A device and method are provided that minimize the changes in flux encountered during iontophoresis and reduce inter-subject variability. For drug delivery, the active agent to be delivered is administered in conjunction with at least one background ion having a hindrance factor that changes at a faster rate than the hindrance factor of the active agent when an electrical current is applied. For analyte extraction, the extraction reservoir contains at least one background ion having a hindrance factor that changes at a faster rate than the hindrance factor of the background ions of the analyte in the tissue when an electrical current is applied.

This invention relates generally to the use of iontophoresis for permeant transport and, more specifically, to a method and device capable of reducing variability in the iontophoretic process by the use of a background co-ion that minimizes changes in the permeant flux and reduces inter-tissue variability.
Iontophoresis is commonly defined as the introduction of a compound or composition into the body or across a tissue by means of an electric current although; recently reverse iontophoresis has been used to non-invasively withdraw analytes (e.g. glucose) through the patient""s skin for analysis. In practice, transdermal iontophoresis is a non-invasive method of enhancing the passage of drugs or other compounds across the skin or mucosal tissue. Unfortunately, most iontophoretic methods cannot provide a constant flux at constant current, likely due to time-dependent changes in the porosity (permeability) of the skin, changes in the surface charge density, and changes in the effective pore size of the pathways in skin during the course of iontophoresis. The inability to adequately predict and control permeant transport has severely limited clinician, patient, industry, and regulatory authority acceptance of iontophoresis as a viable drug delivery or analyte extraction option.
Systems for transporting ionized substances through the skin have been known for some time. British Patent Specification No. 410,009 (1934) describes an iontophoretic delivery device that overcame one of the disadvantages of the early devices, namely, the need to immobilize a patient near a source of electric current. The device was made by forming a galvanic cell which itself produced the current necessary for iontophoretic delivery from the electrodes and the material containing the drug to be delivered. Unlike previous iontophoretic delivery systems, the device allowed the patient to move around during drug delivery and thus minimized interference with the patient""s daily activities.
In present iontophoretic devices, at least two electrodes are used. Both of these electrodes are disposed so as to be in intimate electrical contact with some area of the body surface, i.e., skin or mucosal tissue. In iontophoretic drug delivery, one electrode, called the active or donor electrode, is the electrode from which the drug is delivered into the body. The other electrode, called the counter or return electrode, serves to close the electrical circuit through the body. If the ionic substance to be driven into the body is positively charged, then the positive electrode (the anode) will be the active electrode and the negative electrode (the cathode) will serve as the counter electrode, completing the circuit. If the ionic substance to be delivered is negatively charged, then the cathode will be the active electrode and the anode will be the counter electrode.
In analyte extraction, the electrode that receives the analyte from the body can be termed the receiver electrode and the second electrode can be termed the indifferent or return electrode. If the substance being extracted from the body is a cation (positively charged), the receiver electrode will be the cathode. Conversely, if the extracted substance is an anion, the anode will be the receiver electrode. If, however, the extracted substance is uncharged, the receiver electrode will be the cathode because of the direction of electroosmotic flux in the direction of anode to cathode under physiological conditions.
In conjunction with the patient""s skin, the circuit is completed by connection of the electrodes to a source of electrical energy, e.g., a battery, and usually to circuitry capable of controlling current passing through the device.
Iontophoretic drug delivery devices also generally include a reservoir or source of the drug that is to be delivered into the body. Iontophoretic analyte extraction devices include a reservoir for collection of the analyte. Examples of such reservoirs or sources include a pouch, as described in Jacobsen, U.S. Pat. No. 4,250,878, a pre-formed gel body, as disclosed in Webster, U.S. Pat. No. 4,382,529 and Ariura et al. U.S. Pat. No. 4,474,570, a receptacle containing a liquid solution, as disclosed in Sanderson, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,722,726, a wetable woven or non-woven fabric, a sponge material, or any combination thereof. Such reservoirs are connected to the anode or the cathode of an iontophoretic device to provide a fixed or renewable source of one or more desired agents.
It is known that during direct current (DC) iontophoresis, the applied current causes pores in the skin cells to form (electroporation) and enlarge resulting in reduced electrical resistance. In addition, the direct current changes the net charge density of the pores. See, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,374,242 to Haak et al. and U.S. Pat. No. 5,019,034 to Weaver et al. Electroporation does not itself affect permeant transport but merely prepares the tissue thereby treated, for delivery of a drug by any of a number of techniques, one of which is iontophoresis.
In existing iontophoresis devices, the amount of agent transported across the tissue through these pores, generally referred to as the xe2x80x9cfluxxe2x80x9d, varies with time during the course of a typical iontophoresis procedure. Serious variability in the permeant flux exists during the first one to two hours of the application. The flux drift can then stabilize or continue to change depending on the permeant transported, the current profile, excipients present in the formulation, and the status of the biological membrane through which transport occurs. Intra- and inter-patient variability is also a major concern in iontophoretic devices, due to differences in the pores from one area of tissue to the next or from one patient to the next. In addition, different regions of a patient""s skin or skin between different patients respond differently to the electrical current, with some skin changing more than others. Some of the factors influencing the change in pore size are the patient""s age, level of hydration of the stratum corneum, previous damage, follicular density, or other unknown factors.
The variability in permeant flux during iontophoresis is the main complication accompanying pore induction (electroporation) in human skin at low to moderate voltages. Since the amount of material (e.g., drug delivery or analyte extraction) transported across skin varies with time, varies among patients, and varies from day-to-day in the same patient, controlled and predictable permeant transport using iontophoresis has heretofore not been possible.
As stated in U.S. Pat. No. 5,983,130 to Phipps et al., it has been recognized in the art that xe2x80x9ccompetitivexe2x80x9d ionic species having the same charge (i.e., the same sign) as the drug ions being delivered by electrotransport compete with the permeant ion for the electrical current and therefore have a negative impact on electrotransport efficiency. For example, Untereker et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,135,477 and Petelenz et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,752,285 state that competitive ionic species are electrochemically generated at both the anode and cathode of an electrotransport delivery device and present methods for reducing the negative effects of these competitive ionic species using cation permeants in the form of salts.
In addition, formulation excipients can provide extraneous competing ions. Some devices employ sodium chloride as a chloride source to control the migration of silver ions formed at a silver foil cathode. U.S. Pat. No. 6,049,733 to Phipps et al. teaches the use of supplementary chloride ion sources in the form of high molecular weight chloride resins in the donor reservoir of a transdermal electrotransport device. The resins are highly effective at providing sufficient chloride to capture the competitive silver ion and prevent their migration, yet because of the high molecular weight of the resin cation, the resin cation is effectively immobile and hence cannot compete with the permeant for transport through the body surface.
Competing co-ions have also been used to dampen transport efficiency in U.S. Pat. No. 5,983,130 to Phipps et al. However, the method of the patent is focused on biocompatible salts as co-ions that are used in quantities sufficient to raise the total current density above a critical current density at which the skin attains a highly transmissive state. Additionally, the Phipps patent makes reference to the disclosure of U.S. Pat. No. 5,080,646 to Theeuwes et al., stating that this reference provides sufficient teaching for one skilled in the art to select a suitable quantity and species of competitive co-ion to be transported along with the permeant. While Theeuwes et al. does contain a mathematical analysis of the effects of a hydrophilic resin within a hydrophobic matrix, it is silent as to the impact of electroporation-induced flux variability and the use of co-ions having hindrance factors that change at a faster rate than the hindrance factor of the permeant. As a consequence, neither Phipps et al. nor Theeuwes et al. provide a method or device that is capable of stabilizing permeant flux and reducing intra- and inter-patient variability.
Uncharged permeants also face inter- and intra-tissue, pore size change induced variability during iontophoretic extraction. For example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,023,629 and 5,771,890 both to Tamada, et. al., discuss the need for normalizing the flux drift of glucose during DC iontophoresis. The drift in flux requires a complicated algorithm to correlate extracted glucose with blood glucose. In Tamada, et al. (JAMA;282(19):1839-1844, 1999), the authors describe the algorithm needed to obtain reasonable correlation between blood glucose and extracted glucose using a mixture of experts method with input variables of the biosensor signal, the blood glucose value at calibration; the elapsed time since calibration, and an electrically derived offset. The algorithm was established based on population statistics. Therefore, if the patient""s skin parameters change outside of population norms, the glucose extraction device will give an ever increasingly incorrect reading as time of analysis progresses. Such drifts in flux necessitate the current art to have frequent, painful calibrations and an imprecise algorithm to decrease inaccuracy due to these well-known flux-drifts. There is, therefore, a need in the art for a method and device that address these concerns. The present invention provides a method and an apparatus that incorporates background ions having a hindrance factor that changes at a faster rate than the hindrance factor of the permeant during iontophoresis and stabilizes iontophoretic flux. It is proposed that the change in the hindrance factor will stabilize the transference number for reasons discussed infra.
In one main aspect of the current invention, a drug delivery device is provided that minimizes changes in iontophoretic flux and reduces intertissue variability that is comprised of (a) a first electrode assembly adapted to be placed in agent-transmitting relation with a body tissue that contains a pharmacologically active agent to be delivered and at least one background co-ion that has a hindrance factor that changes at a faster rate than the hindrance factor of the active agent when an electrical current is applied; (b) a second electrode assembly, adapted to be placed in ion transmitting relation with the body surface at a location spaced apart from the first electrode assembly; and (c) an electrical current source, electrically connected to the first and second electrode assemblies.
In another aspect of the invention, a method for delivering a pharmacologically active agent across body tissue using electrical current is provided, the improvement comprising co-delivering with the active agent at least one background co-ion having a hindrance factor that changes at a faster rate than the hindrance factor of the active agent when an electrical current is applied. The presence of the background co-ion minimizes changes in active agent flux and reduces intertissue variability.
In yet another aspect of the invention, a method for delivering a pharmacologically active agent across a region of body tissue is provided. First, a composition comprising the pharmacologically active agent and at least one background co-ion is placed in contact with the body tissue. The background electrolyte has a hindrance factor that changes at a faster rate than the hindrance factor of the active agent when an electrical current is applied and therefore becomes an ever-increasing competitor for the electrical current as the pore size enlarge. Second, an electrical current of a voltage and duration effective to induce electroporation is applied to the region of body tissue.
In a second main aspect of the invention, an analyte extraction device is provided that minimizes changes in iontophoretic flux and reduces intertissue variability that is comprised of (a) a first electrode assembly adapted to be juxtaposed with a body tissue that contains a reservoir for analyte collection and at least one background electrolyte that has a hindrance factor that changes at a faster rate than the hindrance factor of the transporting co-ion to the analyte in the body or tissue system when an electrical current is applied; (b) a second electrode assembly, adapted to be placed in ion transmitting relation with the body surface at a location spaced apart from the first electrode assembly; and (c) an electrical current source, electrically connected to the first and second electrode assemblies.
In another aspect of the invention, a method for extracting an analyte across body tissue using electrical current is provided, the improvement comprising transporting at least one background electrolyte (in the opposite direction of the analyte) having a hindrance factor that changes at a faster rate than the hindrance factor of the co-ion of the analyte in the body when an electrical current is applied. The presence of the background electrolyte minimizes changes in analyte flux and reduces intertissue variability.
In yet another aspect of the invention, a method for extracting an analyte across a region of body tissue is provided. First, a reservoir for collection of the analyte and containing at least background ion is placed in contact with the body tissue. The background ion(s) have a hindrance factor that changes at a faster rate than the hindrance factor of the co-ion of the analyte in the body when an electrical current is applied and therefore becomes an ever-increasing competitor for the electrical current as the pore size enlarge. Second, an electrical current of a voltage and duration effective to induce electroporation is applied to the region of body tissue.

Use of background electrolytes to minimize flux variability during iontophoresis


Systems and methods are provided for authorizing a user to access an access-controlled environment. The system includes a system server platform that communicates with fixed PC's, servers and mobile devices (e.g., smartphones) operated by users. The systems and methods described herein enable a series of operations whereby a user attempting to access an access-controlled environment is prompted to biometrically authenticate using the user's preregistered mobile device. Biometric authentication can include capturing images of the user's biometric features, encoding the features as a biometric identifier, comparing the biometric identifier to a previously generated biometric identifier and determining liveness. In addition, the authentication system can further authorize the user and electronically grant access to the access-controlled environment. In this manner the secure authentication system can, based on biometric authentication, authorize a user's access to devices, online services, physical locations or any networked environment that require user authorization.

There exist secure access systems for performing two-factor authentication for a user to a network resource (e.g., remote servers, electronically locked access points, etc.). One exemplary two-factor authentication system is The RSA SecurID® authentication mechanism by EMC Corporation of Bedford Mass. This exemplary system consists of a "token"—either hardware (e.g. a USB dongle) or software (a soft token)—which is assigned to a computer user and which generates an authentication code at fixed intervals (usually 60 seconds) using a built-in clock and the card's factory-encoded random key (known as the "seed record"). The seed record is different for each token, and is loaded into the corresponding system server as the tokens are purchased. The user authenticating must enter a personal identification number (PIN) and the generated authentication code being displayed at that moment.
However there have been the major breaches such systems, such as the breach of RSA in 2011, culminating in the loss of sensitive data from major corporations to unknown sources. Knowing the seed records, affords an attacker complete access to a user's information and access to anything they may use with their keys.
Pretty Good Privacy (PGP) is a data encryption and decryption computer program that provides cryptographic privacy and authentication for data communication. PGP can be used for signing, encrypting and decrypting texts, e-mails, files, directories and whole disk partitions to increase the security of e-mail communications. PGP, and other Private Key Encryption methods, are very secure, as long as certain circumstances remain true. In any private key exchange, if they private key is lost, stolen or misplaced, the user data is completely open. Conversely, if the user loses the key, the data they are protecting is lost forever. So, the tradeoff is apparent.
Numerous techniques have been proposed in the literature to deal with the problem of identity theft. Any such scheme tries to establish that a person is who she/he claims to be. Passwords, (long) private keys, and camouflaging are some of the approaches used for this purpose. Since human beings cannot remember long keys, private keys often tend to be stored in a wallet encrypted by possibly a small password. Unfortunately, all of these schemes have the property that someone who carries these credentials (such as the right keys and passwords) will be accepted as the right person even if these credentials have been stolen from others.
As a biometric is a biological characteristic (such as a fingerprint, the geometry of a hand, Retina pattern, iris shape, etc.) of an individual, biometric techniques can be used as an additional verification factor since biometrics are usually more difficult to obtain than other non-biometric credentials. Biometrics can be used for identification and/or authentication (also referred to as identity assertion and/or verification).
Biometric identity assertion can require a certain level of security as dictated by the application. For example, authentication in connection with a financial transaction or gaining access to a secure location requires higher security levels. As a result, preferably, the accuracy of the biometric representation of a user is sufficient to ensure that the user is accurately authenticated and security is maintained. However, to the extent iris, face, finger, and voice identity assertion systems exist and provide the requisite level of accuracy, such systems require dedicated devices and applications and are not easily implemented on conventional smartphones, which have limited camera resolution and light emitting capabilities.
The challenges surrounding traditional biometric feature capture techniques, which generally require high resolution imagery, multi-spectral lighting and significant computing power to execute the existing image analysis algorithms to achieve the requisite accuracy dictated by security have made biometric authentication not widely available or accessible to the masses. Moreover, traditional biometric authentication techniques requiring dedicated devices used in a specific way (e.g., require a cooperative subject, have a narrow field of view, biometric must be obtained in a specific way) detracts from user convenience and wide-scale implementation.
Accordingly, there is a need for systems and methods with which a user's identity can be verified conveniently, seamlessly, and with a sufficient degree of accuracy, from biometric information captured from the user using readily available smartphones. In addition, what is needed are identity assertion systems and methods that, preferably, are not reliant on multi-spectral imaging devices, multi-spectral light emitters, high resolution cameras, or multiple user inputs.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

System and method for authorizing access to access-controlled environments


The present invention provides novel co-crystal forms of dapagliflozin, namely a dapagliflozin lactose co-crystal and a dapagliflozin asparagine co-crystal, to pharmaceutical compositions comprising same, methods for their preparation and uses thereof for treating type 2 diabetes.

Diabetes mellitus type 2 or type 2 diabetes (formerly called non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM), or adult-onset diabetes) is a disorder that is characterized by high blood glucose in the context of insulin resistance and relative insulin deficiency. While it is often initially managed by increasing exercise and dietary modifications, medications are typically needed as the disease progresses. There are an estimated 23.6 million people in the U.S. (7.8% of the population) with diabetes, 90% of whom are type 2. Worldwide, it is estimated that at least 171 million people suffer from type 2 diabetes. With prevalence rates doubling between 1990 and 2005, CDC has characterized the increase as an epidemic. In addition, while traditionally considered a disease of adults, type 2 diabetes is increasingly diagnosed in children in parallel to rising obesity rates due to alterations in dietary patterns as well as in life styles during childhood.
Hyperglycemia plays an important role in the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes by means of glucotoxicity. Thus, effective glycemic control not only reduces the incidence of microvascular complications but also corrects the metabolic abnormalities that contribute to the progression of the disease. Plasma glucose is normally filtered in the kidney in the glomerulus and actively reabsorbed in the proximal tubule. The sodium dependent glucose transporter (SGLT2) appears to be the major transporter responsible for the reuptake of glucose at this site. Thus, a selective inhibitor of SGLT2 in the kidney is expected to normalize plasma glucose levels by enhancing the excretion of glucose in the urine, thereby improving insulin sensitivity, and delaying the development of diabetic complications, in the absence of significant gastrointestinal side effects.
Dapagliflozin is an orally active SGLT2 inhibitor that is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,515,117.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,515,117 describes the synthesis of dapagliflozin from the corresponding tetraacetylated β-C-glucoside precursor. After removal of the acetate moieties, the residue was dissolved in EtOAc, washed with brine containing KHSO4 and dried. The volatile solvents were removed and the resultant oil in a minimum amount of CH2Cl2 was foamed under vacuum to give the desired title compound described as a glassy off white solid containing 0.11 mol % of EtOAc.
A new crystalline or amorphous form of a compound may possess physical properties that differ from, and are advantageous over, those of other crystalline or amorphous forms. These include, packing properties such as molar volume, density and hygroscopicity; thermodynamic properties such as melting temperature, vapor pressure and solubility; kinetic properties such as dissolution rate and stability under various storage conditions; surface properties such as surface area, wettability, interfacial tension and shape; mechanical properties such as hardness, tensile strength, compactibility, handling, flow and blend; and filtration properties. Variations in any one of these properties may affect the chemical and pharmaceutical processing of a compound as well as its bioavailability and may often render the new form advantageous for pharmaceutical and medical use.
PCT International Patent Publication No. WO 2008/002824 discloses crystalline solvates and complexes of dapagliflozin, namely (S)-propylene glycol ((S)-PG) hydrate (Form SC-3), (R)-propylene glycol ((R)-PG) hydrate (Form SD-3), EtOH dihydrate (Form SA-I), ethylene glycol (EG) dihydrate (Form SB-I), ethylene glycol (EG) dihydrate (Form SB-2), 1:2 L-proline complex (Form 3), 1:1 L-proline complex (Form 6), 1:1 L-proline hemihydrate complex (Form H.5-2), and 1:1 L-phenylalanine complex (Form 2).
U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,851,502 and 8,221,786 disclose pharmaceutical compositions comprising dapagliflozin propylene glycol (PG) hydrate.
There still remains an unmet need for solid state forms of dapagliflozin having good physicochemical properties, desirable bioavailability, and advantageous pharmaceutical parameters.


This application discloses a method of separating the isotopes of an element which form a volatile compound having an isotopically shifted but overlapping infrared absorption spectrum. In the method, IR radiation of first and second laser frequencies are employed. The first infrared laser frequency produces a selective excitation of the desired isotope of the compound, while the second infrared laser frequency produces a higher multiphoton excitation which allows conversion of the excited compound.

In accordance with various prior art teachings, such as U.S. Pat. No. 4,049,515 which issued Sept. 20, 1977, to Robinson et al., an article which appeared in JETP Letters 21, 375, in March, 1975, by Ambartzumian, et al., and disclosure of previoiusly classified information in "Laser Focus", July 1976, pages 8 and 9, it is known that a powerful infrared laser tuned to a fundamental resonance of a polyatomic molecule such as SF.sub.6, SiF.sub.4 or BCl.sub.3 can excite those molecules directly to decomposition; and furthermore in that process enrich an isotope of said molecule. The enrichment occurs because the absorption bands of all isotopes except the pumped isotope of the compound are sufficiently displaced in resonant frequency so as not to be affected by the powerful laser radiation.
Infrared radiation, tuned to a resonant frequency of a molecule, usually will excite the molecule by a single step or quanta. Additional quanta (photons) will usually not be absorbed because the molecular anharmonicity causes the excited molecule to be out of resonance with the excitation frequency. It is, of course, obvious that an additional IR laser resonant with the next level of absorption could theoretically by employed. This would, however, require an undue number of IR lasers. If the initial laser intensity, however, is sufficiently great, a phenomenon known as "power broadening" can help to overcome the disparity in resonance frequencies between the excited and unexcited molecules and provide a means for multiphoton excitation and molecular decomposition. An understanding of this process in molecules is not complete at the present time, but it is known that "power broadening" in itself is not sufficient to explain the process and that the molecules must have a high density of states, approaching a continuum, at energies above the level to which several quanta have been absorbed in order to have the multiphoton absorption continue to decomposition or to a level where chemical reaction with a second compound can occur. Robinson postulated that such a quasi-continuum could be useful and he suggested that this restricted such a multiphoton process to molecules containing four or more atoms. However he considered the process useful for isotope separation only for systems free of hot bands.
The major difficulty in applying the multiphoton absorption process with a single laser to compounds where the isotopic frequency separation is small, and/or where the absorption bands overlap, is that the laser intensity that is required to produce conversion also will produce "power broadening" that will result in a diminished isotopic selectivity. For example, in UF.sub.6, OsO.sub.4 or WF.sub.6, a CO.sub.2 laser with the intensity used by Ambartzumian, et al., or Robinson, et al., would substantially reduce selectivity.


An active grill shutter assembly including a plurality of airflow control blades. At least two of the airflow control blades have different curvatures or chord lengths configured to optimize airflow over a curvature of an air duct that the active grill shutter is mounted in. An actuator is linked to the plurality of airflow control blades with a linkage assembly to rotate the plurality of airflow control blades.

This section provides background information related to the present disclosure, which is not necessarily prior art.
Many vehicles include active grill shutters to control the amount of airflow through the front grill, and thus improve the vehicle's drag coefficient during higher speed driving with low cooling demand. With respect to electric vehicles, some manufacturers have begun to locate a storage area in front of where the engine compartment used to be. As a result, the height of the cooling module must be reduced. One way to accomplish this is to arrange the heat exchanger at a severe back angle and use a duct to direct the airflow from the grill to the heat exchanger. However, such a packaging configuration results in reduced airflow quantity and distribution. This is because the duct must have a sharp turn where it attaches to the heat exchanger. The sharp turn undesirably causes uneven airflow distribution across the heat exchanger. The present disclosure includes an active grill shutter assembly that advantageously provides even airflow across the heat exchanger, and provides numerous additional advantages and unexpected results as explained herein and as one skilled in the art will recognize.

Multi-function grill shutter and airflow guide


Method and apparatus are provided for producing a filament from molten rapidly crystallizing fibre-forming thermoplastic polymers. The apparatus includes a chamber for such molten crystallizable polymer having an electrically conductive orifice at one end of such chamber. Means are provided for applying sufficient pressure to the column of molten crystallizable polymer to form a flat meniscus at the orifice. An apertured plate of electrically conductive material (e.g. steel) is disposed a predetermined distance from the orifice. Finally, means are provided for applying a high voltage D.C. between the orifice and the apertured plate creating an electrostatic field which exerts a force on the column of the fluid (molten) polymer. Above a certain critical field strength the flat meniscus at the orifice is deformed into a conical shape from which a fine continuous jet of molten polymer is drawn. Subsequent crystallization of this jet yields a continuous fibre which can be drawn of otherwise treated in separate finishing operations so as to optimize its properties. Thus, the high pressure extrusion used in the past to form filaments is obviated.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to method and apparatus for the spinning of fibres from molten polymeric fluids. More particularly, it relates to method and apparatus for the electrostatic spinning of fibres from molten rapidly crystallizing fibre-forming thermoplastic polymers.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Fibre spinning is the basis of a major world-wide industry. As is well known to those skilled in the art, in the conventional fibre spinning process, the polymer is melted and the molten polymer is then forced through a spinneret by some pumping mechanism, usually involving high pressures. This is followed by the cooling, drawing and winding up of the continuous filament on a spool. These spinning processes are broadly applicable to polyolefins, polyamides, polyesters and indeed to the whole range of rapidly crystallizing fibre-forming thermoplastic polymers.
As is also known to those skilled in the art, the usual method for producing an oriented polymer filament is to extrude molten polymer through an orifice and then to wind up the crystallized filament so produced at a rate faster than the extrusion velocity. An improvement in such process is taught in the Frank et al British Pat. No. 1,431,894, which provides method and apparatus in which the molten crystallizable polymer is forced through a constricted orifice at a sufficiently high pressure so as to produce a sufficiently high velocity gradient in the polymer in the region of the orifice along a line of uniaxial extension or pure shear that the temperature can be selected so as to provide continuous production of a core of crystalline polymer within the melt emerging from the orifice.
However, it is believed that such conventional spinning processes may be unsuitable for fibre spinning with very high molecular weight materials of all kinds, or with materials having very strong polar force bonding. It is believed that, for processes to involve the generation of a sufficiently high shear field to produce sufficient elongation flow in the polymer melt, the process would require a very high extrusion pressure. This can result in flow instability problems.
It is now known [see G. I. Taylor, "Electrically Driven Jets" Proc. Roy. Soc. London A 313,453-475 (1969)] that fine jets of monomeric liquids can be drawn from conducting tubes by electrostatic forces. As the potential of the conducting tube rises, the fluid becomes nearly conical and fine jets come from the vertices.

Apparatus for electrostatic fibre spinning from polymeric fluids

Pulp and Paper Research Institute of Canada


New spirofluoreneisothiazolidinone dioxides and methods for their preparation are disclosed.

Many compounds and their derivatives have been found to be useful to prevent diabetic cataract, nerve tissue damage and certain vascular changes associated with diabetes mellitus. It is believed that the usefulness of some of these compounds correlates with their observed effect on aldose reductase activity. The inhibition of the enzyme aldose reductase or related enzymes results in the inhibition of abnormal polyol accumulation at the expense of NADPH in those tissues containing aldose reductase and/or related aldehyde reductases. The inhibition of the formation of a polyol such as sorbitol or galactitol, arising from the reduction of an aldose, such as glucose or galactose respectively, is believed to be beneficial in delaying the progression of certain complications arising from hyperglycemia and hypergalactocemia. Hyperglycemia is associated with the complications of neuropathy, nephropathy, retinopathy, cataract, glaucoma and impaired wound healing in persons suffering from diabetes mellitus.

Spirofluoreneisothiazolidinone dioxides as aldose reductase inhibitors


An electro-hydrostatic actuator having a sealed housing filled with a dielectric fluid. A motor driven pump and electronics for controlling the pump are all immersed in the fluid. The pump is arranged to deliver fluid from the housing to a hydraulic cylinder to control the positioning of the piston rod. A solenoid operated valve is integrated as a bypass or tip valve for quick fail safe position. The actuator is ideally suited to control various types of plunger valves. In one embodiment of the invention, the hydraulic cylinder is located outside of the housing and in another embodiment the cylinder is located inside of the housing.

The invention relates to an electro-hydrostatic actuator that is ideally suited to control the positioning of a valve or any other similar device.
More specifically, this invention relates to a compact electrically operated linear actuator integrates all controls and components so rapidly and efficiently heat dissipation and cooling to component parts is provided.
Current demands on power generation systems and valve controls require that the actuators be electrically controlled and include fail safe features. In many countries, linear actuator of the type herein disclosed also require certification when employed in an environment where an explosion might take place as for example in controlling valves utilized in gas or oil pipelines or in certain processing plants where volatile chemicals are used in the process. In order to gain certification, many of the actuators are housed in rather bulky complex structures, external power supply and controls that are costly to construct and difficult to service and maintain in the field. Typically, the electronic control of the actuator is designed to be located in separate remote housing having a non-hazardous controlled environment. The cabling between the actuator and the controller can be relatively long which can lead to signal transmission loses and other related difficulties.
The invention presently here provides a solution to electrical control actuation within a compact package designed to meet uniform cooling and protection for use in hazardous environments.
In U.S. Pat. No. 2,631,431 to Gerbe, there is disclosed an electrohydraulic actuator in which an electric motor is located in a tank filled with oil. The motor is equipped with a hollow shaft and the shaft of a pump impeller is slidably contained within the hollow motor shaft. The impeller can turn with the motor shaft while at the same time moving longitudinally along the axis of the motor shaft. The pump impeller is situated inside a hollow piston that is secured to a piston rod. The piston rod extends upwardly and passes out of the tank through the top wall of the tank. In operation, the motor drives the impeller at a speed so as to increase the pressure of the oil on one side of the piston to a level wherein the piston and piston rod are displaced upwardly to reposition any type of device that is secured to the piston rod. A weight or spring is used to return the piston to its home position when the motor is de-energized.
Although the Gerbe device provides for improved motor cooling, the electronic controls for the motor are situated at a location remote from the tank housing and is therefore subject to all the problems associated with transmission lines of any appreciable length. Furthermore, because the electrical unit associated with the actuator must be housed in its own non-hazardous container, the system is costly to maintain.


A receiving apparatus includes an amplification section that amplifies a received signal and a frequency conversion section that converts a frequency of the received signal, from a radio frequency to a baseband, the baseband having a lower frequency than the radio frequency. A gain control section amplifies, by a predetermined gain, the signal that has been subjected to the frequency conversion to the baseband. A voltage calibration section performs calibration on an offset voltage generated in the signal subjected to frequency conversion to the baseband. A time constant control section sets a first time constant during a reception operation and sets a second time constant, which is reduced with respect to the first time constant, during the calibration. A filter section passes a received signal of a predetermined band, with the first time constant or the second time constant, an operation control section stops operation of the amplification section during the calibration, controls the amplification section to operate during the reception operation, and controls the operation of the amplification section so as to reduce a residual offset voltage caused by switching the operation of the amplification section.

In recent years, as a means of realizing a smaller and multiband radio terminal at lower cost, a direct conversion reception scheme is becoming a focus of attention and a portable terminal mounted with a direct conversion reception apparatus is becoming the mainstream.
However, a widely known disadvantage of the direct conversion reception apparatus is a DC offset voltage (hereinafter "offset voltage"). That is, in the low-frequency part of the baseband frequency band after an quadrature demodulator, it is not possible to implement capacity coupling given the stabilization time after start-up of a receiver, and therefore an offset voltage of the quadrature demodulator output which is produced due to the fact that the local oscillating frequency at an input terminal of the quadrature demodulator and the input signal frequency are identical, is output multiplied by a gain of the low-frequency part, which causes circuit saturation in the low-frequency part and degradation of reception sensitivity.
Conventionally, there is an offset voltage calibration scheme, whereby an offset voltage calibration start signal is received from a digital signal processing section, the time constant of a low pass filter constituting an analog baseband circuit (low-frequency part) is reduced so as to realize high accuracy and high speed of offset voltage calibration at the same time (for example, see Patent Document 1).
FIG. 1 shows conventional reception apparatus 10. In FIG. 1, reception apparatus 10 is constructed of: variable gain amplifier 11; offset voltage calibration circuit 12 for variable gain amplifier 11; low pass filter 13; resistors 14 and capacitor 15 constituting low pass filter 13; switches 16 that separate capacitor 15 from signal wiring; analog baseband circuit 17 composed of variable gain amplifier 11 and low pass filter 13; digital signal processing section 18 that converts a signal received from analog base band circuit 17 to an audio signal or data signal and transmits an offset voltage calibration start signal to offset voltage calibration circuit 12; low noise amplifier 19; quadrature demodulator 20; and decoder 21.
A high-frequency signal received by an antenna (not shown) is amplified by low noise amplifier 19 and then distributed to two routes. A carrier having substantially the same frequency as the above high-frequency signal is supplied from a local oscillator (not shown). The above carrier, which is divided into two signals having a phase difference of 90 degrees by a phase shifter and the above high-frequency signal are mixed by quadrature demodulator 20 and frequency-converted to a baseband frequency band. The baseband signal is amplified by variable gain amplifier 11 and frequency-selected by low pass filter 13 and output to digital signal processing section 18.
When triggered by the offset voltage calibration start signal transmitted from digital signal processing section 18, this reception apparatus 10 opens switch 16 and starts the operation of offset voltage calibration circuit 12.
Furthermore, there is another conventional offset voltage calibration scheme, whereby a high-frequency block is always kept in a non-operating state during the offset voltage calibration operation and improves resistance against interferer (for example, see Patent Document 2).
FIG. 2 shows conventional reception apparatus 30. In FIG. 2, reception apparatus 30 is constructed of: antenna 31; low noise amplifier 32; local oscillators 33, 36 43; mixers 34, 37, 41, 42; bandpass filters 35, 39; switch 38; variable gain amplifier 40; phase shifter 44; A/D converters 45, 46, 50; offset voltage calibration circuits 47, 48; log amplifier 49; carrier detection circuit 51; and control circuit 52.
A high-frequency signal received by antenna 31 is amplified by low noise amplifier 32 and then converted to a first intermediate frequency by local oscillator 33, mixer 34 and band pass filter 35. The signal is further converted to a second intermediate frequency by local oscillator 36, mixer 37, bandpass filter 39 and then distributed to two routes through variable gain amplifier 40. The signal is then mixed with a carrier having substantially the same frequency as the second intermediate frequency supplied from local oscillator 43 at mixers 41, 42 and frequency-converted to a baseband frequency band.
In such reception apparatus 30, control circuit 52 generates control signals for switch 38, offset voltage calibration circuits 47, 48, based on a frame synchronizing signal output from a digital signal processing section (not shown). During the offset voltage calibration operation by offset voltage calibration circuits 47, 48, switch 38 is open so that mixer 37 is in a non-operating state and the leakage of interferer to mixer 37 and subsequent circuitry is reduced.
Furthermore, there is yet another conventional offset voltage calibration scheme, whereby a high-frequency block is kept in a non-operating state during the offset voltage calibration operation, thereby improving resistance against interferer, and whereby an impedance compensation circuit is provided additionally to suppress the residual offset voltage produced due to the fact that the high-frequency block operating state differs between the time of calibration operation and the time of reception operation (see, for example, Patent Document 3).
FIG. 3 shows conventional reception apparatus 60.
In FIG. 3, reception apparatus 60 is constructed of: high-frequency block 61; power supply 62 for high-frequency block 61; baseband signal processing block 63; quadrature demodulator 64; impedance compensation block 65; antenna 66; first local oscillator 67; phase shifter 68; second local oscillator 69; quadrature modulator 70; phase shifter 71; third local oscillator 72; offset voltage detection block 73; offset voltage calibration control block 74; bandpass filter 75; limiter amplifier 76; and demodulator 77.
During the offset voltage calibration operation of baseband signal processing block 63, bias supply from power supply 62 to high-frequency block 61 is stopped, so that high-frequency block 61 is in a non-operating state to reduce and the leakage of interferer to subsequent circuitry is reduced. After the offset voltage calibration operation is completed, a bias is supplied from power supply 62 to high-frequency block 61 to set high-frequency block 61 in an operating state, and therefore the output impedance of high-frequency block 61 fluctuates compared to the time of calibration operation. Meanwhile, the amount of local oscillation signal leaked to the input terminal of quadrature demodulator 64 and then reflected toward quadrature demodulator 64 changes, and the fluctuation of the offset voltage at the output terminal of quadrature demodulator 64, that is, the residual offset voltage caused by the variation in the amount of mixing, is generated. This conventional example is intended to stabilize the output impedance of high-frequency block 61 which differs between the time of calibration operation and the time of reception operation, and suppresses the above residual offset voltage by connecting impedance compensation block 65 between high-frequency block 61 and quadrature demodulator 64.
Furthermore, there is still another conventional offset voltage calibration scheme, whereby in order to restrain the residual offset voltage caused by the difference in the operating state of a high-frequency block between the time of calibration operation and the time of reception operation, a dummy circuit having the same circuit configuration as a low noise amplifier is provided additionally, one of the circuits is set in an operating state and the other circuit is set in a non-operating state during both the time of calibration operation and the time of reception operation, and the reflection coefficient between the low noise amplifier and the quadrature demodulator is thereby stabilized (see, for example, Patent Document 4).
FIG. 4 shows conventional reception apparatus 80. In FIG. 4, reception apparatus 80 is constructed of: low noise amplifier 81 that amplifies a received signal; dummy low noise amplifier (hereinafter "dummy LNA") 82 that separates an input terminal from an outside terminal to which a received signal is input; antenna 83; bandpass filter 84; reference current generation circuit 85; and quadrature demodulator 86 that implements frequency transformation to a baseband frequency band.
Low noise amplifier 81 is set in a non-operating state during the offset voltage calibration operation and low noise amplifier 81 is in an operating state during the reception operation after the calibration operation is completed, and resistance to interferer during the calibration operation is thereby improved. Here, in order to stabilize the output impedance of low noise amplifier 81 that differs between the time of calibration operation and the time of reception operation, the output terminal of dummy LNA 82 is connected to a connection midpoint between the output terminal of low noise amplifier 81 and the input terminal of quadrature demodulator 86 and the next operation switching is performed. That is, the residual offset voltage is suppressed by setting low noise amplifier 81 in a non-operating state and dummy LNA 82 in an operating state during the calibration operation, while setting low noise amplifier 81 in an operating state and dummy LNA 82 in a non-operating state during the reception operation.
Here, restraining the degradation in reception sensitivity requires highly accurate offset voltage calibration. Furthermore, the basic operation (operating mode) of the reception apparatus shifts from an idle mode (standby mode), to a start-up mode of starting a reference current circuit and a local oscillator of each reception section, and then, after a gain setting is performed by again setting section and an offset voltage calibration operation is carried out, shifts to a reception mode and finally returns to an idle mode. If the offset voltage calibration operation can be realized fast, it is possible to shorten the operation time of the reception apparatus—that is, extend the standby time. Therefore, the offset voltage needs to be calibrated fast. On the other hand, when a filter with a large time constant exists in a feedback loop of the calibration circuit, delay is produced in the filter section, making it difficult to implement high-speed calibration.    Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-211098    Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-92143    Patent Document 3: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-245007    Patent Document 4: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-217769

Reception apparatus and reception method


A carrier for an assembled fall hazard anchor includes a frame including a rear bar and first and second carrier handles connected to the rear bar to define a plane. Wheels are rotatably connected to opposite ends of the rear bar and located outwardly of the carrier handles. First and second abutments are secured to the rear bar intermediate the carrier handles and extend downward for a substantial portion of the radius of the wheels. A swiveling hook is located intermediate the carrier handles and at an adjustable spacing above the plane and spaced in front of the rear bar. With the carrier handles not pivoted by the user, the ring of the assembled anchor can be received in the swiveling hook. The swiveling hook with an adjusted spacing, the ring and the assembled anchor can be raised by pivoting the carrier handles about the rear bar.

Apparatus and methods for lifting, transporting and relocating assembled non-penetrating anchors are shown and described.
Non-penetrating anchors 12 to provide fall protection for workers working at the edge of a roof or other fall hazards are in general use in industry. Generally, conventional anchors 12 include a plurality of individual weights 16 which are supported and carried by a frame 18 of any suitable type. Frame 18 includes suitable structure such as a ring 14 for attaching a safety lifeline thereto which in turn is connected to a harness worn by the worker. When moving conventional anchors 12 from one location to another, they need to be disassembled. After disassembling, all the component parts (as many as 20-30) need to be moved separately and then reassembled in the new location. Thus, a need exists for a unique carrier for lifting, transporting and relocating the assembled non-penetrating anchor 12 in one piece to a new location on the roof or other fall hazard.

Apparatus and methods for relocating assembled non-penetrating anchors


A pair of oppositely directed curved scraper blades are mounted to the end of a reversely bent handle which serves as a conduit for water. Tabs are formed on the end of the conduit to clamp a removable brush at the end of the conduit.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to apparatus for cleaning gutters and the like and, more particularly, to a gutter cleaning device operated by an individual standing below the gutter.
2. Prior Art Relating to the Disclosure
Eaves trough gutters are designed to carry away runoff water from the roof of a building. Quite often, however, debris such as leaves, dirt, needles, roofing material granules and the like, accumulates in the gutter and is not flushed away by the flow of water in the gutter. Accumulated debris often sticks to the interior surfaces of the gutter and inhibits free flow of water and causes further accumulation of debris. If the debris is not periodically removed, it is apparent that the gutter soon becomes clogged with such debris, causing backup and restricted flow of water within the gutter. During heavy rainfall, runoff water often overflows the gutter and runs down the side of the building and may seep into the eaves. The accumulation of debris and standing water in wooden gutters promotes deterioration. Both wooden and sheet metal gutters which are filled with debris and accumulated water or ice weigh a substantial amount which strains their mountings and causes the fasteners to be worked loose from the building.
The most direct way of cleaning a gutter is for a maintenance person to mount a ladder, manually scrape or brush the debris loose from the interior of the gutter and flush with water or otherwise remove the accumulated debris. Use of a ladder is hazardous particularly when the gutters are located high above ground level.
Various gutter cleaning devices have heretofore been available which permit a maintenance person to stand on the ground and remotely clean and remove the debris from a gutter. U.S. Pat. No. 2,910,711 discloses a gutter cleaner having an elongated tubular handle with a reversely bent upper end to which is mounted a flexible scraper extending in one direction and a water nozzle facing in the opposite direction. U.S. Pat. No. 3,041,655 discloses a gutter cleaner having a similar handle to which is mounted a flat scraper blade which extends in one direction along the gutter and which has a water channel formed along its top surface. Both of these prior gutter cleaners are adapted to operate in only one direction along a gutter and their single scrapers are not contoured to match the gutter shape nor to easily pitch debris from the gutter.


A vacuum processing apparatus includes: a processing chamber for performing a film formation process to a semiconductor wafer in a vacuum; a mounting member provided in the processing chamber and having a mounting surface for mounting a target object; an electrostatic chuck, provided to the mounting surface of the mounting member, for chucking the semiconductor wafer; a heating mechanism for heating the semiconductor wafer; and a processing gas supply mechanism for supplying a processing gas for performing the film formation process to the semiconductor wafer into the processing chamber. The mounting member has a base, a first insulating layer formed on the surface of the base, and a second insulating layer formed on the first insulating layer, and has a conductive layer between the first insulating layer and the second insulating layer on the mounting surface side of the mounting member to obtain the above electrostatic chuck constituted by the first insulating layer, the second insulating layer, and the conductive layer, and the heating mechanism has a heating member provided between the first insulating layer and the second insulating layer on the lower surface side of the mounting member.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a vacuum processing apparatus for performing a process such as film formation, etching, or the like with respect to a target object in a vacuum.
2. Description of the Related Art
In a step of manufacturing a semiconductor wafer, a one-by-one type CVD apparatus is used as a thin film formation apparatus for forming an insulating film or a thin silicon film on the surface of a semiconductor wafer. Such a one-by-one type processing CVD apparatus has an airtight processing chamber for performing film formation in a vacuum atmosphere, and a mounting table for holding the wafer is provided therein. An electrostatic chuck for chucking the semiconductor wafer is provided to the upper surface of this mounting table utilizing an electrostatic force.
Such an electrostatic chuck has a structure in which the upper and lower surfaces of a thin conductive member are in contact with insulating layers to sandwich the thin conductive member. The wafer is chucked and held by a Coulomb force or a Johnsen-Rahbeck force generated when a direct-current voltage is applied to said conductive member.
In a CVD apparatus, in order to assure uniformity in film formation, inplane uniformity in a target object, i.e., inplane uniformity of a temperature distribution is required. Conventionally, a heating unit for heating a target object to a proper temperature is provided in the processing chamber. As this heating unit, a heating unit is arranged on the lower surface side of the electrostatic chuck at a position away from the electrostatic chuck, and heat of a heating element of the heating apparatus is transferred to the above electrostatic chuck by radiation.
However, when the electrostatic chuck and the heating unit are provided away from each other, and a wafer on the electrostatic chuck is heated by heat radiated from the heating unit, the following problems are posed.
First, since heat from the heating unit is transferred by radiation, a high transfer efficiency cannot be obtained. In addition, this type of mounting table is normally provided in an airtight processing chamber set in a vacuum atmosphere of, e.g., 10.sup.-6 Torr. When the heating unit is set in the processing chamber, a heat transfer efficiency further decreases. For this reason, the heating unit must be set in an atmosphere out of the processing chamber.
As a heating unit having an improved heat efficiency, a heating unit in which e.g., a coiled heating resistor is provided on the object-mounting surface of the mounting table and heats a target object is known. In this case, however, since the heating element is close to a semiconductor wafer as a target object, the influence of the arrangement pattern of the heating element directly appears on the wafer. A uniform process cannot be performed due to nonuniformity of a temperature distribution on the basis of this. In the CVD apparatus, if such nonuniformity of a temperature distribution occurs, a uniform film cannot be formed.
Furthermore, since the mounting table on which the electrostatic chuck is placed and the heating unit are independently provided, the large number of members and a long time for assembly are required, resulting in an inevitable increase in cost accordingly.
In the one-by-one type CVD apparatus, a thin film must be uniformly grown on a semiconductor wafer as a target object. For this purpose, a reactive processing gas must be uniformly supplied onto the entire surface of the semiconductor wafer. Conventionally, in order to uniformly supply a reactive processing gas onto the entire surface of the semiconductor wafer, a shower head on which a plurality of holes are formed in a gas blow surface is provided to the top portion of the processing chamber.
When a processing gas is uniformly blown from the surface of the shower head opposing a target object by the conventional shower head, the flow rate of the processing gas tends to increase from the central portion of the target object to the end portion thereof. For this reason, a concentration boundary layer of the processing gas becomes thicker toward the central portion of the semiconductor wafer, and becomes thinner toward the end portion thereof. As a result, even if the processing gas is uniformly supplied from the gas blow surface of the shower head into the processing chamber, it is difficult to distribute the processing gas onto the reactive surface of the semiconductor wafer with a uniform concentration. Therefore, a film formation rate may be nonuniform.
The electrostatic chuck needs to be powered by a high voltage power supply, and the heating element for heating a target object needs to be powered by a power supply which can supply a high power, i.e., a so-called large current. As described above, however, since the CVD film formation apparatus performs a process in a vacuum atmosphere, discharge between conductive members tends to occur. In addition, heavy metal contamination to a target object may occur from an exposed wiring portion at a portion near a heater due to generation of a metal vapor. For this reason, wiring must be performed in the outer atmosphere. Therefore, since wiring requires a structure isolated from a vacuum atmosphere, the structure becomes complicated. Since this structure contacts a heating temperature atmosphere to a target object, good durability may not be kept. For this reason, not only the isolated structure becomes complicated, but also a cost increases due to need of such a structure.


An edge detection apparatus according to the present invention, includes: a detection unit configured to detect a dispersion degree of gradation values of input image data; a determination unit configured to determine detection sensitivity, which is edge detectability, based on the dispersion degree detected by the detection unit; and an edge detection unit configured to detect an edge from an input image based on the input image data, at the detection sensitivity determined by the determination unit, wherein in a case where the dispersion degree is low, the determination unit determines a lower detection sensitivity, compared with a case where the dispersion degree is high.

Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an edge detection apparatus and an edge detection method.
Description of the Related Art
Recently the use of an image display apparatus that can display high resolution images, the resolution of which is higher than conventional apparatuses, is spreading. Among high resolution images, an image, of which the number of pixels in the horizontal direction is about 4000 (e.g. an image having 4096 pixels in the horizontal direction×2160 pixels in the vertical direction) is called a "4 k image" in general. If the resolution of the input image data to be input to the image display apparatus is different from the screen resolution of the image display apparatus, the resolution of the input image data must be converted into a resolution that is the same as the screen resolution of the image display apparatus.
An example of image processing to convert the resolution of the image data is scaler processing. Scaler processing is image processing to convert the resolution of the input image data by changing (enlarging or reducing) the image size of the input image data. If this image processing is performed using a common method (e.g. bicubic method), jaggies are generated in an image region on a diagonal edge (edge in the diagonal direction), and image quality drops considerably.
A technique to suppress the generation of jaggies is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-33647. In the technique disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-33647, a diagonal edge is detected in an image, and for an image region of the diagonal edge, an interpolated pixel is generated using a pixel corresponding to the inclination angle of the diagonal edge (direction of the inclined edge). Further, in the technique disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-33647, in a case where a correlation value indicating the presence of a diagonal edge is acquired for a position close to a position of interest and a position distant from the position of interest respectively, a diagonal edge is detected in the position of interest using the correlation value corresponding to the position close to the position of interest.
Here, if a correlation value corresponding to a position close to the position of interest is used with priority, an error occurs in the detection of the diagonal edge. For example, a diagonal line at a small angle, close to the horizontal line, included in a natural image, is a horizontal line in a case where the diagonal line is viewed locally; therefore this diagonal line (diagonal line at a shallow angle, close to the horizontal line, included in a natural image) and the actual horizontal line cannot be distinguished from each other, and this diagonal line is detected as the horizontal line by mistake. As a result, the generation of jaggies cannot be suppressed in the image region of this diagonal line.
Even in the case of a method which does not assign priority to the correlation value corresponding to a position close to the position of interest, a diagonal edge detection error could occur. For example, a correlation value indicating the presence of the diagonal edge may be detected by mistake, as a correlation value corresponding to a position of a character that is different from a character constituting the diagonal edge in the position of interest. As a result, an incorrect diagonal edge, based on an incorrect correlation value, is detected, and major image quality deterioration (image quality disturbance) is generated in the image region where the incorrect diagonal edge is detected.

Edge detection apparatus and edge detection method


A microchip fuse is disclosed which includes a casing constructed from box-like upper and lower members. On the end surfaces of both members, electrode sections are provided which are formed by plating metal onto a sintered conductive paste on the end surfaces. Grooves are provided on the members and filled with insulating material. A fusible element extends through the insulating material and the inner surface as formed when the both members are jointed together. The end portions of the fusible element are soldered to the electrode sections. A hollow portion is provided in the casing adjacent to the inner space by way of a thin wall to dampen the pressure of a gas generated during the interruption process.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a microchip fuse suitable for surface mounting on a printed board or the like.
2. Description of Prior Art
A microchip fuse according to the prior art comprises a cylindrical casing, an elongated fusible element extending through a hollow portion between the opposite ends of the casing, and cap-shaped conductive terminals fitted to the opposite ends of the casing and electrically connected to the ends of the fusible element (for example, refer to U.S. Pat. No. 4,920,327).
A fuse is restricted in terms of the distance between the tip ends of the opposite conductive terminals, that is, the creepage distance must be kept at a required length depending on the required electric characteristics in order to attain desired electric characteristics. According to the microchip fuse of such prior art as above, since the circumferential portions of the cap-shaped conductive terminals are fitted to the casing in such a manner as to cover the side surface of the casing, the distance between the tip ends of the conductive terminals will be shorter than the distance between the opposite end surfaces of the casing by an amount equal to twice the width of the circumferential portions of the conductive terminals. As a consequence, the total length of the fuse in the direction of the conductive terminals has been limited to approximately 6 mm due to the limitation imposed by the creepage distance mentioned above.
On the other hand, there have been frequently used electrodes having a metallic sheet in an L-shape and attached to the opposite end surfaces and their adjacent circumferential surface of a cylindrical casing. However, as the portions of the metallic sheet extend over the side surfaces of the casing, there has also been a limitation regarding shortening the length of the fuse between the electrodes for the same reason as the cap-shaped conductive terminals as explained above.
Notwithstanding the above-mentioned limitations, since miniaturization of electronic appliances proceeds increasingly in the recent years, there have been demands made for miniaturization of electronic components. Besides, demands for quick acting microchip fuses are also so considerable that for this purpose it has become necessary to further shorten the length of the fusible element. There are now required fuses wherein the total length of the fuse between the electrodes is shorter than 6 mm. In fact, lengths in the order of 1.5 mm are desired. For a microchip fuse satisfying such a requirement since a conductive terminal construction and metallic sheet electrodes according to the prior art require the width of the circumferential portion to be in the order of 0.5-1 mm, they are unsuitable for use in highly miniaturized fuses.
It is conceivable to construct a thin electrode by applying metallic vapor deposition or the like to the opposite end surfaces of a casing. However, metallic vapor deposition requires a vacuum apparatus, resulting in expensive facilities and targets. Furthermore, production efficiency is not good, due to batch-wise production, and production costs increase. Consequently, this method is not actually applied.
As explained above, the casing for the microchip fuse according to a prior art is cylindrical in many cases. The sectional dimension of the microchip fuse having a total length of about 6 mm is normally in the order of 2-3 mm, so that it is not easy from the production point of view to extend such a very thin fusible element having a size of about some ten .mu.m between the opposite end surfaces of the casing through a small cylindrical hollow portion.

Microchip fuse with a casing constructed from upper and lower members and a hollow portion in the casing


A compactor for compacting a jobsite having a plurality of work areas has a frame, a compacting element coupled to the frame, and a control system. The control system receives a plurality of vibration measurements from a plurality of vibration sensors located at a plurality of measuring locations, determines a plurality of vibration distances where the plurality of vibration distances represent a distance and a direction for each vibration sensor to the compactor, and determines a projected compaction state for each of the plurality of work areas based on the plurality of vibration measurements and the plurality of vibration distances.

Compactor machines, also variously called compaction machines, are frequently employed for compacting fresh laid asphalt, dirt, gravel, and other compactable materials associated with road surfaces. For example, during construction of roadways, highways, parking lots and the like, loose asphalt is deposited and spread over the surface to be paved. One or more compactors, which may be self-propelling machines, travel over the surface whereby the weight of the compactor compresses the asphalt to a solidified mass. The rigid, compacted asphalt has the strength to accommodate significant vehicular traffic and, in addition, provides a smooth, contoured surface that may facilitate traffic flow and direct rain and other precipitation from the road surface. Compactors are also utilized to compact soil or recently laid concrete at construction sites and on landscaping projects to produce a densified, rigid foundation on which other structures may be built.
One such type of compaction machine is a drum-type compactor having one or more drums adapted to compact particular material over which the compactor is being driven. In order to compact the material, the drum-type compactor, or vibratory compactor, includes a drum assembly having a variable vibratory mechanism that, for example, includes inner and outer eccentric weights arranged on a rotatable shaft situated within a cavity of the inner eccentric weight. Both amplitude and frequency of vibration (also referred to as compaction effort) are typically controlled to establish the degree of compaction. Amplitude is often controlled by a transversely moveable linear actuator adapted to axially bear against an axially translatable key shaft, causing the key shaft to rotate. The rotation of the key shaft in turn alters relative positions of the inner and the outer eccentric weights to vary amplitude of vibration created within the drum. Frequency of vibration is controlled by changing the speed of a drive motor positioned within the compactor drum. Compaction effort is modified by either modifying the amplitude, frequency, or amplitude and frequency.
The variable vibratory mechanism produces vibrations that affect both the jobsite on which the compactor is operating as well as in areas proximate to the jobsite. U.S. Pat. No. 8,332,105 describes a system using vibration measurement sensors to measure the vibration produced by the compactor and adjusting the variable vibratory mechanism to prevent damage when vibrations exceed a predetermined threshold. However, since the '105 patent is only concerned with adjusting the variable vibratory mechanism in response to exceeding a predetermined threshold, the system does not optimize the use of the compactor on the jobsite. The present disclosure is directed to one or more of the problems or issues set forth above.

Compaction measurement using nearby sensors


To maximize the light capturing and imaging resolution capability of an imaging satellite while minimizing weight, the primary reflector and other elements of the optical path have a shape optimized to the shape of the satellite. For a nanosatellite with a square cross-section, the first mirror and other elements of the telescope section in the optical path have a square cross-section, as does the sensor array of the camera section.

The costs to launch a rocket into Earth orbit can run into the millions of dollars. As a rocket can carry multiple satellites and other equipment, the cost of the launch can be allocated among the different payloads. Consequently, smaller satellites might incur smaller costs to get into orbit. The measure of a size of a satellite could relate to its mass, its volume, its height, width and depth, as well as its shape. As for shape, it might be that the cost of getting equipment onto a launch bay is a function of the envelope of the satellite.
In view of these considerations, nanosatellites are often deployed, especially where the desired functionality fits in a nanosatellite form factor and where a constellation of satellites are needed. The term "nanosatellite" often refers to an artificial satellite with a wet mass between 1 and 10 kg, but it should be understood that features might be present in satellites outside that range. A constellation of smaller satellites might be more useful than one large satellite for the same or similar construction and launch budget. However, the result is usually that a rocket payload comprises many more independent vehicles.
To accommodate a large number of independent satellites, rocket logistics often dictate that the satellites be rectangular prisms or other shapes that are space-filling. For example, some nanosatellites are generally cube shaped. Typically these satellites include propulsion, solar panels for on-board electrical power generation, and communications capabilities. Some satellites are used for imaging and might include a telescope assembly for light gathering and a camera assembly for converting gathered light into electronic data, which can then be processed on-board and/or communicated to another satellite or a ground station.
For a celestial imaging system that has missions to capture images of the Sun, the Moon, starts and other astronomical objects, the particular orbit might not matter. However, for Earth-observing satellites, closer is better. Of course, there are limits to how low an orbit can be and still be viable. As a result, such a satellite is performing as a terrestrial long distance imaging system, and has a number of challenges. One is the distance between the satellite and the target of an imaging process. Another is that the satellite is not anchored, so internal movements can cause rotations of the satellite. Also, the satellite is moving at a high speed in order to maintain its orbit, which means the satellite is not stationary with respect to the target. The terrestrial long distance imaging system has to also deal with the conditions of operating in space and the stress of launch. Consequently, there are a number of areas in which satellite imaging systems can benefit from improvement

Imaging system with an optical path and telescope shape optimized for nanosatellites


A medical device is constructed in the basic form of a catheter having a distal end for insertion into and manipulation within a body and a proximal end providing for a user to control the manipulation of the distal end within the body. A fiberoptic cable is disposed within the catheter and having a distal end proximate to the distal end of the catheter and a proximal end for external coupling of laser light energy. A laser-light-to-mechanical-power converter is connected to receive light from the distal end of the fiber optic cable and may include a photo-voltaic cell and an electromechanical motor or a heat-sensitive photo-thermal material. An electronic sensor is connected to receive electrical power from said distal end of the fiberoptic cable and is connected to provide signal information about a particular physical environment and communicated externally through the fiberoptic cable to the proximal end thereof. A mechanical sensor is attached to the distal end of the fiberoptic cable and connected to provide light signal information about a particular physical environment and communicated externally through the fiberoptic cable.

The present invention relates to medical devices, particularly to medical devices with remote sensors and actuators, and more particularly to microminiaturized electromechanical devices for powering and controlling microgrippers mounted at a distal end of a catheter for medical application, or in a non-medical remote application, and which utilizes an optical fiber for simultaneously powering and controlling of the microgripper as well as communications relative to a physical environment of the microgripper.
In order to minimize patient discomfort and reduce healing time, the use of minimally invasive medical devices have increased rapidly. Reducing the size of these devices reduces the trauma even more.
Microactuators for remote and precise manipulation of small objects, such as coils to fill aneurysms in a blood vessel, have been under development for the past several years. These prior microgrippers and associated catheters, power sources etc, are exemplified by U.S. Pat. No. 5, 609,608 issued Mar. 11, 1997; U.S. Pat. No. 5,645,564 issued Jul. 8, 1997; U.S. Pat. No. 5,771,902 issued Jun. 30, 1998; U.S. Pat. No. 5,911,737 issued Jun. 15, 1999; and U.S. Pat. No. 6,102,917 issued Aug. 15, 2000. There has been a need for a micromechanism which can position and release objects in small diameter, remote locations and which can communicate to a user, that the object has been positioned and released where intended.
The present invention satisfies the above mentioned need by providing a catheter-based micromniniaturized minimally invasive intravascular micromechanical system utilizing optical fibers for simultaneous power, communications and control. The system of the invention involves a catheter having a microgripper mounted at the distal end, a fiberoptic cable disposed within the catheter and having a distal end proximate to the distal end of the catheter and a proximal end coupled to laser light energy, a laser-light-to-mechanical and/or electrical-power converter connected to receive light from the distal end of the fiberoptic cable and connected to mechanically actuate the microgripper, and to power an electronic sensor to provide information about a particular physical environment in which the microgripper is located. Basically the present invention involves the use of optically driven mechanical and electronic based sensors and devices including acoustic mechanisms for converting optical energy to usable energy at the distal end or tip of the fiberoptic.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a medical device, which utilizes optical fibers for simultaneous power, communications, and control of the device.
A further object of the invention is to provide micromechanical systems for medical procedures.
A further object of the invention is to provide power (electrical, thermal, acoustic, optical, etc.) at the distal tip of a small catheter or device.
A further object of the invention is to eliminate MRI incompatible materials (magnetic materials) from a medical device.
A further object of the invention is the use of light to discern when an embolic material has been released from the delivery device (microgripper).
A further object of the invention is to reduce extraneous heating (at bends in wires, rotation induced effects, etc.) of the medical device.
A further object of the invention is to increase the communication bandwidth to the distal tip of a catheter or other device.
Another object of the invention a micro-mechanical system for medical procedures involving a catheter having a microgripper mounted to the distal end and having a fiberoptic cable disposed within the catheter with a distal end proximate to the distal end of the catheter, a laser-light-to-mechanical and/or electrical-power converter to actuate the microgripper, and an electronic, chemical and/or mechanical sensor to provide signal information about the physical environment of the microgripper.
Another object of the invention is to provide a micro-mechanical system for medical procedures, which involves the use of a photo-voltaic cell that generates electrical power and an electromechanical motor connected to actuate a microgripper mounted to a distal end of a catheter.
Another object of the invention is to provide a light-sensitive material or a heat-sensitive photo-thermal material mechanically connected to actuate a microgripper in response to light received via an optical fiber.
Another object of the invention is to provide an external xe2x80x9ccontrollerxe2x80x9d that is necessary to operate and display/record information about the microgripper and sensors.
Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description and accompanying drawings. The present invention involves the use of fiberoptics (5 to 400 micron diameter fibers) to replace wires and other electrical and mechanical devices currently used to power, communicate and/or control medical devices. Optical fibers have a variety of features (MRI compatible, small, flexible, easily manufactured, high bandwidth, variable bandwidths, etc.) that provide most of the existing features plus many new features for medical devices including optical power transmission, sensing, and communication. Some of the devices (motors) and sensors with electronic parts will have magnetic characteristics. Some capabilities are better suited for x-ray and other procedures. By providing modular energy conversion interfaces (photons to thermal chemical or electrical or mechanical or acoustic), at the distal tip of a fiber, medical, devices can be designed with greater utility and for less cost. One embodiment utilizes a photo-electric transducer whereby the electrical energy can be used to perform electronic, mechanical, drug delivery, and/or acoustic actions. Another embodiment involves the use of photo-thermal effects to directly control temperature-based shape memory devices for controlling a microgripper, for example. Also, various sensors can be utilized to provide information as to the environment in which a catheter mounted microgripper is located.

Medical devices utilizing optical fibers for simultaneous power, communications and control

The Regents of the University of California


Apparatus and method for sparging ground water by developing density driven convection and promoting the physical removal and biodegradation of contaminants. The method includes providing a well casing having two fluid permeable sidewalls separated by a fluid impermeable sidewall, and inserting the well casing into a generally vertical borehole so that the fluid permeable sidewalls are positioned below the water table. An injector tube is provided in the well casing so that a lower end thereof is located at the lower end of the well casing and below the level of ground water collected in the well casing. Gas under pressure is forced out the lower end of the injector tube and into the ground water collected in the well casing to cause the gas to carry water upwardly within the well casing and out the well casing through the uppermost fluid permeable sidewall. This causes water to be drawn into the lowermost fluid permeable sidewall, producing a vertically oriented circulation of ground water into the lower end of the well casing and out the uppermost permeable sidewall.

This invention relates to a process and apparatus for sparging ground water to accomplish both the physical removal and natural biodegradation of ground water contaminants.
Due to the accidental and/or intentional release of industrial byproducts, contaminants often exist in the ground surrounding many industrial and commercial facilities, as well as waste disposal sites. Many of these contaminants filter through the soil and leak into the ground water, with the result of dangerous chemicals being dissolved and/or suspended in the water. These contaminants often render the ground water unfit, not only for consumption, but also for other uses such as agriculture. Due to the need for clean water and the environmental risks of allowing the contaminated ground water to remain, it is usually desirable to rid the ground water of the contaminants.
A variety of techniques have been used for removal of the contaminants both from the soil and from the ground water. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,323,122, proposes the application of a vacuum to a borehole at the level of the water table, the premise being that contaminants, such as gasoline, which have a lesser density than water would stay on the surface of the ground water and could easily be removed. Because it only clears the contaminants that remain on the surface of the ground water, this procedure fails to rid the water of contaminants which are either dissolved in or suspended in the water.
Other proposals have suggested venting the soil to cause vaporization of the contaminants in the soil, and then applying a vacuum to remove the vaporized contaminants. These techniques, however, failed to treat the ground water beneath the soil. Often, the ground water beneath the soil is removed in a separate phase and treated separately. Such separate treatment increases both the time and expense necessary to treat the ground water since the water would have to be removed from the ground, treated, and then returned to the ground.
Recently, several patents have been granted on methods for treating the ground water as the soil is treated. U.S. Pat. No. 5,082,053 reveals an arrangement for cleaning contaminated ground water, which includes a pump and multiple filters placed within a pipe and located beneath the ground water level. As the water circulates through the pump, the filters clean at least some of the suspended contaminants out of the ground water. The disadvantages of this device are that 1) it requires a well shaft of sufficient diameter to house the pump and filters, and 2) the filters would presumably need to be replaced with greater frequency, the greater the concentration of the contaminants.
Another technique is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,076,360 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,050,676. These patents reveal methods and apparatus for vacuum extraction of contaminants from the ground involving withdrawal of liquid and gaseous phases as a common stream, separation of the liquid and gases, and separate treatment of each to produce a clean effluent. Each of these patents teaches the advantages of creating a vacuum within the well to pull up water which can then be used to flush the nearby soil. In the '360 patent, a pipe is added which releases compressed air to raise the water level and to strip the water of volatile contaminants.
The major disadvantages with these techniques is the complexity and expense which they require to clean the ground water. Both the '360 and '676 patent require a vacuum pressure to be maintained within the well. This seemingly requires the well to have an airtight casing, which may or may not be practical. Additionally, the well must be capped in such a way as to allow for a vacuum to be attached. Further, the negative pressure created within the well limits the amount of oxygen or other gasses that can flow into the ground water and promote microbial biodegradation of the contaminants by fungi and bacteria.

System for sparging ground water contaminants


The present invention provides, among other things, antibody agents (e.g., antibodies, and/or antigen-binding fragments thereof) that bind to DV epitopes, as well as compositions containing them and methods of designing, providing, formulating, using, identifying and/or characterizing them. In some embodiments, provided antibody agents show significant binding to a plurality of DV serotypes. In some embodiments, provided antibody agents show significant binding to all four DV serotypes. Such antibody agents are useful, for example, in the prophylaxis, treatment, diagnosis, and/or study of DV.

Dengue virus (DV) is a member of the virus family Falviviridae and is transmitted to people by several species of mosquito within the genus Aedes, principally Aedes aegypti. Over 3.6 billion people worldwide are at risk of being infected with DV and more than 200 million infections of DV are estimated to occur each year globally (McBride et al., 2000 Microbes & Infection 2:1041-1050, Guzman et al., 2010 Nature Rev. Microbiol. 8:S7-16). Dengue Fever is the most medically relevant arboviral disease in humans. The significant increases in incidence, geographical outreach, and severity of disease cases of Dengue are making DV a major human pathogen. Unfortunately, effective therapeutic regimens are not currently available; the most effective current prevention measures lie in mosquito control.