Catalyst comprising graphitic carbon and methods of making thereof; said graphitic carbon comprising a metal species, a nitrogen-containing species and a sulfur containing species. A catalyst for oxygen reduction reaction for an alkaline fuel cell was prepared by heating a mixture of cyanamide, carbon black, and a salt selected from an iron sulfate salt and an iron acetate salt at a temperature of from about 700° C. to about 1100° C. under an inert atmosphere. Afterward, the mixture was treated with sulfuric acid at elevated temperature to remove acid soluble components, and the resultant mixture was heated again under an inert atmosphere at the same temperature as the first heat treatment step.

Among several types of fuel cells, polymer electrolyte fuel cells (PEFCs) are the best suited for transportation vehicles because of fast startup time, low sensitivity to orientation, and favorable power-to-weight ratio. Though relatively low temperature operation at around 80° C. makes fast startup possible, it also requires the use of scarce, expensive platinum-based catalysts especially for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) at the cathode. A need exists, therefore, for non-precious metal catalysts suitable for use in fuel cells, which exhibit a catalytic activity similar to precious metal catalysts.
The potential use of non-precious materials instead of Pt in the PEFC cathode has recently received increased attention due to cost analyses that have demonstrated a pressing need. Transition metal-nitrogen-carbon (M-N—C) type catalysts have been studied for almost 50 years since the discovery of their ORR activity in macrocycles bound with transition metals, and considered as the best non-precious metal catalyst to substitute for platinum in PEFCs.
According to previous reports, the most important element of active site(s) in M-N—C catalysts is the nitrogen. Nitrogen in the carbon can exist as pyridinic type (contributing one p-electron to p band), and pyrrole type (contributing two p-electrons to p band). Pyridinic nitrogen can exist only on the edge of the graphene layer, while pyrrolic nitrogen can exist both on the edge of and within the graphene layer. Experimental and quantum mechanical calculation results strongly show that pyridinic and pyrrolic nitrogen are closely related with the activities of M-N—C catalysts.
The effect of sulfur on the ORR catalytic activity has been rarely studied. However, sulfur has a high potential to enhance the activity of ORR in a manner similar to both pyridinic and pyrrolic nitrogen because sulfur resembles the pyridinic nitrogen in that sulfur also has a lone pair of electrons, and sulfur also resembles the pyrrolic nitrogen in that both contribute two p electrons to the pi band of graphene layer.

Non-precious metal catalysts prepared from precursor comprising cyanamide


There is provided a needle bar driver assembly for an overlock sewing machine having a needle for penetrating a material to be sewed and a needle bar for securing the needle thereto. The needle bar driver assembly includes a main shaft, a floating pivot, and a linking mechanism. The main shaft provides an oscillating motion. The linking mechanism is coupled to the main shaft and to the floating pivot, and transfers the oscillating motion of the main shaft to the needle bar while pivoting on the floating pivot.

Conventional sewing machines employ a solid driver bar that drives the needle bars, and hence the needles, in an oscillating motion. However, the use of a solid driver bar limits the upper travel limit of the needle bars, and hence the needles, making it difficult for an operator to insert and remove thick materials during a sewing operation.
Accordingly, it would be desirable and highly advantageous to have a needle bar driver assembly that extends the upper travel limit of the needle bar, and hence the needles, to reduce the difficulties associated with inserting and removing thick materials during a sewing operation.

Needle bar driver assembly for a sewing machine


Authentication method for authenticating a mobile node to a packet data network, in which a shared secret for both the mobile node and the packet data network is arranged by using a shared secret of the mobile node and a telecommunications network authentication center. In the method, the mobile node sends its subscriber identity to the packet data network together with a replay attack protector. The packet data network obtains authentication triplets, forms a session key using them, and sends back to the mobile node challenges and a cryptographic authenticator made by using the session key. The mobile node can then form the rest of the authentication triplets using the challenges and then form the session key. With the session key, the mobile node can check the validity of the cryptographic authenticator. If the authenticator is correct, the mobile node sends a cryptographic response formed using the session key to the packet data network for authenticating itself to the packet data network.

In mobile IP networking, a terminal, such as a laptop computer having a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) adapter coupled thereto, connects to its home agent via a foreign agent. In functional terms, the terminal acts as a mobile node in the network. The terms mobile node, home agent and foreign agent are explained in publication Request For Comments 2002 as follows:    Mobile Node (MT): A host or router that changes its point of attachment from one network or sub-network to another. A mobile node may change its location without changing its IP address; it may continue to communicate with other Internet nodes at any location using its (constant) IP address, assuming that link-layer connectivity to a point of attachment is available.    Home Agent (HA): A mobile node belongs to a home network to which belongs a home agent of the mobile node. The HA is a router on a mobile node's home network which tunnels datagrams for delivery to the mobile node when it is away from home, and maintains current location information for the mobile node.    Foreign Agent: A router on a network being visited by the mobile node which provides routing services to the mobile node whilst it is registered. The foreign agent detunnels and delivers datagrams to the mobile node that were tunneled by the mobile node's home agent. For datagrams sent by a mobile node, the foreign agent may serve as a default router for mobile nodes registered with it.    Mobility Agent: Either a home agent or a foreign agent.
In the publication RFC2002, it is further explained that a mobile node is given a long-term IP address or home address in its home network. This home address is administered in the same way as a "permanent" IP address which is provided to a stationary host. When away from its home network, a "care-of address" is associated by the home agent with the mobile node and indicates the mobile node's current point of attachment. The mobile node may use its home address as the source address of IP datagrams that it sends.
It is often desirable for a mobile node to be authenticated on connection to an IP network. One way for an IP network to recognise a mobile node is by using a shared secret key known by both the IP network and the mobile node. The shared secret is to be used as the cryptographic key. The shared secret can be first known by the IP network and then be stored in a mobile node if the management of the IP network gets a secure access to the mobile node. In the interest of security, the shared secret should not be sent over a network susceptible to eavesdropping. Therefore, the mobile node should be supplied to the management of the IP network. In the future, there are likely to be many different IP networks. According to the present arrangement, a mobile node would need to be provided with a database of secret keys in order to have one for each of the different IP networks with which it could be connected.
WO00/02406 discloses an authentication method intended for a telecommunications network, especially for an IP network. From a terminal in the network a first message containing an authenticator and a data unit is transmitted to the network, the data unit containing information relating to the manner in which the authen- ticator is formed. For carrying out authentication in the network, the data unit contained in the first message is used for determining a check value, which is compared with the said authenticator. To make it unnecessary for the terminal to perform any complicated and heavy exchange of messages when attaching to the network and for still obtaining the desired security characteristics for use, such an identification unit is used in the terminal which receives as input a challenge from which a response and a key can be determined essentially in the same manner as in the subscriber identity module of a known mobile communications system, a set of authentication blocks is generated into the network, of which each contains a challenge, a response, and a key, whereby the generation is performed in the same manner as in the said mobile communication system, at least some of the challenges contained by the authentication blocks are transmitted to the terminal:
one of the challenges is chosen for use at the terminal, and, based on it, a response and a key for use are determined with the aid of the terminal's identification unit, in the said first message the network is notified with the aid of the said data unit of which key corresponding to which challenge was chosen, and the authenticator of the first message and the said check value are determined with the aid of the chosen key.
WO00/02407 concerns authentication to be performed in a telecommunications network, especially in an IP network. To allow a simple and smooth authentication of users of an IP network in a geographically large area, the IP network's terminal (TE1) uses a subscriber identity module (SIM) as used in a separate mobile communications system (MN), whereby a response may be determined from the challenge given to the identity module as input. The IP network also includes a special security server (SS), to which a message about a new user is transmitted when a subscriber attaches to the IP network. The subscriber's authentication information containing at least a challenge and a response is fetched from the said mobile communications system to the IP network and authentication is carried out based on the authentication information obtained from the mobile communications system by transmitting the said challenge through the IP network to the terminal, by generating a response from the challenge in the terminal's identity module and by comparing the response with the response received from the mobile communications system. Such a database (DB) may also be used in the system, wherein subscriber-specific authentication information is stored in advance, whereby the information in question need not be fetched from the mobile communications system when a subscriber attaches to the network.
This document discloses sending a set of challenges in case some of the challenges would conflict with reserved Security Parameter Index (SPI) values, which wastes data transmission bandwidth and is a potential security risk as it provides more data for hacking a mobile communications system's secret using which the subscriber-specific authentication information is formed.
In both WO00/02406 and WO00/02407, the terminal needs to send the response without having any assurance of the challenges being fresh and received from a bona fide network. Therefore, the terminal is not able to determine whether the challenges are part of a replay attack.


The connection structure between wired circuit boards connects a first wired circuit board and a second wired circuit board. The first wired circuit board includes a metal supporting layer, a first insulating layer formed on the metal supporting layer, and a first conductive pattern formed on the first insulating layer and having a first terminal portion. The metal supporting layer is arranged so as not to be opposed to the first terminal portion in a thickness direction. The first terminal portion and the first insulating layer opposed to the first terminal portion in a thickness direction are folded back into a curved shape. The second wired circuit board includes a second insulating layer, and a second conductive pattern formed on the second insulating layer and having a second terminal portion. The first terminal portion and the second terminal portion are electrically connected to each other.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a connection structure between wired circuit boards.
2. Description of Related Art
Wired circuit boards used in electronic/electric equipment or the like are typically formed with terminal portions for connection to external terminals.
As such terminal portions, so-called flying leads in which terminals are formed not only on one side of a conductive pattern but also on both sides of the conductive pattern, have been prevalent in recent years to be adapted for use in highly-densified and more miniaturized electronic/electric equipment, more specifically, for connection to fine-pitched external terminals.
For example, in a suspension board with circuit used in a hard disk drive, it has been known to form terminal portions as flying leads. Such terminal portions are connected to external terminals by, for example, applying ultrasonic vibrations by means of a bonding tool or the like (cf. Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2001-209918).

Connection structure between wired circuit boards


Improved processes for making an N-acyl amino acid salt from a fatty alkyl ester or a polyol ester are disclosed. Each process uses a polyol selected from glycerin or propylene glycol in an amount effective to keep the reaction mixture fluid until conversion to the N-acyl amino acid salt reaches the desired level of completion. In one process, a fatty alkyl ester reacts with an amino acid salt in the presence of glycerin or propylene glycol to produce an N-acyl amino acid salt. In another process, a polyol ester reacts with the amino acid salt in the presence of added glycerin or propylene glycol to produce the N-acyl amino acid salt. We surprisingly found that an effective amount of glycerin or propylene glycol minimizes or eliminates reaction mixture solidification or foaming, reduces color, and minimizes the level of di- and tripeptide by-products. In a related process, water is added when conversion of the amino acid salt to the N-acyl amino acid salt is in the range of 50 to 90 mole %. Water addition improves processability, advances conversion without producing excessive soap, and helps to ensure that the N-acyl amino acid salt will have low color and a small proportion of by-products.

N-Acyl amino acid salts are anionic surfactants useful in laundry detergents, household or industrial cleaners, foamers, emulsifiers, personal cleansers, and other applications. Because they are often exceptionally mild, the salts are particularly valuable for personal care formulations.
In general, N-acyl amino acid salts have been underutilized, due at least in part to challenges in manufacturing them. N-Acyl amino acid salts can be made from the corresponding fatty acyl chlorides and amino acid salts using Schotten-Baumann chemistry (see, e.g., J. Am. Chem. Soc. 78 (1956) 172 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,703,517), but this process is expensive and generates an equimolar amount of undesirable salt by-product. In an alternative synthetic method, a fatty acid is reacted with an amino alcohol to give a fatty amide, which is then oxidized to give the N-acyl amino acid (see, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 8,093,414). This process is hampered by relatively low yields, low selectivities in the oxidation step, the use of precious metal catalysts, and the need for a conventional organic workup.
In other known processes, the N-acyl amino acid salt is made from a fatty acid. For example, EP 1672055 and U.S. Pat. Appl. Publ. No. 2006/0239952 describe the synthesis of N-acyl glycinates by reacting a fatty acid with glycine. This process generates a relatively high proportion of di- and tripeptide by-products (di- and triglycinates), which may or may not be desirable depending upon the intended use; conversion to the mono-acylated product is about 92%. U.S. Pat. No. 3,836,551 teaches to react fatty acids with amino acid salts either in the molten fluid phase (i.e., without a solvent), in solution using a polar aprotic solvent (such as dimethyl sulfoxide or N,N-dimethylformamide), or in suspension with a nonpolar organic solvent (e.g., xylene). Typical reaction times are about 9 hours, and by-products are not discussed. Generally, the fatty acid route is also less preferred because it requires a high reaction temperature, which leads to undesirable color development in the N-acyl amino acid salt.
Fatty esters have also been used as starting materials. U.S. Pat. No. 5,856,538 teaches to react a fatty alkyl ester (e.g., methyl oleate) with an amino acid salt and a 30-150% molar excess of a strong base (e.g., sodium methoxide/methanol solution). Sodium sarcosinate is used in the examples, although other amino acid salts are taught as suitable, and no solvent is used. WO 95/07881 teaches a method of preparing N-acyl sarcosinates starting from fatty esters. The reference indicates that alcohol solvents (e.g., 1-propanol, 1-butanol, isobutyl alcohol, propylene glycol, ethylene glycol) can be used to reduce viscosity during the amidation reaction. In the examples, the solvent is used to remove water by azeotropic distillation.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,898,084 describes the preparation of N-acyl amino acid salts by reacting a mono-, di-, or triglyceride with an amino acid salt in the presence of a strong base. In the examples, colza oil (a triglyceride) is reacted with sodium sarcosinate in the presence of sodium methoxide/methanol, and the reaction continues until glycerides are no longer detected. A typical organic workup follows. The reference indicates that the glycerin produced in the course of the reaction either remains in the reaction mixture or is partly or wholly removed in the conventional workup. At the conclusion of the reaction, the mixture is typically a viscous paste.
The preparation of N-acyl amino acid salts is particularly challenging when the reactants are fatty alkyl esters—particularly fatty methyl esters—and alkali metal glycinates, as in the preparation of sodium cocoyl glycinate, sodium myristyl glycinate, or sodium lauryl glycinate. This reaction is troublesome due to a lack of reagent compatibility, solidification of the reaction mixture at elevated process temperatures, color development, severe foaming during methanol removal, and significant by-product generation. Solvents have been used to mitigate some of these concerns but typically in the context of sarcosinates or other amino acid salts that are more easily converted to N-acyl amino acid salts. Moreover, the need to remove a solvent introduces additional challenges.
In sum, an improved process for making N-acyl amino acid salts is needed. In particular, the industry needs a process that avoids salt generation and the selectivity issues of other known routes. Preferably, the process would give a reduced proportion of di- and tripeptide by-products and would avoid the need to remove a process solvent. An ideal process would overcome the particular difficulties that complicate the preparation of N-acyl glycinates from fatty alkyl esters.

Process for preparing N-acyl amino acid salts


A troffer light fixture that is easy to install, requires no brackets to have an acceptable appearance with regard to an existing, previously installed troffer housing, and can be used as a retrofit or as a new installation. The troffer light fixture includes one or more mechanisms with which a user can interact to extend or retract arms that are provided on the back side of the troffer light fixture. These arms work to secure the troffer light fixture in place relate to a ceiling, and when retracted provide that the troffer light fixture can be easily removed from the ceiling. The mechanism can take many forms, but in one embodiment can be provided as being a gear that meshes with gear racks that are provided on the arms.

The invention generally relates to troffer light fixtures, and more specifically relates to a troffer light fixture that is easy to install and can be used as a new installation or as a retrofit to an existing troffer light fixture.
A troffer light fixture typically includes a housing that is like a tray having a top wall and four sidewalls, and is either rectangular or square. The troffer housing is configured to be installed in a ceiling, such as a dropped ceiling having T-bars. Lamp sockets are typically mounted to the troffer housing, and the lamp sockets are connected to a ballast that receives electrical power from wiring within the ceiling. The troffer light fixture may further include a door that attaches to the troffer housing and opens downward, and the door often includes a lens that also opens downward.
With regard to retrofitting an existing troffer light fixture, this is often done in the industry for many reasons. For example, one may want to transition to a more efficient light source, such as by going from fluorescent bulbs to LED. Another reason may be because an existing troffer light fixture has damaged components, such as defective sockets or a defective ballast, or the existing troffer light fixture may have a dented housing.
Regardless of the reason for retrofitting, it is typically more desirable to retrofit an existing, previously installed troffer light fixture than it is to merely swap out the entire light fixture because swapping out the entire light fixture typically causes disruption of the ceiling, such as the release of debris and dust, etc. which is undesirable.
Many retrofit troffer light fixtures that exist in the industry are not easy to install. Additionally, many are provided as kits and include brackets that are used for installation purposes as well as to cover space that exists between the existing troffer housing and the new fixture.

Troffer light fixture and method of installation


Methods, computer-readable media, and systems are provided for deployment of software tools across a network. One example method includes initiating a discovery mechanism to poll a plurality of computing machines 121-1, . . . , 144-T from a remote deployment system 101 to multiple systems 120/130/140 across a network 108. The multiple systems 120/130/140 include computing machines 121-1, . . . , 144-T having different operating system (OS) types. Respective agents 151 are deployed for each type of OS identified in the response to the discovery mechanism 210/220. Each of the respective agents 151 is configured to manage communications 230 between the deployment system 101 and the different OS types for each of the plurality of computing machines 121-1, . . . , 144-T on the network 108 and to initiate application deployment and monitoring on each of the plurality of computing machines 230.

In a computing machine, such as a server, router, computer, laptop, PDA, mobile phone, netbook, etc., and other devices having processor logic and memory, the computing machine can have an operating system installed thereon, and may further include a number of application programs that execute on the computing machine. However, after manufacture and/or assembly, the operating system and application programs first have to be loaded onto the computing machine.
Computing systems can include multiple computing machines, which may be communicatively coupled over a network. The computing machines may, from time to time, be managed. For example, managing a computing machine can include loading and/or updating an operating system and/or application programs. The computing machine may subsequently be managed, such as to upgrade, replace, or troubleshoot the operating system and/or application programs; add, remove, or modify access rights; add/remove additional application programs; or examine and modify filesystems, execute commands, and/or perform other hardware, software, or operational manipulations.
In order to bring-up server racks or Performance Optimized Datacenters (PODs) in factory or solutions environments, customer sites, and internal labs, software has to be deployed to and tested across a large number of machines. Existing efforts to do so involve more infrastructure than the base Out Of the Box (OOB) operating system (OS), do not communicate across different OS types, and may not even be aware of all user-specified software tools and utilities to monitor their execution on remote machines'.

Remote software deployment across a network

Hewlett Packard Enterprise Development LP


A pressure wave generator with dynamic reflector of pressure impulse is disclosed which comprises an outer fixed and an inner coaxially-rotating cylindrical elements with the given profiled openings of the given shapes and sizes in the solid walls and a dynamic reflector of pressure impulse, configured in the solid wall of the inner rotating cylindrical element having a longitudinal radial-azimuthal variable-concave surface. Such concave surface provides a decomposition of the reflected pressure impulse to a radial and azimuthal component, especially important on the stage of decrease of the pressure amplitude from a maximal value to zero. Variation of the curvature of the radial-azimuthal shape of the concave surface provides a maximal azimuthal component and a minimal radial component of the mechanical reaction of the shaft of the pressure wave generator. The helicoidally-shape of the inner surface of a collector add an azimuthal motion to reflected pressure impulse.

The present invention relates to a pressure wave generator with a dynamic reflector of pressure impulse. The use of pressure waves with various amplitudes, frequencies and waveforms is increasingly applied in scientific laboratory research and in various technological processes. Correspondingly, the different generators are used for generating pressure perturbations of relatively small amplitudes and for generating pressure waves of relatively large amplitudes.
Generating symmetrical sinusoidal pressure waves, even of small amplitudes, for simple laboratory research is carried out by very complicated separate hydraulic system, using a piston and controlled drive as shown in the following papers: Takehiko Segava, et al. Turbulent drag reduction by means of alternating suction and blowing jets, Fluid Dynamic Research. 39 (2007) 552-568; Turgut Sarpkaya, Coherent structures in oscillatory boundary layer, Journal of Fluid Mechanics. 1993, vol. 253, pp. 105-140, S. W. Tu, B. R. Ramaprian, Fully developed periodic turbulent pipe flow: Part 1. Main experimental results and comparison with predictions, Journal of Fluid Mechanics. 1983, vol. 137, pp. 31-58, B. R. Ramaprian, S. W. Tu, Fully developed periodic turbulent pipe flow; Part 2 and The detailed structure of the flow, Journal of Fluid Mechanics. 1983, vol. 137, pp. 59-81.
To operate such a system, generated wave energy is introduced in the pipe fluid flow. Further, for example, the phenomena of interaction between wave energy and turbulence of the flow along the pipeline is studied, forming coherent structures, suppression of turbulence, relaminarization, and others.
Even if parameters of generated waves can improve some industrial technological processes, these generators are very complicated and cannot be applied in industries. Moreover, these generators are generally designed to generate only symmetrical sinusoidal perturbations and pressure waves.
One more simple method of generating pressure waves was proposed by A. Relin [1. U.S. Pat. No. 6,827,528. 2004], which is based on the periodic connection of fluid zones with different pressures, creating by a pump and realized by a separated unit, modulator.
Generating any kind of symmetrical or asymmetrical pressure waves or perturbations of any frequencies, amplitudes and waveforms such as disclosed in [2. I. Marta, U.S. Pat. No. 10,233,952. 2019], which is based on the exchange of pressure impulse, between two fluid zones with different pressures through the periodic changing of the given common surface, obtained as a result of the intersecting of the single position location of the profiled surfaces of cross-sectional openings in the solid walls of concentric cylindrical elements during rotation of the inner cylindrical element relatively to outer cylindrical element. Generated pressure waves by this method cover a whole range of amplitudes, frequencies and waveforms needed for the laboratory research and technological processes. The periodic process of the exchange of pressure impulse is accompanied by forming simultaneously two pressure waves on the common surface: compression pressure wave, p+ propagating in the fluid zone with under pressure and rarefaction pressure wave, p− propagating in the fluid zone with overpressure. Both generated waves have the same frequency, waveform and absolute value of amplitude, relatively to average values of under pressure and overpressure in the fluid zone.
The process of generating pressure waves consists of forming waves during two-time intervals, constituting a period: a front time, tF and a back time, tB, where tB=T−tF, and T is a period. During the front time, tF the common surface is increasing from zero to a maximum, while a pressure in the rarefaction wave is decreased to the amplitude value p−, relatively to the value of the overpressure in the fluid zone. Simultaneously, a pressure in a compression wave, during a front time, tF is increased to the amplitude value, p+ relatively to the value of the under pressure in the fluid zone.
The waves p+ and p− are formed only due to the exchange of pressure impulse between fluid zones, through the common surface during the front time, tF. Recovery of pressure to zero, in the waves p+ and p− during the back time, tB, is carried out differently. Such recovery of pressure in the compression wave is formed only due to the exchange of pressure impulse through the common surface. While the recovering pressure in the rarefaction wave is carried out due to the exchange of pressure impulse through the common surface and reflected pressure impulse from the outer cylindrical surface of the rotating inner movable cylindrical solid wall.
Estimation of the components of the exchanged and reflected pressure impulse has not been made, as noted by A. Relin, and I. Marta, [1, 2. U.S. Pat. No. 8,573,896, 2013 and I. Marta, U.S. Pat. No. 10,233,952, 2019]. These patents disclose the energetical principle and principle of profiling surface of cross-sectional openings of elements of mechanical system for generating any symmetrical or asymmetrical pressure waves in fluids. The basic idea of U.S. Pat. Nos. 10,233,952 and 8,573,896 is the developing of the method of dynamic energy action applying to a carrying medium flow for performing a process of transporting of the object. Particular attention is paid to steps of energy transformation, during the transporting process. The inventors of US Patent [2, 1. U.S. Pat. Nos. 10,233,952 and 8,573,896], at the time of the discovery of the present invention, continue developing the idea originally proposed in US Patent [1. U.S. Pat. No. 8,573,896]. The engineering research is now being applied to the drop-shaped form of the law of negative modulation, for pipeline transportation of fluid media. Also, it has been determined that the modulated medium flow energy optimizing criteria, which allows continuously keeping a minimal energy consumption vs amplitude, frequency and waveform of negative modulation, during pipeline transporting process of medium flow.
Estimations of the above-mentioned components have to be done for a better understanding of the mechanical actions of pressure impulse components on the elements of pressure wave generator and for providing its stability during operating.
The development of the pressure wave generator, disclosed in US Patents [U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,827,528, 8,573,896 and 10,233,952], is connected in parallel to a pump with the suction and discharge pipes. The under and over pressures correspond to the suction and discharge pressures on the pump. Analysis of the formation and propagating pressure perturbations or pressure waves through the fluid flows along the suction and discharge pipe is presented, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 10,233,952, 8,573,896 and 6,827,528 and the papers noted above and mechanisms of forming pressure waves, in order to show the difference of generator designs. The developed pressure wave generators disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,827,528, 8,573,896 and 10,233,952 cover the broad specter of technological and laboratory applications.
The results of focused studies, of perturbated turbulent flows to decrease the hydrodynamic resistance and save energy, are very important for practical applications. They show that the energy of symmetric and asymmetric waves is the most suitable form of energy for influencing a turbulent flow with the aim of significantly changing hydrodynamic resistance.
Therefore, the present invention improves the design of the pressure wave generators to ensure the stability of operating and wider application in various technologies. The studies of pulsating flows in recent decades, are related to actions of symmetric perturbations of pressure and velocity of turbulent flows in the pipes, as well as with the perturbation of flow energy. Basically, the pulsating flows are targeted to decrease hydrodynamic resistance of transporting medium flow through pipelines and gives encouraging results.
As a result of actions of symmetrical perturbations of the turbulent flows, a variety of physical effects are brought out: changing stability of the boundary layer and the wall shear stress; forming the ordered and coherent structures; inhibition of turbulence; suppression of turbulence; and partial relaminarization among others.
It has been experimentally shown that during the acceleration phase and recovery of the pressure in the wave, friction decreases as shown by E. B. Shuy, Wall Shear Stress in Accelerating and Decelerating Turbulent Pipe Flows, Journal of Hydraulic Research. Vol. 34, 1996—Issue 2. Consequently, turbulence becomes more ordered and more anisotropic; and flow becomes partially more laminarized.
The idea of using an asymmetric drop shaped form of pressure waves perturbation was proposed in U.S. Pat. No. 8,573,896. It will be understood, from that patent, that the front time is 2-3 times less than the time interval of restoring pressure in a wave; the back time of each period. This type of asymmetry of the pressure waves/perturbations provides, on average, a larger state of ordered turbulence and a partial laminarized state of the turbulent flow. These waves were intended to be used in the pipeline transportation of flowable media for decrease of hydrodynamic resistance. Testing use of these waves for decrease of hydrodynamic resistance of pipeline transportation of water flow, in industrial environments, has shown good results.
All these effects were obtained in the frequency range of a few hertz (Hz). Most of them were obtained as the confirmation of physical effects. There are no data, of optimal parameters of pressure perturbations or waves, providing maximum of various effects, and energy balance, etc.
Unusual results have been presented in a paper by Jakob Kühnen, et al. titled Destabilizing Turbulence in Pipe Flow, in Methods and Extended Data. There, the authors formulated the problem of the full laminarization of the turbulent water flow under the action of small perturbations. Stated in this way, the problem contradicts the fundamental conditions of absolute stability of the developed turbulent flow, which are generally accepted as a hypothesis in hydrodynamics.
For example, four small rotors in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of a pipe, with the angular azimuthal interval 90°, were installed inside of a pipe. The plane of rotation of rotors is perpendicular to the same axis. Rotors are located in the vicinity of the boundary layer and connected to a source of electricity. The developed turbulent flow, with Reynolds number of 50000, was weakly perturbed by rotors, whose angular velocity is 7 rotations per second. This was enough to create full laminarization the turbulent flow; additionally, hydrodynamic resistance was decreased to 90%. This effect was obtained by experimentation as well as by computer simulation.
The above presented results, of targeted studies of turbulent flows disturbances in order to reduce hydrodynamic drag and save energy during pipeline transporting of fluid flows, are very important for practical use. Wave energy is most suitable form of perturbations. Therefore, development of the pressure wave generators with controlled amplitude, frequencies and waveform, for the use in different technologies, is the very actual task.
Therefore, a task of the present invention is the development of a pressure wave generator with a dynamic reflector of pressure impulse for generating any kind of symmetrical and asymmetrical pressure waves and perturbations of any amplitudes, frequencies and waveforms, and providing minimal radial mechanical action on the shaft of the pressure wave generator. Other advantages of the present invention will become apparent as the description proceeds.

Pressure wave generator with dynamic reflector of pressure impulse


A system and method for controlling a throttle ramp rate of a vehicle. According to an embodiment of the invention, the controlling of a throttle ramp rate of a vehicle is accomplished by determining the target engine speed for a vehicle during a vehicle launch. If it is determined that there is a high throttle demand upon the engine of the vehicle, a throttle ramp rate offset amount is determined, which is based upon an estimated weight of the vehicle. A default high throttle ramp rate may then be adjusted based upon the determined throttle ramp rate offset.

During the launch of a motor vehicle, the vehicle operator adjusts a throttle of the vehicle, typically by depressing an accelerator pedal, in order to increase the running speed of the engine. Increasing the engine speed increases the amount of torque generated by the engine, which subsequently causes the wheels to turn. The rate at which the speed of the engine can be increased is known as the throttle ramp rate. In some vehicles, only one or two throttle ramp rates may be available, such as a low throttle ramp rate for when a desired engine speed is relatively low, and a high throttle ramp rate for when a desired engine speed is relatively high. Furthermore, these throttle ramp rates may be constant in value. FIG. 1 is a graph of engine speed over time, and depicts a constant throttle ramp rate as used in the prior art.
A constant value high throttle ramp rate is sufficient for vehicles that maintain a uniform weight. However, for vehicles such as commercial trucks, the effective vehicle weight can vary drastically depending on the type and amount of cargo being carried. As a result, one constant high throttle ramp rate is inadequate, as it often leads to excessive acceleration of the engine when the vehicle is light, resulting in jerky starts, or insufficient acceleration of the engine when the vehicle is heavy, resulting in a slow and labored launch of the vehicle.

Throttle ramp rate control system for a vehicle


In the present invention, a method and system for equalizing and matching lithium secondary batteries belong to the field of secondary batteries. A lithium secondary battery is divided into more than one grade according to the magnitude of a consumable current Ic, the number of grades is h, the lithium secondary battery is divided into grades corresponding to the consumable current according to the magnitude of a voltage difference ΔV, a battery cell at a grade same as that of the consumable current and the voltage difference is selected for matching, so the range of the consumable current of the battery group can be controlled. The battery system configured in the method of the present invention converts consumable current grading into voltage difference grading after laying, so as to be convenient and swift; the range of the consumable current of the battery cell, the laying time, the equalization charging period, the equalization current, and the charger cutoff current are all under control, and are matched with each other, the equalization cost is low, and the charging equalization time is short; the laying service life and the maintenance period of the battery group can be designed or predicted during matching, and how many times of charging/discharging is required to charge the battery group to be balanced after the battery group is laid for an extremely long time is estimated in advance; the battery group reject rate is reduced, and the battery group reliability is improved.

There are a lot of patents and literatures currently available about the battery equalizing and matching, equalization of protection board, equalization of charger, and equalization of power supply system. A Chinese patent application with the Application No. 201110186716.1, introduced a consistency screening method for the lithium secondary batteries. Charging the battery to a low state of charge via the approach of multi-stage constant current and constant voltage, and laying for a suitable period of time, selecting the battery cell whose voltage is within a certain range to be used for the battery group matching. However, no matter how the battery cells are selected, two batteries always have some difference between them. So, if the requirement for consistency is set too high, the pass rate of the battery available for matching will be low; while if the requirement for consistency is set too low, the reliability of the matched battery group will be low. So, it needs to weigh the choices between the two factors.
Currently, the control parameters for the grade dividing and group matching of battery cell comprise capacity, voltage, internal resistance, and etc. In regard to the control for battery self-consumption, it usually set the state of charge of battery cells as full charge SOC 100% or half charge SOC 50%, and then lay them at room temperature or at 45˜50° C. for a pre-determined period of time, and the battery cells with the voltage greater than or equal to the pre-determined standard value are the qualified. Alternatively, dividing the grade based on the voltage, i.e., measure the battery cell voltage and then divide the grade accordingly. The grade dividing based on the voltage has a certain degree of control to the level of battery self-consumption. However, due to the fact that after charging or discharging, the voltages of various battery cells are different themselves, which is because of the difference of various battery cells and the difference of the test cabinet points. Since the voltages of the battery cells are different from themselves, the grade dividing based on the voltage cannot accurately divide the grades according to the battery self-consumption.
Among the currently available battery self-consumption testing and sorting system, some of them accomplish the grade dividing via the voltage difference; i.e., after measuring the battery voltage, lay it aside for a pre-set period of time, and then measure its voltage again, and based on the difference of the voltage before and after to conduct the grade dividing. Such grade dividing based on the voltage difference is a progress from the grade dividing that is based on the voltage. However, due to the facts that the battery cells from different grades of voltage difference usually have different self-consumption or consumable current (or sometimes called self-discharge current); and sometimes such difference is quite large, the magnitude of the consumable current and the range of the consumable current of individual battery cell are actually unknown. So, it cannot design and clearly control battery group's laying service life. The standard method for measure the self-consumption is, according to the national or industry standard, measuring the charge retention capability of a battery. After the standard charging and discharging for 1 week with the battery or battery measure out the standard capacity C5, next perform standard charging, and then under the condition of the environmental temperature at 23° C.±2° C., lay it aside as open circuit for 28 days, next discharge it with 0.2 C5 mA to the cut-off voltage, and measure out the capacity after the laying C5′, so the charge retention capability=C5′/C5×100%. The lost part is the self-consumption rate=(C5-C5′)/C5×100%. In the industry, the processes of battery shelving, storing and assembling are usually operated at the state of full charge or half charge. Within the range of SOC 50˜100% the voltage changes of certain types of batteries are quite insignificant, such as the fully charged 10 Ah lithium iron phosphate-graphite battery, following charging, its open circuit stable voltage is 3.338 V, then discharging for 1 h with 1 A, 1 Ah has been discharged, the SOC is 90% and the open circuit stable voltage changes to 3.334 V; then discharge it again with 1 A, and another 1 Ah has been discharged, SOC becomes 80% and its open circuit stable voltage changes to 3.332 V. Although the currently available voltage measurement technology is able to measure with the accuracy up to 0.1 mV, or even higher accuracy; as for the large scale production in the factory, the environmental temperature, air direction from the conditioner, pressure of the measurement probe, the contacting position, and etc, may all influence the measurement accuracy for the voltage. Or the values shown in the measurement keep randomly changing, which makes it hardly can be determined manually; even for a machine, it can only made the determination randomly. So, the actual accuracy may be just at 0.1˜1 mV.
In the battery group, there are always some differences of the consumable current between individual battery cells. During the processes of storing, shelving, placing, and using, due to the difference of the consumable current, the consistency among the individual battery cells, in particular the state of charge (SOC), keeps changing, and such difference gradually becomes bigger. Thus over a period of time, the battery group is going to fail. A battery group needs to be equipped with the equalization protection board. During the process of charging, it makes the states of charge of various individual battery cells become consistent. In the case when the equalization current of the equalization protection board does not match the range of the consumable current of the battery cells, and the range of the consumable current of the battery cell is too large, during charging process, it cannot make the states of charge of various individual battery cells become consistent within a reasonable period of time. In addition, if the charger does not match the equalization capability of the equalization protection board, and the charging cut-off current is much larger than the equalization current of equalization protection board, then in such a case, when the equalization is just started or even has not started yet, the charging is already terminated, then during the process of charging, it cannot make the states of charge of various individual battery cells become consistent, either.
There are mainly two equalization methods currently available. One method is the passive equalization, which only functions during the charging process. When a certain battery cell reaches the equalization initiation voltage, a part of the current will be leaked via a bypass resistor, thus to reduce the charging speed of the battery cell of a high voltage, and allow it to wait for the voltage increase of the battery cell of a low voltage. During the equalization process, it will generate heat; and its equalization efficiency is low. Yet its main advantage is the low price tag. This is the widely utilized equalization method. The other one is the active equalization method. It extracts energy from the battery cell with a high voltage via an inductance coil, and then transports it to the battery cell with a low voltage. Thus it has a very small energy loss; and generates almost no heat; as well as has a high equalization efficiency. This is a very good equality method. Nevertheless, its equalization cost is too high, which could be 3˜5 fold of that of the passive equalization method.
The currently available equalizing and matching methods for the lithium secondary battery have certain drawbacks. They cannot ensure that the range of the consumable current of the battery cell within a controllable range; and cannot make a relational design of the range of the consumable current of the battery cells, the equalization current of the equalization protection board and the charging cut-off current of the charger; and also cannot effectively control the laying service life of a battery group.

Method and system for equalizing and matching lithium secondary batteries

GUANGZHOU FULLRIVER BATTERY NEW TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.


A half thrust bearing having a semicircular ring shape for receiving an axial force of a crankshaft of an internal combustion engine is provided. The half thrust bearing includes thrust reliefs formed adjacently to end surfaces on both sides in a circumferential direction on a slide surface side which receives the axial force so that wall thicknesses become thinner toward the end surfaces. The thrust relief on a rear side in a rotational direction of the crankshaft or both thrust reliefs are formed so that a length of the thrust relief in an inner end portion in a radial direction of the half thrust bearing is longer than a length of the thrust relief in an outer end portion in the radial direction of the half thrust bearing.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a thrust bearing and a bearing device that receive an axial force of a crankshaft of an internal combustion engine.
2. Description of the Related Art
The crankshaft of an internal combustion engine is rotatably supported, at a journal portion thereof, in a cylinder block lower portion of the internal combustion engine via a main bearing that is configured by combining a pair of half bearings in a cylindrical shape.
One or both of a pair of half bearings are used in combination with a half thrust bearing that receives a force in the axial direction of the crankshaft. The half thrust bearing is placed on at least one of both end surfaces of the half bearings in the axial direction.
The half thrust bearing receives the force in the axial direction that occurs in the axial direction of the crankshaft. Namely, the half thrust bearings are disposed for the purpose of bearing the force in the axial direction that is inputted to the crankshaft when the crankshaft is connected with a transmission by a clutch, or the like.
On a slide surface side of a half thrust bearing, thrust reliefs are formed so that the thickness of a member becomes thinner toward circumferential end surfaces in the vicinity of both ends in the circumferential direction of the half thrust bearing. In general, in the thrust relief, the length from the end surface in the circumferential direction of the half thrust bearing to the slide surface, and the depth at the end surface in the circumferential direction are made constant irrespective of a position in the radial direction. The thrust relief is formed to absorb positional displacement of the end surfaces of a pair of half thrust bearings at the time of assembling the half thrust bearings in a split type bearing housing (see FIG. 10 of JP-A-H11-201145).
The crankshaft of an internal combustion engine is borne, at the journal portion thereof, in the cylinder block lower portion of the internal combustion engine via a main bearing formed by a pair of half bearings. Lubricating oil is fed into a lubricating oil groove that is formed along an inner circumferential surface of the main bearing through a through-hole in a wall of the main bearing from an oil gallery in a cylinder block wall. In this manner, the lubricating oil is supplied into the lubricating oil groove of the main bearing, and thereafter, is supplied to the half thrust bearing.
Incidentally, in recent years, oil pumps for supplying lubricating oil of internal combustion engines have been downsized, and therefore, the supply amount of the lubricating oil to the bearings has been decreased. Accordingly, the leakage amount of the lubricating oil from the end surfaces of the main bearings becomes decreased, and the supply amount of the lubricating oil to half thrust bearings has also tended to decrease. As a countermeasure against it, for example, the art of enhancing oil retainability for lubricating oil by forming fine grooves to be provided side by side on the slide surface of a half thrust bearing is proposed (see JP-A-2001-323928).


An improved siding panel for covering an exterior portion of a structure includes a fabric attached to an edge thereof and a siding nail coupling the fabric to the exterior. The fabric is formed of monofilament polyester yarn, with the warp yarn woven into a solid band and the weft yarn woven to form a series of loops beneath the solid band. The weft yarn loops are laminated into the top edge of the siding panel. The siding nail is then securely nailed into the solid band of yarn.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is directed to an improved siding panel and, more particularly, to a vinyl siding panel having a fabric attached to its upper edge for nailing to a house or other structure.
2. Background
The use of siding is quite popular as an exterior for homes, dwelling, and commercial buildings. Siding is usually less expensive than brick and often provides excellent insulation. In addition, over a long period of time, siding can be more energy-efficient than brick or natural wood exteriors.
A home buyer has an array of sidings from which to choose. Wood board and batten siding consists of staggered wood siding members nailed to the exterior of the home. Similarly, aluminum siding consists of overlapping aluminum panels attached to the home with adhesive or nails. Vinyl siding, often considered more aesthetically pleasing than aluminum siding, is produced in elongated strips or panels which are nailed or otherwise secured to the house along one of their longitudinal edges. The opposing longitudinal edge overlaps and interlocks with the panel positioned immediately beneath it. In this manner, the installer commences the installation near the foundation and works his way up to the roof line.
Vinyl siding must be carefully installed to prevent damage to the siding during installation or later problems. During installation, the installer must avoid an errant hammer blow to the siding and must not puncture the siding with a nail or seat the siding nails tight against the panel or, worse, to a flush position distorting the vinyl under the nail head. Instead, nail slots are punched into the siding panels during manufacture. The installer drives each nail into a slot in the panel using a conventional hammer. The nail must secure the panel, but provide sufficient "play" for the panel to thermally expand and contract. If nailed too tightly against the frame, the siding will buckle and have an unattractive appearance.
Power screw drivers and nail or staple guns cannot install fasteners with the accuracy necessary to ensure that the siding nail or other fastener is properly seated. Accordingly, skilled workers are required to install vinyl siding, and doing so is very time-consuming. Moreover, the per-hour cost of skilled labor can be very high, resulting in high installation costs.

Siding panel with fabric tape attachment


An anchoring system and method for temporary structures is disclosed. The system comprises: At least a first stake having a shaft with a lower end for insertion into the ground, and an upper end including a loop; at least a second stake having a shaft with a lower end for insertion into the ground, and an upper end including at least one hook. When the lower ends of the at least first and second stakes are inserted into the ground, the lower ends of the stakes are angled away from each other, the shaft of the second stake is received through the loop of the first stake, and a portion of the shaft of the first stake is received within the at least one hook, whereby the at least first and second stakes are in a mutually interlocked condition which prevents the at least first and second stakes from being independently extracted from the ground.

Temporary structures such as tents and the like have long been used for shelter. Anchoring such structures in place using stakes is common practice. The stakes are typically inserted into the ground, so as to capture part of the tent or a tent support. Examples of several prior art tent anchoring stakes and systems follow.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,404,980, issued to Wade, teaches using two straight tent stakes to secure a support bar to the ground. The first stake is inserted from inside the tent outwards through a support bar at a 45 degree angle with respect to the ground. The second stake is inserted from outside the tent at a 45 degree angle with respect to the ground, so as to be generally perpendicular with respect to the first stake. In this invention, removing the ground support bar requires a force large enough to overcome two opposing stakes.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,831,798, issued to Ottenson, teaches a stake having an elongate cylindrical body and a bail, the bail connected to or formed integrally with the body. The stake may be used alone or, to increase the anchoring strength, two stakes can be used together. When two stakes are used together, the first stake is driven into the ground so that a majority of the bail is below ground level. A chain or rope type tent support is connected to and securely retained by the exposed portion of the bail. The second stake is then inserted into the ground such that the bail of the second stake engages the first stake, retaining the second stake in the ground.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,063,567, issued to Martin et al., teaches a tent peg having an elongate body with an aperture and shoulder thereon. The tent peg is driven into the ground at approximately a 45 degree angle. A locking peg or nail is then driven through the aperture in the tent peg into the ground approximately perpendicular to the tent peg until the locking peg abuts the tent peg preventing withdrawal of the tent peg. In Martin, as in Ottenson, only one peg is locked in place and the other peg may be freely retracted.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,625,983, issued to Lachance et al., teaches an anchoring device comprising two essentially identical stakes with superimposable eyelets and a cross-shaped sliding sleeve member with two tubes, one for receiving each stake. The stakes are inserted into the ground through the tubes approximately perpendicular to each other. The eyelets may then be superimposed and locked with an external means such as a padlock.

Method and system for anchoring a temporary structure


In an image forming apparatus, when photosensitive members 4Y, 4M, 4C are in contact with a transfer belt, then color adjustment is performed. When the photosensitive members 4Y, 4M, 4C are not in contact with a transfer belt, i.e., only a photosensitive member 4Bk is in contact with the transfer belt, then only black adjustment is performed.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and an image density adjusting method.
2. Description of the Related Art
A typical color image forming apparatus, such as a tandem-type electrophotographic image forming apparatus, has both a monochrome mode and a color mode. Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. H7-66953 discloses a color image forming apparatus in which only a black and white (B&W) image is formed in the monochrome mode to prolong the life of image carriers, and a full color image is formed in the color mode by superimposing a plurality of color images.
Such an image forming apparatus having the monochrome mode and the color mode generally includes an image quality adjusting unit that forms a pattern of image patches (adjustment patches), reads the density of the pattern using a sensor, and performs a feedback control based on the density of the pattern read by the sensor to optimize the image quality. In a conventional image forming apparatus that includes a plurality of image forming units corresponding to, for example, yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (Bk), the density of all the four colors, including black, is adjusted at a time.
A color image is not formed in the monochrome mode. Therefore, if the color adjustment is necessary and if the current mode is the monochrome mode, the printing mode must be switched to the color mode. The time for switching the printing mode causes a waiting time to a user, which can be annoying.
Some image forming apparatuses are configured not to perform the color adjustment in the monochrome mode even when the color adjustment is required. In such image forming apparatuses, however, sudden switching of the printing mode from the monochrome mode to the color mode accompanies a color adjustment, and the user has to wait until the color adjustment is completed.
In the image forming apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. H7-66953, a correction pattern is formed on a transfer medium and a color misalignment is corrected using the correction pattern. However, it cannot be said that the color adjustment is performed considering the problem of switching the printing mode between the monochrome mode and the color mode.

Image forming apparatus and image density adjusting method


A method and apparatus are disclosed wherein positioning data and road charging data depending on a vehicle position may be inserted into a combined data stream. The positioning data and road charging data may be provided with the same protocol type such as a national marine electronics association, NMEA, protocol or NMEA 0183 protocol. The combined data stream therefore comprises a mixed sequence of positioning data protocol messages and road charging data protocol messages.

Road charging is an economic concept regarding the various direct charges applied for the use of roads, including those which may vary by time of day, by the specific road, or by the specific vehicle type, being used. Road charging has distinct objectives such as revenue generation, usually for road infrastructure financing, and congestion charging for demand management purposes.
US 2005251327 A1 describes a route calculating system which comprises a device for setting and displaying an optimum route taking road pricing into consideration when displaying the route.
In order to determine where a car is, a satellite navigation system may be used, e.g. the global positioning system (GPS) system or, when it becomes operational, Galileo, or any other positioning system. GPS uses a collection of orbital satellites that transmit signals that enable GPS receivers to determine their current location, the time, and their velocity (including direction).
Some position information receivers such as GPS receivers may provide the calculated navigation information using a standardized protocol such as e.g. the national marine electronics association, NMEA, 0183 protocol. NMEA 0183, or NMEA for short, is a standard for communication between marine electronics devices which uses ASCII strings to format the protocol messages.
Many GPS receiver devices sold on the market (handheld and otherwise) have an output interface (usually RS-232 or USB) that can produce NMEA data. Navigation software typically expects to be able to connect to a GPS receiver device that produces NMEA data to be able to perform the navigation and display the correct map, etc.

Integration of position and road charging data


Provided are a semiconductor device and a manufacturing method therefor that can prevent electric short-circuiting between redistribution lines. A barrier film is formed over each side surface of a copper redistribution line. The barrier film includes, for example, a manganese oxide film. The barrier film is also in contact with each end surface of a barrier metal film that is located in the position receding inward from the side surface of the copper redistribution line. A redistribution portion is formed by the copper redistribution line, the barrier film, and the barrier metal film.

The present invention relates to semiconductor devices and manufacturing methods therefor, and more particularly, to a technique suitable for use in a semiconductor device including copper redistribution lines.
To address the downsizing of electronic devices and the like, wafer-level chip-scale packaging technology has been increasingly developed in the field of semiconductor devices. Wafer-level chip-scale packaging is a technology that involves performing a series of processes for forming elements, the wiring, and the like over a semiconductor substrate (wafer), followed by forming a passivation film, and then forming more wiring, electrodes (pads), and the like over the passivation film.
The wiring formed over the passivation film is referred to as a redistribution line. The size of the redistribution line is approximately an order of magnitude larger than that of a normal wiring formed under the passivation film. A material suitable for use in the redistribution line is copper, which has a relatively low electric resistivity (specific resistance) and a high thermal conductivity.
A bonding pad for bonding a copper wire is formed at the surface of the redistribution line. As the bonding pad, a gold (Au) film or the like is formed. Such a structure that has the bonding pad including the gold film in the redistribution line is called a "redistribution layer with Au pad (RAP) structure".
After forming the bonding pads, a polyimide film is formed to cover the redistribution lines, the bonding pads, and the like. The polyimide film is provided with an opening for exposing each bonding pad. Thereafter, the wafer is diced into chips. A copper wire is bonded to the bonding pad of a semiconductor device of the chip, and then the semiconductor device (chip) is sealed (packaged). Note that Patent Document 1 is an example of a document that discloses a general copper wiring.

Semiconductor device and manufacturing method therefor


The present invention relates to a diclofenac sodium oral pharmaceutical containing diclofenac sodium, a nonionic surfactant, a cholic acid derivative as an absorption promoting agent, and a glycerin or a glycol.

Diclofenac sodium (Monosodium 2-(2,6-dichloroanilino) phenyl acetate, C14H10C12NNaO2) is a nonsteroidal drug having analgesic, anti-inflammatory and anti-rheumatic effects which was developed by CIBA-GEIGY AG in Switzerland (now, Novartis Pharma AG) in 1965. This drug has a strong action and a low toxicity compared with indomethacin or the like, and therefore is widely subjected to current clinical use.
The commercially available diclofenac sodium pharmaceuticals include tablets, delayed-release pharmaceuticals and suppositories, etc. Among them, oral pharmaceuticals are formulated for rapid-acting effect. However, it is recommended to avoid taking them on an empty stomach as they have side effects such as stomach discomfort.
However, the absorption of diclofenac sodium oral pharmaceuticals is outstandingly effected on whether or not a meal has been eaten. When they are taken after eating, the initial absorption of diclofenac sodium is outstandingly reduced in the amount and delayed in the rate compared with the case where they are taken on an empty stomach, and in some cases, the maximum absorption is confirmed at several hours to ten and several hours after taking them, and also individual difference is large in the absorption thereof.
Therefore, in case where an rapid-acting effect and certainty are taken seriously, it is the present state that the pharmaceuticals are used in most cases in a form of suppository. However, there are many patients who are reluctant to use the suppositories, and therefore the suppositories can not be used as conveniently as oral pharmaceuticals. Consequently, today there is a strong request for diclofenac sodium oral pharmaceuticals having a rapid-acting effect and certainty similarly to the suppository even in case where it is taken on a non-empty stomach.
It has been already known that in order to increase an internal absorption of a pharmaceutical agent that is slightly soluble in water, the pharmaceutical agent is formulated with a surfactant to increase the solubility of the pharmaceutical agent to water.
As the prior document, Japanese Patent Laid-open No. Sho 63-277617 discloses a medicine composition for oral administration from which micelles are formed, comprising an nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agent such as diclofenac, and a nonionic surfactant such as polyoxyethylated surfactant, sorbitan fatty acids or the like. In addition, the examples of this document describe a pharmaceutical comprising diclofenac acid and polyoxyethylated castor oil. However, this document does not describe at all the above-mentioned problem on the absorption of diclofenac sodium pharmaceutical under non-fasting condition nor means for solving the problem. Further, this document does not describe as surfactant cholic acid derivatives that are varieties of anionic surfactants.
In addition, Japanese Patent Laid-open No. Hei 8-507515 discloses a particle-suspension of colloidal solid particles in which a pharmaceutical agent being slightly soluble in water is captured with solid particles that are emulsified and stabilized by adding a lipid that is insoluble or slightly soluble in water at room temperature to nonionic surfactant and bile salts containing propylene glycol as dispersant, and this document discloses that the pharmaceutical agent includes diclofenac. However, this document has no concrete disclosure on diclofenac pharmaceuticals. Also, this document does not describe problems to be solved by the present invention nor means for solving the problems similarly to the above-mentioned Japanese Patent Laid-open No. Sho 63-277617.
As mentioned above, although it was known that diclofenac being slightly soluble in water is mixed with surfactants in order to increase solubility and dispersibility, it was not necessary to use surfactants for diclofenac sodium having a higher water-solubility, and therefore the mixing of surfactants has not been considered.

Abstract: The oral pharmaceutical has a rapid-acting effect and a good internal absorption even under non-fasting condition. Further, the pharmaceutical can be processed in a hard capsule pharmaceutical by filling it in a hard capsule as such, and has an excellent internal absorption under non-fasting condition, similarly to suppositories.


A micromechanical resonator having an actuator configured to provide an excitation, a second component configured to move within a plane at a second frequency in response to the excitation of the actuator, and a first component coupled with the second component such that the movement of the second component at the second frequency induces resonant excitation of the first component that is substantially completely out of the plane.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates generally to a micromechanical resonator. More specifically, the invention relates to a nonlinear micromechanical resonator for use with a mass sensor.
2. Related Technology
Most mechanical microresonators utilize shift in natural frequency to sense mass. Such micro/nano mass sensors have been demonstrated for applications in biological and chemical environments. Mass sensitivity of resonance based sensors primarily depends on the quality factor, and the mass of the structure used as sensor. A mass sensor operating in vacuum performs better than in air as the frequency peak gets sharper with higher quality factor. Further, reducing the resonant structure from a micro-sized to a nano-sized resonator can result in improved mass sensitivity.
It is therefore desirable to design a microresonator that permits the user to utilize nonlinearities in the microresonator to determine the mass of objects.


A stimulated Brillouin scattering (SBS) phase conjugate laser mirror uses a solid-state nonlinear gain medium instead of the conventional liquid or high pressure gas medium. The concept has been effectively demonstrated using common optical-grade fused silica. An energy threshold of 2.5 mJ and a slope efficiency of over 90% were achieved, resulting in an overall energy reflectivity of >80% for 15 ns, 1 um laser pulses. The use of solid-state materials is enabled by a multi-pass resonant architecture which suppresses transient fluctuations that would otherwise result in damage to the SBS medium. This all solid state phase conjugator is safer, more reliable, and more easily manufactured than prior art designs. It allows nonlinear wavefront correction to be implemented in industrial and defense laser systems whose operating environments would preclude the introduction of potentially hazardous liquids or high pressure gases.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to phase conjugation, and more specifically, it relates to a Stimulated Brillouin Scattering phase conjugate mirror constructed of all solid-state materials.
2. Description of Related Art
Phase conjugate mirrors employing Stimulated Brillouin Scattering (SBS) have become very useful and in some cases essential in high power laser systems. These mirrors, placed at the end of an amplifier chain somewhere in the mid-range of the amplification path, reflect the light with a phase wave front that is nearly exactly the inverse of that of the incoming laser beam. The reflected light retraces its path through the amplifiers, canceling out any wave front distortions that accumulated in the forward direction. This results in near aberration free output beams that exhibit the minimum beam divergence allowed by optical diffraction, hence the description "diffraction-limited."
The mechanism responsible for the reflectivity of the SBS mirrors is the generation of an intense acoustic wave inside the SBS nonlinear material. This acoustic wave serves as a very efficient Bragg grating which reflects the incoming light. Since the acoustic grating travels at the speed of sound through the material, in the same direction as the input light, the reflected light is frequency shifted from the input light by 100 Mhz to >10 Ghz, depending on the SBS medium. The frequency shifted output is referred to as the Stokes wave and the frequency shift is referred to as the Stokes shift. The active material for the conjugators has most often been a liquid or high pressure gas. However, there is a strong incentive to design a Stimulated Brillouin Scattering (SBS) phase conjugate mirror that does not use a liquid or a high pressure gas as the nonlinear medium. The very high gas pressure (50-100 atm) required for gases such as Xe or N.sub.2 poses a potential hazard to the laser user and, its local environment and makes much more challenging the laser's successful operation over the large temperature ranges required for some operations in the field. The safety issues associated with the gas pressure also significantly increase the laser's cost. The two liquid SBS media which have been successfully demonstrated in working high average power solid state laser systems (carbon tetrachloride and Freon 113) are both banned for delivery for DoD applications because of their suspected role in ozone depletion. Their manufacture is scheduled to be discontinued in the very near future. Other useful liquids, such as the metal tetrachlorides (Ge, Ti, and Sn) are chemically unstable when exposed to the atmosphere, producing toxic and highly corrosive reaction products such as HCl.
As evidenced in "Wavefront Inversion in Induced Mandel'shtam-Brillouin Scattering in a Glass Without Failure," Sov. Phys. Tech. Phys. 25, 645-646 (1980), it has been recognized for many years that fused silica exhibits an SBS gain coefficient comparable in magnitude to that of many commonly used liquids and high pressure gases. When fused silica is used as the nonlinear medium in an SBS mirror, however, input pulses with energies above threshold for stimulated Stokes return often cause material breakdown and damage at the optical focus in the glass. This has sometimes been partially alleviated by using very long focal length lenses to decrease the beam irradiance at focus. This is not a good solution since, not only does this result in a physically large and unwieldy device, it also causes unacceptable temporal reshaping and shortening of the reflected pulse. In the above reference, breakdown was observed for all focal lengths of <50 cm.
An optical architecture was proposed in "Methods for SBS Threshold Reduction," A. M. Scott, et al., Naval Research Laboratory, NRL/FR/5640--94-9704. that uses three foci in a liquid SBS gain medium, with the first and third physically overlapping, to reduce the energy threshold of an SBS mirror. However, the present inventors have recognized that the SBS enhanced four-wave-mixing process of this architecture has a far more profound effect on the performance of an SBS phase conjugate mirror than to merely reduce the energy threshold. By providing a feedback path for the Stokes light, the output of the SBS loop architecture is not dependent on noise generated at optical focus to sustain it. This provides very high temporal stability, eliminating potential phase drifts or jumps in the reflected light. It is now understood that these instabilities are the source of the damage that has been observed in previous experience with solid state SBS gain media. The SBS nonlinear gain coefficient for fused silica is larger than that for competing nonlinear processes such as self-focusing and multi-photon absorption. For this reason, the SBS process might be expected to dominate the light interaction in the medium, shielding the optical focus from an irradiance high enough for the competing processes to reach threshold. However, this is not the case in the presence of temporal instabilities during the pulse. The transiency introduced by these instabilities allows the competing processes to reach threshold and generate optical breakdown, damaging the glass.
FIGS. 1 and 2 show prior art optical configurations of solid-state SBS phase conjugate mirrors. FIG. 1 shows a conventional configuration in which an incoming laser pulse 10 is simply focused into the SBS medium 12 with a single lens 14. FIG. 2 shows the configuration described in the Scott, et al. reference described above in which two of three foci overlap to form a four-wave-mixing resonance. A laser beam 20 is focused into the SBS medium 22 with lens mirror 24. After passing through a focus at 26, diverging beam 20 is collimated by lens 28 and reflected by a high reflector (HR) 30 back into the SBS medium 26 and brought to a focus at 32 by lens 28. Lenses 24 and 28 together comprise a confocal lens pair. After passing through focus 32, beam 20 diverges and is collimated by lens 24. This collimated beam is reflected by high reflector 34 through lens 24, focus 26, and lens 28 to exit the system.
The optimal configuration of a multi-pass, multi-resonant optical architecture can completely eliminate temporal phase instability during the stimulated scattering process and thus prevent any damage to the solid state SBS medium. Since short focal length lenses can now be used, the result is a very compact and physically rugged phase conjugate mirror which requires no liquids or high pressure gasses.

All solid-state SBS phase conjugate mirror

The Regents of the University of California


An apparatus and method which provides a suitable location for multiple, simultaneous synthesis of compounds. The apparatus consists of: a reservoir block having a plurality of wells; a plurality of reaction tubes, usually gas dispersion tubes, having filters on their lower ends; a holder block, having a plurality of apertures; and a manifold, which may have ports to allow introduction/maintenance of a controlled environment. The manifold top wall has apertures and a detachable plate with identical apertures. The apparatus is constructed from materials which will accommodate heating, cooling, agitation, or corrosive reagents. Gaskets are placed between the components. Rods or clamps are provided for fastening the components together. Apparatus operation involves placing the filters on the lower ends of the reaction tubes in the reservoir block wells, and the upper ends passing through the holder block apertures and into the manifold. The apparatus provides in excess of 1 mg of each product with structural knowledge and control over each compound. Using the apparatus a series of building blocks are covalently attached to a solid support. These building blocks are then modified by covalently adding additional different building blocks or chemically modifying some existing functionality until the penultimate structure is achieved. This is then cleaved from the solid support by another chemical reaction into the solution within the well yielding an array of newly synthesized individual compounds, which after postreaction modification, if necessary, are suitable for testing for activity.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to an apparatus and method which are used for the multiple, simultaneous synthesis of compounds, including but not limited to organic compounds.
2. Description of Related Art
It is well known in the art that peptides or oligonucleotides may be multiply and simultaneously synthesized. In a basic, single synthesis of a peptide, amino acids are simultaneously coupled to a functionalized solid support. Several methods have been developed by which peptides or oligonucleotides may be multiply synthesized. One such methodology for peptide synthesis was disclosed in Geysen, et al, International Publication Number WO 90/09395. Geysen's method involves functionalizing the termini of polymeric rods and sequentially immersing the termini in solutions of individual amino acids. Geysen's approach has proven to be impractical for commercial production of peptides since only very minute quantities of polypeptides may be generated. In addition, this method is extremely labor intensive. A second method of peptide or oligonucleotide synthesis was developed by Affymax Technologies N.V. and disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,143,854. The Affymax method involves sequentially using light for illuminating a plurality of polymer sequences on a substrate and delivering reaction fluids to said substrate. This method of synthesis has numerous drawbacks, including the fact that the products are noncleavable and that the process produces large numbers, but only minute quantities of products. A further method and device for producing peptides or oligonucleotides is disclosed in Houghton, European Patent Number 196174. Houghton's apparatus is a polypropylene mesh container, similar to a tea-bag, which encloses reactive particles. The containers, however, are not amenable to general organic synthesis techniques. Further apparatus are disclosed in German Published Patent Application Number DE 4005518 and European Patent Number 0355582, issued to Boehringer Ingelheim KG. Like the earlier devices, these apparatus are not suitable for the synthesis of general organic compounds and are directed toward peptide or oligonucleotide synthesis.
The synthesis of general organic compounds, poses many difficulties which are absent in the synthesis of peptides or oligonucleotides. An approach describing the synthesis of unnatural, oligomeric peptides is reported by Simon, et al, in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences USA 1992;89:9367. Accordingly, none of the disclosed devices or methods for the multiple, simultaneous synthesis of peptides or oligonucleotides are useful for the synthesis of general organic compounds. Among the many special problems found in the synthesis of general organic compounds, as opposed to peptide or oligonucleotide synthesis, is the problem of providing a device which will accommodate the wide range of synthetic manipulations required for organic synthesis. The synthesis of general organic compounds often requires such varied conditions as an inert atmosphere, heating, cooling, agitation, and an environment to facilitate reflux. Additionally, such synthesis requires chemical compatibility between the materials used in the apparatus for multiple synthesis and the reactants and solvents. Consequently, the apparatus must be constructed of materials which are resistant to organic synthesis conditions and techniques. Organic synthesis also often requires agitation. Such agitation may be accomplished by magnetic stirring, sonicating, or rotational shaking. None of the prior art devices are suitable for use under these special conditions required for general organic synthesis.
While undeniably useful, peptides or oligonucleotides have significant limitations in their application to pharmaceutical discovery programs. The chemical leads discovered from these collections of compounds require extensive modification due to the general unsuitability of peptides or nucleotides as stable, orally active drugs. The building blocks utilized are, in general, limited even allowing for the use of unnatural enantiomers or artificial amino acids and modified nucleotides. The peptides or oligonucleotides generated possess a repetitive linkage, amide or phosphate moiety, which limits their structural diversity.
The principal object of the present invention, therefore, is to overcome the limitations of the previous apparatus and methods which are limited to peptide or oligonucleotide synthesis and to provide an apparatus and method which will accommodate multiple, simultaneous synthesis of general organic compounds including, but not limited to, nonpeptide or nonnucleotide compounds.

Apparatus for multiple simultaneous synthesis


A dual modality probe is disclosed having both a gamma probe sensor and an ultrasound sensor. A dual imaging system is provided having the probe and at least one external gamma imaging detector and a data acquisition computer system for collecting data simultaneously from the gamma probe sensor, the gamma imaging detector, and the ultrasound sensor of the probe. A method for evaluating a target organ of a patient utilizing the probe and imaging system, and performing a biopsy of the organ is disclosed.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a device and method for performing hybrid imaging of organs and tumors. More particularly, an endorectal probe is provided for imaging of a prostate gland wherein the probe (device) has combined gamma camera and ultrasound imaging modalities.
2. Description of the Background Art
There are >200,000 new cases and nearly 30,000 deaths each year from prostate cancer (PCa) Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing has allowed early detection of impalpable PCa. Early detection has lowered the incidence of advanced disease with extracapsular extension and the subsequent early treatment appears to improve survival rate. After anomalous PSA results, the patient undergoes biopsy, and if the biopsy is positive, the patient undergoes surgery. The main objective of surgery is to remove the cancer at lowest functional cost, i.e. preserving continence and sexual function. The stage of the cancer decides the limits of the resection, and the larger the tumor the wider the excision needed, with radical prostatectomy as the limit of standard treatment. An accurate localization of the tumor and assessment of its size has two important advantages: it can direct the biopsy and can assist with the surgery. Biopsy results may be negative despite the presence of cancer due to sampling error. Prostate cancer is the only human cancer that does not have a standard method to image the primary tumor. The "blind" biopsy typically performed today under ultrasound (US) guidance results in high false negative diagnosis with many missed cancers. Accurate localization of the tumor, within the prostate and pelvic region, will better enable a tumor-free margin. Such accurate assessment today is not available with conventional imaging techniques [ultrasound (US), computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging and PET]. Standard PET scanners have spatial resolution inadequate to meet the clinical needs of prostate imaging—particularly when using specific, targeted imaging agents.
The diagnosis of prostate cancer is commonly based on a combination of digital rectal examination (DRE), serum prostate specific antigen (PSA) value, and transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) guided prostate biopsy findings. Conventional blind "biopsy" procedures under Tissue Differentiating Ultrasound are able to visualize only the structure and the margins of an organ, and thus do not provide differentiation between a cancerous tissue and healthy tissue.
Prostate cancer is the only human cancer that does not have a standard reliable method of imaging of the primary tumor. Functionally blind biopsy typically performed today under transrectal ultrasound guidance results in high false negative diagnoses with many missed cancers. Accurate localization of the tumor, within the prostate and pelvic region, will allow definition of a tumor-free margin. Such accurate assessment is generally not available in the present state of the art, with the conventional imaging techniques available to urologists.
Thus, those persons skilled in the art appreciate that prostate cancer is difficult to visualize in its early stage using current imaging technology. Conventional imaging modalities, such as ultrasound, CT (computed tomography) scan, and MRI (magnetic resonance imaging), can be used for the anatomic evaluation of prostate cancer. However, visible anatomic changes are not always present in early stages of the disease, making the use of current imaging modalities difficult in early detection of prostate cancer sites. The key problem with conventional guiding systems during prostate biopsy is that they are based on symmetrical anatomical sampling of the prostate, and not on the location of the cancer. The main challenge continues to be the inability to visualize the cancer in its early stages using current imaging technology.
Recently, Hybridyne imaging technologies introduced to the market (FDA approval was obtained in Spring of 2010) a prostate mini gamma probe based on Cadmium Zinc Telluride (CZT) Technology.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,919,756 "Gamma image detection device" discloses a detection device comprising first and second gamma cameras. No ultrasound device is disclosed.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,711,409 "Opposed view and dual head detector apparatus for diagnosis and biopsy with image processing methods" discloses opposed gamma cameras.
No ultrasound device is disclosed.
International Published Patent Application No. WO 2009/153229 "Improved gamma-ray imaging device for precise location of irradiating sources in space" discloses a dual modality method using a gamma ray imaging device and an auxiliary visible-light camera. No ultrasound device is disclosed.
U.S. Published Application No. US 2009/0112086 "Prostate imaging" discloses an insertable polymer probe, detectable by a gamma camera and an ultrasound device, where neither the gamma camera nor the ultrasound device is inserted into the patient.
International Published Patent Application no. WO 2009/009223 "Co-registration for dual PET-transrectal ultrasound prostate imaging" discloses a dual modality method using a PET scanning device and an ultrasound device. No gamma camera is disclosed.
International Published Patent Application No. WO 2006/123119 "Imaging device and method" discloses a dual modality method using a visible light device and a gamma ray imager. No ultrasound device is disclosed.
U.S. Published Patent Application No. US 2005/0213705 "Methods and systems for multi-modal imaging" discloses neither a gamma camera, nor an ultrasound device. Patient examination is conducted in a gantry.
U.S. Published Patent Application No. US 2005/0207530 "Medical imaging diagnosis apparatus" discloses a dual modality method using an X-ray CT scanner and a PET scanner. No gamma camera or ultrasound device is disclosed.
U.S. Published Patent Application No. US 2005/0082487 "Diagnostic imaging device for medical use" discloses a dual modality method using an X-ray CT scanner and a PET scanner. No gamma camera or ultrasound device is disclosed.
International Published Patent Application No. WO 2004/042546 "Apparatus and methods for imaging and attenuation correction" discloses a system comprising a gamma imager, an ultrasound imager, and a computerized system for reconstructing and superimposing images. The gamma imager and the ultrasound imager are operated external to the patient.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,389,098 "Dual mode stereotactic localization method and application" discloses a device configured to obtain both a X-ray mammographic image and a gamma mammographic image. X-ray imaging and gamma imaging are disclosed, but ultrasound imaging is not disclosed.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,288,397 "Dual detector gamma camera system" discloses two gamma detectors arranged in a L-shaped configuration. No ultrasound imaging is disclosed.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,711,409 "Opposed view and dual head detector apparatus for diagnosis and biopsy with image processing methods" discloses opposed gamma cameras for guiding a biopsy needle, but discloses no ultrasound imaging components.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,653,427 "Method and instrument for minimally invasive sentinel lymph node location and biopsy" discloses a radiation detector coupled with an ultrasound probe, for locating the position of a tagged tissue, and placement of a biopsy device.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,951,542 "Method and apparatus for ultrasound imaging of a biopsy needle or the like during an ultrasound imaging examination" discloses method including imaging and injection of contrast agents for placement of a biopsy device.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,546,279 "Computer controlled guidance of a biopsy needle" discloses a system for guiding a biopsy needle using one or more of computed tomography imaging, magnetic resonance, fluoroscopic imaging, or 3-D ultrasound imaging.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,512,943 "Combined ultrasound-radionuclide device for percutaneous ultrasound-guided biopsy and method of use" discloses a system and apparatus for performing tissue biopsy. An ultrasound imager and a "radionuclide detectors" are used, external to a patient, to locate "nuclear medicine tracer uptake" in the patient and generate superimposed images of an area of interest.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,776,062 "Enhanced breast imaging/biopsy system employing targeted ultrasound" discloses a system using X-ray imaging and ultrasound, external to a patient, to provide 3-D imaging of an area of interest for use with a biopsy procedure.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,170,055 "Radiation detecting biopsy probe" discloses a handheld biopsy probe that is guided by means of a scintillation crystal, but uses no ultrasound imaging. The device is used externally on a patient, as the primary application is for the detection of tumors in lymph nodes.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,014,708 "Radioactive ray detecting therapeutic apparatus" discloses a "radioactive ray guided" therapeutic device, where in one embodiment, the delivered therapy comprises destroying target cells by ultrasound, and removal of the cells by aspiration.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,995,396 "Radioactive ray detecting endoscope" discloses an endoscope having both an ultrasonic imaging device and a radioactive ray (e.g., beta radiation) detecting device in the tip of the endoscope, but does not disclose use of a biopsy device.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,781,198 "Biopsy tracer needle" discloses a method and device for obtaining a tissue sample, comprising a biopsy tracer needle (i.e., containing a radiation source) guided to a target tissue by means of an external scintillation device. No use of ultrasound is disclosed.
U.S. Published Application No. 2007/0282221 "Ultrasound assist and X-ray assist biopsy devices" discloses a biopsy table, where a biopsy needle may be directed to a targeted tissue area by using an X-ray guided procedure for locating micro-calcifications, and using an ultrasound guided procedure for locating lesion masses.
What is needed is a probe, and more specifically a prostate endorectal probe, and an imaging system, and method of evaluating a target organ of a patient, which overcomes the shortcomings of the present state of the art.

Endorectal prostate probe composed of a combined mini gamma camera and ultrasound sensor