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Printing cartridge with switch array identification |
A printing cartridge (1230) includes a housing (1231). An array of switch actuators (1232) is positioned on the housing. The array of switch actuators represents data relating to at least one of: a serial number of the cartridge, a media and a media colorant so that when a switch array (1236) is actuated by the array of switch actuators, a signal carrying such data can be generated. |
1. A printing cartridge that comprises a housing; and an array of switch actuators positioned on the housing, the switch actuators being positioned to represent data relating to at least one of: a serial number of the cartridge, a media and a media colorant, so that the switch actuators can actuate a predetermined combination of switches in a switch array to generate a signal carrying such data. 2. A method of determining a media colorant of a printing cartridge, the method comprising the step of actuating a combination of switches within an array of switches in a printing device, upon engagement of a printing cartridge with the printing device, the array of switches being configured so that predetermined combinations of switches, when actuated, generate respective signals carrying data relating to the media colorant. 3. A printing cartridge that comprises a housing; a media colorant supply arrangement positioned within the housing and containing a supply of media colorant; and an array of switch actuators positioned on the housing, the switch actuators being positioned to represent data relating to the media colorant so that the switch actuators can actuate a predetermined combination of switches in a switch array to generate a signal carrying such data. 4. A printing cartridge as claimed in claim 3, wherein the data represented by the array of switch actuators relates to at least one of: a serial number identifying the media colorant, a type of the media colorant, a viscosity of the media colorant, a surface tension of the media colorant, optical characteristics of the media colorant and an optimal ink drop volume corresponding to a type of media. 5. A printing cartridge as claimed in claim 3, in which the array of switch actuators is in the form of an array of pins that are positioned on the cartridge to bear against the switch array when the printing cartridge is engaged with the printing device. 6. A printing cartridge as claimed in claim 5, in which each pin in the array of pins is dimensioned to bear against a corresponding microswitch in a micro electromechanical switch array. 7. A printing cartridge as claimed in claim 5, in which the array of pins is the product of an injection micromolding process. 8. A method of determining media of a printing cartridge, the method comprising the step of actuating a combination of switches within an array of switches in a printing device upon engagement of the printing cartridge with the printing device, the array of switches being configured so that predetermined combinations of switches, when actuated, generate respective signals carrying data relating to the media. 9. A printing cartridge that comprises a housing; a media supply arrangement positioned within the housing and containing a supply of media; and an array of switch actuators positioned on the housing, the switch actuators being positioned to represent data relating to the media so that the switch actuators can actuate a predetermined combination of switches in a switch array to generate a signal carrying such data. 10. A printing cartridge as claimed in claim 9, wherein the data represented by the array of switch actuators relates to at least one of: a serial number identifying the media, a type of the media, and a length of the media. 11. A printing cartridge as claimed in claim 9, in which the array of switch actuators is in the form of an array of pins that are positioned on the cartridge to bear against the switch array when the printing cartridge is engaged with the printing device. 12. A printing cartridge as claimed in claim 11, in which each pin in the array of pins is dimensioned to bear against a corresponding microswitch in a micro electromechanical switch array. 13. A printing cartridge as claimed in claim 11, in which the array of pins is the product of an injection micromolding process. 14. A method of determining media and media colorant of a printing cartridge, the method comprising the step of actuating a combination of switches within an array of switches in a printing device upon engagement of the printing cartridge with the printing device, the array of switches being configured so that predetermined combinations of switches, when actuated, generate a signal carrying data relating to the media and the media colorant. 15. A printing cartridge that comprises a housing; media and media colorant supply arrangements positioned within the housing and containing a supply of media and a supply of media colorant, respectively; and an array of switch actuators positioned on the housing, the switch actuators being positioned to represent data relating to the media and the media colorant so that the switch actuators can actuate a predetermined combination of switches in a switch array to generate a signal carrying such data. 16. A printing cartridge as claimed in claim 15, wherein the data represented by the array of switch actuators relates to at least one of: a serial number identifying the media, a serial number identifying the media colorant, a length of the media, a type of the media, a viscosity of the media colorant, a surface tension of the media colorant, optical characteristics of the media colorant and an optimal ink drop volume of the media colorant corresponding to the type of media. 17. A printing cartridge as claimed in claim 15, in which the array of switch actuators is in the form of an array of pins that are positioned on the cartridge to bear against the switch array when the printing cartridge is engaged with the printing device. 18. A printing cartridge as claimed in claim 17, in which each pin in the array of pins is dimensioned to bear against a corresponding microswitch in a micro electromechanical switch array. 19. A printing cartridge as claimed in claim 17, in which the array of pins is the product of an injection micromolding process. 20. A printing device that comprises a body, a printing cartridge being engageable with the body, the printing cartridge having a housing, a media colorant supply arrangement positioned within the housing and containing a supply of media colorant, an array of switch actuators being positioned on the housing and representing data relating to the media colorant; a processor positioned in the body to control operation of a media colorant feed mechanism and a printing mechanism; and a switch array positioned in the body and being configured so that predetermined combinations of switches in the switch array, when actuated, generate signals carrying data related to the media colorant, such predetermined combinations of switches in the switch array being actuable by the array of switch actuators positioned on the housing of the printing cartridge when the printing cartridge is engaged with the body so that the switch array generates a signal carrying said data relating to the media colorant of the printing cartridge. 21. A printing device as claimed in claim 20, in which the switch array is in the form of an array of microswitches that define a micro electromechanical system. 22. A printing device as claimed in claim 21, in which the switch array is the product of an integrated circuit fabrication technique. 23. A printing device as claimed in claim 21, in which each microswitch is configured to be actuable by a pin defining one of the switch actuators bearing against the microswitch. 24. A printing device that comprises a body, a printing cartridge being engageable with the body, the printing cartridge having a housing, a media supply arrangement positioned within the housing and containing a supply of media, an array of switch actuators being positioned on the housing and representing data relating to the media; a processor positioned in the body to control operation of a media feed mechanism and a printing mechanism; and a switch array positioned in the body and being configured so that predetermined combinations of switches in the switch array, when actuated, generate signals carrying data related to the media, such predetermined combinations of switches in the switch array being actuable by the array of switch actuators positioned on the housing of the printing cartridge when the printing cartridge is engaged with the body so that the switch array generates a signal carrying said data relating to the media of the printing cartridge. 25. A printing device as claimed in claim 24, in which the switch array is in the form of an array of microswitches that define a micro electromechanical system. 26. A printing device as claimed in claim 25, in which the switch array is the product of an integrated circuit fabrication technique. 27. A printing device as claimed in claim 25, in which each microswitch is configured to be actuable by a pin defining one of the switch actuators bearing against the microswitch. 28. A printing device that comprises a body, a printing cartridge being engageable with the body, the printing cartridge having a housing, media colorant and media supply arrangements positioned within the housing and containing a supply of media and media colorant, an array of switch actuators being positioned on the housing and representing data relating to the media colorant and the media; a processor positioned in the body to control operation of media colorant and media feed mechanisms and a printing mechanism; and a switch array positioned in the body and being configured so that predetermined combinations of switches in the switch array, when actuated, generate signals carrying data related to the media colorant and the media, such predetermined combinations of switches in the switch array being actuable by the array of switch actuators positioned on the housing of the printing cartridge when the printing cartridge is engaged with the body so that the switch array generates a signal carrying said data relating to the media colorant and the media of the printing cartridge. 29. A printing device as claimed in claim 28, in which the switch array is in the form of an array of microswitches which define a micro electrow-mechanical system. 30. A printing device as claimed in claim 29, in which the switch array is the product of an integrated circuit fabrication technique. 31. A printing device as claimed in claim 29, in which each microswitch is configured to be actuable by a pin defining one of the switch actuators bearing against the microswitch. |
<SOH> BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION <EOH>Recently, digital printing technology has been proposed as a suitable replacement for traditional camera and photographic film techniques. The traditional film and photographic techniques rely upon a film roll having a number of pre-formatted negatives which are drawn past a lensing system and onto which is imaged a negative of a image taken by the lensing system. Upon the completion of a film roll, the film is rewound into its container and forwarded to a processing shop for processing and development of the negatives so as to produce a corresponding positive set of photos. Unfortunately, such a system has a number of significant drawbacks. Firstly, the chemicals utilized are obviously very sensitive to light and any light impinging upon the film roll will lead to exposure of the film. They are therefore required to operate in a light sensitive environment where the light imaging is totally controlled. This results in onerous engineering requirements leading to increased expense. Further, film processing techniques require the utilizing of a “negative” and its subsequent processing onto a “positive” film paper through the utilization of processing chemicals and complex silver halide processing etc. This is generally unduly cumbersome, complex and expensive. Further, such a system through its popularity has lead to the standardization on certain size film formats and generally minimal flexibility is possible with the aforementioned techniques. Recently, all digital cameras have been introduced. These camera devices normally utilize a charge coupled device (CCD) or other form of photosensor connected to a processing chip which in turn is connected to and controls a media storage device which, can take the form of a detachable magnetic card. In this type of device, the image is captured by the CCD and stored on the magnetic storage device. At some later time, the image or images which have been captured are down loaded to a computer device and printed out for viewing. The digital camera has the disadvantage that access to images is non-immediate and the further post processing step of loading onto a computer system is required, the further post processing often being a hindrance to ready and expedient use. Therefore, there remains a general need for an improved form of camera picture image production apparatus which is convenient, simple and effective in operation. Further, there also remains a need for a simple form of portable, immediate print media on which images can be effectively reproduced. In the parent application, there is disclosed the use of an authentication chip to provide information in connection with the print media and the media colorant that is supplied with the cartridge. The Applicant has identified that it would be highly desirable to provide a means whereby information concerning one or both of the media and the media colorant could be supplied together with the cartridge. The reason for this is that such information could be used, in a suitable form, by a processor of such a device to enhance operation of a printing mechanism. It will be appreciated that printing mechanisms need to operate differently with different types of media and media colorant. It follows that it would be useful to supply information concerning media and media colorant to a controller of the printing mechanism so that operation of the printing mechanism could be automatically adjusted to suit the particular media and media colorant. With suitable encryption techniques, this could be used to inhibit after-market refilling. As is well known in the field of printing technology, such after-market refilling has become a cause for substantial concern in the printing industry. The Applicant has developed substantial expertise in the development of integrated circuit fabrication techniques for the manufacture of micro electromechanical devices. This expertise has been directed towards the manufacture of ink jet printheads that are capable of generating images with a resolution of up to 1600 dpi. In order to achieve such resolutions, the Applicant has developed page width printheads which incorporate up to 84 000 nozzle arrangements. It will be appreciated that the components within the nozzle arrangements are manufactured on a microscopic scale in order to achieve the required density. Further, the components are required to be manufactured with a high level of accuracy in order to achieve printing that is consistently of such high resolutions. Applicant has identified a manner in which the techniques used for the manufacture of such printheads can be applied to achieve a means whereby printing cartridges can be provided with suitable identification data. |
<SOH> SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION <EOH>According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a printing cartridge that comprises a housing; and an array of switch actuators positioned on the housing, the switch actuators being positioned to represent data relating to at least one of: a serial number of the cartridge, a media and a media colorant, so that the switch actuators can actuate a predetermined combination of switches in a switch array to generate a signal carrying such data. According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of determining a media colorant of a printing cartridge, the method comprising the step of actuating a combination of switches within an array of switches in a printing device, upon engagement of a printing cartridge with the printing device, the array of switches being configured so that predetermined combinations of switches, when actuated, generate respective signals carrying data relating to the media colorant. According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided a printing cartridge that comprises a housing; a media colorant supply arrangement positioned within the housing and containing a supply of media colorant; and an array of switch actuators positioned on the housing, the switch actuators being positioned to represent data relating to the media colorant so that the switch actuators can actuate a predetermined combination of switches in a switch array to generate a signal carrying such data. According to a fourth aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of determining media of a printing cartridge, the method comprising the step of actuating a combination of switches within an array of switches in a printing device upon engagement of the printing cartridge with the printing device, the array of switches being configured so that predetermined combinations of switches, when actuated, generate respective signals carrying data relating to the media. According to a fifth aspect of the invention, there is provided a printing cartridge that comprises a housing; a media supply arrangement positioned within the housing and containing a supply of media; and an array of switch actuators positioned on the housing, the switch actuators being positioned to represent data relating to the media so that the switch actuators can actuate a predetermined combination of switches in a switch array to generate a signal carrying such data. According to a sixth aspect of the invention there is provided a method of determining media and media colorant of a printing cartridge, the method comprising the step of actuating a combination of switches within an array of switches in a printing device upon engagement of the printing cartridge with the printing device, the array of switches being configured so that predetermined combinations of switches, when actuated, generate a signal carrying data relating to the media and the media colorant. According to a seventh aspect of the invention, there is provided a printing cartridge that comprises a housing; media and media colorant supply arrangements positioned within the housing and containing a supply of media and a supply of media colorant, respectively; and an array of switch actuators positioned on the housing, the switch actuators being positioned to represent data relating to the media and the media colorant so that the switch actuators can actuate a predetermined combination of switches in a switch array to generate a signal carrying such data. array. According to an eighth aspect of the invention, there is provided a printing device which comprises a body, a printing cartridge being engageable with the body, the printing cartridge having a housing, a media colorant supply arrangement positioned within the housing and containing a supply of media colorant, an array of switch actuators being positioned on the housing and representing data relating to the media colorant; a processor positioned in the body to control operation of a media colorant feed mechanism and a printing mechanism; and a switch array positioned in the body and being configured so that predetermined combinations of switches in the switch array, when actuated, generate signals carrying data related to the media colorant, such predetermined combinations of switches in the switch array being actuable by the array of switch actuators positioned on the housing of the printing cartridge when the printing cartridge is engaged with the body so that the switch array generates a signal carrying said data relating to the media colorant of the printing cartridge. According to a ninth aspect of the invention, there is provided a printing device which comprises a body, a printing cartridge being engageable with the body, the printing cartridge having a housing, a media supply arrangement positioned within the housing and containing a supply of media, an array of switch actuators being positioned on the housing and representing data relating to the media; a processor positioned in the body to control operation of a media colorant feed mechanism and a printing mechanism; and a switch array positioned in the body and being configured so that predetermined combinations of switches in the switch array, when actuated, generate signals carrying data related to the media, such predetermined combinations of switches in the switch array being actuable by the array of switch actuators positioned on the housing of the printing cartridge when the printing cartridge is engaged with the body so that the switch array generates a signal carrying said data relating to the media of the printing cartridge. According to a tenth aspect of the invention there is provided a printing device which comprises a body, a printing cartridge being engageable with the body, the printing cartridge having a housing, media colorant and media supply arrangements positioned within the housing and containing a supply of media and media colorant, an array of switch actuators being positioned on the housing and representing data relating to the media colorant and the media; a processor positioned in the body to control operation of media colorant and media feed mechanisms and a printing mechanism; and a switch array positioned in the body and being configured so that predetermined combinations of switches in the switch array, when actuated, generate signals carrying data related to the media colorant and the media, such predetermined combinations of switches in the switch array being actuable by the array of switch actuators positioned on the housing of the printing cartridge when the printing cartridge is engaged with the body so that the switch array generates a signal carrying said data relating to the media colorant and the media of the printing cartridge. The invention is now described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings. The specific nature of the following description should not be construed as limiting in any way the broad nature of this summary. |
Portable enteral feeding apparatus |
A portable enteral feeding apparatus (20) facilitates ambulatory enteral feeding and prevents damage to an enteral feeding tube during use. The apparatus includes a backpack type enteral feeding support, a soft pouch (38) having a hook and loop surface on the pouch and a rigid spacer (68). The pouch surrounds the fluid container (42), trapping and attaching it to the inside of a backpack using hook and loop system. The soft sided pouch provides easy removal and replacement of a variety of fluid containers in a mobile backpack. The rigid spacer supports the pouch and provides clearance for connection to enteral feeding tubing (32). Shoulder straps (26) substantially immobilize the apparatus relative to a subject. A telescopic enteral feeding tube concealment belt (30) is provided that allows patient mobility while concealing and protecting enteral feeding tubes. |
1. A portable enteral feeding apparatus comprising: a body including a flap extending therefrom, the body having an inner surface that defines a cavity such that the flap is movable to enclose the cavity of the body; and a pouch being disposed within the cavity of the body and defining at least one compartment, the compartment being pliable and configured to support an enteral feeding container, wherein the pouch further defines an outer surface that mounts to the inner surface of the body. 2. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said pouch includes: at least one hook and loop patch disposed on said outer surface and said body includes at least one cooperating hook and loop patch disposed on said inner surface for removably mounting said pouch within said cavity. 3. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said enteral feeding container has a neck extending therefrom and said pouch includes an opening for disposal of said neck. 4. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said pouch includes a tube retaining strap extending from said outside surface proximate to said opening. 5. An apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said tube retaining strap includes cooperating hook and loop patches for releasably configuring said tube retaining strap into a loop for retaining a tube. 6. An apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said tube is mountable to said neck via engagement of said tube retaining strap to a fitting including a flange mounted to an end of said tube. 7. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said pouch has a flap extending from said outer surface. 8. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said pouch includes a plurality of compartments. 9. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said compartment is configured to receive alternately configured enteral feeding containers. 10. An apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising a rigid support disposed in said cavity adjacent said pouch. 11. An apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said rigid support includes a top surface defining a passageway. 12. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said body includes an outer surface having an orifice for disposal of an enteral feeding tube. 13. An apparatus according to claim 12 wherein said rigid support includes an orifice in substantial alignment with the orifice of said body. 14. An apparatus according to claim 10 wherein said rigid support is removably attachable to said inner surface of said body. 15. A portable enteral feeding apparatus comprising: a body including a flap extending therefrom, the body having an inner surface that defines a cavity such that the flap is movable to enclose the cavity of the body; and a pouch being disposed within the cavity of the body and defining at least one compartment, the compartment being pliable and configured to support an enteral feeding container, wherein the pouch further defines an outer surface that mounts to the inner surface of the body; and a pump compartment extending from said body and a ductway disposed in the flap of said body that facilitates communication between the pump compartment and the cavity of the body. 16. An apparatus according to claim 15, further comprising a rigid support disposed in said cavity adjacent to said pouch. 17. An apparatus according to claim 16, wherein said rigid support is removably attachable to said inner surface of said body. 18. A belt apparatus adapted for use with an enteral feeding device having tubing extending therefrom, the belt apparatus comprising: a belt having a first end and a second end that are attachable; a first member being supported with the belt and having a first end, a second end and defining a cavity that supports the tubing, the first end of the first member being mountable to the enteral feeding device and the second end of the first member being configured for disposal of the tubing; and a second member having a first end, a second end and defining a cavity that supports the first member for movement relative thereto, the first end of the second member being configured for disposal of the first member and the second end of the second member being configured for disposal of the tubing. 19. An apparatus according to claim 18 wherein said first member and said second member are attached to the belt via belt-loops disposed on an outside surface of said first and second members. 20. An belt apparatus according to claim 18 wherein said first member and said second member comprise an outer flap foldable around an inner flap to form said cavity in each of said first member and said second member. 21. An apparatus according to claim 18 wherein said body includes an orifice disposed therein for disposal of a proximal end of said tubing and said first member includes a concealment flap that releasably attaches to said body and conceals said orifice and said tubing. 22. An belt apparatus according to claim 21 wherein said concealment flap is releasably attached by hook and loop strips disposed on said concealment flap and cooperating hook and loop strips disposed adjacent to said orifice of said body. 23. An belt apparatus according to claim 21 wherein said first member has an outer flap foldable around an inner flap and releasably securable thereto to form said cavity of said first member, said second member having an outer flap foldable around and an inner flap and releasably securable to said inner flap thereto to form said cavity of said second member, wherein said second member is telescopically extendable and retractable relative to said first member by sliding of said first member in said cavity of said second member. |
<SOH> BACKGROUND <EOH>1. Technical Field The present disclosure relates generally to enteral feeding apparatus, and more particularly to a portable enteral feeding apparatus that may be employed with alternately configured enteral feeding containers. 2. Description of the Related Art Enteral feeding devices are used for administration of fluids to an abdominal cavity of a subject. Typically, enteral feeding devices include a feeding tube connected to a feeding container. The feeding tube allows the feeding container to be placed in an elevated location, such as, for example, on an infusion pole to facilitate gravity feeding. Some enteral feeding systems include a pump connected between the feeding container and the abdominal cavity to provide a predetermined fluid pressure in the tube. This facilitates a predetermined fluid flow rate. Many of these devices are cumbersome and unsuitable for ambulatory use. Various known carrying devices and intravenous stands have been employed that support enteral feeding devices to facilitate ambulatory enteral feeding. These types of carrying devices and stands are often unstable and not suitable for use with non-smooth surfaces, such as, for example, sidewalks, stairs, etc. Ambulatory support devices for fluid delivery systems are known. These devices, however, can suffer from various drawbacks. For example, these devices may include tubing that extend from an ambulatory carrying apparatus to a patient's abdominal cavity that is unprotected and susceptible to kinking or entanglement with external objects, such as, for example clothing. Such entanglement, kinking, etc. can result in damage of the tubing. Further, the tubing may be caused to inadvertently disengage from the patient's body or the feeding container. These undesirable conditions can also create a hazardous condition for a patient. For example, strain on the tubing can cause discomfort, irritation, infection or even injury. Attempts have been made to overcome the above drawbacks by securing the tube to the patient's body or clothing using adhesive tape. This remedy however, is ineffective because the tape must be frequently removed for maintenance, etc. This compromises the adhesive quality and causes substantial pain and irritation to the patient. The enteral feeding devices also suffer from various disadvantages. For example, some of these devices are not immobilized against a subject. Movement of the pumps and enteral feeding containers relative to the subject can strain or crimp the tubing and cause irritation and/or injury to the patient. Some enteral feeding devices include handles that are inadequate for comfortably carrying the weight of the apparatus. Another drawback is difficulty in replacing feeding containers. Patients may suffer limited manual dexterity and have difficulty manipulating the various fasteners and container attachments. Still another drawback is aesthetic appearance. Often, the feeding container is worn in open view where tubing can be unsightly or embarrassing for the patient. Therefore, it would be desirable to overcome the disadvantages and drawbacks of the prior art with a portable enteral feeding apparatus having an ergonomic design to facilitate use by a patient and that may be employed with alternately configured enteral feeding containers. It would be desirable if the portable enteral feeding apparatus included a removable pliable pouch that is configured to support the enteral feeding containers. It would be highly desirable if the apparatus includes a backpack for supporting the pouch and a telescoping belt apparatus that supports a feeding tube during use. Such a backpack is designed for comfortable attachment to a patient. It would also be desirable if the enteral feeding apparatus and its constituent parts are easily and efficiently manufactured and assembled. |
<SOH> SUMMARY <EOH>Accordingly, a portable enteral feeding apparatus is provided having an ergonomic design to facilitate use by a patient and that may be employed with alternately configured enteral feeding containers. The portable enteral feeding apparatus includes a removable pliable pouch that is configured to support alternately configured enteral feeding containers. Most desirably, the portable enteral feeding apparatus includes a backpack for supporting the pouch. Such a backpack is designed for comfortable attachment to a patient. The portable enteral feeding apparatus is easily and efficiently manufactured and assembled. The present disclosure resolves related disadvantages and drawbacks experienced in the art. The present disclosure provides, among other things, a soft-sided enteral feeding container restraint including a soft pouch, a pouch flap, and a hook and loop surface bonded to one side of both the pouch and pouch flap. The pouch surrounds the fluid container, trapping and attaching it to the inside of a backpack using a hook and loop system. The hook and loop side of the restraint pouch is pressed against a corresponding hook and loop surface inside the backpack. The hook and loop system allows the restraint pouch to be easily loaded into the backpack and removed for cleaning. In an ambulatory application, the enteral feeding apparatus includes a backpack holding a feeding fluid container at an elevated level relative to the location where a feeding tube enters a patient's body. The backpack configuration can thereby provide gravity assisted fluid flow without requiring a fluid pump. In some embodiments, the gravity assisted configuration for ambulatory feeding eliminates the substantial weight of a fluid pump from the apparatus. The exemplary backpack configuration also distributes weight evenly on the shoulders of an ambulatory patient. Thus, the backpack-type configuration typically requires much less effort for a patient to transport than a suitcase-type configuration, whether or not a fluid pump is used. In one particular embodiment, in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure, a portable enteral feeding apparatus is provided. The portable enteral feeding apparatus includes a body including a flap extending therefrom. The body has an inner surface that defines a cavity such that the flap is movable to enclose the cavity of the body. A pouch is disposed within the cavity of the body and defines at least one pliable compartment configured to support an enteral feeding container. The pliable compartment is adaptable to accept a variety of enteral feeding containers. The pouch further defines an outer surface that mounts to the inner surface of the body. The pouch may include an opening to accept the neck of a variety of enteral feeding containers. The pouch may have a tube restraining strap extending from the outside surface proximate to the opening thereof. A feeding tube is mountable to the neck of an enteral feeding container extending through the opening and retainable by engagement of the tube retaining strap to a fitting, including a flange, mounted to an end of the tube. The body includes an outer surface that may include an orifice disposed therein for placement of an enteral feeding tube. A belt apparatus may be attached to the outer surface to provide support for the enteral feeding tube. The portable enteral feeding apparatus may include a rigid support disposed in a cavity below the pouch. The rigid support may define a cavity to provide a clearance space for an enteral feeding tube connection to the enteral feeding container. The rigid support can include a top surface having an opening defining a passageway communicating with the clearance space for disposal of a neck of the enteral feeding container. The rigid support can include an orifice alignable with an orifice in the body for disposal of an enteral feeding tube. The portable enteral feeding apparatus may include a pump compartment extending from the body for support of an enteral feeding pump. A ductway may be disposed in the outer surface of the body. The pump compartment may have an outer surface that defines a cavity such that a flap thereof is movable to enclose a pump cavity of the pump compartment. The ductway can provide an opening between the pump compartment and the clearance space of the rigid support. Alternatively, the body includes shoulder straps having attachment points to the outer surface of the body. The shoulder straps can be adjustable for securely mounting the body against the back of a subject. The portable enteral feeding apparatus advantageously provides lower cost and increased flexibility to handle a variety of different feeding containers. The portable enteral feeding apparatus provides a desirable appearance to conceal the presence of a feeding device. In accordance with the principles of the present disclosure, the portable enteral feeding apparatus may be employed with a belt apparatus is adapted for use therewith, having an orifice and an enteral feeding tube extending therefrom. Desirably, the belt apparatus includes first and second telescoping members that conceal the feeding tube while preventing hazards to the patient. The present disclosure provides, among other things, a telescopic enteral feeding tube concealment belt that allows patient mobility while concealing and protecting the enteral feeding tubes. The telescopic concealment belt includes a stationary belt section, a telescoping belt section and a hook and loop attachment. The hook and loop attachment is disposed on one end of the stationary belt section and is mountable to an enteral feeding apparatus. The telescoping belt section and stationary belt section are slidably engaged, one within the other to form a duct having an adjustable length that supports and conceals an enteral feeding tube. A waist belt engages either or both belt sections and/or the enteral feeding apparatus to substantially immobilize the belt sections against the subject. The belt sections may be made of a flat nylon flaps that are folded over upon themselves to form a duct shape. The belt sections are retained in a duct shape by means of a hook and loop strips bonded to the nylon flaps. One duct shaped belt section slides inside of the other forming a telescoping duct that will adjust to fit the users waist. The stationary belt section has a concealment flap extending from one of the nylon flaps. The concealment flap attaches to and conceals the access port of the backpack type enteral feeding container. The concealment belt can further attach to an enteral feeding apparatus by the waist belt passing inside the duct and through restraining belt loops that extend from the enteral feeding apparatus. The waist belt attaches to itself at each end by any conventional buckle. Alternatively, conventional belt loops can be provided on outside surfaces of one or both belt sections for disposal of the conventional waist belt. The belt apparatus includes a belt having a first and second end that are attachable. A first member is supported with the belt and has a first end and a second end. The first member defines a cavity that supports the belt. The first end of the first member is mountable to the enteral feeding device and the second end of the first member is configured for disposal of the tubing supported within the cavity of the first member. The first member may include an outer flap foldable around an inner flap and releasably securable to the inner flap to form the cavity in the first member. Releasably securable attachment between the inner and outer flaps can be provided by a hook and loop strip disposed along a back edge of the inner flap releasably attachable to a cooperative hook and loop strip disposed along a front edge of the outer flap. The first member may include a concealment flap releasably attachable to the portable enteral feeding apparatus by hook and loop strips disposed on the concealment flap releasably attachable to cooperating hook and loop strips disposed on the surface of the portable enteral feeding apparatus adjacent to the orifice. The concealment flap can conceal the orifice and the proximal end of the enteral feeding tube when the concealment flap is attached to the portable enteral feeding apparatus. The hook and loop strip disposed on the concealment flap can optionally be formed as a unitary extension of the hook and loop strip disposed along the front edge of the outer flap. The second member has a first end and a second end defining a cavity that supports the first member for movement relative thereto. The first end of the second member is configured for disposal of the first member. The second end of the second member is configured for disposal of the tubing, The second member may include an outer flap foldable around an inner flap and releasably securable to the inner flap to form the cavity in the second member. Releasably securable attachment between the inner and outer flaps is provided by a hook and loop strip disposed along a back edge of the inner flap releasably attachable to a cooperative hook and loop strip disposed along a front edge of the outer flap. The second member can be telescopically extended and retracted relative to the first member by sliding of the first member in the cavity of the second member. In an alternate embodiment, the first member and second member are attached to the belt via belt-loops disposed on the outside surface of the first and/or second member. In another embodiment the present disclosure, a method of supporting an enteral feeding tube in a portable enteral feeding apparatus is provided including the steps of folding an inner flap of a first member over a proximal section of a feeding tube; folding an outer flap of the first member over the inner flap of the first member and releasably securing the outer flap thereto; releasably securing a concealment flap portion of the first member to the portable enteral feeding apparatus; folding an inner flap of a second member over the first member and the feeding tube; folding an outer flap of the second member over the inner flap of the second member, and releasably securing the outer flap of the second member to the inner flap of the second member. |
Methods for inhibiting angiogenesis |
The invention provides methods for detecting and inhibiting angiogenesis, endothelial cell adhesion, and endothelial cell migration using agents which inhibit the specific binding of integrin α4β1 to one or more of its ligands. The invention further provides methods for screening test compounds for their ability to inhibit angiogenesis, endothelial cell adhesion, or endothelial cell migration by employing agents which inhibit the specific binding of integrin α4β1 to one or more of its ligands. The invention additionally relates to methods for isolating endothelial progenitor cells which express integrin α4β1. The methods of the invention are useful in, for example, diagnosing and inhibiting pathological conditions that are associated with angiogenesis, endothelial cell adhesion, and/or endothelial cell migration. The invention's methods are also useful in isolating endothelial progenitor cells, and in determining the mechanisms that underlie angiogenesis, development, wound healing, and the function of the female reproductive system. |
1. A method for inhibiting angiogenesis in a tissue, comprising: a) providing: i) a tissue; ii) an agent which inhibits specific binding of integrin α4β1 to an integrin α4β1 ligand; b) treating said tissue with said agent under conditions such that specific binding of integrin α4β1 to said integrin α4β1 ligand is inhibited and a treated tissue is produced, and angiogenesis in said treated tissue is inhibited. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein said tissue is in a subject. 3. The method of claim 2, wherein said subject has angiogenesis in said tissue. 4. The method of claim 2, wherein said subject is suspected of being capable of developing angiogenesis in said tissue. 5. The method of claim 2, wherein said tissue comprises ocular tissue, skin tissue, bone tissue, or synovial tissue. 6. The method of claim 5, wherein said ocular tissue is selected from retina, macula, cornea, choroids, and vitreous humor. 7. The method of claim 2, wherein said tissue comprises a tumor. 8. The method of claim 7, wherein said tumor is malignant. 9. The method of claim 8, wherein said malignant tumor is metastatic. 10. The method of claim 1, wherein said agent comprises a peptide. 11. The method of claim 1, wherein said agent comprises an antibody. 12. The method of claim 11, wherein said antibody is an anti-integrin α4β1 antibody. 13. The method of claim 11, wherein said antibody is an anti-vascular cell adhesion molecule antibody. 14. The method of claim 11, wherein said antibody is an anti-fibronectin antibody. 15-22. (canceled) 23. The method of claim 1, wherein said ligand is vascular cell adhesion molecule. 24. The method of claim 1, wherein said ligand is fibronectin. 25-64. (canceled) 65. A method for detecting angiogenesis in a tissue, comprising: a) providing: i) a tissue; ii) an agent capable of specifically binding to a molecule selected from integrin α4β1 polypeptide and integrin α4β1 mRNA; b) treating said tissue with said agent under conditions such that said agent specifically binds to said molecule to produce a treated tissue; and c) detecting the specific binding of said molecule to said agent in said treated tissue, thereby detecting angiogenesis is said tissue. 66. (canceled) 67. The method of claim 65, wherein said agent comprises a peptide. 68. The method of claim 65, wherein said agent comprises an antibody. 69-79. (canceled) 80. A method for screening a test compound, comprising: a) providing: i) endothelial cells; ii) a test compound; and b) treating said endothelial cells with said compound to produce treated endothelial cells; c) detecting inhibition of binding of integrin αx4βl to an integrin α4β1 ligand in said treated endothelial cells; and d) identifying said test compound as inhibiting angiogenesis. 81. The method of claim 80, wherein said treating is in vivo. 82. The method of claim 80, wherein said treating is in vitro. 83-86. (canceled) 87. A method for isolating endothelial progenitor cells from a tissue, comprising: a) providing: i) a tissue comprising endothelial progenitor cells; ii) an antibody which specifically binds to integrin α4β1 polypeptide; b) treating said tissue with said agent under conditions such that said agent binds to said endothelial progenitor cells to produce treated endothelial progenitor cells; c) isolating said treated endothelial progenitor cells from said tissue. 88-102. (canceled) |
<SOH> BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION <EOH>Angiogenesis is essential in the female reproduction system and during development and wound repair. However, inappropriate angiogenesis can have severe consequences. Indeed, the proliferation of new blood vessels from pre-existing capillaries plays a key role in diseases, such as the pathological development of solid tumor cancers, solid tumor metastases, angiofibromas, skin cancer, retrolental fibroplasia, Kaposi's sarcoma, childhood hemangiomas, diabetic retinopathy, neovascular glaucoma, age related macular degeneration, psoriasis, gingivitis, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, inflammatory bowel disease, and capillary proliferation in atherosclerotic plaques. Because these serious diseases afflict several million people in the United States each year, considerable scientific effort has been directed toward gaining an understanding of the mechanisms regulating angiogenesis and toward developing therapies for such diseases. With respect to cancer, over six hundred thousand new cases of lung, colon, breast and prostate cancer will be diagnosed in the United States each year, accounting for 75% of new solid tumor cancers and 77% of solid tumor cancer deaths. Although advances in therapy and in our understanding of cancer causes and risk factors have lead to improved outcomes overall, most cancers still have low five year survival rates. Despite these advances in primary tumor management, 50% of patients will ultimately die of their disease largely due to side effects of current therapies or to the metastatic spread of tumors to numerous or inoperable sites through the tumor associated vasculature. It is now known that the growth and spread of solid tumor cancer depends on the development of a tumor-associated vasculature by a process known as angiogenesis. One of the most significant consequences of tumor angiogenesis is the invasion of tumor cells into the vasculature. Thus, vascularization permits the survival and growth of primary tumors, as well as the metastatic spread of cancer. Metastases arise from tumor cells which enter the tumor's own vasculature to be carried to local and distant sites where they create new tumors. Tumors have typically established a vasculature and metastasized to local and distant sites by the time that primary tumors are detectable. Current treatments for cancer rely mainly on treatments which are not selective for the disease but which have deleterious effects on other organs of the body. For example, chemotherapeutics reagents or radiation have serious side effects because they kill or impair all proliferating cells in the body, including healthy cells. Side effects are unpleasant and often create health problems that themselves increase patient mortality. Angiogenesis also plays a major role in the progression and exacerbation of a number of inflammatory diseases. Psoriasis, a disease which afflicts 2 million Americans, is characterized by significant angiogenesis. In rheumatoid arthritis and possibly osteoarthritis, the influx of lymphocytes into joints induces blood vessels of the joint synovial lining to undergo angiogenesis; this angiogenesis appears to permit a greater influx of leukocytes and the destruction of cartilage and bone. Angiogenesis is also likely to play a role in chronic inflammatory diseases such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. In addition, the growth of capillaries into atherosclerotic plaques is a serious problem; the rupture and hemorrhage of vascularized plaques is thought to cause coronary thrombosis. To date, however, no effective therapies exist for these diseases. Angiogenesis is also a factor in many ophthalmic disorders which can lead to blindness. In age-related macular degeneration (ARMD), a disorder afflicting 25% of otherwise healthy individuals over the age of 60, and in diabetic retinopathy, a condition prevalent among both juvenile and late onset diabetics, angiogenesis is induced by hypoxic conditions on the choroid or the retina, respectively. Hypoxia induces an increase in the secretion of growth factors including vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). It is possible that VEGF expression in the eye induces the migration and proliferation of endothelial cells into regions of the eye where they are not ordinarily found. Vascularization in ocular tissue has adverse effects on vision. New blood vessels on the cornea can induce corneal scarring, whereas new blood vessels on the retina can induce retinal detachment, and angiogenic vessels in the choroid may leak vision-obscuring fluids; these events often lead to blindness. For other pathological conditions associated with abnormal angiogenesis such as diabetic retinopathy, there are no effective treatments short of retinal transplants. However, even in cases where retinal transplantation is performed, the new retina is subject to the same conditions that resulted in the original retinopathy. While agents that prevent continued angiogenesis are currently being tested, there remains a need to identify the molecular interactions involved in the undesirable angiogenesis that occurs in certain pathological conditions, and to develop methods for diagnosing and specifically treating such pathologies. |
<SOH> SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION <EOH>The present invention satisfies the need in the art for identifying the molecular interactions involved in the undesirable angiogenesis that occurs in certain pathological conditions, and for developing methods for diagnosing and specifically treating such pathologies. In particularly preferred embodiments, the invention provides a method for inhibiting angiogenesis in a tissue, comprising: a) providing at least one tissue and an agent which inhibits specific binding of integrin α4β1 to an integrin α4β1 ligand; b) treating the tissue with the agent under conditions such that specific binding of integrin α4β1 to the integrin α4β1 ligand is inhibited and a treated tissue is produced; and c) observing inhibition of angiogenesis in the treated tissue. In one embodiment, the tissue is in a subject. In a preferred embodiment, subject has tissue angiogenesis. In another preferred embodiment, the subject is suspected of being capable of developing angiogenesis in the tissue. In yet another preferred embodiment, the tissue comprises ocular tissue, skin tissue, bone tissue, or synovial tissue. In a more preferred embodiment, the ocular tissue is selected from the retina, macula, cornea, choroids, and vitreous humor. In an alternative embodiment, the tissue comprises a tumor. In a preferred embodiment, the tumor is malignant. In a more preferred embodiment, the malignant tumor is metastatic. In yet another embodiment, the agent comprises a peptide. In an alternative embodiment, the agent comprises an antibody. In a further preferred embodiment, the antibody is an anti-integrin α4β1 antibody. In another preferred embodiment, the antibody is an anti-vascular cell adhesion molecule antibody. In yet another preferred embodiment, the antibody is an anti-fibronectin antibody. In an alternative embodiment, the agent comprises an antisense sequence. In a preferred embodiment, antisense sequence is an integrin α4β1 antisense sequence. In another preferred embodiment, the antisense sequence is a vascular cell adhesion molecule antisense sequence. In yet another preferred embodiment, the antisense sequence is a fibronectin antisense sequence. In yet another alternative embodiment, the agent comprises a ribozyme. In a preferred embodiment, the ribozyme is an integrin α4β1 ribozyme. In another preferred embodiment, the ribozyme is a vascular cell adhesion molecule ribozyme. In yet another preferred embodiment, the ribozyme is a fibronectin ribozyme. In an alternative embodiment, the ligand is vascular cell adhesion molecule. In a preferred embodiment, the ligand is fibronectin. Also provided herein are methods for inhibiting endothelial cell adhesion, comprising: a) providing endothelial cells and an agent which inhibits specific binding of integrin α4β1 to an integrin α4β1 ligand; b) treating the endothelial cells with the agent under conditions such that specific binding of integrin α4β1 to the integrin α4β1 ligand is inhibited and treated endothelial cells are produced; and c) observing inhibition of cell adhesion of the treated endothelial cells. The invention further provides methods for inhibiting endothelial cell migration, comprising: a) providing endothelial cells and an agent which inhibits specific binding of integrin α4β1 to an integrin α4β1 ligand; b) treating the endothelial cells with the agent under conditions such that specific binding of integrin α4β1 to the integrin α4β1 ligand is inhibited and treated endothelial cells are produced; and c) observing inhibition of cell migration by the treated endothelial cells. The present invention also provides methods of inhibiting angiogenesis in a subject, comprising: a) providing a subject comprising a tissue and an agent which inhibits specific binding of integrin α4β1 to an integrin α4β1 ligand; b) administering the agent to the subject under conditions such that specific binding of integrin α4β1 to the integrin α4β1 ligand in the tissue is inhibited and a treated tissue is produced; c) observing inhibition of angiogenesis in the treated tissue. In one embodiment, the subject has a pathological condition associated with angiogenesis in the tissue. In a preferred embodiment, the tissue comprises ocular tissue, skin tissue, bone tissue, or synovial tissue. In a more preferred embodiment, the ocular tissue is selected from retina, macula, cornea, choroids, and vitreous humor. In another preferred embodiment, the tissue comprises a tumor. In a more preferred embodiment, the tumor is malignant. In a yet more preferred embodiment, the malignant tumor is metastatic. In an alternative preferred embodiment, the malignant tumor is selected form lung cancer, breast cancer, prostate cancer, cervical cancer, pancreatic cancer, colon cancer, ovarian cancer; stomach cancer, esophagus cancer, mouth cancer, tongue cancer, gum cancer, skin cancer, muscle cancer, heart cancer, liver cancer, bronchial cancer, cartilage cancer, bone cancer, testis cancer, kidney cancer, endometrium cancer, uterus cancer, bladder cancer, bone marrow cancer, lymphoma cancer, spleen cancer, thymus cancer, thyroid cancer, brain cancer, neuron cancer, mesothelioma, gall bladder cancer, ocular cancer, joint cancer, glioblastoma, lymphoma, leukemia, osteosarcoma, and Kaposi's sarcoma. In another embodiment, the agent comprises a peptide. In another embodiment, the agent comprises an antibody. In a preferred embodiment, the antibody is an anti-integrin α4β1 antibody. In another preferred embodiment, the antibody is an anti-vascular cell adhesion molecule antibody. In yet another preferred embodiment, the antibody is an anti-fibronectin antibody. In an alternative embodiment, the agent comprises an antisense sequence. In a preferred embodiment, the antisense sequence is an integrin α4β1 antisense sequence. In another preferred embodiment, the antisense sequence is a vascular cell adhesion molecule antisense sequence. In yet another preferred embodiment, the antisense sequence is a fibronectin antisense sequence. In another embodiment, the agent comprises a ribozyme. In a preferred embodiment, the ribozyme is an integrin α4β1 ribozyme. In an alternative embodiment, the ribozyme is a vascular cell adhesion molecule ribozyme. In a further embodiment, the ribozyme is a fibronectin ribozyme. In another embodiment, the ligand is vascular cell adhesion molecule. In an alternative embodiment, the ligand is fibronectin. In an alternative embodiment, the treatment reduces the severity of the pathological condition. In another alternative embodiment, the subject has angiogenesis in the tissue. In a further alternative embodiment, the subject is suspected of being capable of developing angiogenesis in the tissue. In another embodiment, the subject is human. In a further embodiment, the administering is selected from oral, intranasal, parenteral, and topical. In a further embodiment, the tissue is a tumor, and the administering is into the tumor. In yet another embodiment, the tissue is ocular. In a more preferred embodiment, the pathological condition is selected from diabetic retinopathy and macular degeneration by neovascularization. In an alternative preferred embodiment, the administering is selected from intravenous, oral, and topical. In another embodiment, the tissue is selected from bone tissue and synovial tissue. In a preferred embodiment, the pathological condition is selected from rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. In an alternative preferred embodiment, the administering is intrasynovial. In yet another embodiment, the tissue is skin tissue. In a j preferred embodiment, the pathological condition is selected from psoriasis and skin cancer. In an alternative preferred embodiment, the administering is selected from intravenous, oral, and topical. The invention additionally provides methods for detecting angiogenesis in a tissue, comprising: a) providing a tissue and an agent capable of specifically binding to a molecule selected from integrin α4β1 polypeptide and integrin α4β1 mRNA; b) treating the tissue with the agent under conditions such that the agent specifically binds to the molecule to produce a treated tissue; and c) detecting the specific binding of the molecule to the agent in the treated tissue, thereby detecting angiogenesis in the tissue. In one embodiment, the method further comprises d) diagnosing a pathological condition characterized by angiogenesis in the tissue. In an alternative embodiment, the agent comprises a peptide. In another embodiment, the agent comprises an antibody. In a preferred embodiment, the antibody is an anti-integrin α4β1 antibody. In another preferred embodiment, the antibody is an anti-vascular cell adhesion molecule antibody. In yet another preferred embodiment, the antibody is an anti-fibronectin antibody. In yet another embodiment, the agent comprises an antisense sequence. In one preferred embodiment, the antisense sequence is an integrin α4β1 antisense sequence. In another preferred embodiment, the antisense sequence is a vascular cell adhesion molecule antisense sequence. In yet another preferred embodiment, the antisense sequence is a fibronectin antisense sequence. In an alternative embodiment, the agent comprises a ribozyme. In one preferred embodiment, the ribozyme is an integrin α4β1 ribozyme. In another preferred embodiment, the ribozyme is a vascular cell adhesion molecule ribozyme. In yet another preferred embodiment, the ribozyme is a fibronectin ribozyme. Also provided herein are methods for screening test compounds, comprising: a) providing endothelial cells and a test compound; b) treating the endothelial cells with the compound to produce treated endothelial cells; and c) detecting inhibition of binding of integrin α4β1 to an integrin α4β1 ligand in the treated endothelial cells; and d) identifying the test compound as inhibiting angiogenesis. In one embodiment, the treating is in vivo. In another embodiment, the treating is in vitro. In a further embodiment, the endothelial cells are in a tissue exhibiting angiogenesis, and instead of steps c) and d), the method comprises c) detecting inhibition of angiogenesis in the tissue; and d) identifying the test compound as inhibiting angiogenesis. In yet another embodiment, the endothelial cells are in tumor tissue, and instead of steps c) and d), the method comprises c) detecting a reduction in the tumor tissue; and d) identifying the test compound as anti-tumorigenic. In a further embodiment, instead of steps c) and d), the method comprises c) detecting inhibition of endothelial cell adhesion in the treated endothelial cells; and d) identifying the test compound as inhibiting endothelial cell adhesion to integrin α4β1 ligand. In yet another embodiment, instead of steps c) and d), the method comprises c) detecting inhibition of endothelial cell migration in the treated endothelial cells; and d) identifying the test compound as inhibiting endothelial cell migration to integrin α4β1 ligand. The invention additionally provides methods for isolating endothelial progenitor cells from a tissue, comprising: a) providing a tissue comprising endothelial progenitor cells and an antibody which specifically binds to integrin α4β1 polypeptide; b) treating the tissue with the agent under conditions such that the agent binds to the endothelial progenitor cells to produce treated endothelial progenitor cells; c) isolating the treated endothelial progenitor cells from the tissue. Also provided by the invention are methods for inhibiting angiogenesis in a benign tumor, comprising: a) providing: a benign tumor (e.g., hemangioma, glioma, and teratoma); and an agent which inhibits specific binding of integrin α4β1 to an integrin α4β1 ligand; b) treating the tumor with the agent under conditions such that specific binding of integrin α4β1 to the integrin α4β1 ligand is inhibited and a treated tumor is produced; and c) observing inhibition of angiogenesis in the treated tumor. The invention further provides methods for inhibiting angiogenesis in a cancer tissue, comprising: a) providing cancer tissue and an agent which inhibits specific binding of integrin α4β1 to an integrin α4β1 ligand; b) treating the cancer tissue with the agent under conditions such that specific binding of integrin α4β1 to the integrin α4β1 ligand is inhibited and a treated cancer tissue is produced; and c) observing inhibition of angiogenesis in the treated cancer tissue. In one embodiment, the cancer is selected from lung cancer, breast cancer, prostate cancer, cervical cancer, pancreatic cancer, colon cancer, ovarian cancer; stomach cancer, esophagus cancer, mouth cancer, tongue cancer, gum cancer, skin cancer, muscle cancer, heart cancer, liver cancer, bronchial cancer, cartilage cancer, bone cancer, testis cancer, kidney cancer, endometrium cancer, uterus cancer, bladder cancer, bone marrow cancer, lymphoma cancer, spleen cancer, thymus cancer, thyroid cancer, brain cancer, neuron cancer, mesothelioma, gall bladder cancer, ocular cancer, joint cancer, glioblastoma, lymphoma, leukemia, osteosarcoma, and Kaposi's sarcoma. In another embodiment, the cancer comprises a cell selected from hyperplastic cells, dysplastic cells, and neoplastic cells. In a further embodiment, the cancer is metastatic. Also provided by the invention are methods for inhibiting angiogenesis in ocular tissue, comprising: a) providing ocular tissue and an agent which inhibits specific binding of integrin α4β1 to an integrin α4β1 ligand; b) treating the ocular tissue with the agent under conditions such that specific binding of integrin α4β1 to the integrin α4β1 ligand is inhibited and a treated ocular tissue is produced; and c) observing inhibition of angiogenesis in the treated ocular tissue. In one embodiment, the ocular tissue is selected from retina, macula, cornea, choroid, and vitreous humor. In another embodiment, the ocular tissue comprises a cancer. The invention additionally provides methods for inhibiting angiogenesis in skin tissue, comprising: a) providing skin tissue and an agent which inhibits specific binding of integrin α4β1 to an integrin α4β1 ligand; b) treating the skin tissue with the agent under conditions such that specific binding of integrin α4β1 to the integrin α4β1 ligand is inhibited and a treated skin tissue is produced; and c) observing inhibition of angiogenesis in the treated skin tissue. In one embodiment, the skin tissue comprises a cancer. In another embodiment, the skin tissue is injured. In an alternative embodiment, the skin tissue comprises a pathological condition selected from psoriasis, hemangioma, and gingivitis. The invention further provides methods for reducing symptoms associated with cancer in a subject, comprising: a) providing a subject having cancer tissue; and an agent which inhibits specific binding of integrin α4β1 to an integrin α4β1 ligand; b) treating the subject with the agent under conditions such that specific binding of integrin α4β1 to the integrin α4β1 ligand is inhibited in the cancer tissue, and a treated cancer tissue is produced; and c) observing a reduction in one or more symptoms associated with the cancer tissue. The invention also provides methods for reducing symptoms associated with a pathological condition in ocular tissue, comprising: a) providing: i) a subject having a pathological condition in ocular tissue; ii) an agent which inhibits specific binding of integrin α4β1 to an integrin α4β1 ligand; b) treating the subject with the agent under conditions such that specific binding of integrin α4β1 to the integrin α4β1 ligand is inhibited in the ocular tissue, and a treated ocular tissue is produced; and c) observing a reduction in one or more symptoms associated with the pathological condition in the ocular tissue. Further provided by the invention are methods for reducing symptoms associated with a pathological condition in skin tissue, comprising: a) providing a subject having a pathological condition in skin tissue, and an agent which inhibits specific binding of integrin α4β1 to an integrin α4β1 ligand; b) treating the subject with the agent under conditions such that specific binding of integrin α4β1 to the integrin α4β1 ligand is inhibited in the skin tissue, and a treated skin tissue is produced; and c) observing reduction in one or more symptoms associated with the pathological condition in the treated skin tissue. |
Binding agent component for surface coating agents with improved adhesive properties |
The invention relates to a binding agent composition, in particular an adhesive, containing at least one epoxy compound or at least one amino compound comprising at least two amino groups, or at least one hydroxy compound comprising at least two OH groups, or at least one mercapto compound comprising at least two mercapto groups, or at least one isocyanate comprising at least two NCO groups and a compound with chelating properties. The invention also relates to a method for producing binding agent compounds of this type and to the use of the same. |
1. A binder component comprising at least one epoxy compound or at least one amino compound having at least two amino groups or at least one hydroxy compound having at least two OH groups or at least one mercapto compound having at least two SH groups or at least one isocyanate having at least two NCO groups and at least one compound having chelating properties. 2. The binder component of claim 1, characterized in that the compound having chelating properties contains an amino group or a mercapto group. 3. The binder component of claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it comprises an aromatic amine of the general formula I, II or III in which A is Y or X—Y, and Y is NH2, NHR8 or SH, and X is a linear or branched alkyl radical having 1 to 22 carbon atoms, and R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, and in formulae II and III, R6 and R7, independently of one another, are H, SO3H, OSO3H, OP(O)(OH)2, P(O)(OH)2, P(O)HOH, COOH, OH, NH2, NHR8, C(O)R8, CN or NO2, in which R8 is hydrogen or a linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated aliphatic hydrocarbon radical having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, or two adjacent radicals from R1 to R7 together form an aromatic or heteroaromatic ring, at least two of the radicals R1 to R7 not being H or part of an aromatic or heteroaromatic ring system, and the remaining radicals being arranged such that the compound of the general formula I, II or III is able to bind a divalent or polyvalent metal ligand in chelate form. 4. The binder component of claim 3, characterized in that it comprises a compound of the general formula I. 5. The binder component of claim 3 or 4, characterized in that at least one of the radicals R1 to R7 is COOH. 6. The binder component of one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that it comprises as at least one compound having chelating properties aminosalicylic acid or a derivative thereof or aminoisophthalic acid or a derivative thereof or a mixture of two or more of said compounds. 7. A process for preparing a binder component in accordance with one of claims 1 to 6, wherein at least one epoxy compound or at least one amino compound having at least two amino groups or at least one hydroxy compound having at least two OH groups or at least one mercapto compound having at least two SH groups or at least one isocyanate having at least two NCO groups or a mixture of two or more of said compounds is mixed with at least one compound having chelating properties. 8. A binder composition comprising at least one epoxy compound and least one amino compound having at least two amino groups or at least one hydroxy compound having at least two OH groups or at least one mercapto compound having at least two SH groups or at least one isocyanate having at least two NCO groups or a mixture of two or more thereof and at least one compound having chelating properties. 9. A surface coating composition, at least comprising a binder component in accordance with one of claims 1 to 6 or a binder component prepared according to claim 7 or a binder composition according to claim 8. 10. The surface coating composition of claim 9, characterized in that it is an adhesive. 11. The use of a binder component in accordance with one of claims 1 to 6 or of a binder component prepared according to claim 7 or of a binder composition according to claim 8 in surface coating compositions. 12. The use of an amino compound having chelating properties as an adhesion promoter in surface coating compositions. |
Process for the production of an immunosuppressant |
In one aspect, the present invention provides a process for producing a sodium salt of an immunosupressant of Formula I |
1. A process of manufacturing a sodium salt of a the compound of Formula comprising reacting the compound of Formula I with a C2 to C10 carboxilic carboxylic acid sodium salt. 2. The process of claim 1, wherein the compound of Formula is converted to an ammonium salt or a dibenzyl amide salt before converting it is converted to the sodium salt. 3. The process of claim 2, wherein the compound of Formula I is converted to its ammonium salt by treatment with ammonia. 4. The process of claim 2, wherein the compound of Formula I is converted to its dibenzyl amide form by reaction with dibenzyl amine. 5. The process of claim 1, wherein the of C2 to C10 carboxylic acid sodium salt is selected from the group consisting of sodium acetate, sodium 2-ethyl hexanoate and sodium caprylate. |
<SOH> BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION <EOH>Mycophenolic acid is an immunosuppressive agent that inhibits de novo purine nucleotide synthesis via inhibition of IMP dehydrogenase and prevents the formation of XMP and GMP. Mycophenolic acid sodium salt or ERL 080 has been widely discussed in available patent and non-patent literature, for its use in treatment of diseases and in transplantation. The use of Mycophenolalic acid sodium salt in the treatment of hyperuricaemia has been reported in U.S. Pat. No. 3,705,946. U.S. Pat. No. 6,025,391 describes an enteric coating composition, containing HPMC phthalate and triacetin prepared for capsules containing monosodium mycophenolate, and adapted to release mycophenolate in the upper part of the intestinal tract. The tolerability profile of sodium mycophenolate and mycophenolate mofetil with and without cyclosporin has been discussed in Toxicology 157(2001) 207-215. The Journal Acta Crystallographica, Section C: Crystal Structure Communications (2000), C56(4), 432-433, discusses a crystal stucture of sodium mycophenolate. |
<SOH> SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION <EOH>In one aspect, the present invention discloses a process for the manufacture of the sodium salt of a compound of Formula I comprising reacting the compound of Formula I with an aqueous solution of sodium hydroxide, sodium carbonate or sodium bicarbonate, or a C2 to C10 carboxylic acid sodium salt. In one embodiment, the compound of Formula I is reacted with sodium acetate, sodium 2-ethyl hexanoate or sodium caprylate. In another aspect, the present invention provides a process for the manufacture of a sodium salt of a compound of Formula I comprising converting the compound of Formula I to its ammonium or dibenzamide form and reacting it with an aqueous solution of sodium hydroxide or a C 2 to C 10 carboxylic acid sodium salt. In one embodiment, the C 2 -C 10 carboxylic acid sodium salt is sodium acetate, sodium 2-ethyl hexanoate or sodium caprylate. detailed-description description="Detailed Description" end="lead"? |
Method for the separation of blood plasma particles from a blood plasma suspension |
Method for the separation of blood plasma particles from the fluid phase of a blood plasma suspension using a self-discharging centrifuge, the drum of which is provided with axially stacked baffle plates. |
1. A method for the separation of blood plasma particles from a blood plasma suspension in a self-discharging centrifuge, having at least an optionally coolable housing (1), an admission line (2) for the suspension, a removal line (3) for the clarified liquid, a drum (4), which is suspended and is connected to a drive part lying above it, and, optionally, is provided with two or more discharge slits (5) and axially stacked baffle plates (14), and an optionally coolable collecting container (7), the method comprising at least the following method steps (I) separating the solid blood plasma particles from the liquid phase, as a sediment, by centrifuging the blood plasma suspension and removal of the liquid phase, (II) suctioning off the liquid still present in the drum (4) after separation of the blood plasma particles, the drum optionally being brought to a stop at least for at least 5 seconds, (III) discharging the sediment of solid blood plasma particles from the drum (4), by centrifugal force and opening of the drum (4), into a collecting container (7) located underneath the drum (4). 2. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the temperature of the drum (4) is brought to a temperature of ±5° C. in relation to the temperature of the inflowing blood plasma suspension before step I. 3. The method as claimed in claim 2, wherein said temperature adjustment of the drum (4) before method step I) is made with the drum (4) rotating. 4. The method as claimed in claim 2, wherein said temperature adjustment of the drum (4) before method step I) is made by feeding a precooling liquid via the admission line (2). 5. The method as claimed in claim 4, wherein, after said temperature adjustment of the drum (4) before method step I), the precooling liquid is suctioned off from the drum (4) via the admission line (2). 6. The method as claimed in claim 2, wherein, during method step I), the liquid phase separated in the drum (4) is taken up by a pump device (8) positioned above the baffle plates and is removed via a removal line (3). 7. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein, between method steps I) and II), in an additional centrifuging phase the blood plasma sediment is further compacted at a drum speed of 80% to 130% of the separation speed in step I). 8. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein, in method step II), the residual liquid is suctioned off in one or more intermediate centrifuging steps. 9. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein, in method step II), the blood plasma sediment is discharged by opening the discharge slits (5) of the drum, at a drum speed of 30% to 130% of the separation speed in step I). 10. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the blood plasma sediment discharged from the drum (4) is collected in a flexible bag (15) which is fitted into the collecting container (7) and which is held against the inner wall of the collecting container (7) by a vacuum which is generated by a vacuum attachment (13) between the bag (15) and the inner wall of the collecting container (7). 11. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein, after method step III), the method steps I) to III) are immediately repeated, until the collecting container (7) is filled with blood plasma sediment to a predetermined degree, and the sediment is removed for further processing. 12. The method as claimed in any one of claims 1 through 11, wherein, during one or more of method steps I) to III) or one or more of the intermediate steps, the drum (4) and the discharged blood plasma sediment are cooled, independently of one another, by cooling a jacket on those parts of the centrifuge surrounding them, with a liquid cooling medium, in the temperature range of +2° C. to −50° C. 13. The method as claimed in any one of claims 1 through 11, wherein during the entire method, or during selected steps thereof, the drum and the sediment is cooled by feeding liquid nitrogen into a space (10) surrounding the drum (4), and the gaseous nitrogen is removed via an exhaust gas pipe (11) preferably positioned in the housing. 14. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein, during the method, the surface temperature of the drum (4) is checked at one or more locations by a temperature-measuring device (12) which is optionally arranged on the housing (1) and conducts contactless measurement. 15. The method of claim 1, wherein said drum is brought to a stop for at least 10 seconds in step (II). 16. The method of claim 3, wherein said drum is rotating at a speed of from 20% to 70% of the drum speed at which the centrifuging of method step (I) takes place. 17. The method of claim 4, wherein said precooling liquid is fed at a temperature in the range of ±5° C. relative to the inflow temperature of the blood plasma suspension. 18. The method of claim 9, where said discharge slits are opened at a drum speed which is equal to the drum speed of step (I). 19. The method of claim 12, wherein said parts which are cooled are the housing, or the collecting container, or both. 20. The method of claim 13, wherein said cooling of said drum and said sediment are cooled at least before removal of the sediment from the drum. |
Mpeg-4 remote communication device |
An MPEG-4 based multimedia system in connection with a service provider therefore, and a remote communication device therefore, is presented. The interactive content based remote communication unit simplifies and reduces the number of steps and buttons required for receiving interactive service by the use of MPEG-4 encoded data. Additionally, new ways are disclosed for the data processing at the service provider side. Further, an improved way of exchanging data between the service provider (broadcaster, cable provider) and the customer (viewer) is presented. Still further, there is disclosed how digital equipment (server, set-top box, remote control unit and display) involved in the data processing can be optimized for the task of controlling the available channel bandwidth and displaying the data. |
1. Apparatus for providing digital services to a plurality of customers comprising: means for providing a main data stream comprising data encoded in a first format for representing an event; means for providing an additional data stream containing data encoded in a second format for representing objects related to the event represented by the data included in the main data stream; and means for embedding the additional data stream in the main data stream to produce a combined data stream. 2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the amount of data space available for each of the additional objects within the additional data stream being related to the interest of the customers. 3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the data included in the additional data stream and encoded in the second format comprises data in MPEG-4 format. 4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the included in the main data stream and encoded in the first format comprises data in MPEG-2 format. 5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the data included in the main data stream and encoded in the first format comprises data in MPEG-2 format and the data included in the additional data stream and encoded in the second format comprises data in MPEG-4 format; and further comprising means for providing the combined data stream including the MPEG-2 format data and MPEG-4 format data to a customer via one communication channel. 6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the event represented by data included in the main data stream comprises an event receivable by all customers, the event being defined by a start time and an end time, the additional data stream containing at least one object related to the event, the additional at least one object being transmitted between the start time and the end time of the event. 7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the data included in the main data stream and encoded in the first format comprises MPEG-2 encoded data and the data included in the additional data stream and encoded in the second format comprises MPEG-4 encoded data. 8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the data included in the main data stream and encoded in the first format comprises data encoded in MPEG-2 format and the data included in the additional data stream and encoded in the second format comprises data encoded in MPEG-4 format; and further comprising means for providing the combined data stream to a customer over a first communication channel; and means for receiving a customer response to the additional information via one of the first communication channel and a second communication channel different from the first communication channel. 9. The apparatus of claim 8, further comprising means for providing further additional information to the customer over the first communication channel in response to the customer response. 10. The apparatus of claim 9, further comprising means for collecting statistical information about viewer responses. 11. A method of providing digital services to a plurality of customers, comprising the steps of: providing a main data stream comprising data encoded in a first data format for representing an event; providing an additional data stream containing data encoded in a second data format for representing objects related to the event represented by the data included in the main data stream; and embedding the additional data stream in the main data stream to produce a combined data stream. 12. The method of claim 11 wherein the amount of data space available for each of the additional objects within the additional data stream being related to the interest of the customers. 13. The method of claim 12 wherein the data included in the additional data stream and encoded in the second data format comprises data in MPEG-4 format. 14. The method of claim 13 wherein the data included in the main data stream and encoded in the first data format comprises data in MPEG-2 format. 15. The method of claim 11 wherein the data included in the main data stream and encoded in the first data format comprises data in MPEG-2 format and the data included in the additional data stream and encoded in the second data format comprises data in MPEG-4 format; and further comprising the step of providing the combined data stream including the MPEG-2 format data and MPEG-4 format data to a customer via one communication channel. 16. The method of claim 11 wherein the event represented by data included in the main data stream comprises an event receivable by all customers, the event being defined by a start time and an end time, the additional data stream containing at least one object related to the event, and further comprising the step of transmitting the additional at least one object between the start time and the end time of the event. 17. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein the data included in the main data stream and encoded in the first data format comprises MPEG-2 encoded data and the data included in the additional data stream and encoded in the second data format comprises MPEG-4 encoded data. 18. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the data included in the main data stream and encoded in the first data format comprises data encoded in MPEG-2 format and the data included in the additional data stream and encoded in the second data format comprises data encoded in MPEG-4 format; and further comprising the steps of: providing the combined data stream to a customer over a first communication channel; and receiving a customer response to the additional information via one of the first communication channel and a second communication channel different from the first communication channel. 19. The apparatus of claim 18, further comprising the step of providing further additional information to the customer over the first communication channel in response to the customer response. 20. The apparatus of claim 19, further comprising the step of collecting statistical information about viewer responses. |
<SOH> BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION <EOH>It is well known that multimedia devices are versatile as to the ability to process information of various types, e.g., audio programming, television programming, movies, computer games, internet communications, etc., and provide the processed information to a user. However, the processed information may only appeal to a single user, e.g., the user who selected the programming. Other users who are present when the processed information is presented (e.g., displayed or output through an audio system) might prefer other programming or, for example, they might prefer to obtain more information about a particular aspect of the present programming. In addition, it is well known that the control of multimedia devices can be difficult. Most current remote control units play a passive role as they only transmit one-way commands, e.g., to a television receiver, and hence represent a relatively primitive interface between a viewer and a device. Typical multimedia applications include interactive services which require a large number of buttons on remote control units. This is cumbersome and confusing especially because limited space is available on the device surfaces for the buttons/keypad. As the number of multimedia devices increase in the future, the number of corresponding features will also increase making the situation even worse. Therefore, various companies have come up with new solutions to meet the challenge of controlling modern multimedia equipment. One of these solutions is the PRONTO™ intelligent remote control made by the Philips™ company headquartered in the Netherlands. This remote control unit is a universal learning device, which includes a large touch-screen liquid crystal display (LCD), a virtual keyboard displayed on the LCD, and a two-way infrared (IR) transceiver. The IR transceiver is used to learn codes from other remote control units (RCUs). The Philips™ remote control unit is considered to be an intelligent device because of its adaptive number of virtual buttons. As a result, the user only sees what he/she needs to see for performing a desired function. The Samsung™ company headquartered in South Korea has taken a further step and makes a two-way remote control unit named IDEO™ that is equipped with a small high-resolution LCD display. The Samsung™ remote control allows for the reception and viewing of television signals on the display in addition to the normal functions of a remote control unit. Thus, while viewing one program on the television, the user can scan, preview, view or select other programs/channels. It should be noted that the source of the video signal shown on the remote control unit display is an external device, e.g., a transmitter included in the television receiver, and such an arrangement requires a second tuner. However, the virtual buttons are internally produced by means of appropriate software and/or hardware. U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,671,225, 5,861,906 and 5,657,072 show the bi-directional transmission of digital information between a media server and a set-top box which is connected to a television receiver. U.S. Pat. No. 6,002,450 shows a two way remote control device with an LCD display providing a visual display of selected information such as an advertisement. U.S. Pat. No. 6,020,881 shows a remote control device having a graphical user interface and has objects which can be selected by the user. U.S. Pat. No. 6,070,167 shows a hierarchical system for the object based audiovisual tagging of images for, inter alia, manipulation. U.S. Pat. No. 6,097,441 of Allport shows a system using two or more cooperating but physically independent displays. This patent appears in some ways to be similar to the Samsung™ remote control device discussed above. U.S. Pat. No. 6,127,941 of Van Ryzin shows a two-way wireless remote control unit including a graphical user interface for controlling various multimedia devices. This and the Philips™ device discussed above have similar remote control features but do not operate in the same manner concerning signal transmission. U.S. Pat. No. 6,130,726 shows a remote control device with a display for showing a program guide. U.S. publication No. US2002/0016766 shows the bi-directional distribution of digital content with a service provider. |
<SOH> SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION <EOH>As technology rapidly advances, there is a need to further improve both the ability to access multimedia content and the above-mentioned remote control concepts by taking advantage of new technologies. The present inventions are based on two different data encoding formats, e.g., the Moving Pictures Expert Group's MPEG-2 and MPEG-4 multimedia standards. MPEG-4 is a content-based encoding/decoding process and is not block-oriented as is MPEG-2. Hence, MPEG- 4 allows for the ability to interact with objects that make up the audio-visual scene. These objects can be audio, visual and audio-visual objects, which can be natural or synthetic, i.e., they can be recorded with a camera, a microphone, or generated by a computer. The data streams of MPEG-4 contain object and scene descriptors that provide configuration and other information for the streams related to interactive audio-visual objects. Thus, the MPEG-4 standard also allows for improved client-server interactivity, which can be realized in the form of downstream and return stream communication channels. This is useful because a downstream data stream may require information to be transmitted upstream from the receiver to the sender, for example, in e-commerce or interactive television. An MPEG-4 data stream can be embedded and transmitted in the MPEG-2 data stream, and can subsequently be separated from the MPEG-2 data stream, i.e., at the receiver side. The present invention takes advantage of the above-mentioned features of the two data encoding formats MPEG-2 and MPEG-4, and discloses an interactive remote communication unit having an MPEG4 decoder. The disclosed interactive remote communication unit simplifies and reduces the number of steps required for receiving interactive service. Such a remote communication device also reduces the number of buttons required for operation of the remote since a large number can be confusing to the user. The present invention also discloses new ways for data processing at the provider side. Interactive digital television services are now considered a key element to introduce digital television services and to encourage customers to invest in new digital television appliances. The present invention discloses improving of the way of exchanging data between the service provider, e.g., broadcaster, cable company, Internet service provider, and the customer (viewer). The present invention also discloses how digital equipment (server, set-top box (STB), remote communication unit and display) involved in the data processing can be modified to optimize the task of controlling the available channel bandwidth and the displaying of data. |
Method, system and terminal for synchronising a plurality of terminals |
The present invention relates to the synchronisation of terminals and, more particularly, to the synchronisation of multiple terminals in a multi-user environment. According to one embodiment of the present invention there is provided a method for synchronising a plurality of remote user terminals capable of communicating with a remote host, wherein one of the user terminals creates update data to be transmitted to the other ones of the plurality of user terminals, comprising: receiving at the remote host, via a first telecommunications network, update data from one of the plurality of remote user terminals; and transmitting, via a second telecommunications network, a signal based on the received update data to the other ones of the plurality of user terminals thereby synchronising the user terminals. |
1. A method for synchronising a plurality of remote user terminals capable of communicating with a remote host, wherein one of the user terminals creates update data to be transmitted to the other ones of the plurality of user terminals, comprising: receiving at the remote host, via a first telecommunications network, update data from one of the plurality of remote user terminals; and transmitting, via a second telecommunications network, a signal based on the received update data to the other ones of the plurality of user terminals thereby synchronising the user terminals. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of transmitting comprises routing the transmission of the signal to the user terminals via different networks depending on parameters of each user terminal. 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the parameters of each user terminal are based on the location of the user terminal. 4. The method of claim 2, wherein each user terminal is adapted to receive update data over a number of different telecommunications networks and further wherein the parameters of each user terminals are based on the type of different telecommunications networks supported by that user terminal. 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the first telecommunication network is a point-to-point network. 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the second telecommunication network is a broadcast network. 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the second telecommunications network is a multicast network. 8. A system for synchronising a plurality of remote user terminals capable of communicating with a remote host, wherein one of the user terminals creates update data to be transmitted to the other user terminals comprising: receiving at the remote host, via a first telecommunications network, update data from one of the remote user terminals; transmitting, via a second telecommunication network, a signal based on the received update data to the user terminals thereby synchronising the user terminals. 9. The system of claim 8, wherein the remote host comprises a router for transmitting the signal to the user terminals via different networks depending on parameters of each user terminal. 10. The system of claim 8 wherein the first telecommunications network is a point-to-point network. 11. The system of claim 8, wherein the second telecommunications network is a broadcast or multicast network. 12. A user terminal capable of remotely synchronising with a remote user terminal, wherein each user terminal is capable of communicating with a remote host, comprising: a transmitter for transmitting, via a first telecommunications network, update data to the remote host; and a receiver for receiving, via a second telecommunications network, update data transmitted by the remote host. 13. The user terminal of claim 12, wherein the first telecommunication network is a point-to-point network. 14. The user terminal of claim 12, wherein the second telecommunication network is a broadcast network. 15. The user terminal of claim 12, wherein the second telecommunication network is a multicast network. 16. (Cancelled) 17. (Cancelled) 18. (Cancelled) 19. (Cancelled) |
Method and apparatus for splitting semiconductor wafer |
A method of dividing a semiconductor wafer having circuits formed in a plurality of areas defined by streets arranged on the front surface in a lattice form along the streets, comprising the step of detecting the streets from the back surface of the semiconductor wafer and the step of cutting the semiconductor wafer along the streets detected in the street detection step by applying a laser beam to the back surface of the semiconductor wafer along the streets. |
1. A method of dividing a semiconductor wafer having circuits formed in a plurality of areas defined by streets arranged on the front surface in a lattice form along the streets, comprising: the step of detecting the streets from the back surface of the semiconductor wafer; and the step of cutting the semiconductor wafer along the streets detected in the street detection step by applying a laser beam to the back surface of the semiconductor wafer along the streets. 2. The method of dividing a semiconductor wafer according to claim 1, wherein the street detection step is to irradiate the back surface of the semiconductor wafer with infrared radiation and to detect the streets based on an image formed by the infrared radiation. 3. A dividing apparatus comprising a chuck table for holding a workpiece, an alignment means for detecting an area to be divided of the workpiece held on the chuck table and a laser beam irradiation means for applying a laser beam to the area to be divided, which has been detected by the alignment means, wherein the alignment means comprises an infrared radiation illuminating means for applying infrared radiation to the workpiece, an optical system for capturing infrared radiation illuminated by the infrared radiation illuminating means, an image pickup device for outputting an electric signal corresponding to infrared radiation captured by the optical system, and a control means for processing an image based on the output signal from the image pickup device. |
<SOH> BACKGROUND ART <EOH>As is known to people of ordinary skill in the art, in the production of a semiconductor device, a plurality of areas are defined by streets (cutting lines) formed on the front surface of a substantially disk-shaped semiconductor wafer in a lattice form, and a circuit such as IC or LSI is formed in each of the defined areas. The semiconductor wafer is cut along the streets to separate the areas having circuit formed therein from one another, thereby manufacturing individual semiconductor chips. Cutting along the streets of the semiconductor wafer is generally carried out by a cutting machine called “dicer”. This cutting machine has a chuck table for holding a semiconductor wafer as a workpiece, a cutting means for cutting the semiconductor wafer held on the chuck table, and a moving means for moving the chuck table and the cutting means relative to each other. The cutting means comprises a rotary spindle that is rotated at a high speed and a cutting blade mounted to the spindle. The cutting blade comprises a disk-shaped base and an annular cutting edge that is mounted to the outer peripheral portion of the side wall of the base, and the cutting edge is so formed to have a thickness of about 15 μm by fixing diamond abrasive grains having a diameter of, for example, about 3 μm to the base by electroforming. When a semiconductor wafer having a thickness of 50 μm or less is cut by using such cutting blade, the cut surface of the cut semiconductor chip has flaws or cracks, thereby causing deterioration in quality of the semiconductor chip. To form a finer IC or LSI circuit pattern, a semiconductor wafer such as a silicon wafer having the front surface of a low-dielectric insulating material laminated thereon has recently been put to practical use. Examples of the low-dielectric insulating material include materials having a dielectric constant (for example, k=about 2.5 to 3.6) lower than an SiO 2 film (dielectric constant k=about 4.1), such as films of an inorganic material, e.g., SiOF, BSG(SiOB) or H-containing polysiloxane (HSQ), films of an organic material such as a polyimide-based, parylene-based or Teflon-based polymer, and porous silica films such as a methyl-containing polysiloxane. When such semiconductor wafers are cut with the above cutting blade, the surface layer, that is, the low-dielectric insulating layer is peeled off from the semiconductor wafer body by a breaking force of the cutting blade even in an area adjacent to a street due to the high fragility of the low-dielectric insulating material, thereby deteriorating the quality of divided semiconductor chips. Meanwhile, as shown in FIGS. 9 , attempts have been made to cut the semiconductor wafer 10 by irradiating it with a laser beam LB along the streets 101 of the semiconductor wafer 10 . This method for cutting by irradiation of a laser beam is a method to cut the semiconductor wafer 10 by melting the street 101 thereof with the laser beam LB. Accordingly, a problem can be solved with that the low-dielectric insulating layer is separated from the semiconductor wafer body. However, in the method in which the laser beam LB is irradiated along the streets 101 of the semiconductor wafer 10 , the semiconductor wafer 10 is heated to a fairly high temperature by the laser beam LB, as shown in FIG. 9 ( a ). As shown in FIG. 9 ( a ), this area 104 to be affected by heat is large on the front surface side of the semiconductor wafer 10 and gradually decreases toward the rear surface side. Therefore, there is a problem that circuits 102 formed on the front surface of the semiconductor wafer 10 may be damaged by the influence of heat. Further, since the method in which the semiconductor wafer 10 is irradiated along the streets 101 with the laser beam LB is to cut the semiconductor wafer 10 by melting the streets 101 of the semiconductor wafer 10 with the laser beam LB, a new problem arises that debris 105 is produced as shown in FIG. 9 ( b ) and adheres to a bonding pad connected to the circuits 102 , thereby deteriorating the quality of the semiconductor chips. The present invention has been made in view of the above fact, and its principal technical subject is to provide a method of dividing a semiconductor wafer by using a laser beam, which enables the semiconductor wafer to be divided along streets without damaging circuits formed on the front surface of the semiconductor wafer by the influence of heat and without allowing debris to adhere to a bonding pad or the like; as well as a dividing apparatus. |
<SOH> BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS <EOH>FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a dividing apparatus constituted according to the present invention; FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the main constituent elements of the dividing apparatus shown in FIG. 1 ; FIG. 3 is a block diagram schematically showing the constitution of laser beam processing means provided in the dividing apparatus shown in FIG. 1 ; FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing that a semiconductor wafer to be divided by the dividing apparatus shown in FIG. 1 is placed on a protective tape affixed to a frame; FIG. 5 is a constitution diagram of an alignment means provided in the dividing apparatus shown in FIG. 1 ; FIGS. 6 are diagrams for explaining the dividing method of the present invention; FIG. 7 is a graph showing the transmittances of the materials of semiconductor wafers; FIG. 8 are diagrams showing states cut by the dividing method of the present invention; and FIG. 9 are diagrams showing states cut by the laser beam cutting of the prior art. detailed-description description="Detailed Description" end="lead"? |
Tetraxial fabric and machine for its manufacture |
A tetraxial fabric is obtained using warp yarns, weft yarns, first bias yarns and second bias yarns. The warp yarns alternate to the weft yarns and the first bias yarns are overlaid by the second bias yarns, in addition the first bias yarns cross the second bias yarns at the crossover points of the warp yarns with the weft yarns. The invention includes also a machine to manufacture the said tetraxial fabric. |
1. A tetraxial fabric obtained using warp yarns, weft yarns, first bias yarns and second bias yarns, characterized in that the mentioned warp yarns alternate to the mentioned weft yarns and in that the mentioned first bias yarns are overlaid by the men-tioned second bias yarns, where the mentioned first bias yarns crisscross with the mentioned second bias yarns at the crossover point of the mentioned warp yarns with the mentioned weft yarns. 2. A tetraxial fabric according to claim 1, characterized in that the mentioned first and second bias yarns crisscross along directions inclined at the desired angle. 3. A tetraxial fabric according to claim 1, characterized in that the mentioned weft yarns, the mentioned warp yarns and the mentioned first and second bias yarns are different in size so as to make a tetraxial fabric with a partial fill coefficient. 4. A tetraxial fabric according to claim 1, characterized in that the mentioned first and second bias yarns are woven at a distance from the crossover points of the mentioned weft yarns with the mentioned warp yarns. 5. A machine for the manufacture of a tetraxial fabric according to claim 1, characterized in that a bearing structure is provided where the beams for the first and second bias yarns are installed, while the warp beams are provided laterally and outside of the mentioned bearing structure, the mentioned machine being provided with warp yarn guiding means, weft yarn insertion means and means for guiding the first and second bias yarns toward a fabric formation area, where the mentioned machine includes a first and second warp yarn guiding members and where such members face each other and either of the mentioned warp yarn guiding members is movable while the other is stationary. 6. A machine according to claim 5, characterized in that the first and second warp guiding members include opposite and offset holder bars, each carrying a set of needles which are substantially parallel to one another. 7. A machine according to claim 5, characterized in that the mentioned weft insertion means can be placed either at the opposite side ends of the machine or both on the same side, or can consist of a single weft feeding system that feeds one weft first and the other weft later. 8. A machine according to claim 6, characterized in that the first and second bias yarn guiding means include an entrainment system which carries a set of plates, each provided with a needle through which either of the mentioned bias yarns is passed. 9. A machine according to claim 5, characterized in that a single beater is provided. 10. (Cancelled) 11. A tetraxial fabric according to claim 2, characterized in that the mentioned weft yarns, the mentioned warp yarns and the mentioned first and second bias yarns are different in size so as to make a tetraxial fabric with a partial fill coefficient. 12. A machine according to claim 6, characterized in that the mentioned weft insertion means can be placed either at the opposite side ends of the machine or both on the same side, or can consist of a single weft feeding system that feeds one weft first and the other weft later. |
Method and system for determining and providing communications service based on a customer request |
According to the present invention, a customer transmits a request for service to a Service Comparison/Acquisition Provider (SCAP). The request defines parameters related to the service, such as the type of device to be used, the address of the device to be communicated with, the duration of communication, an access method and a method of payment. Based in part on the parameters specified by the customer in a service request, the SCAP determines a price for which the SCAP can provide the customer with the requested service. The SCAP then transmits the price to the customer. If the customer agrees to the purchase, then the SCAP provides the customer with the requested service. The SCAP is capable of identifying the networks and elements necessary to enable users to download requested services. Further, the SCAP is capable of inquiring and reserving capacity for optimizing the download of requested services. |
1. A method for obtaining services comprising: identifying a need for at least one type of service for use by a customer; submitting a service request to an acquiring entity for at least one type of service; receiving a service proposal from the acquiring entity including an estimate for cost of services; and transmitting an indication to the acquiring entity whether or not the service proposal is acceptable. 2. The method for obtaining services of claim 1 wherein the acquiring entity compares the service request with known service provider parameters to provide service to the customer. 3. The method for obtaining services of claim 1 further comprising: submitting payment for the services provided. 4. The method for obtaining services of claim 3 further comprising: receiving the services from the acquiring entity; 5. The method for obtaining services of claim 3 further comprising: receiving the services from the a service provider independent of the acquiring entity; 6. The method for obtaining services of claim 1 wherein the services comprise telecommunication services. 7. The method for obtaining services of claim 1 wherein the services comprise internet provider services. 8. The method for obtaining services of claim 1 wherein the services comprise media-related services. 9. A method for acquiring services on behalf of a customer comprising: receiving a service request from a customer, wherein said service request specifies requested services; comparing the requested services with stored service provider parameters; preparing a service proposal indicating the result of a service query to at least one service provider, wherein said service proposal comprises a cost estimate; transmitting the service proposal to the customer; and establishing a transfer of requested services to the customer in the event of an affirmative response to the service proposal. 10. The method of acquiring services in claim 9 further comprising: extracting pertinent data from the service request; 11. The method of acquiring services in claim 10 wherein the comparison is executed within an acquiring entity's system. 12. The method of acquiring services in claim 10 wherein the comparison is executed within a system populated with data provided by at least one service provider. 13. The method of acquiring services in claim 10 wherein the requested services are provided through an acquiring entity. 14. The method of acquiring services in claim 10 wherein the requested services are provided by a service provider entity acting in coordination with an acquiring entity. 15. The method of claim 9 wherein said service query comprises: storing the requested service query in a database; determining if the requested services are capable of being provided; wherein said service proposal comprises a designated time for when the services will be provided; and wherein said service proposal comprises an indication of which services will be provided. 16. A method for acquiring services of claim 10 wherein the services comprise telecommunication services. 17. A method for acquiring services of claim 10 wherein the services comprise internet provider services. 18. A method for acquiring services of claim 10 wherein the services comprise media-related services. 19. A method for acquiring service on behalf of a customer comprising: providing access to a searchable index of available media services; receiving a service request from a customer, wherein said service request specifies media-related services; establishing a transfer of the requested media from a media service provider; coordinating the transfer over at least one network from the media service provider to the customer. 20. The method of acquiring services of claim 19 further comprising: enabling the customer to utilize the transferred media. 21. The method of acquiring services of claim 19 further comprising: providing compensation to entities involved in the media transfer. 22. The method of acquiring services of claim 19 wherein coordinating the transfer maintains a predetermined quality of service level. 23. The method of acquiring services of claim 19 wherein the service request from a customer provides a searchable term. 24. The method of acquiring services of claim 19 wherein the media service provider is not publicly accessible. 25. A method for providing services to a customer comprising: receiving a service request from an acquiring entity to provide requested services to the customer independent from the acquiring entity; providing a cost estimate for the requested service to the acquiring entity; and providing services to the acquiring entity, said acquiring entity transferring services to the customer. 26. A method for providing services of claim 25 wherein the services comprise telecommunication services. 27. A method for providing services of claim 25 wherein the services comprise internet provider services. 28. A method for providing services of claim 25 wherein the services comprise media-related services. 29. A method for providing services to a user entity comprising: receiving a service request from an acquiring entity to provide requested services to a customer independent from the acquiring entity; providing a cost estimate for the requested service to the acquiring entity; and providing requested services to the customer, after receiving service providing instruction from the acquiring entity. 30. A method for providing services of claim 29 wherein the services comprise telecommunication services. 31. A method for providing services of claim 29 wherein the services comprise internet provider services. 32. A method for providing services of claim 29 wherein the services comprise media-related services. 33. A system for obtaining services comprising: a memory having program code stored therein; a processor operatively connected to said memory for carrying out instructions in accordance with said stored program code; wherein said program code, when executed by said processor, causes said processor to: identify a need for at least one type of service for use by a customer; submit a service request to an acquiring entity for at least one type of service; receive a service proposal from the acquiring entity including an estimate for cost of services; transmit an indication to the acquiring entity whether or not the service proposal is acceptable. 34. The system of claim 33 wherein said program code causes said processor to obtain services wherein the acquiring entity compares the service request with known service provider parameters to provide service to the customer. 35. The system of claim 33 wherein said program code causes said processor to submit payment for the services provided. 36. The system of claim 35 wherein said program code causes said processor to receive the services from the acquiring entity; 37. The system of claim 35 wherein said program code causes said processor to: receive the services from the a service provider independent of the acquiring entity; 38. The system of claim 33 wherein said program code causes said processor to obtain services wherein the services comprise telecommunication services. 39. The system of claim 33 wherein said program code causes said processor to obtain services wherein the services comprise internet provider services. 40. The system of claim 33 wherein said program code causes said processor to obtain services wherein the services comprise media-related services. 41. A system for acquiring services on behalf of a customer comprising: a memory having program code stored therein; a processor operatively connected to said memory for carrying out instructions in accordance with said stored program code; wherein said program code, when executed by said processor, causes said processor to: receive a service request from a customer, wherein said service request specifies requested services; compare the requested services with stored service provider parameters; prepare a service proposal indicating the result of a service query to at least one service provider, wherein said service proposal comprises a cost estimate; transmit the service proposal to the customer; and establish a transfer of requested services to the customer in the event of an affirmative response to the service proposal. 42. The system of claim 41 wherein said program code causes said processor to: extract pertinent data from the service request; 43. The system of claim 42 wherein said program code causes said processor to acquire services wherein the comparison is executed within an acquiring entity's system. 44. The system of claim 42 wherein said program code causes said processor to acquire services wherein the comparison is executed within a system populated with data provided by at least one service provider. 45. The system of claim 42 wherein said program code causes said processor to acquire services wherein the requested services are provided through an acquiring entity. 46. The system of claim 42 wherein said program code causes said processor to acquire services wherein the requested services are provided by a service provider entity acting in coordination with an acquiring entity. 47. The system of claim 41 wherein said program code causes said processor to acquire services wherein said service query comprises: storing the requested service query in a database; determining if the requested services are capable of being provided; wherein said service proposal comprises a designated time for when the services will be provided; and wherein said service proposal comprises an indication of which services will be provided. 48. The system of claim 42 wherein said program code causes said processor to acquire services wherein the services comprise telecommunication services. 49. The system of claim 42 wherein said program code causes said processor to acquire services wherein the services comprise internet provider services. 50. The system of claim 42 wherein said program code causes said processor to acquire services wherein the services comprise media-related services. 51. A system for acquiring services on behalf of a customer comprising: a memory having program code stored therein; a processor operatively connected to said memory for carrying out instructions in accordance with said stored program code; wherein said program code, when executed by said processor, causes said processor to: provide access to a searchable index of available media services; receive a service request from a customer, wherein said service request specifies media-related services; establish a transfer of the requested media from a media service provider; coordinate the transfer over at least one network from the media service provider to the customer. 52. The system of claim 51 wherein said program code causes said processor to: enable the customer to utilize the transferred media. 53. The system of claim 51 wherein said program code causes said processor to: provide compensation to entities involved in the media transfer. 54. The system of claim 51 wherein said program code causes said processor to acquire services wherein coordinating the transfer maintains a predetermined quality of service level. 55. The system of claim 51 wherein said program code causes said processor to acquire services wherein the service request from a customer provides a searchable term. 56. The system of claim 51 wherein said program code causes said processor to acquire services wherein the media service provider is not publicly accessible. 57. A system for providing services to a customer comprising: a memory having program code stored therein; a processor operatively connected to said memory for carrying out instructions in accordance with said stored program code; wherein said program code, when executed by said processor, causes said processor to: receive a service request from an acquiring entity to provide requested services to the customer independent from the acquiring entity; provide a cost estimate for the requested service to the acquiring entity; and provide services to the acquiring entity, said acquiring entity transferring services to the customer. 58. The system of claim 57 wherein said program code causes said processor to provide services wherein the services comprise telecommunication services. 59. The system of claim 57 wherein said program code causes said processor to provide services wherein the services comprise internet provider services. 60. The system of claim 57 wherein said program code causes said processor to provide services wherein the services comprise media-related services. 61. A system for providing services to a customer comprising: a memory having program code stored therein; a processor operatively connected to said memory for carrying out instructions in accordance with said stored program code; wherein said program code, when executed by said processor, causes said processor to: receive a service request from an acquiring entity to provide requested services to a customer independent from the acquiring entity; provide a cost estimate for the requested service to the acquiring entity; and provide requested services to the customer, after receiving service providing instruction from the acquiring entity. 62. The system of claim 61 wherein said program code causes said processor to provide services wherein the services comprise telecommunication services. 63. The system of claim 61 wherein said program code causes said processor to provide services wherein the services comprise internet provider services. 64. The system of claim 61 wherein said program code causes said processor to provide services wherein the services comprise media-related services. |
<SOH> BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION <EOH>Current technologies and services offered by communication companies offer consumers a great variety of choices for deciding how to communicate information. Several examples of communication systems include but are not limited to: POTS, VoIP, Callback, Toll-free phone calls, Wireless phone systems, SMS, WAP, DSL, Wireless Networks, Cable, Broadband, and Video. Each communication company may utilize a different specific pricing structure, thereby making it extremely difficult for consumers to determine which company and technology is most cost effective for their needs. Further, most communications companies provide only a few of these services and are unable to provide the remaining services to their customers. As such, there is currently no system which offers consumers real-time quotes for a variety of available telecommunications services, and further has the capability to provision the services to the consumers. |
<SOH> SUMMARY <EOH>Disclosed in the instant application is a method and system for providing telecommunications services and/or the like, to a customer based on a number of customer defined request parameters. According to the present invention, a customer transmits a request for communications service to a Service Comparison/Acquisition Provider (SCAP). The request defines a number of parameters related to the service, such as the type of communication device to be used, the address of the device to be communicated with, the duration of communication, an access method, and a method of payment. Based in part on the parameters specified by the customer in a service request, the SCAP determines a price for which the SCAP can provide the customer with the requested service. The SCAP then transmits the price to the customer. If the customer agrees to the purchase, then the SCAP provides the customer with the requested service. For example, in one embodiment of the present invention, a customer using a Web browser may log onto a Web site maintained by the SCAP. At the Web site, the customer may submit a request for a 60-minute phone call from a pay phone in New York to a wireless phone in London. The SCAP determines that the service may be offered to the customer for $2.00. If the customer accepts, the SCAP issues the customer a phone number and a PIN number to be used to access the service. The customer may then use a pay phone in New York to call the issued phone number, enter the PIN number (e.g. using DTMF tones), and thereby receive a connection to the wireless phone in London. In another example, the customer may use a personal computer enabled with speakers and a microphone to access VoIP service provided by the SCAP. In this example, if the customer accepts the price offered by the SCAP, a VoIP dialer may immediately launch on the customer's PC, thereby connecting the customer to, e.g., the specified London phone number. |
Method and device for predicting the fertile phase of women |
A method and device to predict ovulation in a female human by measuring changes in the concentration of a number of ions in eccrine sweat is disclosed. The concentration, or changes in concentration, of one or more ions are determined throughout the day and analyzed against predetermined patterns in order to predict ovulation one to five days in advance. This permits the user to more accurately determine commencement of the fertile phase, which for female humans is generally considered to be about four days prior to ovulation to one day after ovulation. The concentration of the ions measured include sodium (Na+), potassium (K+), ammonium (NH4+), calcium (Ca2+), chloride (Cl−) and nitrate (NO3−). To further increase the accuracy of the reading, a large number of readings can be obtained throughout a day and statistically analyzed to determine the change over time. In addition, the concentration of two or more ions can be obtained to increase accuracy. Ratiometric measurements between two or more ions can be determined to increase accuracy and account for ion accumulation on the skin. Ratiometric measurements between ammonium (NH4+) and calcium (Ca2+) have been found to provide more distinct patterns because the concentration of these two ions change in opposite directions during the relevant period preceding ovulation. |
1. A device for determining a fertile phase of a female human comprising: (a) a sensor for sensing concentrations of at least two ions in the eccrine sweat of the female and generating output signals indicative of concentrations of the at least two ions in the eccrine sweat; (b) a processor for controlling the sensor to sense the concentrations of at least two ions in the eccrine sweat substantially simultaneously and at least on a daily basis; and wherein the processor monitors the output signals from the sensor to identify a distinct change in the concentration of one of the at least two ions following an inversion which indicates the female human is in the fertile phase. 2. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least two ions sensed in the eccrine sweat are selected from the group consisting of sodium (Na+), potassium (K+), ammonium (NH4+), calcium (Ca2+), chloride (Cl−) and nitrate (NO3−) of the eccrine sweat. 3. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least two ions comprise a first ion and a second ion; and the processor monitors a ratio of the concentration of the first ion to the second ion to identify a distinct change in the concentration of the at least two ions following an inversion indicating the female human is in the fertile phase. 4. The device as claimed in claim 3, wherein the first ion is selected from the group consisting of potassium (K+), nitrate (NO3−), ammonium (NH4+) and calcium (Ca2+), and, a second ion is selected from the group consisting of sodium (Na+) and chloride (Cl−). 5. The device as claimed in claim 3, wherein the first ion is selected from the group consisting of potassium (K+), nitrate (NO3−) and ammonium (NH4+), and the second ion is selected from the group consisting of calcium (Ca2+). 6. The device as claimed in claim 3, wherein the first ion is ammonium (NH4+) and the second ion is calcium (Ca2+). 7. The device as claimed in claim 5, wherein the at least two ions comprise a third ion selected from the group consisted of sodium (Na+) and chloride (Cl−); and wherein the processor monitors a first preliminary ratio of the concentration of the first ion with respect to the third ion, and, a second preliminary ratio of the concentration of the second ion with respect to the third ion, and, the processor then monitors a ratio of the first preliminary ratio to the second preliminary ratio to identify a distinct change in the concentration of the at least two ions following an inversion indicating commencement of a fertile phase. 8. A device as claimed in claim 3, wherein the device further comprises a display for displaying characters indicating the female human is in the fertile phase. 9. A device as claimed in claim 3, further comprising a fastener for fastening the device to the female subject such that the sensor contacts the skin of the female at least six hours each day; and wherein the processor controls the sensor to sense the concentration of the at least two ions between eight to eighteen times each day to monitor a daily average of the concentrations. 10. A device as claimed in claim 3, wherein the fertile state of ovulation is predicted to occur within six days following the inversion. 11. A device for determining the fertility status of a female mammal comprising: (a) a sensing means for sensing at least one ion selected from the group consisting of potassium (K+), ammonium (NH4+), calcium (Ca2+), chloride (Cl−), nitrate (NO3) and sodium (Na+), in the eccrine sweat of the female mammal and generating output signals indicative of the concentration of ions in the eccrine sweat; (b) processor means for controlling the sensing means to sense the at least one ion in the eccrine sweat at least on a daily basis; and wherein the processor means monitors the output signals stored in the storage means to identify a distinct change in a concentration of one of the ions following an inversion which indicates the female mammal is in the fertile phase. 12. A device as claimed in claim 11, wherein the female mammal is a female human and the distinct change is a change of at least 40% following the inversion. 13. A device as claimed in claim 11, wherein the device further comprises a display means for indicating the female mammal is in the fertile phase. 14. A device as claimed in claim 11, wherein the sensing means utilizes a solid state sensor. 15. The device defined in claim 11, wherein the female mammal is a female human and the processor causes the sensing means to sense the concentration of the at least one ion at least six readings per day and statistically analyzes the at least six readings to provide an average of the concentration for the day; and wherein the processor means monitors the average of the concentration of one of the ions to identify a distinct change in the concentration of one of the ions following an inversion which indicates the female human is in the fertile phase. 16. The device as defined in claim 16, further comprising: storage means for storing information regarding previous reproductive cycles of the female; and wherein the processor utilizes the information to predict an expected duration of the reproductive cycle and disregard output signals obtained for an initial portion of a reproductive cycle of the female mammal immediately following menstruation. 17. The device as defined in claim 16, wherein the initial portion which is disregarded is prior to 19 days before an estimated end of the reproductive cycle. 18. The device as claimed in claim 17, wherein the at least two ions comprise a first ion and a second ion; and the processor monitors a ratio of the concentration of the first ion to the second ion to identify a distinct change in the concentration of the one of the at least two ions following an inversion which indicates the female human is in the fertile phase. 19. The device as claimed in claim 18, wherein the first ion is selected from the group consisting of potassium (K+), nitrate (NO3−), ammonium (NH4+) and calcium (Ca2+), and, a second ion is selected from the group consisting of sodium (Na+) and chloride (Cl−). 20. A device as claimed in claim 11, wherein the female mammal is a female human and ovulation is ascertained to occur within six days following the inversion. 21. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sensor comprises a conductivity sensor to sense conductivity of the eccrine sweat; wherein the sensor senses the concentration of the at least two ions by sensing the conductivity of the eccrine sweat; and wherein the processor monitors the output signals from the sensor indicating conductivity of the eccrine sweat to identify a distinct change in the concentration of one of the at least two ions following an inversion which indicates the female human is in the fertile phase. 22. A device as claimed in claim 2, wherein to identify a distinct change in the concentration of one of the least two ions following an inversion, the processor monitors the output signals to identify a surge of 25% followed by a drop of 0.40% in the concentration of one of the at least two ions. 23. A method for determining a fertile phase of a female human comprising the steps of: (a) sensing concentration of at least two ions in eccrine sweat of the female human substantially simultaneously and at least on a daily basis; (b) generating output signals indicative of concentrations of the at least two ions in the eccrine sweat; (c) monitoring the output signals to identify a distinct change in the concentration of one of the at least two ions following an inversion which indicates the female human is in the fertile phase. 24. The method as defined in claim 23, wherein steps (a) and (b) further comprise the steps of: (i) sensing concentrations of the at least two ions by sensing conductivity of the eccrine sweat; and (ii) generating output signals indicative of concentrations of the at least two ions in the eccrine sweat by generating output signals indicating conductivity of the eccrine sweat. 25. The method as defined in claim 23, wherein step (c) further comprises the step of: (i) monitoring the output signals to identify a surge of at least 25% followed by a drop of at least 40% in the concentration of one of the at least two ions indicating the female human is in the fertile phase. 26. The method as defined in claim 23, wherein the at least two ions sensed in the eccrine sweat are selected from the group consisting of sodium (Na+), potassium (K+), ammonium (NH4+), calcium (Ca2+), chloride (Cl−) and nitrate (NO3−) of the eccrine sweat pH. 27. The method as defined in claim 23, wherein the at least two ions comprise a first ion and a second ion and wherein step (c) comprises the step of: (i) monitoring a ratio of the concentration of the first ion to the second ion to identify a distinct change in the concentration of one of the at least two ions following an inversion indicating the female human is in the fertile phase. 28. The method as defined in claim 27, wherein the first ion is selected from the group consisting of potassium (K+), nitrate (NO3−), ammonium (NH4+) and calcium (Ca2+), and, a second ion is selected from the group consisting of sodium (Na+) and chloride (Cl−). 29. The method as defined in claim 27, wherein the first ion is selected from the group consisting of nitrate (NO3−) and ammonium (NH4+) and the second ion is selected from the group consisting of calcium (Ca2+). 30. The method as defined in claim 23 comprising the further steps of: sensing concentrations of the least two ions substantially simultaneously and at least six times a day; generating output signals indicative of concentrations of the at least two ions in the eccrine sweat; processing the output signals to provide a daily average of the at least two ions; monitoring the daily averages of the output signals to identify a distinct change in the concentration of one of the at least two ions following an inversion which indicates the female human is in the fertile phase. 31. The method as defined in claim 23 further comprising the steps of: storing information regarding previous reproductive cycles of the female; predicting, based on the stored information regarding previous reproductive cycles of the female, an expected duration of the reproductive cycle and disregarding output signals prior to 19 days before an estimated end of the expected duration of the reproductive cycle. |
<SOH> BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION <EOH>The fertile phase in a mammal can be defined as the period during which sperm present in the uterus may encounter and fertilize an egg. Generally, in female humans, the average reproductive cycle is 28 days, of which a released egg survives only about 12 to 24 hours. However, the uterus is capable of storing sperm for a period of up to four days. Thus, the fertile phase can commence up to four days prior to ovulation and last for up to one day after ovulation. But, the time period following ovulation, when an egg is released, is relatively narrow. Many prior art devices have been proposed to determine when ovulation has occurred. However, by merely determining when ovulation has occurred, these prior art devices and methods only determine a fraction of the fertile phase in a female human. Clearly, an advantage can be obtained by predicting ovulation at least four days in advance, which will encompass the entire fertile phase of a woman. In this way, pregnancy can be planned. Several methods for determining ovulation have been proposed in the past. In female humans, the maturation of ovarian follicles which will eventually release a fertile egg are effected by the action of Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) and Luteinizing Hormone (LH) secreted by the anterior lobe of the pituitary. The ovulatory phase of the menstrual cycle is preceded by a significant rise in serum total estrogens 24 to 48 hours prior to ovulation, which prepare the uterus for possible implantation. The rise in estrogens is followed by a rapid rise in serum luteinizing hormone (LH) reaching a peak 12 to 24 hours prior to ovulation. Many other physiological conditions also change around the time of ovulation. For instance, basal body temperature (BBT) reaches a nadir followed by a sharp rise around the time of ovulation. Cervical mucus undergoes viscosity changes stimulated by rising estrogen which can help direct sperm towards the egg. Several fertility detectors have been developed which measure these various hormones or their indirect physiological effects. The BBT method, referred to above, generally requires female humans to take their vaginal temperature and chart the value every morning before rising. Besides the considerable diligence involved, the method is generally only accurate within one to two days of ovulation, and gives no prior notice. Cervical mucus measurements have been regarded as somewhat more helpful. Women can examine their cervical mucus for a thinning of the mucus just before ovulation, which allows it to be drawn intact between the fingers and is referred to as the spinbarkeit reaction. Another method involves examining the cervical mucus under a microscope and looking for a “ferning” reaction indicative of imminent ovulation. A further method measures vaginal mucus conductivity using impedance probes which allows a somewhat more quantitative estimation of the mucus changes as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,770,186. U.S. Pat. No. 5,209,238 to Sundhar discloses an ovulation monitor which determines the presence of a viable egg by sensing the mucous density, basil body temperature, and pH level and LH level of secretion in the vagina. However, these prior art methods suffer from the disadvantage that they determine ovulation, but do not provide a means for predicting ovulation, thereby missing a large portion of the fertile phase. Also, cervical mucus examination suffers from subjective errors as well as being arduous and again gives little to no prior notice of ovulation. U.S. Pat. No. 5,685,319 to Marett discloses that a significant pH nadir in female eccrine sweat was found to occur approximately five to six days prior to ovulation. In this way, tracking the pH of eccrine sweat could assist in predicting ovulation, and thereby determining the fertility status of a female human. Furthermore, an advantage of tracking pH is that it is inherently buffered in that the hydrogen ions H + can react with the hydroxide ion (OH) to form water. In addition, even though there is no satisfactory mechanism to explain skin acidity, previous studies have found that eccrine sweat of women is also generally buffered by either the lactic acid/lactate system, free amino acid secretion or CO 2 bicarbonate. The benefit of having the pH buffered is that changes in the quantity of eccrine sweat, such as through evaporation or increased physical activity, will not greatly affect the pH, thereby avoiding spurious readings. Several researchers have also investigated changes of other ions in eccrine sweat. For instance, Lieberman and Taylor looked at chloride (Cl−), sodium (Na+) and potassium (K+) in the eccrine sweat of female humans (Lieberman et al. JAMA Feb. 21, 1996, Vol. 195, No. 8, pages 117-123 and Taylor et al., Journal of Investigative Dermatology, Vol. 53, No. 3, pages 234-237, 1969). However, neither Lieberman nor Taylor investigated changes in the concentrations of these ions prior to ovulation and for the purpose of predicting ovulation. One disadvantage of much of the prior art has been that it fails to predict ovulation at least three to six days in advance. Because of this, the prior art methods and devices fail to determine the entire fertile phase of a female. Furthermore, other than for measuring pH, the prior art has failed to consider what other characteristics of eccrine sweat of female humans can be used to predict ovulation. The prior art has failed to provide a reliable and consistent method and device to obtain measurements of the characteristics of eccrine sweat, such as changes in the concentrations of ions, other than pH. In addition, the prior art has failed to provide a method and device which can measure changes in concentrations of ions in eccrine sweat which are not naturally buffered, as is pH, and which may therefore vary due to other factors, such as eccrine sweat volume due to increased physical activity, ambient temperature or evaporation. Accordingly, there is a need in the art for a method and device to reliably and economically predict ovulation three to six days in advance in order to determine a larger portion of the fertile phase of a female mammal, and preferably a female human. There is also a need for a method and device to predict ovulation which is easy to use, reliable and inexpensive. |
<SOH> SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION <EOH>Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to at least partially overcome some of the disadvantages of the prior art. Also, it is an object of this invention to provide an improved method and device to assist in predicting ovulation in female mammals, and preferably female humans, about one to six days in advance, which is reliable and can be economically implemented. Accordingly, in one of its aspects, this invention resides in a device for determining a fertile phase of a female human comprising: (a) a sensor for sensing concentrations of at least two ions in the eccrine sweat of the female and generating output signals indicative of concentrations of the at least two ions in the eccrine sweat; (b) a processor for controlling the sensor to sense the concentrations of at least two ions in the eccrine sweat substantially simultaneously and at least on a daily basis; and wherein the processor monitors the output signals from the sensor to identify a distinct change in the concentration of one of the at least two ions following an inversion which indicates the female human is in the fertile phase. In a further aspect, the present invention resides in a device for determining the fertility status of a female mammal comprising: (a) a sensing means for sensing at least one ion selected from the group consisting of potassium (K+), ammonium (NH 4 +), calcium (Ca 2 +), chloride (Cl−), nitrate (NO 3 ) and sodium (Na+), in the eccrine sweat of the female mammal and generating output signals indicative of the concentration of ions in the eccrine sweat; (b) processor means for controlling the sensing means to sense the at least one ion in the eccrine sweat at least on a daily basis; and wherein the processor means monitors the output signals stored in the storage means to identify a distinct change in a concentration of one of the ions following an inversion which indicates the female mammal is in the fertile phase. One advantage of the present invention is that changes in concentrations of several different types of ions in eccrine sweat can be sensed and analyzed to predict ovulation in female mammals. These ions include sodium (Na+), potassium (K+), ammonium (NH 4 +), calcium (Ca 2 +) and nitrate (NO 3 −). In this way, different types of sensors can be selected to sense the corresponding ions, such as sodium (Na+), chloride (Cl−), ammonium (NH 4 +), potassium (K+) calcium (Ca 2 +) and nitrate (NO 3 −). In addition, sensors to sense the conductivity of eccrine sweat, thereby indirectly measuring the total concentration of all of the ions, can be used. This permits a selection to be made as to which sensor is most reliable for a particular situation. For instance, in colder climates where the user may excrete less eccrine sweat, a different type of ion, and a different type of sensor, could be used than in warmer climates where more eccrine sweat is excreted. Likewise, in veterinarian use, different sensors to sense different ions could be used depending on the particular situation and mammal whose fertility status is being sensed. Furthermore, this permits the sensor to be selected based on features other than reliability, such as cost and availability. A further advantage of the present invention is that it provides for measurement of changes in concentrations of more than one ion in eccrine sweat. In this way, the changes in concentration of two or more ions can be monitored to provide confirmatory readings in order to more accurately predict ovulation and avoid false readings due to non-hormonal effects such as eccrine sweat volume, diet and stress. A further advantage of measuring changes in concentration of more than one ion in eccrine sweat is that ratiometric measurements can be obtained. For example, it has been discovered that sodium (Na+) and chloride (Cl−) ions in eccrine sweat are the dominant ions and can be used to reference the rate of sweating. By using sodium (Na+) or chloride (Cl−) as a reference ion, the concentration changes in other ions in relation to sodium (Na+) and chloride (Cl−) can be assessed. The ratio of chloride (Cl−), to sodium (Na+) is particularly constant, which is expected because chloride (Cl−) is the main counter ion for sodium (Na+). While the concentrations of chloride (Cl−) and sodium (Na+) ions can each be measured individually to predict ovulation, these ions can also be used in order to account for changes in concentrations of the other ions, such as potassium (K+), ammonium (NH 4 +), calcium (Ca 2 +) and nitrate (NO 3 −), due to changes in the quantity of eccrine sweat, such as through evaporation, increased ambient temperature, increased physical activity or ion accumulation on the skin over time. This is the case because while sodium (Na+) and chloride (Cl−) surge prior to ovulation, they do not surge as much as other ions, such as nitrate (NO 3 −), calcium (Ca 2 +) and ammonium (NH 4 +). Accordingly, by performing a ratiometric measurement between one of the ions, such as potassium (K+), ammonium (NH 4 +), calcium (Ca 2 +) or nitrate (NO 3 −), with respect to either sodium (Na+) and/or chloride (Cl−), a more consistent measurement of the ions can be obtained, and changes in concentration due to changes in eccrine sweat volume and ion accumulation on the skin over the day can be accounted for to some extent. In this way, a more accurate measurement can be made. A still further advantage of the present invention is that some of the ions have been found to have counteracting effects. For instance, the concentration of calcium (Ca 2 +) has been found to change in the opposite direction during the time period of interest preceding ovulation. In this way, performing a ratiometric measurement of calcium (Ca 2 +) with respect to another ion, such as ammonium (NH 4 +), can improve prediction because a more pronounced effect will be monitored. In order to further improve the prediction, three ions may be measured, such as ammonium (NH 4 +), calcium (Ca 2 +) and either sodium (Na+) or chloride (Cl−). Measurements can'then be made with respect to ammonium (NH 4 +) and sodium (Na+), as well as sodium (Na+) and calcium (Ca 2 +), to account for changes in concentrations of all of the ions due to accumulation on the skin or changes in eccrine sweat volume due to temperature and/or physical activity. These two ratiometric measurements can then be compared to obtain a ratiometric measurement of ammonium (NH 4 +) with respect to calcium (Ca 2 +), but with some of the changes due to other effects accounted for because the concentrations of ammonium (NH 4 +) and calcium (Ca 2 +) were initially measured with respect to sodium (Na+). A further advantage of the present invention relates to one embodiment where the method is implemented by means of a device that is in contact with the skin for extended periods of time, such as 12 hours on a daily basis. This facilitates taking several readings over the course of a day so that a better statistical analysis can be performed. Furthermore, by taking several readings over the course of a day, spurious readings can be identified and eliminated. Furthermore, the device can, in a preferred embodiment, sense when it is not on the skin so that a reading will not be taken at this time. This obviously decreases the number of incorrect readings, while at the same time, not adversely affecting the overall daily reading, because a large number of other readings will likely be obtained during the course of the day and can be used to obtain a reliable average. In other words, by taking a large number of readings, such as 10 to 48, over a period of time, such as 24 hours, and statistically examining these readings, changes in eccrine sweat not related to menstrual hormones can be largely removed. A still further advantage of the present invention is that readings from previous reproductive cycles can be stored for the same female. These stored readings can be used to better predict ovulation by ignoring readings taken during the early part of the reproductive cycle. For instance, if it is known from previous reproductive cycles that a particular female human never ovulates within four days of menstruation starting, the readings at the beginning of the reproductive cycle, following menstruation will be given less weight in predicting ovulation in the future. In a preferred embodiment, the duration of the reproductive cycle is determined and then, for female humans, ovulation is estimated to occur at some time in the last 19 days of the reproductive cycle. This coincides with the Luteal period which is generally 14 days from ovulation to menstruation for humans. Accordingly, the portion of the reproductive cycle prior to 19 days from the estimated start of menstruation is given less weight or disregarded for the purposes of determining the fertile phase of the female. Further aspects of the invention will become apparent upon reading the following detailed description and drawings which illustrate the invention and the preferred embodiments of the invention. |
Method for making databases secure |
A secure management system for confidential database including a server having at least one computer equipped with an operating system, a database storage and a communication system, at least one host computer equipment unit including a communication system with the server and a system for constructing queries and processing results of queries, a security system to make secure the exchanges between the client equipment unit and the server, wherein the security system includes a secure hardware support connected to the client equipment unit and a microprocessor for encryption of attributes of the queries issued by the client equipment unit and decryption of responses issued by the server, a memory for recording intermediary results, a memory for recording the operating system and wherein the server records encrypted data; and a method for secure management of a database including construction of a query including at least one attribute, encrypting attributes by a calculator integral with an individual security device linked to a client equipment unit, interrogating a database containing data encrypted with a similar encryption system as those used during the preceding step, returning a response contains data corresponding to attributes of the query, and decryption of the data by the calculator of an individual security device prior to transmitting them to host equipment. |
1-19. (cancelled). 20. A secure management system for confidential databases comprising a server having at least one computer equipped with an operating system, a database storage and a communication system, at least one host computer equipment unit comprising a communication system with the server and a system for constructing queries and processing results of queries, a security system to make secure the exchanges between the client equipment unit and the server, wherein the security system comprises a secure hardware support connected to the client equipment unit and a microprocessor for encryption of attributes of the queries issued by the client equipment unit and decryption of responses issued by the server, a memory for recording intermediary results, a memory for recording the operating system and wherein the server records encrypted data, 21. The secure database management system according to claim 20, wherein the security system is a microprocessor card: 22. The secure database management system according to claim 20, where the security system is a key that can be attached on a port of the client equipment unit. 23. The secure database management system according to claim 20, wherein the security system further comprises a memory for recording a user's personalization information. 24. The secure database management system according to claim 20, wherein the security system further comprises a counter for execution of statistical queries. 25. The secure database management system according to claim 20, wherein the security system further comprises a register for management of rights downloaded upon initiation of a session with the server. 26. The secure database management system according to claim 20, wherein the security system further comprises a memory for recording of a part of the database. 27. A method for secure management of a database comprising: construction of a query comprising at least one attribute, encrypting attributes by a calculator integral with an individual security device linked to a client equipment unit, interrogating a database containing data encrypted with a similar encryption system as those used during the preceding step, returning a response containing data corresponding to attributes of the query, and decryption of the data by the calculator of an individual security device prior to transmitting them to host equipment. 28. The method for secure management of a database according to claim 27, wherein encryption of the attributes of the query and decryption of the response is performed by a security application operated by a microprocessor card. 29. The method for secure management of a database according to claim 27, wherein encryption of the attributes of the query and decryption of the response is performed by a security application operated by a key that can be attached to a port of a client equipment unit. 30. The method for secure management of a database according to claim 27, wherein encryption of the attributes of the query and decryption of the response is performed according to a secret key algorithm. 31. The method for secure management of a database according to claim 27, wherein translation of queries is limited to equality predicates to allow execution of executable queries directly by the server on encrypted data. 32. The method for secure management of a database according to claim 27, wherein translation of queries comprising inequality predicates or calculation functions comprises decomposition of query Q in a plane Qt(Qc(Qs))), of interrogation of the encrypted database by inequality queries from encrypted attributes, recording results of the queries in a temporary memory with an individual security system after decryption of the data, and recomposition of the result. 33. The method for secure management of a database according to claim 27, wherein translation of the queries comprising inequality predicates or calculation functions comprises decomposition of a query in a plane Q=Qt(Qc(Qs(*[QcP(QsP)]))) in which QcP and QsP are preparation queries of interrogation of the encrypted database by queries of inequalities from the encrypted attributes, recording the results of the queries in a temporary memory with a security system after decryption of the data and recomposition of the results. 34. The method for secure management of a database according to claim 27, wherein a part of the database is recorded in a memory of the individual security device. 35. The method for secure management of a database according to claim 27, wherein resolution of an SQL query is implemented by performing inputting a query in clear on the client equipment unit, it encryption by the security system of the attribute of the query and transmission of the encrypted query to a server, resolution of the query on the encrypted data by the server, decryption of the result on the security system and reconstruction of the result in clear on the client equipment unit. 36. The method for secure management of a database according to claim 27, wherein resolution of an SQL query comprising inequality predicates or calculation functions is implemented by performing inputting a query in clear on the client equipment unit, encryption by the security system and transmission to a server of an encrypted subquery Qs containing solely equality predicates, resolution of the query on the encrypted data by the server, decryption of the result of Qs and evaluation of Qc and reconstruction of die response to the initial query by the security system. 37. The method for secure management of a database according to claim 27, finer comprising a cooperative preprocessing between the security system and a server, comprising, for a query Q containing a predicate of the from σai θvalue(T), in which σ denotes a restriction operator, θε{<, >, ≦≧} and ai is any attribute of a table T, of sending to a sever a preprocessing query QcP=Πkey, ai (T), with Π denoting a projection operator, executing on the security system function QcP=Πkey (σai θvalue(Πkey decrypted (ai)(QsP))) and sending a result R to the server, the security system then transforming the query by replacing the initial predicate σai θvalue(T) with the predicate ∝ (T, R), in which ∝ denotes semi-join operator on key. 38. The method for secure management of a database according to claim 27, further comprising: upon connection, the security system contacts a rights and views server to update the user's list of rights and views and decrypts them with database of keys, the security system contacts a sharing/durability server to update dynamic sensitive data stored by the security system; the user issues a query Q, rights are verified by the security system with the database of rights and views. If the query involves views, translating the query into a query Q′ pertaining to the database relations, transforming the query Q′ into a plane of execution of for Q′=Qt(Qc(Qs)), optionally preceded by preparation queries (*[QcP (QsP)]) in the case of inequality predicates whose selectivity is of value to exploit, sending Qs to the server which executes it on encrypted data and sends back resultant tuples to the security system, decrypted the result by the security system using the database of keys, executing a complement query Qc by the security system, optionally supplementing the result with values of sensitive data (SD) during projections, and sending a final decrypted result to the terminal which executes Qt, if it has been requested. |
<SOH> BACKGROUND <EOH>Data security has become one of the major issues of computer systems, given the proliferation of online data on the Internet (commercial sites, storing personal or professional data, remote access to corporate servers by mobile employees) and the increasing interconnection of enriched databases consulted by multiple participants (scientific, technical and medical dates). The security requirement is linked to the confidential nature of a subset of these data. The motivation of hackers attacking the data can be multiple: attempted fraud (stealing credit card numbers from commercial sites, etc.), attacks on the private life of individuals (police, political, fiscal, financial, medical investigations, etc.), commercial, diplomatic or military (Echelon system, violation of industrial or commercial secrets, violation of industrial property, etc.). Three classes of hackers capable of attacking databases can be distinguished: The external hacker is an intruder who infiltrates into a computer system and retrieves data files produced by the database management system (DBMS). A natural solution is to encrypt the data to make their disk track unreadable. The external hacker will then attempt to break the encryption key. Attacks on keys are facilitated in a database context because of the large volume of data encrypted with the same key (statistical attacks). Moreover, encryption of the data is static (the keys do not change from one session to another), thus increasing the vulnerability of the database. The user hacker is a current user of the computer system recognized by the operating system and the DBMS. He has all of the rights on a part of a divided database and can access data going beyond his rights. This hacker potentially has the same power as an external hacker and can moreover exploit his restricted rights. If the database is encrypted, he moreover has access to certain decryption keys. The database administrator (DBA) hacks is an unscrupulous employee of the company whose function is to administer the company's computer resources or database. In this role, he has complete system rights including access to data not accessible by any other parties (e.g., logs stored in memory regarding the operations performed on the database) and can keep a close watch on the DBMS's behavior during its execution. We should note that an external hacker or user hacker who gains access to the administrative rights has the same powers as the administrator hacker. All users must be identified and authenticated to be allowed to use a database management system (DBMS). Authentication is performed conventionally by means of a password stored in encrypted manner in a DBMS catalog. This catalog checks the correspondence between user identity and password at each new connection. The authentication procedure can be reinforced by the use of a dedicated service [Oracle Advance Security Administrator Guide, Release 8.1.7, September 2000]. This dedicated service avoids the transfer in clear of the password on the network. Also known is a variant which enables authentication of a user by different methods such as a smart card or Token Card. In addition to the authentication by means of a personal code (PIN), the hardware card element must also be recognized by the server, thereby increasing the degree of security. These mechanisms are ineffective against an attack directed against files containing the database by an external hacker (because the DBMS is then short-circuited) or against an attack carried out by a user hacker or DBA (who would have no difficulty authenticating himself). Another solution is based on the encryption of the communications. Encryption of the communications can be used as a complement to other security mechanisms to ensure the confidentiality and integrity of the messages sent and received via a network. Their use greatly exceeds the framework of the databases. The most well known protocol in this domain is SSL (Secure Sockets Layer). C-SET (Chip-Secured Transaction) used for electronic payments on the Internet, employs smart cards for identifying and authenticating users and ensuring the encryption of message. Identification is therefore associated with the cardholder and not the terminal on which he is connected, such that the confidentiality of the encryption keys is ensured and the encryption algorithms are executed in a secure environment even if the terminal itself is not secure. Obviously, encryption of the communications does not prevent attacks on the files containing the database. A research article [J. He, M. Wang, Cryptography and Relational Database Management Systems. Int. Database and Engineering Symposium (IDEAS), 2001] proposes an encryption solution that is more strongly integrated in the DBMS and supposedly (i) facilitates the use of the encryption by the applications and (II resists attacks by the DBA. The first objective is attained by the fact that the DBMS itself ensures the confidentiality of the encryption keys (they are stored in a secure catalog). The data are encrypted with a secret key to share them with users, with this key in turn being encrypted with the key of each user. The user never has access to the keys since the DBMS itself performs this encryption. An elegant solution is also proposed for encrypting the database with a large number of keys generated dynamically by the DBMS, making it more difficult to implement statistical attacks for breaking the encryption key(s). Attaining the second objective (resisting attacks by the DBA) requires the implementation of the secure catalog in which the encryption keys are stored. This is established in a manner to constitute an SOE (Secure Operating Environment) in which the power of the DBA is considerably reduced. Transforming a catalog into an SOE does not bring back the integrity of the SOE DBMS. In this method, as in the Oracle method, the encryption and decryption are always performed by the server. It would thus seem illusory to ensure that the DBA could never access the data in the clear (for example, during the execution of a query or in the logs), without restricting his rights to the point that he would be unable to perform his administrative tasks. For this reason, the solution does not appear to be very convincing especially since it requires rewriting part of the core of the DBMS (the contours of which have not yet been specified). The solutions of the prior art are not always entirely satisfactory because: Only the encryption of the data enables resistance to attacks against the database files; The security core (including encryption/decryption) must be managed in an SOE to resist attacks by the DBA or by a hacker who has usurped the DBA's rights: The security core and the SOE surrounding it must be sufficiently simple so as to be self-administrable; or A DBMS is not self-administrable. |
<SOH> SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION <EOH>This invention relates to a secure management system for confidential databases including a server having at least one computer equipped with an operating system, a database storage and a communication system at least one host computer equipment unit including a communication system with the server and a system for constructing queries and processing results of queries, a security system to make secure the exchanges between the client equipment unit and the server, wherein the security system includes a secure hardware support connected to the client equipment unit and a microprocessor for encryption of attributes of the queries issued by the client equipment unit and decryption of responses issued by the server, a memory for recording intermediary results, a memory for recording the operating system and wherein the server records encrypted data. This invention also relates to a method for secure management of a database including construction of a query including at least one attribute, encrypting attributes by a calculator integral with an individual security device linked to a client equipment unit, interrogating a data base containing data encrypted with a similar encryption system as those used during the preceding step, returning a response containing data corresponding to attributes of the query, and decryption of the data by the calculator of an individual security device prior to transmitting them to host equipment. |
Tuneable laser |
A tuneable laser includes a gain section (50) bounded by two mirrors (51 and 52) at least one mirror being a chirp grating. At least one of the mirrors includes a plurality of selectable electrodes (59 to 65) to enable the grating to be selectively activated to produce a selective reflection at a predetermined wavelength. |
1. A monolithic tuneable laser, comprising a gain section bounded at one end by a first mirror and at the other end by a second mirror, wherein each of the mirrors is in the form of a chirp grating, and wherein at least one of the mirrors has a plurality of selectable electrodes to enable the chirp grating to be selectively activated to produce a selective reflection at a predetermined wavelength. 2. The laser according to claim 1, wherein the chirp gratings are located in a material having a refractive index variable in response to the passage of a current there through, and wherein the chirp grating is activated at the predetermined wavelength by the variation in a local region of the refractive index. 3. The laser according to claim 1, wherein a wavelength position of the reflection is altered by varying a refractive index of at least that region of the grating and a portion of the grating between said region and the gain section. 4. The laser according to claim 1, wherein one of the chirp gratings has a plurality of selectable electrodes and the other chirp grating has a single electrode. 5. The laser according to claim 1, wherein one of the chirp gratings is a front grating and the other chirp grating is a rear grating, and wherein the selectable electrodes are located on the rear grating. 6. The laser according to claim 5, wherein each of the front grating and the rear grating have a pitch characteristic and wherein the pitch characteristics of the front and rear chirp gratings are substantially identical. 7. The laser according to claim 5, wherein each of the front grating and the rear grating have a pitch characteristic, and wherein the pitch characteristics of the front and rear chirp gratings are such that the optical cavity length of the laser is substantially constant at different wavelengths. 8. The laser according to claim 1, wherein the chirp gratings are linear. 9. The laser according to claim 1, wherein a reflectivity of one of the first and second mirrors is greater than a reflectivity of the other mirror. 10. The laser according to claim 1, wherein the first and second mirrors are formed by electron beam writing of the grating patterns. 11. The laser according to claim 10, wherein a mark space ratio of one of the first and second mirrors is substantially unity and a mark space ratio of the other mirror is different than unity. 12. The laser according to claim 9, wherein the reflectivity of one of the first and second mirrors is of the order of 50% and the reflectivity of the other mirror is of the order of 30%. 13. The laser according to claim 1, wherein pitch spacings of one of the first and second mirrors is lowest adjacent the gain section and the pitch spacings of the other mirror is highest adjacent the gain section. 14. The laser according to claim 1, further comprising a phase change section disposed between the gain section and one of the first and second mirrors. 15. The laser according to claim 1, wherein a composition of the first and second mirrors is formed of Group III-V semiconductor layers of different refractive index. 16. The laser according to claim 1, wherein both of the first and second mirrors have a plurality of electrodes, so as permit both mirrors to be selectively activated to produce a selective reflection at the predetermined wavelength. 17. The tuneable laser accordingly claim 16 wherein at least one of the plurality of electrodes comprises a tuning electrode disposed within an optical cavity, wherein the tuning electrode is employed as a phase controller to reduce or eliminate mode hopping. 18. The tuneable laser according to claim 1, wherein light power is coupled out from both ends of the laser. 19. The tuneable laser according to claim 18, wherein both chirp gratings are substantially identical. 20. A method of operating a laser as claimed in claim 1, comprising the steps of selecting a wavelength by passing current through one of the plurality of electrodes to reduce a refractive index of a portion of the chirp grating affected by the electrode, and actuating one or more electrodes of said plurality of electrodes capable of reducing the refractive index of the portion of the chirp grating effective at a shorter wavelength to prevent the formation of a distorted reflection peak. 21. (Canceled) |
<SOH> BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION <EOH>In this specification the term “light” will be used in the sense that it is used in optical systems to mean not just visible light but also electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength between 1000 nanometres (nm) and 3000 nm. Narrowband lasers are important for a number of applications in optical telecommunications and signal processing applications. These include multiple channel optical telecommunications networks using wavelength division multiplexing (WDM). Such networks can provide advanced features, such as wavelength routing, wavelength conversion, adding and dropping of channels and wavelength manipulation in much the same way as in time slot manipulation in time division multiplexed systems. Many of these systems operate in the C-band in the range 1530 to 1570 nm. Tuneable lasers for use in such optical communications systems, particularly in connection with the WDM telecommunication systems, are known. A known tuneable system comprises a plurality of individually wavelength distributed Bragg reflectors (DBR) lasers, which can be individually selected, or by a wide tuning range tuneable laser that can be electronically driven to provide the wavelength required. Limited tuning range tuneable lasers that rely upon thermal effects for tuning are also known. U.S. Pat. No. 4,896,325 discloses a wavelength tuneable laser having sampled gratings at the front and rear of its gain region. The gratings produce slightly different reflection combs which provide feedback into the device. The gratings can be current tuned in wavelength with respect to each other. Co-incidence of a maximum from each of the front and rear gratings is referred to as a supermode. To switch the device between supermodes requires a small incremental electrical current into one of the gratings to cause a different pair of maxima to coincide in the manner of a vernier. By applying electrical currents to the two gratings so that the corresponding maxima track, continuous tuning within a supermode can be achieved. In practice the reflection spectrum of the known sampled grating structures have a Sinc squared envelope which limits the total optical bandwidth over which the laser can reliably operate as a single mode device. In summary, for a given set of drive currents in the front and rear grating sections, there is a simultaneous correspondence in reflection peak at only one wavelength, as a consequence of which the device lases at that wavelength. To change that wavelength a different current is applied to the front and rear gratings. Thus the front and rear gratings operate in a vernier mode, in which the wavelengths of correspondence determine a supermode wavelength. The sampled grating DBR does not have a constant optical cavity length as it goes from one supermode to another, which can result in mode hopping if great care is not taken to avoid it. |
<SOH> BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION <EOH>By the present invention there is provided a monolithic tuneable laser comprising an active section bounded at one end by a first mirror and at the other end by a second mirror, characterised in that each of the mirrors is in the form of a chirp grating, and in that at least one of the mirrors has a plurality of selectable electrodes to enable the grating to be selectively activated to produce a selective reflection at a predetermined wavelength. The gratings may be located in a material having a refractive index variable in response by the passage of a current therethrough and the grating may be activated at the specific wavelength by the variation in a local region of the refractive index. The wavelength position of the specific reflection may be altered by varying the refractive index of at least that region of tie grating and also the portion of the grating between the region and the gain section One of the gratings is a front grating and the other a rear grating, with the selectable electrodes being located on either the rear or the front grating, or both. The pitch characteristics of the front and rear chirp gratings, being the grating pitch against distance along the grating, may be substantially identical and the chirp gratings may be linear. In a preferred embodiment having minimum or no mode hopping during timing and when used at different wavelengths, the two chirp profiles have different chirp characteristics so that the optical cavity length is constant or substantially constant at different wavelengths. The reflectivity of the rear mirror may be greater then the reflectivity of the front mirror. The front and rear mirrors may be formed by electron beam writing of the grating patterns and the mark space ratio of the rear mirror may be substantially unity and the mark space ratio of the front mirror may be substantially different to unity. The reflectivity of the rear mirror is typically 50% and the reflectivity of the front mirror is typically 30%. The pitch spacings of the rear mirror chirp may be at its lowest adjacent the gain section and the pitch spacings of the front mirror may be at its highest adjacent the gain section. There may be provided a phase change section between the gain section and the rear grating. One or more of the tuning electrodes within the optical cavity may be utilised as a phase control means to reduce or eliminate mode hopping. Light power may be coupled out from both ends of the laser, and both gratings may be substantially identical. The composition of the mirror sections typically is formed of Group III-V semiconductor layers of different refractive index. The present invention also provides a method of operating a laser in which the rear grating has a plurality of selectable electrodes and in which the selection of a wavelength occurs by passing current through one of the electrodes to reduce the refractive index of the portion of the chirp grating affected by the electrode in which those electrodes capable of reducing the refractive index of the portion of the chirp effective at a shorter wavelength are also actuated to prevent the formation of a distorted reflection peak. |
Molecular interactions in cells |
The invention provides reagents and methods for inhibiting or enhancing interactions between proteins in cells, particularly interactions between a PDZ protein and a PL protein. Reagents and methods that are provided are useful for treatment of a variety of diseases and conditions in a variety of cell types. |
1. A method of modulating a biological function of a cell, comprising introducing into the cell an agent that alters binding between a PDZ protein and a PL protein in the cell, whereby the biological function is modulated in the cell, and wherein the PDZ protein and PL protein are a binding pair as specified in Table 12. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the PDZ protein is a protein kinase, a guanalyte kinase, a tyrosine phosphatase or a serine phosphatase. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the PDZ protein is a LIM protein or a guanine exchange factor. 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the PDZ protein is viral oncogene interacting protein. 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the PL protein is a T-cell surface receptor or a B-cell surface receptor. 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the PL protein is a natural killer cell surface receptor, a monocyte cell surface receptor, or a granulocyte cell surface receptor. 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the PL protein is an endothelial cell surface receptor. 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the PL protein is a G-protein linked receptor or a regulator of G-protein signaling. 9. The method of claim 1, wherein the PL protein is an adhesion protein or a tight junction integral membrane protein. 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the PL protein is a viral oncogene. 11. The method of claim 1, wherein the PL protein is neuron membrane transport protein. 12. The method of claim 1, wherein the PL protein is a receptor kinase. 13. The method of claim 1, wherein the PDZ protein is an ion channel or transporter protein. 14. The method of claim 1, wherein the PL protein is a tumor suppressor protein. 15. The method of claim 1, wherein the agent is a polypeptide comprising at least the two carboxy-terminal residues of the PL protein. 16. The method of claim 15, wherein the agent comprises at least the three carboxy-terminal residues of the PL protein. 17. The method of claim 1, wherein the agent is a small molecule or peptide mimetic of at least the two carboxy terminal residues of the PL protein. 18. The method of claim 1, wherein the agent is an antagonist that inhibits binding between the PDZ protein and PL protein binding pair. 19. The method of claim 1, wherein the agent is an agonist that promotes binding between the PDZ protein and the PL protein binding pair. 20. The method of claim 1, wherein the method is conducted in vitro. 21. A method of determining whether a test compound is a modulator of binding between a PDZ protein and a PL protein, comprising: (a) contacting under suitable binding conditions (i) a PDZ-domain polypeptide having a sequence from the PDZ protein, and (ii) a PL peptide, wherein the PL peptide comprises a C-terminal sequence of the PL protein, the PDZ-domain polypeptide and the PL peptide are a binding pair as specified in Table 12; and contacting is performed in the presence of the test compound; and (b) detecting formation of a complex between the PDZ-domain polypeptide and the PL peptide, wherein (i) presence of the complex at a level that is statistically significantly higher in the presence of the test compound than in the absence of test compound is an indication that the test compound is an agonist, and (ii) presence of the complex at a level that is statistically significantly lower in the presence of the test compound than in the absence of test compound is an indication that the test compound is an antagonist. 22. The method of claim 21, wherein complex is detected in both the absence and presence of test compound. 23. A modulator of binding between a PDZ protein and a PL protein, wherein the modulator is (a) a peptide comprising at least 3 residues of a C-terminal sequence of a PL protein, and wherein the PDZ protein and the PL protein are a binding pair as specified in Table 12; or (b) a peptide mimetic of the peptide of section (a); or (c) a small molecule having similar functional activity as the peptide of section (a) with respect to the PDZ and PL protein binding pair. 24. The modulator of claim 23 that is an agonist. 25. The modulator of claim 23 that is an antagonist. 26. A pharmaceutical composition comprising a modulator of claim 23. 27. A method of treating a disease correlated with binding between a PDZ protein and a PL protein, the method comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of a modulator of claim 23. 28. The method of claim 27, wherein the disease is selected from the group consisting of a neurological disease, an immune response disease, a muscular disease, and a cancer. 29. The method of claim 27, wherein the modulator is administered to a non-human animal. |
<SOH> BACKGROUND <EOH>PDZ domains of proteins are named after three prototypical proteins: post-synaptic density protein 95 (PSD95), Drosophila large disc protein (Dlg1) and Zonula Occludin 1 protein (ZO-1; Gomperts et al., 1996, Cell 84:659-662). PDZ domains contain the signature sequence GLGF (SEQ ID NO:231). The first PDZ proteins were identified as functioning to concentrate receptors at neuronal synapses or tight junctions. In the nervous system, typical PDZ domain-containing proteins contain three PDZ domains, one SH3 domain and one guanylate kinase domain. Examples of intracellular PDZ domain-containing proteins include LIN-2, LIN-7 and LIN-10 at the pre-synapse, and PSD95 at the post-synapse. PDZ domains have been shown to bind the carboxyl termini of transmembrane proteins in neuronal cells. Songyang et al. reported that proteins capable of binding PDZ domains contain a carboxyl terminal motif sequence of E-S/T-X-V/I (Songyang et al., 1997, Science 275:73). X-ray crystallography studies have revealed the contact points between the motif sequence and PDZ domains (Doyle et al., 1996, Cell 88:1067-1076). The role of PDZ domain:PDZ ligand (PL) interactions in human disease has only recently begun to be studied. Deletions that remove the PL of the human Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance regulator (CFTR) have been correlated with an increase in Cystic Fibrosis and underscore the importance of proper PDZ:PL function (Benharouga et al 2001, J. Cell. Biol. 153:957-70). Mouse gene disruptions in the PDZ domain-containing protein Shroom result in neural tube defects, a precursor to such disorders as exencephaly, acrania, facial clefting and spina bifida (Hildebrand and Soriano, 1999, Cell 99:485-497). In a similar manner, knockout mice at the Cypher gene locus (another PDZ domain-containing protein) result in a severe form of congenital myopathy and post-natally (Zhou et al 2001, J. Cell Biol. 155:605-12). Given the paucity of information regarding the role that PDZ proteins play in biological functions and their role in disease, further information on interactions involving proteins with PDZ domains would be useful in understanding a number of different biological functions in cells and for the treatment of human disorders. |
<SOH> SUMMARY <EOH>Methods and compositions for modulating biological function in a variety of cell types (e.g., hematopoietic, neuronal, brain, stem, epidermal and epithelial) are provided herein. These methods and compositions can be utilized to treat various maladies including, but not limited to, diseases such as immune disorders, nervous system disorders and muscle disorders, for example. More specifically, these methods and compositions are for modulating binding between certain PDZ proteins and PL protein binding pairs as shown in TABLE 7. Other methods and compositions are for modulating binding between PDZ protein and PL protein binding pairs as listed in TABLE 12. Certain methods involve introducing into the cell an agent that alters binding between a PDZ protein and a PL protein in the cell, whereby the biological function is modulated in the cell, and wherein the PDZ protein and PL protein are a binding pair as specified in TABLE 7 or TABLE 12. In some of these methods, the agent is a polypeptide comprising at least the two, three or four carboxy-terminal residues of the PL protein. The PDZ proteins and PL proteins that have been identified as interacting can be classified into a number of different groups, and provide an indication of the diverse functions that can be modulated using the methods and compounds that are provided herein. For example, the PDZ proteins can be: 1) an enzyme such as a protein kinase, a guanalyte kinase, a tyrosine phosphatase or a serine phosphatase, 2) a LIM protein, 3) a guanine exchange factor, or 4) a viral oncogene interacting protein. Likewise, PL proteins can be 1) a T-cell surface receptor or a B-cell surface receptor, 2) a natural killer surface receptor, a monocyte cell surface receptor, or a granulocyte cell surface receptor, 3) an endothelial cell surface receptor, 4) a G-protein linked receptor or a regulator of G-protein signaling, 5) an adhesion protein or a tight junction integral membrane protein, 6) a viral oncogene, 7) neuron membrane transport protein, 8) a receptor kinase, 9) an ion channel or transporter protein, or 10) a tumor suppressor protein. Modulation can be conducted in vitro or in vivo. If done in vitro, the cell into which the agent is introduced can be a cell within a cell culture. Screening methods to identify compounds that modulate binding between PDZ proteins and PL peptides or proteins are also provided. Some screening methods involve contacting under suitable binding conditions (i) a PDZ-domain polypeptide having a sequence from a PDZ protein, and (ii) a PL peptide, wherein the PL peptide comprises a C-terminal sequence of the PL protein, the PDZ-domain polypeptide and the PL peptide are a binding pair as specified in TABLES 7 or 12; and contacting is performed in the presence of the test compound. Presence or absence of complex is then detected. The presence of the complex at a level that is statistically significantly higher in the presence of the test compound than in the absence of test compound is an indication that the test compound is an agonist, whereas, the presence of the complex at a level that is statistically significantly lower in the presence of the test compound than in the absence of test compound is an indication that the test compound is an antagonist. Modulators of binding between a PDZ protein and a PL protein are also described herein. In certain instances, the modulator is (a) a peptide comprising at least 3 residues of a C-terminal sequence of a PL protein, and wherein the PDZ protein and the PL protein are a binding pair as specified in TABLES 7 or 12; or (b) a peptide mimetic of the peptide of section (a); or (c) a small molecule having similar functional activity with respect to the PDZ and PL protein binding pair as the peptide of section (a). The modulator can be either an agonist or antagonist. Such modulators can be formulated as a pharmaceutical composition. Methods of treating a disease correlated with binding between a PDZ protein and a PL protein are also disclosed herein, the method comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of a modulator as provided herein, wherein the PDZ protein and the PL protein are a binding pair as specified in TABLES 7 or 12. As indicated supra, such methods can be used to treat a variety of diseases including, but not limited to, neurological disease, an immune response disease, a muscular disease, or a cancer. The methods can be used to treat humans and non-human animals, including for example, cattle, swine, sheep, dogs, cats, horses and the like. |
Electrical connection device |
The present invention provides an electrical connection device. The device comprises a pin, socket or lug and a means for electrically connecting the pin, socket or lug to groups of strands of an individual multi-bunch core of a machine, reeling or trailing cable. The means is divided into a plurality of portions and each portion is arranged to receive at least one group of strands wherein, in use, the portions are individually connected to the or each respective group of strands whereby the strength of the connection is improved. |
1. An electrical connection device, the device comprising: a pin, socket or lug a means for electrically connecting the pin, socket or lug to groups of strands of a multi-bunch core of a machine, reeling or trailing cable, the means being divided into a plurality of portions, each portion being arranged to receive at least one group of strands, wherein, in use, the portions are individually connected to the or each respective group of strands whereby the strength of the connection is improved. 2. The device as claimed in claim 1 wherein each portion is arranged to receive one bunch of strands of the multi-bunch core. 3. The device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the portions are disposed annularly around an axis. 4. The device as claimed in claim 3 wherein the portions are arranged in zones which have different radial distances from the axis. 5. The device as claimed in claim 4 wherein the portions are bores. 6. The device as claimed in claim 1 wherein each portion comprises an aperture arranged to receive the or each group of strands. 7. The device as claimed in claim 6 wherein the apertures have a succession of cross-sectional dimensions and are arranged concentrically around a common axis. 8. The device as claimed in claim 1 wherein each portion is a separate part separate to and individually connected to the socket, pin or lug. 9. The device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the portions are arranged for connection to the or each group of strands by crimping. 10. The device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the portions are arranged for connection to the groups of strands by welding. 11. The device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the portions are arranged for connection to the groups of strands by soldering. 12. The device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the portions are arranged for connection to the groups of strands by a clamping mechanism including a screw. 13. The device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the pin, socket or lug is one of a plurality pins, sockets or lugs and the means for electrically connecting the pin, socket or lug to groups of strands is one of a plurality of means and each means is associated with a respective one of the pins, sockets or lugs. 14. A method for connecting a machine, reeling or trailing cable to an electrical connection device, the method comprising the steps of: dividing bunches of strands of an multi-bunch core of the machine, reeling or trailing cable into groups of strands and connecting the groups of strands to respective portions of a means for electrically connecting a pin, socket or lug to the groups of strands, wherein the groups of strands are connected individually to the respective portions whereby the connection strength is improved. 15. The method as claimed in claim 14 wherein the step of dividing the bunches into groups of strands comprises dividing the bunches into groups corresponding to concentric zones of bunches of the individual multi-bunch core. 16. The method as claimed in claim 14 wherein the bunches of strands are a divided into groups of individual bunches. 17. The method as claimed in claim 14 wherein the step of connecting includes crimping. 18. The method as claimed in claim 14 wherein the step of connecting includes welding. 19. The method as claimed in claim 14 wherein the step of connecting includes soldering. 20. The method as claimed in claim 14 wherein the step of connecting includes clamping using a mechanism including a screw. |
<SOH> BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION <EOH>Machine, reeling or trailing cables are typically used to provide an electrical connection for mobile electrical machines. For example, in the mining or petroleum industry often large electrical machinery is used and each machine, reeling or trailing cable may have to provide power in the order of a few hundred kilowatts. Typically such power is delivered with a voltage of one or more kilovolts and the cables are usually formed from a plurality of bunches of individual copper strands. For example, machine, reeling or trailing cable type 240.3 fabricated by Pirelli Cables Australia Limited comprises three main core conductors which each comprise 19 bunches of 13 or 14 strands of copper fibres, the fibres having an individual diameter of 0.67 mm. Even though the overall diameter of each multi-bunch core conductor of the cable is quite large (typical cross-sectional areas range from 50 to 120 mm 2 ), the moveability of the bunches with respect to each other results in flexibility which makes the cable useful for mobile machinery that requires high power. FIG. 1 shows a schematic cross-sectional representation of a typical cable connection used to connect such machine, reeling or trailing cables. The Figure shows a plug 12 and a receptacle 10 , the plug 12 being connected to a machine, reeling or trailing cable 14 . Two multi-bunch cores 16 and 18 are connected to respective sockets 20 and 22 . The cable is held in position within the plug 12 by a sealing bush 24 . |
<SOH> SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION <EOH>Broadly defined the present invention provides an electrical connection device, the device comprising: a pin, socket or lug, a means for electrically connecting the pin, socket or lug to groups of strands of a multi-bunch core of a machine, reeling or trailing cable, the means being divided into a plurality of portions, each portion being arranged to receive at least one group of strands, wherein, in use, the portions are individually connected to the or each respective group of strands whereby the strength of the connection is improved. The inventor has observed that the usual way of locating a machine, reeling or trailing cable in a plug or receptacle using a sealing bush has disadvantages. The sealing bush squeezes the cable and therefore locally reduces the thickness of insulation layers. However, the thickness of the insulation layers is a critical parameter for the safety of such high voltage machine, reeling or trailing cables. The reduction of the thickness of these layers effects the dielectric properties of the insulation and reduces the voltage at which electrical failure may occur. This could result in arcing and electrical ignition which, in an environment that may contain explosive gases such as a mine, increases the risk of explosions. In addition, the deformation of insulating layers may allow moisture to ingress which also results in safety risks. Further, mechanical stress applied to the sealing bush reduces mechanical durability of the cable which again relates to safety issues. The above-defined electrical connection device results in improved connection strength between the machine, reeling or trailing cable and the pin, socket or lug. At least in some cases the improved connection strength would be sufficient to hold the cable in position and, in this case, a sealing bush would be redundant. The above identified safety issue can therefore be avoided. The present invention also provides a method for connecting a machine, reeling or trailing cable to an electrical connection device, the method comprising the steps of: dividing bunches of strands of a multi-bunch core of the machine, reeling or trailing cable into groups of strands and connecting the groups of strands to respective portions of a means for electrically connecting a pin, socket or lug to the groups of strands wherein the groups of strands are connected individually to the respective portions whereby the connection strength is improved. |
Sesquiterpenoid derivatives having adipocyte differentiation inhibitory effect |
An inhibitor of the rennin-angiotensin system is useful for the treatment or prevetion of the lipodystrophy syndrome, e.g. in AIDS patients also receiving anti-retroviral therapy. |
1. A Calea extract having an inhibitory effect on adipocyte differentiation. 2. The Calea extract according to claim 1, wherein said Calea is selected from the group consisting of Calea urticifolia, Calea pinnatifida, Calea uniflora, Calea axillaris, Calea insignis, Calea integrifolia, Calea nelsonii, Calea peduncularis, Calea pringlei, Calea purpusii, Calea sabazioides, Calea savannarum, Calea scabra, Calea sororia, Calea standleyi, Calea tejadae, and Calea zacatechichi. 3. A sequiterpenoid derivative having an inhibitory effect on adipocyte differentation. 4. A sequiterpenoid derivative of any one of structural formulae (1) to (4): 5. The sesquiterpenoid derivative, according to claim 3, having any one of structural formulae (1) to (7): 6. An adipocyte differentiation inhibitor comprising, as an active ingredient one or more of the following: a) a Calea extract having an inhibitory effect on adipocyte differentiation; and b) a sesquiterpenoid derivative having an inhibitory effect on adipocyte differentiation. 7. A pharmaceutical composition for prevention, improvement, or treatment of obesity or obesity related diseases, comprising as an active ingredient one or more of the following: a) a Calea extract having an inhibitory effect on adipocyte differentiation; and b) a sesquiterpenoid derivative having an inhibitory effect on adipocyte differentiation. 8 (cancel). 9. A food composition for prevention or improvement of obesity or obesity related diseases, as comprising as an active ingredient one or more of the following: a) a Calea extract having an inhibitory effect on adipocyte differentiation; and b) a sesquiterpenoid derivative having an inhibitory effect on adipocyte differentiation. 10. A method for the prevention, improvement, or treatment of obesity, or an obesity related disease, wherein said method comprises administering, to a patient in need of such prevention, improvement, or treatment, an effective amount of one or more of the following: a) a Calea extract having an inhibitory effect on adipocyte differentiation; and b) a sesquiterpenoid derivative having an inhibitory effect on adipocyte differentiation. 11. The method, according to claim 10, wherein the disease is selected from the group consisting of heart disease, vascular disorders, diabetes, gout, hyperlipemia, fatty liver, gallstone, pancreatitis, osteoarthritis, and hernia. 12. The method, according to claim 10, wherein said Calea is selected from the group consisting of Calea urticifolia, Calea pinnatifida, Calea uniflora, Calea axillaris, Calea insignis, Calea integrifolia, Calea nelsonii, Calea peduncularis, Calea pringlei, Calea purpusii, Calea sabazioides, Calea savannarum, Calea scabra, Calea sororia, Calea standleyi, Calea tejadae, and Calea zacatechichi. 13. The method, according to claim 10, which comprises administering a compound having any one of structural formulae (1) to (7): 14. The adipocyte differentiation inhibitor, according to claim 6, wherein said Calea is selected from the group consisting of Calea urticifolia, Calea pinnatifida, Calea uniflora, Calea axillaris, Calea insignis, Calea integrifolia, Calea nelsonii, Calea peduncularis, Calea pringlei, Calea purpusii, Calea sabazioides, Calea savannarum, Calea scabra, Calea sororia, Calea standleyi, Calea tejadae, and Calea zacatechichi. 15. The adipocyte differentiation inhibitor, according to claim 6, having any one of structural formulae (1) to (7): 16 The pharmaceutical composition, according to claim 7, wherein said Calea is selected from the group consisting of Calea urticifolia, Calea pinnatifida, Calea uniflora, Calea axillaris, Calea insignis, Calea integrifolia, Calea nelsonii, Calea peduncularis, Calea pringlei, Calea purpusii, Calea sabazioides, Calea savannarum, Calea scabra, Calea sororia, Calea standleyi, Calea tejadae, and Calea zacatechichi. 17. The pharmaceutical composition, according to claim 7, which comprises a compound having any one of structural formulae (1) to (7): 18 The food composition, according to claim 9, wherein said Calea is selected from the group consisting of Calea urticifolia, Calea pinnatifida, Calea uniflora, Calea axillaris, Calea insignis, Calea integrifolia, Calea nelsonii, Calea peduncularis, Calea pringlei, Calea purpusii, Calea sabazioides, Calea savannarum, Calea scabra, Calea sororia, Calea standleyi, Calea tejadae, and Calea zacatechichi. 19. The food composition, according to claim 9, which comprises a compound having any one of structural formulae (1) to (7): |
<SOH> BACKGROUND ART <EOH>Obesity is caused by overeating, lack of exercise, abnormal feeding pattern, genetic predisposition, thermogenesis impairment, and such. Excess energy resulting from imbalance of intake and expenditure of energy is stored in adipocytes, and these adipocytes gather to form adipose tissue. That is, obesity is a condition of hyperplasia of adipose tissues. In addition, obesity is thought to be a major risk factor for heart diseases (angina pectoris, myocardial infarction, cardiac hypertrophy, heart failure, etc.), vascular disorders (hypertension, arteriosclerosis, cerebral thrombosis, cerebral infarction, etc.) diabetes, gout, hyperlipemia, fatty liver, gallstone, pancreatitis, osteoarthritis, hernia, and such. Adipocytes are produced from mesenchymal cells and are formed by differentiation induction from adipocyte precursors. Therefore, adipocyte formation can be suppressed by inhibiting differentiation induction of adipocyte precursors to form adipocytes. When the formation of adipocyte is suppressed, adipose tissue will not be formed. Thus, compounds that inhibit differentiation of adipocytes are considered to have preventive or therapeutic effects against obesity related diseases. |
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