Methods and compositions for improving sleep in individuals with sleep disorders or other conditions which interfere with normal sleep via administration of a NO-mimetic are provided.

The present invention relates to methods and compositions for improving sleep in individuals suffering from sleep disorders (SDs) and other conditions which interfere with sleep. More particularly, the present invention relates to methods of improving sleep in individuals through administration of low doses of nitric oxide-mimetics (NO-mimetics).
Sleep is a complex process with many parts of the nervous system being involved in controlling it and influencing its different stages. Stages or levels of sleep include drowsiness, light sleep, deep sleep, and dream sleep. It is possible to identify which stage of sleep a person is in by measuring different activities of the brain (central nervous system) and body (peripheral nervous system).
For most people, falling asleep and staying asleep are parts of a natural process. Good sleepers are likely to have developed certain lifestyle and dietary habits that promote sound sleep. These habits or behaviors, known as sleep hygiene, can have positive effects on sleep before, during, and after time spent in bed. For other people, particularly those suffering from a sleep disorder, problems falling asleep and staying asleep have a large negative impact on their lives.
Sleep disorders (SDs) are diagnosed and treated by many different healthcare providers, including general practitioners and specialists in neurology, pulmonary medicine, psychiatry, psychology, pediatrics and other fields. The International Classification of Sleep Disorders (ICSD) has over seventy sleep disorders listed, and includes, THE DYSSOMNIAS: Intrinsic Sleep Disorders (Psychophysiological Insomnia, Sleep State Misperception, Idiopathic Insomnia, Narcolepsy, Recurrent Hypersomnia (excessive sleepiness), Idiopathic Hypersomnia, Posttraumatic Hypersomnia, Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome, Central Sleep Apnea Syndrome, Central Alveolar Hypoventilation, Periodic Limb Movement Disorder (PLM), Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS), and Intrinsic Sleep Disorder Not Otherwise Specified (NOS)), Extrinsic Sleep Disorders (Inadequate Sleep Hygiene, Environmental Sleep Disorder, Altitude Insomnia, Adjustment Sleep Disorder, Insufficient Sleep Syndrome, Limit-Setting Sleep Disorder, Sleep-Onset Association Disorder, Food Allergy Insomnia, Nocturnal Eating/Drinking Syndrome, Hypnotic-Dependent Sleep Disorder, Stimulant-Dependent Sleep Disorder, Alcohol-Dependent Sleep Disorder, Toxin-Induced Sleep Disorder, and Extrinsic Sleep Disorder Not Otherwise Specified (NOS)), Circadian Rhythm Sleep Disorders (Time-Zone Change (Jet-Lag), Syndrome Shift-Work Sleep Disorder, Irregular Sleep/Wake Pattern, Delayed Sleep-Phase Syndrome, Advanced Sleep-Phase Syndrome, Non-24-Hour Sleep/Wake Disorder, and Circadian Rhythm Sleep Disorder Not Otherwise Specified (NOS)); and THE PARASOMNIAS: Sleep/Wake Transition Disorders (Rhythmic Movement Disorder, Sleep Starts (Hypnic Jerks), Sleep Talking, and Nocturnal Leg Cramps (Nocturnal Myoclonus), Arousal Disorders (Confusional Awakenings (Sleep Drunkenness), Sleepwalking (Somnambulism), and Night Terrors (Pavor Nocturnus, Incubus Attacks)), Parasomnias Usually Associated With REM Sleep (Nightmares Sleep Paralysis, Impaired Sleep-Related Penile Erections, Sleep-Related Painful Erections, REM Sleep-Related Sinus Arrest, and REM Sleep Behavior Disorder), Other Parasomnias (Sleep Bruxism (Teeth Grinding), Sleep Enuresis (Bed Wetting), Sleep-Related Abnormal Swallowing Syndrome, Nocturnal Paroxysmal Dystonia, Sudden Unexplained Nocturnal Death Syndrome, Primary Snoring Infant Sleep Apnea, Congenital Central Hypoventilation Syndrome, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), Benign Neonatal Sleep Myoclonus, and other Parasomnias Not Otherwise Specified (NOS)). Sleep disorders (SDs) can lead to lowered quality of life and reduced personal health. They endanger public safety by contributing to traffic and industrial accidents. These disorders can lead to problems falling asleep and staying asleep, difficulties staying awake or staying with a regular sleep/wake cycle, sleepwalking, bedwetting, nightmares, and other problems that interfere with sleep. Some sleep disorders can be life-threatening.
There are many limitations to the use of sleeping pills. While pills may help, for example, to aid sleeping during an overnight airplane ride or in a crisis situation to prevent an acute sleeping problem from turning into chronic insomnia, in general, the long-term use of sleeping pills has more risks than benefits. Today, most insomnia patients are not given sleeping pills, and most insomnia patients who do take drugs use them only briefly. Instead, long-term users usually have either a generalized anxiety disorder or a chronic physical illness exacerbated by anxiety, such as arthritis or heart disease.
The drugs used to induce drowsiness (hypnotics and sedatives) are often the same as those used to relieve anxiety (anxiolytics). Today, the most popular anxiety relievers and sleep inducers are the benzodiazepines, which enhance the effect of the inhibitory neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). The benzodiazepines used as sleeping pills include diazepam (VALIUM) and temazepam (RESTORIL). However, development of tolerance to their effects often renders these drugs ineffective within a few weeks. Zolpidem (AMBIEN) is a short-acting drug that is not a benzodiazepine but has a similar mechanism of action. Preparations containing antihistamines are sold over the counter under such names as NYTOL and SOMINEX. They are fairly safe and may be useful, but tolerance may develop quickly. For depression associated with disturbed sleep, sedative antidepressant drugs such as amitriptyline (ELAVIL) and trazodone (DESYREL), are often prescribed. Antipsychotic drugs (neuroleptics) may provoke sleep in anxious, hallucinating manic or schizophrenic patients. Dopaminergic agents such as levadopa/carbidopa, bromocriptine mesylate (PARLODEL, a D2 receptor agonist), and pergolide (a D1/D2 receptor agonist) have been suggested for use in sleep disorders such as restless leg syndrome (RLS). Opioids such as codeine, propoxyphene, oxycodone, pentazocrine, hydrocodone, and methadone have also been prescribed for patients with severe and relentless symptoms of RLS. However, these drugs are also unfortunately frequently associated with undesirable side effects. The opioids can be addictive and are generally not prescribed for people with a history of addictive behavior. Many people on levodopa therapy may experience what is known as an xe2x80x9caugmentationxe2x80x9d effect: symptoms begin to occur and intensify during the afternoon or early evening, even though relief is felt at night.
Thus, there is a need for a drug treatment which improves sleep in individuals suffering from sleep disorders and other conditions which interfere with normal sleep that does not exhibit undue side effects.
According to a broad aspect, the present invention provides a method of improving sleep in an individual in need of such treatment comprising administering to the individual a NO-mimetic in an amount therapeutically effective to improve sleep. The NO-mimetic can be administered to an individual to treat a diagnosed sleep disorder, preferably a dyssomnia. The NO-mimetic can also be administered to improve sleep in an individual suffering from a condition such as fibromyalgia or a peripheral sensory neurogenic syndrome such as restless leg syndrome or diabetic neuropathy, wherein normal sleep is interrupted or interfered with. In a preferred embodiment, the NO-mimetic is administered at an amount therapeutically effective to improve sleep, but ineffective to appreciably alter systemic vascular tone in the individual. Thus, in this present invention, preferred amounts of NO-mimetic therapeutically effective to improve sleep are less than an amount effective to induce systemic vascular dilation or used to manage the symptoms associated with angina pectoris or congestive heart failure. Preferably, a NO-mimetic is administered in an amount between about one half (xc2xd) to about one fortieth ({fraction (1/40)}) the amount effective to appreciably alter systemic vascular tone in the individual, about one fourth (xc2xc) to about one fortieth ({fraction (1/40)}) the amount effective to appreciably alter systemic vascular tone in the individual, or one eighth (1/8) to about one fortieth ({fraction (1/40)}) the amount effective to appreciably alter systemic vascular tone in the individual.
The NO-mimetic can be administered by oral, supralingual, sublingual, transdermal or buccal administration. In a preferred embodiment, the NO-mimetic is administered by transdermal patch.
The symptoms in an individual with a sleep disorder or a condition which leads to interrupted sleep manifest themselves through an individual""s sensory perception and result from what is believed to be a common underlying neurogenic pathway. It is believed that the inability to sleep experienced by those individuals suffering from sleep disorders and/or conditions which interfere with sleep may be linked to changes in the nitric oxide-cyclic GMP signaling mechanisms within the peripheral and central nervous system as well nitric oxide mechanisms which are independent of cyclic GMP. Further, it is believed that the some symptoms of sleep disorders or other sleep interfering condition are brought on when the neuronal environment or functioning is altered such that cyclic GMP levels are decreased. Nitric oxide is known to signal cGMP in the peripheral nerves (Aoki E. et al. Brain Res. 1993; 620:142-145). It has now been found that NO-mimetics improve sleep via, what is believed to be, action of the NO-mimetic on cyclic GMP dependent pathway and/or pathways independent of cyclic GMP.
The present invention relates to methods for improving sleep in individuals suffering from a sleep disorder or other condition which interferes with or interrupts sleep via administration of a NO-mimetic administered either alone or in combination with additional NO-mimetics or an established drug for sleep disorders. When the NO-mimetic is administered in combination with an established drug for sleep disorders, it is expected that lower doses of the established drug than normally recommended can be used to improve sleep, thereby eliminating many of the unwanted side effects which have been reported for these known treatments. Accordingly, the present invention also provides methods for decreasing the therapeutic dosage of an established drug for sleep disorders or a condition wherein normal sleep is interrupted or interfered with by co-administering the established drug with a NO-mimetic. By co-administer it is meant that the established drug is administered at the same time, just prior to, or just after administration of a NO-mimetic. In one embodiment of the present invention, a single pharmaceutical composition is provided which comprises an established drug for sleep disorders and conditions wherein normal sleep is interrupted or interfered with and a NO-mimetic. Well known methods for formulation such as those described herein can be used to prepares these pharmaceutical compositions. Examples of established drugs for sleep disorders and conditions wherein normal sleep is interrupted or interfered with which can be used in the methods and pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention include, but are not limited to, hypnotics, sedatives and anxiolytics such as the benzodiazepines diazepam and temazepam, zoldipem, antihistamines such as NYTOL and SOMINEX, sedative antidepressants such as amitriptyline and trazodone, dopaminergic agents such as levodopa/carbidopa, bromocriptine mesylate and pergolide, and opioids such as codeine, propoxyphene, oxycodone, pentazocrine, hydrocodone, and methadone.
The methods and compositions are believed to provide relief to an individual suffering from a sleep disorder or a condition which interferes with normal sleep by replacing the deficit in endogenous NO and/or enhancing endogenous neuronal pathways for generating NO or cyclic GMP. Unlike agents currently used to induce sleep such as the sedative hypnotics, the present invention improves sleep by conditioning the neuronal micro-environment in an individual such that their ability to get to sleep and maintain a restful sleep is greatly enhanced. Small, regulatory doses of a NO-mimetic such as nitroglycerin to a patient with a sleep disorder or a condition which leads to interrupted sleep have now been demonstrated to be sufficient to restore the levels of nitric oxide in the nerves to normal levels and decrease the patient""s perception of his or her sleep disorder symptoms. The net effect of the NO-mimetic agents which can be used to improve sleep in individuals with sleep disorders or other conditions which interfere with sleep is to act as neuronal conditioners which either directly or indirectly inhibit the action of nerves responsible for generating the characteristic set of symptoms of sleeplessness. While experiments described herein involve use of the NO-mimetic nitroglycerin, it is believed that any NO-mimetic that can alter the action of these nerves can be used to improve sleep in individuals suffering from sleep disorders or other conditions which interfere with sleep. Administration of any NO-mimetic, either alone or in combination with another NO-mimetic or an established drug for treatment of sleep disorders, provides relief of sleeplessness associated with sleep disorders and other conditions wherein sleep is interrupted by maintaining normalized physiological functioning in the nerves responsible for the sleeplessness. As a result, administration of a NO-mimetic prevents the symptoms of the sleep disorder or other condition which interferes with sleep, and is useful in treating sleeplessness associated with sleep disorders and other conditions which interfere with sleep and preventing individuals suffering from such disorders or conditions from perceiving sleep disorder symptoms. Also, unlike agents currently used in the treatment of sleep disorders, the use of low doses of a NO-mimetic are not habit forming or addictive and possibly leave the user feeling more alert upon waking. When the NO-mimetic is used in combination with an established drug for sleep disorders, it is believed that lower doses of the established drug than routinely prescribed can be used, thus alleviating the unwanted habit forming or addictive side effects as well as the lack of alertness upon waking associated with many of these established drugs. Accordingly, pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention which comprise a NO-mimetic and an established drug for sleep disorders and conditions wherein normal sleep is interrupted or interfered with may comprise a lower amount of established drug than routinely prescribed or administered.
The contents of all documents cited in this application are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
Definitions:
As used herein in the detailed description and in the claims, the term xe2x80x9csleep disorder (SD)xe2x80x9d is intended to mean any irregularity in sleep and is inclusive of diagnosed sleep disorders as well as conditions which interrupt or interfere with normal sleep. Sleep disorders can be acute or chronic. Sleep disorders can also vary in nature and degree. Sleep disorder is also meant to include any new or existing sleep disorders in the two major sleep disorder classes as listed by the International Classification of Sleep Disorders (ICSD) including dyssomnias (insomnia) and parasomnias (abnormal behaviors during sleep). As used herein and in the claims, this term is also meant to be inclusive of conditions which are known to interfere with sleep such as fibromyalgia and peripheral sensory neurogenic syndromes such as restless leg syndrome and diabetic neuropathy. Sleep consists of two distinct states: REM (rapid eye movement) sleep and NREM (non-REM) sleep. Dreaming occurs mostly in REM sleep. Sleep is a cyclic phenomenon, with four or five REM periods during the night, which accounts for about 25 percent of the total night""s sleep. Any physical or perceived symptoms which interfere with this cyclic pattern is considered for purposes of the present invention a xe2x80x9csleep disorderxe2x80x9d or xe2x80x9ccondition wherein normal sleep is interrupted or interfered withxe2x80x9d.
As used herein, the term xe2x80x9cinsomniaxe2x80x9d is intended to mean the sense of not getting enough sleep to awake refreshed and affects 20 to 40 percent of all adults in the course of any year. This term is employed ubiquitously to indicate any and all gradations and types of sleep loss. Although insomnia has myriad causes, it can roughly be divided into three categories: predisposing, precipitating and perpetuating.
Predisposing factors are the built-in characteristics of a person that make him or her vulnerable. Tense or driven people whose heads are brimming with plans or worries can easily lose sleep. Others with severe depression often cannot sleep through the night. In manic disorders, sleeplessness may be important early sign of impending mania in bipolar patients. Predisposing factors also include neurologic conditions such as peripheral sensory neurogenic syndrome or fibromyalgia has also been associated with insomnia. In fact, the peripheral sensory neurogenic syndrome, referred to as restless legs syndrome, is included in the list of dyssomnias published in the International Classification of Sleep Disorders and affects individuals mainly at night as does the involuntary twitching of leg muscles referred to nocturnal myoclonus.
The term xe2x80x9cperipheral sensory neurogenic syndrome (PSNS)xe2x80x9d refers to the manifestation of a characteristic set of signs and symptoms which result from a common underlying neurogenic pathway. The syndrome is characterized by a number of sensory nerve symptoms including sensations which are described by the patient as pulling, drawing, crawling, tingling, prickly, and sometimes momentarily painful. These sensations typically begin in the toes and legs, but can spread to the hands, arms and trunk. Two of the most commonly observed conditions involving PSNS are the so-called xe2x80x9crestless leg syndromexe2x80x9d (also sometimes referred to as xe2x80x9cEkbom""s Syndromexe2x80x9d) and the sensations in the extremities which accompany diabetic neuropathy. Fibromyalgia or fibrositis is intended to mean a condition that is associated with widespread aching, stiffness and fatigue which originates in the muscles and soft tissues. Fibromyalgia can also include overlapping conditions such as rheumatic pain modulation disorder, myofascial pain syndrome, chronic fatigue syndrome (Buchwald D. Rheum Dis Clin North Am 22(2):219-243, 1996) and sleep-related myoclonus. The cause of fibromyalgia is unknown, but there is evidence to suggest that there is a link between fibromyalgia and sleep disorders since most patients have disrupted sleep patterns (Harding, S. M. Am J Med Sci 315: 367-376, 1998). Methods of the present invention are particularly useful in improving sleep in individuals suffering from conditions such as these which interfere with or interrupt normal sleep.
Precipitating factors are events in life that trigger a period of disturbed sleep. Stresses that precipitate insomnia may include an increase in responsibilities, the loss of a loved one, hospitalization or acute pain, to name a few. An abrupt alteration of schedule, resulting from a change of shift at work or jet lag, can also provoke insomnia.
Perpetuating factors are behaviors that help to maintain sleeplessness once it has begun. These include irregular sleep habits and the use of drugs. Abuse of alcohol may cause or be secondary to the sleep disturbance. Heavy smoking (more than a pack a day) causes difficulty in falling asleep. Short-term or transient insomnia is seen in people who have no history of sleep disturbances and who have a fairly obvious precipitating factor.
As used herein, the term xe2x80x9cimprovexe2x80x9d with respect to sleep, is meant to reduce, prevent (e.g., prophylaxis), reverse (e.g., alleviate), ameliorate, control, or manage the sleeplessness and other symptoms associated with sleep disorders as well as other conditions which interfere with normal sleep. As used herein, xe2x80x9cother symptomsxe2x80x9d refers to characteristic sensations which result from a common underlying sensory neurogenic pathway and that are associated with sleep disorders, including, for example, dyssomnias (insomnia) and parasomnias (abnormal behaviors during sleep). Improvement of sleep can be measured both quantitatively and qualitatively. For example, qualitatively, sleep improvement can be determined by any number of factors including but not limited to, an easier time falling asleep at bedtime, a decrease in the frequency of waking up in the middle of the night, waking up at an appropriate time (i.e. not too early in the morning), and getting good quality sleep that enables the individual to feel refreshed the following day. Factors which can be used to determine improvement in sleep quantitatively include, but are not limited to, polysomnographic data demonstrating increased sleep efficiency, more time spent asleep in deeper stages of sleep such as Stage 2-4 as opposed to Stage 1, and decreased number of periodic limb movements.
As used herein, the term xe2x80x9capneaxe2x80x9d is intended to mean the absence of breathing. During sleep, our breathing changes with the stage or depth of sleep. Some individuals stop breathing for brief intervals, however, when these episodes of apnea become more frequent and last longer, they can cause the body""s oxygen level to decrease, which can disrupt sleep. The patient may not fully awaken, but is aroused from the deep restful stages of sleep, and thus feels tired the next day. There are two main types of sleep apnea which may occur together. The most common is obstructive sleep apnea, during which, breathing is blocked by a temporary obstruction of the main airway, usually in the back of the throat. This often occurs because the tongue and throat muscles relax, causing the main airway to close. The muscles of the chest and diaphragm continue to make breathing efforts, but the obstruction prevents any airflow. After a short interval lasting seconds to minutes, the oxygen level drops, causing breathing efforts to become more vigorous, which eventually opens the obstruction and allows airflow to resume. This often occurs with a loud snort and jerking of the body, causing the patient to arouse from deep sleep. After a few breaths, the oxygen level returns to normal, the patient falls back to sleep, the muscles of the main airway relax and the obstruction occurs again. This cycle is then repeated over and over during certain stages of sleep. Most people with obstructive sleep apnea snore suggesting that their main airway is already partly obstructed during sleep, but not all people who snore have obstructive sleep apnea. A less common form of sleep apnea is central sleep apnea, so named because the central control of breathing is abnormal. This control center lies in the brain, and its function can be disrupted by a variety of factors. There is no obstruction to airflow. The patient with sleep apnea stops breathing because the brain suddenly fails to signal the muscles of the chest and diaphragm to keep breathing. These patients do not resume breathing with a snort and body jerk, but merely start and stop breathing at various intervals. Although the mechanism is different than obstructive sleep apnea, sleep is still disturbed by the periodic decreases in oxygen, and the patients suffer from the same daytime symptoms. Some patients may suffer from a combination of the two causes of apnea, a disorder which is called mixed-sleep apnea. Sleep apnea should be suspected in individuals who are noted to have excessive daytime sleepiness and other symptoms described above, especially if they are known to snore and have a restless sleep. Commonly, these patients have exhibited loud snoring for many years, more often are male, and note that the daytime sleepiness has become a progressive problem over many months. Less commonly, they may be bothered by bedwetting or impotence. The sleep problems are often aggravated by alcohol or sedative medications. They are also more readily noticed by the patient""s family and friends, especially the bed partner.
As used herein, by the term xe2x80x9cNOxe2x80x9d or xe2x80x9cnitric oxidexe2x80x9d it is meant to be inclusive of NO in its various redox forms. The presence of nitric oxide (NO) in biological systems is usually inferred based on its physiological effect. However, several different redox forms of NO such as the NO free radical (NOxe2x80xa2), the nitrosonium cation (NO+), the nitroxyl anion (NOxe2x88x92) or other oxides of nitrogen (NOx) are known to exist under physiological conditions and there is no clear evidence to suggest that one form is favored over another (Butler et al. Trends Pharmacol. Sci. 16:18-22 (1995); Stamler et al. Science 258:1898-1902 (1992)). NO is also know to react with thiols to form S-nitrosothiols (RS-NO) and may represent a long-term storage form for NO. Thus, the term xe2x80x9cNOxe2x80x9d as used herein refers to any and all forms of nitric oxide which exist under physiological conditions.
As used herein, the term xe2x80x9cNO-mimeticxe2x80x9d is intended to mean NO (nitric oxide), or a functional equivalent thereof; any compound which mimics the effects of NO, generates or releases NO through biotransformation, any compound which generates NO spontaneously, any compound which spontaneously releases NO, or any compound which in any other manner generates NO or a NO-like moiety when administered to a mammal. Such a compound can also be referred to as a xe2x80x9cNO donorxe2x80x9d, xe2x80x9cNO prodrugxe2x80x9d, xe2x80x9cNO producing agentxe2x80x9d, xe2x80x9cNO delivering compoundxe2x80x9d, xe2x80x9cNO generating agentxe2x80x9d and xe2x80x9cNO providerxe2x80x9d. Examples of such compounds include, but are not necessarily limited to: metabolic precursors for NO such as L-arginine and L-citrulline; so-called xe2x80x9corganonitratesxe2x80x9d such as nitroglycerin (GTN), isosorbide 5-mononitrate (ISMN), isosorbide dinitrate (ISDN) pentaerythritol tetranitrate (PETN), erythrityl tetranitrate (ETN), amino acid derivatives such as N-hydroxy-L-arginine (NOHA), N6-(1-iminoethyl)lysine) (L-NIL), L-N5-(1-iminoethyl)ornithine (LN-NIO), Nxc3xa3-methyl-L-arginine (L-NMMA), and S-nitrosoglutathione (SNOG); other compounds which generate or release NO under physiologic conditions such as S,S-dinitrosodithiol (SSDD), [N-[2-(nitroxyethyl)]-3-pyridinecarboxamide (nicorandil), sodium nitroprusside (SNP), S-nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine (SNAP), 3-morpholino-sydnonimine (SIN-1), molsidomine, DEA-NONOate (2-(N,N-diethylamino)-diazenolate-2-oxide), spermine NONOate (N-[4-[1-(3-aminopropyl)-2-hydroxy-2-nitrosohydrazino]butyl-1,3-propanediamine), and NO gas, or a functional equivalent thereof. The organic nitrates GTN, ISMN, ISDN, ETN, and PETN, as well as nicorandil are commercially available in pharmaceutical dosage forms (see Tables 3 and 4). SIN-1, SNAP, S-thioglutathione, L-NMMA, L-NIL, L-NIO, spermine NONOate, and DEA-NONOate are commercially available from Biotium, Inc. 183 Shoreline Court, Richmond, Calif., USA. The term xe2x80x9cNO-mimeticxe2x80x9d, as used herein, is also intended to mean any compound that acts as a NO pathway mimetic, that has NO-like activity, or that mimics the effect of NO, e.g. CO. Such compounds do not necessarily release, generate, or provide NO, but they have the same effect as NO on a pathway that is affected by NO. For example, NO can have both cyclic GMP-dependent and cyclic GMP-independent effects. NO is known to activate the soluble form of guanylyl cyclase thereby increasing intracellular levels of the second messenger cyclic GMP. As such, any compounds which directly activate guanylyl cyclase such as 3-(5xe2x80x2-hydroxymethyl-2xe2x80x2furyl)-1-benzyl indazole (YC-1) or which act as cyclic-GMP analogues such as 8-bromo-cyclic-GMP (8-Br-cGMP) and 8-(4-chlorophenylthio)guanosine 3xe2x80x2,5xe2x80x2-cyclic monophosphate (8-PCPT-cGMP) are considered NO-mimetics. For purposes of the present invention, phosphodiesterase inhibitors or any compound that inhibits enzymatic degradation of a cyclic nucleotide are also considered NO-mimetics. These NO-mimetics include, for example, compounds that antagonize or inhibit the biosynthesis or actions of any enzyme that degrades a cyclic nucleotide. Such degradation may comprise the cleavage of a phosphodiester such as cGMP or cAMP to give a phosphomonoester and a free hydroxyl group. Examples of these NO-mimetics include, but are not limited to, sildenafil; cilostamide (N-cyclohexyl-N-methyl-4-(1,2-dihydro-2-oxo-6-quinolyloxy)butyramide; dipyridamole (2,6-bis(diethanol-amino)-4,8-dipipendinopyrimido-[5,4-d]pyrimidine); erythro-9-(2-hydroxy-3-nonyl)adenine (EHNA); etazolate (1-ethyl-4-[(1-methylethylidene)hydrazino]-1H-pyrazolo-[3,4-b]-pyridine-5-carboxylic acid, ethyl ester); 4-[[3,4-(methylene-dioxy)benzyl]amino]-6-chloroquinazoline (MBCQ); 8-methoxymethyl-1-methyl-3-(2-methylpropyl)xanthine (MMPX); 1-(3-chlorophenylamino)-4-phenyl-phthalazine (MY-5445); 4-(3-butoxy-4-methoxyphenyl)methyl-2-imidazolidone (Ro 20-1724); Rolipram (4-(3-(cyclopentyloxy)-4-methoxyphenyl)pyrrolidin-2-one); vinpocetine (3a,16a)-eburnamenine-14-carboxylic acid ethyl ester); zaprinast (2-propyloxyphenyl)-8-azapurin-6-one); and zardaverine (6-[4-(difluoro-methoxy)-3-methoxyphenyl]-3(2H)-pyridazinone. These NO-mimetics are available from Tocris Cookson Inc., 114 Holloway Road, Suite 200 Ballwin, Mo. 63011 USA.
Also contemplated as falling within the scope of the present invention for use in improving sleep are the pharmaceutically acceptable salts of any of the foregoing NO-mimetics. As used herein, the term xe2x80x9cpharmaceutically acceptable saltxe2x80x9d refers to those salts which are within the scope of sound medical judgment, suitable for use in contact with the tissues of humans and lower animals without undue toxicity, irritation, allergic response and the like, and are commensurate with a reasonable benefit/risk ratio. Pharmaceutically acceptable salts are well known in the art. For example, S. M. Berge, et al. describe pharmaceutically acceptable salts in detail in J. Pharmaceutical Sciences, 66: 1-19 (1977). The salts can be prepared in situ during the final isolation and purification of the compounds of the invention, or separately by reacting the free base function with a suitable organic acid. Examples of pharmaceutically acceptable, nontoxic acid addition salts are salts of an amino group formed with inorganic acids such as hydrochloric acid, hydrobromic acid, phosphoric acid, sulfuric acid and perchloric acid or with organic acids such as acetic acid, oxalic acid, maleic acid, tartaric acid, citric acid, succinic acid or malonic acid or by using other methods used in the art such as ion exchange. Other pharmaceutically acceptable salts include adipate, alginate, ascorbate, aspartate, benzenesulfonate, benzoate, bisulfate, borate, butyrate, camphorate, camphorsulfonate, citrate, cyclopentanepropionate, digluconate, dodecylsulfate, ethanesulfonate, formate, fumarate, glucoheptonate, glycerophosphate, gluconate, hemisulfate, heptanoate, hexanoate, hydroiodide, 2-hydroxy-ethanesulfonate, lactobionate, lactate, laurate, lauryl sulfate, malate, maleate, malonate, methanesulfonate, 2-naphthalene-sulfonate, nicotinate, nitrate, oleate, oxalate, palmitate, pamoate, pectinate, persulfate, 3-phenylpropionate, phosphate, picrate, pivalate, propionate, stearate, succinate, sulfate, tartrate, thiocyanate, p-toluenesulfonate, undecanoate, valerate salts, and the like. Representative alkali or alkaline earth metal salts include sodium, lithium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, and the like. Further pharmaceutically acceptable salts include, when appropriate, nontoxic ammonium, quaternary ammonium, and amine cations formed using counterions such as halide, hydroxide, carboxylate, sulfate, phosphate, nitrate, lower alkyl sulfonate and aryl sulfonate. Preferred acid addition salts of compounds contemplated for use in the method of the present invention are the hydrochloride and acetate salts.
The term xe2x80x9cprodrugxe2x80x9d refers to compounds that are rapidly transformed in vivo to yield NO, as for example, by hydrolysis in blood or other biotransformation mechanism. T. Higuchi and V. Stella provide a thorough discussion of the prodrug concept in xe2x80x9cProdrugs as Novel Delivery Systems,xe2x80x9d Vol. 14 of the A.C.S. Symposium Series, American Chemical Society (1975). Examples of esters useful as prodrugs for compounds containing carboxyl groups may be found on pages 14-21 of Bioreversible Carriers in Drug Design: Theory and Application, edited by E. B. Roche, Pergamon Press (1987).
The term xe2x80x9cprodrug ester groupxe2x80x9d refers to any of several ester-forming groups that are hydrolyzed under physiological conditions. Examples of prodrug ester groups include pivoyloxymethyl, acetoxymethyl, phthalidyl, indanyl and methoxymethyl, as well as other such groups known in the art.
As used herein, the term xe2x80x9cpharmaceutically acceptable esterxe2x80x9d refers to esters which hydrolyze in vivo and include those that break down readily in the human body to leave the parent compound or a salt thereof. Suitable ester groups include, for example, those derived from pharmaceutically acceptable aliphatic carboxylic acids, particularly alkanoic, alkenoic, cycloalkanoic and alkanedioic acids, in which each alkyl or alkenyl moiety advantageously has not more than 6 carbon atoms. Examples of particular esters includes formates, acetates, propionates, butyrates, acrylates and ethylsuccinates.
The phrase xe2x80x9cwithout appreciably altering systemic vascular tonexe2x80x9d as used herein means not affecting mean arterial pressure so as to produce inappropriate systemic vasodilation with effects such as hypotension, headache, and flushing.
Pharmaceutical Formulations:
Pharmaceutical formulations for the administration of NO-mimetics to improve sleep in accordance with the method of the present invention may take the form of ointments, transdermal patches, transbuccal patches, injectables, nasal inhalant forms, spray forms for deep lung delivery through the mouth, orally administered ingestable tablets and capsules, and tablets or lozenges, or xe2x80x9clollipopxe2x80x9d formulations for administration through the oral mucosal tissue. The latter formulations include tablets, lozenges and the like which are dissolved while being held on or under the tongue, or in the buccal pouch. It is preferred that the pharmaceutical preparations provide the desired dosage over a sustained period of time selected based upon the individual needs of a patient suffering from a sleep disorder or other condition which interferes with or interrupts normal sleep. Thus, for purposes of the present invention, a xe2x80x9csustained periodxe2x80x9d may range from only a few minutes up to about 12 hours and is inclusive of, but not limited to intermediary ranges such as 0.5-10, 2-8, 2-6 and 3-4 hours.
The pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention comprise a therapeutically effective amount of a NO-mimetic formulated together with one or more pharmaceutically acceptable carriers. In addition to the NO-mimetic, the pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention may further comprise an established durg for sleep disorders and conditions wherein normal sleep is interrupted or interfered with. Examples of established drugs for use in these pharmaceutical compositions include, but are not limited to, hypnotics, sedatives and anxiolytics such as the benzodiazepines diazepam and temazepam, zoldipem, antihistamines such as NYTOL and SOMINEX, sedative antidepressants such as amitriptyline and trazodone, dopaminergic agents such as levodopa/carbidopa, bromocriptine mesylate and pergolide, and opioids such as codeine, propoxyphene, oxycodone, pentazocrine, hydrocodone, and methadone.
As used herein, the term xe2x80x9cpharmaceutically acceptable carrierxe2x80x9d means a non-toxic, inert solid, semi-solid or liquid filler, diluent, encapsulating material or formulation auxiliary of any type. Some examples of materials which can serve as pharmaceutically acceptable carriers are sugars such as lactose, glucose and sucrose; starches such as corn starch and potato starch; cellulose and its derivatives such as sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, ethyl cellulose and cellulose acetate; powdered tragacanth; malt; gelatin; talc; excipients such as cocoa butter and suppository waxes; oils such as peanut oil, cottonseed oil, safflower oil, sesame oil, olive oil, corn oil and soybean oil; glycols such a propylene glycol; esters such as ethyl oleate and ethyl laurate; agar; buffering agents such as magnesium hydroxide and aluminum hydroxide; alginic acid; pyrogen-free water; isotonic saline; Ringer""s solution; ethyl alcohol, and phosphate buffer solutions, as well as other non-toxic compatible lubricants such as sodium lauryl sulfate and magnesium stearate, as well as coloring agents, releasing agents, coating agents, sweetening, flavoring and perfuming agents, preservatives and antioxidants can also be present in the composition, according to the judgment of the formulator. The pharmaceutical compositions of this invention can be administered to an individual orally, rectally, parenterally, intracisternally, intravaginally, intraperitoneally, topically (as by powders, ointments, or drops), supralingually (on the tongue) sublingually (under the tongue), bucally (held in the buccal pouch), or as an oral or nasal spray. The oral spray may be in the form of a powder or mist which is delivered to the deep lungs by oral inhalation.
Liquid dosage forms for oral administration include pharmaceutically acceptable emulsions, microemulsions, solutions, suspensions, syrups and elixirs. In addition to the active compounds, the liquid dosage forms may contain inert diluents commonly used in the art such as, for example, water or other solvents, solubilizing agents and emulsifiers such as ethyl alcohol, isopropyl alcohol, ethyl carbonate, ethyl acetate, benzyl alcohol, benzyl benzoate, propylene glycol, 1,3-butylene glycol, dimethylformamide, oils (in particular, cottonseed, groundnut, corn, germ, olive, castor, and sesame oils), glycerol, tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol, polyethylene glycols and fatty acid esters of sorbitan, and mixtures thereof. Besides inert diluents, the oral compositions can also include adjuvants such as wetting agents, emulsifying and suspending agents, sweetening, flavoring, and perfuming agents. Injectable preparations, for example, sterile injectable aqueous or oleaginous suspensions may be formulated according to the known art using suitable dispersing or wetting agents and suspending agents. The sterile injectable preparation may also be a sterile injectable solution, suspension or emulsion in a nontoxic parenterally acceptable diluent or solvent, for example, as a solution in 1,3-butanediol. Among the acceptable vehicles and solvents that may be employed are water, Ringer""s solution, U.S.P. and isotonic sodium chloride solution. In addition, sterile, fixed oils are conventionally employed as a solvent or suspending medium. For this purpose any bland fixed oil can be employed including synthetic mono- or di-glycerides. In addition, fatty acids such as oleic acid are used in the preparation of injectables.
The injectable formulations can be sterilized, for example, by filtration through a bacterial-retaining filter, or by incorporating sterilizing agents in the form of sterile solid compositions which can be dissolved or dispersed in sterile water or other sterile injectable medium prior to use.
In cases where it is desirable to prolong the effect of the drug, the absorption of the drug from subcutaneous or intramuscular injection can be slowed. This may be accomplished by the use of a liquid suspension of crystalline or amorphous material with poor water solubility. The rate of absorption of the drug then depends upon its rate of dissolution which, in turn, may depend upon crystal size and crystalline form. Alternatively, delayed absorption of a parenterally administered drug form is accomplished by dissolving or suspending the drug in an oil vehicle. Injectable depot forms are made by forming microencapsule matrices of the drug in biodegradable polymers such as polylactide-polyglycolide. Depending upon the ratio of drug to polymer and the nature of the particular polymer employed, the rate of drug release can be controlled. Examples of other biodegradable polymers include poly(orthoesters) and poly(anhydrides). Depot injectable formulations are also prepared by entrapping the drug in liposomes or microemulsions which are compatible with body tissues.
Compositions for rectal or vaginal administration are preferably suppositories which can be prepared by mixing the compounds of this invention with suitable non-irritating excipients or carriers such as cocoa butter, polyethylene glycol or a suppository wax which are solid at ambient temperature but liquid at body temperature and therefore melt in the rectum or vaginal cavity and release the active compound.
Solid dosage forms for oral administration include capsules, tablets, pills, powders, and granules. In such solid dosage forms, the active compound is mixed with at least one inert, pharmaceutically acceptable excipient or carrier such as sodium citrate or dicalcium phosphate and/or a) fillers or extenders such as starches, lactose, sucrose, glucose, mannitol, and silicic acid, b) binders such as, for example, carboxymethylcellulose, alginates, gelatin, polyvinylpyrrolidinone, sucrose, and acacia, c) humectants such as glycerol, d) disintegrating agents such as agarxe2x80x94agar, calcium carbonate, potato or tapioca starch, alginic acid, certain silicates, and sodium carbonate, e) solution retarding agents such as paraffin, f) absorption accelerators such as quaternary ammonium compounds, g) wetting agents such as, for example, cetyl alcohol and glycerol monostearate, h) absorbents such as kaolin and bentonite clay, and I) lubricants such as talc, calcium stearate, magnesium stearate, solid polyethylene glycols, sodium lauryl sulfate, and mixtures thereof. In the case of capsules, tablets and pills, the dosage form may also comprise buffering agents.
Solid compositions of a similar type may also be employed as fillers in soft and hard-filled gelatin capsules using such excipients as lactose or milk sugar as well as high molecular weight polyethylene glycols and the like. The solid dosage forms of tablets, dragees, capsules, pills, and granules can be prepared with coatings and shells such as enteric coatings and other coatings well known in the pharmaceutical formulating art. They may optionally contain opacifying agents and can also be of a composition that they release the active ingredient(s) only, or preferentially, in a certain part of the intestinal tract, optionally, in a delayed manner. Examples of embedding compositions which can be used include polymeric substances and waxes.
Solid compositions of a similar type may also be employed as fillers in soft and hard-filled gelatin capsules using such excipients as lactose or milk sugar as well as high molecular weight polyethylene glycols and the like. The active compounds can also be in micro-encapsulated form with one or more excipients as noted above. The solid dosage forms of tablets, dragees, capsules, pills, and granules can be prepared with coatings and shells such as enteric coatings, release controlling coatings and other coatings well known in the pharmaceutical formulating art. In such solid dosage forms the active compound may be admixed with at least one inert diluent such as sucrose, lactose or starch. Such dosage forms may also comprise, as is normal practice, additional substances other than inert diluents, e.g., tableting lubricants and other tableting aids such a magnesium stearate and microcrystalline cellulose. In the case of capsules, tablets and pills, the dosage forms may also comprise buffering agents. They may optionally contain opacifying agents and can also be of a composition that they release the active ingredient(s) only, or preferentially, in a certain part of the intestinal tract, optionally, in a delayed manner. Examples of embedding compositions which can be used include polymeric substances and waxes.
Powders and sprays can contain, in addition to the compounds of this invention, excipients such as lactose, talc, silicic acid, aluminum hydroxide, calcium silicates and polyamide powder, or mixtures of these substances. Sprays can additionally contain customary propellants such as chlorofluorohydrocarbons.
Dosage forms for topical or transdermal administration of a compound of this invention include ointments, pastes, creams, lotions, gels, powders, solutions, sprays, inhalants or patches. The active component is admixed under sterile conditions with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and any needed preservatives or buffers as may be required. Ophthalmic formulation, ear drops, eye ointments, powders and solutions are also contemplated as being within the scope of this invention. Transdermal patches have the added advantage of providing controlled delivery of a compound to the body. Such dosage forms can be made by dissolving or dispensing the compound in the proper medium. Absorption enhancers can also be used to increase the flux of the compound across the skin. The rate can be controlled by either providing a rate controlling membrane or by dispersing the compound in a polymer matrix or gel.
The ointments, pastes, creams and gels may contain, in addition to an active compound of this invention, excipients such as animal and vegetable fats, oils, waxes, paraffins, starch, tragacanth, cellulose derivatives, polyethylene glycols, silicones, bentonites, silicic acid, talc and zinc oxide, or mixtures thereof.
A preferred mode of delivery is one which provides a reasonably steady-state delivery of therapeutic agent, so as to maintain steady-state plasma concentrations. Such delivery avoids any substantial initial spike in plasma concentration of the agent, as it would be desirable to avoid plasma concentrations that produce negative side effects. Transdermal patches and pulsed delivery systems are preferred modes of delivery.
Nitroglycerin Transdermal Patches:
A preferred formulation and dose delivery system of the present invention comprises a patch for transdermal delivery of a NO-mimetic such as nitroglycerin, isosorbide 5-mononitrate, isosorbide dinitrate, pentaerythritol tetranitrate, and erythrityl tetranitrate. A preferred NO-mimetic for transdermal patches in accordance with the present invention is nitroglycerin.
Transdermal nitroglycerin patches (MINITRAN, 3M Corporation, St. Paul, Minn., USA) were prepared in three sizes, both in forms containing nitroglycerin and drug-free placebo. The patches had a release liner, uniformly of 1 inch2 (6.65 cm2), with a circular drug-containing (or placebo) patch having areas of 3.33 cm2, 1.65 cm2, or 0.825 cm2. The various-size drug-containing patches had nitroglycerin loadings of about 2.7 mg of nitroglycerin/cm2 and the total loadings shown in Table 1.
3M MINITRAN transdermal nitroglycerin patches of 10 cm2 and 20 cm2 areas deliver plasma levels of 102 pg/mL and between 129 pg/mL and 310 pg/mL, respectively. The 3.3 cm2 patch, with a total loading of 9 mg of nitroglycerin in each patch, has a mean rate of drug delivery of about 0.81 mg/cm2/hour. The two smaller patches (1.65 cm2 and 0.825 cm2) used in the studies described herein had areas of one half and one fourth the 3.33 cm2 patch. Based on the ratios of patch surface area and assuming linearity in the rates of drug delivery, the estimated rates of delivery and extrapolated values of plasma levels of nitroglycerin for the three low or microdose patches are given in Table 1.
The stability of low or microdose transdermal nitroglycerin patches for use in accordance with the method of the present invention is illustrated by the data appearing in Table 2.
Dosing and Administration:
In doses used for prophylaxis of acute attacks of angina pectoris and for general vasodilation, compounds which generate or release NO, such as those listed above, dilate the capacitance veins and the conductance arteries. Dilation of the capacitance veins decreases the ventricular filling pressure, while dilation of the conductance arteries decreases arterial impedance. The former effect tends to decrease cardiac output, while the latter tends to increase it with a net increase in cardiac output if serum levels of NO are maintained.
These compounds all have a common mechanism of action which involves in vivo denitration to produce NO which is also an endothelial-derived relaxing factor (EDRF) endogenously generated by the oxidation of L-arginine. NO reacts with sulfhydryl compounds in blood vessels to form adducts which stimulate guanylyl cyclase, causing smooth muscle relaxation.
In accordance with the present invention, a NO-mimetic is administered to an individual in an amount therapeutically effective to improve sleep. An effective amount can be that which is provided to induce systemic vasodilation in normal circulation in an individual. Therapeutically effective amounts of NO-mimetics that induce systemic vasodilation in normal circulation in a human are given in Table 3 under the column heading xe2x80x9cCommercial Productxe2x80x9d. However, administration of such amounts of NO-mimetics is often associated with negative side effects of the NO-mimetics. It has been discovered in the present invention that sleep can be improved in individuals with sleep disorders by the administration of a NO-mimetic in an amount substantially smaller than that which appreciably alters systemic tone in a human or is used to manage the symptoms associated with angina or congestive heart failure, thereby largely avoiding the negative side effects of NO-mimetics. Thus, in accordance with a preferred aspect of the invention, typical xe2x80x9clow dosesxe2x80x9d of NO-mimetics are as described in Table 3 under the column heading xe2x80x9cPreferred Dose According to the Present Inventionxe2x80x9d.
The terms xe2x80x9clow dosexe2x80x9d or xe2x80x9cmicrodosexe2x80x9d of a NO-mimetic are used interchangeably throughout this specification and the appended claims and mean a dose which ranges between about one half (xc2xd) to about one fortieth ({fraction (1/40)}) of the dose known to appreciably alter systemic vascular tone in normal circulation in a human. This xe2x80x9clowxe2x80x9d or xe2x80x9cmicrodosexe2x80x9d range for the use of NO-mimetics in the present invention is derived from the observation that doses of a NO-mimetic which are below the upper end of the range, i.e. below about xc2xd the normal dose, systemic vasodilation is generally no longer seen. Doses below the low end of the range, i.e. below about {fraction (1/40)} the normal dose, do not elicit the desired improvement in sleep. Accordingly, one of skill in the art can routinely select and/or determine appropriate doses of an NO-mimetic to be administered in the present invention to improve sleep based upon the teachings provided herein and upon doses of NO-mimetics established in the prior art to appreciably alter systemic vascular tone. Appropriate doses to be administered to an individual may be routinely selected based upon the teachings herein by monitoring the patient for symptoms of inappropriate systemic vasodilation such as hypotension, headache, and flushing as well as parameters as set forth herein for determining improved sleep. Appropriate doses will improve one or more parameters of sleep as set forth herein. For examples of typical preferred low-dose or microdose ranges for representative NO-mimetics, see Table 3.
Using GTN transdermal patches as an example, Table 4 compares the sizes (cm2) patches typically used in accordance with the present invention to the size (cm2) of the smallest patch currently available from 3M (3M MINITRAN patch). As can be seen from Table 4, the sizes of patches used in accordance with the present invention are about xc2xd to {fraction (1/40)} the size of the smallest commercially available patch. Assuming that dosage scales linearly with patch size, the patch sizes used in the present invention provide dosages in the range of about xc2xd to {fraction (1/40)} those provided by the smallest commercially available patch.
For those formulations containing a NO-mimetic which is commercially available, the low dose or microdose formulations contemplated for use in the method of the present invention are formulated according to the same methods as the commercially available higher dose formulations, but with amounts generally ranging between about xc2xd and about {fraction (1/40)} of the active ingredient. Methods of formulation are within the skill of pharmaceutical formulation chemists and are fully described in such works as Remington""s Pharmaceutical Science, 18th Edition, Alfonso R. Gennaro, Ed., Mack Publishing Co., Easton, Pa., USA, 1990.
As can be seen from the data in Table 4, patches according to the invention providing about xe2x85x9 or less of the dose of GTN known to induce systemic vasodilation are considerably small. When such small doses of NO-mimetic are desired, it is preferable to reformulate (i.e., dilute) the NO-mimetic so that a larger patch size can be used, while maintaining the required low dose. Also, since the laws of mass action are a key factor in determining delivery rates, it has also been contemplated that there is a potential that the rate of drug delivery in the smaller sized patches would not scale linearly (i.e. a patch area of {fraction (1/40)} as presented in Tables 1 and 4, may deliver plasma levels of the drug at less than {fraction (1/40)} the dose of the 3.3 cm2 patch). As discussed above, methods of such formulation are within the skill of pharmaceutical formulation chemists and are fully described in such works as Remington""s Pharmaceutical Science, 18th Edition, Alfonso R. Gennaro, Ed., Mack Publishing Co., Easton, Pa., USA, 1990.
The following nonlimiting examples are provided to further illustrate the present invention.


A portable device includes: a sensor configured to detect a gesture of a user carrying the portable device; a control unit configured to identify the detected gesture, determine an external device corresponding to the identified gesture based on the identified gesture, and determine an order for controlling the external device; and a communication unit configured to transmit a command signal corresponding to the order to the external device.

Currently, portable devices and body-borne or wearable devices are increasingly more widely used. There is a wide range of uses for such devices; thus, for example, Google Glass is used as a display device, while smart clothes are used, above all, to monitor the user's vital signs.
In the field of wearable devices designed for the user's upper extremity, we find smart bracelets and watches for the wrist, smart rings for the finger and smart gloves for the hand, with different applications.
Smart bracelets and watches are used as a small computer with a touchscreen and wireless communication with other devices via Bluetooth, and in many cases, they are provided with GPS and motion detectors (accelerometer, gyroscope and magnetometer).
Among their applications, the display of information from mobile phones is highlighted, and especially user activity monitoring. Thus, the Samsung Gear Fit bracelet monitors the physical activity of the user. The patent document US20140081179-A1 discloses a smartwatch with an accelerometer that registers the movements of the watch to subsequently analyse them and determine whether the user is at risk of fatigue. The document US20140089514-A1 discloses a smartwatch with a motion sensor (accelerometer, gyroscope or magnetometer) to monitor the movement of the user over time. The document US20130044215-A1 discloses the use of inertial sensors (gyroscope or accelerometer) in a smartwatch with a flexible screen to reposition the information shown to the user on the screen depending on the movements of the watch, so that the information from the watch screen is always shown to the user centred regardless of the orientation of the watch.
The application of wearable devices to remotely control external devices is also known. Thus, the Samsung Gear 2 smartwatch is provided with an infrared emitter that may be used as a remote control to control the television.
The patent document CH706077-A2 discloses a smartwatch that controls a hearing apparatus via gestures, for example volume control. However, it has the disadvantage that it can only control a single specific device and that it only recognises basic and robotic movements of the user's hand, and not natural hand movements (for example, lateral hand movement with simultaneous wrist rotation).
There are also smart rings to control a device via gestures. Thus, the Nod smart ring from the company Nod, Inc. enables the index finger to be used as a pointer and includes a small touch-sensitive surface and two function buttons (for example, to turn the volume up and down) that complement the form of interacting with the device. The Smarty Ring smart ring enables control over the user's mobile phone, such as accepting or rejecting calls or activating the phone's camera. The Fin ring from the company RHLvision Technologies uses an optical sensor to carry out the control of a device using the phalanges of the fingers of the hand as a user interface.
With respect to smart gloves, at the 2014 World Mobile Congress held in Barcelona, Fujitsu presented a smart glove with an NFC reader that uses augmented reality (combined with augmented reality glasses) and basic user gesture recognition (up, down, left, right and wrist rotation) to carry out factory maintenance tasks, aiming to reduce workplace accidents and increase the efficiency of maintenance operators.
The use of mobile devices to remotely control other devices via gestures is also known. Thus, the patent document WO2013026714-A1 discloses the use of a mobile phone with a gyroscope to control the engine of a motorised surf board via the movements of the phone. The document US20120225635-A1 discloses the use of a mobile phone to carry out emergency actions when the user shakes the mobile.
In the video games sector the use of motion sensors to control the actions of a video game character on the screen is known. For example, the document US20130296048-A1 discloses the use of a mobile phone as a controller for the movements of the player's golf club, via an accelerometer and gyroscope. The document US20140045463-A1 discloses the use of a smartwatch with an accelerometer, gyroscope and magnetometer for game applications. Similarly, the controller of the Wii console uses an accelerometer to measure acceleration on three axes and determine the movement that the user is carrying out in order to reproduce it on the screen, for example, when applied to a tennis game, the movement of the controller simulates the movement of the racquet that the player carries out in the game.
However, all the portable devices known have the problem that they are specifically made to control a single external device and that said control is carried out in a basic manner with unnatural movements. The present invention solves this problem via a portable device that enables interaction with different external devices (where the selection and/or function of the device that one wishes to control may also be carried out via gestures), with gestures that are completely natural for the user and are independent of the intensity, strength and/or speed of the gesture carried out.

Wearable device and control method using gestures


A deep-UV optical circuit includes a laser emitting light wavelengths (λ) below 250 nm. The circuit also includes a graphene optical cable formed of an optic core formed of a gas or vacuum having an index of refraction ranging between 1.000 and 1.002 and a cladding layer formed of a graphene cylinder made of a contiguous lattice of covalently-bonded carbon atoms surrounding the optic core. The circuit also includes an optical detector circuit configured to detect the light. The graphene optical cable optically couples the laser to the optical detector circuit, where the optical cable transmits light wavelengths (λ) below 250 nm as graphene has an index of refraction less than 1 for light wavelengths (λ) below 250 nm.

First isolated in a lab in 2004, graphene has become the subject of an intense amount of scientific and industrial research seeking to capitalize on its unique and substantial optical and electrical properties. Graphene is formed of a monolayer of carbon atoms arranged in a hexagonal lattice. Graphene is highly flexible, yet has the strength hundreds of times that of steel and hardness of diamonds. Graphene is nearly transparent, but also efficiently conducts electricity and heat. Graphene exhibits ultrafast response over a broad spectral range along with significantly high nonlinearity.
Graphene's optical properties make it highly desirable for novel devices in the fields of optical wavelength converters, optical broadband polarizers, ultra short pulse generation, optical modulation, broadband nonlinear saturable absorbers in fiber lasers, and optical limiters. In addition, the fact that graphene exhibits both unique electrical and optical properties have opened the door for novel devices where the optical properties of the graphene are controlled through electrical signals.
Optical fibers are a key component of many of these novel graphene optical devices. When applied to optical fibers, graphene has been primarily applied to the optical fiber end face, or close to the optical fiber core along the length of the fiber in the direction of light propagation such as with D-shaped optical fibers or tapered fiber segments. When graphene is applied near the fiber core in the direction of light propagation, the light and graphene interaction occurs though an evanescent light field.
A variety of unique applications require the use of optical fibers that operate in the deep-ultraviolet (UV) spectrum. Deep-UV optical fibers are particularly useful for detection of proteins and drugs through fluorescence detection. Deep-UV optical fibers are also useful for laser delivery in medical procedures such as laser eye surgery. Deep-UV optical fibers also prove useful for bio-chemical analysis, UV spectroscopy, industrial chemical sensing, materials analysis and processing, lithography and UV laser marking/machining. In addition, deep-UV optical fibers hold promise for optical interconnect for electronic device communications between racked devices, communications between chips, and intra-chip communication. Increasingly, metal interconnect limits the performance of electronic devices as transistors continue to grow smaller. Replacing metal interconnect with optical interconnect would provide the improved power, latency, and bandwidth performance to match the enhanced scaling of transistors. Recently, researchers integrated 70 million transistors and 850 optical components into a silicon processor. While infrared light is common for optical fiber data transmission, choosing light with much lower wavelength, such as deep-UV, would facilitate the use of optical fibers with smaller diameters, thereby enabling miniaturization of the optical interconnect along with the advanced scaling of transistors. Two factors support the use of deep-UV optical fiber data transmission for optical interconnect: the development of deep-UV light-emitting diodes, and the development of UV fiber core materials resistant to UV-induced attenuation, otherwise known as solarization. When considering these optical fiber applications focused on the deep-UV spectrum, it is important to note that graphene exhibits an index of refraction lower than that of silica in the deep-UV spectrum. The question becomes is it possible to fabricate an optical fiber that includes a graphene layer as cladding for deep-UV applications.


An apparatus for inserting and removing a sensor into and from a hot tap on a fluid conveying pipeline includes a pair of parallel threaded drive rods interconnecting a sensor plate and a mounting plate which are operatively connected to the sensor and the hot tap, respectively. The drive rods are interconnected by a sprocket and chain system which rotates the opposite drive rod in reaction to rotation of either drive rod. Load indicators are installed on the drive rods to assist the operator in correctly positioning and loading the sensor in the pressurized pipeline. The drive rods are connected to the sensor plate through moveable threaded sleeves which accommodate irregularities in the drive rod.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to tools for inserting and removing sensors such as pitot tubes into and from fluid conveying pipelines. More particularly, the present invention relates to a tool or apparatus for inserting and removing a sensor through a hot tap in a high pressure pipeline without interrupting the flow of fluid in the pipeline.
2. Description of the Prior Art
In fluid conveying pipelines, such as gas, water, or petrochemical pipelines, it is often desirable to collect information about the flow rate, pressure, or other parameters of fluid flowing in the pipeline by insertion of a measuring device such as a pitot tube, hereinafter sometimes referred to generally as a sensor, into the flowing fluid. For example, in order to measure flow, an elongated flow-sensor, such as the pitot tube described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,036,711, may be inserted into the flow. It is also desirable to insert and remove sensors from the pipeline while the fluid is present and flowing therein. This facilitates moving sensors from location to location, when it is desired to measure the characteristics of the fluid only periodically, and facilitates removal of the sensor for maintenance, cleaning and subsequent re-insertion.
In order to accomplish insertion and removal without interrupting flow, an arrangement known as a hot tap is widely used. A hot tap generally comprises a coupling through a wall of the fluid pipeline and an access valve connected to the outlet. The access valve is of a type which provides an unobstructed access passageway to the interior of the pipeline when the valve is open. The valve is connected by an access tube to a packing gland designed to seal around the sensor while permitting the sensor to be inserted and removed through the gland, tube, and valve.
Many problems are inherent in inserting and removing a sensor through a hot tap in a fluid pipeline. The pressure of the fluid within the pipeline may be extremely high, creating a substantial force resisting insertion of the sensor. In addition, the sensor is typically long and slender, making it difficult to handled and creating the possibility of binding at the packing gland and damaging the sensor if it is not inserted or removed substantially along a longitudinal axis of the access tube. Accordingly it is necessary to substantially align the sensor with the longitudinal axis of the access tube before inserting the sensor into the packing gland. This requires an unobstructed insertion space between the packing gland and the nearest obstruction, such as another pipe, a wall, or a ceiling, the insertion space being at least as long as the sensor and valve height. Such insertion and removal tools increase the required insertion spaced making it difficult to use in restricted spaces.
Several insertion and removal tools have been used to partially overcome these problems. Piston-driven hydraulic tools have been used to apply an insertion force through a drive rod to the top of the sensor, pushing the sensor into the pipeline. These tools can provide sufficient force but are mechanically complex, and thus prone to failure. In addition, since they must be aligned with the longitudinal axis of the sensor, these tools substantially add to the required insertion space.
Direct insertion tools using threaded stem and nut constructions have also been used. These tools are secured to the top of the sensor and provide a mechanical advantage for manual insertion, thus helping to overcome the high pressure of the fluid pipeline and being mechanically simpler than the hydraulic insertion devices. However, these tools share the disadvantage of requiring additional insertion space. Single and dual drive rod systems which pull the top of the sensor toward the access valve and the fluid pipeline have also been used An example of a single drive rod system is disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 07/850,760, assigned to the assignee of the present invention. However, such a single drive rod system may not provide sufficient force in a high-pressure pipeline situation. Thus, dual drive rod systems have been developed with a first plate operatively connected to the packing gland or access tube and a second plate operatively connected to the sensor. A pair of externally-threaded drive rods link the two plates. As each of the drive rods is rotated, the two plates are pulled together. An illustrative dual drive rod system is manufactured by Dieterich Standard, Product No. DHF-25-GH6SA.
There are, however, many drawbacks to such a dual drive system. First, insertion and removal with this system is slow because each of the two drive rods are rotated separately. As the first and then the second drive rod are alternately rotated, bending moments are caused through the tool. Bending moments may affect the sensor by damaging it or causing it to hang up in the access tube, valve or at the pipe wall. In addition, by placing the sensor in a position that is not perpendicular to the flow of fluid, inaccurate measurements may be obtained. Second, the bending moments may be translated to the drive rods causing galling of their threads. Third, the bending moments cause greater friction at the packing gland thereby increasing the force required to insert the sensor. In addition, with this alternating operation of the drive rods, each drive rod is alternately placed in a position of bearing the entire load and twisting due to the applied torque, thus defeating the purpose of a dual drive rod system.
Worm gear dual drive rod systems which rotate a threaded hub around a fixed threaded rod have been developed to eliminate some of these problems. Such systems include a crank and worm gear which mates with drive gears and gear boxes associated with each of the drive shafts in a conventional fashion. However, these systems require critical alignment between the drive shaft, worm gears, drive gears and gear boxes. In addition, the "timing" of drive gears is extremely difficult since a worm gear apparatus offers little allowance for gear backlash and misalignment. These misalignment problems are further enhanced by the fact that threaded drive rods of appreciable length have relatively large tolerances on concentricity, straightness and bow.
A dual drive rod apparatus is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,009,113. The pair of threaded drive rods operatively interconnect a measuring means and a valve so as to allow the measuring means to alternatively be driven toward or away from the valve. A combination of a crank, a pair of cogged wheels, and a cogged belt is used to rotate a pair of threaded bushings attached to the measuring means and each engaging with one of the stationary drive rods. This apparatus suffers from the disadvantage of having no free play to accommodate drive rods which are not straight.
An additional problem associated with all single and dual drive rod apparatus is the inability of the user to know when the sensor is in the proper position in the pipe. This can result in inaccurate measurements if the sensor is not inserted far enough into the pipeline. Furthermore, systems such as the worm gear type described above have an enormous mechanical advantage which makes it possible to unknowingly drive the sensor into the opposite wall of the fluid pipeline, thus causing damage to the sensor or rupture of the pipeline.
It is against this background and prior art that the present invention has been developed to provide an improved apparatus for inserting and removing sensors.

Apparatus for inserting and removing a sensing element from a fluid pipeline


A smoke removing device used with an electrosurgical device consists of a a hollow tube for evacuating the smoke, a tubular housing including vortex means for creating a vortex at an entrance end of the tubular housing, and an exit end of the tubular housing connected to one end of the hollow tube, another end of the hollow tube being connected to a suction means for creating suction to remove the smoke from the air near the electrosurgical device.

The use of hand-held electrosurgical instruments such as electrocautery or laser surgical devices is used in many branches of surgery for the bloodless cutting of tissue, and for the cauterizing of vessels to stop bleeding During surgical use the localized heat generated by the electrical discharge cause large amounts of noxious smoke to be produced. This high temperature smoke rises rapidly from the point of the cautery instrument. Various studies have indicated that the smoke may contain carcinogenic elements, potentially harmful to the operating room staff. In addition the smoke is sometimes produced in such volume that the surgeon's view of the operative field is obscured In other circumstances, the anatomy causes the smoke to be trapped. Such a case is the dissection of the left internal mammary artery for subsequent coronary artery bypass grafting The internal mammary artery lies beneath the left rib cage, several centimeters to the left of the midline incision. The smoke generated during the dissection of the vessel tends to collect in the chest cavity. It is therefore desirable to provide a smoke collection system to remove the nuisance, smell and potential hazard of the smoke. At the same time, the collection system should not unduly interfere with the surgeon's field of view of the tissues being cut, nor can the device interfere with the use of the electrosurgical instrument.
A number of electrosurgical devices are available which do not include any suction capabilities for removing smoke from the operating area. For example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,074,718, 4,112,950, 4,170,234, and 4,688,569. Additionally, other U.S. patents disclose devices which do include suction capabilities. For example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,275,167, 3,266,492, and 3,906,955 disclose such devices. These devices include a tube connected to a source of vacuum which runs parallel to the cautery blade. U.S. Pat. No. 4,362,160 discloses an endoscope which includes passages for feeding in and drawing off scavenging or flushing liquid which extend longitudinally behind the cutting or coagulating loop.
It is further known to attach suction means to electrocoagulating devices, as shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,808,833, 2,888,928, and 4,686,981. However, U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,808,833 and 4,686,981 include suction means for the express purpose of withdrawing excess blood prior to coagulating the remaining blood. U.S. Pat. No. 2,888,928 discloses a coagulating surgical instrument which includes a plurality of openings disposed at right angles with respect to the longitudinal axis of the cautery tip. Therefore, the suction operates to clear an area which is not immediately adjacent to the coagulating instrument. Other patents, such as U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,974,833, 4,562,838, 4,683,884, and 4,719,914 disclose an electrosurgical instrument with a smoke dissipating means which is concentric with the cutting blade, or in the case of U.S. Pat. No. 3,982,541 concentric with the laser beam passage.
The processes using electrosurgical devices such as cauterization, laser surgery, and coagulation, are very different procedures. Cauterization involves the use of a hot iron, an electric current or a caustic substance to destroy to tissue. Laser surgery involves the use of a precisely controlled laser beam to cut or destroy tissue. Coagulation deals with the process of blood clot formation.
Although the various patents dealing with these devices disclose the general principle of providing a suction passage to the cutting or business end of the device, their particular constructions create difficulties in their use. Namely, they are limited by their structure to removing smoke which is close to the inlet of the suction means. In particular, the structures are such that the vacuum input tube remains very close to the tip of the electrocautery blade generating the smoke. Thus, the surgical field may be obscured from view either by smoke, or by the vacuum input tube itself. In those patents in which the vacuum input tube is far from the cutting surface, the suction is likely to be ineffective in removing all smoke from the surgical field because of the distance between the vacuum input tube and the cutting surface.
Further, in a number of these prior art devices, it is not possible to effectively remove the smoke because the suction tube or passage becomes clogged with blood. It is of the utmost importance that smoke created by the electrocautery, laser surgical or coagulation device be efficiently removed from the surgical field. Smoke created by these devices is suspected of being carcinogenic and mutagenic. Thus, it is necessary to remove the smoke from the surgical field to insure the surgeon's safety.
The smoke created by these devices must also be efficiently removed from the surgical field because it obscures the surgeon's view of the surgical field and is an irritant to the surgeon's eyes. The smoke is odorous and interferes with the surgeon's concentration during the operation.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 818,891, 3,394,533 and 3,495,385 disclose devices which include helical shaped members through which fluids fIow, although none of there patents discuss the use of a helical element for smoke removal.

Vortex smoke remover for electrosurgical devices


Self-generated thermal stress evaluation concepts are described. In one embodiment, a system includes a computing device, a cooling system, such as fans, that draws heat away from the computing device, and a management controller. The management controller can sense a temperature in the computing device and compare it against a temperature profile. The temperature profile can specify one or more target temperatures in the computing device over time. Based on the comparison, the management controller can adjust a cooling capacity of the cooling system. The adjustment to the cooling capacity can be achieved by reducing the speed of the fans, for example, to raise the temperature in the computing device. Processing tasks can also be executed in the computing device and, in response to the detection of an error in the computing device, the management controller can record the error and a profile for the error for further evaluation.

After the manufacture and assembly of a new computing device or system, the computing device is often tested for suitable operation before being deployed. In that context, stress testing can be used to determine the stability of a computing device or system. Among other reasons, stress testing can be used to determine modes of failure, confirm operating specifications, and to assess the limits of stable operation outside normal operating conditions. The goal of stress testing can be to identify modes of failure in a computing device, for example, in an aim to reduce the costs associated with repairs and downtime.


An electrophotographic photoreceptor has a photoconductive layer on a substrate. The photoconductive layer comprises a photoconductor and a water-soluble compound which reacts with free anion released from the photoconductor to produce an unsoluble salt and contains anion having smaller equivalent ionic conductance than that of the free anion.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an electrophotographic photoreceptor, and more particularly to an electrophotographic photoreceptor in which lowering of electric resistance thereof is prevented.
2. Description of the Prior Art
There have been known a number of types of electrophotographic photoreceptors of different structure and a number of electrophotographic processes have been known in the art. As typical electrophotographic photoreceptors, a photoreceptor comprising a substrate and a photoconductive layer formed thereon, and a photoreceptor comprising a substrate, a photoconductive layer and an insulating layer laminated in this order have been known and employed widely in image formation. The photoreceptor comprising a substrate and a photoconductive layer is employed in the most typical electrophotographic process comprising charging, exposure to imagewise light and development, and further transfer of the developed image when required. In the photoreceptor having an insulating layer, the insulating layer is provided for the purpose of protecting the photoconductive layer, improving the mechanical strength of the photoreceptor and conforming the photoreceptor to a specific electrophotographic process. Representative examples of the photoreceptors having an insulating layer and the processes conducted therewith are described in, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 2,860,048 and Japanese Patent Publication Nos. 16,429/1966, 15,446/1963, 3,713/1971, 23,910/1967, 24,748/1968, 19,747/1967 and 4,121/1961.
An electrophotographic photoreceptor is required not only to have characteristics necessary for the electrophotographic process such as photosensitivity and electric and optical characteristics, but also to exhibit stability of the characteristics when used under various conditions. Nevertheless, an electrophotographic photoreceptor employing a photoconductor which releases free ions is deteriorated by moisture. That is, in such an electrophotographic photoreceptor, it is not possible to obtain a high electric potential in the unexposed area of the electrostatic latent image and a high contrast potential thereof when the electrostatic latent image is formed in the atmosphere of high humidity.
Since such a photoconductor is generally dispersed in a binder to form a photoconductive layer, various improvements in the binder have heretofore been attempted to prevent the deterioration by moisture. For example, Japanese Patent Publication No. 33,861/1975 discloses the use of watersoluble copolymer of itaconic acid monoalkyl ester, itaconic acid dialkyl ester and specific vinyl monomer as a binder of photoconductive zinc oxide to obtain an electrophotographic recording sheet exhibiting less deterioration when used in an atmosphere of high humidity. Also, Japanese Patent Application Laid Open No. 93,149/1975 discloses the formation of moistureproof layer comprising a deionization-treated material such as polyvinyl alcohol, gelatin and gum arabic over the surface of a photoconductive layer provided on a substrate to obtain an electrophotographic photoreceptor having improved resistance to moisture. Further, Japanese Patent Publication No. 13,582/1976 discloses the use of insulating resinous binder containing a composition comprising alkylated silica and a blending resin such as phenolic resin, polyamide resin and polyester resin to obtain an electrophotographic photoreceptor having improved resistance to moisture. However, although the above-mentioned publications disclose the prevention of deterioration by moisture of the electrophotographic photoreceptor by improving the resistance to moisture thereof, they do not deal with or suggest the prevention of deterioration by moisture of the photoconductor itself. Further, when the resistance to moisture of the photoreceptor is elevated by improving the binder employed in the photoconductive layer thereof as described above, unevenness is generally apt to arise in the resulting image.
Japanese Patent Publication No. 33,740/1976 discloses an electrophotographic photoreceptor using a photoconductor which is deionization-treated by means of ion exchange resin to prevent the deterioration by moisture. However, the deionization treatment disclosed in this publication is conducted to remove residual ions contained in the photoconductor before the photoconductor is incorporated into the photoreceptor. Therefore, this publication does not show the removal of free ions which are generated in the photoreceptor when the photoreceptor is used repeatedly.


A shaped part formed as a welding sleeve, consisting of thermoplastic material with a resistance wire winding arranged on its inner circumference, having at least one weld indicator. The indicator consists of a stem which is formed from the material of the body of the shaped part or sleeve. The stem prevents the material which comes under increased pressure upon the welding operation, and is urged towards the surface of the sleeve, from passing into the free space, by the resting against a corresponding surface of the sleeve recess.

The present invention relates to a shaped part of a thermoplastic material, such as described in the preamble to claim 1.
Such a shaped part developed as weld socket is known from Federal Republic of Germany C2-27 60 064. In that case, the weld indicator consists of a sensing pin arranged in a cylindrical free space in the body of the socket, said pin being essentially cylindrical and having a tip which is flush with the outer periphery before its deformation as a result of the welding.
The base of the sensing pin is arranged on the bottom of the free space close to the electric resistance heating wire. This weld indicator has the disadvantage that, upon the melting of the thin wall of the body of the socket in the region of the free space, the wall can be broken through and the melted thermoplastic material can escape from the free space. As a result of these melt movements, short circuits may occur and thus local overheating and burning of material.

Welding sleeve of thermoplastic material with indicator


Disclosed is a process for recovering hydrocarbons from tar sands by contacting the tar sands with alkali metal sulfides or alkanol solutions of alkali metal hydrosulfides, at temperatures between 40.degree. C. and 450.degree. C., in the presence of steam or hydrogen or mixtures thereof, thereby producing at least partially, hydrogenated hydrocarbons lower in sulfur and nitrogen content than the initial untreated hydrocarbons of the tar sands and which readily distill from the sands.

A significant portion of the hydrocarbons, present in the crust of the earth, are found in the tar sands of the world. In order to extract the products normally obtained from petroleum crude from the tar sands, it is necessary to separate the hydrocarbons of the tar sands from the sands, to reduce the sulfur and nitrogen content of the separated hydrocarbons and to upgrade the separated hydrocarbons by increasing their hydrogen content to that of light petroleum crude.
The primary object of the process of this invention is to hydrogenate the hydrocarbons of the tar sands to allow a moderate temperature distillation of hydrocarbons from tar sands.
Another object of this invention is to reduce the sulfur and nitrogen content of hydrocarbons as they are distilled from tar sands.
A further object of the process of this invention is to achieve the above object in an economic manner.

Process for recovering hydrocarbons and other values from tar sands


The present invention is a method for preventing unauthorized copying and use of information which is stored on a storage medium and for restricting the use of such information to designated devices. Copy protection is achieved by generating a signature from a given storage medium. The signature is derived from an arbitrarily selected list of nonuniformities, uniformities and their attributes. The selected list may contain nonuniformities at any granularity level. As such, this signature is unique to a given storage medium in the same way finger prints are unique to a human being. This signature is used to derive a key for encrypting the information on the storage medium. Any copying of the distribution information from one storage medium to another results in the mutation of the signature required to decrypt the information. Therefore, the present invention obviates the need for introducing artificial indica or requiring a special hardware subsystem for achieving a copy protection scheme.. Restricting the usage of information on a distribution medium to a designated device is achieved by verifying the device ID (DID-D) of the device with the device ID (DID-S) stored in the distribution medium before the decryption and transfer of information are undertaken. Decryption of the information is accomplished by generating a key from both the signature of the distribution medium and the DID-S.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to the field of data processing, and in particular, to the prevention of unauthorized duplication of digital information on one storage medium to another. Furthermore, the present invention restricts the use of information on an original medium to one or more designated devices without introducing any key which is independent of the characteristics of the media.
2. Description of the Related Art
Prior art copy protection schemes rely principally on either software based methods, hardware keys or a combination thereof. Software based methods use encryption techniques to prevent conventional copying programs from making unauthorized usable copies. Unless the appropriate decryption key is found on a storage medium, the programs on the storage medium cease to function. By storage medium, the present invention refers to all types of non-volatile storage medium. Examples of such media include floppy disks, hard disks, optical disks and other non-volatile semiconductor storage devices. Lately, new generation of copying programs are sufficiently sophisticated such that most software previously protected by copy protection schemes are copied without the authorization of the information provider.
Hardware key methods employ an explicit key on the system hardware to enable the programs in the system. One such method uses as key the hardware serial number or identification number. A second method requires the user to buy a special kind of hardware with every purchase of software. Thus whenever a new software is required, the necessary hardware has to be plugged into the system hardware. As such, the number of concurrent software that can be run on a particular system is limited by the number of such special hardware that can be simultaneously connected to the system hardware.
An example of a combination of software based method and hardware key is U.S. Pat. No. 4,903,296 which claims copy protection of software on magnetic medium with a special key having two marks made on the surface of the medium. These marks are not producible by conventional disk drives and are in the form of absence of material and in the form of domains which cannot be formed by conventional magnetic disk write heads. Additionally, an encrypted key which is critical for running the application is built into a special purpose hardware subsystem. Finally the hardware subsystem is required to decrypt the key.
Another patent is U.S. Pat. No. 4,866,769 which claims a method of copy protection of personal computer software distributed in diskettes through the use of an unique identification stored in read only memory of a personal computer. A source ID is provided with every software distributed. The personal computer ID is used with the source ID on the distribution diskette to produce an encoded check word, using any available encryption method. This check word is then used to verify that the software is being used on the designated personal computer.
To prevent unauthorized copying and use of information, prior art copy protection schemes require either introducing artificial indica as software keys or requiring special hardware subsystems. Not only are these solutions more costly to both the information providers and the users as they require additional processing steps but they are also incompatible with the trend of encouraging concurrent use of different types of information in a network environment. Furthermore, the prior art copy protection schemes are restrictive in that they prevent unauthorized copying and use of only software in magnetic medium.

Method for utilizing medium nonuniformities to minimize unauthorized duplication of digital information