as "an automotive information system", while systems or apparatuses combined with a car audio system will be collectively referred to also as "peripheral devices".
Automotive information system of the kind described generally employs highly complicated wring layouts. For instance, a complicated wiring layout is necessary when a compatible auto-changer that is adapted both for music CDs and CD-ROMs is connected via cables to a main unit of the automotive information system that has a car audio function and car navigation function. The auto-changer reads sound data (audio data) from a music CD and reads also digital data such as car navigation program data and map data.
Hitherto, the connection between the main unit of the automotive information system and the auto-changer required. besides an electric power cable and control cables, an analog cable corresponding to a LINE-OUT terminal and an optical fiber for digital output that are used for transmission of audio data acquired from a music CD, as well as a digital signal cable which is used exclusively for digital data read from a CD-ROM and which is adapted to, for example, an ATAPI interface.
Despite the sophisticated and complicated wiring layout, the audio function and car navigation function of the known automotive information system are available only on an automobile and, therefore, have limited use.
Automotive information systems are also known of the type that has a microcomputer incorporated in the main unit of the system or in each of the devices constituting the system. Such microcomputers, however, are of a low grade that is intended only for controlling mechanical motions of the system or controlling display of characters. It is impossible to add new functions or modify existing functions on such microcomputers. In addition, control of supply of electrical power is possible only from the main unit to which cables and lines are concentrated. Namely, although supply of electrical power to peripheral devices is controllable from the main unit, no function is available for enabling one or more peripheral devices to turn on and off the power supply to the main unit of the system.

Automotive information system and method of controlling the same, recording medium storing control program, disk playback apparatus, and semiconductor integrated circuit


In an electric motor-driven booster, a sharp change of reaction force to an operation of a brake pedal is reduced to improve the brake pedal operation feeling. Operation of the brake pedal causes an input rod (34) and an input piston (32) to advance, and an electric motor (40) is driven according to the movement of the input piston to propel a primary piston (10) through a ball-screw mechanism, thereby generating a desired brake hydraulic pressure in a master cylinder. At this time, the input piston receives the hydraulic pressure in the master cylinder to feed back a part of reaction force during braking to the brake pedal. When the brake pedal is further depressed after the output of the electric motor has reached a maximum output and the primary piston 10 has stopped, a lock nut abuts against a movable spring retainer and compresses a reaction force spring.

A publicly known electric motor-driven booster is disclosed, for example, in Patent Literature 1. The electric motor-driven booster has an input rod connected to a brake pedal, a booster piston relatively movably fitted around the input rod, an electric motor for driving the booster piston, and a controller for controlling the operation of the electric motor according to the movement of the input rod. The input rod and the booster piston propel a piston in a master cylinder, and driving force of the electric motor is applied to obtain a desired boost ratio with respect to the operating force of the brake pedal.
In other words, the boost ratio can be varied by adjusting the relative positional relationship between the input rod and the booster piston, and thus it is possible to execute various brake control operations, such as boost control, brake assist control, regenerative cooperative control, and so forth. In the event of a failure in the electric motor or the like, the input rod directly operates the booster piston, thereby enabling the braking function to be maintained.


Techniques are disclosed for measuring performance in processing systems such as communications systems and computing systems. For example, a method of measuring performance in a processing system having a plurality of processing devices includes the following steps. A measurement system coupled to the plurality of processing devices generates an interrupt signal. The measurement system applies the interrupt signal to a set of processing devices under test, wherein the set of processing devices under test is selected from the plurality of processing devices, such that each processing device of the set under test makes data available to the measurement system. The available data represents data associated with the execution of at least one function performed by each processing device of the set under test. The measurement system obtains the available data and utilizes at least a portion of the available data to determine a measure of performance associated with each of the processing devices of the set under test.

It is known that in most processing systems, such as communications systems and computing systems, next generation products typically tend to be more complex as compared with products developed from predecessor technologies. Furthermore, in any such system, there are typically a number of dissimilar processes running on a multitude of dissimilar platforms. When the system works, the results can be impressive. However, when there are capacity issues or failures that can not be attributed to a particular processing device in the system, it is increasingly difficult to quickly isolate errors and resolve problems.
The schemes used by existing processing systems do not adequately address the need to be able to measure the time actually expended in each routine in each processing device under various traffic patterns, as compared to static projections, nor are they able to correlate the processes being simultaneously executed in each of the multiple processing devices in a complex, distributed system.

Methods and apparatus for measuring performance in processing system


A phosphorus-containing coated magnesium oxide powdered material comprising a coated magnesium oxide powdered material having a surface coating layer comprised of a double oxide, wherein the phosphorus-containing coated magnesium oxide powdered material has a coating layer comprised of a magnesium phosphate compound in at least part of a surface of the coated magnesium oxide powdered material, wherein the content of the magnesium phosphate compound in the coated magnesium oxide powdered material is 0.1 to 10% by mass, in terms of phosphorus; a method for producing a phosphorus-containing coated magnesium oxide powdered material, wherein the method comprises treating a coated magnesium oxide powdered material having a surface coating layer comprised of a double oxide with a phosphorus compound, and then calcining the resultant powdered material at 300° C. or higher to form a magnesium phosphate compound in at least a part of a surface of the coated magnesium oxide powdered material; and a resin composition comprising the powder.

An electronic device is comprised of electronic parts, such as laminates, printed wiring boards, and multilayer wiring boards. In the electronic parts, generally, a resin composition is used as a prepreg, a spacer, a sealer, an adhesive sheet, or the like, and the resin composition is required to have various performance or properties. For example, recently, as the capacity and density of power elements mounted on the electronic device are increasing, the resin composition and parts using the resin composition must have even more excellent heat radiating properties and water resistance than those of conventional ones.
On the other hand, high-performance plastics used in industrial applications, e.g., electric devices, electronic devices, automobiles, and OA machines are called engineering plastics and generally have a heat resistance of 100° C. or higher and excellent mechanical properties.
Conventionally, metals, typically die-casted aluminum and die-casted zinc have been used in the applications of optical parts, electric and electronic parts, and automobile parts. However, processing such metals into predetermined shapes costs much and therefore, recently, thermoplastic resins including the above engineering plastics are being used as substitutes for the metals. The resins used in these applications are required to achieve rigidity and dimensional stability as high as those of metals, therefore a molding material is used in the form of a resin composition containing a large amount of fibrous, plate-form, or particulate inorganic filler in the resin for improving the above properties. Such a resin composition has to be improved in especially heat radiating properties in addition to the rigidity and dimensional stability.
As filler for use in a semiconductor sealing resin composition, silicon dioxide (hereinafter, referred to as "silica") and aluminum oxide (hereinafter, referred to as "alumina") have conventionally been used. Silica has, however, poor thermal conduction properties, and a resin composition using silica as filler does not have satisfactory heat radiation to deal with the increased heat generation due to the increase of integration degree, power, or speed of a semiconductor device, causing problems in the stable operation of semiconductor. On the other hand, a resin composition using as filler alumina having higher thermal conduction properties than those of silica has improved heat radiating properties, but the alumina has high hardness and causes a problem of the production process in that a kneading machine, a molding machine, and a mold markedly wear.
For solving the problems, magnesium oxide (MgO) having a thermal conductivity higher than that of silica by single digit and equivalent to that of alumina is studied as a resin filler material for semiconductor sealing. However, MgO powder has large moisture absorption, as compared to silica powder, and therefore, when the MgO powder is used as resin filler for semiconductor sealing, absorbed water and MgO undergo hydration to cause volume expansion of the filler, leading to problems in that cracks are caused in the resin composition and that the thermal conduction properties deteriorate. Thus, for securing a long-term stable operation of semiconductor, it is an important task to impart a water resistance to the MgO powder for use in resin filler for semiconductor sealing.
For achieving the task, there has been proposed MgO powder having high acid resistance and high water resistance obtained by, for example, subjecting MgO powder to surface treatment with an acid phosphate having a C4-C30 alkyl group or a C4-C30 alkenyl group, such as C17 stearyl acid phosphate, to form a coating film of an acid phosphate compound (Patent document 1).
However, the surface treatment with an acid phosphate improves the water resistance to an extent such that water repellency is imparted to the MgO powder due to, e.g., a C17 stearyl group, and the water resistance of the MgO powder itself is improved to some extent, but the improvement is not satisfactory.
As another method of improving the water resistance of the MgO powder, there has been proposed a method for producing coated MgO powder, which comprises mixing an aluminum (Al) salt or a silicon (Si) compound with MgO powder, and removing solids from the resultant mixture by filtration, and drying and calcining it to coat the surface of the MgO powder with a coating layer comprised of a double oxide of Al or Si and Mg (see Patent documents 2 and 3).
The above method is not merely a surface treatment but coating with a double oxide obtained by reacting Al or Si on the surface of the MgO powder, and therefore the resultant coated MgO powder is considerably improved in the water resistance.
However, it is difficult to completely coat the surface with the double oxide, and a region in which the double oxide does not completely cover remains on the surface of the MgO powder and a hydration reaction proceeds in that region, thus making it difficult to meet the strict requirements of water resistance demanded in recent years.    [Patent document 1] Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2001-115057    [Patent document 2] Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2003-34522    [Patent document 3] Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2003-34523

Phosphorus-containing coated magnesium oxide powder, method for producing same, and resin composition containing such powder


An image sensing apparatus capable of performing bracketing image sensing operations for a plurality of different types of parameters is provided. The image sensing apparatus comprises a selection unit adapted to select a parameter for performing a bracketing image sensing operation, and a controller adapted to prohibit a bracketing image sensing operation for other types of parameters in a case where the parameter for performing the bracketing image sensing operation is selected by the selection unit.

Some digital cameras employing an image sensor, e.g. a CCD or C-MOS or the like, as an image sensing device, incorporate a white balance adjusting device. Human eyes have an adaptability to perceive a white object as white even if the color temperature of an illuminating light source changes. However, in digital cameras, because it is necessary to adjust and correct data from the image sensing device in accordance with the color temperature of a light source by using software, normally a white balance adjusting device is included.
White balance adjusting methods include: a method that performs white balance control based on data obtained from an image sensing device, a method that performs white balance control based on data obtained from a colorimetric sensor which detects a color temperature of a light source illuminating an object, and a combination of the aforementioned methods.
However, despite using the above-described white balance adjusting device, there are cases depending on image sensing conditions that excellent white balance adjustment cannot be performed. In view of this, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 1-221994 proposes a white balance bracketing function for obtaining an image having an excellent white balance by recording plural numbers of images, processed with plural white balance correction values which are obtained by shifting the correction value.
While white balance bracketing is a type of image processing, there is an image sensing apparatus having an automatic exposure (AE) bracketing function for performing exposure control, which is a largely different type of processing from the white balance bracketing. Conventionally, the AE bracketing function has been employed by still cameras using silver chloride films. According to an AE bracketing image sensing operation, in a case where it is difficult to determine an appropriate exposure, e.g., a case of sensing an image at sundown or a case where a highly reflective object partially exists in an image, plural frames of one scene are sequentially sensed while changing the set shutter speed and/or f value by a predetermined amount. Then, a frame having the most appropriate exposure is selected from the plural images. Utilizing such image sensing apparatus having the AE bracketing function achieves an advantage in that an image can be sensed automatically with an appropriate exposure or a desired exposure intended by the user, without missing a perfect moment for an excellent image.
However, in the aforementioned image sensing operation using various bracketing functions, image sensing must be performed for plural frames to sense the image while shifting the correction value to the + side and − side by a predetermined amount relative to a reference value. Assume a case of sensing an image by shifting the correction value 2 levels to the + side and 2 levels to the − side relative to a reference value. In this case, image sensing must be performed five times, with the correction value respectively set at −2, −1, 0 (no correction), 1, and 2 (these values conceptually express the correction value including a reference value).
If a camera user feels that it is difficult to properly correct the color temperature using automatic white balance correction and properly detect appropriate exposure using automatic exposure (AE) detection and sets both of the WB and AE bracketing functions, an extremely large number of frames must be sensed. In this case, the user may be unable to determine which image is obtained with what type of correction.
For instance, in a case of performing five times of image sensing with the AE bracketing function in addition to five times of image sensing with the white balance bracketing function as mentioned above, 25 frames of images must be sensed, processed, and/or recorded. This not only wastes the image sensing time, but also requires a large amount of memory capacity to store the sensed images. Further, if another bracketing function is additionally set, the time required for image sensing and the amount of image data increase immensely.
Furthermore, even if a large amount of images are obtained in this manner, the necessary image having an appropriate color and exposure is only one.
Moreover, with regard to an AE bracketing image sensing operation, there has been a camera capable of plural bracketing settings, which prohibits simultaneous setting of different types of factors related to exposure, as proposed by Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-29828. However, it has been unable to solve problems related to operability of image processing function setting, e.g., white balance correction or the like, which is necessary for a digital camera.

Setting control of bracketing image sensing operation in image sensing apparatus


A method for parsing binary data is disclosed. The method includes receiving binary data and a parse request, the parse request calling for either a non-differenced parsing method or a differenced parsing method, invoking a parse tree and receiving a parse definition to parse the received binary data, parsing the binary data to define a value in accordance with the parse definition and calling a data builder to manage the value parsed. The value parsed is inserted into an updated data tree and an object is returned to the parse requestor.

The present disclosure relates generally to a method for parsing data, and particularly to a method of parsing binary data.
Hospitals typically utilize computer systems to manage the various departments within the hospital. Data about each patient is collected by a variety of computer systems. For example, a patient may be admitted to the hospital for the monitoring of vital signs. Information about the patient (e.g., demographics and insurance) could be obtained by the hospital information system (HIS) and stored on a patient record. This information could then be passed to a particular department information system (DIS). Typically the DIS is a product of one company, while the HIS is the product of another company. As a result, the databases between the two will differ. Further, they will capture/retain and send different levels of granularity in the data. Once the patient information has been received by the DIS, the patient can be scheduled for a parametric study (a parameter of the parametric study is a grouping of vital signs). Next, the parametric study is performed by a clinician. Images and measurements are taken and sent to the DIS server. The reading physician (e.g., a medical specialist) sits down at a review station and pulls the patient's parametric study. The medical specialist then begins to review the images and measurements and creates a complete medical report on the study. The medical report can then be coded as a structured report (SR) document including clinical data codes describing the contents of the report. When the medical specialist completes the medical report, the report is sent to the DIS server where it is stored and associated with the patient through patient identification data. The completed medical report with clinical data codes is one example of the kind of report that could be sent over a network to a data repository as a binary data stream.
Typically, these binary data structures contain data values that define how to interpret binary sub-structures that follow in the data stream. In turn, those binary sub-structures may contain additional type fields that define further sub-structures within them. As the process continues, forming a hierarchal set of structures, a large and complex data structure can evolve, resulting in slow data transmission over low bandwidth communication lines.

Method, system and computer product for parsing binary data

GE Medical Systems Information Technologies, Inc.


Methods and systems for searching for media items using a voice-based digital assistant are described. Natural language text strings corresponding to search queries are provided. The search queries include query terms. The text strings may correspond to speech inputs input by a user into an electronic device. At least one information source is searched to identify at least one parameter associated with at least one of the query terms. The parameters include at least one of a time parameter, a date parameter, or a geo-code parameter. The parameters are compared to tags of media items to identify matches. In some implementations, media items whose tags match the parameter are presented to the user.

Advances in camera technology, image processing and image storage technology have enabled humans to seamlessly interact with and "capture" their surroundings through digital photography. Moreover, recent advances in technology surrounding hand-held devices (e.g., mobile phones and digital assistant systems) have improved image capture and image storage capabilities on hand-held devices. This has led to a substantial increase in the use of hand-held devices for photo acquisition and digital photo storage.
The growing volume of digital photographs acquired and stored on electronic devices has created a need for systematic cataloging and efficient organization of the photographs in order to enable ease of viewing and searching. Tagging of photographs, for example, by associating with the photograph names of people or places, facilitates the ease of organizing and searching for photographs. Other information, such as time, date, and GPS coordinate data, are also increasingly associated with photographs, allowing efficient sorting and organization.
While photo capture and digital image storage technology has improved substantially over the past decade, traditional approaches to photo searching can be non-intuitive, arduous, and time-consuming.


Disclosed are a multi-carrier supporting method and apparatus. A terminal receives information on at least one allocated component carrier from among a plurality of component carriers from a base station, and receives activation control information on an active component carrier that is activated from among the at least one allocated component carrier via a downlink control channel. The terminal transmits a reception acknowledgement for the activation control information via an uplink control channel.

In a typical wireless communication system, only one carrier is considered even if a bandwidth between an uplink and a downlink is configured differently from each other. The carrier is defined with a center frequency and a bandwidth. A multi-carrier system uses a plurality of component carriers (CCs) having a smaller bandwidth than a full bandwidth.
The multi-carrier system can support backward compatibility with respect to legacy systems, and significantly increases a data rate by using multiple carriers.
Long term evolution (LTE) based on 3rd generation partnership project (3GPP) technical specification (TS) release 8 is a most dominant next mobile communication standard. The 3GPP LTE system supports only one bandwidth (i.e., one CC) among {1.4, 3, 5, 10, 15, 20}MHz. However, an LTE-advanced (LTE-A) system which is an evolution of the 3GPP LTE employs multiple carriers.
Even if the multi-carrier system uses a plurality of CCs, it may be ineffective for a base station (BS) and a user equipment (UE) to use all CCs concurrently. Therefore, dynamic scheduling for the CC is required. For example, more CCs are allocated to a UE that requires a high data rate, and less CCs are allocated to a UE that requires a low data rate such as voice.
It is necessary to ensure transmission reliability in a control signal such as activation of the CC. This is because when mutually activated CCs become different between the BS station and the UE, data loss may occur and service quality may deteriorate significantly.
Accordingly, there is a need for a method capable of reliably activating a plurality of CCs in a multi-carrier system.

Communication method and apparatus in a multi-carrier system


A smoke evacuator for use in electrosurgical and laser surgical procedures in which a source of rapidly moving fluid under pressure is introduced to a surgical site to entrain smoke and other surgical debris generated during the procedure and a collection element operated under reduced pressure. The latter is positioned adjacent to the surgical site so that the moving fluid stream entrains all of the smoke and surgical debris which is then collected in the collection element. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the collection element includes a flared horn portion to ensure laminar flow of the fluid stream as it enters the collection element. In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, the source of fluid under pressure and the collection element are mounted on a laser surgery handpiece or probe whereby the fluid pressure source and the collection element are integral with the probe and thus the tube is repositioned as the probe is repositioned.

The present invention is directed to smoke evacuation apparatus, and more particularly to an improved system for use in the collection of smoke and other airborne debris generated in the course of electrosurgery and laser surgery.
Electrosurgery and laser surgery are found in more widespread use, and particularly in many types of dermatologic surgery procedures. As is well known to those skilled in the art, electrosurgery may involve the use of electrically heated needles which may be used to burn tissue from the surgical site or may involve electrodesiccation and fulguration procedures in which an electric arc is generated between a needle and surgical site.
By the same token, laser surgery is likewise gaining widespread acceptance in procedures in which a laser is used to burn and/or vaporize tissue from a surgical site. Such laser surgical techniques are becoming more widely used in a variety of dermatologic surgery operations. In both electrosurgery and laser procedures, the surgical techniques employed generate a great deal of smoke and other airborne particulate matter in the vicinity of the surgical site. Because such particulate matter itself may be pathogenic, smoke evacuation techniques have been developed to physically remove the smoke and other surgical debris from the surgical site.
A number of smoke evacuators have been developed for that purpose. One particularly successful example is the smoke evacuator described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,423,779 to Charles R. Yeh. While smoke evacuators like that described in the foregoing patent have received widespread acceptance, they may nonetheless operate at less than maximum efficiency in the collection and removal from the surgical site of smoke and surgical debris. One of the reasons that smoke evacuator techniques heretofore used have not been optimally efficient is because the nozzle of the smoke evacuator, in most applications, must be located within approximately two inches of the surgical site.
Otherwise, there is a risk that substantial portions of the smoke and debris thus generated may dissipate into the atmosphere from the surgical site, posing health hazards to health care workers. Indeed, such electrosurgery and laser surgery techniques, because they tend to disburse blood into an aerosol, leave behind such aerosols which can pose a health risk to anyone entering the theater of the surgical operation, even several hours after the surgery has been completed. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, such surgical debris, including the blood aerosols above referred to, may contain pathogenic organisms, and particularly viruses. It is important that such debris be collected and removed from the environment as completely as possible.
It is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide improved apparatus for collecting and removing, with maximum efficiency, smoke and other surgical debris generated as a result of electrosurgical and laser surgical techniques.
It is a more specific object of the present invention to provide apparatus for the collection and removal of smoke and surgical debris in which substantially all of the smoke and surgical debris can be collected and removed from the environment.
It is a more specific object of the invention to provide apparatus for the collection and removal of smoke and surgical debris which can be used to efficiently collect such smoke and debris when used in combination with electrosurgery and laser surgery instruments.
These and other objections and advantages of the invention will appear more fully hereinafter with a description of the present invention.


This invention relates to a dye having the formula (I) ##STR1## wherein each M is a hydrogen ion, an alkali metal ion, or R.sup.a R.sup.b R.sup.c R.sup.d N.sup.+ (where R.sup.a, R.sup.b, R.sup.c and R.sup.d are independently hydrogen, C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkyl, or C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 hydroxyalkyl). This invention further relates to the use of the dye.

This invention relates to a bleachable dye useful for the manufacture of kraft brown shades of paper and other such substrates.
Azo dyes and fluorescent brighteners derived from diaminostilbene disulfonic acids are known. E.g., H. Zollinger, Color Chemistry (VCH Verlagsgessellschaft, 1991), pages 164 and 257.
German Offenlegungsschrift 4,139,302 discloses disazostilbene indicator dyes having the formula ##STR2## in which R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 can be hydrogen, halogen, NO.sub.2, OH, NH.sub.2, or C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkyl. Although the R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 groups can be located at any vacant ring position in the terminal benzene rings, the hydroxyl groups must always be situated para to the azo groups. Compare European Patent Application 739,747 and Japanese Patent 52/55625.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,495,003 discloses disazostilbene dyestuffs of the following general formula ##STR3## in which R.sub.1 to R.sub.5 represent various substituents and M represents various cations. In one such compound each R.sub.1 is a hydroxyl group located ortho to an azo group. See Example 58. All such compounds, however, must have substituted triazine groups located para to the azo groups. Compare European Patent Application 739,747 and Japanese Patent 52/55625, which also require functional groups other than the ortho-hydroxyl and meta-methyl groups of the present invention.
It has now been found that the disazostilbene dye of the present invention, in which each terminal benzene ring is substituted with a hydroxyl group in a position ortho to an azo group and a methyl group in a position meta to an azo group, can be used in solution as a paper dye that imparts a dull yellow color, commonly referred to as "tan-kraft" color. The dye of the present invention not only provides this distinctive color without being mixed with other dyes but also exhibits minimal shade sensitivity to changes in pH over the range typical for papermaking and thus can be used even for dyeing alkaline-sized paper, for which known dyes such as C.I. Direct Yellow 4 are unsuitable. The dye of the invention is also stable when stored in solution and exhibits excellent bleachability in chlorine-containing bleaching agents such as those used in waste paper recovery. This unique combination of properties has not previously been attainable with known dyes.


A modular arrangement for stacks of ion conducting electrolyte elements includes a plurality of solid state ion conducting electrolyte elements spaced apart and arranged into stacks and the stacks further arranged at regular intervals around a central plenum. A plurality of gas flow passageways are disposed in the spaces between the electrolyte elements to enable reactant gases to circulate between the elements. A pair of manifold plates are disposed on either side of the electrolyte elements and sandwich the elements therebetween.

1. Field
This application relates to arrangements and manifolds for stacks of solid state ion conducting electrolyte elements, and more particularly to arrangements and manifolds for assembling modular multiple stack ion conducting devices.
2. State of the Art
Solid state ion conducting devices are typically constructed from a plurality of electrolyte elements which are capable of conducting ions of a specific size or type through the element. Materials having this capability include ceramic metal oxides such as bismuth oxide and cerium oxide, polymeric electrolyte membranes, and immobilized molten electrolyte membranes. The membranes are more pliant than the metal oxides, but function in a similar manner. Zeolyte membranes having pore sizes allowing diffusion of certain sized molecules across the membrane are also for specific ion conduction. Each type of metal oxide or membrane electrolyte finds use in a different ion conducting application.
The electrolyte elements are often formed as flat plates having an electrically conductive electrode material attached to a portion of one or both of the plate's flat surfaces. When the electrode covered electrolyte plates are exposed to a gas containing the uncharged form of the ionic species, an electrochemical reaction occurs between the electrode and the uncharged species to generate the specific ions.
Ion conducting capacity can be increased by arranging a plurality of electrolyte plates into a stack whereby each plate is separated from successive plates by electrically conductive spacers or interconnectors. The spacers allow reactant gases necessary for ion conducting activity to flow between the electrolyte plates, and come in contact with the electrode covered surfaces. The spacers may be grooved interconnectors as well known in the art, or a variety of other configurations offering particular advantages in certain applications. Grooved interconnectors typically have two grooved or channeled faces on opposing sides of the interconnector, with the grooves on one side being offset 90.degree. from those on the other. Other configurations for the spacers include internally manifolded interconnectors, and spacer bars or elements disposed between the ion conducting plates.
Ion conducting electrolytes, particularly metal oxide plates, find use in a variety of devices including fuel cells, steam electrolyzers, oxygen concentrators, and other types of electrochemical reactors. When used as a fuel cell, fuel gases such as H.sub.2, CH.sub.4 containing gases, synfuels, or light hydrocarbon fuel stocks, are directed to one face of the spaced apart electrolyte plates, and air is directed to the opposing face of the plates. When used as an oxygen concentrator, air is directed to one face of the plates, and pure molecular oxygen is collected from the other face. Other ion conducting devices using ion conducting electrolytes function in a similar manner, but may have structural modifications and different reactant gas requirements.
In a fuel cell, gases flowing between spaced apart electrolyte plates come in contact with, and react at, the electrode material attached to the surface of the plates. For example, at the electrode surface, an electrochemical reaction occurs in which an ionic species, such as O.sup.-2 from air, is produced and conducted across the plate to form water and CO.sub.2 on the opposite side. In the case of a typical fuel cell, this chemical reaction may be illustrated by the following equations:
air side: EQU 8e.sup.- +2O.sub.2 .fwdarw.4O.sup.-2
fuel side: EQU CH.sub.4 +4O.sup.-2 .fwdarw.CO.sub.2 +2H.sub.2 O+8e.sup.-
If the two electrodes on opposite sides of the plate are electrically connected, an electrical current may be obtained through passage of electrons between the two electrode surfaces. This reaction occurs when the plates reach an operating temperature, typically 600.degree.-1000.degree. C. for ceramic oxide based fuel cells, and lower for polymer and molten electrolyte membranes. Energy released from the electrochemical reactions contributes to maintaining the operating temperature. Conduction of the O.sup.-2 ions through the electrolyte plates occurs due to a difference in the partial pressure of O.sub.2 on opposite sides of the plates. In current based devices, an electrical potential applied across the plates can be used to drive the reaction.
Fuel gases and air are typically supplied to an ion conducting electrolyte stack by a manifold. A gas supply manifold may be attached to the side of the stack so that reactant gases are directed between the spaced apart electrolyte plates. Similarly, a gas collection manifold may be attached to the stack to collect gases produced during operation of the stack.
An increase in the output from an ion conducting device can be obtained by arranging several stacks together and electrically connecting the stacks in series or parallel. Parallel connection enables the device to continue functioning if one of the stacks fails, while series connection provides other advantages such as increased voltage output from fuel cells. Each stack must have access to reactant gases which necessitates use of a manifold. If the stacks are arranged in a block configuration whereby the stacks are positioned adjacent to each other, a manifold can be attached over all similarly oriented gas flow channels through the stacks. However this arrangement is subject to several problems. The flow of gases between the electrolyte plates becomes restricted as stacks are added to the assembly, resulting in inefficient cooling in the downstream stacks. Additionally, the downstream stacks may receive fuel which has been partially depleted of a reactive species. The close packing of the stacks, and reduced fuel and air flow also interferes with maintaining the assembly at a uniform temperature, further reducing the efficiency of the device. Additional stacks cannot be added to this type of manifold and stack arrangement without considerable difficulty, and construction of a new manifold.
Another option for supplying and collecting gases to and from the stacks is to manifold each stack individually. This option allows the stacks to be arranged in a pattern which facilitates uniform heating and gas flow, but makes for a bulky and difficult-to-manufacture device. The increased number of manifold seals also increases the probability of a leak occurring between the manifold and the stack. If a leak occurs in a fuel gas manifold, the fuel becomes diluted with air which severely reduces its potential to participate in the chemical reaction on the fuel side of the electrolyte plates.
Existing arrangements for the stacks of ion conducting electrolyte elements in solid state ion conducting devices also suffer from problems with oxidation of electrical pathway components. Because the electrical components are frequently exposed to the oxidizing environment of air, inexpensive electron conducting materials, such as nickel, cannot be used due to their propensity toward oxidation. This necessitates the use of expensive materials such as silver or platinum to avoid oxidation resulting in premature failure of the electrical pathway components.


Dentifrice compositions including specific aldobionamides having a .beta.-galactosidic linkage e.g., lactobionamides, which act as antimicrobial agents and/or inhibitors of bacterial adhesion.

An aldobionamide is defined herein as the amide of an aldobionic acid. The aldobionic acid is a sugar substance (e.g., any cyclic sugar) wherein the aldehyde group (generally found at the C.sub.1 position of the sugar) has been replaced by a carboxylic acid. Aldobionamides are based on compounds comprising more than one saccharide unit; they may be based on compounds comprising two saccharide units (e.g., lactobionamide or maltobionamide) or they may be based on compounds comprising more than two saccharide units as long as the polysaccharide has a terminal sugar unit with an aldehyde group available for oxidation.
The inventive compositions include antiplaque agents which are specific aldobionamides containing at least one .beta.-galactosidic linkage.
It is generally recognized that the development of dental plaque begins with the adhesion of bacteria to the teeth. Bacterial adhesion to tooth surfaces usually involves stereospecific interactions between cell surface binding proteins, referred to as adhesins, and cognate structures which form binding sites either in salivary pellicle, or on the surfaces of other bacteria resident in plaque, or in the extracellular plaque matrix (Gibbons, R. J.; J Dent Res 68, 750-760).
Many of the oral bacterial adhesins described in the art exhibit carbohydrate-specific binding and are often found on filamentous extensions (i.e., pili or fimbriae) which protrude from cell surfaces. These carbohydrate recognition structures, which are also referred to as lectins, mediate binding to host-derived or microbial-derived saccharide-containing structures on the teeth. Several different bacterial lectins have been described in the literature. By far, the lectins most commonly expressed by plaque bacteria are .beta.-galactoside-specific or "lactose sensitive" adhesins. The genera of bacteria which produce .beta.-galactoside-specific adhesins cover a diverse taxonomic range, including Actinomyces, Streptococcus, Porphyromonas, Fusobacterium, Haemophilus, Capnocytophaga, Veillonella, Prevotella, Staphylococcus, and Neisseria; these represent both primary and secondary colonizers of the teeth (Kollenbrander, P. E.; Crit Rev Microbiol 17:137-159). Kollenbrander notes that bacterial coaggregation plays an active role in formation of dental plaque and adherence of bacteria to epithelial cells in the oral econiche.
Most attempts to control plaque through anti-adhesion mechanisms have involved non-stereospecific inhibition of bacterial attachment to the teeth, usually with compositions containing surface-active polymers. For instance, G.B. Pat. No. 2,224,204A and U.S. Pat. No. 4,877,603 disclose oral compositions which include phosphonate-containing polymers that inhibit bacterial attachment to hydroxyapatite surfaces. Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 4,663,202 discloses a method for treating surfaces with combinations of polymers which form barriers that retard bacterial adsorption.
With respect to blocking stereospecific interactions which mediate oral bacterial adherence, the use of mono- and oligosaccharides has been described, as inhibitors of lectin-mediated adhesion to human cells. For instance, abstract of U.S. Pat. No. 5,071,977 describes oligosaccharides isolated from S. sanguis which inhibit the build-up of adhesive dental plaque. Gaffar et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 5,002,759) disclose oligosaccharides containing either a galactose moiety (which may be .beta.-galactose) and/or a fucose moiety as agents in dentifrice preparations for inhibiting adherence of Streptococcus pyogenes to human epithelial cells. European Patent Application 184,121 discloses the use of galactose and/or lactose as anti-caries agents in foods, drinks, and pharmaceutical preparations. Neeser (U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,992,420 and 4,994,441) describes kappa-caseino-glycopeptide compounds and desialylated derivatives thereof (the derivatives contain .beta.-galactose groups) as inhibitors of in vitro adhesion by dental plaque bacteria to human erythrocytes.
Lynch et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 4,855,128) disclose polysaccharides such as xanthan gum, gum tragacanth, guar gum, gum karaya, chondroitin sulfate, polygalacturonic acid (pectin), sodium alginate and carrageenans of the kappa/lambda configuration as plaque-inhibitory agents which inhibit bacterial coaggregation; carrageenans of kappa/lambda configuration and chondroitin tin sulfate contain .beta.-galactose.
Stromberg et a). (J. Biol. Chem. 265,11251-11258) disclose that N-acetyl-galactosamine-B1,3-galactose-O-ethyl is an inhibitor of binding by Actinomyces viscosus and Actinomyces naeslundii to human erythrocytes. McIntire et al. (Infection and Immunity, vol. 41, No. 2, 848-850) have described O-glycosides of galactose-B1,3-N-acetyl- galactosamine, including phenyl, phenylethyl, and nitrophenyl derivatives, which inhibit coaggregation between Actinomyces sp. and Streptococcus sanguis; McIntire et al. note that the addition of aglycones increased the inhibitory activity significantly but not greatly. Stromberg et al. ("Synthetic Receptoranalogues Prevent Plaque Formation in Man", Abstracts of International Association for Dental Research Scandinavian Division, Helsinki, Aug. 22-24, 1991) disclose a study demonstrating the plaque inhibitory activity of GalNAc.beta.-3Gal.alpha.1-O-ethyl, which blocked adherence of Actinomyces strains 12104 and LY7. Clinical plaque strains were evaluated in a mouth rinse experiment including five human individuals. The study is said to demonstrate that receptor analogues such as GalNAc.beta.-3Gal.alpha.1-O-ethyl, may prove useful in future antiplaque therapy. The glycosides described by the Stromberg and McIntire references are expensive molecules and are different to synthesize and purify; hence, their practical utility is limited to the study of the stereospecificity of bacterial binding.
Saccharide derivatives distinct from the compounds employed in the present invention have been disclosed for applications in a non-dental environment.
Abstracts of Japanese Patent Applications 03112905 and 03112904 disclose the use, as antibacterials for preserving food and cosmetics, of 2-acetylamino-N-alkyl-glycosylamines and alkyl-glycosyl-amines represented by structures 1 and 2, respectively. Mardh et al. (U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,851,338) disclose the use of glycosides of structure 3 (which may contain .beta.-galactose) for diagnosing the presence of Staphylococcus bacteria and bacteria from the genus Bordatella pertussis. ##STR1##
Williams et al. ("A new class of Model Glycolipids: Synthesis, Characterization, and Interaction with Lectins", Archives of Biochemistry and Biophysics, vol. 195, No. 1 [1979], 145-151) disclose synthesis, characterization and lectin-glycolipid interaction of alkyl lactobionamides, cellobionamides and gentobionamides (all containing .beta.-D-glycosidic linkages). The compounds contained alkyl chain lengths of 12 or more carbon atoms. Williams et al. note that the glycolipids are able to compete with monosaccharides for the carbohydrate binding site. The ability of the glycolipids to act as surfactants is discussed. The Williams article describes aldobionamide-induced agglutination of solubilized plant lectins which are not cell-associated. By contrast, compositions according to the present invention are not aimed at attaining agglutination but are meant to inhibit adherent interactions mediated by cell-associated lectins on oral bacteria and/or inhibit bacterial growth.
A concurrently filed commonly assigned application Ser. No. 07/816,409, now abandoned, discloses the general utility of nonionic aldonamides, including lactobionamides, as surfactants in personal products and detergent formulations. Oral hygiene compositions according to the present invention may include surfactant molecules taught by the concurrently filed application, but the present invention is based, in part, on the discovery that specific aldobionamides containing a .beta.-galactosidic linkage, (e.g., lactobionamides) provide an antiplaque benefit by disrupting bacterial binding and/or acting as antimicrobial agents within the oral cavity.
Dental art heretofore has not made available a dentifrice composition containing antiplaque agents which are capable of delivering a surfactant benefit and/or antimicrobial activity and which also contain a .beta.-galactose targeting group. Furthermore, there is need for relatively cheap antiplaque .beta.-galactose-containing actives so that dentifrice compositions containing effective antiplaque agents may be produced on a commercial scale.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide oral hygiene compositions which include specific aldobionamides containing a .beta.-galactosidic linkage as antiplaque agents.
It is another object of the present invention to provide oral hygiene compositions which contain effective yet commercially feasible antiplaque .beta.-galactose-containing compounds.
It is still another object of the invention to provide methods of inhibiting bacterial adhesion and/or bacterial growth in the oral cavity.
These and other objects of the invention will become more apparent from the detailed description and examples that follow.

Oral hygiene compositions containing antiplaque agents

Lever Brothers Company, Division of Conopco, Inc.