A Current-Perpendicular-to-Plane (CPP) Giant Magneto-Resistance (GMR) sensor (700/800) has either a composite film (708) embedded into a ferromagnetic reference layer (710) or a composite film (806) embedded into a ferromagnetic keeper layer (804). The embedded composite film is deposited by sputtering from a ferromagnetic metallic target and a non-magnetic oxide target simultaneously or sequentially. Varying sputtering powers of the ferromagnetic metallic and non-magnetic oxide targets leads to various volume fractions of ferromagnetic metallic and non-magnetic oxide phases. By carefully adjusting these volume fractions, the product of junction resistance and area of the CPP GMR sensor (700/800) can be finely tuned to a designed value and thus provide optimum read performance of the CPP GMR sensor (700/800) for magnetic recording at ultrahigh densities.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates in general to Giant Magneto-Resistance (GMR) sensors for magnetic storage systems, and more particularly to a method and apparatus for a Current-Perpendicular-to-Plane (CPP) GMR sensor having an embedded composite film.
2. Description of Related Art
Magnetic recording is a key and invaluable segment of the information-processing industry. While basic principles are one hundred years old for early tape devices, and over forty years old for magnetic hard disk drives, an influx of technical innovations continues to extend the storage capacity and performance of magnetic recording products. For hard disk drives, the areal density or density of written data bits on the magnetic medium has increased by a factor of more than two million since the first disk drive was applied to data storage. Since 1991, the areal density has grown by a 60% compound growth rate, which is based on corresponding improvements in heads, media, drive electronics, and mechanics.
Magnetic recording heads have been considered the most significant factor in the areal-density growth. The ability of the magnetic recording heads to write magnetic data on and subsequently read the magnetic data from a recording medium, at data densities well into the Gigabits per Square Inch (Gbits/in2) range gives hard disk drives the power to remain the dominant storage device for many years to come.
Important components of computing platforms are mass storage devices including magnetic tape and disk drives, where magnetic tape drives are popular, for example, in data backup applications. The magnetic disk drive includes a rotating magnetic disk, a magnetic recording head that is suspended by a suspension arm above the rotating magnetic disk and an actuator that swings the suspension arm to place the magnetic recording head over selected circular tracks on the rotating magnetic disk. The magnetic recording head is directly mounted on a slider that has an Air-Bearing Surface (ABS) between the slider and the rotating magnetic disk. The suspension arm biases the slider into contact with the surface of the magnetic disk when the magnetic disk is not rotating. However, when the magnetic disk rotates, air is swirled by the rotating magnetic disk adjacent to the ABS, causing the slider to fly on a cushion of air just above the surface of the rotating magnetic disk. The magnetic recording head is employed for writing magnetic data on and subsequently reading magnetic data from a magnetic medium that is deposited on the top or bottom surface of the rotating magnetic disk. The magnetic recording head is connected to processing circuitry that operates according to a computer program to implement the write and read functions.
The read element of the magnetic recording head currently used in the magnetic tape and disk drives is a GMR sensor, which mainly comprises three GMR-functional layers: a ferromagnetic sense layer; a conducting spacer layer; and a ferromagnetic reference layer. The GMR sensor detects magnetic-field signals through the variation of its resistance as a function of the strength and direction of the magnetic-field signals coming from written data on a magnetic medium. Due to a GMR effect, the resistance varies as the cosine of the angle between the magnetic orientations of the ferromagnetic sense and reference layers. The resistance variations cause corresponding current/voltage variations, and thus written data can be read from the magnetic medium.
To ensure the GMR effect, the magnetic orientation of the ferromagnetic sense layer must be free, while that of the ferromagnetic reference layer must be either Anti-Ferromagnetic (AFM)-pinned or self-pinned. The magnetic orientation of the ferromagnetic reference layer is AFM pinned by an adjacent AFM pinning layer through anti-ferromagnetic/ferromagnetic exchange coupling. The magnetic orientation of the ferromagnetic reference layer is self-pinned by its own intrinsic and extrinsic uniaxial anisotropies. To reinforce AFM-pinning and self-pinning, two additional layers: an anti-parallel (AP) pinning layer; and a ferromagnetic keeper layer, are inserted into the AFM pinning and ferromagnetic reference layers. The AP-pinning is achieved through AP ferromagnetic/ferromagnetic exchange coupling across the AP-pinning layer.
Recent hard disk drive designs have utilized this GMR sensor in a Current-In-Plane (CIP) mode, where a sense current flows between top and bottom insulating gap layers, which isolate the GMR sensor from top and bottom ferromagnetic shield layers, respectively, in a direction parallel to layer interfaces of the GMR sensor. Such designs yield optimism to suffice up to areal densities close to 100 Gbits/in2. However, research efforts continue to find even better read elements so that areal densities may be boosted into many hundreds of Gbits/in2 range.
One such research effort is the utilization of a read element in a CPP mode, where the sense current flows from the top/bottom to the bottom/top ferromagnetic shield layers without the need for the top and bottom insulating gap layers, in a direction perpendicular to layer interfaces of the read element. Due to the elimination of the top and bottom insulating gap layers, the read element utilized in the CPP mode provides higher linear resolution than that utilized in the CIP mode and thus higher areal densities can be achieved.
The most extensively explored read element utilized in the CPP mode is a Tunneling Magneto Resistance (TMR) sensor with an Al—O amorphous barrier layer. In this CPP TMR sensor, the magnitude of its TMR is dependent upon spin directions of conduction electrons or polarizations. This CPP TMR sensor comprises a Ta seed layer, a Pt—Mn pinning layer, a Co—Fe keeper layer, a Ru AP pinning layer, a Co—Fe reference layer, an Al—O barrier layer, Co—Fe/Ni—Fe sense layers, and Cu/Ta cap layers. The Al—O barrier layer is typically formed by depositing an Al film in an argon gas and oxidizing it either in an oxygen gas or in a mixture of argon and oxygen gases. Optimal oxidation is essential for this CPP TMR sensor with the Al—O barrier layer to attain good magnetic and TMR properties. Oxidation in an oxygen gas of 2 Torr results in a CPP TMR sensor with a product of junction resistance and area of around 5 Ω-μm2 and a TMR coefficient of around 15%. Oxidation in a mixture of argon and oxygen gases of 0.48 and 0.02 Torr, respectively, results in a CPP TMR sensor with a product of junction resistance and area of around 2 Ω-μm2 and a TMR coefficient of around 10%.
An alternative read element utilized in the CPP mode is a CPP TMR sensor with a polycrystalline Mg—O barrier layer. This CPP TMR sensor comprises a Ta seed layer, a Pt—Mn pinning layer, a Co—Fe keeper layer, a Ru AP-pinning layer, a Co—Fe reference layer, an Mg—O barrier layer, Co—Fe/Ni—Fe sense layers, and Cu/Ta cap layers. The Mg—O barrier layer is typically formed by depositing a Mg film in an argon gas, depositing a Mg—O film in a mixture of argon (or xenon) and oxygen gases, and oxidizing both the Mg and Mg—O films in an oxygen gas. Optimal oxygen doping used for the formation of the Mg—O film is essential for the CPP TMR sensor to attain good magnetic and TMR properties. Oxygen doping in a mixture of xenon and oxygen gases at 0.12 and 0.06 Torr, respectively, results in a CPP TMR sensor with a product of junction resistance and area of around 5 Ω-μm2 and a TMR coefficient of around 20%.
Use of these CPP TMR sensors for magnetic recording at ultrahigh densities encounter several difficulties. First, when either of these CPP TMR sensors exhibits a TMR coefficient of 15% or higher, its product of junction resistance and area, e.g., 5 Ω-μm2, is too high to prevent electrostatic discharge damage. Second, although the product of junction resistance and area can be reduced to 2 Ω-μm2 or below, the TMR coefficient becomes lower than a designed value, e.g., 15%. In addition, to attain such a low product of junction resistance and area, the barrier layer must be very thin. As a result, pinholes may exist in the thin barrier layer, causing thermal stability concerns for the CPP TMR sensor. Further explorations for a CPP TMR sensor with a pinhole-free barrier layer, a product of junction resistance and area of below 1 Ω-μm2, and a TMR coefficient of above 15%, are still highly desired.
The difficulties in attaining a low product of junction resistance and area originate from the high resistivities, 108 and 106 μΩ-cm2, respectively, of the Al—O and Mg—O barrier layers. In the serial circuit of the CPP TMR sensor, a high-resistivity layer is a major resistance component and thus plays a dominant role in establishing the product of junction resistance and area. Hence, to attain a low product of junction resistance and area, a low-resistivity barrier layer should be selected. A GMR sensor with a Cu spacer layer having a resistivity of 2.9 μΩ-cm2, may be utilized in the CPP mode. However, this CPP GMR sensor with the Cu spacer layer is not a viable option at all, since its product of junction resistance and area is very low, i.e., 0.001 Ω-μm2. With such a low product of junction resistance and area, the sensor resistance will be too low to provide a required signal amplitude. In general, a product of junction resistance and area ranging from 0.1 to 1 Ω-μm2 is preferred for magnetic recording at ultrahigh densities.
It can be seen therefore, that there is a need for an improved read element utilized in a CPP mode, which exhibits a product of junction resistance and area preferably ranging from 0.1 to 1 Ω-μm2.

Method and apparatus for a current-perpendicular-to-plane Giant Magneto-Resistance sensor with embedded composite film

Hitachi Global Storage Technologies Netherlands B.V.


The present invention provides a communication system between electric bikes and communication method thereof. The communication system comprises a plurality of electric bikes. Each of the electric bikes comprises a monitor module and a portable electric device, wherein the portable device further comprises a storing unit and a WiFi module. The monitor module is configured to monitor the status of the electric bike to generate a plurality of monitor information. When a temporary network is formed between the electric bikes, the electric bikes transmit the monitor information each other through the temporary network and each of the electric bikes stores the received monitor information.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a communication system between electric bikes, more particularly to a communication system between electric bikes and communication method thereof.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The electric bike has already been widely used in the whole world. A lot of bike fans will form the bike team to go out in a group. When the bike team goes out, the most important thing is the safety of all team members. Thus, for the bike team leader, it is necessary to grasp the status of all team members upon riding, so that it will be able to provide suitable support when team members meet the accidental status suddenly. At present, a lot of apparatuses can be used to the electric bike team leader to grasp the member's status at any time, such as the global positioning system (GPS) can be used to know current position of team member, and the radio can be used to communicate with team members at any time.
Because the electric bike users increase day by day, the electric bike team has increased to the demand for the auxiliary equipment gradually, such as the safety assistance system etc. However, the study on this part is scarce by every large manufacturer. This will bring considerable resistance for popularizing the product.
In addition, upon considering environment and human interference, and complexity and quantity of the signal line, general bike auxiliary equipment manufacturers will use wireless communication equipment usually, but the cost of wireless communication equipment is quite high, and the signal is apt to be covered, interfered by various obstacle sources in the city, which will cause low efficiency. On the other hand, because the electricity is required for the abovementioned equipment, in order to reduce the electricity consumption, the manufacturer usually adopts the wireless communication chip that consumes low energy, and this will limit the transmission distance greatly.

Communication system between electric bikes and communication method thereof


An embodiment (control apparatus) of an air-fuel ratio control apparatus according to the present invention determines, based on an output value Voxs of a downstream air-fuel ratio sensor 56 disposed at a position downstream of a three-way catalyst 43, which air-fuel request is occurring, a rich request or a lean request. The control apparatus sets an air-fuel ratio of each cylinder (cylinder-by-cylinder air-fuel ratio) to a rich air-fuel ratio when the rich request is occurring, and sets the cylinder-by-cylinder air-fuel ratio to a lean air-fuel ratio when the lean request is occurring. The control apparatus has a cylinder-by-cylinder air-fuel ratio of a specific cylinder different from a cylinder-by-cylinder air-fuel ratio of the other cylinder so as to obtain a fluctuation period correlated value indicative of a fluctuation of the output value Voxs of the downstream air-fuel ratio sensor 56, and determines an influence/impact degree on the output value of the downstream air-fuel ratio sensor of an exhaust gas discharged from each of a plurality of cylinders, based on the fluctuation period correlated value. Further, the control apparatus controls the air-fuel ratio of each cylinder in accordance with the influence degree.

Conventionally, a three-way catalyst (catalytic converter) is provided in an exhaust passage of a multi-cylinder internal combustion engine in order to purify an exhaust gas discharged from the engine. As is well known, the three-way catalyst has an "oxygen storage function (oxygen storage and release function)" to store and release oxygen in accordance with components flowing into the three-way catalyst. Hereinafter, the three-way catalyst is also simply referred to as a "catalyst", the gas flowing into the catalyst is also referred to as a catalyst inflow gas. Further, the gas flowing out from the catalyst is also referred to as a catalyst outflow gas.
One (conventional apparatus) of the conventional air-fuel ratio control apparatuses comprises an upstream air-fuel ratio sensor disposed in the exhaust passage of the engine at a position upstream of the catalyst, and a downstream air-fuel ratio sensor disposed in the exhaust passage of the engine at a position downstream of the catalyst. The conventional apparatus obtains, based on an amount of an air introduced into the engine, a "base fuel injection amount to have an air-fuel ratio of a mixture supplied to the engine (air-fuel ratio of the engine) coincide with the stoichiometric air-fuel ratio", and performs a feedback-correction on the base fuel injection amount based on an output value of the upstream air-fuel ratio sensor and an output value of the downstream air-fuel ratio sensor (see, for example, Patent Literature No. 1). Further, the conventional apparatus changes a correction amount of the feedback-correction based on a period (time duration) in which the output value of the downstream air-fuel ratio sensor changes from a value corresponding to a rich air-fuel ratio (or a lean air-fuel ratio) with respect to the stoichiometric air-fuel ratio to a value corresponding to a lean air-fuel ratio (or a rich air-fuel ratio) with respect to the stoichiometric air-fuel ratio (that is, the time duration according to an inversion period, and thus, corresponding to a variation/parameter which varies in accordance with an oxygen storage capacity of the catalyst). Accordingly, the conventional apparatus can perform an air-fuel ratio control in accordance with the oxygen storage capacity of the catalyst.

Air-fuel ratio control apparatus for an internal combustion engine


A tool holder has a cutter arbor. The cutter arbor has a shank portion detachably mounted on a spindle, and a mechanism for holding a cutting tool. In the cutter arbor portion, a cavity portion is formed. In the cavity portion, a vibration damping material is filled at a filling rate so as to be capable of obtaining predetermined vibration damping characteristics. Thus, it is possible to provide high vibration damping characteristics, effectively damp vibrations during cutting and improve working precision, without using any special materials, such as damping materials, although the tool holder has a usual shape.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to a tool holder for attaching a cutting tool to a spindle of a machine tool.
2. Description of Related Art
In machine tools, a cutting tool is exposed continuously to cutting resistance forces and so forth during a cutting process for a work piece, so that vibratory forces are unavoidably generated. Since vibrations generated in the cutting tool have a harmful influence on working precision in machine tools, so that various measures are conventionally taken.
In general, the cutting tools and tool holders are made of materials having high vibration damping characteristics to inhibit vibrations during cutting processes, and/or tool holders are integrally formed with damping materials by welding or shrinkage fit to inhibit vibrations.
In addition to the enhancement of the vibration damping characteristics of the tool holder itself, it is a well-known art to incorporate a damping mechanism in a spindle unit. For example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 1994-277806 discloses a damping mechanism in which elastic body and a viscous fluid are filled between a spindle unit and a spindle head to damp vibrations by the elastic deformation of the elastic body and the viscous resistance of the fluid.
However, it is not possible to expect effective damping capacity by depending on the vibration damping characteristics of the materials themselves of the tools and tool holders like conventional measures. In particular, vibrations are transferred to a machined surface in finishing machining, so that the working precision on the machined surface deteriorates. In addition, the damping materials have a problem in production costs since the damping materials are generally expensive. Moreover, there is a problem in that it is not obtain a damping action effective in the prevention of fretting which is caused on the inner peripheral surface of a tapered hole of a spindle contacting a taper shank of the tool holder.


A method of monitoring a breastfeeding of a user that includes providing at least one detector that measures a first data of a breastfeeding event, receiving a second data from the user and processing the first data and the second data to create a lactation transfer report. The method communicates the lactation transfer report to a user device and/or a device accessible by one or more experts and provides feedback to the user based on an evaluation of the lactation transfer report by the one or more experts. The first data includes the time of the breastfeeding event, a length of the breastfeeding event and/or a rate of filling of the breastfeeding event. The user device receives the second data in the form of additional breastfeeding information from the user.

New mothers rely on prior knowledge and a brief hospital stay in order to be able to proficiently nurse their babies. The current trend is towards shorter maternity stays is based often on monetary needs rather than prioritizing the health and well-being of the baby and family. Although insurance companies are required to extend coverage for normal deliveries to forty-eight hours following the birth of the child, this is still an insufficient amount of time to establish proficient nursing from the mother to the child in many instances.
Currently, medical assessments are performed at follow-up visits. Early follow-up visits focusing on breastfeeding are integral to make sure that the baby is nursing effectively. Many doctors require the mother to bring the baby to appointments with some professionals offering to visit the baby in the home. If the mother has issues with breastfeeding efficiency, experts are available at many hospitals or doctors' offices. Access to these experts is limited to mothers with adequate insurance and/or those that can afford the follow-up appointments and have the ability to travel with the newborn baby to specific locations. Telephone check-ins are generally available, but there is a lack of options for continued breastfeeding monitoring and feedback for new mothers that cannot afford and/or cannot accommodate traveling with the newborn.
There is a need in the art for an application and method of monitoring the breastfeeding events of a new mother and newborn baby and providing communication with an expert for evaluation, to provide advice and follow-up care.

Method for monitoring breastfeeding events and providing feedback


The present invention is drawn toward materials, methods and systems for solid free-form fabrication of three dimensional objects. In one embodiment, a method can comprise a) applying a particulate blend in a layer, wherein the particulate blend includes calcium aluminate particulates and polymeric binder particulates; b) dispensing an aqueous polyol-containing liquid vehicle onto a predetermined area of the particulate blend to form hydrated cement in the predetermined area; c) hardening the hydrated cement; and d) repeating steps a) through c) such that multiple layers of the cement are formed that are bound to one another, thereby forming the three dimensional object.

The efficient production of prototype three-dimensional compositions or objects can provide an effective means of reducing the time it takes to bring a product to market at a reasonable cost. A typical approach for preparing prototypes has required specific tooling, e.g., molds and dies, for the prototype, which can be a slow and cumbersome process.
Recently, computerized modeling has alleviated some of the need for building prototypes. Computer modeling can be carried out quickly, and provide a good idea of what a product will look like, without a specialized tooling requirement. However, the fabrication of a tangible object is still often preferred for prototyping. The merging of computer modeling and the physical formation of three-dimensional objects is sometimes referred to as desktop manufacturing. Various techniques that employ desktop manufacturing have been explored and described in the literature.
In this evolving area of technology, there has been a desire to provide new methods of manufacture that are relatively easy to employ, provide rigid structures, and are relatively quick in the formation of such three-dimensional compositions or objects. Thus, additional methods, systems, and/or compositions that meet these criteria would be an advancement in the art.

Calcium aluminate cement compositions for solid freeform fabrication

Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.


A method and apparatus for heating a workpiece. An induction heating system is used to induce magnetic fields in a workpiece to inductively heat the workpiece. The induction heating system may comprise a portable power source, a portable power source controller, a fluid-cooled induction heating cable, and a portable cooling unit. The induction heating system may be used to perform a variety of induction heating operations, including: annealing, surface hardening, heat treating, stress-relieving, curing, shrink-fitting, etc.

Induction heating is a method of heating a workpiece. Induction heating involves applying an AC electric signal to a conductor adapted to produce a magnetic field, such as a loop or coil. The alternating current in the conductor produces a varying magnetic flux. The conductor is placed near a metallic object to be heated so that the magnetic field passes through the object. Electrical currents are induced in the metal by the magnetic flux. The metal is heated by the flow of electricity induced in the metal by the magnetic field.
Systems that have been developed for performing induction heating on location at a worksite have suffered from a number of limitations. For example, air-cooled systems have a temperature limit above which damage may occur to the system. Damage may occur from the flow of electricity through the induction heater and from the temperature of the workpiece during induction heating.
There is a need therefore for an induction heating system that avoids the problems associated with current on-site induction heating systems. Specifically, there is a need for an induction heating system that enables large amounts of current to flow through an induction heater and high temperatures to be achieved in a workpiece without damaging the induction heating cable.


When a navigation system is started for the first time, a time/position information item unique to each navigation system is generated based on a position and time detected for the first time by a GPS receiver of a position detector. This generated time/position information item is stored both in a hard disk of a map data storage device and in an internal memory. When a starting process performed at starting of the system, it is determined whether time/position information items stored in the hard disk and the internal memory accord with each other. When both information items are determined to be according with each other, map data stored in the hard disk is given a license for use.

There is proposed a navigation system preventing unauthorized use of map information by users (refer to Patent Document 1). Here, encrypted licensing codes are used for licensing the user. Namely, the licensing codes include a map designating code for designating a map storage medium, a device designating code for designating a navigation system using the map storage medium, and a user authorized region code for indicating a region of multiple map information items for a user to be allowed to access. The encrypted licensing codes are decrypted and verified, and then a user can start to use the licensed map information.
Patent Document 1: JP-2002-62142 A
In the above system, the device designating code is formed as a unique code by combining a product number, a serial number, and the like of the navigation system. This formed device designating code is previously stored in a storage device of the navigation system when shipment. This involves additional steps relating to the device designating code as developing steps, so that the costs of the system are expected to increase.
Further, this needs hardware devices or software programs dedicated for decrypting the licensing code, which also leads to increase in the costs of the system.

Navigation system with licensing function


A controller for controlling a resonant switching dc to dc converter. The controller has four output terminals, each of which is capable of switching one of four transistors in a bridge power stage in such a way as to accomplish zero-voltage resonant switching. The phase relationship between the switching of the four transistors of the bridge power stage which is adjustable from approximately zero to 180.degree., results in highly-efficient, pulse-width-modulation of the output power.

Dc to dc converters are used to convert a first input dc voltage to a second output dc voltage. This is frequently performed incident to generating a regulated dc voltage as the output of a power supply. Such dc to dc conversion typically involves a first conversion from dc to ac, followed by a second conversion from ac to dc. The initial conversion of dc to ac involves repeated switching of the dc input voltage at a high frequency to generate the ac voltage. Once the ac voltage has been generated, the ac voltage is transformed or transferred by a transformer, which can also provide isolation, and then is rectified and filtered to regain a dc output.
When such switching supplies were developed, it was determined that a size savings could be realized by increasing the switching rate. However, because the switching transistors were commonly forced to switch high current at high voltages, as the switching rate increased to above 500 kHz., significant switching losses occurred.
To avoid such losses, it was determined that by switching sinusoidal waveforms one could switch the transistors when either the current or the voltage was zero. This switching technique was implemented by adding an LC network to work in conjunction with the transistor switches to resonantly store and release energy, while the switching frequency was varied to control the output power. This form of controlling the switching elements is termed resonant control and with these techniques, switching frequencies could be extended to beyond one megahertz.
Such a switching arrangement however resulted in increased ohmic losses. This occurred as a result of the sinusoidal waveforms having less energy for a given amplitude than do square waveforms of the same amplitude. Because of this energy decrease it was necessary to increase the peak amplitude of the sinusoidal signal in order to convert the same amount of energy. This increase in peak current meant that the ohmic losses, which increase with the square of the current, could potentially exceed the switching losses for which the resonant switching method was developed to overcome. An additional troublesome feature of resonant switching with sinusoidal waveforms was that with a variable switching frequency, issues relating to noise and power filtering were more difficult to handle.


A ball mounting apparatus and method for mounting a plurality of balls sucked up and held by a head onto a workpiece. The apparatus includes a positioning mechanism for the workpiece, a ball supply device for supplying the balls, the head for sucking up the balls, a force generating device for urging the head upward, a clamping device for clamping the head in a condition in which this force generating device stores the force, and a moving mechanism for moving the head. The force of the force generating device is able to lift the head above a lower stop which is a component of the clamping device.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a ball mounting apparatus and ball mounting method for sucking up balls, which are used when an integrated circuit is mounted on a substrate or a substrate-mounted integrated circuit is mounted on other large substrate, for holding the balls on a ball transfer member which is called a head, and mounting the balls on a workpiece.
2. Description of the Related Art
In conventional ball mounting apparatus and methods, various counterbalance mechanisms for heads have been devised to avoid the application of excessive loads to balls by a head when the head mounts the balls onto workpieces such as semiconductor integrated circuits, circuit boards and so on. Such apparatus and methods are described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,768,775 and Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Hei 9-18129. The apparatus described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,768,775 uses a spring force that cancels a self-weight of the head, but the device has the disadvantage that vibration occurs when the head moves at medium or high speeds because the head is not clamped.
In the apparatus and method described in Hei 9-18129, a head weight is not counterbalanced by a spring tension force, but instead by a lifting force of a cylinder. In the case of counterbalancing the head weight, there are hence two disadvantages with the apparatus and method described above. First, it is difficult to position the head at a predetermined position in a counterbalanced condition. Second, upon moving, a clamping force of the head is weak since the head is fixed only by the self-weight of the head. The first disadvantage of the techniques described in Hei 9-18129 is as follows. If the lifting force of the cylinder is even slightly stronger than a total weight of the head and elements moving with the head (hereafter "head weight"), the head rises to stop at an upper moving limit of the cylinder. On the other hand, if the lifting force of the cylinder is weaker than the head weight, the head drops to stop at a lower moving limit of the cylinder. Only where the lifting force of the cylinder is equal to the head weight, does the head stop in a counterbalanced condition. But, even in the counterbalanced condition, the head moves some distance until a velocity of the head damps due to friction of the cylinder. That is to say, a stop position of the head is not definite. In this manner, the apparatus which uses a cylinder for a balancer has a serious disadvantage. The second disadvantage is as follows. In the case where the head quickly stops when raising or lowering, the head vibrates up and down whether the head weight is heavy or light, because the head is fixed only by the self-weight of the head. The vibration does not cease until the vibration is damped by friction of the cylinder. Only when moving the head in a quasi-static state can vibration be avoided, which is not practical. As mentioned above, a serious disadvantage, in practical use, belongs to an apparatus of which the head is clamped only by the self-weight of the head.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.


This automated analyzer comprises: a sample disk for mounting sample containers accommodating samples; a sample disk control unit for controlling the rotation of the sample disk; a sample dispensing probe for sucking the sample out of a sample container that has arrived at a prescribed suction position as a result of the rotation of the sample disk; a photometer for carrying out automatic biochemical analysis; a blood coagulation time detection unit for carrying out blood coagulation time analysis; a light-blocking cover that covers the photometer and blood coagulation time detection unit; and a sample information output unit for outputting sample information. The sample information output unit acquires analysis information indicating the analysis state of the mounted samples and position information indicating the positions of the samples as sample disk monitor information 401 and displays the analysis information, the position information, and an image 402 showing the light-blocking cover on the imaging unit so as to overlap.

Automatic analyzers that analyze analyte samples such as blood and urine qualitatively and/or quantitatively have been known. Some of the automatic analyzers include a display unit, and the display unit displays position information, a management number, an analysis result, and the like of an analyte placed on a sample disk as sample disk monitor information.
Since the sample disk monitor information is displayed with status of the analyte samples being updated while analysis of the analyte is in progress, a user of the automatic analyzer can easily grasp the status of all the analyte samples based on the information.
PTL 1 discloses an automatic analyzer that includes an actual turntable formed such that a plurality of containers into which an analyte is injected can be arranged thereon in a circumferential direction, and that displays a virtual turn table in an annular shape together with numbers indicating positions of the containers arranged on the actual turntable and numbers of times of measurement of the analyte injected into the containers.

Automated analyzer and image processing method


A method for surface coloring plastic objects after manufacture. The method consists of a first step for impregnating a printed paper substrate, whereon pigments of the family known as disperse inks and/or sublimatic inks are deposited within the printing inks, with an aqueous solution of a solvent which activates the print and is capable of activating the surface of the plastic to be treated. Another step consists in covering the parts of the object to be treated with the paper substrate and in then removing the substrate and drying the parts. The final step consists of introduction into an atmosphere of vapors of a product which is a solvent for the pigments, for a time sufficient to fix the pigments to the surface.

The present invention relates to a method for surface coloring plastic objects after manufacture.
It is known that the market increasingly demands the thermal dye-sublimation printing method to produce particular aesthetic effects on a wide range of products or for reproducing images on objects of various kinds.
This context accordingly includes the manufacture of products having a simple structure and considerable dimensions, such as plastic surfaces of pieces of furniture printed so as to imitate wood or marble, but also of small objects having a complex structure, such as containers for cosmetics, ornamental objects, small electric household appliances and frames for glasses, in which various and mostly complex color effects are obtained.
These productions are currently performed by means of thermal sublimation dyes which are deposited on a sheet substrate arranged so as to cover the parts to be treated and are then heated, together with the object being treated, to a temperature whereat the dyes sublimate and fix to the object.
One of the current problems of this type of treatment is due to the fact that the sublimation temperature is around 150-200.degree. C., which is unacceptably high for many of the plastics employed, such as ABS, acetal plastics, styrenes and acetates,-whose structure softens when heated to the temperature whereat the pigments sublimate.
This is a considerable limitation, because softening in practice leads, on subsequent cooling, to deformations of the product compromising its quality and the possibility to market it.
As an alternative to the transfer of dyes by sublimation, screen-printing or tampographic methods are used; however, they are adapted for objects having a simple and not particularly complex shape.

Method for surface coloring plastic objects after manufacture


Various embodiments of the invention are directed towards electrode-electrolyte composites. The electrode-electrolyte composites comprise electrode material and electrolyte material. At least a portion of the electrode material is present as a plurality of discrete regions having conductive contact with the electrolyte material.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to electrode-electrolyte composites.
2. Background Information
Composite materials offer a wide range of advantages by incorporating materials having different characteristics into a single unit where each material retains its identity while contributing desirable properties to the whole. However, the compatibility of the different materials can cause problems depending upon the environmental conditions exposed to the composite (e.g., chemical reactivity, bonding, cracking, delamination and others).
This incompatibility behavior can be seen, for example, in certain types of fuel cell technology. Fuel cells generally use electrode-electrolyte layered composites comprising a unit cell. A unit cell may suffer from cracking and delamination of the electrode material due to differences in the thermal coefficients of expansion between the electrode and electrolyte materials, and changes in volume due to oxidation/reduction of the electrode materials. In addition, the problem is exacerbated by the fact that fuel cell performance levels may be related to the surface area of the electrode material. Thicker layers of electrode material may provide higher performance, but also may cause more severe cracking and delamination. The subject matter described below addresses this issue.

Electrode-electrolyte composites having discrete regions


A circle and beam assembly for a motor grader. The circle and beam assembly of the present invention includes a circle from which two beams extend wherein the beams are oppositely disposed. An opening is defined at the lower end of each beam. A hinge rod is received through the openings, and the hinge rod extends beyond each of the beams for receiving a grader blade thereon. The outer diameter of the hinge rod is slightly larger than the diameter of each opening. Each opening is heated to permit the hinge rod to slide therethrough such that upon cooling, the hinge rod is securely held.

In the field of earthworking equipment, motor graders are used to move dirt and rock for example. A motor grader is generally comprised of a main frame with a dirigible wheel assembly at a front end, an operator's cab at a rear end thereof, and a traction chassis for the motor and power train behind the cab. A motor grader blade is suspended from the main frame by means of a circle and beam assembly. The circle rotates about a vertical axis and the motor controls the rotary motion of the circle. The grader blade is mounted to the circle via the beam assembly which is secured to the circle. The rotation of the circle changes the angle of the blade. Further, the blade is mounted on a horizontal axis so that it may be tipped with respect to the circle.
The conventional construction of the beam assembly exposes portions of the beam assembly to premature failure which is costly to repair and leaves the motor grader idle until repairs can be made or the circle and beam assembly is replaced. Specifically, the location where the blade is mounted to the circle and beam assembly is subject to premature failure.
Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved circle and beam assembly which is configured to prevent premature failure.
It is another object of the present invention to provide an improved circle and beam assembly which replaces parts of a conventional circle and beam assembly.


A wiring board used for mounting an LED bare chip capable of firmly bonding the LED bare chip and improving yield. In a printed wiring board 2, a distance D between wiring patterns 81 and 85 disposed so as to oppose each other is the smallest at a position nearest to a center point (G) of an LED chip 14 disposed at a designed location, and increases with an increasing distance from the point G. In addition, pattern edges 83 and 87 of the wiring patterns 81 and 85 recede in the direction of widening the distance D as a distance from the center point G increases with respect to electrode edges 148 and 149 of the LED chip 14.

In the field of lighting apparatus, a study has been conducted for using LED bare chips for a lighting apparatus by densely mounting many one-side-electrode type LED bare chips on a printed wiring board (hereinafter simply called "a wiring board") by a flip chip method using ultrasonic bonding. In the lighting apparatus, each LED chip has several hundred μm square in size and has p-electrodes and n-electrodes on one surface.
FIG. 18A is an enlarged plan view showing an LED chip 710 flip-chip mounted on a wiring pattern 701 for a p-electrode and a wiring pattern 702 for an n-electrode, both attached to a wiring board 700. In FIG. 18A, to make a clear distinction between the LED chip 710 and the wiring patterns 701 and 702, the LED chip 710 is drawn with thick lines and the p-electrode 711 and the n-electrode 712, which are disposed on the reverse side (the under surface) of the LED chip 710, are drawn as viewed through the LED chip 710.
As shown in FIG. 18A, the p-electrode 711 and the n-electrode 712 on the one surface of the LED chip 710 are disposed so as to oppose each other and have a distance d therebetween (e.g. d is approximately 20 μm, where the LED 710 is 300 μm square).
Meanwhile, the wiring patterns 701 and 702 are disposed so as to oppose each other and have the distance d therebetween in accordance with the shapes of the corresponding p-electrode 711 and n-electrode 712. Here, the p-electrode 711 and the n-electrode 712 on the LED-chip 710 are electrically connected to the wiring pattern 701 and the wiring pattern 702 respectively so as to have surface contact, using the ultrasonic bonding.
Such a lighting apparatus is generally supplied with large amount of electricity to gain high optical output. Therefore, large amount of heat is liberated, and this might cause cracks at the junction of the LED chip 710 and the wiring board 700 due to the difference of thermal expansions. To avoid this problem, conventional arts increase the power level of the ultrasonic bonding, thereby increase the bonding strength.
However, if the bonding strength is increased by increasing the power level of the ultrasonic bonding, the LED chip 710 might be rotated a certain angle, as shown in FIG. 18B, from the position that the LED chip 710 should take when it is mounted ("normal mounting position", the position illustrated in FIG. 18A), and the p-electrode 711 and the n-electrode 712 might short out (in areas indicated by a sign a). The reason why this happens is the following. A flip chip bonder is used for mounting the LED chip 710. The flip chip bonder bonds the LED chip 710, which is attracted to the tip of a collet, to the wiring board 700 by applying ultrasonic vibration while placing and pressing the LED chip 710 onto the designed mounting location. If the power level is increased, the LED chip 710 wobbles by rotating a little around the collet as the rotation axis, and the LED chip 710 might be mounted after it is rotated from its normal mounting position. If the short circuit is caused, the LED does not function as a matter of course, and processing such as remounting will be required. This considerably reduces yields.
Such a problem can be caused not only in the case of mounting the LED chips, but also in the case of mounting optical semiconductors such as semiconductor lasers by the above-described method.

Optical semiconductor bare chip, printed wiring board, lighting unit and lighting device

Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.


A specimen container system and methods of use are described herein for capturing, storing and accessing fluids for lab testing. A cup is removably secured to a cap assembly. The cap assembly is comprised of cover and a lid which are connected by a hinge assembly having a biasing member for maintain the lid in an open position. An aperture in the cap has two sections that in combination with the lid decreases the contamination risk compared to prior art container system.

Specimen containers are well established and mature in the art of laboratory testing. Generally, specimen containers are used to hold and transport liquids, such as blood or urine, for testing.
Liquid specimen containers are typically made of plastic or glass and have a screw type cap. The cap or lid is removed by the patient or lab practitioner, and the open container is used for collecting a liquid for testing. With the correct amount of liquid in the container, the user or practitioner reseals the threaded cap to the container body. The container is used to transport the liquid to the desired test location, which may be near the collection location or at a remote laboratory. Prior to testing, a technician unscrews the cap from the container and extracts an amount of the contained fluid. Extraction methods include pouring from the container or extraction using an instrument, such as a pipette.
The greatest challenge in acquiring and transporting liquid samples for biological testing using prior art methods is contamination of the test fluid. There are many different types of tests that can be performed on biological liquid samples, and contamination of the fluid can produce false results. The testing of urine for colony counts is one such test that is susceptible to false results due to contamination. For example, a urine test may be performed to detect an infection of the urinary tract. The urine test is performed at the direction of doctors for determining the type and quantity of bacteria present in a patient. The quantity of bacteria is typically expressed as the number of colony forming units per unit volume of liquid (CFU per milliliter). The quantity may range from less than one-thousand to hundreds-of-thousands or more. The colony count is useful in predicting the severity of an infection. The type of bacteria present in the fluid is useful for determining an optimal treatment as certain types of bacteria require specialized antibiotics. Due to known likelihood of contaminations, a given test value is usually given with the test method performed. For example, a mid-stream urine collection method producing a test result of one-hundred-thousand CFU/ml may be considered significant, wherein a ten-thousand CFU/ml result may be considered significant if collected with a catheter. A catheter process is less prone to contamination than prior art mid-stream collection methods. While less accurate due to contamination risk, mid-stream collection is often used as a much less, costly, time consuming, and invasive process for the patient than catheter based collection processes. Contamination can be often identified as an odd test result, such as the presence of very high colony counts or the presence of multiple bacteria types. Typically, an odd result requires a second test to be performed. Multiple tests cause confusion, increased costs and delays in treating the patient.
Although urine tests, such as colony counts, are often used to test for non-life threatening diseases, a common misdiagnoses or delay in creating an accurate test result can cause an infection to spread to other parts of a patient's body, cause dangerous conditions like sepsis, and patient death. For improved patient health, it is desirable to create environments and test methods that result in low probabilities of test fluid contamination when utilizing a liquid specimen container in mid-stream collection processes.
Contamination can come from many sources during the collection, transport and testing of biological fluid samples. A first source is the accidental spillage of fluid on the outside of the cup during the collection process. A second source can come from sealing the specimen container after collection wherein cross-contamination can come from a user's or practitioner's hands. A third source is improperly sealed containers that exposed the fluid to external environments during transport. A fourth source is the opening of the container by the test technician, wherein they handle many cups in a day and their gloves and hands can cross-contaminate cups and fluids. A fifth source is spillage during opening a cup wherein fluid on a test surface can later contaminate hands, cups and withdrawal instruments. A sixth source is a container that accidentally tips during the test process causing large amount of fluid to spread, such an event can come from a pipette leaning at an angle within a container. A seventh source is drips from pouring fluid from a specimen container. Many more contamination sources are possible, and each is a risk to patient health.
There are numerous prior art containers for attempting to reduce the contamination of test fluids. One such prior art device is U.S. Pat. No. 5,119,830 to David, which is directed at a container that can be used for the collection, transport and testing of fluid without having to remove the fluid from the container. Although potentially useful to reduce contamination during testing, it is limited to test methods that can be placed into a cup. It does not solve the problem of reducing contaminations of cups used in typical test processes that involve extraction.
Another prior art device is U.S. Pat. No. 4,064,760 to Benjamin, which is directed at providing a removable funnel used in the collection process. While potentially useful to reduce contamination during collection, it introduces more handling, potential flow congestion, and an addition source for contamination.
Another prior art device is U.S. Pat. No. 4,927,605 to Dorn et al, which is directed at isolating a portion of the fluid within the collection container. While potentially useful to isolate a sample soon after collection, the additional components create new contamination sources, introduce increased cost and slow the test process.
Yet another prior art device is U.S. Pat. No. 6,669,908 to Weyker et al, which is directed at a container having a main chamber and subchamber which interfaces with a test device. While potentially useful to reduce exposure within the main chamber to contact with the test device and outside environment, it does not reduce contamination of fluid that must be poured or withdrawn for testing.
In addition to test fluids being susceptible to contamination, there are other drawbacks to prior art specimen collection containers. One such additional drawback is that lab technicians must repetitively unscrew caps from containers prior to testing. Repetitive motion, such as removing caps, is known to cause injuries and worker disabilities. Yet another drawback is that prior art containers can present a biological risk to testers wherein opening the container and withdrawing fluid can expose workers to infection diseases.
In these respects, the present invention departs from conventional concepts of the prior art by providing a specimen container system that is less likely to result in contamination and produce invalid test results. The present invention provides a low cost and simple way to reduce invalid test results of stored biological fluids utilizing common test methods.


Processes for synthesizing resveratrol-based oligomers are provided. In addition, resveratrol-based oligomer compounds free of plant extract are provided.

The past decade has witnessed tremendous interest in the relatively small natural product resveratrol (1, FIG. 1) based primarily on its possession of a promising and selective array of in vitro and in vivo activity against a collection of disease states, including inflammation, heart disease, aging, and cancer [1]. In fact, its truly unique biochemical profile, coupled with its relatively high concentration in red wine (˜100 mM) and near absence in white varietals and grape juice, has led to the popularly held notion that resveratrol is the main protagonist for the so-called "French paradox" [2]. Amazingly, however, virtually no effort has been devoted to the large family of resveratrol-based oligomers (such as 2-8) [3] produced combinatorially by plants throughout the world in response to environmental stress, compounds which initial screening suggest should have unique, if not superior, activity profiles to resveratrol itself [4].

Synthesis of resveratrol-based natural products

THE TRUSTEES OF COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK


A gripping force measuring device includes a housing having a pressure detecting device and having a handle portion for being held by a user, a trigger attached to the housing and engaged with the pressure detecting device for applying a pressing force against the pressure detecting device when the trigger is forced toward the pressure detecting device. A displayer may be used for displaying the pressing force applied against the pressure detecting device. The trigger includes an arm having a free end extended out of the housing, and a lever is attached to the housing and includes a free end extended out of the housing for allowing the arm to be gripped and forced toward the lever.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a gripping force measuring device, and more particularly to a gripping force measuring device for effectively or accurately measuring the gripping force of the users.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Typical gripping force measuring devices comprise an inflatable bladder coupled to or in communication with a pressure transducer which may receive the signals or forces or pressure from the inflatable bladder to calculate or to determine the pressure or the pressure change of the inflatable bladder and thus to obtain the gripping force or gripping rate of the users.
For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,949,729 to Haski discloses one of the typical gripping rate measuring devices also comprising an inflatable bladder for being held and grasped or gripped by the users, and coupled to a pressure transducer which may receive and calculate the signals or forces or pressure from the inflatable bladder into the pressure or the pressure change of the inflatable bladder or into the gripping force or gripping rate of the users. However, the users may not effectively or suitably grasp or grip the inflatable bladder with their fingers when holding the inflatable bladder.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,725,728 to Lee, the present inventor and applicant, who is the person who first create the finger gripping rate measuring device which comprises an inflatable bladder for being held and grasped or gripped by the users, and a pressing device is further provided and engaged onto the inflatable bladder and includes a pair of opposite flaps for being suitably grasped or gripped by the users. However, the flaps may only be used to detect or to measure the gripping force applied by the thumb and the forefinger, but the flaps may not be suitably used to detect or to measure the gripping force applied by the four fingers of the users. It is to be noted that no testing or measuring device has been developed and available from the market before, and the present inventor and applicant is the person who first create the finger gripping rate measuring device which has been filed and issued in Taiwan, Mainland China, U.S.A.
The present invention has arisen to mitigate and/or obviate the afore-described disadvantages of the conventional gripping force measuring devices.


A tissue adhesive for contacting a tissue site, the tissue adhesive comprising: a mixture of natural polymers; and an activating agent enhancing the adhesive properties of the mixture of natural polymers. And a tissue adhesive for contacting a tissue site, the tissue adhesive comprising: a mixture of natural polymers; and an aqueous solution of a water soluble starch or a water soluble starch derivative which forms a gel with the addition of the mixture of natural polymers.

Tissue adhesives for use in the body have very demanding criteria for use, and many adhesives used elsewhere, such as cyano-acrylates, cannot be used internally due to toxicity. Also, it is desirable that tissue adhesives for internal use be not only bio-compatible but also absorbable such that there is no need for removal as tissue re-growth proceeds. This creates a challenge for the development of a tissue adhesive for internal use. Skin irritation is also a factor in formulating materials for application to burn or skin donor sites. More benign tissue adhesives have other complications. For example, fibrin-based adhesives have poor mechanical strength and pose a risk of viral infection. Current starch-based adhesives require a cross-linking agent which might not be bio-compatible or might cause irritation. Thus a tissue adhesive with mechanical strength and good adhesion that is formulated using only bio-compatible and bio-absorbable materials would be advantageous. Formulating the tissue adhesive using only naturally-derived materials is desirable as well.
Several tissue adhesives based on natural polymers have been developed but these formulations typically use a cross-linking agent with aldehyde or amine functional groups along with the natural polymers or modified versions of the natural polymers. For example, A. El-Kamel et al., "Chitosan and Sodium Alginate-Based Bioadhesive Vaginal Tablets", AAPS PharmSci 2002: 4(4), article 44, developed formulations for bio-adhesive tablets as a means for vaginal introduction of metronidazole. In this case, the formulations included 20% of the drug metronidazole, chitosan and sodium alginate along with microcrystalline cellulose and/or sodium carboxymethylcellulose. Chitosan rods were formed from a paste with acetic acid and dried. These were then cross-linked with glutaraldehyde and compounded with the other ingredients and pressed into tablets. The adhesion of the tablets to rabbit intestinal mucosa was measured and, for most formulations, was observed to be 20 grams/sq. centimeter, with one formulation exhibiting 30 grams/sq. centimeter adhesion. The tablets were observed to completely dissolve in distilled water or a pH 4.8 buffer in about 6 hours. Not only is the formulation complicated and uses an aldehyde cross-linking agent, but the short lifetime of the adhesive on exposure to liquids renders it not useful for tissue adhesive applications other than drug release.
Y. Wu et al., "A soft tissue adhesive based on aldehyde-sodium alginate and amino-carboxymethyl chitosan preparation through the Schiff reaction", Frontiers of Material Science, 2017, 11(3): 215-222, DOI 10:1007/s11706-017-0392-x, explored a soft tissue adhesive formulation. The authors oxidized the alcohol function of sodium alginate to form aldehyde groups. Carboxymethyl chitosan was modified to produce amino-carboxymethyl chitosan. Mixing various ratios of aqueous solutions of these materials formed a hydrogel in about 10 minutes. The resulting adhesives provided shear adhesion with porcine skin up to 20-30 grams/sq. centimeter. However, this was obtained after pressing the porcine skin sections with a 50 gram loading for 10 minutes. Not only are "functionalized natural" (rather than "totally natural") polymers used in the formulation, the 10 minute press time required to provide the reported adhesion is impractical for a surgical procedure in which the tissue adhesive is used. There was no mention of an adhesive activator or evaluation of durability on exposure to body fluids.
U.S. Patent Publication No. 2017/0326171 describes a hemostatic putty with tissue adhesive properties which includes polysaccharides in the formulation. In contrast to the present invention, this patent publication lists the polysaccharide as only one possible part of a four part composition that includes, in addition to the biopolymer of which chitosan or alginates are possibilities, a secondary polymer (with polyvinyl alcohol cited as the only example), an ionic cross-linker (such as a borate) and a solvent (either water or an organic solvent). There is no combination of natural polymers cited, as well as no mention of an activator to enhance adhesion. In addition, although adhesion is mentioned, there is no data presented for adhesion measurements or for durability on exposure to bodily fluids.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,341,608 describes the use of a tissue adhesive to coat a tumor before removal. Although alginates are listed as possible adhesive materials, there is no citation of a second natural polymer in combination with the alginates. Also, no activator to enhance adhesion is listed, and no adhesion data is presented for the tissue adhesive.
Particular applications for a tissue adhesive for which no approved material is currently available include tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy surgeries. These are common procedures that often lead to bleeding and pain. Post-operative pain is exacerbated by swallowing, and solid food is generally avoided for the first few days. Improved surgical procedures have been developed that reduce trauma to the delicate mucosal tissue, but pain and bleeding continue to be associated with these procedures for many days post-surgery. An adhesive material to form a barrier over the surgery site is desirable, but this application is very demanding. The material must provide adhesion to the surgical site (muscle tissue which has been electrically cauterized), be flexible enough to allow flexing of the jaw and yet be mechanically firm enough to show durability in the environment during swallowing. The material used must be easily and simply applied to the surgery site with minimal manipulation and pressure to achieve adhesion. Also, the material must endure the moist environment and exposure to liquids, both saliva and ingested liquids, without loss of integrity for a period of at least two days post-surgery.
The situation is further complicated by the nature of the delicate mucosal tissue. This tissue is, by nature, wet and this wet state must be maintained for healing. The wet state prevents the use of classic bandage material due to lack of adhesion to the wet tissue. Furthermore, a classic bandage is a potential choking hazard due to lodging in the throat if it detaches. Obviously, this is an especially serious problem for children, the most common group to experience these tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy surgeries.
Pain and swelling of the traumatized tissue is also an issue, and direct topical application of a pain reliever could be desirable. However, direct administration of a pain reliever is difficult as well as problematic. Topical administration is also inconsistent other than during an in-patient stay. Typical topical administration of a pain reliever in the throat would be short-lived due to "washing away" or erosion of the pain reliever.
In addition, a means to accelerate healing of the wound site would be beneficial by shortening the recovery time after surgery.
Any means to accomplish this must take into consideration maintaining the "wet" state of the oral tissue and avoiding any choking hazard from detachment of any device placed in the throat.
A post-tonsillectomy device developed for these purposes would also be useful for other procedures in the ear, nose and throat area. A tissue adhesive developed for this purpose also has potential use in other areas such as burn sites or skin graft donor sites.
Thus there exists a need for a new type of bandage or dressing material for use as a device that would be suitable for use post tonsillectomy surgery. Ideally, this "device" (i.e., the bandage or dressing material) would combine a number of functions to alleviate pain, bleeding and trauma. These include an adhesive component such that a typical bandage adhesive (which could cause irritation and further trauma to the wound area) is not necessary. There should be a component that accelerates healing of the wound site in order to shorten recovery time. Optionally, there could be a hemostatic component to control bleeding at the wound site, and/or a therapeutic component that alleviates pain and swelling from the surgery trauma. Obviously it would be most beneficial if all components are hypoallergenic as well as bio-compatible. In order to prevent choking hazards if the device loses adhesion and comes free, it would also be beneficial if the "device" (i.e., the bandage or dressing material) was in the form of a soft material or readily broke into small pieces rather than coming free as a large single entity.
Despite the obvious need, prior attempts have not been successful in fully addressing or solving the need, since only one or two aspects of the stated needs (at most) are accomplished by prior art devices. Significantly, the inventors have discovered a means to meet all of these needs and develop the novel solution to the problem described herein.
In addition to the foregoing, skin wound healing devices typically rely on one type of healing mechanism, such as an anti-microbial healing mechanism, "wet" healing solutions such as colloidal bandages, or increased localized oxygen such as oxygen-generating compounds or hyperbaric healing. A particular application for the present invention would be for a skin graft donor or burn site where localized pain is experienced by the patient. The combination of accelerated healing from the materials used, as well as the soothing action from the "wet" environment of the gel used in one optional form of the invention, would reduce the pain as well as decreasing the healing time. Also, analgesics could be added to the gel to further reduce the pain.

Natural polymer-based tissue adhesive with healing-promoting properties


A graft assembly for securely positioning a graft at a predetermined location across an abdominal aortic aneurysm. The assembly includes a resilient self-expanding anchor that is secured to the graft. The anchor is characterized as being at least as long as the graft, and further as being adapted to be removed or repositioned at any time prior to complete deployment in the patient.

It has been long accepted practice to treat a variety of vascular disorders in a surgical procedure that involves placement of a vascular graft in a patient's vascular system. The construction and characteristic of the graft typically will be adapted to optimize its use in the specific surgical environment and condition to be treated and, accordingly, a number of different types of grafts are available. Among the most common types of vascular grafts are those formed from a woven or knitted tubular fabric as well as non-fabric tubes such as expanded polytetrafluoroethylene. Such grafts typically are placed in a patient's vascular system in a highly invasive surgical procedure. In general, the complexity of the surgical procedure required to place the graft will depend on many factors, including the location and surgical accessibility of the portion of the patient's vasculature where the graft is to be placed.
Not all vascular conditions in which it would be desirable to-place a graft can be so treated. Among the particularly troublesome medical conditions in which it is desirable to place a graft is that of an abdominal aortic aneurysm, in which a portion of the patient's aorta, the major artery carrying blood from the heart, has developed a weakened wall such that the weakened portion will tend to expand under the influence of the patient's blood pressure. An aortic aneurysm presents a life threatening risk that the aneurysm may burst causing massive internal bleeding. Treatment of the condition typically has involved deeply invasive abdominal surgery in which the patient's abdominal cavity is opened to reach and expose the aortic aneurysm. While maintaining the patient on an independent life support system, the region of the aneurysm is incised lengthwise to enable insertion of the graft into the aorta to span the weakened region and define a structurally tubular flow path between the remaining healthy portions of the aorta. The graft so positioned then is sutured in place. The graft thus serves as a reinforcing liner for the weakened portion of the aorta. Such surgical procedures have been characterized by a relatively high mortality and morbidity rate. Typically, patients suffering from the condition are elderly and are less able to survive the rigors of major abdominal surgery. Additionally, there is a substantial degree of risk when the abdominal cavity is opened because the confining pressure of other abdominal organs on the aorta is released. In some cases, the abdominal wall in the region of the aneurysm is so weak that upon release of the confining pressure, the aneurysm bursts with resulting immediate massive hemorrhaging.
It would be desirable, therefore, to provide an apparatus, system and technique for placement of a graft, such as, but not limited to, placement in the abdominal aortic region, with a less invasive procedure that presents less risk to the patient. It is among the general objects of the invention to provide such a system.

Non-migrating vascular prosthesis and minimally invasive placement system therefor


The invention relates to a pyrotechnic detonator with an igniter support of plastic, which bears an ignition element. A cylindrical metal housing is fastened to the igniter support, into which the ignition reaches. A booster charge is arranged in the metal housing. To improve seal tightness and lower the manufacturing costs, for mechanical support a metal insert is integrated into the igniter support, the metal insert being encased by the plastic of the igniter support.

DE-A1-199 60 642, which forms the genus, describes a pyrotechnic detonator with an igniter support of plastic. An igniter element is integrated into the igniter support, and its active part protrudes from the igniter support and reaches into a metal case which is fastened to the detonator holder. A booster charge is contained in the metal case.
The igniter support of plastic serves the purpose of fixing the ignition element in the metal case in a mechanically secure manner. In addition, it must assure that, when the detonator operates, no gas can escape between the plastic igniter support/ignition element and/or the plastic detonator holder/metal case.
On account of the need for mechanical strength in the operation of the detonator, in conjunction with the complex form in the contacting area of the ignition element, the igniter support has heretofore been made by machining as a combination turning and milling part. This method of manufacture is very cost-intensive.
The invention addresses the problem of improving a pyrotechnic detonator with respect to its sealing and its manufacturing costs.
This problem is solved according to the invention by integrating a metal insert in the igniter support for mechanical support, the metal insert being embedded in the plastic of the igniter support.
In preferred embodiment the metal insert is a stamped part or is made by bending.
Advantageously the plastic of the igniter support is doped with mica.
The ignition element is partially or entirely encased in plastic.
It is appropriate to wet the ignition element with a sealing composition before it is encased in plastic.
In certain areas an elastic synthetic material can be used as plastic for the igniter support.
In a preferred embodiment the metal insert is bonded with the ignition element. Thus only a portion has to be encased in the plastic.
Advantageously, the metal insert is cup-shaped, the margin of the metal insert being beaded or folded over, and is brought out from the igniter support.
For better bonding with the plastic, holes are advantageously provided in the metal insert.
The invention is characterized in a preferred embodiment by the fact that, instead of complicated machining, a stamped and bent piece is used which is then encased as an insert.
This manner of manufacture is very economical, since both the insert and the subsequent injection molding process can be performed at low cost. Both manufacturing methods can be practiced with multiple tools, resulting in an additional cost reduction.
In this arrangement the metal insert or stamped or bent piece provide the mechanical support which can be made with equal strength and less wall thickness due to their stiffness than a turned or milled part. Thus a saving of weight can additionally be achieved.
The plastic in the igniter support assures the seal between the igniter support/ignition element and/or igniter support/metal case. The necessary complex shape in the contact area of the ignition element can likewise be achieved with the plastic by the injection molding process.
In practice, it has developed in the conventional igniter supports that, due to stray conductive impurities, e.g., metal chips, an unwanted electrical connection can develop in the contact region between the ignition element and the igniter support which can result in failure of the detonator to operate. In the case of a plastic igniter support such electrical connections cannot develop since it insulates in the contact area.
To increase safety against electrostatic discharges (ESD) between the ignition element and the metal casing, the plastic of the igniter support can be doped with mica. This results in a high-resistance plastic that develops low resistance at high voltage, and bleeds off the ESD discharges so that no unintentional firing takes place.
Additional features of the invention are shown by the figures, which are described below.

Pyrotechnic detonator with an igniter support of plastic with an integrated metal insert


A semiconductor memory device includes a plurality of memory strings each of which includes a series of memory cells that each store data having n bits (n≧3), word lines, each connected in common to memory cells of different memory strings, and a control circuit which controls a first write operation and a second write operation. The first write operation includes a first step where a middle threshold voltage distribution is formed in memory cells and a second step following the first step where threshold voltages of some of the memory cells are increased, and the second write operation includes a step where threshold voltage distributions which correspond to the data having n bits is formed in the memory cells, wherein a write verify operation is performed after the first step but not after the second step of the first write operation.

In a NAND-type flash memory, a plurality of memory cells arranged along a column direction are connected to each other in series so as to form memory strings, and each memory string is connected to a corresponding bit line through a selection gate. Each bit line is connected to a sense amplifier circuit which performs sensing of write data and read data. All or half of a plurality of memory cells arranged in the word line direction are simultaneously selected, and a write operation or a read operation is collectively performed with respect to such memory cells which are simultaneously selected.
Recently, along with the reduction in size of the memory string, inter-cell interference between neighboring memory cells has increased. Because of this inter-cell interference, a possibility that erroneous data being written at the time of writing data in the memory cell has increased.


A pipe supporting apparatus including a pipe supporting portion securable within a trench beneath a length of pipe for support thereof before filling the trench around the length of pipe with backfill material.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a pipe supporting apparatus and more particularly pertains to holding a pipe at a recommended height while filling a trench with backfill material with a pipe supporting apparatus.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The use of pipe supports is known in the prior art. More specifically, pipe supports heretofore devised and utilized for the purpose of supporting pipes are known to consist basically of familiar, expected and obvious structural configurations, notwithstanding the myriad of designs encompassed by the crowded prior art which have been developed for the fulfillment of countless objectives and requirements.
By way of example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,139,142 to Maple et al. discloses an aboveground anchor support assembly for a pipeline.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,963,205 to Hageman discloses pipe support systems.
U.S. Pat. No. Des. 330,504 to Collins discloses the ornamental design for a pipe support strap for use during a concrete pour.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,951,902 to Hardtke discloses a support bracket for pipes.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,477,200 to Persichillo discloses multiple purpose pipe connecting brackets.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,655,072 to Miyoshi discloses a clamp.
While these devices fulfill their respective, particular objective and requirements, the aforementioned patents do not describe a pipe supporting apparatus for holding a pipe at a recommended height while filling a trench with backfill material.
In this respect, the pipe supporting apparatus according to the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in doing so provides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of holding a pipe at a recommended height while filling a trench with backfill material.
Therefore, it can be appreciated that there exists a continuing need for new and improved pipe supporting apparatus which can be used for holding a pipe at a recommended height while filling a trench with backfill material. In this regard, the present invention substantially fulfills this need.


A method of controlling graphical data compression levels for a series of images of varying area in order to maintain a consistent image quality, irrespective of image area. An image of a first area is compressed using a first compression value. When the first image is decompressed for display, it is associated with a first image quality. When a new image with a different area is generated, it is compressed using a new compression value derived from the first compression value. The new compression value is suitable for delivering an image quality, when the new image is decompressed for display, substantially the same as the image quality of the first image.

Some graphical applications (or their underlying network protocols) make use of a client-server architecture whereby graphical data, comprising a series of frames each representing an image, are rendered (i.e. generated) on a server computer but transported over a network for display on a remote client computer. One example of the server-client model occurs in the display of two-dimensional (2D) images derived from a three-dimension (3D) model, such as a 3D visualisation of seismic and other geophysical data. Such 3D visualisations generate huge datasets which are difficult to distribute in an efficient manner, particularly over data networks. To address this difficulty, 2D images are rendered from the 3D visualisation at the server for distribution to one or more remote clients where the 2D images can be viewed
Due to bandwidth limitations, most systems employ some form of image compression in order to significantly reduce the amount of data that needs to be sent to the client for display of the image. Image compression may be lossless (where there are no visible changes between the uncompressed image and the original) or lossy (where there are visible changes between the uncompressed image and the original).
For lossy compression, the user may want to retain a similar degree of image quality for different sizes of image. For some compression schemes this is achieved by setting a threshold value causing all images regardless of size to be compressed to a similar level of detail. However, many compression schemes are not able to use a threshold value. Furthermore, many systems only provide control of the size of the resulting compressed image rather than the image quality.
It is therefore desirable to provide a method and system for determining image compression values appropriate to achieving consistent image quality for images of different sizes.
According to certain example embodiments, there is provided a method of controlling graphical data compression levels for a series of images of varying area in order to maintain a consistent image quality, irrespective of image area. An image of a first area is compressed using a first compression value. When the first image is decompressed for display, it is associated with a first image quality.
When a new image with a different area is generated, it is compressed using a new compression value derived from the first compression value. The new compression value is suitable for delivering an image quality, when the new image is decompressed for display, substantially the same as the image quality of the first image.
An image processing system comprises an image processor configured in use to provide: (a) a rendering engine for rendering a series of images each with a respective image area; (b) a compression value generator for calculating for each image of the series starting from the second image of the series a compression value for compressing the respective image, in which each compression value is calculated from the ratio of the area of the image to the area of the previous image in the series and the compression value for the previous image in the series; (c) an encoder for compressing the series of images using the respective calculated compression values to produces a corresponding series of compressed images for decompression for display with a substantially constant image quality level.


A method and apparatus for boosting the pressure of the air charge to an internal combustion engine, which has an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system and a turbocharger. The EGR system is arranged to recirculate exhaust gas from an engine exhaust outlet passage to the engine air inlet passage. An exhaust gas bypass passage is arranged to divert exhaust gas that would otherwise reach the turbocharger's impeller. The engine has a single, unitary control valve with a valve inlet arranged to receive exhaust gas from the engine exhaust outlet passage, and three valve outlets. A first of the valve outlets provides exhaust gas to the EGR system for recirculation to the engine air inlet passage, a second of the valve outlets provides exhaust gas to the exhaust gas bypass passage and a third of the outlets provides exhaust gas to the impeller.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for boosting the pressure of the air charge to an internal combustion (IC) engine which has an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system, and in particular to such an engine having a combined EGR/turbocharger bypass control valve for controlling the amount of recirculated exhaust gas and the power of a turbocharger compressor. The invention is particularly although not exclusively for use in a diesel engine.
2. Related Technology
One way of boosting the pressure of the air charge to an IC engine is to use a turbocharger, which typically has a rotary compressor for compressing the intake air driven by a turbine wheel powered by engine exhaust gas. The result is that more air is sent into an engine's combustion chamber, increasing engine power.
When air is compressed, it is simultaneously heated. So, compressing engine intake air raises the temperature of air sent into the engine's combustion chamber. The raised air temperature increases the temperature of the combustion chamber and the surrounding engine components, which can increase thermal stress and reduce engine lifetime. Compressed intake air is often therefore cooled to increase the amount by which it can be compressed without detrimentally increasing combustion chamber temperature. This cooling can also generally increase the amount of air provided in the combustion chamber at a given intake pressure, as cool air is denser than hot air. Intake air cooking can therefore help to increase engine power.
Emission regulations are now beginning to dictate that many automotive engines mix intake air with recirculated exhaust gas, as this can reduce NOX (e.g. Nitrogen Dioxide etc.) emissions. NOX is formed in far higher quantities above certain combustion temperatures. Mixing recirculated exhaust gas with engine intake air can lower the combustion temperature and therefore reduce NOX formation. However, exhaust gas is hot. Like compressed intake air, it therefore benefits from cooling before it enters an engine's combustion chamber. In particular, cooling recirculated exhaust gas can increase the amount of exhaust gas that can be provided in the combustion chamber at a given intake pressure (e.g. improve mass flow).
Coolers for cooling compressed intake air are usually referred to as charge air coolers or intercoolers. Intercoolers can be cooled by engine coolant or other liquids, but are more commonly air cooled. An air cooled intercooler typically comprises an arrangement of tubes through which the compressed intake air can flow. For most car and light truck engines, intercoolers can provide sufficient cooling capacity without being inconveniently large and have relatively straightforward, robust and maintenance free designs. They are typically make from aluminum or plastics, as they only have to deal with relatively low temperatures (less than around 200° C.).
Coolers for cooling recirculated exhaust gas are usually referred to as Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) coolers. An EGR cooler typically comprises a cylindrical shell containing one or more heat exchange tubes through which the exhaust gas can flow. Liquid coolant is passed through the shell around the tubes. The coolant is therefore in a heat exchange relationship with the exhaust gas and can cool it. Liquid cooling is used as it can typically provide greater cooling capacity than air cooling for a given heat exchange surface area. Thus, the heat exchange tubes can have a relatively large diameter and small surface area, which makes the EGR cooler tolerant to the build up of soot inside the tubes. EGR cooler are typically made from steel. One reason for this is that exhaust gas can be hot enough to damage other materials such as aluminum and plastics, but steel is more tolerant to high temperatures.
So, when it is desired to cool both engine intake air and recirculated exhaust gas, two separate coolers are conventionally provided; an intercooler and an EGR cooler. An example of such an arrangement is disclosed in patent document EP 1,138,928 A2. However, it is possible to use a combined EGR and inlet air cooler, for example as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,167,703 B1.
All such prior art systems entail a significant amount of cost, owing to the provision of conduits between the inlet and exhaust sides of the engine, and also valves to control the flow of exhaust gasses and the control systems associated with the operation of such valves. It is therefore desirable to minimize, as far as possible, the costs associated with such hardware.

Pressure boosted IC engine with exhaust gas recirculation