A water urinal has a urinal body which includes a housing with an opening on its upper portion for receiving a valve used to supply flushing water to the urinal. The valve is attractively concealed within the body of the urinal and eliminates the necessity of embedding a valve in the wall surface on which the urinal is mounted. A cover, which covers and provides access to the valve receiving space within the urinal body, allows maintenance of the urinal without having to remove the urinal from the wall or break an opening in the wall.

This invention relates to a water urinal.
A conventional urinal is provided with a valve for supplying flushing water to a bowl portion, that is, a flush valve or an electromagnetic valve. Such a valve is mounted exposed to the uppermost portion of a urinal body or the valve is received into a recessed portion formed in a wall surface on which a urinal is installed, and the recessed portion is covered by a cover.
However, in the case of the former, the valve itself is exposed, impairing the external appearance. In the case of the latter, since the valve is received into the recessed portion of the wall surface, its external appearance is good but it takes much time to form the recessed portion for receiving the valve and it is very cumbersome to provide piping for connecting a water pipe to the valve within a narrow recessed portion.
In addition, in the case of the latter, if a valve is causually received into the recessed portion as described above, there arises a problem that maintenance cannot be carried out from the outside.


A miniature potentiometer including a casing (10) molded on a first sub-assembly comprising a support (11), an electro-resistive track (12) with extensions (13) linked to terminals (14),(15) extending outwardly from the casing, and a collector plate (16) having a collector plate terminal (14) extending outwardly therefrom. A second sub-assembly is housed in the casing (10) and includes a wiper (18) integral with a wiper-holder (19). The first and second sub-assemblies are attached to one another by an electrically conductive shaft (21).. The wiper (18) comprises a first part defined by an annular plate (29) to which the wiper-holder (19) is molded. The first part also includes an opening (31) and through-holes (32) which allow plastic material to flow therethrough. The wiper (18) further comprises a second part (33), extending radially out from the annular plate (29) and having resilient arms (35,36) with protuberances (35a,36a) for frictionally engaging the resistive track (12). The second part (33) is folded 180 degrees against the bottom of the wiper-holder (19) and further comprises a slight cross fold (33a) in opposite sense to the 180 degree fold.. Prior to molding of the casing (10), the extensions (13) are connected to the pair of terminals (14),(15) using two folded lateral appendages (14b, 14c, 15b, 15c) extending from the lateral sides of each terminal (14),(15), one appendage (14b),(15b) from each terminal being in contact with the track (12) while the other appendage (14c),(15c) from each terminal provides retention.

This invention relates to a miniature potentiometer and a process for manufacturing the miniature potentiometer.
The following patents are exemplary of prior art potentiometers and manufacturing processes:
British Patent Specification No. 1,367,839 to Bourns, Inc. discloses a process comprising the steps of:
advancing a continuous metallic laminar band hauled by a longitudinal conveying line with step-by-step forward movement, in which terminals are initially shaped using dies, and further molding a housing body member about portions of the terminal members in respective unit lengths of the strip while leaving resilient contact portions of some contact fingers and end portions of the terminal members protruding from the body member and integral with the strip; PA1 producing rotors with conductive and resistive members thereon, and producing housing cover members; and PA1 assembling a rotor and a cover member to respective body members and severing the resulting potentiometers from the strip by shearing the terminal members adjacent the strip. PA1 forming a first fixed subassembly including a casing, a resistant track, and terminals, in the form of a first continuous metallic laminar band, hauled by a longitudinal conveying line, with a step-by-step forward movement, in which the terminals are initially shaped using dies and are attached to the casing through stapling (fold of the connection terminal ends); PA1 configuring a second movable sub-assembly including a wiper, a wiper-holder and a collector, the mechanical connection of these elements to one another being performed by thermoforming, on a second step-by-step advancing continuous band; PA1 coupling both subassemblies so as to define a third continuous step-by-step advancing band, and PA1 mechanically and electrically checking potentiometers connected to the third continuous band. PA1 a first one including an arcuate resistor supported on an insulating plate, with two extensions of electrically conductive material linked to a pair of connecting terminals, and PA1 a second one substantially including a collector plate. PA1 a) a reduction in the production cost by simplifying the above operations, namely: PA1 using a same casing for the horizontal or vertical mounting potentiometers; PA1 firmly securing the resistant track to the connection terminals before the casing is molded; PA1 b) increasing performance of the potentiometers by providing: PA1 optimal elastic and anchoring performance of the wiper attached to the wiper-holder using a molding operation and some shaping operations; PA1 greater strength in a movable stop of the tubular shaft as well as the use of a reinforcement via a double wall.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,958,839 to Barden discloses a potentiometer embodying a resistor in the form of an incomplete arcuate member with two low resistance end extensions connected through stapling to two connection terminals, which extend outwardly from the casing, the potentiometer having a rotation limiting stop integral with the driving shaft;
U.S. Pat. No. 4,951,378 discloses a process for producing potentiometers comprising the steps of:
Spanish Patent No. 462,632 discloses in FIG. 17 a piece in the form of a tubular shaft constituting a wiper and an attachment member for two subassemblies:
The piece is obtained from a metallic plate using dies, and comprises an extension connected to a bottom of the tubular shaft. The extension terminates in an annular portion which is folded against the bottom of the shaft. A crown-shaped part is provided and includes a driver engaging cross grooves formed therein. These cross grooves permit rotation of the wiper using a screwdriver.

Navarra de Componentes Electronicos, S.A.


A vehicle lighting fixture can be configured to form a predetermined light distribution pattern by two-dimensionally scanning light with resolutions different in part, for example, in which the resolution in the horizontal direction is high at the center area and is gradually lowered toward the outer periphery from the center area. The vehicle lighting unit can include an optical deflector configured to two-dimensionally scan with groups of spots of light having been incident thereon from a light source; a screen member in which the light scanning by the optical deflector forms a luminance distribution corresponding to a predetermined light distribution pattern; an optical system configured to project the luminance distribution forward; and an optical controlling member configured to change a pitch between spots in a group of spots among the groups of spots of light scanned by the optical deflector on the screen member.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a conventional vehicle lighting fixture 800.
As illustrated in FIG. 1, the conventional vehicle lighting fixture 800 can include laser light sources 812, condenser lenses 814, optical deflectors (MEMS mirrors) 816, a wavelength conversion member (phosphor panel) 818, and a projector lens 820. Laser light emitted from the laser light sources 812 can be two-dimensionally scanned by the respective optical deflectors 816. The two-dimensionally scanned laser light can form a luminance distribution on the wavelength conversion member 818. The formed luminance distribution can be projected by the projector lens 820 to thereby allow the vehicle lighting fixture 800 to form a predetermined light distribution pattern corresponding to the luminance distribution. This type of vehicle lighting fixture can include those proposed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-222238 (or US2011/0249460A1 corresponding thereto), for example.
This publication, however, is silent about the resolution as to which order the resolution of the predetermined light distribution pattern should be set to and how such a resolution can be achieved in the vehicle lighting fixture 800 when the light distribution pattern, in particular including an unirradiation region(s), is formed by two-dimensionally scanning with light.


An apparatus and method of forming a part by injection molding. The method includes the step of providing injection molding equipment having a sprue for supplying melted plastic. In addition, the method includes the step of providing a mold for forming the part, wherein the mold is adapted for forming a runner integrally with the part and wherein the mold is connected to the sprue. Further, the method includes the step of injecting the melted plastic into the mold so as to form the part and the runner such that the runner is integrally formed with the part.

Materials such as plastics are frequently molded into desired shapes through the use of injection molding equipment having an injection unit and a clamping unit. In a conventional injection molding process, a pellet or powder resin is melted within a heating chamber of the injection unit. The injection unit further includes a hydraulic piston or ram which pushes the melted plastic past a "torpedo" or spreader that spreads the melted plastic. This enables improved thermal contact with the heating chamber and thus improves the flow of the melted plastic. The melted plastic then converges at a nozzle which is connected to a sprue located within the mold. The sprue is connected to a gate by a runner that is formed in the mold through which the melted plastic flows. The gate serves to direct the flow of melted plastic into a mold cavity to thus form a desired part. Additionally, the gate limits backflow of the melted plastic. Further, the clamping unit provides a clamping force to hold the mold together during the injection molding process. In a mold type known as a cold runner mold, the melted plastic left in the runner is allowed to cool and solidify. This material is then later separated from the part and may be recycled for later use.
Projection televisions, such as rear projection televisions, typically include relatively large and/or asymmetric parts which are fabricated using injection molding techniques. Referring to FIG. 1, a front portion 12 and a rear mirror cover 14 of a rear projection television 10 fabricated by an injection molding process are shown. It is noted that the front portion 12 may be either a cabinet or a beznet. A mirror 16 is used in such televisions for reflecting an image onto a screen. The mirror 16 includes a first reflection surface 18 and a mounting surface 20. The mirror cover 14 includes an inner surface 22 having first 24, second 26, third 28 and fourth 30 mirror mounting areas which may include either mounting blocks or bosses. The mounting areas 24,26,28,30 are positioned in an upper area of the inner surface 22. In use, the mounting surface 20 is positioned upon the mounting areas 24,26,28,30. Upper 32 and lower 34 mirror holders are then used to affix upper and lower horizontal portions, respectively, of the mirror 16 to the mounting areas 24,26,28,30.
It is desirable that the parts formed by the injection molding process are uniformly and consistently molded. However, this is difficult to achieve due to the uneven filling of polymer within the mold, especially in relatively large and/or asymmetric parts. Several methods have been utilized to increase the flow of melted plastic so as improve part uniformity and consistency. In one method, higher injection pressures and/or clamping forces are used in order to improve polymer homogeneity. However, this necessitates the use of larger capacity injection molding equipment which increases costs. Other techniques include the use of a hot runner system having heated runners and molds having multiple polymer entrance points. However, these techniques also increase costs since molds incorporating these features are substantially more complicated to fabricate.

Runner apparatus for an injection molding process and method therefor


A pneumatic tire comprises a sidewall portion provided in its radially outer region B with side protectors protruding axially outwardly from the outer surface Ba of the radially outer region B. The side protectors are arranged in the tire circumferential direction at intervals so that grooved portions are formed between the side protectors. The width W1 in the tire circumferential direction of the grooved portion is in a range of from 50% to 70% of the width W2 in the tire circumferential direction of the side protector when measured at the same radial position.

Pneumatic tires to be used with a four-wheel drive vehicle and the like are required to have good rock performance (or running performance on rocky ground) and good mud performance (or running performance on muddy ground). Hereinafter, these performances are comprehensively referred to as off-road performance.
On the other hand, a pneumatic tire which is, in order to improve the cut resistance of the sidewall portions, provided in the sidewall portions with axially outwardly protruding side protectors has been proposed. Such side protectors can exert tractional force by the engagement and friction between the side protectors and rocks on the rocky ground as well as by the shearing of the mud entered into reentrant portions formed between the side protectors. Thus, the off-road performance can be improved.
In order that the off-road performance and cut resistance performance are improved, if the side protectors are increased in the protruding height, then the tire sidewall portion is increased in the rubber volume in its radially outer region especially. Therefore, there are problems such that the weight of the tire is unfavorably increased, and the durability of the bead portion of the tire is deteriorated because the flexural stress of the sidewall portion concentrates in a region from the lower sidewall region to the bead portion.


In one embodiment, an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system for an engine is disclosed. The EGR system includes an EGR cooler that cools recirculated engine exhaust gas and is mounted between a valve cover and valve train of a cylinder head in the engine.

(a) Technical Field
The present disclosure generally relates to an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system for an engine. In particular, an EGR system having a short path is disclosed that evenly distributes exhaust gas across the cylinders of an engine.
(b) Background Art
One byproduct of internal combustion within an engine is the formation of nitrogen oxide (NOx) gasses. These types of gasses are formed when nitrogen (N2) combines with oxygen (O2) under the high temperatures associated with the combustion process, thereby forming NOx gasses such as nitric oxide (NO) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2). These gasses can have a number of adverse environmental effects when released into the atmosphere. For example, acid rain, smog, ozone layer depletion, and other adverse environmental effects have been attributed to the release of NOx gasses into the atmosphere.
To reduce the emission of NOx gasses by a combustion engine, EGR systems have been developed that recirculate exhaust gasses back into the intake of an engine. The exhaust gasses act as a "dilutant" in the combustion process, resulting in the reduction of pumping losses due to thermal dethrottling. NOx emissions are reduced since the recirculated gasses can also lower end-of-compression temperatures, thereby lowering combustion temperatures that can lead to the formation of more NOx gasses. Many EGR systems facilitate this lowering of temperatures by including EGR coolers that cools down the exhaust gasses before introducing the gasses back into the intake of an engine. Typically, these coolers operate by using the coolant of the engine to divert heat from the exhaust gasses.
While modern EGR systems are somewhat effective at reducing the emission of NOx gasses, this does not come without a price. First, engine efficiency is negatively impacted by virtue of the gas recirculation in an EGR system. Also, modern EGR systems typically add to the bulk, size, and complexity of an engine, which must accommodate the relatively long recirculation paths used by modern EGR systems. In particular, longer EGR paths can lower the response time of the EGR system, affect the response of the engine, etc.
In order to solve the problems in the related art, there is a demand for the development of EGR systems that exhibit better performance, improved fuel efficiency, and are smaller than conventional EGR systems.
The above information disclosed in this Background section is only for enhancement of understanding of the background of the invention and therefore it may contain information that does not form the prior art that is already known in this country to a person of ordinary skill in the art.

Integrated short path equal distribution EGR system


Each flip-flop-to-flip-flop path delay and a target machine cycle obtained in the stages of physical design and packaging design are used as input, and with respect to a path in which the path delay is not less than the target machine cycle, a closed loop including the path is extracted, and the timing of a clock signal of each flip-flop is adjusted so as to permit data transmission along the closed loop in a required cycle-number. At this time, a path along which data transmission is impossible in the target machine cycle or a closed loop including the path is listed in order to be modified. As methods of supplying a clock signal to each flip-flop, a plurality of methods different in the adjustable range of clock timing are combined and used.

The invention relates to a design method and a design system for semiconductor integrated circuits, and particularly relates to a design method and a design system for semiconductor integrated circuits permitting realization of a minimum machine cycle while minimizing the number of man-hours and the amount of changes of physical design and modifications of packaging design.
As a prior art pertaining to a method for adjusting the clock timing of flip-flops to reduce machine cycles, for example, a technology is known which is described in A. TAKAHASHI AND Y. KAJITANI, "PERFORMANCE AND RELIABILITY DRIVEN CLOCK SCHEDULING OF SEQUENTIAL LOGIC CIRCUITS," IN PROC. ASP-DAC '97, PP. 37 to 42, 1997. In this first prior art, when flip-flop-to-flip-flop signal propagation delay time (hereinafter, referred to as a path delay) is given, timing of a clock signal inputting to each flip-flop can be changed within the range in which the timing can be changed by using signal propagation in the flip-flop-to-flip-flop signal propagation path (hereinafter, referred to as a path), thereby enabling the clock period to be made shorter than the maximum value of the signal delay time of the path.
Also, as a prior art pertaining to a method of adjusting clock timing of flip-flops, there is known a technology reported by "Schedule-Clock-Tree Routing for Semi-Synchronous Circuits" (PP. 54 to 61) in "CAD21 result report of the fiscal year 1998" (TOKYO Institute of Technology CAD21 Research Body), for example. In this second prior art, with respect to the algorithm of so-called ZERO-SKEW CLOCK-TREE ROUTING, when a difference of clock timing exists between two flip-flops, cost is defined as the length of detour wiring needed for adjusting the delay difference and an increment in wiring length by connecting a flip-flop that is at remote distance but has a small difference of clock timing. Then, two flip-flops making this cost minimum are coupled. Herein, in the algorithm of ZERO-SKEW CLOCK-TREE ROUTING, two flip-flops located at the shortest distance are coupled, and then connected to a clock source pin that is at the distance shortest from a set of midpoints between the coupled flip-flops.

Design method and system for achieving a minimum machine cycle for semiconductor integrated circuits

Hitachi Information Technology Co., Ltd.


An absorber tower that is configured to progressively increase the flow of the flue gas therethrough. This is accomplished by reducing the cross-sectional area of the tower (either continuously or in steps) thereby forcing the gas to increase in velocity as it travels toward the exit conduit.

In typical flue gas desulfurization absorber towers, the tower configuration is columnar thereby resulting in a constant gas flow velocity therethrough. In general, the flue gas velocity only changes at the entrance to and the exit from the tower since such entrances and exits are typically much smaller in cross-section than the cross-section of the tower. Thus, through the reactive areas of the tower, the flue gas velocity remains constant, this velocity value being determined by the cross-section of the tower and the volume of the flue gas flowing therethrough (the design or selection of the cross-section or area of the tower, whether for circular or non-circular geometries being a function of the preferred rate of removal and the desired gas residence time).
However, recent studies have shown that the behavior of the slurry droplets sprayed within an absorber tower will vary depending on the flue gas velocity within the tower. Thus, their behavior will not be the same for all flue gas velocity values. For example, at a droplet mean diameter of from 1000 to 5000 microns and at a flow velocity of about 4-7 feet per second (FPS), the measured spray pressure drop within the tower is less than the pressure drop calculated from the spray nozzle momentum equation. At about 10 FPS, the difference between the measured pressure drop and the calculated pressure drop (this difference being termed "recovery") is virtually zero. Such low levels of recovery permit the droplets to fall under their own weight with the gas droplet contact time being controlled by the relative velocity of the droplet. However, above 10 FPS and dependent on droplet mean size, the measured pressure drop is greater than the calculated pressure drop (a positive recovery value) thereby resulting in the suspension of the droplets in the gas stream as indicated by the greater pressure differential across the spray zone. This suspension increases the contact time between the gas and the droplets.
Furthermore, at this greater flow rate (i.e. about 10 FPS and above), it was also observed that the spray around the spray header/nozzles was thicker or more dense than would normally occur around these headers at lower gas velocities dependent on the droplet mean diameter. In other words, a dense fog of spray droplets became suspended in and about the spray zone.
In addition to the above, data also shows that the removal efficiency of SO.sub.2 decreases progressively as the flue gas velocity within the tower increases. At about 4-10 FPS, the rate of loss in removal efficiency is fairly slow when compared to the rate of loss at velocities greater that about 10 FPS. However, operating at the preferred lower velocities for greater SO.sub.2 removal requires a larger volume absorber tower that will occupy more space at the plant or facility. Thus, operating an absorber tower at about 10 FPS has been deemed to be the most economic velocity from both a capital and operating cost viewpoint and from a SO.sub.2 removal viewpoint.
In absorber towers without a tray or other internal devices therein such as packing or another gas distribution device, any increase in flue gas velocity therethrough so as to accommodate an increase in flue gas volume will naturally result in an increase in system resistance along with a decrease in removal efficiency. In an effort to recoup this lost SO.sub.2 removal efficiency, the operators of the tower will generally either use additives, increase the amount of reagent or otherwise change the chemistry within the tower, or they may increase the liquid/gas ratio within the tower. These steps all result in higher pump power requirements and an increase in the pressure drop across the tower which, in turn, results in an increase in fan power.
In absorber towers having a tray therein, the use of the tray alone is known to have an advantage of from 20 to 35 units with respect to the liquid/gas ratio over spray towers without such a tray. Additionally, a tray tower (or a packed tower) creates a high efficiency removal region in which significant SO.sub.2 removal is achieved. Unfortunately, these tray tower designs incorporate additional system resistance due primarily to the tray itself. Such tray resistance generally comprises two separate elements, the first being the dry tray resistance which is due to the restriction in the flow area. This dry tray resistance does not contribute to the removal efficiency of the pollutants. The second component of tray resistance is the wet tray resistance which is due to the contact between the gas and the liquid layer, including the forth, upon the tray. Such wet tray resistance causes a pressure drop that does contribute to SO.sub.2 removal. Ideally, it would be preferable to increase the wet pressure drop without corresponding and substantial increases in the dry component of the tray resistance.
Consequently, as the flue gas velocity through the tower increases so as to accommodate an increase in flue gas volume, the considerable dry tray pressure drop across the tower also increases without any corresponding increase in SO.sub.2 removal efficiency. This increase in flue gas velocity in the tray tower generally results in higher system resistance that would not normally be found in an open spray tower or one without a tray. In order to regain such lost efficiency, the operators are oftentimes forced to also use additives or increase the liquid/gas ratio thereby also resulting in higher pump power requirements in addition to an increase in fan power needs.
It is thus an object of this invention to utilize such knowledge and configure an absorber tower that more closely conforms to the requirements needed to remove pollutants from a particular flue gas. One object of this invention is to use low gas velocities for the promotion of high removal rates in one region of the tower and to use higher flue gas velocities elsewhere within the tower where such higher velocities can be tolerated. Another object of this invention is to configure an absorber tower having the required amount of residence time at the desired velocity and then to progressively increase this flue gas velocity so as to both enhance SO.sub.2 removal and to boost or increase the passage of the flue gas through the tower thereby making the tower more efficient. Yet another object of this invention is to configure an absorber tower having a first flue gas velocity in the inlet zone and a second flue gas velocity at the spray zone. Still another object of this invention is to configure an absorber tower with yet a third flue gas velocity at the mist eliminators zone and possibly a fourth flue gas velocity at the exit from the tower. These and other objects and advantages of this invention will become obvious upon further investigation.

Scrubbing method and apparatus incorporating progressively increased gas velocity


According to this process, there is supplied to the passengers a first fraction of air enriched in oxygen from independent supply elements, in particular high pressure cylinders (16), during a descent phase of the aircraft between a normal cruising altitude and an intermediate re-routing altitude. There is moreover compressed air taken from a source of compressed air belonging to the aircraft, to produce (in 2) a second fraction of the air enriched in oxygen which is delivered to the passengers, at least during a phase of stabilized flight of the aircraft, adjacent the re-routing altitude, greater than 5,500 meters.

The present invention relates to a process and an installation for the distribution of air enriched in oxygen to the passengers of an aircraft, more particularly a commercial airliner.
During accidental depressurization of the cabin of an airplane, at high altitude, the occupants (passengers and crew) must rapidly inhale air enriched in oxygen, so as to avoid a condition of hypoxia, due to the abrupt decrease in the partial pressure of oxygen.
To this end, it is known to provide independent means, permitting supplying air enriched in oxygen. It can be high pressure cylinders, in which is stored pure oxygen. Alternatively, it can be produced by means of chemical oxygen generators.
The distribution of oxygen to the passengers, from supply means, takes place by means of masks. These latter permit a mixture of distributed oxygen and ambient air. Distribution is stopped when the aircraft regains a low altitude of about 3,000 meters, which is reached about 15 minutes from a beginning altitude of about 12,500 meters.
This known solution however has certain drawbacks.
In particular, given that, in the case of depressurization, the aircraft must necessarily regain a relatively low altitude, about 3,000 meters, it is indispensable to retain in the fuel tanks a supplemental fuel quantity. Thus, the consumption of the aircraft is increased at this low altitude, because of the greater air resistance. It will be easily be seen that the carrying of this supplemental fuel contributes to increasing the weight of the apparatus significantly.
The invention proposes to use a process for the distribution of air enriched in oxygen, permitting overcoming this drawback.

Process and installation for the distribution of air enriched in oxygen to passengers of an aircraft

L'Air Liquide-Societe Anonyme a Diretoire et Conseil de Surveillance pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges Claude


The present invention provides a fiber having a nano-order fiber diameter, which is produced by without a process of dehydration and cyclization by a heat treatment after fiber spinning and has excellent heat resistance and mechanical strength, and a non-woven fabric composed of the fiber, and discloses the polyamide-imide fiber and the non-woven fabric having an average fiber diameter of from 0.001 μm to 1 μm and also discloses the process for producing threrof. The present invention also provides a separator for an electronic component which has a high conductivity and a small separator thickness and is improved in safety during reflow soldering or short-circuiting, and discloses the separator composed of a non-woven fabric obtained by an electro-spinning method.

An aramide fiber and a polyimide fiber have been conventionally used primarily as a raw material in, for example, aerospace fields and electric fields due to the excellent heat resistance of these fibers. Specific examples of these fibers typically include a para-aramide fiber synthesized from terephthalic acid chloride and p-phenylenediamine, and a meta-aramide fiber synthesized from isophthalic acid chloride and m-phenylenediamine. However, these are produced by a so-called wet spinning method, in which a polymer is dissolved in an acidic solvent or the like, and the dissolved polymer is spun, extracted and then solidified. In this method, special equipments for solvent recovery, pollution prevention, or the like are required, and operations are very complicated.
Also, with regard to a polyimide fiber, a polyimide fiber for use in, for example, aerospace fields or electronic material fields (for example, JP-B-7-42611) and a polyimide non-woven fabric used as a heat resistant bag filter (for example, JP-A-9-52308) has been proposed. However, it is necessary that polyamide acid, an intermediate polymer, is heated to high temperature to be dehydrated and cyclized after fiber spinning and drawing of polyamide acid, there is a problem of not only high production cost but also strength reduction of a fiber due to voids generated after heating. Because of this problem, it is difficult to obtain a practicable nano-order polyimide fiber having high strength and heat resistance.
In batteries and capacitors, a separator is generally laminated between an anode electrode and a cathode electrode. The separator is one of important constituent materials to prevent a short circuit caused by contact of both electrodes. A porous separator is required so as to be provided with ionic conductivity. The separator is used in the form of a non-woven fabric, paper, film, membrane or the like made of such materials as natural fibers, synthetic fibers, glass fibers, synthetic resins or the like, according to each specification of various batteries and capacitors.
A non-woven fabric separator used in electronic components such as batteries and capacitors is produced by a dry production method in which an opened fiber aggregation is uniformly dispersed by a carding machine and the dispersed fibers are combined by thermal bonding or using a binder, or by a wet production method in which fibers as raw material are uniformly dispersed in water to form a paper by a paper machine (refer to, for example, "Latest Technologies of Functional Non-Woven Fabric (CMC Publishing Co., Ltd.), Chapter 14, JP-A-60-52, JP-A-61-232560, JP-A-62-283553 and JP-A-1-258358). However, the non-woven fabric produced by these methods is composed of fibers having a fiber diameter in the range of from several μm to tens of μm, and is therefore unsatisfactory for batteries having high energy density and high electromotive force which are currently desired. Also, because of a large fiber diameter, the obtained non-woven fabric is increased in pore diameter, which enhances the possibility of the occurrence of short circuit between electrodes. If the separator thickness is increased to prevent the occurrence of short circuit, it is difficult to coil the separator and obtain a small-sized and light-weight battery.
With regard to a separator using cellulose fibers of natural fibers as a main component, a non-woven fabric-like sheet is produced by papermaking cellulose fibers and then drying it under heating to remove water. However, it is difficult to improve electric conductivity because voids between fibers are decreased by the influence of surface tension of water when water is removed. In order to solve this problem, dissolving and removing a substance contained in the separator is conducted after the separator is formed, but the process is complicated, resulting in low productivity (for example, JP-A-2000-331663).
A separator of a porous film is produced by a drawing method using polyethylene or polypropylene as a raw material and a method in which an inorganic material is added, and the washing and dissolving using a detergent are conducted. However, the process is complicated and has insufficient safety during reflow soldering or short-circuiting because melting points of polyethylene and polypropylene are about 120° C. and 170° C., respectively.

Polyamide imide fiber, non-woven fabric composed of the fiber, process for manufacture of the non-woven fabric, and separator for electronic component


Four interdependent functional groups of biofactors and biomolecules are identified and formulations are defined which are comprised of their members. The active agents are demonstrated to be complementary in their physiological functions especially as these relate to endothelial biochemistry and physiology, hyperinsulinemia and, ultimately, to vascular health. The active components of the invention are selected for inclusion in precise combinations that reduce a variety of risks of vasculopathy in addition to reducing intraocular pressure. Widespread systemic improvement associated with local, optic nerve betterment of vascular health, reduces the risk of optic nerve atrophy with its accompanying visual field loss and potential blindness. The reduction of this maximizes the potential clinical therapeutic success of current medical, IOP-lowering, anti-glaucoma mediations.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention is in the field of pharmacology, and relates specifically to the pharmacological treatment of the chronic glaucomas of the eye.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Pertinent Anatomy of the Eye
The eye is a closed, fluid-filled environment divided into two segments separated by the crystalline lens. The anterior segment is bordered anteriorly by the arching, clear cornea and posteriorly by the anterior surface of the lens and the iris. The posterior segment is bordered in the front by the back surface of the lens and iris and posteriorly by the concave surface of the retinal lining of the globe. The only significant opening in this otherwise closed globe is through the retina in the distal back; the exit point of approximately 1 million bundled axonal nerves gathered from all points of the retina carrying their electrically digitized images for manipulation and display by the brain--our impression of this electrical activity is called vision. This opening for the bundled coaxial cable of nerves is called the optic nerve head and represents the weakest point in an otherwise very strong, inelastic globe. A locally dense, layered network of blood vessels supplies the optic nerve head and its health is almost totally dependent upon the oxygen delivered to it by this labyrinth of small vessels. These fine vessels are derived, in the main, from the short posterior ciliary arteries that arise from the ophthalmic artery. This particular vascular source for the eye is important when consideration is given to vascular reactions to vasoconstrictors and vasodilators such as endothelin-1 and nitric oxide (vide infra).
At the peripheral circumference of the posterior surface of the iris is a fringe of secretory cells (ciliary processes) which secrete a thin, watery fluid (aqueous fluid) at a relatively constant, though variable rate. This fluid passes through an intervening meshwork (trabecular meshwork) and then exits the eye through tiny openings into a collection channel that circles the interior periphery of the cornea concentric with the outer edge of the anterior iris (Schlemm's canal). The flow of aqueous fluid, therefore, originates in the periphery of the posterior chamber, washes forward around the crystalline lens through the pupil and exits through Schlemm's canal in the periphery of the anterior chamber.
Pertinent Physiology of the Eye
The eye is maintained in a homeostatic shape by a relatively stable intraocular pressure (IOP) which varies within a reasonably narrow range. This is true so long as the production of aqueous fluid by the ciliary processes remains equal to its exit through Schlemm's canal. However, should aqueous production outstrip aqueous outflow, the IOP increases. Because the eye is a closed, fluid-filled, minimally expansile organ, any hydraulic pressure increase in one part of the eye is transmitted equally throughout the eye.
So long as the availability of oxygen from the posterior ciliary arteries and the small optic nerve head arterioles remains adequate, the nerve head itself can tolerate relatively high levels of IOP. However, it is perhaps intuitively obvious that the ability of arterially-delivered oxygen to move efficiently from the red blood cells of terminal arterioles, through the arteriolar wall and into the oxygen-dependent tissues of the optic nerve head, is at least partially dependent upon the difference between the intravascular oxygen pressure and the extravascular pressure countering its diffusion. Thus, if the intraocular pressure of the globe which compresses the outside of the arterioles is higher than the oxygen diffusion pressure driving oxygen through the arteriole into the surrounding tissues, decreasing amounts of oxygen will reach the optic nerve head and nerve disability will result. Over a variable period of time this chronic, local vascular disability results in atrophy, progressive functional death of the nerve, visual field defects and blindness.
Similarly, if the vessels which carry blood to the nerve head are unable to provide sufficient volumes of blood, and thus oxygen, to the optic nerve or have structural barriers to oxygen diffusion, then even in an environment of normal or "low" intraocular or extravascular pressure (<21 mm Hg.), local tissues will be oxygen deprived and optic nerve dysfunction or atrophy will follow. These arteriolar deficiencies may occur because of vasoconstriction secondary to generalized or localized microvascular dysregulation, or in conjunction with arteriolar muscular hypertrophy (perhaps as a result of chronic spasm), atherosclerotic luminal reduction, changes in the viscosity or laminar flow patterns of the arterial blood, or in either essential or iatrogenic systemic hypotension. Interestingly, there is significant evidence that "low" or normotensive glaucoma patients do indeed have reduced optic nerve head blood flow
Clearly if the intraocular pressure is elevated and the vascular ability to provide sufficient volumes of blood is compromised, the danger of optic nerve head failure is greatly increased.
Chronic Glaucoma--The Disease
Glaucoma in various guises affects a large segment of the public. It is estimated that 2% to 2.5% of the population over the age of 40 has chronic open angle glaucoma (COAG), sometimes, synonymously, referred to as Primary Open Angle Glaucoma (POAG). In this disease, there is no major structural obstruction to aqueous access to the outflow trabeculum, but there is increased resistance to aqueous transit through the trabeculum to Schlemm's canal. This is the most common form of glaucoma.
Smaller but additive segments of the population suffer from other types of chronic glaucoma: pigmentary glaucoma, angle recession glaucoma, pseudoexfoliative glaucoma and combined (mixed) mechanism glaucoma.
Although, as noted, there are several forms of the disease, all incorporate a limited number of common features, the most disastrous of which is an ultimate failure of the optic nerve leading to complete blindness. Except for some less common varieties of glaucoma, this failure usually involves asymptomatic, slowly progressive visual field loss over a very long period of years and, as a result, the patient is frequently unaware of the disease. All too often the diagnosis is made after much damage to the optic nerve has occurred and some irreversible loss of vision has taken place.
Normal IOP is given as 18 mm. Hg. Elevated IOP is classically defined as pressure over 21 to 24 mm. Hg.
Because optic nerve damage is known to occur in patients with chronically elevated or, less frequently, acutely elevated IOP, present treatment methods concentrate on reducing this easy-to-measure, objective clinical finding by the application of a variety of modalities: topical eyedrops, oral medications, intravenous medications, surgical procedures, laser phototherapy, etc. While each of these treatment approaches may function differently, they are all focused upon the reduction of pressure inside the eye and rely upon this pressure fall to prevent optic nerve damage. In some cases the therapy attempts to reduce the production of aqueous fluid by the ciliary processes, in other cases therapy attempts to increase the outflow of aqueous fluid through Schlemm's canal.
For some patients this approach is adequate and effective. However, the effectiveness of each of these treatments has a place on a treatment continuum which runs from total ineffectiveness and progressive optic atrophy and eventual blindness, to an arrest of the disease, complete cessation or prevention of further optic nerve failure and preservation of vision.
This treatment solution, however, is complicated by two facts:
a. Some patients develop progressive and seemingly irreversible optic nerve failure and visual loss in the face of normal IOP or lower than normal IOP (sometimes very much lower). These states are referred to as "normotensive glaucoma" or "low tension glaucoma". PA1 b. Although optic nerve failure does in fact occur in patients with elevated IOP, not everyone who has IOP elevation develops optic nerve failure; in fact, most patients with higher than normal IOP do not develop optic nerve failure or visual field loss and by definition, do not suffer from glaucoma. In spite of this, many of them receive pressure-lowering medications as treatment for their "glaucoma". PA1 a. The microglial ganglion cells which are necessary for the functional health of the retinal axons traversing the optic disc; and PA1 b. the transiting axonic neurons themselves and their dependency upon a healthy oxygen environment and adequate axoplasmic flow. PA1 As one example: LDL3, the densest of the three LDL subfractions, shows statistically significant lower levels of CoQ10, a condition which is associated with higher hydroperoxide levels when compared with the lighter counterparts. After CoQ10 supplementation, although all three LDL subfractions increase their CoQ10 levels, LDL3 responds with the greatest and is associated with a significant decrease in hydroperoxide level. These results support the hypothesis that the CoQ10 endowment in subfractions of LDL lessens their oxidizability. PA1 a. Arg is the amino acid L-arginine or bis-L,arginine; PA1 b. M is a metal ion taken from, Mg.sup.+2, Cu.sup.+2 or Zn.sup.+2 ; PA1 c. X is an anion taken from the group including hydroxides, halides, sulfates, acetates, ascorbates or bis-ascorbic acid salts. PA1 a. A is cysteine, acetylcysteine, NAC, MPG or OTC; PA1 b. M is a metal ion taken from the metallic cations contemplated by this invention: PA1 c. X is an anion taken from the group including hydroxides, halides, sulfates, phosphates, acetates, ascorbates or bis-ascorbic acid salts. PA1 a. A is LA or TA; PA1 b. M is a metal ion taken from, Mg.sup.+2, Cu.sup.+2, Zn.sup.+2 or Se.sup.+2 ; PA1 c. X is an anion taken from the group including hydroxides, halides, sulfates, phosphates, acetates, ascorbates or bis-ascorbic acid salts. PA1 a. A is LA or TA, PA1 b. M is a metal ion taken from Mg.sup.+2, Cu.sup.+2, Zn.sup.+2 or Se.sup.+2 ; PA1 c. X is an anion taken from the group including hydroxides, halides, sulfates, phosphates, acetates or ascorbates or bis-ascorbic acid salts. PA1 a. A is 2,N-thioctylarginine (2NTA), 2,N-thioctylcysteine (2NTCy), 2,N-thioctyllysine (2NTL), 2,N-thioctyltaurine (2NTT); PA1 b. M is a metal ion taken from Mg.sup.+2, Cu.sup.+2, Zn.sup.+2 or Se.sup.+2 ; PA1 c. X is an anion taken from the group including hydroxides, halides, sulfates, phosphates, acetates or ascorbates or bis-ascorbic acid salts, PA1 a. A is 2,N-thioctylarginine (2NTA), 2,N-thioctylcysteine (2NTCy), 2,N-thioctyllysine (2NTL), 2,N-thioctyltaurine (2NTT); PA1 b. M is a metal ion taken from Mg.sup.+2, Cu.sup.+2, Zn.sup.+2 or Se.sup.+2 ; PA1 c. X is an anion taken from the group including hydroxides, halides, sulfates, phosphates, acetates or ascorbates or bis-ascorbic acid salts.
Clearly, factors other than IOP level influence the clinical outcome for a large group of individuals. Currently attention is focusing upon a primary alternative: hypovascularity of the optic nerve head and loss of the vascular integrity of the optic nerve resulting in glial collapse, ganglion cell apoptosis and progressive neural atrophy with visual loss. Unfortunately, local optic nerve vascular inadequacy in the face of low IOP ("low tension" glaucoma) may result in clinical results just as damaging as those which appear in the presence of "high tension" glaucoma. Conversely, a recognizably large majority of patients with adequate optic nerve vascular integrity, even in the face of an elevated IOP, do not have progressive optic nerve damage.
A second potential variable, which may influence the clinical outcome, is hypoxic interference with retrograde axoplasmic flow within the neural axons from retinal ganglion cells to the occipital cortex. The variable ability of these axonal fibrils to continue adequate axoplasmic flow in the face of reduced oxygen availability also helps explain the variable survivability of the nerve head independent of IOP levels. It also highlights an additional functional activity of the optic nerve that is potentially sensitive to local oxygen saturation levels.
Ocular Microvascular Regulation
A balanced biochemistry of nitric oxide (NO) and endothelin-1 (ET-1) mediate local ocular blood flow and many facets of systemic vascular autoregulation.
NO is a highly soluble gas formed within endothelial cells by the action of the constitutive enzyme nitric oxide synthetase (eNOS). NO activates guanylate cyclase and increases guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) within the vascular musculature. cGMP produces relaxation and dilatation of the vessel. NO is the most powerful vascular dilator known, excepting histamine. It also may have powerful, less vascular specific and more generalized smooth muscle relaxing abilities; in this regard it would participate in the relaxation of the contractile trabecular elements of the eye and increase of aqueous outflow. An increase of aqueous outflow results in a decrease in IOP. However, levels of NO in the trabecular region of eyes of glaucoma patients are lower than in the eyes of non-glaucoma patients; this may be the effect of an inappropriate variation in the promoter region of the eNOS gene which has been found in glaucoma patients. Additionally, aging and atherosclerosis of the vascular endothelium reduce the latter's ability to produce NO because of reduced local levels of eNOS.
ET-1 is also formed within and secreted by endothelial cells. ET-1 reacts with local receptors on smooth muscle cells to produce a powerful and long-lasting vasoconstriction. ET-1 is particularly released by aged or unhealthy endothelial cells, e.g., in the presence of atherosclerosis or in the presence of locally-bound, collections of endothelial leukocytes or platelets, etc. The smooth muscle contraction produced by ET-1 strongly opposes the relaxation properties of NO and, as a result, trabecular contraction is stimulated, resistance to aqueous outflow is increased and IOP increases. At the same time this pressure increase is occurring, vasoconstriction of the small vessels of the optic nerve occurs, local hypoxia ensues and a course is set for optic nerve atrophy. Aqueous levels of ET-1 are elevated in glaucomatous eyes. Induced elevations of aqueous ET-1 levels produce optic nerve collapse.
This balance between NO and ET-1 mediates the autoregulation of blood flow within the optic nerve and the peripheral circulation. Interestingly, the vascular reactivity of the peripheral circulation to ET-1 is much more pronounced in glaucoma patients than in non-glaucomatous subjects and is particularly elevated in low tension glaucoma patients.
Exposure of patients to vasodilating stimuli or to calcium channel blockers has resulted in an improvement of the glaucomatous visual field. This is understandable since vascular endothelial production of ET-1 is dependent upon cytosolic calcium influx via transmembrane calcium channels. Calcium channel blockade reduces this calcium influx and reduces the production of ET-1. A reduction of IOP has been observed as a side effect in glaucoma patients using calcium channel blockers for systemic hypertension. However, prescribing therapeutic doses of calcium channel blockers to non-hypertensive glaucoma patients subjects the optic nerve to a risk of hypoxia secondary to iatrogenic hypotension and produces gross, unstable perturbations of cellular calcium fluxes (vide infra, Calcium Wave Modulation).
Ocular Vascular Disease
Ocular vascular diseases can exist in a variety of forms and result in a variety of pathological clinical conditions. All are associated with a reduction of oxygen delivery to surrounding, dependent tissues. In the optic nerve there are two tissues particularly vulnerable to hypoxia:
A reduction in optic nerve oxygen delivery may follow acute or chronic, segmental or widespread, vascular spasm or prolonged vasoconstriction secondary to a physical, or functional, reduction in the vascular lumen. This luminal reduction may be caused by or associated with hypertrophy of the vascular muscle wall (the media), the accumulation of atherosclerotic plaque, platelet agglutination, disturbed laminar flow or local inflammatory swelling and leukocytic accumulation. Any and all of these findings often occur with simple aging or in association with other systemic disease: diabetes, hypertension, dyslipogenesis, hyperinsulinemia, arteriosclerosis, thyroid disease, etc. Although vascular insufficiency at specific tissue sites is widely variable and not predictable with certainty, the fact that most COAG patients are over 50 years old makes the frequency of these risk factors and the frequency of vascular insufficiency, high in this clinical group. Any proposed therapy should attempt to reduce the negative influences of the above risk factors and reduce local optic nerve head vascular insufficiency, in addition to lowering the IOP. For example: A therapeutic reduction of those endothelial abnormalities which contribute to specific or generalized risk factors which compromise local vascular integrity, will reduce the potential for glaucomatous optic nerve failure where microvascular dysregulation is significant. If this reduction of vascular risk factors is united with a reduction in aqueous production or outflow resistance, the combined effects of a well-oxygenated, more pressure-resistant nerve head and reduced IOP will further decrease the potential for optic atrophy and blindness.
Glaucoma--Biochemistry of Present Treatment
Current non-surgical treatments of COAG are based upon a limited number of biochemical approaches and focus exclusively upon reducing IOP:
a. Enzyme poisons--representatives of this group are most frequently carbonic anhydrase inhibitors. Carbonic anhydrase is an enzyme found in the ciliary processes and is required by them in their production of aqueous humor from blood. The members of this group are usually administered in tablet dosage forms. Besides the development of renal stones, potassium loss is a constant concern, especially in patients using digitalis derivatives. New, topical forms of this group have appeared as eyedrops. However, carbonic anhydrase activity is also present in the cytoplasm of corneal endothelial cells. The long-term corneal effects of this form of these medications are unknown. To avoid systemic reactions, patients with sulfonamide allergies should not use these drugs.
b. Parasympathomimetics--pilocarpine-containing compounds are particularly widely prescribed and act by causing pupillary constriction. As the pupil constricts, the relational anatomy of the peripheral iris and the filtering trabeculum causes the openings in the trabeculum to enlarge; thus, mechanical resistance to the outflow of aqueous is reduced as the summed area of the openings is increased. These agents are delivered in eyedrop dosage forms. Frequent side effects include headache from iris spasm, decreased night vision from miosis and blurred vision in myopes especially.
c. Beta-blocking agents--this very widely used group of drugs block the beta-adrenergic sympathetic rete responsible for increased vascular flow to the ciliary processes and, thus, indirectly reduce the production of aqueous humor. They also increase aqueous outflow through the trabeculum by methods that are less clearly defined. These agents are delivered in eyedrop dosage forms but must be used with great caution in patients with low blood pressure (orthostatic hypotension), sinus bradycardia or second/third degree heart block (severe bradycardia), obstructive pulmonary disease or bronchial asthma (acute bronchospasm) and diabetes (masking of hypoglycemia). They result in impotency in a significant number of men. There is contested evidence that ocular beta-blocking agents generally reduce blood flow to the posterior segment of the eye; some products are stated to have less significant bronchospastic side effects than others.
d. Topical prostaglandin analogs--this very new group of anti-inflammatory eyedrops presumably reduces IOP by increasing the outflow of aqueous through the trabeculum by widening the intra-trabecular space and, perhaps, by reducing platelet aggregation. Their use is associated with progressive and possibly permanent change in iris color to brown and some embryocidal outcomes in laboratory animals. Women of reproductive age and nursing women should avoid their use.
All of these treatment modes have significant and unavoidable, potential or demonstrable, local or systemic side effects or toxicities that directly contraindicate their use, reduce patient compliance or are worrisomely interactive with other systemic pharmaceuticals. These side effects may be serious even with conjunctival delivery by eyedrop dosage forms. Nevertheless, these medicaments represent today's entire medical armamentarium for the treatment of glaucoma.

Dosage forms for the treatment of the chronic glaucomas


A portable abdominal exercise mat apparatus is disclosed comprising, in one embodiment, an elongate, flexible mat having a relatively rigid elongate handle portion engaged at one end of the mat, the apparatus being sized and configured for providing adequate support for a user's back, neck and head while the user performs a wide range of abdominal exercises. In further embodiments, the handle portion is configured for removably accepting a variety of attachment accessories, some of which are designed to allow the user to selectively add resistance to their abdominal exercises. Other attachment accessories allow the user to perform various non-abdominal exercises using the apparatus. When the apparatus is not being used, it can be easily rolled up or laid flat for storage or transport with very little space or weight requirements.

1. Field of the Invention
Aspects of this invention relate generally to a novel exercise mat, and more particularly to a portable abdominal exercise mat apparatus configured for providing adequate support for a user's back, neck and head while the user performs a wide range of abdominal exercises.
2. Description of Related Art
As is known in the art, one of the most frequently recommended exercises for strengthening and building a person's abdominal muscles is called a crunch. A crunch begins with a person lying on a stable surface, such as a floor or mat, with their knees up, feet on the floor, and hands crossed over their chest or lightly touching the back of their head. From this position, the person raises their upper torso approximately eight inches off the floor while keeping their lower back and torso in contact with the floor. Performing crunches is a simple and effective abdominal exercise, which essentially requires no equipment. However, studies have found that performing crunches over time leads to neck and lower back pain. Abdominal exercise devices have been designed to reduce these potential pains, as well as allow a user to perform abdominal exercises more precisely and efficiently. Thus, the concept of abdominal exercise devices is very well known.
The following art defines the present state of this field:
U.S. Pat. No. 5,009,417, issued on Apr. 23, 1991 to Sarkozi, discloses a portable exercise device for strengthening abdominal muscles which can be operated by an individual exercising on a mattress and box spring, or the like combination, without requiring additional assistance during the exercise routine. The device may be easily unfolded for use, and following use, it may be refolded and conveniently stored. The device at one end is folded for securement between the mattress and the box spring, and unfolds and overlays the upper portion of the mattress for use by the individual. The device is adapted to fold and conform with the user's bent ankles, knees and hips, and these folds correspond to the fold lines for folding and unfolding the device. Foot securement means are employed to stabilize the user's feet, and this eliminates the need for assistance during the exercise program. The device at the opposite end lies on the mattress and includes a sheet material upon which the user rests, and the weight of the user on the sheet anchors the device on the mattress and prevents it from slipping or becoming displaced during use.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,577,987, issued on Nov. 26, 1996 to Brown, discloses an abdominal exerciser device made of a one piece skeletal frame. The frame defines a pair of support rails, a pair of arcuate rocker portions, a pair of arm rest portions and an arch-shaped portion connecting the support rails together. Removable cushions are disposed on the arm rest portions to receive the elbows of the user when in a supine position. The head and neck of a user are supported on a head rest which is secured to the arch-shaped portion. The rocker portions are curved on a circular arc to mimic the curvature of the spine of the user.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,697,874, issued on Dec. 16, 1997 to Abelbeck, discloses an abdominal exercise device that includes a pair of arm portions for the user to grasp, a head rest and support attached thereto, the support being attached to the arm portions, an extension portion extending from each arm portion and a curved radius on the other end thereof. The curved radius being received by a segmented track, the proximal end of the track being fixed to the extension portions such that when a person lies face up between the extension portions with their head on the head rest and pulls down on the arm portions, contracting the abdominal muscles and rolling the curved radius along the track picking up same, the abdominal muscles are worked and the instantaneous center of rotation of the articulating vertebrae are in proper alignment with the instantaneous rotation of the device. This guides the body in a proper sit up movement working the abdominal muscles while the head and neck are constantly supported by the head rest. A pelvis support can be fixed to the distal end of each of the tracks thereby offering and maintaining proper placement of the body to the machine, protecting the tail bone from injury from a hard floor and placing the pelvis in slight posterior rotation, reducing lower back stress during the movement.
U.S. Design Pat. No. D390,288, issued on Feb. 3, 1998 to Fingleson et al., discloses an ornamental design for an abdominal exercise mat.
U.S. Design Pat. No. D430,627, issued on Sep. 5, 2000 to Bergman, discloses an ornamental design for an exercise mat.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,322,485, issued on Nov. 27, 2001 to Marrero, discloses a portable abdominal exercising mat including a mat portion defined by an upper panel and a lower panel. The upper panel and the lower panel each have an inner surface, an outer surface, an upper edge, a lower edge, and opposed side edges. The lower edge of the upper panel and the upper edge of the lower panel are foldably coupled whereby the mat portion in an extended orientation has the opposed side edges of the upper and lower panels linearly aligned. The outer surface of the upper panel has a gaming board printed thereon.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,663,537, issued on Dec. 16, 2003 to McCoy, discloses a non-slip exercise mat for use on multiple surfaces including at least one layer of material having a top surface, a bottom surface, and side surfaces. The mat also includes systems for removably securing the mat to carpeted surfaces and for preventing the mat from slipping on non-carpeted surfaces. Both systems can be joined with the bottom surface or joined on opposite surfaces of the mat. The mat may include shock absorbing materials as well as texturized, slip-resistant materials. The sides of the mat may be beveled. The mat may also include a cover for the system for removably securing the mat to carpeted surfaces.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,172,540, issued on Feb. 6, 2007 to Nguyen, discloses a portable exercise device for use in abdominal strengthening and toning in conjunction with a supporting component. The supporting structure can be a bed frame and the supporting component is usually the bed frame's transverse bar. The portable exercise device can be operated while lying on the bed, and includes bonded members: a first end, a body, and a second end. The first end is designed to hook to the support structure. The second end is designed to be place on a floor and is linked by two bar members that hook the user's feet in place. The body is a bar built between the first and second ends to secure the device.
Many of the known prior art devices, while effective at targeting a user's abdominal muscles, are relatively large and expensive, and are thus primarily available only at commercial fitness centers. Smaller, less expensive personal devices have been designed to solve these problems, allowing a user to exercise in the comfort of their home or office or other such location.
Many of these prior art personal devices essentially comprise a skeletal frame having a rockered portion and a head rest, whereby the user operates the device on a stable surface, such as a floor, and the rockered portion assists the user in performing a crunch. While these personal devices typically provide a head rest, they fail to provide adequate neck and back support. Furthermore, when these devices are used on hard surfaces, a padded mat is usually required in order to exercise comfortably.
A still further disadvantage of these personal devices is that while some are sufficiently compact to be used in a relatively small area, such as the user's home or office, they still typically require a considerable amount of space when they are being stored or transported and so are not easily portable. The Fingleson et al. device attempts to solve this problem by providing an abdominal exercise mat that can presumably be rolled up when not in use. However, the Fingleson et al. device shares further disadvantages with the prior art as discussed below.
A still further disadvantage of these personal devices is that they are typically designed to only allow the user to perform a standard crunch, which primarily strengthens only the rectus abdominis muscles. Thus, the user is typically unable to easily perform other types of crunches in order to strengthen the other abdominal muscles, such as the oblique muscles.
A still further disadvantage of these personal devices is the fact that most operate solely on gravitational resistance. In other words, users are unable to selectively increase or decrease the amount of resistance applied in performing a crunch.
Thus, while the prior art described above teaches various types of abdominal exercise devices, it fails to teach a portable abdominal exercise mat that comprises a flexible mat having a relatively rigid elongate handle portion engaged at one end of the mat. Aspects of the present invention fulfill these needs and provide further related advantages as described in the following summary.


A system comprises a transmitter configured to receive at least one message that corresponds to at least one set of data received from at least one user. The transmitter includes a modulating device that is configured to generate at least one signal that corresponds to the received message, wherein the signal includes at least one sequence of a plurality of hopping patterns. A receiver is coupled to the transmitter, wherein the receiver is configured to receive the signal. The receiver includes a demodulating device that is configured to identify the sequence of the hopping patterns and to determine at least one variable that corresponds to the sequence of the hopping patterns. The demodulating device is further configured to generate at least one output that is based on the determined variable, wherein the output is displayed such that at least one other user is enabled to view the output.

The embodiments described herein relate generally to systems that facilitate communication of data, such as the communication of data in satellite communication systems.
At least some known systems, such as satellite communication systems, include the transmission of data using signals between, for example, a ground station and a satellite that may be in orbit. During communication, the signals may be altered from various inference resulting in distorted signals. Such distortions may inhibit the accuracy of the data that is being communicated within the system. At least some known systems and methods are used for substantially reducing the effect of interference. Such known systems and methods can involve the use of a total bandwidth that does not include the interferers, by identifying and then removing the interferers from where and/or when they are resident. For example, some methods utilize spread spectrum techniques or signal excision techniques based on the determination of spectral occupancy, followed by excision or avoidance of the interfering signal(s). To perform both of these techniques, additional bandwidth may be required. In at least some known techniques involving frequency hopping or direct sequence spread spectrum, the signal is transmitted across the entire bandwidth, regardless of the location of the interference. An additional known method used is to identify the interfering signals to sufficient fidelity that they can be isolated, reconstructed, and/or extracted.
However, such known techniques cannot be used in some types of applications. For example, some cases involve long propagation delays or significantly different radio environments that are observed by the transmitter and receiver. Such delays or different environments make it difficult to relay sufficiently accurate information to enable such techniques to be effective. Therefore, in these instances, for example, the adaptive nature of cognitive radios cannot be effectively utilized. Moreover, with reconstruction and extraction of interfering signals, it may not be feasible to have sufficient knowledge of the characteristics of the interference source. In addition, at least some of the known techniques identified above may reduce the overall data and/or may require additional signal power beyond that which is needed for communications.

Systems and methods for use in communicating data


A smoke detector adapted for installation within a bracket of a ceiling downlight; the smoke detector comprising a lower body portion adapted for engagement with said bracket, and an upper body portion extending upwardly from said lower portion.

In many jurisdictions it is now a requirement that new buildings, both domestic and commercial, be fitted with smoke detectors. Typically, these devices are housed in a generally plastic enclosure and attached to ceilings in strategic locations within the building.
Although not large, such devices by their bulk, colour and projection below the plane of the ceiling to which they are attached, produce a jarring detraction from the aesthetics of the room in which they are positioned. For this reason, there is a tendency to locate such detectors in a least intrusive position, rather than the optimum position for detection, which generally speaking, is central to the room.
It is an object of the present invention to address or at least ameliorate some of the above disadvantages.


A bone member fastener for closing a craniotomy includes a cap and a base interconnected by a narrow cylindrical collar. The cap has an externally threaded stud that screws into an internally threaded bore of the collar, thereby allowing the cap and base to be brought into clamping engagement against the internal and external faces of a bone plate and surrounding bone. In a particularly disclosed embodiment, the base of the fastener is placed below a craniotomy hole with the collar projecting into the hole, and the stud of the cap is screwed into the bore of the base from above the hole to clamp a bone flap against the surrounding cranium. This device provides a method of quickly and securely replacing a bone cover into a craniotomy. The distance between the cap and base can be selected by how far the threaded stud of the cap is advanced into the internally threaded collar. The fastener is therefore adaptable for use in several regions of the skull having various thicknesses. An insertion tool with a long handle permits safe and convenient placement of the base between the brain and the internal face of the bone plate. Some disclosed embodiments of the fastener have a cap and base that conform to the curved surface of the skull, for example by having an arcuate shape or flexible members that conform to the curvature of the bone plate and surrounding cranial bone as the fastener is tightened.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a fastener for securing a bone plate to surrounding bone, for example when replacing a portion of the cranial vault removed during a craniotomy for a neurosurgical procedure. The invention also relates to an instrument for securing two threaded members to each other. The instrument may be used during neurosurgical procedures, or as a mechanical tool in many other contexts.
2. General Discussion of the Background
A craniotomy is a surgical procedure in which a portion of the cranial vault is removed or folded back in a flap to permit surgical access to the cranial contents (such as the brain). To perform the craniotomy, several burr holes are drilled through the skull. The number and position of these holes varies depending on the shape of bone to be removed. For example, three burr holes are drilled at corner points if a triangular bone flap is desired. The burr holes are then connected by osteotomy cuts, for example using a Gigli flexible saw which is passed internally between the burr holes. The saw is then oscillated back and forth to cut the skull along a line of separation (defined by the connecting osteotomies) connecting adjoining burr holes. The bone cover is subsequently lifted off the underlying dura mater to expose the brain. The bone cover may either be completely removed from the surgical site, or folded back in a flap along an uncut edge of the flap.
After completion of the operation, the bone cover must again be fixed in its original position to protect the underlying brain. Conventional craniotomy closure requires that holes be drilled in the bone plate and surrounding cranium along the osteotomy lines, and stainless steel wire or silk sutures are then passed through the holes to retain the plate in place. Unfortunately, drilling the holes is time consuming and potentially dangerous, because of the risk of introducing infection. The sutures are also unstable and prone to breakage. Suture instability or breakage can lead to dangerous movements of the cranial plate against the brain, with pathologic sequelae similar to a depressed skull fracture. The sutures closing the osteotomy lines are not aesthetically pleasing, because they can leave irregularities in the overlying surface of the face or scalp. This irregularity is particularly unsightly if the surface of the bone plate is not held substantially co-planar with the surrounding bone.
Various fixtures have previously been proposed for securing the bone cover to the surrounding cranium. U.S. Pat. No. 5,201,737 discloses a flexible plate having a plurality of vanes with holes for receiving bone screws. The plate is placed over a cranial burr hole and adjoining osteotomy lines to provide external fixation of the bone cover to the surrounding cranium.
Other external bone plates are shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,651,724; U.S. Pat. No. 4,923,471; U.S. Pat. No. 5,139,497 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,372,498. All of these plates are designed for external application to fractured bones, and require placement of a plurality of screws through the plates. As with the plate in U.S. Pat. No. 5,201,737 discussed above, placement of multiple screws through the plates is time consuming, predisposes to catastrophic infection, and is difficult to remove once in place.
A variety of fixation devices are also known for fusing fractured bones. An example of such a device is U.S. Pat. No. 2,511,051, in which an externally threaded stud screws into an internally threaded shank. Movement of the stud into the shank is guided by an hexagonal wrench that is inserted through the shank into a countersunk receptacle on the tip of the threaded stud.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,875,936 shows an attachment for replacing a trochanteric head to the femur by providing a barbed shear washer between the femur and trochanteric head. U.S. Pat. No. 5,098,433 uses a winged compression bolt for fusing fractured bones. U.S. Pat. No. 5,196,016 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,433,719 discloses fixation pins or screws for retaining bone fragments against one another.
In spite of the use of a variety of fasteners in orthopedic and neurosurgical procedures, improved techniques are still being sought to secure a cranial cover to the surrounding cranium following a craniotomy. Improved methods and devices for securing the fasteners to the skull are also disclosed.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a fastener that is especially suitable for closure of craniotomies.
Yet another object is to provide such a fastener that can be quickly and efficiently installed, and which is capable of easy removal in the event that subsequent intracranial access is required for another neurosurgical procedure.
Yet another object of the invention is to provide such a fastener that avoids the aesthetic drawbacks of prior fasteners, such as large indentations in skin overlying the craniotomy.
It is another object of the invention to provide such a fastener, and an instrument for manipulating the fastener, that allows it to be easily inserted and removed, yet which provides a potentially permanent and reliable fixation of the cranial cover, thereby avoiding the potentially catastrophic neurological consequences that can result from dislodgement or depression of the cranial cover.
Finally, it is an object of the invention to provide an instrument that is useful for engaging first and second members to each other, particularly when the engagement must occur on opposite surfaces, and one of the surfaces is not easily accessible.
These and other objects are achieved by the bone cover fastener of the present invention, which has internal and external fastening members. At least one of the fastening members has a conforming surface that conforms to a curved surface, such as the inside surface of the cranial vault. In other embodiments, both the internal and external fastening members have conforming surfaces, such that a surface of the internal fastener conforms to the internal surface of the cranium, while the external fastener also has a surface that conforms to the external surface of the cranium.
In one embodiment, there is a connector on the internal fastening member and a connector on the external fastening member, and the connectors cooperatively hold the internal and external fastening members in a fixed relationship that fixes the bone cover in a defect from which the bone plate has been removed. The conforming surface may be a curved surface of the internal fastening member that seats against the inner face of the cranium. In particularly disclosed embodiments, the internal and external fastening members are curved plates that respectively conform to the internal and external curvature of the skull. Alternatively, the conforming surface may be provided by flexible struts that deform into a curved configuration as the fastener is tightened.
In other embodiments, a tab is provided on one of the fastening members to prevent relative rotation between the fastening member and the cranium. In particular, the tab is a relatively flat member that extends away from the internal fastening member a sufficient distance to be retained between the bone plate and the remaining cranium. The tab is sufficiently thin that it fits within the gap between the bone plate and surrounding cranium. When the external fastening member is rotated relative to the internal fastening members to interconnect threaded connectors, rotation of the internal fastening member is opposed by the tab which is retained within the gap formed by the cranial osteotomy incision.
One of the connectors may be an elongated, externally threaded stud that projects from the first fastening member, while the second connector may be an elongated internally threaded collar that projects from the second fastening member. The stud is rotationally threaded into the collar, with the collar extending between the fastening members. The collar fits through the burr hole of a craniotomy incision, and each fastening member is wider than the collar and the burr hole to provide clamping surfaces above and below the burr hole that engage the internal and external surfaces of the bone cover and surrounding cranium. Screwing the threaded stud into the internally threaded collar brings the opposing fastening members closer together, and tightens them against the internal and external surfaces of the bone cover and surrounding cranium. The fastening members overlap margins of the burr hole and adjoining osteotomy lines to securely fix the bone cover to the surrounding bone.
In a disclosed embodiment, one of the fastening members is a base which includes a disc having a flat inner face and a flat outer face. A plurality of raised barbs extend from the inner face of the base to provide frictional engagement between the disc and bone. The other fastening member is a cap with an outer face that may be flat or convex, and a recess is provided in the outer face for engaging a drive member that rotates the cap. An externally threaded stud projects from an inner face of the base and an internally threaded collar projects from an inner face of the cap. The stud is approximately as long as the collar. The stud may be screwed partially or entirely into the collar, depending on the thickness of the bone cover. Hence the fastener has the versatility to be used in different locations of the skull, where bone thickness varies.
The fastener is used in a method for fixing a bone plate, such as a cranial cover, in a bone defect, such as a craniotomy opening. The bone plate has opposing internal and external surfaces that are to be held in position substantially co-planar with internal and external surfaces of surrounding bone. The method provides the steps of placing the base and cap of the fastening member on opposing internal and external surfaces of the bone plate, with the collar projecting into the hole, and a portion of the base and a portion of the cap overlapping the border of the junction between the bone plate and surrounding bone. The base and cap are then rotated into threaded engagement with one another, until the cap and base tightly engage opposing surfaces of the bone plate and surrounding bone to clamp the bone plate in place. In particularly preferred embodiments, the fastener is placed through a craniotomy burr hole, with the cap and base covering and closing the burr hole.
In yet another embodiment of the invention, a fastening instrument is provided to secure first and second members to each other. The instrument includes a sleeve, a shaft or rod that slides within the sleeve, an attachment mechanism on the sleeve for engaging the first member to the instrument, and an engagement structure on the shaft that engages the second member and pulls it into engagement with the first member. In more particular embodiments, the sleeve includes a handle extending out from the sleeve, and the rod includes a handle that allows the rod to be rotated and reciprocated relative to the sleeve. There is a threaded tip on the rod that engages an internally threaded collar of the first member to screw the first and second member to be moved into engagement with each other.
In a more particular embodiment, the instrument includes a sleeve that has a handle (such as a rod or disc) extending from the sleeve. A rod slides within the sleeve, and has a threaded tip at a distal end of the rod, and a handle (such as a disc or curved hand grip) near a proximal end of the rod. The handle extends perpendicularly to the rod, and allows an operator to both rotate the rod and move the rod axially within the sleeve. A distal tip of the sleeve that surrounds the threaded rod has a plurality of locking members or prongs that extend from the tip of the sleeve and fit into complementary receptacles on one of the fasteners to lock the fastener to the tip of the sleeve, for example by frictional engagement of the prongs to one of the fasteners.
The instrument is designed to engage two threaded fasteners to each other. The fastener includes a cap and a base, and a receptacle in the cap that engages the prongs on the sleeve to lock the cap to the sleeve. The cap also includes an opening through which the rod can slide. The base of the fastener includes a post having both internal and external threads, and the threaded tip of the rod has threads that are complementary to the internal threads of the post. The cap has a collar with internal threads that are complementary to the external threads on the post.
The fasteners are attached to each other by first engaging the fastener cap to the sleeve of the base by introducing the prongs into the receptacles on the cap. The rod is then extended through the cap, and the base secured to the rod by threading the threaded tip of the rod into the internally threaded post of the base. The sleeve is then axially advanced over the rod until the external threads of the base post abut the internal threads of the cap collar. The rod and sleeve are then rotated relative to each other (for example by rotating the shaft) to screw the externally threaded tip of the post on the base into the internally threaded collar of the cap. The threaded rod tip is then unscrewed from the internally threaded post of the base. The connected fasteners may then be disengaged from the instrument, for example by pulling the instrument away from the fasteners to disengage the locking member from the fasteners. Alternatively, axial movement of the rod towards the fasteners brings the threaded rod tip into abutment against the internal threads of the post, and pushes the fasteners off the locking members to disengage the fasteners from the instrument.
The instrument of the present invention can be used with many different types of fasteners, in many situations where two fasteners must be secured to each other in a difficult to reach location. The instrument is particularly useful when the fasteners are to be secured to opposite faces of a barrier that inhibits access to both faces of the barrier. One particular fastener with which the instrument can be used is the bone cover fastener of the present invention.

Bone fastener and instrument for insertion thereof


A game system is provided that implements comment display so as not to interfere with operation when a player operates the game. This game system includes a game machine upon which a player plays a game. At least one comment which is to be displayed according to the circumstances of the game on the game machine are displayed to the player upon a game screen. A determination is made as to whether or not the player is being requested to perform an operation in the game, and a predetermined limitation is imposed upon the display of the at least one comment on the basis of the result of this determination.

In recent years network services, as represented by SNS (an abbreviation of "social networking service") which are systems that implement communication between users via networks, have become very widespread. The field of game systems is no exception to this: for example, a game system has been proposed which is capable of exchanging comments between a plurality of home-use game machines that are connected to a network (for example, refer to Patent Document #1). And a system has also been proposed that implements simulated communication between commercial game machines that are connected to a network, in which appropriate dialog corresponding to the state of a game is selectively transmitted and received (for example, refer to Patent Document #2).

Comment display-capable game system, comment display control method and storage medium


An external transmitter circuit drives an implantable neural stimulator having an implanted coil from a primary coil driven by a power amplifier. For efficient power consumption, the transmitter output circuit (which includes the primary coil driven by the power amplifier inductively coupled with the implanted coil) operates as a tuned resonant circuit. When operating as a tuned resonant circuit, it is difficult to modulate the carrier signal with data having sharp rise and fall times without using a high power modulation amplifier. Sharp rise and fall times are needed in order to ensure reliable data transmission. To overcome this difficulty, the present invention includes an output switch that selectively inserts a resistor in the transmitter output coil circuit in order to de-tune the resonant circuit only during those times when data modulation is needed. Such de-tuning allows sharp rise and fall times in the data modulation without the need for using a high power modulation amplifier. Because data modulation is typically needed for only a small percent of the time that a carrier signal is present, it is thus possible using the present invention to achieve reliable data modulation, transmission and reception without having to use a high power modulation amplifier in the transmitter.

The present invention relates to modulation amplifiers, and more particularly to a low-power, high-modulation-index amplifier suitable for use in battery-powered devices, e.g., an implantable battery-powered medical device.
Modulation is the process of varying some characteristic of one wave in accordance with another wave. In radio broadcasting, for example, some stations use amplitude modulation (AM), while other stations use frequency modulation (FM). In television, the video portion of the program is amplitude modulated and the audio portion is frequency modulation. In other types of transmissions, such as are used with satellite transmissions or transmissions to and from an implantable medical device, some sort of digital modulation is typically employed, e.g., pulse-amplitude, pulse-code, pulse-duration, pulse-frequency, pulse-position, or pulse-time modulation. These types of digital modulation are typically employed to convey binary bit information, e.g., strings of 1""s and 0""s, arranged in words and bytes.
A class of small implantable medical devices is known in the art that comprises tiny microstimulators and/or sensors. These tiny microstimulators or sensors, which are hereafter referred to as BION(trademark) devices, are described more fully, e.g., in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,193,539; 5,193,540 and PCT Publications WO 98/37926; WO 98/43700 and WO 98/43701, each of which patents or publications are incorporated herein by reference. Advantageously, the BION devices are generally small enough to be implanted in a minimally invasive manner through the lumen of a needle, or a similar-sized cannula.
It has been discovered that the sharpness (rise time and/or fall time) of the pulsed modulation used with the BION device has a direct affect on the reliability of the operation of the BION device, and more particularly on the ability of the BION device to properly decode and validate commands. Disadvantageously, the sharp rise times and fall times of the pulsed modulation signals needed for reliable operation of a BION-type device have heretofore required the use of high power modulation amplifiers. High power modulation amplifiers, in turn, are not compatible with the low power requirements of an implantable medical device systems, particularly systems that include battery-powered devices. There is thus a need in the art for a low power modulation amplifier having sharp rise/fall times that may be used within an implantable device system, such as a system that uses the BION device described in the referenced patents and patent applications.
The present invention addresses the above and other needs by providing an external transmitter circuit that drives an implantable BION device, or other implantable neural stimulator, from a primary coil driven by a power amplifier. For efficient power consumption, the transmitter output circuit (which includes the primary coil driven by the power amplifier inductively coupled with an implanted coil included as part of the implantable BION device) operates as a tuned resonant circuit. Disadvantageously, when operating as a tuned resonant circuit, it is difficult to modulate the carrier signal with data having sharp rise and fall times without using a high power modulation amplifier. In order to overcome this difficulty, the present invention includes an output switch that selectively inserts a resistor in the transmitter output coil circuit in order to de-tune the resonant circuit only when data modulation is needed. Such de-tuning allows sharp rise and fall times in the data modulation without the need for using a high power modulation amplifier. Advantageously, because the data modulation is typically needed for only a very small percent of the time that a carrier signal is present, e.g., 2-4%, it is thus possible using the present invention to achieve reliable data modulation, transmission and reception within the implanted BION (or other) neural simulation device without having to use a high power modulation amplifier in the transmitter.
In accordance with one aspect of the invention, there is provided an implantable medical device, such as an implantable neural stimulator, having an implanted coil through which an externally-generated carrier signal, transmitted from an external primary coil, may be inductively received. The carrier signal is modulated with data at a low duty cycle, e.g., 4% or less, in order to transfer control data into the implantable medical device. The carrier signal provides operating power for the implantable device, either directly by continuously supplying operating power, or indirectly by supplying power on an as-needed basis to recharge a rechargeable battery housed within the implantable medical device. The carrier signal, when not modulated with data (which is typically most of the time, e.g., 96% or more), is inductively coupled to the implant coil through a high Q resonant circuit, e.g., a resonant circuit having a Q greater than about 10. The high Q resonant circuit includes the primary coil and the implant coil. Such high Q resonant circuit promotes the efficient transfer of power into the implantable medical device. A switch selectively connects a resistor in circuit relationship with the external coil to de-tune the tuned resonant circuit when the carrier signal is modulated with data (which is typically a very small percent of the time). Such de-tuning advantageously lowers of the Q of the resonant circuit to about four or less, and allows the data modulation to have sharper rise and fall times at lower power transmission levels. The sharper rise and fall times, in turn, allow more reliable data communication to occur with the implantable medical device.
One embodiment of the invention may be characterized as an implantable medical device system comprising: (1) an external power amplifier having a primary coil; (2) an implant device having an implanted coil; (3) means within the power amplifier for generating a carrier signal that is inductively coupled from the primary coil to the implanted coil through a high Q resonant circuit (Qxe2x89xa710) that includes the primary coil and the implanted coil; (4) means within the power amplifier for modulating the carrier signal with data; (5) a resistor and a switch within the power amplifier, wherein the resistor is connected to the primary coil through the switch, and wherein the resistor, when connected to the primary coil, de-tunes the high Q resonant circuit (Qxe2x89xa64); and (6) means within the power amplifier for operating the switch to de-tune the resonant circuit when the carrier signal is modulated with data, wherein the de-tuned resonant circuit allows the data modulation of the carrier signal to occur with sharper rise and fall times, which sharper rise and fall times, in turn, are more reliably detected as data within the implant device.
Another embodiment of the invention may be viewed as a low power modulation amplifier that comprises: (1) an amplifier having an output port; (2) a first capacitor (C1) connected between the output port of the amplifier and a voltage reference, e.g., ground; (3) an antenna coil (L1) connected to the output port of the amplifier through a second capacitor (C2), the second capacitor functioning as a coupling capacitor; (4) a resistor connected to the antenna coil; and (5) a switch (SW1) that switchably connects the resistor in circuit relationship with the antenna coil.
Yet another embodiment of the invention may be characterized as a method of reliably and efficiently transmitting data and power to an implantable medical device from an external power amplifier. The implantable medical device includes an implanted coil. The external power amplifier includes a primary coil. The method includes the steps of: (1) generating a carrier signal in the power amplifier; (2) inductively coupling the carrier signal from the primary coil to the implanted coil through a high Q (Qxe2x89xa710) resonant circuit that includes the primary coil and the implanted coil when only power is to be transmitted to the implantable medical device; (3) modulating the carrier signal with data when data is to be transmitted to the implantable medical device; and (4) inductively coupling the modulated carrier signal from the primary coil to the implanted coil through a low Q (Qxe2x89xa64) resonant circuit that includes the primary coil and the implanted coil. In a preferred implementation, the low Q circuit is obtained by electrically connecting a resistor to the primary coil so as to de-tune the high Q resonant circuit so that it becomes a low Q circuit.

Low-power, high-modulation-index amplifier for use in battery-powered device