The present invention relates to processes for the crystallisation and for the preparation and isolation of a novel crystalline form of fusidic acid, to the use of said processes in the manufacture of pharmaceutical formulation or medicament, and to the use of said crystalline fusidic acid form for the treatment of bacterial infections.

There is intended to provide the novel compounds which generate a base easily when irradiated with long wavelength light (active energy rays), a photobase generator containing the compounds and a photobase generation method, and the present invention relates to the compounds represented by the general formula [1], a photobase generator containing the compounds and a photobase generation method: (wherein, Ar represents any of groups with specific structures selected from the group consisting of an anthracenyl group, an anthraquinonyl group and a pyrenyl group; R1 and R2 each independently represent a hydrogen atom or a linear, branched or cyclic alkyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, or represent ones which can form an alicyclic ring containing nitrogen atom(s) or an aromatic ring containing nitrogen atom(s) together with a nitrogen atom to which they are bound, which the rings having 3 to 8 carbon atoms which may have a substituent, R3 and R4 each independently represent a hydrogen atom, a linear, branched or acyclic alkyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms).

The present invention discloses novel process for the preparation of (2R)-2-acetamido-N- benzyl-3-methoxypropanamide of Formula I involving novel intermediates of Formula-XIX and Formula-XX.

A hydrophobic cationic steroidal anti-microbial (ceragenin) compound forms an amphiphilic compound having a hydrophobic sterol face and a hydrophilic cationic face. The hydrophobic CSA also includes a hydrophobic substituent that gives the ceragenin compound a CLogP value of at least 6.5.

Suspension concentrate compositions are disclosed for delivering S-(+)-Abscisic acid either alone or in combination with a second plant growth regulator to crop seed prior to planting as well as for foliar, soil drench, in-furrow and sprench (foliar spray and soil drench) applications are disclosed. The compositions, when properly combined in an aqueous carrier and processed through wet milling to achieve the desired particle size, will result in stable compositions that are desirable for treating crop seeds.

The methods described herein enable the evaluation of compounds on subjects to assess their therapeutic efficacy or toxic effects. The target of analysis is the underlying biochemical process or processes (i.e., metabolic process) thought to be involved in disease pathogenesis. Molecular flux rates within the one or more biochemical processes serve as biomarkers and are quantitated and compared with the molecular flux rates (i.e., biomarker) from control subjects (i.e., subjects not exposed to the compounds). Any change in the biomarker in the subject relative to the biomarker in the control subject provides information to evaluate therapeutic efficacy of an administered drug or a toxic effect and to develop the compound further if desired. In one aspect of the invention, stable isotope-labeled substrate molecules are administered to a subject and the label is incorporated into targeted molecules in a manner that reveals molecular flux rates through metabolic pathways of interest.

Systems and methods are disclosed for analyzing building sensor information and decomposing the information therein to a more manageable and more useful form. Certain embodiments integrate energy-based and spectral-based analysis methods with parameter sampling and uncertainty/sensitivity analysis to achieve a more comprehensive perspective of building behavior. The results of this analysis may be presented to a user via a plurality of visualizations and/or used to automatically adjust certain building operations. In certain embodiments, advanced spectral techniques, including Koopman-based operations, are employed to discern features from the collected building sensor data.

A method is disclosed for generating a mass spectrum, e.g. for Fourier transform mass spectrometry, having improved resolving power. The method includes steps of acquiring a plurality of mass spectra from a mass spectrometer using image current detection determining the centroids of at least some of the peaks which have a sufficient signal-to-noise (S/N) ratio so that the variation of the centroid of each such peak from the plurality of mass spectra is significantly lower than the full-width at half-maximum, dM, of the peak in the m/z domain; and generating a histogram of the centroids determined from the plurality of acquired mass spectra thereby forming a composite mass spectrum. The resultant composite mass spectrum comprises peaks having full-width at half-maximum, dMC, significantly narrower than the peak width, dM, of the corresponding peaks in the plurality of acquired mass spectra.

The abnormality determination apparatus, which is for determining presence of an abnormality in an angle detection device configured to output an output signal having a value equivalent to a rotational angle of a rotating body, includes a smoothing device configured to receive the output signal of the angle detection device to smooth a dependent variable of a function whose independent variable is the rotational angle equivalent value, and a parameter calculation device for calculating an abnormality determination parameter based on the dependent variable smoothed by the smoothing device. The function is such that an integrated value of the rotational angle equivalent value over a predetermined time section is always positive or negative, and is configured to vary the dependent variable continuously in accordance with continuous variation of the independent variable in at least a part of the predetermined time section.

A subject information acquisition apparatus includes a first holding member that holds a subject, a probe that receives an elastic wave from the subject through the first holding member, a first holding member deformation amount measuring unit that measures an amount of deformation of the first holding member, and a processing unit that creates an area for generating subject information by using the amount of deformation of the first holding member and position information of the first holding member deformation amount measuring unit and generates an information value of subject information corresponding to the area for generating subject information by using a signal outputted by the probe.

Disclosed are various embodiments involving correction of signals generated by a crystal oscillator. An age of an integrated circuit or a time of use of the integrated circuit may be determined. A signal generated from a crystal of the integrated circuit may be modified based at least in part on the determined age of the integrated circuit or the determined time of use of the integrated circuit.

A method for estimating loss rates of links in a smart grid includes identifying end-to-end passage rates from a source to each of multiple receiver and/or load meters in a smart grid, and estimating a loss in at least one link of the grid by identifying the sparsest solution of link loss rates that matches the end-to-end passage rates. Also, a system includes a memory, a processor coupled thereto, and software modules executing on the processor, including a monitoring module for monitoring power flow of receiver and/or load meters in a smart grid, a measurement collector module for collecting measurements to compute end-to-end passage rates from a source to each receiver and/or load meter, and a processing module for estimating a loss in a link of the grid by identifying the sparsest solution of link loss rates matching the end-to-end passage rates.

When discharge power calculated based on a current value detected by a current detector is smaller than expected maximum power, which is the maximum power expected in an actual operation, a discharge efficiency at the expected maximum power is set as a discharge efficiency used for remaining capacity calculation. This ensures that a remaining capacity based on power required for a photographing operation can be detected.

Provided is an operating method of a sensor node. The operating method of a sensor node includes receiving a sensing request, adjusting a sensing condition on the basis of the received sensing request, and sensing according to the adjusted sensing condition.

Aspects of the invention provide for reducing power consumption during manufacturing testing of an IC. In one embodiment, aspects of the invention include a method for reducing power consumption during a manufacturing test of an integrated circuit (IC), the method including: providing a plurality of domains, each domain associated with a clock phase; grouping, based on each domain, a first plurality of scan chains into a first test group; grouping, based on each domain, a second plurality of scan chains into a second test group, wherein the grouping of the first test group and of the second test group includes determining which domains can be tested simultaneously; and performing the manufacturing test of the IC.

An absolute position measurement apparatus measures an absolute position of an object to be measured using a first light source and a second light source which has coherency lower than that of the first light source. The absolute position measurement apparatus includes a measurement part which measures a point where phases of interference signals from the first and the second light sources coincide with each other or a point where an intensity of the interference signal from the second light source is maximized, an origin defining part which defines the point measured by the measurement part as an origin position, a phase storing part which stores the phase of the interference signal from the first light source at the origin position, an origin redefining part which redefines the origin position, and a position calculating part which calculates the absolute position of the object to be measured.

A calibration system may be provided for calibrating displays in electronic devices during manufacturing. The calibration system may include calibration computing equipment and a test chamber having a light sensor. The calibration computing equipment may be configured to operate the light sensor and the display to gather display performance data. The calibration computing equipment may extract display performance statistics from the display performance data and adaptively select and perform display calibration sequences using the display performance statistics. The calibration computing equipment may be configured to determine whether or not to perform display calibration and whether or not to gather additional display performance data based on display performance statistics extracted during a preceding display calibration sequence. The calibration computing equipment may be configured to iteratively and adaptively perform display calibration sequences until a display is successfully calibrated.

An automated emergency power supply system (EPSS) and testing solution that records generator load values and engine exhaust temperature values to evaluate whether an EPSS test satisfies legislated test criteria. The EPSS test is carried out under software control, which initiates a test by instructing an automatic transfer switch (ATS) to change its status to a test status, causing the essential loads to be powered by a generator instead of a main utility power source. Power monitors record the ATS and generator status during the test as well as electrical parameter data from the ATS and generator and exhaust temperature data and other engine parameter data from the generator. When the test is concluded, the ATS is instructed to return the status to normal so that power delivery is resumed from the main power source. The electrical and engine parameter data is analyzed and compared against legislated test criteria to determine a pass/fail result of the EPSS test.

There are provided a novel compound, a polymeric compound, a resist composition, an acid generator and a method of forming a resist pattern the compound represented by general formula (1-1):wherein each of R1 and R3 independently represents a single bond or a divalent linking group; A represents a divalent linking group; each of R2 and R4 independently represents a hydroxyl group, a hydrocarbon group which may have a substituent, or a group represented by general formula (1-an1), (1-an2) or (1-an3), provided that at least one of R2 and R4 represents a group represented by general formula (1-an1), (1-an2) or (1-an3); and n0 is preferably 0 or 1, andwherein Y1 represents a single bond or —SO2—; R5 represents a linear or branched monovalent hydrocarbon group of 1 to 10 carbon atoms, cyclic monovalent hydrocarbon group of 3 to 20 carbon atoms or monovalent hydrocarbon group of 3 to 20 carbon atoms having a cyclic partial structure which may be substituted with a fluorine atom; and M+ represents an organic cation or a metal cation,

The invention relates to a powder resin with amp from 60 to 110° C., and a particle size from 10 to 250 μm, which comprises the reaction product of a reactive composition comprising: a) an isocyanate component comprising a polyisocyanate with functionality of at least 2, b) an alcoholic component, comprising: b1) at least one polyol with OH functionality from 2 to 4, b2) a monoalcohol component comprising: b2.1) a monoalcohol, bearing an ethylenic unsaturation b2.2) a saturated alcohol selected from the group of fatty alcohols, b2.3) optionally, an additional saturated monoalcohol from non fatty monoalcohols the molar ratios of OH functional groups, of the said alcoholic components b2.2) (possibly b2.3)) and b2.1) being defined so that the OH molar ratio of b2.2)/b2.1) or of [b2.2)+b2.3)]/b2.1) ranges from higher than 0.25 to 2, with the proviso that: the resulting said powder resin does bear at least one urethane unit with branched structure resulting from the reaction of an isocyanate component a) with a polyol component b), with said component a) having an average functionality higher than 2 or otherwise (if not higher than 2) the said component b1) having an average functionality higher than 2, with the resulting resin having no any crosslinked structure and being soluble in an organic solvent. The invention does also relate to a powder coating composition comprising the said resin and the resulting coatings and coated substrates for protective or decorative uses.

A method of treating a surface of a substrate using modified urushiol derived from Toxicodendron vernicifluum is provided. More particularly, the reactivity of a hydroxyl group of urushiol extracted from fresh Toxicodendron vernicifluum is removed before the lacquer is used as a UV coating agent for a substrate such as a steel sheet. Therefore, the substrate may have high antibacterial activity, and excellent appearance and functionalities such as far-infrared radiation, blocking of electromagnetic waves, enhanced corrosion resistance, high crosslinking speed when a low content of a photoinitiator is used, excellent surface gloss and high scratch resistance.

An apparatus that allows for separating and collecting a fraction of a sample. The apparatus, when used with a centrifuge, allows for the creation of at least three fractions in the apparatus. It also provides for a new method of extracting the buffy coat phase from a whole blood sample and mesenchymal stem cells from bone reaming material. A buoy system that may include a first buoy portion and a second buoy member operably interconnected may be used to form at least three fractions from a sample during a substantially single centrifugation process. Therefore, the separation of various fractions may be substantially quick and efficient.

An apparatus for filtering a material from a medium includes a first housing having a wall with a plurality of openings formed therein, a conveyor disposed in the housing for moving the material therealong, and a conduit line communicating with the interior of the housing for supplying the medium to the apparatus. At least one of the first housing and the conveyor rotate relative to a central axis to direct the medium toward the wall so as to separate the material from the medium. A method for filtering a material from a medium includes supplying the medium to a first housing, spinning the medium within the housing, passing the medium through a wall of the housing to separate the material from the medium, moving the material along the housing, introducing a fluid into the material within the housing, and washing the material using the fluid.

A centrifugal separator comprising: a driving portion; and a swing rotor including, a rotor body, a through-hole passing through the rotor body, pin insert grooves which are provided parallel to the through-hole so as to oppose each other and only partially penetrate the rotor body, and a bucket including, a bucket body that has a contact surface which is configured to contact the rotor body during centrifugal separation, and a cap assembly that seals the bucket body and has a swing shaft extending in a direction perpendicular to an longitudinal direction of the bucket, wherein the swing rotor is rotated when the bucket is inserted into the through-hole, to swing the bucket, and the swing shaft can be moved in the longitudinal direction of the bucket relative to the bucket body and rotated about a longitudinal central axis of the bucket.

An apparatus and method for separating a mixed flow into a higher-density component and a lower-density component is provided. The apparatus may include a casing having a fluid entrance assembly, a fluid outlet assembly, and a drain. The apparatus may also include a plurality of rotary separators disposed in the casing. Each of the plurality of rotary separators may include an inlet in fluid communication with the fluid entrance assembly, a discharge in fluid communication with the fluid outlet assembly, and an outlet passage in communication with the drain. At least one of the plurality of rotary separators may include a stationary housing and a rotatable drum disposed at least partially in the stationary housing. The stationary housing may define a slot at least partially providing the outlet passage, and the rotatable drum may be configured to centrifuge the mixed flow.

Method and apparatus for centrifugal blood component separation including temperature sensing in each of a plurality of separation cells. The temperature of unit of bloods over time is recorded. If the temperature of any of the units exceeds a pre-determined maximum, portions of the blood separation device may be cooled. A controller may determine which of the units to process first, generally proceeding from the warmest unit to the coolest. The order of unit processing may be changed during processing. The detected temperature may be used to calibrate a pressure sensor used to predict the volume of a component separated from a composite fluid by predicting the volume of the composite fluid from sensed pressure and predicting the volume of other separated components from sensed movement of the other components to collection bags.

Systems and methods are provided for sample processing. A device may be provided, capable of receiving the sample, and performing one or more of a sample preparation, sample assay, and detection step. The device may be capable of performing multiple assays. The device may comprise one or more modules that may be capable of performing one or more of a sample preparation, sample assay, and detection step. The device may be capable of performing the steps using a small volume of sample.

A separator includes a centrifugal drum having a vertical axis of rotation and a feed line for material to be centrifuged. A drive spindle for the centrifugal drum is rotatably mounted on a housing via a bearing, the housing being supported elastically on a machine frame. A drive device includes a motor housing and an electric motor having a stator and an armature which is aligned with the drive spindle. The drive device and the motor housing move with the drive spindle as co-vibrating units during an operation of the separator. The drive device is connected to the machine frame below the bearing at a lower axial end of the bearing via one or more joint elements.

A blood processing centrifuge comprising: a rotor having an axis of rotation and being controllably spun around the axis, a mechanism for processing whole blood within the rotor while spinning, a computer controlling blood processing operations, the computer being mounted to the rotor and spinning therewith.

Disclosed are a method and an apparatus for separating metallic CNT and semiconducting CNT, comprising treating with a physical separation means of centrifugation, freezing-thawing-squeezing, diffusion, permeation or the like using a gel containing CNT as a dispersed and isolated state (CNT-containing gel), to thereby make semiconducting CNT exist in gel and make metallic CNT exist in solution.

Cleaning assemblies and particulate tolerant fluid bearings that are particularly well suited for use in centrifugal separation enhanced filtration devices are described. In one aspect of the invention, at least one bearing is arranged to carry a circulating cleaning assembly such that the cleaning assembly can rotate around a filter membrane during filtering operation of the filtration device. The bearing is preferably arranged to maintain the circulating cleaning assembly in a substantially coaxial alignment with the filter membrane and in a substantially stable longitudinal position relative to the filter membrane as the circulating cleaning assembly is rotated around the filter membrane. In another aspect of the invention a variety of particulate tolerant bearings are described.

A method for controlling a centrifuge blood component separation system for separating components of a blood product, the separation system comprising a centrifuge and a separation bag and at least one transfer bag. The method comprises selecting a nominal hematocrit value such that an actual hematocrit value is expected to be less than said nominal hematocrit; centrifuging a separation bag containing a volume of composite liquid so as to cause the sedimentation of at least a first component and a second component; transferring some of the first component to a first transfer bag; detecting time of passage of a red blood cell interface at a pre-selected location in the separation bag; and adjusting a predicted processing time based on the time of passage of the red blood cell interface.

A syringe piston used in fat transplantation is structured such that free oil is easily separated from suctioned fat by a syringe piston having a filter and naturally discharged through the rear side thereof. The syringe piston without a shaft, used in fat transplantation, disposed in a syringe-shaped cylindrical vessel, includes a piston body without the shaft, a packing coupled with an outer surface of the piston body to seal between the piston body and the syringe-shaped cylindrical vessel, a free oil discharging hole communicated with the front side and the rear side of the piston body, an opening and closing device for opening and closing the free oil discharging hole, and a filtering device disposed in a passage through which free oil is discharged to filter fat and pass the free oil.

A gripper unit for handling a vessel for receiving biological material is proposed, inter alia. The vessel has a lid which can assume an open position and a closed position. The gripper unit comprises a gripper for gripping and releasing the vessel, and a lid holder, for holding a lid in a defined position in relation to the vessel. The defined position is an open position of the lid.

A lipoaspirate collection device to aid in the collection and processing of human tissue and fluid obtained during liposuction for use in point-of-care cell therapy. The collection device includes a collection body and a collection cap. The collection cap may have a fluid port, a lipoaspirate port, a vacuum port, and a relief valve. Within the central cavity of the collection device, a cone shaped may be positioned such that the apex of the cone is positioned underneath the lipoaspirate inlet through which the lipoaspirate fluid and tissue are introduced.

A platelet collection device comprising a centrifugal spin-separator container with a cavity having a longitudinal inner surface. A float in the cavity has a base, a platelet collection surface above the base, an outer surface. The float density is below the density of erythrocytes and above the density of plasma. The platelet collection surface has a position on the float which places it below the level of platelets when the float is suspended in separated blood. During centrifugation, a layer of platelets or buffy coat collects closely adjacent the platelet collection surface. Movement of a float having a density greater than whole blood through the sedimenting erythrocytes releases entrapped platelets, increasing the platelet yield.

The invention refers to a centrifuge for separating whole blood into its blood components and a method for extracting a highly enriched thrombocyte concentrate out of whole blood. For this purpose, the centrifuge comprises a closed loop and/or open-loop control unit as well as a drive unit coupled to the closed loop and/or open-loop control unit, a rotor (12) having at least two container receptacles (14a, 14b; 16a, 16) for removably holding containers (18, 20, 22, 24) being in fluid communication with each other, at least one sensor arranged between the container receptacles (14a, 14b; 16a, 16b) and coupled with the closed loop and/or open-loop control unit for detecting a separation layer. Herein, a motor/gear unit (30a, 30b, 32a, 32b) coupled to the closed loop and/or open-loop control unit is associated with each of the container receptacles (14a, 14b; 16a, 16b). Each of the motor/gear units is in operational contact through means (34) with each of the containers (18, 20, 22, 24) supported in the respective container receptacle (14a, 14b; 16a, 16b) such that a transfer and back-transfer of blood components between the containers (18, 20, 22, 24) is initiated.

The invention is a method of processing tarry or resinous liquids. Tarry liquids include wet scrubber liquids containing tars and chars derived from gasification, pyrolysis or drying of biomass. Resinous liquids include those derived from processing coniferous biomass. Tarry or resinous liquid is processed by a horizontal axis centrifuge having a discharge chamber containing a scraper to prevent centrifuge clogging or fouling. The removed tar and char can be used as solid fuel or recycled to the gasification or pyrolysis process. Polymers, for instance cationic polymers, can be added to the tarry or resin containing liquid prior to centrifugation to assist in solids/liquids separation. Removed resin can be recycled for further use. Tar, char or resin depleted wet scrubber liquid can be recycled for further use or more easily treated prior to disposal.

A separator method and apparatus that includes a rotatable drum defining an annular passageway therein, a plurality of blades coupled to the rotatable drum and located in the annular passageway, each of the plurality of blades including a leading section, a trailing section, a concave surface, and a convex surface, the concave and convex surfaces extending from the leading section to the trailing section, each of the plurality of blades disposed circumferentially adjacent to at least another one of the plurality of blades so as to define blade flowpaths therebetween, and a housing at least partially surrounding the rotatable drum and defining a fluid collection chamber fluidly communicating with the annular passageway.

A disposable blood separation set and a centrifugal blood processing system comprising a blood processing chamber adapted to be mounted on a rotor of a centrifuge; a frustro-conical cell separation chamber in fluid communication with the processing chamber, the cell separation chamber having an inlet, and outlet and a side tap outlet adjacent the inlet. The inlet may protrude into the cell separation chamber forming a circumferential well surrounding the protruding inlet. The side tap outlet may connect to the well. The set and system comprise means for selectively drawing fluid from either the outlet or the side tap outlet.

A vertical centrifugal separator includes a casing, a bowl that is rotatably housed in the casing and provided to separate a solution to be processed which is supplied to an interior of the bowl into a liquid and a solid by an action of centrifugal force and discharge the liquid and the solid, and a discharge assembly that is rotatably housed in the bowl and provided to discharge the solid in the bowl. The bowl and the discharge assembly each have an engagement portion that is engaged or disengaged when the bowl and the discharge assembly are moved relative to each other in an axial direction and a position adjustment mechanism for adjusting a phase between the discharge assembly and the bowl relative to a rotation axis, for example, at a single relative position.

Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to methods and apparatus for centrifugal separation. In one embodiment, a separator includes an outer tubular having ends sealed from the environment and an inner tubular. The inner tubular is disposed within the outer tubular, has ends in fluid communication with a bore of the outer tubular, and is attached to the outer tubular. The separator further includes an inlet. The inlet is disposed through a wall of the outer tubular, in fluid communication with a bore of the inner tubular, and tangentially attached to the inner tubular so that fluid flow from the inlet to the inner tubular is centrifugally accelerated. The separator further includes a gas outlet in fluid communication with the outer tubular bore; and a liquid outlet in fluid communication with the outer tubular bore.

A separation cone (30) is mounted into the interior chamber of a centrifugal separator rotor (10), which comprises a cover (14) releasably connected to a base (16), in order to provide a frusto-conical wall subdividing the chamber into upper and lower regions. This slows the passage of fluid from the upper to the lower region, which takes place via openings (24) and/or via a gap between the inner rim (32) of the cone (30) and the axial inlet tube (12). The separation cone (30) is connected to the cover (14) by a releasable snap fit arrangement, such as by deflectable tabs (38) around the periphery of the separation cone (30) engaging into a groove (15) around the interior surface adjacent a lower edge of the cover (14). This allows there to be a predetermined sequence of servicing operations and ensures that the separation cone (30) will reliably stay with the cover (14) when the cover is removed.

An apparatus for use with a centrifugal cellular separation device that comprises a rotor rotatable about an axis of rotation is provided that comprises a fluid separation chamber having a first port, a second port spaced apart from the first port, and a third port located intermediate the first port and the second port. The fluid separation chamber has a cross sectional area generally transverse to a radius extending from the axis of rotation that varies between the first port and the second port. The fluid separation chamber is adapted to be mounted to the rotor so as to be rotatable therewith, with the first port located at a greater radial distance from the axis than the second port, and the third port located radially intermediate the first port and the second port.

The invention describes a color-developing composition that contains at least three major components: (1) a leuco dye or a combination of leuco dyes, (2) an color-developer or a combination of color-developers that can form colored complexes with the leuco dyes, and (3) a desensitizer to temporarily remove the effect of the developer so the leuco dye appears in its colorless form. An optional binder may be included so that the composition may be applied to a substrate as an ink. The ink composition may be applied to synthetic polymeric substrates and other substrates that are incorporated into absorbent articles or personal care products.

A color-changing marking system, including a color-changing marking medium and a substrate. The color-changing marking medium has a nominal color and includes a color developer activator and/or color former leuco dye. The substrate includes a treated portion on which a color former leuco dye and/or color developer activator has been applied. Application of the color-changing marking medium to an untreated portion of the substrate causes the color-changing marking medium to create marks of the nominal color. Application of the color-changing marking medium to the treated portion of the substrate causes the color-changing marking medium to create marks of a changed color in response to a chemical or mechanical reaction between the leuco dye and the activator. The marking medium may a crayon, colored pencil, marker ink or paint.

To provide an image processing method including at least one of recording an image onto a thermoreversible recording medium in which transparency or color tone reversibly changes depending upon temperature, by applying a laser beam with the use of a CO2 laser device so as to heat the thermoreversible recording medium, and erasing an image recorded on the thermoreversible recording medium, by heating the thermoreversible recording medium, wherein an intensity distribution of the laser beam applied in the image recording step satisfies the relationship represented by Expression 1 shown below, 1.59

A decoration piece has: a design piece made of thermoplastic synthetic resin formed with a design and having an outer profile line; a lower layer; and a dye migration preventing layer arranged between the design piece and the lower layer, said dye migration preventing layer having an outer profile same as that of said design piece, said dye migration preventing layer capable of being adhered to both said design piece and the lower layer, said dye migration preventing layer capable of preventing any migrating of dye. The dye migration preventing layer includes a dye migration preventing film made of ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer or polyamide MXD6, or a dye migration preventing film made of polyvinylidene chloride.

Provided is a direct thermal media containing a regular repeating pattern of color-forming thermally-imageable stripes printed parallel to the print head element line and a system for using such direct thermal media in color direct thermal printers including an optical registration system optimized for use with this media and an image processing unit that monitors the position of the stripe pattern relative to the print head and synchronizes the start of the printing process. This direct thermal media together with the optical registration system and image processing unit comprise an operative system in that the design of the thermal media, the optical registration system and image processing unit used to control printing are optimized for use with each other. This system may be utilized, for example, in color thermal printers for documents, receipts, tags, tickets or labels.

A method for enabling D2T2 printing onto non-D2T2 printable substrates uses a diffusible primer material provided on a dye-sheet or ribbon. The primer comprises a polymer, a release agent and a plasticizer. The release agent and the plasticizer are diffused into the substrate, while the polymer remains on the dye-sheet or ribbon. Printing of the primer onto the PC substrate is controlled via a computer image program corresponding to a colored image. This computer image program also controls the printing of the colored image at the primed locations. Accordingly, image-wise treatment of a plastic material via the primer selectively renders the PC substrate surface D2T2 printable at the point of personalization, providing for a 100% PC full card body having the colored image.