Abstract: Provided is a pair of arc discharge suppressive terminals electrically communicable with each other by engagement of the terminal pair. At least one of the terminal pair has a final contact site which is in contact with the counterpart terminal at a final stage of disengagement of the terminal pair. At least the final contact site is covered with an arc discharge suppressive layer containing a first metal having a melting point of 1,550° C. or higher. It is preferable that the terminal pair contact with each other at a portion corresponding to a main contact site other than the arc discharge suppressive layer in a completely engaged state where the one of the terminal pair and the counterpart terminal are tightly engaged with each other. Preferably, the main contact site has a surface made of a material having a higher conductivity than the arc discharge suppressive layer. This arrangement effectively suppresses occurrence of arc discharge at a time of disengagement of the terminal pair.

Abstract: Gate structures, comprising a first insulation film, a first gate material and a gate oxide film, are formed. A second insulation film is formed on side surfaces of the gate structures in the peripheral region. Trenches are formed at a surface of the semiconductor substrate by etching the semiconductor substrate with the first and the second insulation films used as masks. The second insulation film formed on side surface of the gate structures is removed, exposing the surface of the semiconductor substrate in the vicinity of the gate structures on both sides of the trenches. Element-isolating insulation films are formed in the trenches and on the exposed substrate. The gate structures in the peripheral region are removed. Gate structures of peripheral transistors are formed between the element-isolating insulation films in the peripheral region.

Abstract: An arc-resistant terminal, couple, and connecter are provided. In an embodiment, a metal-based electrical contact portion thereof includes at least one of Cu, Ni or Sn, and not more than 0.06 mass % P, wherein the arc-resistant terminal capable of suppressing arc discharge wherein a voltage between the arc-resistant terminal and a second terminal immediately after separation thereof is DC36V to 60V and a current between terminals during contact is 6A to 30A. In another embodiment, the an electrical contact portion comprising at least 80 mass % of metal having a boiling point of not less than 1000 degrees centigrade. According to the present invention, since the electrical contact portion or the final contact portion of the terminal includes a specific metal-based material, even when the voltage applied between the terminals is increased and an arc discharge is liable to be generated, the arc discharge can be suppressed.

Abstract: Provided is a pair of arc discharge suppressive terminals electrically communicable with each other by engagement of the terminal pair. At least one of the terminal pair has a final contact site which is in contact with the counterpart terminal at a final stag of disengagement of the terminal pair. At least the final contact site is covered with an arc discharge suppressive layer containing a first metal having a melting point of 1,550° C. or higher. It is preferable that the terminal pair contact with each other at a portion corresponding to a main contact site other than the arc discharge suppressive layer in a completely engaged state where the one of the terminal pair and the counterpart terminal are tightly engaged with each other. Preferably, the main contact site has a surface made of a material having a higher conductivity than the arc discharge suppressive layer. This arrangement effectively suppresses occurrence of arc discharge at a time of disengagement of the terminal pair.

Abstract: Gate structures, comprising a first insulation film, a first gate material and a gate oxide film, are formed. A second insulation film is formed on side surfaces of the gate structures in the peripheral region. Trenches are formed at a surface of the semiconductor substrate by etching the semiconductor substrate with the first and the second insulation films used as masks. The second insulation film formed on side surface of the gate structures is removed, exposing the surface of the semiconductor substrate in the vicinity of the gate structures on both sides of the trenches. Element-isolating insulation films are formed in the trenches and on the exposed substrate. The gate structures in the peripheral region are removed. Gate structures of peripheral transistors are formed between the element-isolating insulation films in the peripheral region.

Abstract: Gate structures, comprising a first insulation film, a first gate material and a gate oxide film, are formed. A second insulation film is formed on side surfaces of the gate structures in the peripheral region. Trenches are formed at a surface of the semiconductor substrate by etching the semiconductor substrate with the first and the second insulation films used as masks. The second insulation film formed on side surface of the gate structures is removed, exposing the surface of the semiconductor substrate in the vicinity of the gate structures on both sides of the trenches. Element-isolating insulation films are formed in the trenches and on the exposed substrate. The gate structures in the peripheral region are removed. Gate structures of peripheral transistors are formed between the element-isolating insulation films in the peripheral region.

Abstract: In a liver function testing apparatus, light sources (11, 12) expose vital tissue (15) to first light of a wavelength absorbed by the specific dye dosed into blood of the vital tissue to be taken in and removed by the liver and second light of a wavelength not absorbed by the dye. Optical pulses passing through the vital tissue are received by a light receiving element (13) and first and second outputs from element (13) are sampled by an A-D converter (30) to produce respective digital signals. Pulsation components of the outputs of the receiving light are detected by high-pass filters (51, 52) and amplifiers (53, 54). A coefficient of a linear regression expression between intensity values of the pulsation components and an average value using the sampled first and second outputs of the received light are determined for performing a biocalibration.

Abstract: A liver function testing apparatus measures n-times the values .DELTA.logT.sub.1 and .DELTA.logT.sub.2 corresponding to pulse wave signals obtained upon passage through a prescribed optical path in vital tissue. A sensor (30) having first and second light sources (3, 4) and a light receiving element (6) is attached to a testee (5) before injection of a specific dye. A value .alpha..sub.0 is calculated by using a statistical computation with two variables as to n .DELTA.logT.sub.1 and .DELTA.logT.sub.2 on the basis of an equation of .DELTA.logT.sub.1 =.alpha..sub.0..DELTA.logT.sub.2..DELTA.logT.sub.1 and .DELTA.logT.sub.2 corresponding to pulse wave signals are measured in response to intensity levels of first light and second light passing through the vital tissue during a prescribed time following an injection on the basis of decision outputs representing levels of the first light and the second light from the light sources after the specific dye is injected.

Abstract: A meat freshness measuring apparatus measures the freshness of meat by detecting changes in a pigment contained in the meat. For this purpose, the meat (2) is exposed to rays of light of different wavelengths applied from a light source (1), and the rays obtained from the meat are separated into spectra for the respective wavelengths, which are received by a photoelectric conversion element (4). Spectrum data for each wavelength are amplified and then the amplified data are converted to a digital signal by an A/D converter (7), whereby the digital signal is stored in a RAM (12). Based on the stored spectrum data and using a prescribed equation of calculation, a content of the pigment in the meat is calculated and outputted by a CPU (10).

Abstract: In a liver function testing apparatus, light sources (11, 12) expose vital tissue (15) to first light of a wavelength capable of being absorbed by a specific dye dosed into blood of the vital tissue to be taken in and removed by the liver, and second light of a wavelength not capable of being absorbed by the specific dye. Optical pulses obtained from the vital tissue are received by a light receiving element (13), the output of which is sampled by an A/D converter (30) for converting the analog output signals into digital signals. A biocalibration is preformed on the basis of variable components in the blood. For this purpose a CPU (34) determines coefficients for first and second regression line expressions before and after an injection of the specific dye. The coefficients are provided by first and second photoelectric conversion signals.

Abstract: A liver function testing apparatus, provides light signals (11, 12) exposing vital tissue (15) to a first light signal that is substantially absorbed by a specific dye dosed into the blood of the vital tissue. The dye is to be taken in and removed by the liver. A second light signal is substantially not absorbed by the specific dye. Optical pulses obtained from the vital tissue are received by a light receiving element (13), the output of which is sampled by an A-D converter (30) to provide digital output signals. On the basis of variable components in the blood, a CPU (34) determines a coefficient of a regression line expression between first and second photoelectric conversion signals, to perform a biocalibration.

Abstract: A light absorption detector has one or two light emitting members and a light receiving element spaced a predetermined distance apart from each other on a film substrate (1). Light is transmitted from one side to the other side of a subject. a change in the absorption magnitude of this transmitted light by the subject is then detected to provide respective information. A photodiode (PD) is located near the light emitting member or near two light emitting diodes (LED1, LED2). The photodiode detects a change in the quantity of light emitted. A CPU (16) corrects a change in the quantity of light with a change in the temperature of the light emitting element for controlling the current flowing to the light emitting member or light emitting diodes. Futher, a thermistor (37) and a heater (39) are located in the vicinity of at least one of a light emitting diode (34) and a photodiode (31).

Abstract: In a fiber optical probe for measuring or sensing a reflectance spectrum, an illuminating light supplying optical fiber (1) and a light receiving optical fiber (2) are coupled in parallel to form a fiber bundle (3). A lens (4) is provided on sensing end surfaces of both types of fibers of the fiber bundle. The fiber bundle is inserted in a heat shrinkable polyethylene tube and the tube is shrunken by heat to form a coating jacket (6). The coating jacket extends beyond the end of the fiber bundle to cover the periphery of the lens, so that the lens is fixed to the fiber bundle.

Abstract: A bio-photosensor used to examine the function of various organs of a human body or the like. It has a flexible printed circuit board (FPC) formed with an electric circuit, a light emitter and a light receptor mounted on the FPC and connected to an electric cable through the electric circuit, and a fixing tape adapted to be put on the FPC applied to a finger or the like to fix it in position. In order to support the emitter and the receptor, a strip of flexible film is used. It can be fitted on the finger comfortably. Pairs of sensors are provided around the light receptor to check if the receptor is put in an exactly opposite position to the emitter when the bio-photosensor is put on the finger. The FPC is provided with a mark at such a position that the emitter and the receptor will be opposed to each other when the bio-photosensor is applied to the finger with the mark in contact with the finger tip.

Abstract: A mechanism for bending an elongated body such as the tube of an endoscope without the use of electric elements, thereby eliminating a shock hazard. A shape-memorizing alloy is inserted into the elongated body at portions to be bent. In some embodiments, heat for causing the shape-memorizing alloy and hence the elongated body to bend is produced by light carried by an optical fiber, while in other embodiments frictional heat produced by a mechanism vibrator is employed. In some embodiments using light, a shutter arrangement is added to control the heating of the shape-memorizing alloy.

Abstract: A light-reflecting and heating type oximeter designed to measure non-invasively oxygen saturation in blood contained in a part of a living body by using an optical sensor. The optical sensor has a light-emitting section for emitting measuring light beams having at least two different wavelengths and a light-receiving section for receiving the measuring light beams activated by and reflected from the measuring part of the living body, and a heating means whose heating temperature is controllable is provided around the light-emitting and -receiving sections. The light receiving section and light emitting section are arranged in a particular positional relationship on a flat surface of the optical sensor housing to obtain accurate measurements. The arrangement enables measurement of oxygen saturation in any part of a living body including those in which blood vessels are distributed close to the body surface, such as finger tips, ears and the flat part of a newborn's foot.

Abstract: A CT computed tomograph comprises a scanner (51) which surrounds a living body of a person to be examined. Ultrashort light pulses of the ith wavelength are applied to the living body from a sample light transmitting path (80k) corresponding to the kth cell of this scanner and the sample light pulses received by a sample light receiving path (81l) corresponding to the lth cell and reference light pulses transmitted from a reference light path (79) and a delay light path (78) are converged by a converging lens (75). A CPU(64) counts photons outputted from a photomultiplier (22) based on the converged light pulses and calculates an average value by averaging a predetermined number of count values. A delay amount of the reference light pulses through the delay light path (78) is changed based on the average value and, based on delay time and an average value in the delay time, a photon count value S.sub.

Abstract: In a liver function testing apparatus, light sources (11, 12) expose vital tissue (15) to a first light of a wavelength absorbed by specific dye dosed into blood of the vital tissue, whereby the dye is to be taken in and removed by a liver and a second light of a wavelength not absorbed by the dye. Optical pulses obtained from the vital tissue are received by a light receiving element (13) providing an output signal which is sampled by an A-D converter (30) for converting the output signal into digital sampling signals. Variable components in the blood represented by the sampling signals are determined as coefficients of linear functions, to perform a biocalibration.

Abstract: A mechanism for bending an elongated body such as the tube of an endoscope without the use of electric elements, thereby eliminating a shock hazard. A shape-memorizing alloy is inserted into the elongated body at portions to be bent. In some embodiments, heat for causing the shape-memorizing alloy and hence the elongated body to bend is produced by light carried by an optical fiber, while in other embodiments frictional heat produced by a mechanism vibrator is employed. In some embodiments using light, a shutter arrangement is added to control the heating of the shape-memorizing alloy.

Abstract: A reflection type oximeter comprises light emitting diodes (11 to 16) as first to sixth light sources which emit first and second beams of a wavelength involving a change in absorption due to a change an oxygen saturation of hemoglobin in blood of a tissue of a living body, third and fourth beams of another wavelength involving no change in absorption, and fifth and sixth beams of a further wavelength involving a relatively small change in absorption due to changes in a quantity of hemoglobin an oxygen saturation. The beams ae applied to the body tissue and the beams of the first to sixth light sources reflected by the body are received by a light receiving element (17). Intensities of the beams emitted from the light emitting diodes are set to predetermined levels and the intensities of the beams received by the light receiving element are evaluated by a CPU (23). Based on a predetermined function, the quantity of hemoglobin and of the oxygen saturation of the body tissue are evaluated.