A nasal air passage device is provided that includes connected tubes for insertion into the nostrils. The tubes support the nostrils"" interior walls, allowing an increased amount of air to pass through the nostrils, particularly during sleep. Each tube has an exterior surface that has nonconformities, such as mound-shaped, including bubble-shaped, and ridge-shaped protrusions, and the like, that are distributed in a substantially uniform manner across the exterior surface. The nonconformities cause discontinuities between the exterior surface area and the nostril interior wall tissue, thus reducing the tendency to dry and stick. The nonconformities can be arranged in substantial alignment or randomly, can be uniform or varied in size, and can be resilient or inelastic. Each tube has a forward and rearward end that is inwardly tapered, thus eliminating the presentation of a right-angled forward or rearward end to the nostril interior wall tissues. This reduces the disruption and dislocation of such tissues. The tapers can be flat, arcuate, or arcuate and extending such that a semicircular cross-sectional profile is presented at the tube forward end. The tubes and nonconformities can be resilient or inelastic. The tubes are connected in the preferred embodiment, although each tube can be independently utilized, in other embodiments. The connecting member is sized to allow the tubes to be completely insertable into the nostrils, and can be flexible or stiff. In another embodiment only one tube is provided, which includes a retrieval member. A smooth surface is used in another embodiment.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to nasal devices, and more particularly to devices that support nostril air passageways.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The benefits of increasing air volume effectiveness during nasal breathing are widely known, Snoring is reduced, breathing is less labored, and the tendency to breathe through the mouth is reduced.
There are other nasal devices used for maintaining airflow through the nostrils.
U.S. Pat. No. 1,256,188, issued to G. H. Wilson, includes a device having connected tubes for insertion into the nostrils. The tubes have a smooth exterior surface and do not have inwardly tapered forward ends and rearward ends.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,221,217, issued to Saul O. Amezcus, includes rigidly joined members for insertion in the nostrils that have smooth exterior surfaces and do not have inwardly tapered forward ends and rearward ends. The members are funnel-shaped along the length of the members until the forward end is reached, at which point a right-angled forward end is presented.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,569,743, issued to M. P. Carlock, includes independent tubes for insertion into the nostrils that have an enlarged forward end portion resulting in a prominently sized shoulder positioned on the tube. Substantially enlarged structure is positioned at the rearward end for engaging structure that joins two of the tubes. The enlarged forward end portion has a forward end taper. The exterior surface is smooth.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,672,138, issued to M. P. Carlock, includes tubes for insertion into the nostrils that have a smooth exterior surface, a bulging protrusion along the exterior surface for fitting in the pocket or nest of the interior of the lobe of the nostril. The protrusion does not extend along the entire perimeter of the tubes and is only partially present at the tube forward end. All, or substantially all, of the tube forward ends do not have an inward taper.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,424,152, issued to I. D. Kuhlman, includes tubes for insertion into the nostrils and separate thin sheets of absorbent cotton for wrapping the tubes.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,935,859, issued to Donald E. Doyle is a surgical nasal splint that includes two tubes, mounted to two joined limbs, each limb having a flat plate part with a contour designed to fit the septum of the user. The plate part has a top edge that is convexly curved and lower edge that is nearly straight. The tubes do not have tapered forward or rearward ends.
No prior nasal devices have optimally addressed the problem of presenting a right-angled forward end and right-angled rearward end as the device is inserted and removed from the nostril. The abrupt ending causes unnecessary and uncomfortable disruption and dislocation of the sensitive tissue of the nostril interior wall. Furthermore, no prior nasal devices have avoided placing an extensive amount of smooth surface area against the nostril interior walls, creating an unnecessary tendency for drying and sticking of the nostril interior wall tissue to the device.
What is needed is a nasal device that has a resilient tube for insertion into the nostril, which has an inwardly tapered forward end and an inwardly tapered rearward end, and an exterior surface area with nonconformities distributed across most of such area, so that the contact of the tube exterior surface is discontinuous between such nonconformities.
The present invention is a nasal device for insertion into nostrils. The device overcomes the shortcomings of the prior art by providing tubes for insertion that have inwardly tapered forward and rearward tube ends, such that neither end presents a right-angled, abrupt profile against the nostril interior wall tissue. The tubes have nonconformities distributed substantially uniformly across the exterior surfaces of each tube, The nonconformities cause discontinuities in the contact between the tube exterior surface and the nostril interior wall tissues, thus reducing the drying and sticking that can otherwise occur when significant amount of smooth surface areas are placed against such tissues over an extended period of time.
The present invention includes forward and rearward end tapers that are flat, arcuate, and arcuate to the extent that a semicircular cross-section profile is presented.
The tube exterior surface nonconformities can be mound-shaped, including bubble-shaped, ridge-shaped, or other shapes, and can be of uniform or varying size. The nonconformities can be substantially aligned on the exterior surface, or positioned at random. These nonconformities on the exterior surface area are resilient and substantially permanent in shape and position, although an embodiment with inelastic nonconformities is also provided.
An air passage device is provided for insertion into nostrils, the nostrils having interior wall surfaces, comprising: a pair of generally circular tube members, each tube member having an air passageway and an exterior surface, each tube member being sized to be received by a nostril, the exterior surface having nonconformities, such that each tube member""s exterior surface""s contact with the nostril interior wall surface is discontinuous, the nonconformities being distributed across the exterior surface in a substantially uniform manner across the exterior surface; and a connection member for connecting the tube members.
In one embodiment of the above-described device, the nonconformities are generally mound-shaped,
In another embodiment of the above-described device the mound-shaped nonconformities are randomly positioned on the exterior surface.
In one embodiment of the above-described device the mound-shaped nonconformities are substantially aligned on the exterior surface.
In another embodiment of the above-described device the mound-shaped nonconformities are bubble-shaped.
In another embodiment of the above described device, the nonconformities are substantially uniform in size.
In another embodiment of the above-described device, the nonconformities are variously sized.
In another embodiment of the above-described device, the nonconformities are concentrically positioned ridges.
In another embodiment of the above-described device, the nonconformities are resilient.
In another embodiment of the above described device, the nonconformities are inelastic.
In another embodiment of the above-described device, the tubes are resilient.
In another embodiment of the above-described device, the tubes are inelastic.
In another embodiment of the above-described device, each tube member further has a forward end, the forward end being tapered.
In another embodiment of the above-described device, each tube member further has a rearward end, the rearward end being tapered.
In another embodiment of the above-described device, each tube member further has a forward end and a rearward end, the forward end and the rearward end being tapered.
In another embodiment of the above-described device, the connection member is flexible.
In another embodiment of the above-described device, the connection member is inflexible.
An air passage device is provided for insertion into nostrils, comprising: a pair of generally circular tube members, each tube member having an air passageway, a forward end, and a rearward end, each tube member being sized to be received by a nostril, the forward end of each tube member being tapered inwardly in the forward direction, the rearward end of each tube member being tapered inwardly in the rearward direction; and a connection member for connecting the tube members.
In another embodiment of the foregoing device, the forward and rearward end tapers are substantially flat.
In another embodiment of the above-described device, the forward and rearward end tapers are arcuate.
In another embodiment of the above-described device, the forward and rearward end tapers are arcuate and extend such that the forward end and rearward end are both semicircular in cross-sectional profile.
In another embodiment of the above-described device, the connection member is flexible.
In another embodiment of the above-described device, the connection member is inflexible.
An air passage device is provided for insertion into nostrils, the nostrils having interior wall surfaces, comprising: a pair of generally circular tube members, each tube member being sized to be received by a nostril, each tube member having an air passageway, means for minimizing nostril interior wall resistance during insertion into the nostril, and means for minimizing nostril interior wall resistance during removal from the nostril; and a connection member for connecting the tube members.
In another embodiment of the foregoing device, the means for minimizing nostril interior wall resistance during insertion comprises the tube member, the tube member having a forward end, the forward end being tapered, and further wherein the means for minimizing nostril interior wall resistance during removal comprises the tube member, the tube member further having a rearward end, the rearward end being tapered.
An air passage device is provided for insertion into nostrils, the nostrils having interior wall surfaces, comprising: a pair of generally circular tube members, each tube member being sized to be received by a nostril, each tube member having an air passageway and means for reducing tube member contact with the nostril interior walls; and means for connecting the tube members.
In another embodiment of the foregoing device, the means for reducing tube member contact with the nostril interior walls comprises the tube member, the tube member having an exterior surface, the exterior surface having nonconformities such that each tube member""s exterior surface""s contact with the nostril wall is discontinuous, the nonconformities being distributed across the exterior surface in a substantially uniform manner.
An air passage device is provided for insertion into a nostril, the nostrils having interior wall surfaces, comprising, a generally circular tube member, the tube member having an air passageway and an exterior surface, the tube member being sized to be received by a nostril, the exterior surface having nonconformities, such that the tube member""s exterior surface""s contact with the nostril interior wall surface is discontinuous, the nonconformities being distributed across the exterior surface in a substantially uniform manner across the exterior surface, and a retrieval member, the retrieval member being attached to the tube and sized to protrude from the nostril following insertion of the tube.
In another embodiment of the foregoing device, the tube member further has a forward end and a rearward end, the forward end and the rearward end being tapered.
The foregoing and other advantages will appear from the description to follow. In the description reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration, specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments will be described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. In the accompanying drawings, like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views.
The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is best defined by the appended claims.


Embodiments of the present disclosure provide an iterative procedure relying on ping-pong transmissions between two antenna arrays to determine desired beamforming weights at each device. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.

Acquiring Channel State Information (CSI) in wireless communications is costly. It generally requires training that takes resources away from data transmission. Training has become an even bigger concern since the emergence of communications involving arrays with a very large number of antenna elements, for which CSI acquisition is a major research focus. In a massive MIMO (multiple inputs-multiple outputs) system, a base station equipped with a massive array communicates with a small number of users. Downlink channel training uses a training length that is proportional to the number of antennas in the massive arrays and becomes impractical.
Existing approaches use a simple iterative algorithm to extract a maximal beamforming gain achievable by two communicating arrays in a reciprocal channel, without knowledge of the channel. Starting with an arbitrary weight factor at one of the arrays transmitting to the other array, a new weight factor is created by a conjugation and normalization. The process is then repeated until convergence. The beamforming weights converge to the maximal (left and right) eigenvectors of the channel matrix. It is just like a ping pong game between two devices, where, at each iteration, a device simply returns the conjugate of the signals that it just received. The beauty of this approach resides in the extreme simplicity it takes to estimate the maximal eigenvectors of the channel matrix.
In existing approaches, a bilateral training procedure is used to directly estimate the beamforming vectors by optimizing the maximum signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio (SINR) algorithm for the MIMO interference channel. Although it is an efficient procedure for a small number of antennas, it becomes computationally heavy when massive arrays are involved.


An apparatus (10) for providing a consistent registration of a semiconductor wafer undergoing process work includes a platen (38) upon which a surround (14) is registered. The surround registers to the platen (38) by matching two pins (42), (40) that protrude from the platen (38) to a hole (44) and a notch (46) in the surround (14), respectively. A first registration surface (16) for registering a flat (20) of a semiconductor wafer (12) is permanently mounted to the surround (14). A second registration surface (18) for registering a point (24) on the circumference of the semiconductor wafer (12) is permanently mounted to the surround (14). A third, adjustable registration surface (26) also registers to a point (28) on the circumference of the wafer (12). This third registration surface (26) is springloaded to accommodate for slight diameter variations in successively processed semiconductor wafers, and to provide a force to hold the wafer (12) in place.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to the registration of semiconductor wafers undergoing metrology and/or etching processes and, more particularly, to an apparatus that provides consistent registration of semiconductor wafers in order to correlate thinning and etching processes with metrology process data.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The process of measuring the thickness of an outer material layer of a semiconductor wafer is known as wafer surface metrology. During such a metrology process, a semiconductor wafer is mechanically registered to a platform of a thickness measuring instrument. This instrument generates a map that indicates an outer layer thickness over an entire surface of the wafer. The outer layer thickness map generated from this metrology process is often used in other processes that thin or etch the measured outer layer of the wafer to a desired thickness or in a desired location, respectively. These outer layer thinning and etching processes both include some type of tool that is directed onto the surface of the wafer. This tool must be properly positioned along the wafer surface to ensure that the thinning or etching process is performed at the correct location on the wafer surface. To ensure this proper wafer registration an accurate correlation between the outer layer thickness map and the position of the wafer with respect to the thinning or etching tool is required.
The current approach for correlating outer layer thickness map data with thinning or etching instrument wafer registration begins by marking the wafer with a set of alignment fiducials during the metrology process. The wafer is then placed on a larger diameter wafer which serves as a surround. The surround is made of the same material as the wafer undergoing work to maintain a consistent reaction in the thinning and etching processes along the wafer edge. The flat of the fiducialized wafer is abutted to a flat of a registration surface of like wafer material that is taped to the surface of the surround, thereby registering the wafer in one direction. The wafer metrology fiducials are then visually aligned with a corresponding set of scribe marks on an aluminum holding plate, or platen, of the instrument. Once aligned, two additional pieces of like wafer material are abutted against the wafer and taped to the surround to maintain the wafer position. The surround is then taped to the platen and the thinning or etching process may begin.
It is easily seen that the above described correlated registration procedure is time consuming and prone to human error. It is therefore desirable to accelerate this registration procedure while eliminating the potential for human error.

Apparatus for providing consistent registration of semiconductor wafers


The disclosed embodiments generally relate to transaction cards and methods for manufacturing transaction cards. The transaction card may include a first card component having a first surface and a first structural feature associated with the first surface. The transaction card may also include a second card component separate from the first card component and attachable thereto. The second card component may include a second surface and a second structural feature associated with the second surface. The first and second structural features may be configured to interconnect.

Transaction cards, such as credit and debit cards, have increasingly become a primary means for customers to complete financial transactions. Typically, transaction cards are formed out of a plastic material as a single piece. For example, a typical credit card may be manufactured out of plastic such as polycarbonate (PC) or polyvinyl chloride (PVC) using an injection molding process. The plastic card may then be modified to add functional and/or visual features. For example, a magnetic strip or electronic device (e.g., a microchip) may be affixed to one side, the card may be stamped with the card number and customer name, and color or a design may be added for appearance.
Transaction cards having a one-piece construction may have several drawbacks that can lead to reduced performance and/or require the transaction card to be periodically replaced. For example, tensile and compressive forces generated when a conventional one-piece card is flexed can cause the magnetic strip (typically affixed to a rear surface by a laminate cover) and/or the microchip (typically affixed to a front surface by an adhesive) to separate from the card or become damaged. That is, when a conventional one-piece transaction card is flexed, the adhesive securing the microchip to the front surface of the card can fail, resulting in the ejection of the microchip from the card surface. Flexure of the card can also cause the laminate securing the magnetic strip to "bubble" or detach from the rear surface of the card. Minor flexures may in fact occur each time the card is placed into a wallet or payment card slot of a transaction machine (e.g., an ATM), all but ensuring that the card will eventually become unusable.
Conventional transaction cards may also suffer from additional drawbacks. For example, typical materials used to manufacture the cards (e.g., PC and PVC plastic) result in transaction cards that are not very not very strong and are prone to breaking or cracking. Limitations on card thickness, as well as cost considerations, prohibit the use of thicker transaction cards, thereby requiring manufacturers to pursue other ways of improving the structural integrity of transaction cards.
The present disclosure is directed to overcoming one or more of the problems set forth above and/or other problems associated with conventional transaction card constructions.

Transaction card having structural reinforcement


An airborne foam delivery apparatus is adapted to be carried as a slung bucket beneath a helicopter to deliver a high volume of fire suppressant foam for wildland firefighting. The delivery apparatus comprises a liquid tank for holding a foamable liquid. A support frame extends downward from the liquid tank to support the liquid tank above the ground during ground operations. Three nozzles are directed generally downwardly from beneath the liquid tank within a protective apron. A liquid valve is positioned between the liquid tank and the each nozzle. Each liquid valve is remotely operable to allow passage of the foamable liquid through the corresponding nozzle. A pressure regulator is connected to receive compressed air from gas containers mounted within the liquid tank, and to controllably discharge the compressed air into the liquid tank to maintain a positive regulated pressure within the liquid tank. The positive pressure expels the foamable liquid through tile nozzles when tile liquid valves are operated. An aerating screen is positioned beneath each nozzle to aerate and foam the foamable liquid as it emerges from the nozzle.

Wildland fires are a threat in many areas of the world. Effectively controlling and containing these fires is essential to the preservation of national parks, forests, and private property. Significant efforts are therefore directed to developing and improving wildland firefighting techniques.
Wildlands are characterized by difficult and often inaccessible terrain. Fighting fires in such rugged terrain is difficult. In many situations, the only realistic access to burning areas is by air. Therefore, wildland firefighting efforts quite often include the application of water from fixed wing airplanes and helicopters. Water, as it is converted into steam, has tremendous capacity to absorb and carry away heat. It has the further advantage of being environmentally safe. In addition, adequate and convenient reservoirs of water can often be found near burning fires. Helicopters equipped with "slung buckets" can quickly load from such reservoirs without landing. The close proximity of a reservoir also minimizes round trip flying time.
Despite the advantages of water in fighting wildland fires, water alone can be inefficient-especially when applied from the air. Much of the water evaporates before reaching the ground. Water which does reach the ground beads up and rolls off fuels before absorbing its full heat capacity. It has been estimated that water is only 5% to 10% efficient.
Many fire retarding or suppressing chemicals are available which are more efficient than water. However, they are often difficult to use against wildland fires. One problem with such chemicals is that they are environmentally toxic. They are also difficult to transport to remote locations in large quantities. In many cases, fire retardant chemicals require specialized and bulky application equipment. Both the chemicals and the application equipment are expensive.
Foam is one type of fire suppressant which is particularly efficient in terms of both effectiveness and cost. Foam fire suppressant can be created by different methods. However, most methods start with adding a foam concentrate to water in concentrations ranging from 0.1% to 1.0%. PHOS-CHEK.TM. fire suppressant foam concentrate is one popular foam concentrate, available from Monsanto Chemical Company of St. Louis, Mo. One reason for its popularity in fighting wildland fires is its relative biodegradability and its approval by necessary government agencies.
Foam varies from being wet and runny to being as stiff as lather. The stiffness depends on bubble size and expansion ratio. Expansion ratio is the increase in volume as the water becomes foam. Applying foamable liquid under pressure through a standard nozzle results in a relatively low expansion ratio, and a somewhat runny foam. Special air-aspirated nozzles can result in much higher expansion ratios, producing much drier foam.
Foam fire suppressant can be applied from standard fire engines and other vehicles. Foam suppresses fires by surrounding fuel with a thick layer of water, which does not bead up and roll off. This allows the water to absorb its full capacity of heat, and also allows more water to be absorbed into the fuel. Furthermore, a foam blanket creates a vapor barrier between fuel and oncoming fire. It reflects oncoming radiant heat, insulates fuel, continuously releases water from the foam's bubble structure, and helps smother the fuel. A further advantage is that firefighters can easily see where foam has been applied.
Until recently, experts were skeptical of the utility of applying foam to wildland fires from the air. However, this skepticism has now been overcome, and foam concentrate is sometimes added to water applied from aircraft. However, because of the large volume of water which must be quickly dumped to effectively fight wildland fires, applying the water under pressure through nozzles has been impractical. Rather, the water is dumped from conventional slung buckets or fixed tanks. Foam is generated by air turbulence produced by free fall of the water.
The foam created in this manner is relatively runny, having a low expansion ratio. However, the surfactant qualities of the foam concentrate, even without thick foam, are enough of an advantage over water alone to justify the addition of foam concentrate. Nevertheless. it would be desirable to provide thicker foam from airborne applicators.
The most significant obstacle to creating high foam expansion ratios from airborne applicators is the extremely high volume of water which must be applied, at a very high flow rate. The need for a high flow rate is brought about by the speed of the aircraft. In a fixed wing airplane, minimum ground speeds are determined by the very nature of the aircraft. When a helicopter is used to apply water, downdraft or "rotor wash" from the helicopter rotors mandates minimum ground speeds. Helicopter rotor wash is a serious problem for helicopters in wildland fire fighting. It can quickly defeat the effects of applied fire suppressants. The ground turbulence from rotor wash causes the fire to expand, and can endanger nearby fire crews. To minimize rotor wash problems, water applicators are usually suspended a considerable length beneath the helicopter, such as by a distance of fifty feet or more. In addition, minimum ground speeds are maintained to reduce the rotor wash impact on any particular ground area.
The minimum ground speeds required of aircraft when fighting wildland fires mandates a very high application rate of fire suppressant. The flow from a standard firehose nozzle is simply not adequate. However, equipment to produce adequately high application rates of high-expansion foam has not been available for airborne operation. Accordingly, most firefighting efforts continue to rely on standard slung buckets, which depend on gravity to quickly jettison their entire water loads. Foam concentrate is added to the water to act as a surfactant and to provide a minimal amount of foaming through turbulence with the air.
Airborne firefighting effectiveness could be significantly improved if it were possible to apply high-expansion foam from aircraft at application rates approaching those achieved with standard slung buckets. To this date, however, there exists no practical high-expansion foam applicator which will achieve these rates. The invention described below fills the need for such an airborne foam applicator.

Airborne fire suppressant foam delivery apparatus


Here is disclosed a stage system enabling position control of a tiny angle by virtue of a linear motor and becoming greater in response ability, with even slimness and small size in construction. The stage system has a first stage lying on a base stage for linear movement in an X-direction relatively to the base stage, a second stage lying on the first stage for linear movement relatively to the first stage in a Y-direction, a turning stage lying on the second stage to be supported through rolling bearing means on the second stage, and a turning linear motor for driving the turning stage over a tiny amount of angle in either direction of rotation. The turning linear motor is comprised of a primary side of more than one armature winding arranged in juxtaposition in straight line on the second stage, and a secondary side of field magnets arranged in juxtaposition in opposition to the armature winding on the turning stage, with magnetic poles alternating in polarity in straight line.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a stage system with onboard linear motor to provide a position controller energized with a linear motor, which has been extensively used in fields as diverse as semiconductor industries, industrial robots, inspection equipments, machine tools, and so on.
2. Description of the Prior Art
A slider unit with onboard linear motor made compact or slim in construction is disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 266659/1997, in which a small linear-motor table system is made to propel any one of confronting bed and table relatively to another. A solenoid-energized linear actuator is installed between the bed and the table, at least any one of which serves for a yoke of the solenoid-energized linear actuator, thus allowing the linear-motor table system to be made slim in size and in expensive in production cost.
Disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 266660/1997 is an X-Y table system that adopts a solenoid-energized linear actuator to be made compact or slim in construction. With the X-Y table cited earlier, all of a power line for the solenoid-energized linear actuator and wires for taking out signals from various sensors are held together on an intermediate moving member of X-table and assembled into a single cord that will be connected to any outside control unit. This arrangement helps lessen any potential negative affection that might be otherwise caused by the wires and realize well the high speed, durability, less occurrence of debris and overall shrinkage in size.
Moreover, a slider unit constructed as illustrated in FIG. 12 has already been developed and disclosed in the co-pending senior application that was opened under Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 352744/2001. The slider unit has an onboard moving-magnet linear motor and is envisaged improving high-speed operation and much response ability of the movable table 60 relatively to the stationary bed 64 and also realizing much more accurate position control of the table 60 to the bed 64. With the slider unit, the three-phase conduction system is adopted for conduction to any armature winding 65 while the driving circuit is removed to any outside driver. This design can provide the bed 64 that is made simple in construction and also reduced in height. The stationary bed 64 in the slider unit is made of magnetic material while the movable table 60 is also made of magnetic material and arranged for sliding movement with respect to the bed 64 through a linear motion guide unit 61 that is mainly comprised of a slider 62 and a track rail 63. The movable table 60 has mounted thereon with a field magnet 66 on which magnetic poles are arranged in such a way that they alternate in polarity along a traveling direction of the table 60, while the bed 64 has the armature windings 65 on a surface of the bed 64, which is in opposition to the field magnet 66. In addition, there is provided a position detector composed of a linear scale 68 and a sensor 67 to determine the position of the table 60 with respect to the bed 64 in the traveling direction of the table 60.
Moreover referring to FIG. 13, there is shown a prior rotary table system in which a servo-actuator is connected directly to a motor 81 in direct-drive manner to accomplish the very fast, highly accurate position control in turning direction with no backlash or no lost motion. The servo-actuator to control an angular position of a table 70 with high speed is mainly comprised of the motor 81, an optical encoder 78 and a rolling-contact bearing 72. The motor 81 is comprised of a rotor core 77 fixed to the table 70, and a stator core 76 mounted on a housing 71. With the rotary table system stated earlier, the table 70 is encased in the housing 71 for free rotation through the rolling-contact bearing 72 that is composed of an inner ring 74, an outer ring 73 and rollers 76. The rolling-contact bearing 72 is constructed with a crossed-roller bearing in which the rollers 75 are arranged circumferentially with their axes intersecting alternately one another in such a manner that each roller can carry the table 70 against any load in every direction, either radial or axial.
By the way, the table-position control system or the stage system used commonly for various machines such as semiconductor fabricating equipments is to move the work such as a semiconductor stock and the like, which is mounted on the movable table, in any one or both of X-direction and Y-direction perpendicular to the X-direction, and/or turn the work over an angle xcex8 thereby transferring the work to any desired position. To keep the workroom environment clean, the linear motors have been extensively employed for the driving means to move the table or the stage, whether linear or angular. Recently the systems that are used to manufacture the semiconductors are legion, and the semiconductor industries, image processors, inspection instruments or the like further need the position controls of high accuracy, even with compactness and inexpensiveness.
With the rotary table system as shown in FIG. 13, nevertheless, the rotor core 77 of the motor 81 is arranged overall around the periphery of the table 70 while the stator core 76 is installed circumferentially in an annular groove in the housing 71 in opposition to the rotor core 77. This type of the prior rotary table system results in becoming tall in height and a corresponding increase in dimensions, and also would get complicated in construction itself. The prior stage system as stated earlier and shown in FIG. 12 uses the linear motor, but only to propel the table in linear direction through the linear motion guide unit, not to provide position controls in a circular or angular direction. Thus, it remains a major challenge to provide a stage system that will be allowed to not only travel in linear direction, but also provide accurate position control in circular direction or in angular xcex8 direction by the use of some linear motors, which are substantially identical to one another in construction to reduce the desired parts and members making up the stage system in their numbers, thereby helping make the stage system smaller in dimensions, lighter in weight, even with better in response ability than the same sort of prior table system ever developed.
It is the primary object of the present invention to overcome the major problem as described just above and to provide a stage system with onboard linear motor, which is constructed to allow position control of tiny angles in either direction of turning or in xcex8 direction. Still more particular object of the present invention is to provide a stage system with onboard linear motor, which may afford a moving table high-precision angular-position control and better response ability, even being made thin and small in dimensions, light in weight and compact or slim in construction.
The present invention is concerned with a stage system with onboard linear motor, comprising an anti-turning stage kept against rotation, a turning stage lying on the anti-turning stage for rotation relatively to the anti-turning stage, a rolling bearing means interposed between the anti-turning stage and the turning stage to support the turning stage for free rotation, and a turning linear motor for driving the turning stage over a tiny amount of angle in either direction of rotation, wherein the turning linear motor is comprised of a primary side of more than one armature winding arranged in juxtaposition in straight line on either one of the turning stage and the anti-turning stage, and a secondary side of field magnets arranged in juxtaposition in opposition to the armature winding on another of the turning stage and the anti-turning stage, with magnetic poles alternating in polarity in straight line.
In an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a stage system with onboard linear motor, in which the turning linear motor is oriented so as to extend in line with a tangent of an arc depicted by the turning stage. In another aspect of the present invention, moreover, a stage system with onboard linear motor is provided in which the turning linear motor has a means for sensing a position of the turning stage in turning direction with respect to the anti-turning stage, the sensing means being composed of a linear scale graduated lengthwise in fine pitches and attached on the arched periphery of the turning stage, and a sensor element installed in opposition to the linear scale to read graduations on the linear scale. In another aspect of the present invention, moreover, a stage system with onboard linear motor is provided in which the rolling bearing means is constituted with a cross-roller bearing that is composed of an inner ring, an outer ring arranged around the inner ring for rotation with respect to the inner ring, and roller interposed between the inner ring and outer ring, with their rolling axes being crossed alternately one another.
In a further another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a stage system with onboard linear motor, in which the anti-turning stage is made at central area thereof with an aperture in which the outer ring of the rolling bearing means is fitted, while the turning stage is provided with an annular boss having an outside periphery around which the inner ring of the rolling bearing means fits over the annular boss, and the turning stage is also made at a center thereof with a rectangular window that is in alignment with the aperture in the anti-turning stage. In another aspect of the present invention there is provided a stage system with onboard linear motor, in which the anti-turning stage is composed of a first stage lying on a base stage for linear movement in an X-direction relatively to the base stage, and a second stage lying on the first stage for linear movement relatively to the first stage in a Y-direction crossing the X-direction, and the turning stage lies on the second stage to be supported through the rolling bearing means on the second stage. In a further aspect of the present invention, moreover, a stage system with onboard linear motor is provided in which a first linear motor is provided to move the first stage to a desired position in the X-direction, and a second linear motor is provided to move the second stage to a desired position in the Y-direction.
In another aspect of the present invention there is provided a stage system with onboard linear motor, in which the turning, first and second linear motors equally have one set of three armature windings, each of which carries any one phase of three-phase conduction system, and the first, second and turning stages are each propelled to their desired positions by virtue of electromagnetic force that will be generated when three-phase current in the armature windings interacts electromagnetically with field flux created by the field magnets. In another aspect of the present invention, moreover, a stage system with onboard linear motor is provided in which the field magnets are made of rare-earth magnet and five pieces of field magnets are arrayed in straight line in opposition to each set of three armature windings.
In another aspect of the present invention there is provided a stage system with onboard linear motor, in which linear movement of the first stage in the X-direction relatively to the base stage is guided through a first linear motion guide unit that is composed of an elongated track rail lying on the base stage in the X-direction and a first slider mounted to the first stage and supported on the track rail for linear movement, while linear movement of the second stage in the Y-direction relatively to the first stage is guided through a second linear motion guide unit that is composed of a second track rail lying on the first stage in the Y-direction and a second slider mounted to the second stage and supported on the track rail for linear movement. In a further another aspect of the present invention, a stage system with onboard linear motor is provided in which the first, second, and turning stages are equally made with transparent windows, which parallel each other.
In another aspect of the present invention there is provided a stage system with onboard linear motor, in which first sensing means for determining a relative position of the first stage to the base stage is constituted with an optical encoder that is made up of an optical linear scale attached to the first stage and a sensor element mounted to the base stage in opposition to the optical linear scale, while second sensing means for determining a relative position of the second stage to the first stage is another optical encoder made up of an optical linear scale installed on the second stage and a sensor element mounted to the first stage in opposition to the optical linear scale. In another aspect of the present invention, moreover, a stage system with onboard linear motor is provided in which all the first, second and turning stages are made in a form of rectangular plate.
With the stage system of the present invention constructed as stated earlier, the turning linear motor is especially made up of the primary side of some armature windings arrayed in juxtaposition in straight line on either one of the turning stage and the anti-turning stage, and the secondary side of field magnets arranged in juxtaposition in opposition to the armature windings on another of the turning stage and the anti-turning stage, with magnetic poles alternating in polarity in straight line. This construction of the turning linear motor is good enough in operation to provide angular position control over a tiny amount of turning of the turning stage, with even keeping the stage system simple in construction. In addition, the construction in which the turning part is constituted with the field magnets of permanent magnet contributes to reducing the turning part itself in weight, improving the response ability in turning motion of the turning part with even less overall thickness, making certain fewer occurrences of debris that might be caused by the stage system itself, and also making the system small in overall size.
In accordance with the stage system of the present invention constructed as described above, the linear motor that has been predominantly used for position control in any linear direction is adopted just as it is to provide angular position control over tiny angle of turning. This concept realizes the stage system that allows high-precision position control of tiny angle of turning and high response ability in position control, with even small in size, simple in construction and weighing less. Linear position control in either direction of X- and Y-directions is done by other linear motors to move the anti-turning composite stage of an X-stage and a Y-stage kept against turning. With the stage system of the present invention stated earlier, standardized armature windings and field magnets are interchangeable to yield all of the turning linear motor to force the turning stage in circular direction and other linear motors to move the composite stage in linear direction, with simply requiring any modification in mounting of the linear scale. This results in a reduction in a number of parts and components as well as in production costs compared with the conventional systems. This stage system of the present invention is available well for various machines such as semiconductor manufacturing equipments, industrial robots, inspection instruments, machine tools and so on.


A camera mount is configured to attach a camera to a sports board. A camera is secured to the mount, which is secured to a sports board. The mount can secure to the sports board via an attachment device such as an embedded plug. The mount can be placed at the front or rear of the sports board. Furthermore, the mount can be configured to face either forwards or backwards to capture images and/or video from different viewpoints while participating in the board activity. Moreover, the mount includes a pivoting joint to allow a user to rotate the camera either upward or downward and then secure the camera at a fixed angle to capture images and/or video from different angles.

1. Technical Field
The disclosed embodiments relate to mechanisms for securing a device, for example a camera, and more specifically, to a mount system for attaching the device to a sport board for use during periods of sport activity.
2. Description of the Related Arts
The problem of conveniently carrying, accessing, and using a camera under various operating conditions has existed since the beginning of hand-held photography. With the spread of digital photography, which allows inexpensive photograph storage and capture, more individuals are exposed to the inherent limitations that camera securement imposes during periods of activity. Fast-paced and strenuous physical activities such as surfing, jogging, mountain climbing, snowboarding, and skydiving often require the individual to fully concentrate on the activity rather than on capturing photographs or video. Furthermore, such activities often leave the participant without a free hand to operate the camera.
Board sports, such as surfing, in particular are subject to restraints of the ability to photograph or video an activity mid-action. The fast-paced nature of surfing narrows the window of time for taking an ideal photograph or video considerably, often down to a few seconds or less. Further, even if a surfer was able to photograph or video the activity, the surfer might fall or be pulled off the surfboard, which could make it difficult for the surfer to hold on to the camera. This risks damage to the camera, or losing the camera altogether, and further imposes risks on the surfer who may need the use of free hands to ensure his or her safety.
Another problem with taking photographs or video during surfing is the challenge of stowing the camera after a photograph has been taken. For example, a surfing photographer taking a photograph of a breaking wave might quickly need his or her hands free to push their surfboard under the wave after taking the photograph. The surfer may not have enough time to securely store the camera after taking a photograph. Additionally, the surfer might just prefer to have the camera immediately out of the way so that he or she can catch a wave without the hassle of stowing their camera.
In view of the challenges above, surfers often do not attempt to capture such photographs or videos themselves and instead rely on others to do so. However, positioning a photographer in close proximity to a surfer creates a dangerous situation for both the photographer and the surfer. Further, the photographer may have an extremely limited amount of time to capture the photograph before the wave passes over him or her.
Similar problems exist in other boarding sports such as windsurfing and wakeboarding. In each instance, the fast paced activity makes close action photography different and potentially dangerous.

Mount system for attaching camera to a sport board


An apparatus for implanting a sealed radioactive source into a patient. The apparatus comprise a hollow member having a sealed end and an opening through which the radioactive source is introduced into the member. The member has a shape that defines an axis such that the member is disposed about the axis. The member is preferably a needle having the shape of a spiral. During implantation, the sealed end of the spiraled needle is inserted into the patient. The needle is then rotated until it is disposed in a desired position in the patient. The radioactive source is then threaded through the opening of the needle such that a predetermined location in the patient is irradiated.

Brachytherapy, which is the implantation of sealed sources of radioactive material within a tumor, is one of the oldest methods for treating cancer by means of ionized radiation. Interstitial implants are used to treat tumors by inserting afterloading needles into tissue in the vicinity of a tumor and within the tumor itself. See L.W. Brady: Modern Brachytherapy, Masson Ed. Paris, New York, 1987; J.C. Jalabert: Application Methods and Materials of Brachytherapy by Iridium 192, Henri Mondor Hospital.
When straight needles are used, they are usually spaced approximately at 1 to 1.5 cm apart and inserted deep into the tissues as parallel to each other as possible to achieve a uniform dosimetry; nevertheless a great deal of expertise is required for adequate needle placement. In addition, tissue swelling adds significant distortion to the needles, rendering a potentially good implant inappropriate.
The invention described herein provides an accurate radiation dose distribution. The resulting invention provides a shorter operating time with a resulting lessening in risk to the patient during implantation; lower expense; standardization of the dosimetry; elimination of the need for orthogonal films to determine the dosimetry; and less radiation exposure to the implanting physician because of faster loading of the radioactive source into the invention.

Afterloading radioactive spiral implanter


A dimmable, infrared secure, indicator for use in equipment panel displays capable of maintaining sufficient luminance for proper equipment operation by personnel in covert situations, while minimizing detection by hostile entities is realized by a device comprising an light source, an infrared absorbing filter, and two polarizers. These components are incorporated into an external housing which includes a selectively rotatable segment capable of rotating one of the polarizers from a fully parallel to fully crossed position with respect to the other and a hood which minimizes the viewing angle of the indicator.

As never before, military, security, and law enforcement personnel employ sophisticated electronic equipment in the performance of their assigned tasks. Such equipment often incorporates a wide variety of panel displays and light indicators which serve to inform the user of system status or alert the user to dangerous conditions.
The use of such equipment, however, can pose serious problems when used by personnel operating in covert situations. Although the equipment may be necessary to accomplish the task at hand, the visible light radiation emitted from such panel light indicators may unfortunately be detected by hostile entities operating in or near the same area.
The problem is further magnified by the modern development of Generation III image intensifying devices, the most common of which is the night-vision goggle (NVG). Such devices permit an individual to see near-infrared and infrared radiation as visible light. Usually, equipment panel light indicators include incandescent lamps or light-emitting diodes (LEDs) which typically emit, in addition to visible light, some radiation in the near-infrared and infrared wavelength spectrum. Hostile forces equipped with night-vision goggles (NVGs) or similar equipment can easily detect equipment employing such light indicators.
Therefore, there is a need for light indicators which provide "secure" or night-vision compatible lighting. Secure lighting is defined as lighting that provides the operator with necessary system information, yet is not substantially visible to an aggressor using either an unaided eye or an image intensifying device.
Prior art panel light indicators cannot satisfactorily meet this "secure" requirement. Although the conventional wisdom has been to use shutter caps placed over the light indicators to selectively block the radiation, such a solution does not permit the user to be continuously apprised of necessary system information. Disadvantageously, the light indicator becomes fully detectable when the user opens the shutter to check a system parameter.


A cooking system is disclosed which includes a wok for receiving food, the wok being placed on top of a base unit housing a heating element for heating up the wok, a lid substantially covering the wok, at least a portion of the lid being able to rotate relative to the wok, a shaft secured to the rotating portion of the lid, a stirrer pivotally mounted to the shaft, a controller housed in the base unit controlling the heating element and rotations of the shaft and the lid, the rotation of the shaft causing a part of the stirrer to sweep from an edge of the wok to approximately a center of the wok in a low path and return to an edge of the wok in a high path, in the low path the part of the stirrer approximately touching a surface of the wok, in the high path the part of the stirrer being high above and not touching the surface of the wok, and a computing device residing outside of the base unit and signally coupled to the controller, the computing device storing a computer program upon execution instructing the computing device to send operating commands to the controller, the operating commands controlling the heating element and the rotations of the shaft and the lid.

The present invention relates generally to cooking apparatus, and, more particularly, to an automated cooking system and method.
Home meal cooking has traditionally been a manual operation, i.e., cooking time, temperature and occasional stirring of food in a cooking utensil are determined and implemented by a human operator. Such traditional way of cooking is not only labor intensive, but also heavily rely on operators' experience to make a good meal.
Even though cooking recipes have been widely available, they mostly emphasize on ingredients and not much on the art of actual heating the food.
As such, what is desired is a system and method that can automate much of the cooking process and provide a platform for people to share such automated cooking process.
The drawings accompanying and forming part of this specification are included to depict certain aspects of the invention. A clearer conception of the invention, and of the components and operation of systems provided with the invention, will become more readily apparent by referring to the exemplary, and therefore non-limiting, embodiments illustrated in the drawings, wherein like reference numbers (if they occur in more than one view) designate the same elements. The invention may be better understood by reference to one or more of these drawings in combination with the description presented herein.


The phoropter is provided with a rotating knob means for selecting specific types of functions (12,13,14), the angular position being picked up by means of a pulse generator, e.g. a light barrier (8,9) in the form of an electric signal (amplifier 10) and, via a processing stage (11), more particularly a counter, is supplied to at least one function setting stage (12,13,14), while the requisite engagement of defined angular positions is effected with the aid of magnets (7), an angle indicating means for the cylindrical lens systems, whose angularity of the shaft position is indicated by light-emitting elements in order to facilitate the readability for the examining party, said light-emitting elements being arranged on the side of the examining party in a circular disposition around the viewing aperture and being operated in the bright state from a keyboard console in accordance with the shaft position, and a main support on a frame fitted with a forehead rest mounted on a phoropter housing protected against the environment by a covering, while, on the main support, two lateral supports are mounted so as to be approximately horizontally displaceable relative to each other, on which one shaft support each is attached with an approximately horizontal shaft about which the disks of a stack are rotatable, the parts mounted on the main support and on the left-hand and right-hand lateral supports each being protected by a partial covering and in which the partial covering of the main support is interconnected with the partial coverings of the lateral supports via a bellows each (FIG. 1 ).

The present invention relates to a phoropter for testing the visual acuity of a test person.
Phoropters are known in the most widely varying embodiments. Thus a phoropter is known with a rotating knob device for the selection of certain types of function of said device, in particular an electronic phoropter, by setting or adjusting a rotating part that is rotatable about an axis of rotation to certain positions defined by the angular position vis-a-vis a basic part.
These phoropters are actuated by turning mechanical switches into angular positions defined by mechanical engagement click stops. Such phoropters require a substantial amount of space and, particularly on account of the friction connected with the mechanical engagement, are difficult to operate.
Furthermore, a phoropter with several lens disks rotatably supported on at least one spindle in a frame and with a circular indicating means for the angular position of the shaft position of a cylinder component (cylinder shaft) of the optical system swung or swiveled into the light path, which is mounted so as to be rotatable about a setting spindle is known. In a phoropter known e.g. from the DE-PS 29 01 459, a plurality of lens disks is arranged in series, while on at least one disk, cylinder or crossed cylinder lenses may be disposed which each are rotatable about a setting spindle in order to be able in this way to change the angular position of the cylinder component. The angular position of the cylinder spindle lying transversely to the light beam axis or to the viewing direction can be read off from a scale graduation on the side facing the examining ophthalmologist. Due to the poor room illumination this causes considerable difficulties and may possibly lead to errors being committed. The indication and reading off may also be carried out on a keyboard console which is accordingly better illuminated and separated from the phoropter. This is inconvenient because the examining party is thus compelled to look in a different direction than that of the patient.
A further apparatus for testing the visual acuity of a test person (phoropter) is protected against the environment by a covering (housing). Furthermore, a forehead rest for positioning the head of the test person is attached to a frame and, for each eye, a stack holder or support, on which, rotatable about an approximately horizontal spindle, a stack of disks each is disposed which, in circular arrangement, carry a plurality of optical elements, more particularly, spherical and cylindrical lenses, of which one each of every disk is turned in front of a viewing aperture, the shaft of the one stack being, relative to the shaft of the other stack, adjusted vertically and, if necessary, swivelable for viewing a close-up reading test specimen. In apparatuses of this type, adjusting means are necessary on the disks of the optical elements, but also for the setting up of the stacks, said adjusting means being manually operated. For this purpose, the apparatus is provided with a number of openings through which, in the course of time, dust and other dirt particles penetrate which may particularly impair the surfaces of the lenses as well. When the housing covers all the component parts, it creates a shapeless and voluminous impression. When individual subassemblies are disposed so as to be separated from each other and actuating elements, e.g. rotating knobs, are mounted on the outside, an irregular impression is created and the mechanical linkages between the apparatus components likewise detrimentally affect the appearance and are prone to mechanical damage or to contamination.
It is the object of the invention to be able, in a phoropter, to effect the selection of the types of function without mechanical switches or the like that are directly connected to the device and to also simplify the click stop engagement by means of a minor structural expenditure. Moreover, it is the object of the invention to improve the indication of the angularity of a cylinder component of the phoropter and to facilitate, for the examining party, the obtaining of an immediate stereoscopic impression regarding the position of the shaft in relation to the eye to be examined. In addition, it is intended to construct a phoropter in such a compact manner that the parts to be moved will, if possible, all be covered and thus protected against extraneous effects and that, this notwithstanding, an overall tranquil and harmonious impression exists.


Herein disclosed is a method of generating products from microorganisms, comprising super-saturating a liquid medium with a gas consumable by the microorganisms in a high shear device operating at a shear rate of greater than 1,000,000 s−1 to produce a gas-super-saturated (GSS) medium, wherein the GSS medium maintains a GSS level for at least 10 minutes; feeding the GSS medium to microorganisms; allowing the microorganisms to grow by consuming the gas and generate products via photosynthesis or chemosynthesis; and recovering the products. In an embodiment, the microorganisms are genetically modified. In an embodiment, the microorganisms include bacteria, protozoa, algae, or fungi, or a combination thereof. In an embodiment, the gas consumable by the microorganisms is selected from the group consisting of carbon dioxide, nitrogen, air, oxygen, methane, and combinations thereof. A suitable system is also discussed in this disclosure.

Technical Field
The present invention relates generally to a process and system of microorganism growth and recovery of valuable products. More particularly, the present invention relates to a system and process for culture of microorganisms and extraction of products using high shear.
Background of the Invention
As is known, ecosystems depend upon the ability of some organisms to convert inorganic compounds into food that other organisms can then exploit. In most cases, primary food production occurs in a process called photosynthesis, which is powered by sunlight. In a few environments, primary production happens though a process called chemosynthesis, which runs on chemical energy. Together, photosynthesis and chemosynthesis fuel all life on Earth. Photosynthesis occurs in plants and some bacteria, wherever there is sufficient sunlight on land, in shallow water, even inside and below clear ice. All photosynthetic organisms use solar energy to turn carbon dioxide and water into sugar and oxygen. There is only one photosynthetic formula: CO2+6H2O→C6H12O6+6O2.
Chemosynthesis is the use of energy released by inorganic chemical and simple organic compounds such as methane reactions to produce food such as carbohydrates and other organic compounds. Chemosynthesis is at the heart of deep-sea communities, sustaining life in absolute darkness, where sunlight does not penetrate. All chemosynthetic organisms use the energy released by chemical reactions to make a sugar, but different species use different pathways. For example, the most extensive ecosystem based on chemosynthesis lives around undersea hot springs. At these hydrothermal vents, vent bacteria oxidize hydrogen sulfide, add carbon dioxide and oxygen, and produce sugar, sulfur, and water: CO2+4H2S+O2→CH2O+4S+3H2O. Other bacteria make organic matter by reducing sulfide or oxidizing methane. Chemosynthetic bacterial communities have been found in hot springs on land and on the seafloor around hydrothermal vents, cold seeps, whale carcasses, and sunken ships.
Recently, there are various concepts of utilizing bacteria (genetically-modified or engineered) to convert carbon (e.g., CO2) to value products (e.g., isobutanol). Clearly, there is a need and interest to continue to develop systems and methods to apply such concepts industrially so that carbon dioxide and other agricultural or municipal wastes can be converted into valuable products.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Microorganism growth and products recovery


A nuclear medicine imaging simulator system is provided for simulating nuclear imaging of a target within a phantom using a selected pharmacokinetic model. The system includes a processor assembly having at least one processor receiving a digital phantom model and a digital pharmacokinetic model, and a dynamic integration module executable on the processor assembly for integrating the pharmacokinetic model with the phantom model to generate a dynamic phantom data representing activity of the pharmacokinetic model within the phantom model over simulated time. The system further includes an imager module executable on the processor assembly for generating a digital imager model representing a nuclear imager in accordance with at least one selectable imager parameter that controls activity of the imager model relative to simulated time, and an imager simulator module executable on the processor assembly for processing the dynamic phantom data with the imager model for simulating at least one imaging process of the dynamic phantom data in accordance with the at least one imager parameter and generating respective simulated sensed data in accordance with individual imaging processes of the at least one imaging process.

Radionuclides are employed as radioactive labels, or tracers, by incorporating them into molecules to produce a radio-labeled probe. The probes are introduced into a patient (source) and become involved in biological processes, such as blood flow, fatty acid, glucose metabolism, and protein synthesis. The probes can also be formulated to accumulate differently in targeted tissue (a target), such as an organ of interest, relative to other tissue, such as due to elevated (or diminished) rates of glucose metabolism in diseased cells compared to normal tissue. Alternatively, targeting can be achieved by using probes having engineered antibodies or anti-body fragments that bind to receptors present in target tissue, such as, for example the -Her2-Neu receptor over-expressed by breast cancer cells. A widely used -imaging probe, 18-Fluoro-deoxyl-glucose (FDG), has been used, for example, in vivo for imaging of cancer, neuro-degenerative disease and cardiovascular disease. Similarly, Alzheimer's disease can be detected by using probes that target beta amyloid, which tends to accumulate in a diseased brain.
As the radionuclides decay, they may emit either gamma rays or positrons. In the case of positron emission, the positrons travel a very short distance before they encounter an electron, and when this occurs, they are annihilated and converted into two photons, or gamma rays. By measuring the number of pairs of photons emitted in the target relative to the other tissue, organ characteristics or irregularities can be studied. In the case of direct gamma ray emission, by measuring the number of gamma rays emitted in the target relative to the other tissue, organ characteristics or irregularities can be studied
Currently, nuclear medical imaging includes Planar Gamma Camera Imaging, Single-Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT), Positron Emission Tomography (PET) and Multiple Emission Tomography (MET). Planar Gamma Camera Imaging is performed by a gamma camera, such as an Anger camera, having a collimator typically made of lead or tungsten having a plurality of channels, and a scintillation crystal placed under the collimator. Gamma rays traveling along a path that coincides with a path defined by any of the channels pass through the channel unabsorbed and interact with the crystal for producing a light signal. An array of light sensors, such as photomultiplier tubes (PMTs), is provided behind the crystal to detect the light and generate an intensity signal indicative of the amount of light detected at each sensor. A planar image is constructed in accordance with the intensity signal and the direction from which the associated gamma signal came from. SPECT includes generation of a 3-dimensional image by generating and reconstructing a plurality of planar images from different angles using a tomographic process.
In a PET scanner, characteristics of two aspects of the annihilation of positrons are of particular interest; each gamma ray has an energy of 511 keV, and the two gamma rays are directed in nearly opposite directions. The PET scanner is typically cylindrical, and includes a collimator for rejecting scatter events, and a detector ring assembly composed of rings of detectors which encircle the patient, and which convert the energy of each 511 keV photon into a flash of light that is sensed, such as by a PMT. Coincidence detection circuits connect to the detectors and record only those photons which are detected simultaneously by two detectors located on opposite sides of the patient. The number of such simultaneous events (coincidence events) indicates the number of positron annihilations that occurred along a line joining the two opposing detectors. Within a few minutes hundreds of millions of coincidence events may be recorded indicative of the number of annihilations along lines joining pairs of detectors in the detector ring. These numbers are employed to reconstruct an image using well-known computed tomography techniques. MET utilizes two-different crystals positioned in a sandwich-like construction for allowing simultaneous use of gamma emitting and positron emitting radio-labeled probes.
There are many factors during the imaging process, which affect the degree of qualitative and quantitative accuracy of the image produced. Such factors include, for example, selection, configuration, placement and/or function of components of the nuclear scanner, including collimator dimensions, source-to-detector distance, resolution of the gamma camera; timing and duration of image capture; image reconstruction techniques; and composition of the source. However, due to expense of the radionuclides and imaging probe, the ill-effects of exposure of the patient to the radionuclides, expense of test administration, and difficulty in separating out single factors of the entire imaging process in an experimental situation, it is generally impractical to empirically study or make adjustments to the imaging process. Evaluation of probes has commonly been performed through animal experiments and subsequent human trials; however the process is inefficient, slow and expensive.
Accordingly, tools have been developed, such as described by J. C. Yanch et al. in "Physically Realistic Monte Carlo Simulation of Source, Collimator and Tomographic Data Acquisition For Emission Computed Tomography", Phys. Med. Biol., Volume 37, No. 4, 1992, pp 853-870, for simulation of nuclear imaging, in which a user may input information detailing configuration of the nuclear imaging scanner including the number of tomographic views; the source, including geometries within, and "the 3D distribution of the isotope and various attenuating materials . . . distributed in any spatial configuration throughout an organ inside the human body or head"; and image reconstruction parameters, including energy windows and energy sampling functions.
However, the image generated by simulated nuclear imaging is limited to providing spatial information at a specific point in time corresponding to the input time of the data associated with the simulated isotope distribution. However, due to the nature of isotopes, the real isotope distribution varies over time.
Accordingly, there is a need for a system and method for simulated nuclear medicine imaging which accounts for temporal changes in isotope distribution.


A method is described for controlling an imaging modality. The method includes acquiring data specific to an examination object and automatically selecting a raw data record from a number of raw data records on the basis of the data specific to the examination object. The method further includes producing an image on the basis of the selected raw data record and by using a selected control parameter set. The produced image is then output to a user. Thereafter, a change command of the user is detected, for altering the control parameter set, or detecting a confirmation command for confirming the control parameter set. Next, the control parameter set is changed in accordance with a detected change command. The method then includes repeating the method steps of producing, outputting, detecting and changing with the respectively current, changed control parameter set until a confirmation signal is detected. Finally, image data is acquired by using the current control parameter set when a confirmation command is detected. An apparatus suitable for controlling an imaging modality is also described.

Various imaging methods are known in modern medicine for obtaining a comprehensive knowledge of specific organs and their conditions essentially without opening the body. X-ray systems, computed tomography systems, magnetic resonance systems and ultrasound systems are examples of appropriate imaging systems. Such systems and/or units are usually denoted as modalities.
A multiplicity of control parameters must be adjusted in order to use an imaging modality in order to obtain sufficiently good images of a structure and/or an organ, for example a bone structure, the brain, the heart, the lung, the gastrointestinal area etc for a specific set of questions forming the basis of the examination. Thus, for example, it is necessary to adjust the most varied technical control parameters such as voltage, current, slice thickness, pitch, rotational speed etc in the case of computed tomography systems. In the case of systems of recent generations, it is becoming ever more complex to adjust all the control parameters optimally.
In order to carry out an examination in a way that is as friendly as possible to the patient, the control parameters should be adjusted during the examination such that the images produced exhibit an image quality sufficient for the respective examination in conjunction with as low a radiation dose as possible. In this case, there should be a high measure of operator friendliness. In order to avoid errors as far possible during adjustment, the operation should advantageously proceed as intuitively as possible.
Modern imaging systems already offer for the most varied body regions selected measurement protocols that prescribe specific control parameter sets for the various types of examination and/or for the clinical problems on which the examination is based. Thus, for example, in the meantime substantially more than 100 different protocols are available on computed tomography systems in the high-end region, for example. The various measurement protocols then further require to be adapted manually to the precise examination problem and to the patient-specific geometry.
In particular, in the case of a computed tomography system, for example, the tube current, and thus the dose—must be adapted to the so-called patient profile, that is to say to the size and the weight of the patient. This is because the attenuation, and thus the image quality, depends on the thickness of the patient's body in the beam direction. Thus, given a relatively strong patient profile there is a need for a relatively high tube current in order to achieve the same image quality as in the case of a relatively thin patient profile. Even in the most modern systems, it has only been possible to date to automatically fit the tube current, but not the tube voltage, for example, to the patient profile.
As a rule, an operator of such a system selects and adapts the suitable protocols on the basis of his experience with such examinations. It can therefore by all means occur with inexperienced examiners that insufficient examination results are obtained owing to unfavorable parameter constellations. In the extreme case, this can necessitate a repetition of the examination given an excessively low image quality. The additional radiation burden caused thereby in a computed tomography system, for example, is not inconsiderable for the patient.
The same holds in the case of magnetic resonance examinations, where the patient is exposed to an additional unnecessary high-frequency burden. On the other hand, even an excessively high image quality that is not required per se for the examination that is to be carried out, because it is associated with no additional gain of information, or only a very slight one, leads only to an additional burden for the patient. Added to this in the case of computed tomography examinations and, in particular, magnetic resonance examinations is the fact that measurements that may have been carried out with an unnecessarily high image quality lead to an unnecessarily long measuring time, and this renders the measurement as a whole more expensive.

Method and apparatus for controlling an imaging modality


A Cryogenic Cooling System generally comprises a portable Dewar and a charging station for the Dewar. In the preferred embodiment, a HTSC device, such as a MRI coil, is contained in the Dewar which uses liquid nitrogen as a cryogenic coolant. The Dewar includes a reservoir for holding cryogenic fluid, an optional wicking material, a transfer tube between the reservoir and the HTSC device (or wick), and a vacuum space. Preferably a vent channel is adjacent the reservoir and provides an escape path for evaporating gas from the wick and/or HTSC device. The vent channel preferably provides a feed-back system: as more cryogenic coolant is transferred via the transfer tube, more cool gas is vented through the channel which cools the reservoir and thereby reduces the transfer. A charging system may also be provided as a source of cryogenic coolant. In the preferred embodiment, the charging system comprises a relatively large reservoir for liquid nitrogen.

Superconductivity refers to that state of metals and alloys in which the electrical resistivity is zero when the specimen is cooled to a sufficiently low temperature. The temperature at which a specimen undergoes a transition from a state of normal electrical resistivity to a state of superconductivity is known as the critical temperature ("T.sub.c ")
Until recently, attaining the T.sub.c of known superconducting materials required the use of liquid helium and expensive cooling equipment. However, in 1986 a superconducting material having a T.sub.c of 30K was announced. See, e.g., Bednorz and Muller, Possible High Tc Superconductivity in the Ba--La--Cu--O System, Z.Phys. B-Condensed Matter 64, 189-193 (1986). Since that announcement superconducting materials having higher critical temperatures have been discovered. Collectively these are referred to as high temperature superconductors (HTSCs). Currently, superconducting materials having critical temperatures in excess of the boiling point of liquid nitrogen, 77K at atmospheric pressure, have been disclosed.
HTSCs have been prepared in a number of forms. The earliest forms were preparation of bulk materials, which were sufficient to determine the existence of the superconducting state and phases. More recently, thin films on various substrates have been prepared which have proved to be useful for making practical superconducting devices. More particularly, the applicant's assignee has successfully produced thin film thallium superconductors which are epitaxial to the substrate. See, e.g., Olson, et al., Preparation of Superconducting TlCaBaCu Thin Films by Chemical Deposition, Appl. Phys. Lett. 55, No. 2, 189-190 (1989), incorporated herein by reference. Techniques for fabricating and improving thin film thallium superconductors are described in the following patent and copending applications: Olson, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,071,830, issued Dec. 10, 1991; Controlled Thallous Oxide Evaporation for Thallium Superconductor Films and Reactor Design, U.S. Pat. No. 5,139,998, issued Aug. 18, 1992; In Situ Growth of Superconducting Films, Ser. No. 598,134, filed Oct. 16, 1990; Passivation Coating for Superconducting Thin Film Device, Ser. No. 697,660, filed May 8, 1991; and Fabrication Process for Low Loss Metallizations on Superconducting Thin Film Devices, Ser. No. 697,960, filed May 8, 1991, all incorporated herein by reference.
High temperature superconducting materials are now routinely manufactured as films having surface resistances significantly below 500 .mu..OMEGA. measured at 10 GHz and 77K. These films may be formed into resonant circuits. Such superconducting films when formed as resonators have an extremely high quality factor ("Q"). The Q of a device is a measure of its lossiness or power dissipation. In theory, a device with zero resistance (i.e. a lossless device) would have a Q of infinity. Superconducting devices manufactured and sold by applicant's assignee routinely achieve a Q in excess of 15,000. This is high in comparison to a Q of several hundred for the best known non-superconducting conductors having similar structure and operating under similar conditions.
Superconducting thin films formed as resonators have the desirable property of having very high energy storage in a relatively small physical space. Such superconducting resonators are compact and lightweight. Another benefit of superconductors is that relatively long circuits may be fabricated without introducing significant loss. For example, an inductor coil of a detector circuit made from superconducting material can include more turns than a similar coil made of non-superconducting material without experiencing a significant increase in loss as would the non-superconducting coil. Therefore, a superconducting coil has increased signal pick-up and is much more sensitive than a non-superconducting coil.
Typical resonant circuits are generally limited in their application due to their signal-to-noise ratios ("SNR"). For example, the SNR in a pickup coil of a MRI detector is a limiting factor for low-field MRI systems. Although the low-field MRI systems have a number of advantages over high-field MRI (including cost, site requirements, patient comfort and tissue contrast), they have not yet found wide-spread use in the U.S. because, in part, of their lower SNR. Resonant circuits made from superconductors improve SNR for low-field human imaging. Therefore, an appropriate superconducting resonant circuit, depending on the field level, coil type, and imaging region, will enable wide-spread use of low-field MRI.
An MRI detector including a low temperature superconducting coil and capacitor has been described. See, e.g., Rollwitz, U.S. Pat. No. 3,764,892, issued Oct. 9, 1973. In addition, resonant circuits for use as MRI detectors which include high temperature superconducting coils and non-superconducting capacitors have been described. See, e.g., Wang, et al., Radio-Frequency Losses of YBa.sub.2 Cu.sub.3 O.sub.7-.delta. Composite Superconductors, Supercond. Sci. Technol. 1, 24-26 (1988); High Tc Used in MRI, Supercond. Indus. 20 (Winter 1990); and Hall, et al., Use of High Temperature Superconductor in a Receiver Coil for Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Mag. Res. in Med. 20, 340-343 (1991). Furthermore, devices including high temperature superconducting capacitors and inductors having various structures which may be used, for example, in resonant circuits for use in MRI detectors have been described. See copending patent application: James, et al., SUPERCONDUCTING CONTROL ELEMENTS FOR RF ANTENNAS, Ser. No. 07/934,921, filed Aug. 25, 1992, incorporated herein by reference. Resonant circuits made from HTSCs enjoy increased SNR and Q values.
However, HTSC sensors must be cooled to T.sub.c temperatures and, when they are used as MRI detectors, they must be cooled without exposing a patient to danger. In addition, any apparatus in which the sensor is contained must not interfere with detection of the MRI signal. A safe, unobtrusive, and non-interfering apparatus which could be used to contain a HTSC MRI detector at its T.sub.c has not been shown.
Different approaches to this problem are possible. First, an apparatus could be made which uses an active refrigeration unit to cool the high temperature superconductor detector. However, such refrigeration units are generally bulky, noisy, and magnetic. A bulky or noisy apparatus would not be preferable for use with a patient. A device which generates magnetic fields could not be used near a HTSC MRI detector because the magnetic fields would scramble the signals the HTSC sensor was to detect. In addition, it would be difficult to build an active refrigeration unit of material which would not interfere with the detection of the MRI signal (e.g. built of material which was non-conductive and low loss dielectric).
Second, a Joule-Thomson cooler could be used. However, Joule-Thomson coolers require a large source of compressed gas held at high pressure. Maintaining a large source of highly pressurized compressed gas is expensive and requires cumbersome equipment. For example, a system using a Joule-Thomson cooler would require a long high pressure tubing leading from the source of the pressurized gas to the apparatus containing the HTSC detector.
Third, a device could be constructed which uses a coil and tubing system through which liquid nitrogen from a remote reservoir is pumped to cool a HTSC MRI detector. However, such a device would be bulky and difficult to use. In addition, materials for the coil and tubing must be flexible at liquid nitrogen temperatures and must be well insulated to avoid temperature conduction with the surroundings. Furthermore, it would be difficult to build such a device out of materials which would not interfere with detection of the MRI signal.
As mentioned above, a high temperature superconductor sensor for use as a MRI detector must be cooled to cryogenic temperatures (i.e. below its T.sub.c). In addition, any apparatus in which the sensor is contained must not interfere with detection of the MRI signal and must be safe and unobtrusive when the MRI is being performed. No optional solution has been proposed heretofore.


A scanning apparatus, is used to effect multiple images of a tumor in which a contrast agent has been localized as a detectable marker over a selected time to map the change in the imaged marker. The rate of change in the imaged marker and/or contrast intensity of the dyed tissues is used to assess tumor aggressiveness and as an early predictor of response to cancer therapy. In particular, following the marking of tumor or cancerous tissues by the initial localization of an imageable contrast agent, the rate of change in the volume and/or area of the imaged marker is used to provide an indication of tumor interstitial fluid pressure (TIFP).

Despite remarkable strides in the treatment of solid cancers, such as those in the breast and prostate, many cancers remain resistant to treatment. As new therapies are developed and medicines become increasingly individualized, a need exists for effective and early diagnosis and/or predictor of treatment effectiveness or treatment response.
One physiological parameter which has demonstrated predictive value for tumor type or aggressiveness, and response to chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy is tumor interstitial fluid pressure (TIFP). Tumor interstitial fluid pressure (TIFP) is a physiological parameter that is elevated in aggressive tumors. TIFP decreases as tumors respond to treatments such as radiation therapy and chemotherapy. However at present, the clinical use of TIFP has been limited, as conventional techniques for TIFP measurement typically rely on biopsy procedures which are both invasive and which provide only point-measures.
The inventors have previously described a treatise on the basis for TIFP in the publication Liu L J, Brown S L, Ewing J R, Schlesinger M. "Phenomenological model of interstitial fluid pressure in solid tumor". Phys. Rev. E 2011; 83:021919, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference. The inventors have appreciated that the predictive value of TIFP, and its measurement, may advantageously be used in combination with tumor imaging methods, and more preferably, non-invasive imaging methods, in the diagnosis of tumor type and/or activity, and/or evaluating cancer treatment effectiveness and/or therapy response.

Method and apparatus for diagnosis of tumor activity using tumor interstitial fluid pressure


A combination shut-off and test-injection valve has a valve body with an inlet end and an outlet end adapted for connection to a fluid line or conduit and a fluid flow passageway extending from end to end. A shut-off valve in the body is movable between an open position allowing fluid flow through the body and a closed position closing off fluid flow through the body. The combination valve has a test-injection valve in fluid communication with the fluid flow passageway adjacent the shut-off valve which is movable between a normally closed position preventing communication between the fluid flow passageway and the exterior of the body and an open position allowing fluid communication between the fluid flow passageway and the exterior of the body. The shut-off valve and the test-injection valve operate independently whereby the shut-off valve may be operated to open or close fluid flow through the valve body and isolate portions of the fluid system in which it is installed and the test-injection valve may be connected to test equipment, injection devices, and the like for diagnosing and cleaning the fluid system and its components during normal operating conditions or in an isolated condition. The combination valve may be left in the system after installation and will not interfere with normal operations as long as the shut-off valve remains open and will allow subsequent diagnosing and testing of the system and its components.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to valves, and more particularly to a combination shut-off and test-injection valve having a shut-off valve portion for shutting off fluid flow through the valve body to isolate portions of the system in which it is installed and a test-injection portion which allows connection of test equipment, gauges, and injection devices for diagnosing and cleaning the system and its components.
2. Brief Description of the Prior Art
In diagnosing fuel and air systems of engines, it is often necessary isolate portions of the system and then to install various testing equipment, gauges, and injection devices to test and clean the fuel or air system and its components.
In order to carry out the diagnosing and servicing operations, the service technician must have on hand a large inventory of various adapters and fittings, particularly when servicing systems which are not provided with test ports. When connected, the adapters and fitting are prone to leakage which results in inaccurate readings, and safety hazards.
Maintaining an inventory of adapters and fittings necessary to access the various different systems of all the vehicles on the road today is a considerable financial expense. Many late model automobiles have fuel pumps and fuel pressure regulators which cannot be easily disabled. Locating the proper test points in the system and connecting the appropriate combination of adapters and fittings is also time consuming, thus labor and cost intensive. For these reasons, many mechanics and automotive shops will not provide this type of service.
It would therefore be desirable to provide a combination shut-off and test-injection valve which can be easily connected in nearly all fuel or air lines and will allow components and portions of fuel or air systems to be isolated and which has an integral test-injection fitting to allow connection of test equipment, gauges, and injection devices for diagnosing and cleaning the system and its components.
There are several patents which disclose various combination valves.
Krechel et al, U.S. Pat. No. 4,076,211 discloses a combination valve and manifold assembly for a compressed air storage tank or the like having a spherical ball valve rotatably disposed within a lateral bore of the valve body with circular sealing heads at each side of the ball portion to balance the pressure forces acting on the ball member which tend to move it axially. A seal body is received in the main flow passageway in one end of the valve body to sealingly engage the ball member after it has been installed in the lateral bore. The valve body has two outlet nipples at the inlet end for connection to a pressure gauge or pressure actuated switch for controlling operation of an air compressor. Each nipple has a tubular metal stiffener pressed therein. A safety pressure relief valve is provided in the manifold assembly for automatically relieving pressure from within the compressor tank upon exceeding a predetermined pressure level.
Heinen, U.S. Pat. No. 3,362,433 discloses a four-way plug valve which has a bleed valve connected to the valve bonnet in communication with the outer side of the plug member and a pressure relief valve connected to a bottom plate beneath the plug member.
The present invention is distinguished over the prior art in general, and these patents in particular by a combination shut-off and test-injection valve which has a shut-off valve and a test-injection valve in the valve body. The valve body has an inlet end and an outlet end adapted for connection to a fluid line or conduit and a fluid flow passageway extending from end to end. The shut-off valve in the body is movable between an open position allowing fluid flow through the body and a closed position closing off fluid flow through the body. The test-injection valve is in fluid communication with the fluid flow passageway adjacent the shut-off valve which is movable between a normally closed position preventing communication between the fluid flow passageway and the exterior of the body and an open position allowing fluid communication between the fluid flow passageway and the exterior of the body. The shut-off valve and the test-injection valve operate independently whereby the shut-off valve may be operated to open or close fluid flow through the valve body and isolate portions of the fluid system in which it is installed and the test-injection valve may be connected to test equipment, injection devices, and the like for diagnosing and cleaning the fluid system and its components during normal operating conditions or in an isolated condition. The combination valve may be left in the system after installation and will not interfere with normal operations as long as the shut-off valve remains open and will allow subsequent diagnosing and testing of the system and its components.

Combination shut-off and test-injection valve