| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US08274386B1 |
Human presence electric field sensor
Methods and systems for detection of an electric field generated by the human/animal body can include providing a passive antenna system for detecting changes in the ambient electric field due to interaction of the ambient with the charges generated by the human/animal body, and a high impedance sensor that is fixed to the encapsulated wire antenna. The result is a passive human/animal detection system without any moving parts. The antenna can be an encapsulated wire, and the wire length can be chosen according the desired application. For systems that are intended to detect the presence of a human being or animal, the encapsulated wire can have a length of one hundred feet or more, and a grid of wires can be used for detection within an Area of Interest (AOI). |
| US08274385B2 |
Method and apparatus for controlling the timing of an alarm signal in a security system
A security system includes a perimeter sensor configured to cause an alarm signal to be issued after a first period of time upon sensing a security breach. An interior sensor is configured to cause an alarm signal to be issued after a second period of time upon sensing a security breach. The second period of time is shorter than the first period of time. A controller is communicatively coupled to each of the perimeter sensor and the interior sensor. The controller is adapted, in response to the perimeter sensor entering into a fault condition, to reconfigure the interior sensor to cause an alarm signal to be issued after a third period of time upon sensing a security breach. The third period of time is longer than the second period of time. |
| US08274384B2 |
Information device capable of performing wireless communication with reader/writer device, program, and method
An information device capable of performing wireless communication with a reader/writer device, a method, and a computer-readable medium are provided. The device includes a reception section that detects an information request signal transmitted from a reader/writer device and a transmission section that transmits a signal to the reader/writer device in response to the detection of an information request signal. The device also includes a detection data acquisition section that acquires detection data corresponding to a physical quantity or state from a sensor and a detection data storage section that stores the detection data. The device includes a control section that activates the detection data acquisition section at time intervals and inputs the acquired detection data into the detection data storage section and another control section that activates the reception section at other time intervals. |
| US08274382B2 |
Compass based car locator
A remote keyless entry system is provided comprising a handheld remote keyless entry transmitter in selectable wireless communication with a car based entry system. The handheld remote keyless entry transmitter comprises an integrated electronic compass element and logic adapted to store a first compass direction when activated and directed towards a destination. The logic further is adapted to display a return compass direction and a return distance from the car based entry system when activated leaving the destination. |
| US08274376B2 |
System and method for wireless control of medical devices
A system and method for controlling a body-scanning device with a wireless footswitch is disclosed. The method includes polling a status of a plurality of switches on a wireless footswitch using a microprocessor. A pulsed signal is sent from the microprocessor to a watchdog timer. The pulsed signal is pulsed at a predetermined rate when the microprocessor is operating within selected operating parameters. The microprocessor is reset when the pulsed signal is pulsed at a rate less than the predetermined rate. The status of the plurality of switches on the wireless footswitch is transmitted to a receiver connected to the scanning device to enable the scanning device to be controlled by actuating at least one of the plurality of switches on the wireless footswitch. |
| US08274373B2 |
Dual mode transmitter-receiver and decoder for RF transponder tags
An enhanced backscatter RF-ID tag reader system and multiprotocol RF tag reader system is provided. In a multiprotocol mode, the system emits a non-stationary interrogation signal, and decodes a phase modulated backscatter signal by detecting a stronger phase component from quadrature phase representations or determining phase transition edges in a phase of a received signal. The RF tag reader system predicts or follows the phase of the backscatter signal, thereby avoiding interference from nulls in the received signal waveform due to the non-stationary interrogation signal, relative movement or environmental effects. An acoustic RF-ID tag detection system detects the reradiated signal corresponding to respective transformation of a signal in the tag. Detection of either type of RF-ID tags therefore is possible, and the absence of any tag or absence of any valid tag also determined. |
| US08274372B2 |
Apparatus for efficiently locating and communicating with a specific RFID tag among a plurality of groups of tags
An apparatus for communicating with an RFID tag is provided which has a radio communicating device configured to conduct radio communication with a plurality of individual RFID tags constituting a single tag group and a single representative RFID tag associated so as to represent the tag group. A first information obtainment portion is configured to conduct first communication for search of the representative RFID tag corresponding to the individual RFID tag to be searched and to obtain information from the representative RFID tag; a switching determination portion configured to determine if the first communication in information obtainment satisfies a predetermined switching condition. A second information obtainment portion configured to conduct second communication for search of the individual RFID tag to be searched in a communication mode different from that of the first communication if the determination is satisfied and to obtain information from the individual RFID tag. |
| US08274371B2 |
Method for measuring speed of vehicle using RFID, RFID reader for measuring speed of vehicle, and system for collecting vehicle information using the same
A technique for simultaneously acquiring vehicle identification information and speed information of an RFID tag-attached vehicle by calculating the vehicle speed by using a Doppler shift value extracted from transmission and reception signals between the RFID tag and the RFID reader is disclosed. A method for measuring a vehicle speed by using an RFID reader installed right up on the road or at the roadside includes: transmitting a continuous wave; receiving a reflected wave with respect to the continuous wave from an RFID tag attached to a vehicle which has received the continuous wave; extracting a Doppler shift value from the continuous wave and the reflected wave; and calculating the speed of the vehicle by using the Doppler shift value. |
| US08274368B2 |
Chipless microwave identification tag
A chipless microwave identification tag (200) comprising: a dielectric substrate (210); and a plurality of antenna elements (220) made from a conductive material and disposed on at least one surface (205, 255) of the dielectric substrate (210); wherein when the tag (200) is excited by an incident microwave signal (131), a reflected wave (141) to identify the tag (200) is generated with a number of specific frequencies altered by microwave resonation of the antenna elements (220). |
| US08274356B2 |
Voltage dependent resistor with overheated protection structure
A resistor includes a ceramic body, metal electrodes on sides of the ceramic body, each of which is connected to an electrode lead, and an insulating layer contacting a metal electrode among the metal electrodes. The insulating layer is meltable in response to heat. A conductive connector contacts the insulating layer above the metal electrode and is configured to short the metal electrodes when the insulating layer melts. |
| US08274354B2 |
Two- or multiphase transformer
The disclosure relates to a transformer having a yoke which has a crosspiece and at least two limbs, over which limbs a coil is placed in each case, and having at least one carrier on which the crosspiece is fixed and which has bearing faces for the coils. At least two supporting blocks for each coil are mounted on each bearing surface. The supporting blocks are fitted with elastic compensation elements on the coil-side carrying face and have, on their longitudinal side faces, which run perpendicular to a carrying surface, at least one strip which extends the creepage path and runs in the longitudinal direction and parallel to the carrying surface of the supporting block. |
| US08274346B2 |
Electromagnetic contact device
An electromagnetic contact device has a contactor holder (40), which moves a mounted movable contactor (42a) according to a displacement of a movable core (32) forming an electromagnet (30) for operation. The contactor holder (40) is being housed together with the electromagnet (30) for operation in a case (1). The case (1) has a lower case portion (10) housing the electromagnet (30) for operation and an upper case portion (20) engaging with the lower case portion (10) while being stacked on the lower case portion and houses the contactor holder (40) advanced from above. The upper case portion (20) has a recess (21) with an upward opening and houses the contactor holder (40) placed on the bottom wall of the recess (21). The lower case portion (10) houses one selected either a DC-only electromagnet (30b) or an AC-only electromagnet (30a). |
| US08274343B2 |
Stacked coplanar waveguides having signal and ground lines extending through plural layers
An integrated circuit structure includes a semiconductor substrate; an interconnect structure over the semiconductor substrate; a first dielectric layer over the semiconductor substrate and in the interconnect structure; a second dielectric layer in the interconnect structure and over the first dielectric layer; and a wave-guide. The wave-guide includes a first portion in the first dielectric layer and a second portion in the second dielectric layer. The first portion adjoins the second portion. |
| US08274337B2 |
Digital phase locked loop
A semiconductor integrated circuit includes: digitally controlled oscillators; a phase-data output unit; an integration processing unit; a filter unit; a multiplier (a first multiplier) that outputs, as an oscillator tuning word, a value obtained by multiplying an output signal subjected to time division from the filter unit with a predetermined coefficient; and an output selector (a tuning-word separating unit) that allocates the oscillator tuning word to the digitally controlled oscillators in synchronization with a reference frequency. |
| US08274335B1 |
System and method for effectively implementing a front end core
An apparatus for implementing a front end core for a transimpedance amplifier includes an input transimpedance stage that receives an FE core input signal and responsively generates an output transimpedance gain signal. A first output gain stage receives the output transimpedance gain signal and responsively generates an FE core output signal. A phase inverter stage also receives the output transimpedance gain signal and responsively generates an inverted output signal. A second output gain stage then receives the inverted output signal and responsively generates an inverted FE core output signal. |
| US08274332B2 |
N-way Doherty distributed power amplifier with power tracking
A power amplifier using N-way Doherty structure with adaptive bias supply power tracking for extending the efficiency region over the high peak-to-average power ratio of the multiplexing modulated signals such as wideband code division multiple access and orthogonal frequency division multiplexing is disclosed. In an embodiment, the present invention uses a dual-feed distributed structure to an N-way Doherty amplifier to improve the isolation between at least one main amplifier and at least one peaking amplifier and, and also to improve both gain and efficiency performance at high output back-off power. Hybrid couplers can be used at either or both of the input and output. In at least some implementations, circuit space is also conserved due to the integration of amplification, power splitting and combining. |
| US08274329B2 |
Signal compensation device and communication apparatus
A signal-compensation device includes a band-limitation unit that performs band limitation on a signal based on a variably adjusted band-set value and externally transmits the signal subjected to the band limitation to an amplifier, a measurement unit that measures a signal level of each of first and second signal components of a feedback signal which is part of an output of the amplifier fed back by a feedback unit to the band-limitation unit, where the each of first and second signal components is based on at least one of a property of variability of the band-set value, a feedback of the feedback signal by the feedback unit, and a nonlinear distortion of the amplifier, and an adjustment unit that adjusts the band-set value based on the signal level of each of the first and second signal components. |
| US08274327B2 |
Switched capacitor amplifier
Provided is a switched capacitor amplifier capable of outputting a stable output voltage. The switched capacitor amplifier is capable of operating so as to eliminate a charge/discharge time difference between an input capacitor (18) and an output capacitor (19). Accordingly, in a shift from a hold state to a sample state, for example, even if one terminal voltage (V2) of the output capacitor (19) abruptly increases to an output voltage (VOUT), another terminal voltage (Vs) of the output capacitor (19) does not increase abruptly. In other words, an input voltage to an internal amplifier (11) does not increase abruptly. Therefore, an output voltage of the internal amplifier (11) becomes stable and accordingly the output voltage (VOUT) becomes stable as well. |
| US08274315B2 |
Voltage sequence output circuit
A voltage sequence output circuit includes input terminals of a NOR gate connected to first and second input terminals. An output terminal of the NOR gate connected to a first terminal of a first electrical switch. A third terminal of the first electrical switch connected to a power source. A first terminal of a second electrical switch connected to the first input terminal and the power source through a first resistor. A second terminal of the second electrical switch connected to a second terminal of the first electrical switch. A third terminal of the second electrical switch connected to a first output terminal and a second terminal of a third electrical switch. A first terminal of the third electrical switch connected to a second input terminal and the power source through a second resistor. A third terminal of the third electrical switch connected to a second output terminal. |
| US08274313B2 |
Wake-up circuit and an on board unit including the same, a filter, methods for frequency detection and filtering
A wake-up circuit, comprising: a control signal generation circuit comprising: a pulse generator configured to receive a digital signal and generate a pulse sequence signal with a frequency thereof; a first comparison circuit and a second comparison circuit both coupled to the pulse generator and configured to receive the pulse sequence signal; the first comparison circuit is configured to compare the frequency of the pulse sequence signal with a first threshold frequency and generate a first control signal; the second comparison circuit is configured to compare the frequency of the pulse sequence signal with a second threshold frequency and generate a second control signal; the frequency detector further comprises: an indication generation circuit configured to generate a wake-up indication if the frequency of the pulse sequence signal falls within a frequency range defined by the first and second threshold frequencies. |
| US08274309B2 |
Programmable structured arrays
A programmable semiconductor device includes a user programmable switch comprising a configurable element is positioned above a transistor material layer deposited on a substrate layer. |
| US08274291B2 |
Charged state estimating device and charged state estimating method of secondary battery
When a battery current is not larger than a limit current set depending on the battery temperature and is flowing continuously for a predetermined time set depending on the battery temperature or longer, a decision is made that a secondary battery is in stable state. When the secondary battery is in stabilized state, the battery voltage is considered to be equal to the open circuit voltage and SOC estimation is performed based on the open circuit voltage-SOC characteristics. When the product of the internal resistance of the secondary battery and the limit current is made substantially constant (constant voltage) by setting the limit current in association with temperature dependence of the internal resistance, estimation error can be kept within a predetermined range in the stabilized state even if SOC estimation is performed while the battery voltage is assumed as the open circuit voltage. Consequently, SOC can be estimated with high precision within a predetermined error by a simple and reliable system under stabilized state. |
| US08274290B2 |
Source monitoring for electromagnetic surveying
Method for real time monitoring of the waveform transmitted by an electromagnetic survey source, using a near-source monitoring receiver to measure electromagnetic field and transmitting the measured signal in real time to a control location. |
| US08274284B2 |
Parallel-accelerated complex subtraction MRI
A method for producing background-suppressed MR images with improved resistance to subject motion and noise, particularly that associated with parallel imaging techniques. An MRI system is employed to acquire two sets of undersampled k-space data under different scan conditions. A differential k-space data set is then formed by complex, pairwise subtraction of the two undersampled k-space data sets and a background-suppressed MR is reconstructed from the differential k-space data set using an accelerated reconstruction technique, such as GRAPPA. |
| US08274283B2 |
Method and apparatus for diffusion tensor magnetic resonance imaging
An apparatus and method for obtaining diffusion weighted magnetic resonance images (DW-MRI) is described. The properties of the diffusion tensor in tissue are measured by applying a diffusion weighting gradient oriented along a plurality of measurement axes. The value of the magnetic field is increased by using as many of the magnetic gradient coils as are effective in contributing the gradient field strength along the axis being. In regions where the magnetic field gradient is increased, the echo time (TE) may be decreased, increasing the signal-to-noise ratio of the measurements. Alternatively, the number of measurements than are averaged to achieve a particular image quality may be decreased, reducing the patient exposure time. |
| US08274282B2 |
Method for assembling a high-dynamic and high-spatial resolution eddy current testing head
The invention concerns a method for producing an assembly of at least one transmission coil (B1) and one reception coil (B2) for eddy current testing, the reception coil receiving in the absence of fault a complex amplitude signal VR, subject to a variation δVR in the presence of a characteristic fault to be detected. The method consists in selecting the distance ΔER between the axes of the transmission coil and the reception coil so as to maximize the ratio IδVR/VRI. |
| US08274274B2 |
Position/displacement measuring system
A position/displacement measuring system is provided comprising at least one magnetically encoded scale body with at least one encoding track and a sensor device with at least one sensor sensitive to the encoding, the at least one encoding track comprising main fields of at least a first type and a second type which are arranged in a periodically alternating manner in at least a first direction, the subfields of the first type and second type being north pole fields and south pole fields, wherein the main fields of the first type and the main fields of the second type are each subdivided into subfields of at least two different types; wherein a length and/or an encoding strength of the subfields within a main field varies in at least the first direction; and wherein, in the main fields of the first type, the total length in the first direction and/or the total surface of field portions of the first type is greater than the total length and/or the total surface of field portions which are not of the first type, and in the main fields of the second type, the total length in the first direction and/or the total surface of field portions of the second type is greater than the total length and/or the total surface of field portions which are not of the second type. |
| US08274273B2 |
Test and measurement device with a pistol-grip handle
In another embodiment, the invention provides a clamp meter configured to receive a removable and rechargeable battery pack. The clamp meter includes a main body having a first axis, a handle, a clamp, a trigger, and a display. The handle has a second axis and includes a first recess configured to receive the battery pack. The first recess includes at least first and second electrical terminals which are exposed when the battery pack is not inserted into the first recess. The second axis forms an oblique angle with the first axis, and the battery pack is inserted into the first recess along the second axis. The clamp is coupled to the main body, aligned with the first axis, and operable to measure an electrical characteristic of a conductor based on an induced current. The trigger is operable to selectively open and close the clamp, and the display configured to display an indication of the electrical characteristic. |
| US08274272B2 |
Programmable delay module testing device and methods thereof
A data processing device is configured so that, in a test mode of operation, the phase of an output signal of a second programmable delay module (PDM) is based on the phase of the input signal of the first PDM. To test the first and second PDMs, the output signal of the first PDM is set to each of a first set of phases and the corresponding phase of the output signal of the second PDM is compared to determine whether the performance of the first and second PDMs match a specification. Accordingly, the first and second PDMs are qualified based on their relative performance, reducing the need for test structures that consume an undesirably large amount of area. |
| US08274269B2 |
Switching circuit and small-size high-efficiency DC-DC converter for portable devices including the same
Provided are a switching circuit and a small-size high-efficiency direct current-to-direct current (DC-DC) converter for portable devices including the same. Using dynamic threshold-complementary metal oxide semiconductor (DT-CMOS) transistors having dynamic threshold voltages as a switching device, the switching circuit maintains a low threshold voltage in a normal mode to improve current drivability while reducing conduction loss, and maintains a high threshold voltage in a standby mode to minimize power consumption. When the switching circuit is employed in a DC-DC converter, power conversion efficiency can be improved by reducing conduction loss in the normal mode, and power consumption can be minimized in the standby mode. Consequently, the DC-DC converter can maximize a use time of a battery of a portable device and can be useful in power supplies of portable devices that are gradually being miniaturized. |
| US08274268B2 |
Switching voltage regulator, control circuit and method thereof
A control circuit comprises a PWM control circuit and a PWM skip control circuit. The PWM control circuit controls a switching circuit. The switching circuit acts as a current source for an output circuit and a load circuit. The PWM skip control circuit controls the operation of the PWM control circuit. When the output current of the switching circuit is below a predetermined threshold, the PWM skip control circuit stops the operation of the PWM control circuit. When the output voltage of the switching circuit is below a predetermined threshold, the PWM skip control circuit resumes the operation of the PWM control circuit. |
| US08274265B1 |
Multi-phase power system with redundancy
An integrated circuit device for delivering power to a load includes a controller circuit, a cascade circuit, and a power delivery circuit. The controller circuit generates a plurality of control signals. The cascade circuit receives the control signals from the controller circuit and sequentially outputs the control signals onto a cascade bus. The power delivery circuit receives the control signals from the controller circuit and delivers an amount of current to the load, in response to one of the control signals. |
| US08274262B2 |
Electric vehicle having a secondary battery and a method of charging and recharging the secondary battery
An electric vehicle includes a secondary battery which performs charge from an external power source and travels by using power of the secondary battery. The electric vehicle further includes: a charging unit which charges the secondary battery with power supplied by connecting a charge plug to the external power source; and a control unit which performs information acquisition or control for respective constituent elements. The control unit acquires a remaining capacity value from the secondary battery upon charge. When the control unit judges that a high charge capacity state continues a predetermined number of times, the control unit performs charge up to a charge capacity lower than a full electric capacity amount. This can suppress degradation of the secondary battery by charge. |
| US08274261B2 |
Cell monitoring and balancing
A method for monitoring the voltage of each of a plurality of cells of a battery pack is provided. The method may include monitoring a voltage potential for each of a plurality of cells in a battery pack utilizing a single channel of battery control unit within the battery pack. If, during discharge of the battery, e.g., the battery is being used to power a hand tool, the voltage potential of any cell is determined by the battery control unit to be below a predetermined minimum voltage, the battery control unit discontinues a current flow from battery pack to the tool. Additionally, during charging of the battery pack, if a voltage differential between any one of the cells and any other one of the cells is determined to be above a predetermined maximum differential, the battery control unit reduces the voltage potential stored in the cell having the higher voltage potential. |
| US08274260B2 |
Battery pack
A battery pack is provided which includes: a state detection section which decides whether secondary batteries are in an electricity-charged state or in an electricity-discharging state; a power decision section which decides whether the secondary batteries are in a power-on state or in a power-off state; and a residual-capacity calculation section which, if the state detection section decides that they are in the electricity-charged state, calculates the residual capacity of the secondary batteries by accumulating a current value detected by a current sensor, and if the state detection section decides that they are in the electricity-discharging state, calculates the residual capacity of the secondary batteries by acquiring the voltage of the secondary batteries when the power decision section decides that they are in the power-off state. |
| US08274258B2 |
Portable charging apparatus
A portable charging apparatus for electrically charging one or more portable battery operated light units, comprising a container having one or more receiving means for receiving one or more portable battery operated light units, electricity supply connection means for electrically connecting with the one or more portable battery operated light units, and electricity supply regulating means. |
| US08274255B2 |
Multi-function remote control and a method for obtaining residual power
The present invention is related to a multi-function remote control which is supplied power by a rechargeable battery. The multi-function remote control comprises a micro controller unit (MCU), a residual power display, a button unit, a current detector and a voltage detector. The MCU couples to the rechargeable battery and then charges or discharges the rechargeable battery. The current detector measures the current of the rechargeable battery and correspondingly outputs a current-value signal (Si) to the MCU. The voltage detector measures the voltage of the rechargeable battery and correspondingly outputs a voltage-value signal (Sv) to the MCU. Then, the MCU obtains the residual power of the rechargeable battery by means of analyzing the current-value signal (Si) and voltage-value signal (Sv), and then reveals the corresponding residual power by the residual power display. Whereby, the multi-function remote control might have functions of remote control, charging and revealing residual power. |
| US08274252B2 |
Motor control apparatus
A motor control apparatus includes a sub-controller including a two-degree-of-freedom repetitive compensator and a shaping filter. The two-degree-of-freedom repetitive compensator includes a forward delay placed in a forward route of a loop and a feedback delay placed in a feedback route thereof and is configured so that a total delay time provided by the forward delay and the feedback delay is equal to the cycle of a target command or a disturbance. The shaping filter is configured so that the product of the pulse transfer function of the two-degree-of-freedom repetitive compensator and the complementary sensitivity function of a general-purpose control system has a low-pass characteristic. |
| US08274251B2 |
Refrigerator, system and method for driving a drawer of the refrigerator
A system and method for driving a drawer of a refrigerator and a refrigerator employing this system is provided. This system and method allows the drawer to substantially immediately and automatically stop when the drawer encounters an obstacle. This type of automatic control of the drawer may enhance the safe operation of the drawer, prevent injuries to users, and prevent overload and subsequent malfunction of a drive motor used to move the drawer. |
| US08274250B2 |
Method for controlling a direct current brushless motor, and control circuit
A method for controlling a direct current (DC) brushless motor, and a control circuit thereof are provided. The DC brushless motor is sensorless. In response to a digital output signal that is applied to drive the direct current brushless motor, detection of a back electromotive force (BEMF) is ceased in a predetermined time interval, so as to avoid detecting erroneous BEMF and keep normal operation of the direct current brushless motor. |
| US08274247B2 |
Rotary electric machine control system
A control unit for a rotary electric machine control system includes a first current command module, a second current command module and a change module. The first current command module controls the rotary electric machine based on a maximum efficiency characteristic line. The second current command module controls the rotary electric machine based on an early switching characteristic line, which is set at a retard angle side relative to the maximum efficiency characteristic line with a predetermined phase difference. When a control mode is switched over to a rectangular wave voltage phase control mode from an overmodulation current control mode in accordance with an increase in torque, the change module changes the current command from the first current command module to the second command current module. |
| US08274244B2 |
Actuator system and method for extending a joint
An actuator system for assisting extension of a biological joint is provided with a motor assembly, a rotary-to-linear mechanism, and an extension stop. The rotary-to-linear mechanism includes a screw that accepts rotational output of the motor assembly, and a nut that cooperates with the screw to convert rotational movement of the screw to linear movement of the nut. The extension stop is driven by linear movement of the nut in an extension direction to cause extension of the biological joint. The motor assembly, the rotary-to-linear mechanism and the extension stop cooperate to allow unpowered flexion of the joint. The system is configured without a flexion stop, and is configured such that the nut cannot drive the joint in a flexion direction. Methods of use are also disclosed. |
| US08274243B2 |
Particle beam treatment apparatus and respiration navigation apparatus used therefor
Target respiration information is created in which a patient respiration pattern is set in advance to a cycle suitable for an operation cycle of a synchrotron, and the target respiration information is informed to the patient, so that a patient respiration timing becomes a state suitable for an operation of the synchrotron in such a manner that the patient consciously matches with the informed information. |
| US08274238B2 |
Electronic circuit for driving a diode load
An electronic circuit includes circuit portions for identifying a largest voltage drop through one of a plurality of series connected diode strings and for controlling a boost switching regulator according to the largest voltage drop. The electronic circuit can sense an open circuit series connected diode string, which would otherwise have the largest voltage drop, and can disconnect that open circuit series connected diode string from control of the boost switching regulator. Another electronic circuit includes a current limiting circuit coupled to or within a boost switching regulator and configured to operate with a diode load. Another electronic circuit includes a pulse width modulation circuit configured to dim a series connected string of light emitting diodes. |
| US08274237B2 |
LED driver circuit with over-current protection during a short circuit condition
An LED driver circuit is provided for protecting one (or more) LEDs connected in series from over-current damages which may result from a short circuit condition. The driver circuit includes a current control circuit for receiving an input signal from a power source and providing a current output for powering the LED. A voltage sensor detects a voltage across the LED. An LED current restriction circuit such as a switching element restricts a current flow into the LED. A short circuit response circuit controls the LED current restriction circuit dependent on a comparison between the voltage detected by the voltage sensor and a predetermined threshold value. When the detected voltage is less than or equal to the threshold value, the response circuit determines a short circuit, and a signal is sent to the current restriction circuit to restrict current flow into the one or more LEDs. |
| US08274236B2 |
Power supply having an auxiliary power stage for sustaining sufficient post ignition current in a DC lamp
The current invention provides a power supply that includes an igniter that generates an ignition voltage for igniting a DC lamp; an auxiliary power stage that outputs an auxiliary voltage for sustaining sufficient current in the DC lamp after the DC lamp is ignited; a voltage conversion stage coupled to the auxiliary power stage and generating a voltage at a level that is higher than the auxiliary voltage; and a switch that couples the auxiliary voltage to the DC lamp and the voltage conversion stage for a predefined period of time. |
| US08274234B1 |
Dimming ballast with parallel lamp operation
An electronic ballast is provided for powering one or more discharge lamps independently connected in parallel. An inverter having a pair of switching elements converts a DC supply signal into AC power. A transformer has a primary winding coupled to an output terminal of the inverter. A load circuit includes independently operable discharge lamp circuits coupled in parallel with each other and across a secondary winding of the transformer. An inductance control circuit includes an inductive element coupled in series with the primary winding of the transformer and a bi-directional switch coupled in parallel across the inductive element. A switch state of the bi-directional switch is controllably adjustable between first and second switch states and in accordance with a desired duty ratio. A magnitude of a voltage across the secondary winding of the transformer and thereby across each lamp circuit is dependent on the switch state of the bi-directional switch. |
| US08274233B2 |
Load control device having a visual indication of energy savings and usage information
A dimmer switch for controlling the amount of power delivered to and thus the intensity of a lighting load comprises a visual display operable to provide a visual indication representative of energy savings and usage information. The dimmer switch comprises an intensity adjustment actuator, such as a slider knob or a rotary knob, which may be coupled to a potentiometer for adjusting the amount of power delivered to the lighting load. The potentiometer may comprise a dual potentiometer including a resistive element and a conductive element having a cut. The visual display may comprise a single visual indicator, which may be illuminated a first color, such as green, when the intensity of the lighting load is less than or equal to the eco-level intensity, and illuminated a second different color, such as red, when the intensity of the lighting load is greater than the eco-level intensity. |
| US08274230B2 |
LED lamp apparatus and method for adjusting color temperature of LED module therein
A light emitting diode (LED) module is disclosed. The LED module includes a plurality of LED strings each including a plurality of LEDs in a serial connection with each other and disposed with respect to a central axis of a base board in a co-axial fashion, a plurality of drivers each connected to the corresponding LED string for providing adjustable driving currents to trigger each of the LED strings respectively and to adjust a color temperature of each of the LED strings, and a controller, connected to the plurality of drivers, for generating a plurality of output signals and outputting the output signals to the plurality of drivers respectively in response to a predetermined setting so as to adjust the color temperature. |
| US08274228B2 |
Flow tube apparatus
A flow tube apparatus may include a flow tube having a first opening and a second opening, a corona electrode provided in the flow tube, a collecting electrode provided in the flow tube, and at least one focusing electrode provided in the flow tube to guide ions and thereby provide an ionic wind. In at least one embodiment, the flow tube apparatus may be provided in an electronic apparatus to provide an air flow. |
| US08274227B2 |
High-efficiency DC ballast arrangement with automatic polarity protection and emergency back-up for lighting fixture in a suspended DC-powered ceiling system
A high-efficiency ballast arrangement for a lighting fixture has an automatic polarity protection circuit for supplying an output DC voltage of constant polarity no matter in which orientation the fixture is mounted in a DC-powered suspended ceiling system having a DC power supply. A main DC ballast circuit includes a main DC ballast powered by the output DC voltage from the protection circuit to enable a lamp in the fixture to be illuminated during normal operation. An emergency back-up DC ballast circuit includes a battery charged to a charged DC voltage by the output DC voltage during the normal operation, and an emergency DC ballast powered by the charged DC voltage from the battery to enable the lamp in the fixture to be illuminated during emergency operation upon failure of the DC power supply. |
| US08274220B2 |
LED source with hollow collection lens
A light source, includes an LED emitter and a meniscus lens having a hollow cavity in which the LED emitter is disposed. The meniscus lens is in exemplary embodiments hyperhemispheric, and it produces a high quality optical image of the LED emitter. The cavity of the lens is filled with air, such as terrestrial atmosphere, inert gas, or vacuum. |
| US08274217B2 |
LED package having lens, transparent adhesive and phosphor layers
A LED package includes a LED chip, a first phosphor layer, a second phosphor layer, a transparent adhesive and a lens. The lens includes an inner surface and an exterior surface. The first phosphor layer is mounted on the LED chip. The transparent adhesive is filled between the LED chip and the lens. The second phosphor layer is mounted on one of the inner surface and the exterior surface of the lens. Each of the first phosphor layer and the second phosphor layer is of one color. |
| US08274215B2 |
Nitride-based, red-emitting phosphors
Embodiments of the present invention are directed to nitride-based, red-emitting phosphors in red, green, and blue (RGB) lighting systems, which in turn may be used in backlighting displays and warm white-light applications. In particular embodiments, the red-emitting phosphor is based on CaAlSiN3 type compounds activated with divalent europium. In one embodiment, the nitride-based, red emitting compound contains a solid solution of calcium and strontium compounds (Ca,Sr)AlSiN3:Eu2+, wherein the impurity oxygen content is less than about 2 percent by weight. In another embodiment, the (Ca,Sr)AlSiN3:Eu2+ compounds further contains a halogen in an amount ranging from about zero to about 2 atomic percent, where the halogen may be fluorine (F), chlorine (Cl), or any combination thereof. In one embodiment at least half of the halogen is distributed on 2-fold coordinated nitrogen (N2) sites relative to 3-fold coordinated nitrogen (N3) sites. |
| US08274213B2 |
Electrochromic materials and electrochromic devices using the same
Disclosed herein are novel electrochromic materials. The electrochromic materials produce various colors and have bistability to achieve red-green-blue full colors. Therefore, the electrochromic materials can be used in a variety of electrochromic devices. Also disclosed herein are electrochromic devices fabricated using the electrochromic materials. |
| US08274195B2 |
Bearing concept for segment motors
An electrical machine includes a stator coupled to a machine frame and constructed to produce a magnetic field. A rotor which is connected to a shaft magnetically interacts with the stator and is separated there from by an air gap which is arranged such that the magnetic field within the air gap is directed essentially parallel to the shaft axis during operation of the electrical machine. Arranged between the rotor and the stator is an axial bearing which absorbs attraction forces acting between the stator and the rotor in a direction of the shaft axis. An elastic coupling mechanically couples the stator to the machine frame and is made less stiff than the axial bearing with respect to a force acting in the direction of the shaft axis, and constructed such that a force acting on the rotor in the direction of the shaft axis is able to cause the stator to be translated with respect to the machine frame in the direction of the shaft axis. |
| US08274186B2 |
Hybrid drive train and electrical machine
The present invention relates to a hybrid drive train for a motor vehicle, comprising a clutch arrangement having a first rotatable clutch part and a second rotatable clutch part, which clutch parts can be separated from one another and which can be connected to one another, and comprising an electrical machine which is arranged concentrically with respect to the first clutch part and has a rotor, wherein the rotor is connected with the first clutch part and comprises a plurality of magnetic flux influencing portions, the magnetic flux influencing portions being arranged distributed over the circumference of the rotor with a predetermined rotor pitch. Here, the first clutch part comprises a shaft toothing that is adapted to the rotor pitch. |
| US08274185B2 |
Rotors for electric rotary machines
The present invention provides a rotor for a rotary electric machine, the rotor extending along a longitudinal axis and comprising: at least two poles defining between them an inter-pole space; and windings of electrical conductors wound around the poles, said windings including straight portions extending along the longitudinal axis of the rotor; at least one pole of the rotor, and in particular each pole of the rotor, including a spacer placed along at least a fraction of the straight portion between at least two conductor groups of the windings so as to form at least one cooling channel between the two conductor groups, enabling a cooling fluid to flow longitudinally and/or transversely within the windings, the spacer including at least one spacer element presenting a cross-section that is hollow, defining the cooling channel at least in part. |
| US08274184B2 |
Torus geometry motor system
A torus motor system includes a hollow stator and a rotor which is driven along a rotor path formed within the hollow stator by a magnet system. The rotor operates as a piston within the rotor path to intake and discharge fluid therefrom. The forces on the rotor all tend to center the rotor within the rotor path. The rotor is accelerated away from the inlet port on the magnet system and decelerated as the rotor approaches the discharge port. |
| US08274175B2 |
Method and arrangement in conjunction with emergency light
A method in conjunction with an emergency light, and an emergency light with equipment comprising one or more LED light sources (52) for producing emergency lighting; a super capacitor (C1) arranged to supply one or more LED light sources (52), a charging apparatus (A) arranged to charge the super capacitor (C1) to a predetermined nominal voltage. The equipment of the emergency light further comprises means for deviating the charging voltage (U) produced by the charging apparatus; and means (C) for detecting the capacitor circuit voltage when the charging voltage is being deviated, the means (C) being arranged to detect a defect in the capacitor circuit in response to the voltage detection. |
| US08274174B2 |
Circuit arrangement for supplying power to control devices in motor vehicles
A circuit arrangement for supplying power to control devices in motor vehicles, having a first power supply line, a first ground line, a second power supply line and a second ground line, characterized in that the first ground line and the second ground line can be connected by a controllable switch, and in that a logic circuit closes the switch when the first ground line is faulty or interrupted. |
| US08274171B2 |
Two-wire power and communications for irrigation systems
A two-wire power and communication system is provided, having a decoder that draws a constant amount of current for communication signals despite changes in the voltage on the power and communication wires. In one example, decoders have a constant current sink circuit that includes a shunt regulator that controls a field effect transistor. |
| US08274166B2 |
Semiconductor device and method of manufacturing the same
A semiconductor device includes a substrate; an alignment mark formed on the substrate and composed of a metal film; a cover insulating film formed on the alignment mark and covering an entire surface of the alignment mark; and a polyimide film formed on the cover insulating film, and having an opening, which is opened on the alignment mark and has an end face aligning with an end face of the alignment mark, in plan view. |
| US08274162B2 |
Apparatus and method for reduced delamination of an integrated circuit module
An apparatus and method for reducing delamination of an integrated circuit module is disclosed. The integrated circuit module includes a laminate substrate. The integrated circuit module further includes an integrated circuit die operably coupled with the laminate substrate and a plastic semiconductor package overmolded with the laminate substrate. The laminate substrate includes a die attach pad including a plurality of metal oxide regions and non-oxidized metal regions disposed on the die attach pads. |
| US08274157B2 |
Semiconductor device and a method of manufacturing the same
A semiconductor device having redistribution interconnects in the WPP technology and improved reliability, wherein the redistribution interconnects have first patterns and second patterns which are electrically separated from each other within the plane of the semiconductor substrate, the first patterns electrically coupled to the multi-layer interconnects and the floating second patterns are coexistent within the plane of the semiconductor substrate, and the occupation ratio of the total of the first patterns and the second patterns within the plane of the semiconductor substrate, that is, the occupation ratio of the redistribution interconnects is 35 to 60%. |
| US08274154B2 |
Semiconductor device with interface peeling preventing rewiring layer
A semiconductor device which is capable of preventing interface peeling and a crack from occurring in the vicinity of the edge part of a rewiring layer is provided. The semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate, an electrode pad formed on the semiconductor substrate, a first insulation film formed on the semiconductor substrate having a first aperture which exposes the electrode pad, a first conductor film formed on the electrode pad and the first insulation film, an external electrode electrically connected to the first conductor film, and a sealing resin which covers the first conductor film and the first insulation film. The first conductor film includes a plurality of copper layers which are stacked so that an outer edge portion of the first conductor film has a stepped portion. |
| US08274153B2 |
Electronic component built-in wiring substrate
In an electronic component built-in wiring substrate, an electronic component is mounted on a first wiring substrate. A second wiring substrate is stacked on the first wiring substrate and is connected electrically to the first wiring substrate by connection terminals. The second wiring substrate has an opening portion of a size larger than a planar area of the electronic component. An underfill resin is filled in a first space between the first wiring substrate and the electronic component, and has a raised portion which is raised along an outer peripheral side surface of the electronic component, seals a clearance between an inner peripheral edge of the opening portion and an outer peripheral edge of the electronic component and supports the second wiring substrate. A sealing resin is filled in a second space between the first and second wiring substrates. |
| US08274148B2 |
Semiconductor module
A first circuit element and a second element are mounted with their electrode forming surfaces facing a wiring layer. A first bump electrode formed integrally with the wiring layer on one face substantially penetrates a first insulating resin layer. A gold plating layer covering an element electrode of the first circuit element and a gold plating layer disposed on top of the first bump electrode are bonded together by Au—Au bonding. A second bump electrode formed integrally with the wiring layer on one face substantially penetrates the first and the second insulating resin layer. A gold plating layer covering an element electrode of the second circuit element and a gold plating layer disposed on top of the second bump electrode are bonded together by Au—Au bonding. |
| US08274145B2 |
Semiconductor package system with patterned mask over thermal relief
A semiconductor package system including: providing a substrate having a thermal relief thereon; depositing a mask on the substrate and the thermal relief, the mask deposited on the thermal relief and having a regular pattern to partially cover the thermal relief; and die attaching a semiconductor die over the thermal relief. |
| US08274144B2 |
Helical springs electrical connecting a plurality of packages
A first semiconductor package includes a first substrate, a first semiconductor chip attached to the first substrate, an encapsulant which covers the first semiconductor chip, and conductive elastic members which are embedded in the encapsulant but with parts thereof exposed. A package on package (POP) includes the first semiconductor package and a second semiconductor package stacked in the first semiconductor package. The second semiconductor package includes a second substrate and a second semiconductor chip attached to the second substrate. The exposed parts of the elastic members are electrically connected to the second substrate. The encapsulant of the first package is formed by a molding process while the conductive elastic members are compressed within their elastic limit by the mold. |
| US08274140B2 |
Semiconductor chip package assembly with deflection-resistant leadfingers
The invention relates to leadframes and semiconductor chip package assemblies using leadframes, and to methods for their assembly. A disclosed embodiment of the invention includes a semiconductor package leadframe with a chip mounting surface for receiving a semiconductor chip and a plurality of leadfingers. The leadfingers have a proximal end for receiving one or more wirebond, and a distal end for providing an electrical path from the proximal end. One or more of the leadfingers also has an offset portion at its proximal end for increasing the clearance between the leadfinger and underlying heat spreader, increasing the stiffness of the leadfinger, and increasing leadfinger deflection-resistance and spring-back. The offset is in the direction opposite the plane of a heat spreader thermally coupled to the mounting surface. Preferred embodiments of the invention further include a semiconductor chip affixed to the mounting surface and a plurality of bondwires operably coupling bond pads of the chip to the offset portions of the proximal ends of individual leadfingers. |
| US08274133B2 |
Semiconductor package and method for making the same
The present invention relates to a semiconductor package and a method for making the same. The semiconductor package comprises a substrate, a first metal layer, a first dielectric layer, a first upper electrode, a first protective layer, a second metal layer and a second protective layer. The substrate has at least one via structure. The first metal layer is disposed on a first surface of the substrate, and comprises a first lower electrode. The first dielectric layer is disposed on the first lower electrode. The first upper electrode is disposed on the first dielectric layer, and the first upper electrode, the first dielectric layer and the first lower electrode form a first capacitor. The first protective layer encapsulates the first capacitor. The second metal layer is disposed on the first protective layer, and comprises a first inductor. The second protective layer encapsulates the first inductor. Whereby, the first inductor, the first capacitor and the via structure are integrated into the semiconductor package, so that the size of the product is reduced. |
| US08274131B2 |
Isolation trench with rounded corners for BiCMOS process
A semiconductor device comprising a first transistor device (130) on or in a semiconductor substrate (115) and a second transistor device (132) on or in the substrate. The device further comprises an insulating trench (200) located between the first transistor device and the second transistor device. At least one upper corner (610) of the insulating trench is a rounded corner in a lateral plane (620) of the substrate. |
| US08274126B2 |
Materials, systems and methods for optoelectronic devices
A photodetector is described along with corresponding materials, systems, and methods. The photodetector comprises an integrated circuit and at least two optically sensitive layers. A first optically sensitive layer is over at least a portion of the integrated circuit, and a second optically sensitive layer is over the first optically sensitive layer. Each optically sensitive layer is interposed between two electrodes. The two electrodes include a respective first electrode and a respective second electrode. The integrated circuit selectively applies a bias to the electrodes and reads signals from the optically sensitive layers. The signal is related to the number of photons received by the respective optically sensitive layer. |
| US08274121B2 |
Compound field effect transistor with multi-feed gate and serpentine interconnect
Aspects provide for reducing the size and cost of a compound semiconductor power FET device while increasing yield and maintaining current handling capabilities of the FET by distributing portions of the current in parallel to sections the source and drain fingers to maintain a low current density, and applying the gate signal to both ends of the gate fingers to increase yield. The current to be handled by the FET may be divided among a set of electrodes arrayed along the width of the source or drain fingers and oriented to cross the fingers along the length of the source and drain fingers. The current may be conducted from the electrodes to the source and drain fingers through vias disposed along the surface of the fingers. Heat developed in the source, drain, and gate fingers may be conducted through the vias to the electrodes and out of the device. |
| US08274117B2 |
Method for manufacturing semiconductor device, and semiconductor device
A semiconductor device includes a first MISFET having a first conduction type channel and formed on a semiconductor substrate; a second MISFET having a second conduction type channel and formed on the semiconductor substrate; a first strain film having a first sign strain that covers a region where the second MISFET is disposed; and a second strain film having a second sign strain that covers a region where the first MISFET is disposed. In the semiconductor device, an edge of the second strain film closer to the second MISFET overlaps with part of the first strain film; and the second strain film at a portion where the second strain film overlaps with the first strain film and at a portion extending from the portion, is thinner than the second strain film at a portion that covers the first MISFET. |
| US08274115B2 |
Hybrid orientation substrate with stress layer
A hybrid orientation substrate includes a base substrate having a first orientation, a first surface layer having a first orientation disposed on the base substrate in a first region, and a second surface layer disposed on the base substrate in a second region. The second surface layer has an upper sub-layer having a second orientation, and a lower sub-layer between the base substrate and the upper sub-layer. The lower sub-layer having a first stress induces a second stress on the upper sub-layer. |
| US08274114B2 |
Semiconductor device having a modified shallow trench isolation (STI) region and a modified well region
An apparatus is disclosed to increase a breakdown voltage of a semiconductor device. The semiconductor device includes a modified breakdown shallow trench isolation (STI) region to effectively reduce a drain to source resistance when compared to a conventional semiconductor device, thereby increasing the breakdown voltage of the semiconductor device when compared to the conventional semiconductor device. The modified breakdown STI region allows more current to pass from a source region to a drain region of the semiconductor device, thereby further increasing the break down voltage of the semiconductor device from that of the conventional semiconductor device. The semiconductor device may include a modified well region to further reduce the drain to source resistance of the semiconductor device. The modified breakdown STI region allows even more current to pass from a source region to a drain region of the semiconductor device, thereby further increasing the break down voltage of the semiconductor device from that of the conventional semiconductor device. |
| US08274112B2 |
Semiconductor memory device having pillar structures
A semiconductor memory device includes first and second active pillar structures protruding at an upper part of a substrate, buried bit lines each extending in a first direction, and first gate patterns and second gate patterns each extending in a second direction. The first and second active pillar structures occupy odd-numbered and even-numbered rows, respectively. The first and the second active pillar structures also occupy even-numbered and odd-numbered columns, respectively. The columns of the second active pillar structures are offset in the second direction from the columns of the first active pillar structures. Each buried bit line is connected to lower portions of the first active pillar structures which occupy one of the even-numbered columns and to lower portions of the second active pillar structures which occupy an adjacent one of the odd-numbered columns. |
| US08274110B2 |
Vertically-oriented semiconductor selection device providing high drive current in cross-point array memory
A vertical semiconductor material mesa upstanding from a semiconductor base that forms a conductive channel between first and second doped regions. The first doped region is electrically coupled to one or more first silicide layers on the surface of the base. The second doped region is electrically coupled to one of a plurality of second silicide layers on the upper surface of the mesa. A gate conductor is provided on one or more sidewalls of the mesa. |
| US08274107B2 |
Exposure system, semiconductor device, and method for fabricating the semiconductor device
In order to link a defect inspection process before forming contact holes with an exposure process for forming the contact holes, a position (physical coordinates) of a defect on a wafer is stored, the defect having been detected in the defect inspection process before forming the contact holes, an exposure (dummy exposure) is performed under the condition that no contact hole is formed on the above-mentioned position. In this method, no contact hole is formed in the region having the defect therein, the cell is considered as a defective one, yet a word line (control gate) and a bit line are not short-circuited through the contact hole, and makes it possible to avoid the short-circuiting by only applying a redundancy to the bit line as conventionally employed. |
| US08274100B2 |
CCD sensors with multiple contact patterns
A pixel array in an image sensor includes multiple pixels. The pixel array includes vertical shift registers for shifting charge out of the pixel array. The vertical shift registers can be interspersed between the pixels, such as in an interline image sensor, or the photosensitive areas in the pixels can operate as vertical shift registers. The pixels are divided into blocks of pixels. One or more electrodes are disposed over each pixel. Conductive strips are disposed over the electrodes. Contacts are used to connect selected electrodes to respective conductive strips. The contacts in at least one block of pixels are positioned according to one contact pattern while the contacts in one or more other blocks are positioned according to a different contact pattern. The different contact patterns reduce or eliminate visible patterns in the contact locations. |
| US08274098B2 |
Field effect transistor, logic circuit including the same and methods of manufacturing the same
Provided are a field effect transistor, a logic circuit including the same and methods of manufacturing the same. The field effect transistor may include an ambipolar layer that includes a source region, a drain region, and a channel region between the source region and the drain region, wherein the source region, the drain region, and the channel region may be formed in a monolithic structure, a gate electrode on the channel region, and an insulating layer separating the gate electrode from the ambipolar layer, wherein the source region and the drain region have a width greater than that of the channel region in a second direction that crosses a first direction in which the source region and the drain region are connected to each other. |
| US08274097B2 |
Reduction of edge effects from aspect ratio trapping
A device includes a crystalline material within an area confined by an insulator. In one embodiment, the area confined by the insulator is an opening in the insulator having an aspect ratio sufficient to trap defects using an ART technique. Method and apparatus embodiments of the invention can reduce edge effects in semiconductor devices. Embodiments of the invention can provide a planar surface over a buffer layer between a plurality of uncoalesced ART structures. |
| US08274096B2 |
Semiconductor device and method
The present invention is directed to a semiconductor device that includes at least one p-n junction including a p-type material, an n-type material, and a depletion region. The at least one p-n junction is configured to generate bulk photocurrent in response to incident light. The at least one p-n junction is characterized by a conduction band energy level, a valence band energy level and a surface Fermi energy level. The surface Fermi energy level is pinned either near or above the conduction band energy level or near or below the valence band energy level. A unipolar barrier structure is disposed in a predetermined region within the at least one p-n junction. The unipolar barrier is configured to raise the conduction band energy level if the surface Fermi energy level is pinned near or above the conduction band energy level or lower the valence band energy level if the surface Fermi energy level is pinned near or below the valence band energy level such that the unipolar barrier is configured to propagate the bulk photocurrent and substantially block surface leakage current. The at least one p-n junction and the unipolar barrier are integrally formed. |
| US08274092B2 |
Light-emitting device having a roughened surface with different topographies
This invention provides an optoelectronic semiconductor device having a rough surface and the manufacturing method thereof. The optoelectronic semiconductor device comprises a semiconductor stack having a rough surface and an electrode layer overlaying the semiconductor stack. The rough surface comprises a first region having a first topography and a second region having a second topography. The method comprises the steps of forming a semiconductor stack on a substrate, forming an electrode layer on the semiconductor stack, thermal treating the semiconductor stack, and wet etching the surface of the semiconductor stack to form a rough surface. |
| US08274091B1 |
Light emitting device with light extraction layer and fabricating method thereof
A light emitting device with a light extraction layer and the fabricating method thereof are provided. Embedding a light extraction layer between an emitting layer and a packaging layer can reduce the difference in the refractive index between the emitting layer and the packaging layer. In addition, the refractive index of the light extraction layer is adjustable by doping various concentrations of metal materials in the light extraction layer. The mechanism helps improving the light emitting efficiency of the light emitting device. |
| US08274089B2 |
Light emitting diode having light emitting cell with different size and light emitting device thereof
There is provided a light emitting diode operating under AC power comprising a substrate; a buffer layer formed on the substrate; and a plurality of light emitting cells formed on the buffer layer to have different sizes and to be electrically isolated from one another, the plurality of light emitting cells being connected in series through metal wires.According to the present invention, light emitting cells formed in an LED have different sizes, and thus have different turn-on voltages when light is emitted under AC power, so that times when the respective light emitting cells start emitting light are different to thereby effectively reduce a flicker phenomenon. |
| US08274086B2 |
Wide band gap semiconductor device including junction field effect transistor
A wide band gap semiconductor device has a transistor cell region, a diode forming region, an electric field relaxation region located between the transistor cell region and the diode forming region, and an outer peripheral region surrounding the transistor cell region and the diode forming region. In the transistor cell region, a junction field effect transistor is disposed. In the diode forming region, a diode is disposed. In the electric field relaxation region, an isolating part is provided. The isolating part includes a trench dividing the transistor cell region and the diode forming region, a first conductivity-type layer disposed on an inner wall of the trench, and a second conductivity-type layer disposed on a surface of the first conductivity-type layer so as to fill the trench. The first conductivity-type layer and the second conductivity-type layer provide a PN junction. |
| US08274085B2 |
Pixel structure and fabrication method thereof
The present invention discloses pixel structures and fabrication methods thereof. The pixel includes a thin film transistor forming at a thin film transistor region and a storage capacitor forming at a pixel electrode region. The method includes: forming a gate conduction layer on a substrate; forming a gate insulation layer on the gate conduction layer; forming a source conduction layer and a drain conduction layer on the gate insulation layer, in which the drain conduction layer has an extension section extending to the pixel electrode region; forming a channel layer on the source conduction layer and the drain conduction layer; and forming a protection layer on the channel layer. The extension section and an electrode layer serve as the upper and lower electrode of the storage capacitor, respectively. Wherein the gate conduction layer, the source conduction layer, the drain conduction layer, and the channel layer are made of metallic oxides. |
| US08274081B2 |
Semiconductor constructions
Some embodiments include methods of forming isolation structures. A semiconductor base may be provided to have a crystalline semiconductor material projection between a pair of openings. SOD material (such as, for example, polysilazane) may be flowed within said openings to fill the openings. After the openings are filled with the SOD material, one or more dopant species may be implanted into the projection to amorphize the crystalline semiconductor material within an upper portion of said projection. The SOD material may then be annealed at a temperature of at least about 400° C. to form isolation structures. Some embodiments include semiconductor constructions that include a semiconductor material base having a projection between a pair of openings. The projection may have an upper region over a lower region, with the upper region being at least 75% amorphous, and with the lower region being entirely crystalline. |
| US08274079B2 |
Semiconductor device comprising oxide semiconductor and method for manufacturing the same
A more convenient and highly reliable semiconductor device which has a transistor including an oxide semiconductor with higher impact resistance used for a variety of applications is provided. A semiconductor device has a bottom-gate transistor including a gate electrode layer, a gate insulating layer, and an oxide semiconductor layer over a substrate, an insulating layer over the transistor, and a conductive layer over the insulating layer. The insulating layer covers the oxide semiconductor layer and is in contact with the gate insulating layer. In a channel width direction of the oxide semiconductor layer, end portions of the gate insulating layer and the insulating layer are aligned with each other over the gate electrode layer, and the conductive layer covers a channel formation region of the oxide semiconductor layer and the end portions of the gate insulating layer and the insulating layer and is in contact with the gate electrode layer. |
| US08274078B2 |
Metal oxynitride semiconductor containing zinc
Provided is an oxynitride semiconductor comprising a metal oxynitride. The metal oxynitride contains Zn and In and at least one element selected from the group consisting of Ga, Sn, Mg, Si, Ge, Y, Ti, Mo, W, and Al. The metal oxynitride has an atomic composition ratio of N, N/(N+O), of 7 atomic percent or more to 80 atomic percent or less. |
| US08274077B2 |
Semiconductor device and manufacturing method thereof
An object is to provide a semiconductor device of which a manufacturing process is not complicated and by which cost can be suppressed, by forming a thin film transistor using an oxide semiconductor film typified by zinc oxide, and a manufacturing method thereof. For the semiconductor device, a gate electrode is formed over a substrate; a gate insulating film is formed covering the gate electrode; an oxide semiconductor film is formed over the gate insulating film; and a first conductive film and a second conductive film are formed over the oxide semiconductor film. The oxide semiconductor film has at least a crystallized region in a channel region. |
| US08274076B2 |
Diode employing with carbon nanotube
A diode includes an organic composite plate, a first electrode and a second electrode. The organic composite plate includes a first portion, a second portion and a plurality of carbon nanotubes distributed therein. The carbon nanotubes in the first portion have a first band gap and the carbon nanotubes in the second portion have a second band gap. The first band gap and the second band gap are different from each other. The first electrode is electrically connected to the first portion. The second electrode electrically is connected to the second portion. |
| US08274073B2 |
Memory device with improved switching speed and data retention
The present memory device includes first and second electrodes, a passive layer between the first and second electrodes, and an active layer between the passive layer and the second electrode. In undertaking an operation on the memory device, ions moves into within and from within the active layer, and the active layer is oriented so that the atoms of the active layer provide minimum obstruction to the movement of the ions into, within and from the active layer. |
| US08274070B2 |
Semiconductor light-emitting element including an auxiliary electrode
A semiconductor light-emitting element includes a semiconductor laminated body including a first conductivity type layer, a light-emitting layer and a second conductivity type layer in this order, a transparent electrode formed on the first conductivity type layer and comprising an oxide, and an auxiliary electrode formed between the first conductivity type layer and the transparent electrode, the auxiliary electrode having a higher reflectivity to light emitted from the light-emitting layer, a larger contact resistance with the first conductivity type layer and a smaller sheet resistance than the transparent electrode. |
| US08274069B2 |
Nitride semiconductor light emitting device
There is provided a nitride semiconductor light emitting device. A nitride semiconductor light emitting device according to an aspect of the invention may include: an n-type nitride semiconductor layer provided on a substrate; an active layer provided on the n-type nitride semiconductor layer, and including quantum barrier layers and quantum well layers; and a p-type nitride semiconductor layer provided on the active layer, wherein each of the quantum barrier layers includes a plurality of InxGa(1-x)N layers (0 |
| US08274068B2 |
Semiconductor integrated circuit device and method of fabricating the same
A semiconductor integrated circuit device including: multiple wiring layers stacked on a semiconductor substrate with interlayer insulating films interposed therebetween; wiring hook-up portions extended from the corresponding wirings in the respective wiring layers; and contact conductors so buried in interlayer insulating films as to pass through the hook-up portions for vertically leading wirings of the respective wiring layers, wherein the hook-up portions have different sizes from each other between at least two layers in the wiring layers. |
| US08274065B2 |
Memory and method of fabricating the same
A memory, comprising a metal portion, a first metal layer and second metal oxide layer is provided. The first metal oxide layer is on the metal portion, and the first metal oxide layer includes N resistance levels. The second metal oxide layer is on the first metal oxide layer, and the second metal oxide layer includes M resistance levels. The memory has X resistance levels and X is less than the summation of M and N, for minimizing a programming disturbance. |
| US08274062B2 |
Integrative and real-time radiation measurement methods and systems
A method of determining the radiation type and energy distribution of a radiation source that outputs radiation. The method including providing a plurality of detector materials and exposing the plurality of detector materials to the radiation. Each of the plurality of detector materials stores a signal in response to being exposed to the radiation. The signals are representative of the radiation. The plurality of detector materials is stimulated to output the signals as measured signals. These measured signals are used to determine the radiation type and energy distribution of the radiation. |
| US08274060B2 |
Ultraviolet treatment chambers with forced-orientation lamp and socket assembly
A lamp mounting assembly that mounts a UV lamp within a flow control structure includes a mount assembly that mounts at an end of the flow control structure. The mount assembly includes a conductor housing receiving opening extending therethrough. A socket base structure includes a socket base and a conductor housing extending outwardly from the socket base. The conductor housing is sized to be received by the conductor housing receiving opening of the mount assembly. A lamp socket is connected to the conductor housing to allow an electrical connection between the lamp socket and a power source. The lamp socket has a lamp engaging surface arranged offset from vertical when mounted to the flow control structure. |
| US08274058B1 |
Integrated heterodyne terahertz transceiver
A heterodyne terahertz transceiver comprises a quantum cascade laser that is integrated on-chip with a Schottky diode mixer. A terahertz signal can be received by an antenna connected to the mixer, an end facet or sidewall of the laser, or through a separate active section that can amplify the incident signal. The quantum cascade laser couples terahertz local oscillator power to the Schottky diode to mix with the received terahertz signal to provide an intermediate frequency output signal. The fully integrated transceiver optimizes power efficiency, sensitivity, compactness, and reliability. The transceiver can be used in compact, fieldable systems covering a wide variety of deployable applications not possible with existing technology. |
| US08274056B2 |
Method, apparatus and system for low-energy beta particle detection
An apparatus, method, and system relating to radiation detection of low-energy beta particles are disclosed. An embodiment includes a radiation detector with a first scintillator and a second scintillator operably coupled to each other. The first scintillator and the second scintillator are each structured to generate a light pulse responsive to interaction with beta particles. The first scintillator is structured to experience full energy deposition of low-energy beta particles, and permit a higher-energy beta particle to pass therethrough and interact with the second scintillator. The radiation detector further includes a light-to-electrical converter operably coupled to the second scintillator and configured to convert light pulses generated by the first scintillator and the second scintillator into electrical signals. The first scintillator and the second scintillator have at least one mutually different characteristic to enable an electronic system to determine whether a given light pulse is generated in the first scintillator or the second scintillator. |
| US08274049B2 |
Sample processing and observing method
There is provided a sample processing and observing method including irradiating a focused ion beam to a sample to form an observed surface, irradiating an electron beam to the observed surface to form an observed image, removing the surface opposite to the observed surface of the sample, forming a lamella including the observed surface and obtaining a transmission observed image for the lamella. |
| US08274048B2 |
Scanning electron microscope having time constant measurement capability
In a scanning electron microscope, an optimum scanning method for reducing the amount of deflection of a primary electron beam and secondary electrons is determined to acquire stable images. An energy filter is used to discriminate between energy levels. The change in yield of obtained electrons is used to measure the variation in specimen potential. The time constant of charging created during electron beam irradiation is extracted. The scanning method is optimized based on the extracted time constant to reduce the distortion and magnification variation that appear in a SEM image. |
| US08274047B2 |
Substrate surface inspection method and inspection apparatus
A substrate surface inspection method inspects for a defect on a substrate including a plurality of materials on a surface thereof. The inspection method comprises: irradiating the surface of the substrate with an electron beam, a landing energy of the electron beam set such that a contrast between at least two types of materials of the plurality of materials is within a predetermined range; detecting electrons generated by the substrate to acquire a surface image of the substrate, with a pattern formed thereon from the at least two types of materials eliminated or weakened; and detecting the defect from the acquired surface image by detecting as the defect an object image having a contrast by which the object image can be distinguished from a background image in the surface image. Defects present on the substrate surface can be detected easily and precisely by using a cell inspection. |
| US08274046B1 |
Monochromator for charged particle beam apparatus
This invention provides a monochromator for reducing energy spread of a primary charged particle beam in charged particle apparatus, which comprises a beam adjustment element, two Wien-filter type dispersion units and an energy-limit aperture. In the monochromator, a double symmetry in deflection dispersion and fundamental trajectory along a straight optical axis is formed, which not only fundamentally avoids incurring off-axis aberrations that actually cannot be compensated but also ensures the exit beam have a virtual crossover which is stigmatic, dispersion-free and inside the monochromator. Therefore, using the monochromator in SEM can reduce chromatic aberrations without additionally incurring adverse impacts, so as to improve the ultimate imaging resolution. The improvement of the ultimate imaging resolution will be more distinct for Low-Voltage SEM and the related apparatuses which are based on LVSEM principle, such as the defect inspection and defect review in semiconductor yield management. The present invention also provides two ways to build a monochromator into a SEM, one is to locate a monochromator between the electron source and the condenser, and another is to locate a monochromator between the beam-limit aperture and the objective. The former provides an additional energy-angle depending filtering, and obtains a smaller effective energy spread. |
| US08274044B2 |
Mass spectroscope and mass spectrometry
Provided is a mass spectroscope employing electron capture dissociation wherein the peak number of detectable fragment ions is increased. The mass spectroscope comprises an ion source (2) for generating ions from a sample, an ion trap (3) for storing and selecting ions, an ion dissociation section (4) performing electron capture dissociation on ions, and a time-of-flight mass spectrometry section (7) performing mass spectrometry on ions, wherein the reaction time of electron capture dissociation is variable depending on the valence of ions subjected to mass spectrometry. |
| US08274039B2 |
Vertical waveguides with various functionality on integrated circuits
An embodiment relates to a device comprising an optical pipe comprising a core and a cladding, the optical pipe being configured to separate wavelengths of an electromagnetic radiation beam incident on the optical pipe at a selective wavelength through the core and the cladding, wherein the core is configured to be both a channel to transmit the wavelengths up to the selective wavelength and an active element to detect the wavelengths up to the selective wavelength transmitted through the core. Other embodiments relate to a compound light detector. |
| US08274032B2 |
Separated unit pixel preventing sensitivity reduction and the driving method using the unit pixel
Provided are a separation type unit pixel for preventing sensitivity reduction to prevent a depletion area from decreasing and a method of driving the unit pixel. The separation type unit pixel for preventing sensitivity reduction includes: a substrate; a photodiode constructed with a junction of a P-type diffusion area and an N-type diffusion area which are formed under a surface of the substrate in a vertical direction; a gate electrode conductor which is disposed on an upper portion of the surface of the substrate to be adjacent to the N-type or P-type diffusion area; a floating diffusion area formed to be adjacent to another surface of the gate electrode conductor; and a sensitivity reduction preventing conductor disposed on an upper portion of the photodiode area to cover the photodiode area. |
| US08274031B2 |
Colored microlens array and manufacturing method for colored microlens array, color solid-state image capturing device and manufacturing method for color solid-state image capturing device, color display apparatus and manufacturing method for color display apparatus, and electronic information device
A colored microlens array includes a plurality of microlenses for focusing incident light on a plurality of respective positions, on a substrate or a transparent film provided on the substrate, in which peripheral sections of the plurality of microlenses overlap each other at the adjacent positions and the microlenses are colored in a plurality of colors and arranged in a predetermined color arrangement. |
| US08274029B2 |
Inverter with integrated control and regulation for a tracker
An inverter for converting the direct current provided by a solar generator to alternating current includes a control providing a control signal for a drive of the solar generator, for allowing tracking the solar generator after the sun, wherein the control is integrated in the inverter. |
| US08274028B2 |
Counterweighted active tracking solar panel rack
An active tracking solar assembly includes a main actuator cable and a secondary cable having a first end and a second end. The first end is connected to the main actuator cable and the second end is connected to a roof weight. An actuator bar has a counter weight attached to a first end and a first pulley attached to a second end, and the secondary cable engages the first pulley. |
| US08274026B2 |
Focus assist system and method
The invention relates to image focus. In particular, it relates to a focus assist system that conveys focus level data to a user. There are a wide variety of different display methods, including, but not limited to, graphs, highlights, symbols, and varied levels of brightness or color. |
| US08274025B2 |
Aircraft with segmented deployable control surfaces
An aircraft, such as a missile, has control surfaces that have segments that are hinged together. The control surfaces deploy from a closed position, for example with the segments folded against a fuselage, so as to allow for launching from a launch tube. Once the aircraft is launched the control surfaces deploy from the closed position to an open position, with the segments opening up farther from the body or fuselage. In the open position or deployed state the segments may be substantially planar. Locks of the control surfaces may be used to lock the segments in place in the open position. The locks may include hollow sleeves that slide over the control surface segments. The sleeves and the segments may include a protrusions and depressions that engage each other to hold the segments in the open configuration. |
| US08274024B2 |
Control surface assemblies with torque tube base
Control surface assemblies have a torque tube base. In one embodiment, a method includes moving an aerospace vehicle through a medium; and moving at least a portion of a control surface assembly to generate a force for controlling the vehicle. |
| US08274020B2 |
Apparatus and method of controlling a triple heating element of a cooking appliance
A cooking appliance and method of operating the same is disclosed. The method includes energizing each of a first heating element, a second heating element, and a third heating element to a maximum power level to supply heat to a separately controlled cooking area, maintaining the second heating element at the maximum power level after a predetermined time interval has elapsed, and selectively energizing the first heating element and the third heating element to the maximum power level after the predetermined time interval has elapsed. |
| US08274016B2 |
Cup warmer
A cup holder comprises a heating surface that is configured to receive a cardboard cup. The cup holder has an outside surface that is concentric with the heating surface. A heating element is disposed between the heating surface and the outside surface, and the heating element is configured to heat the heating surface. Insulation may be located between the heating surface and the outside surface, and the insulation may be configured to maintain the outside surface at an outside temperature lower than a heating temperature of the heating surface. The cup holder further comprises a pressure-sensitive switch located in a bottom portion of the heating surface. The pressure sensitive switch may allow a current to run through the heating element in response to the cardboard cup exerting pressure on the pressure-sensitive switch. |
| US08274011B2 |
Soldering device and method of making same
A soldering device includes a tip member and a temperature sensor embedded within the tip member by a buckled copper pipe that is thermally conductive. A soldering device includes a tip member and a temperature sensor embedded within the tip portion by application of a crimping force that deforms the tip portion onto the temperature sensor. A soldering device includes a tip member, a heater member, and a thermally conductive wedge that is pushed into a gap between the tip member and the heater member. A soldering device includes a tip cartridge carried by a handle assembly that includes an o-ring and an o-ring cover that keeps the o-ring from falling off of the handle assembly. The o-ring cover includes a hook portion that engages a catch feature of the handle housing. |
| US08274010B2 |
Welding electrode with contoured face
A method for welding a plurality of aluminum to aluminum welds and a plurality of steel to steel welds using the same welder includes providing a resistance spot welder with a pair of weld electrodes having an electrode face radius of curvature in the range between 20 mm and 40 mm. The series of aluminum to aluminum welds is first made, and then, after completing the aluminum to aluminum welds, the series of steel to steel welds are made. After completing the steel to steel welds the weld electrodes are cleaned by an abrasive to remove any buildup or contamination of aluminum on the electrodes. In the event the electrodes have mushroomed, then dressing of the electrodes is provided and then the abrasive cleaning is performed to restore the surface texture. |
| US08274006B2 |
Gas releasable key structure and keyboard structure using the same
A gas releasable key structure including a base, a thin-film circuit, a key cap and an elastic structure is disclosed. The elastic structure is disposed between the key cap and the thin-film circuit and includes a cap body, a ring-shaped flange, a motion pillar and a conductor. The cap body has a first opening and a second opening. The ring-shaped flange connects an edge around the first opening. The motion pillar in the cap body has a through hole, an upper surface and a lower surface. The through hole is extended to the upper surface from the lower surface, connecting the second opening. The conductor on the lower surface has an indent and a breach that connects the through hole. When the first opening is closed, the gas inside the cap body is dissipated to the exterior via the indent, the breach, the through hole and the second opening. |
| US08274000B2 |
Removable push electrical fitting for electrical metallic tubing or EMT
An electrical fitting having a gripping device with a plurality of gripping tabs forming a helix or spiral. The electrical fitting permits electrical metallic tubing or EMT to be quickly attached to and removed from the electrical fitting without disassembling the fitting or cutting the tubing. A body with a locking end having a plurality of griping tabs receives an end of the tubing pushed into the fitting. The gripping tabs securely hold the tubing preventing loosening or removal. The helix or spiral formation of the griping tabs permits easy removal of the tubing by rotating the tubing counter-clockwise. |
| US08273993B2 |
Electronic component module
An electronic component module 1 has a circuit board 2 in which metal plates 5 and 7 are bonded to both surfaces of a ceramic substrate 3, and an electronic component 9 that is bonded to at least one surface of the metal plate 5 and is operable at least 125° C. The electronic component 9 is bonded to the metal plate 5 via a brazing material layer 8 having a higher melting point than a operating temperature of the electronic component 9. |
| US08273991B2 |
Fluorine-containing copolymer and molded article
A fluorocopolymer having tetrafluoroethylene [TFE]-derived copolymerized units and hexafluoropropylene [HFP]-derived copolymerized units, which has the following characteristics (a) and (b): (a) a thermal melting curve obtained by primary heating in differential scanning calorimetry shows a melting point within the range of 240 to 280° C. and a melting point peak portion area accounts for at least 60% of heats of fusion area; and (b) the product of a MFR (g/10 minutes) and a resin pressure (MPa) is not larger than 40. |
| US08273988B2 |
Cable management system
A cable management system includes track units whose tracks are engageable to each other at longitudinal ends to ease installation of the tracks to a wall surface as a chain of longitudinally aligned tracks. The system also includes an adjustable track unit whose longitudinal length can be varied, so that a desired length of longitudinally aligned track units can be obtained without cutting a track unit of the system. In addition, the system includes a cap attachable at an end of a track unit for strengthening the engagement between the cover and the track of the track unit. |
| US08273986B2 |
Device housing and method for making the same
A device housing for an electronic device is provided. The device housing includes a main body and a decorative member. The main body and the decorative each has a metallic coating with a different color. The decorative member is positioned within the main body to form a desired symbol, logo, or pattern thereon. |
| US08273984B2 |
Security latch device for a transformer box
A security latch device is provided. The device includes a bracket for being attached to a structure and having an outwardly extending flange having a lock pin slot defined therein, a hinged assembly defining a first hinged portion for being attached to the structure and a second hinged portion for being cooperatively engaged with the bracket, the second hinged portion defining a slot for allowing pass-through of the outwardly extending flange of the bracket, and a cup for attaching to the second portion of the hinged assembly and defining a cavity therein and an aperture therethrough that is in general alignment with the lock pin slot of the bracket so that the lock pin is configured for being received in the cavity and extending through the aperture of the cup and the lock pin slot of the bracket for securing the hinged assembly to the bracket. |
| US08273979B2 |
Time averaged modulated diode apparatus for photovoltaic application
DC-DC converters are described that employ a time-averaged modulated bypass diode to facilitate the efficient harvest of power in photovoltaic systems. |
| US08273978B2 |
Solar panel array sun tracking system
A solar panel tracking system that can simultaneously rotate large arrays of solar panels position in multiple rows utilizing a single drive system. The drive system comprises a single actuation device that drives multiple rotational translation stages at each solar array row for tilting the panels to the correct position. A dual beam structure within each row insure appropriate panel support during rotation and provide the framework for simplified installation and maintenance. |
| US08273973B2 |
Bow hold training device
Training devices for facilitating proper bow holds on bow sticks of bowed stringed instruments. An exemplary training device may include a fingers stabilizer having a body with one or more thumb opening walls that define a thumb opening in the body. The thumb opening walls and/or the thumb opening may guide a thumb to the bow stick and position an end of the thumb at an approximate intersection of a bow stick frog and a bow stick shaft. The body may also include a finger separator that helps position an index finger and a middle finger on the bow stick. The fingers stabilizer may also have contact areas for positioning a ring finger and a pinky finger on the bow stick. |
| US08273969B2 |
Plants and seeds of hybrid corn variety CH110748
According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the hybrid corn variety designated CH110748. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CH110748, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CH110748 with itself or with another corn plant, such as a plant of another variety. The invention further relates to genetic complements of plants of variety CH110748. |
| US08273968B2 |
Cotton variety 09R303B2R2
The invention relates to the novel cotton variety designated 09R303B2R2. Provided by the invention are the seeds, plants, plant parts and derivatives of the cotton variety 09R303B2R2. Also provided by the invention are tissue cultures of the cotton variety 09R303B2R2 and the plants regenerated therefrom. Still further provided by the invention are methods for producing cotton plants by crossing the cotton variety 09R303B2R2 with itself or another cotton variety and plants produced by such methods. |
| US08273964B2 |
Soybean variety A1015646
The invention relates to the soybean variety designated A1015646. Provided by the invention are the seeds, plants and derivatives of the soybean variety A1015646. Also provided by the invention are tissue cultures of the soybean variety A1015646 and the plants regenerated therefrom. Still further provided by the invention are methods for producing soybean plants by crossing the soybean variety A1015646 with itself or another soybean variety and plants produced by such methods. |
| US08273963B2 |
Soybean variety A1016240
The invention relates to the soybean variety designated A1016240. Provided by the invention are the seeds, plants and derivatives of the soybean variety A1016240. Also provided by the invention are tissue cultures of the soybean variety A1016240 and the plants regenerated therefrom. Still further provided by the invention are methods for producing soybean plants by crossing the soybean variety A1016240 with itself or another soybean variety and plants produced by such methods. |
| US08273962B2 |
Soybean variety A1016134
The invention relates to the soybean variety designated A1016134. Provided by the invention are the seeds, plants and derivatives of the soybean variety A1016134. Also provided by the invention are tissue cultures of the soybean variety A1016134 and the plants regenerated therefrom. Still further provided by the invention are methods for producing soybean plants by crossing the soybean variety A1016134 with itself or another soybean variety and plants produced by such methods. |
| US08273961B2 |
Soybean variety A1015499
The invention relates to the soybean variety designated A1015499. Provided by the invention are the seeds, plants and derivatives of the soybean variety A1015499. Also provided by the invention are tissue cultures of the soybean variety A1015499 and the plants regenerated therefrom. Still further provided by the invention are methods for producing soybean plants by crossing the soybean variety A1015499 with itself or another soybean variety and plants produced by such methods. |
| US08273959B2 |
Corn event PV-ZMGT32(nk603) and compositions and methods for detection thereof
The present invention provides a DNA construct that confers tolerance to transgenic corn plant. Also provided are assays for detecting the presence of the PV-ZMGT32(nk603) corn event based on the DNA sequence of the recombinant construct inserted into the corn genome and of genomic sequences flanking the insertion site. |
| US08273956B2 |
Method for performing homologous recombination in plants
The invention relates to modified restriction enzymes capable of being used for promoting homologous recombination in organisms, in particular plants, making it possible to either target gene integration or excise unwanted DNA sequences in the genome of said organisms. |
| US08273950B2 |
Polynucleotides encoding phenylpropanoid and flavonoid biosynthetic pathway enzymes in coffee
Polynucleotides encoding polypeptides that comprise the biosynthetic pathway for phenylpropanoids and flavonoids in the coffee plant are disclosed. Also disclosed are methods for using these polynucleotides and polypeptides for the manipulation of flavor, aroma, and other features of coffee beans, as well as the manipulation resistance to pathogen, herbivore, and insect attack in the coffee plant. |
| US08273944B2 |
Methods and compositions for gray leaf spot resistance in corn
The present invention relates to the field of plant breeding. More specifically, the present invention includes a method of using haploid plants for genetic mapping of traits of interest such as disease resistance. Further, the invention includes a method for breeding corn plants containing quantitative trait loci (QTL) that are associated with resistance to Gray Leaf Spot, a fungal disease associated with Cercospora spp. |
| US08273941B2 |
Nonwoven fabric, method for producing nonwoven fabric, and absorbent article
The invention provides a nonwoven fabric having good fluid drawing properties, in which fluid hardly remains, a method for producing a nonwoven fabric, and an absorbent article.The nonwoven fabric has a thickness direction and a planar direction perpendicular to the thickness direction, and includes a high density region having a higher fiber density than an average fiber density. The high density region penetrates from one side to another side in the thickness direction. |
| US08273937B2 |
Generating natural gas from heavy hydrocarbons
Methods for producing in a reactor natural gas from heavy hydrocarbons. A mixture of heavy hydrocarbons and a catalyst comprising a transition metal are heated under an anoxic condition in a reactor. Natural gas, e.g., catalytic natural gas, is generated from the heavy hydrocarbons by a disproportionation reaction promoted by the catalyst. The anoxic condition can be created by flowing an anoxic stimulation gas in the reactor. |
| US08273933B2 |
Functionalized latex polymer and method of forming the same
A method for forming a functionalized latex polymer includes polymerizing a heterogeneous dispersion of water insoluble monomers in water, thereby forming a latex polymer. An at least partially water soluble halogenated non-ionic group is reacted with the latex polymer, whereby a halogen is displaced from the non-ionic group, thereby forming an at least partially water soluble non-ionic group that attaches to the latex polymer. |
| US08273928B2 |
Processes for separation of fluoroolefins from hydrogen fluoride by azeotropic distillation
The present disclosure relates to a process for separating a fluoroolefin from a mixture comprising hydrogen fluoride and fluoroolefin, comprising azeotropic distillation both with and without an entrainer. In particular are disclosed processes for separating any of HFC-1225ye, HFC-1234ze, HFC-1234yf or HFC-1243zf from HF. |
| US08273925B2 |
Method and device for the production of alkylene oxide addition products
A method for the production of alkylene oxide addition products comprising (i) charging a stirred reactor with a starting compound capable of adding on or inserting alkylene oxides, introducing at least one alkylene oxide plus a different diluent gas, wherein a portion of said alkylene oxide reacts in a liquid phase with said starting compound, and the remaining alkylene oxide together with said diluent gas forms a gas phase above the liquid phase, (ii) continuously drawing off said liquid phase from the bottom of the reactor via an outlet stub, and recycling to the top of the reactor via an external circulation system, which comprises at least one heat exchanger and at least one Venturi nozzle within said external circulation system, and (iii) metering said gas phase comprising alkylene oxide into said Venturi nozzle via a vacuum line. |
| US08273922B2 |
Process and apparatus for the production of alcohols
A process utilising the gases carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide and hydrogen to produce alcohols directly, comprises the steps of bringing a fluid mixture comprising carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide and hydrogen into contact with the surfaces of a supported tubular porous catalyst membrane having a range of pore sizes including micropores, mesopores and macropores, controlling the temperature of the said catalyst membrane, maintaining a pressure over said catalyst membrane of from 88 to 600 kPa, and recovering alcohol containing product formed by contact of the fluid mixture with said catalyst membrane. |
| US08273921B2 |
Polyglycerol monoether and process for producing the same
A polyglycerol monoether is represented by FOLLOWING General Formula (1): RO—(C3H6O2)n—H (1) wherein R represents an alcohol residue having one to thirty carbon atoms; and “n” is an average number of moles of added glycerol units and represents a number of 2 or more, and has a content (peak area percentage) of monoether components of 75% or more and a content (peak area percentage) of diether components of 5% or less, as determined by reversed-phase partition high-performance liquid chromatography using a 80:20 (by volume) mixture of methanol and water as an eluent. The polyglycerol monoether may be prepared by adding a basic substance to an alcohol to yield an alkoxide, adding glycidol to the alkoxide, and subjecting them to a reaction at 0° C. to 100° C. |
| US08273918B2 |
Process for preparing tamsulosin hydrochloride
The invention relates to an process for preparing Tamsulosin hydrochloride of Formula (I) which comprises (i) reacting (R)-(−)-5-(2-amino-propyl)-2-methoxybenzenesulfonamide of Formula (II) with substituted phenoxy compound of Formula (III), wherein Z represents a removing group, such as —OSO2CH3, —OSO2C6H4CH3, —F, —Br, —Cl, or —I, in a solvent in the presence of an alkaline earth metal oxide to obtain Tamsulosin base and (ii) converting Tamsulosin base into hydrochloride salt in a solvent by addition of aqueous hydrochloric acid. |
| US08273917B2 |
Method for preparing chiral baclofen
The present invention provides a novel method for preparing chiral Baclofen with higher yield, higher e.e. value, and lower cost via chiral Michael addition. |
| US08273913B2 |
Amidation process for the preparation of cathepsin K inhibitors
This invention describes an amidation process whereby amino acids of the Formulae IIA or IIB can be activated and treated with an amine in the presence of a base to yield amides of the Formula (I), without loss of optical purity. |
| US08273909B2 |
Process for preparing complexes of palladium (hydrogen)carbonate with amine ligands
The present invention relates to a process for preparing palladium complexes. In particular, the present invention relates to a process in which ammoniacal complexes of palladium (hydrogen)carbonate are converted into complexes with oligoamine ligands. |
| US08273907B2 |
Process for producing propylene oxide
A process for more efficiently producing propylene oxide from propylene, oxygen, and hydrogen with catalysts which comprise a noble metal and a titanosilicate having pores not smaller than a 12-membered oxygen ring. The process for propylene oxide production is characterized by reacting propylene, oxygen, and hydrogen in a solution comprising water, a nitrite compound, and an ammonium salt in the presence of a noble metal catalyst and a titanosilicate catalyst having pores not smaller than a 12-membered oxygen ring. |
| US08273904B2 |
Method for preparing 4-aminobut-2-enolides
Process for preparing 2,2-difluoroethylamine derivatives, wherein compounds of the general formula (IV) are reduced to the corresponding 2,2-difluoroethylamine derivatives of the general formula (III), where the A radical is as defined in the description: |
| US08273896B2 |
Processes for producing phenyl-6-(1-(phenyl)ureido)nicotinamides
The present invention relates to processes for the preparation of compounds useful as inhibitors of p38 kinase. The processes of the present invention are amenable for large scale preparation and produce stable phenyl-6-(1-(phenyl)ureido)nicotinamides in high purity and yields. |
| US08273892B2 |
Salt and crystalline forms thereof of a drug
A crystalline form of a drug, ways to make it, compositions containing it and methods of treatment of diseases and inhibition of adverse physiological events using it are disclosed. |
| US08273891B2 |
Indazoles, benzothiazoles, benzoisothiazoles, benzisoxazoles, pyrazolopyridines, isothiazolopyridines, and preparation and uses thereof
The present invention relates generally to the field of ligands for nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nACh receptors), activation of nACh receptors, and the treatment of disease conditions associated with defective or malfunctioning nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, especially of the brain. Further, this invention relates to novel compounds (e.g., indazoles and benzothiazoles), which act as ligands for the α7 nACh receptor subtype, methods of preparing such compounds, compositions containing such compounds, and methods of use thereof. |
| US08273885B2 |
Fluoroboron compound having aromatic ring or salt thereof, and method for producing compound having cyclic ether-fused aromatic ring using the same
Provided is a fluoroboron compound which is highly safe and stable and is capable of forming a cyclic ether-fused ring by the intramolecular alkoxymethylation reaction, or a salt thereof. The compound can be synthesized by the intramolecular alkoxymethylation reaction of a fluoroboron compound represented by the formula (I) or a salt thereof in the presence of a metal catalyst. (wherein the moiety represented by the formula represents an aromatic ring; L represents a substituent such as a halogen atom; R represents a substituted or unsubstituted alkylene group having 1 or 2 carbon atoms; and M represents an alkali metal cation or the like, with the proviso that L and —R—OCH2BF3M are respectively located on contiguous carbon atoms on the aromatic ring, or in the case of a fused aromatic ring, on two carbon atoms adjacent to one carbon at the fused position). |
| US08273878B2 |
Process for the preparation of pyrimidine compounds
A process for the preparation of a compound of Formula (1) and intermediates useful therein are provided. The process comprises reacting a compound of formula R1—CO—CH2-E with a compound of formula R2—CHX1X2 in the presence of a compound of formula R3R4N—C(═NH)NH2 and a catalyst, thereby to form a dihydropyrimidine; and oxidizing the dihydropyrimidine to form the compound of Formula (I). R1 is H or an alkyl group; R2 is H, an alkyl or aryl group; R3 and R4 are each independently H, alkyl or aryl, or R3 and R4 are linked to form, together with the nitrogen to which they are attached to form a 5 to 7 membered heterocyclic ring; E is H, an unsubstituted alkyl group, an aryl group or an electron withdrawing group; and X1 and X2 are each independently leaving groups, or X1 and X2 together represent ═O. |
| US08273871B2 |
Structurally designed shRNAs
Provided is an improved design of shRNA based on structural mimics of miR-451 precursors. These miR-451 shRNA mimics are channeled through a novel small RNA biogenesis pathway, require AGO2 catalysis and are processed by Drosha but are independent of DICER processing. This miRNA pathway feeds active elements only into Ago2 because of its unique catalytic activity. These data demonstrate that this newly identified small RNA biogenesis pathway can be exploited in vivo to produce active molecules. |
| US08273870B2 |
Compositions and methods for inhibiting expression of a mutant gene
The present invention relates to a double-stranded ribonucleic acid (dsRNA) for inhibiting the expression of a mutant gene, comprising a first strand that has a complementary region that is complementary to at least a portion of an RNA transcript of at least part of the mutant target gene and a second strand of the dsRNA complementary or substantially complementary to the first strand. The invention further relates to a pharmaceutical composition comprising the dsRNA and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. The pharmaceutical compositions are useful for inhibiting the expression of a target mutant gene, as well as for treating diseases caused by expression of the target gene. The invention also relates to methods for inhibiting the expression of a target mutant gene, as well as methods for treating diseases caused by the expression of the target gene. |
| US08273868B2 |
Compositions and methods for inhibiting viral replication
The present invention relates to a double-stranded ribonucleic acid (dsRNA) having a nucleotide sequence which is less that 30 nucleotides in length and which is substantially identical to at least a part of a 3′-untranslated region (3′-UTR) of a (+) strand RNA virus, such as HCV, as well as pharmaceutical compositions comprising the dsRNA, together with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. The pharmaceutical compositions are useful for treating infections and diseases caused by the replication or activity of the (+) strand RNA virus, as well as methods for inhibiting viral replication. |
| US08273866B2 |
RNA interference mediated inhibition of gene expression using chemically modified short interfering nucleic acid (SINA)
The present invention concerns methods and reagents useful in modulating gene expression in a variety of applications, including use in therapeutic, diagnostic, target validation, and genomic discovery applications. Specifically, the invention relates to synthetic chemically modified small nucleic acid molecules, such as short interfering nucleic acid (siNA), short interfering RNA (siRNA), double-stranded RNA (dsRNA), micro-RNA (miRNA), and short hairpin RNA (shRNA) molecules capable of mediating RNA interference (RNAi) against target nucleic acid sequences. The small nucleic acid molecules are useful in the treatment of any disease or condition that responds to modulation of gene expression or activity in a cell, tissue, or organism. |
| US08273861B2 |
Method for the use of [11C] carbon monoxide in labeling synthesis of 11C-labelled ketones by photo-induced free radical carbonylation
Methods and reagents for photo-initiated carbonylation with carbon-isotope labeled carbon monoxide using alkyl/aryl iodides with carbanion precursors pretreated by a base are provided. The resultant carbon-isotope labeled ketones, and pharmaceutical acceptable salts and solvates are useful as radiopharmaceuticals, especially for use in Positron Emission Tomography (PET). Associated kits and method for PET studies are also provided. |
| US08273853B2 |
Emulsifiers for epoxy resins
Disclosed is a process for the preparation of emulsifiers E1 which are obtained by (a) reacting a polyol with propylene oxide or a mixture of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide, to give an intermediate Z1, (b) reacting the intermediate Z1 with epichlorohydrin, forming an intermediate Z2, (c) reacting the intermediate Z2 with an adduct of ethylene oxide or a mixture of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide, with a C1-C22 monoalcohol, provided that on average at least one epoxide function of the intermediate Z2 is reacted and on average at least one epoxide function originating from the intermediate Z2 is retained. Compounds E1 are suitable as emulsifiers for preparing aqueous emulsions or dispersions of epoxy resins. |
| US08273851B2 |
Method for producing polyimide film
A method for producing a polyimide film comprises the steps of: preparing a polar organic solvent solution of a polyimide precursor obtained by mixing a tetracarboxylic acid dianhydride compound and a diamine compound; adding a dehydrating agent and an imidization catalyst to the polar organic solvent solution so as to prepare a resin solution composition; and drying the resin solution composition by heating so as to imidize the resin solution composition after flowing the resin solution composition onto a support in a casting manner, wherein diethyl pyridine is used as the imidization catalyst. According to the production method, it is possible to obtain a polyimide film which is highly productive and is excellent in the film quality such as the mechanical property, the adhesive strength, and the like. |
| US08273845B2 |
Soft thermoplastic elastomer composition
The present invention relates to a soft, semicrystalline, thermoplastic elastomer composition which is comprised of (I) a hydrophobic thermoplastic block copolymer which is comprised of (I) the reaction product of (1) a hydrophobic polyol or polyamine, (2) a polyisocyanate or an aromatic dicarboxylic acid, and (3) a chain extender containing 2 to 20 carbon atoms, or the reaction product of (1) a hydrophobic polyol or polyamine, and (2) a carboxyl terminated telechelic polyamide sequence; wherein the hydrophobic polyol or polyamine has a number average molecular weight in the range of from 1,000 to 4,000 Daltons; wherein the hydrophobic thermoplastic block copolymer has a weight average molecular weight in the range of 50,000 to 1,000,000 Daltons; and (II) from 1 to 80 weight percent of a mineral oil, wherein the soft, semicrystalline, thermoplastic elastomer composition has a Shore A hardness which is within the range of 20 to 80. |
| US08273844B1 |
Surface modification of kaolin
The invention is directed to a kaolin that has the surface modified by reaction with specific silicone compounds. The reaction of these materials result in a kaolin that is (a) less dusty when handled, (b) more flowable, (c) has better dispersibility in oils and in emulsion, resulting in less whitening when applied to skin and improved waterproofing when applied to skin, (d) has better stability in emulsions when dispersed in oils because of the durability of the surface treatment. |
| US08273842B2 |
Process for production of cyclic polyorganosiloxane, curing agent, curable composition, and cured product of the curable composition
An object of the invention is to provide a curing agent and a curable composition capable of forming a cured product, which is applicable for optical material and which has excellent heat and light transparency and crack resistance, and a cured product obtained by curing the same. Moreover, an object of the invention is to provide a method for producing with use of the components of the curing agent a cyclic polyorganosiloxane having a specific structure, in a selective manner and in high yield. In order to attain the objects, a curable composition including, as essential components, (A) an organic compound including at least two carbon-carbon double bonds that are reactive with a SiH group, (B) a compound having at least two SiH groups per molecule, and (C) a hydrosilylation catalyst, uses a modified polyorganosiloxane compound having at least two SiH groups per molecule as the compound having at least two SiH groups, which modified polyorganosiloxane compound is a reaction product of a specific cyclic polyorganosiloxane. |
| US08273840B2 |
Silicone polyether elastomer gels
Gel compositions are disclosed containing a silicone polyether elastomer from the reaction of an organohydrogensiloxane having at least two SiH containing cyclosiloxane rings in its molecule, a compound or mixture of compounds having at least two aliphatic unsaturated groups in its molecule, and a hydrosilylation catalyst. The silicone polyether elastomer reaction product may itself be a gelled composition, or optionally may be contained in a carrier fluid to form a gel. The gel compositions may further contain a personal or healthcare active. |
| US08273838B2 |
Propylene/α-olefins block interpolymers
Embodiments of the invention provide a class of propylene/α-olefin block interpolymers. The propylene/α-olefin interpolymers are characterized by an average block index, ABI, which is greater than zero and up to about 1.0 and a molecular weight distribution, Mw/Mn, greater than about 1.3. Preferably, the block index is from about 0.2 to about 1. In addition or alternatively, the block propylene/α-olefin interpolymer is characterized by having at least one fraction obtained by Temperature Rising Elution Fractionation (“TREF”), wherein the fraction has a block index greater than about 0.3 and up to about 1.0 and the propylene/α-olefin interpolymer has a molecular weight distribution, Mw/Mn, greater than about 1.3. |
| US08273831B2 |
Process technology for recovering brominated styrenic polymers from reaction mixtures in which they are formed and/or converting such mixtures into pellets or into granules or pastilles
Brominated styrenic polymer is recovered from solution in a vaporizable solvent by converting the solution in a devolatilization extruder into a brominated styrenic polymer melt or flow and a separate vapor phase comprised predominately of vaporizable solvent, recovering the melt or flow from the devolatilization extruder, and allowing or causing the melt or flow to solidify. The solidified brominated styrenic polymer can be subdivided into a powder or pelletized form. Pellets so made have improved hardness and/or crush strength properties along with reduced formation of fines. Brominated anionic styrenic polymer is preferably used in the process. |
| US08273824B2 |
Process for producing resin composition
A production process of a resin composition containing 100 parts by weight of a polyester fiber, 1 to 600 parts by weight of a copolymer of ethylene with a glycidyl group-carrying monomer, and 0.3 to 500 parts by weight of an unsaturated carboxylic acid-modified polyolefin resin, the process comprising steps of (1) melt-kneading the copolymer with the modified polyolefin resin, and (2) kneading the resultant melted resin with the polyester fiber at a temperature lower than a melting point of the polyester fiber. |
| US08273819B2 |
Non-gellable and pumpable concentrated binder for bitumen/polymer
The present disclosure relates to a concentrated binder having a very high polymer content comprising a soft aromatic petroleum base, optionally a bituminous base and at least one polymer characterized in that the polymer content in the concentrated binder is greater than or equal to 20% by weight, preferably greater than or equal to 25% by weight, and the use thereof in the preparation of a dilute bitumen/polymer binder for the fields of road applications, in particular in the manufacture of road binders, and in the fields of industrial applications. |
| US08273818B2 |
Flame retardant elastomer latices
A non-halogenated elastomeric latex is disclosed, using as flame retardants, an aqueous dispersion of organoclay and a conventional non-halogenated flame retardant, of which less is needed than conventionally, because of the use of the organoclay. The latex can become a film, sheet, or other article. |
| US08273814B2 |
Emulsifying polymers and their use
The present invention relates to emulsifying polymers, in particular to the use of these polymers for the stable emulsification of hydrophobic additives in aqueous concrete plasticizers. |
| US08273805B2 |
Ink-jet ink
An ink-jet ink is provided. The ink-jet ink includes a compound of formula (1) to form a cured film with high-flame retardancy. In the formula, R is hydrogen, hydroxyl, or an organic group of 1 to 100 carbon atoms; and n is an integer of 1 to 20: |
| US08273803B2 |
Tetra calcium phosphate based organophosphorus compositions and methods
Compositions and methods of their use to adhere a variety of materials together are disclosed herein. The compositions include at least tetra calcium phosphate, an effective amount of a compound that is structurally similar to phosphoserine, and can be mixed with an aqueous solution. The compositions provide adhesive and cohesive strength in both wet and dry environments and exhibit significant bond strength upon curing. |
| US08273802B2 |
Wettable hydrogels comprising reactive, hydrophilic, polymeric internal wetting agents
The present invention relates to wettable silicone hydrogels comprising the reaction product of at least one siloxane containing component and at least one reactive, hydrophilic polymeric internal wetting agent. The present invention further relates to silicone hydrogel contact lenses comprising at least one oxygen permeable component, and an amount of reactive, hydrophilic polymeric internal wetting agent sufficient to impart wettability to said device. |
| US08273801B2 |
Protective coating for window glass
The invention is a composition comprising: a) one or more film forming resins having at least one functional group capable of polymerization; b) one or more reactive diluents capable of reacting with the film forming resin; c) one or more silicon, titanium, zirconium, aluminum or metal containing compounds capable of promoting adhesion of the composition to glass; d) one or more fillers capable of imparting abrasion resistance to the composition when cured; and e) one or more compounds which is reactive with the film forming resin which also contains at least one acidic moiety. The composition of the invention is useful as a frit on the window of a vehicle. |
| US08273798B2 |
Tamper resistant lipid-based oral dosage form for opioid agonists
A tamper resistant drug delivery system made of at least one lipid, at least one gelling agent and at least one drug active, such as oxycodone, where the system gels rapidly in the presence of water or a solution containing water, and the drug active releases into the digestive system, wherein the weight ratio of gelling agent to lipid is less than 1:1.4. |
| US08273795B2 |
Tranexamic acid formulations
Disclosed are modified release oral tranexamic acid formulations and methods of treatment therewith. |
| US08273788B2 |
Five-membered iminocyclitol derivatives as selective and potent glycosidase inhibitors: new structures for antivirals and osteoarthritis therapeutics
Novel 5-membered iminocyclitol derivatives were found to be a potent and selective inhibitors of the glycoprotein processing α- and β-glucosidase which were further found to be active antiviral agents against Japanese encephalitis virus, dengue virus serotype 2 (DEN-2), human SARS coronavirus and human β-hexosaminidase, a new target for development of osteoarthritis therapeutics. |
| US08273784B2 |
Dinitropyrazole derivatives, their preparation, and energetic compositions comprising them
The present invention provides: dinitropyrazole derivatives of formula (I) in which: R═NO2, NH2, NF2, NHOH, OH or NHNH2 and R′═H when R═NH2, NF2, NHOH, OH or NHNH2 or R′═H, NH2 or a linear or branched C1-C4 alkyl group, optionally substituted by at least one hydroxy and/or one fluoro group, when R═NO2; other than 4-amino-3,5-dinitropyrazole; and also the salts of said derivatives of formula (I) in which R′═H; the preparation of said derivatives and of their salts; and energetic compositions comprising at least one of said derivatives and/or at least one salt of such a derivative. |
| US08273783B2 |
Microbiocides
Compounds of formula (I), in which the substituents are as defined in claim 1, are suitable for use as microbiocides. |
| US08273779B2 |
Thiazolidin 4-one derivatives
The invention relates to pharmaceutical compositions containing at least one thiazolidin-4-one derivative to prevent or treat disorders associated with an activated immune system. Furthermore, the invention relates to novel thiazolidin-4-one derivatives notably for use as pharmaceutically active compounds. Said compounds particularly act also as immunosuppressive agents. |
| US08273777B2 |
Glucokinase activators and methods of using same
Compounds are provided which are activators of the enzyme glucokinase and thus are useful in treating diabetes and related diseases, which compounds have the structure where Q is and R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7 and R8 are as defined herein or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. A method for treating diabetes and related diseases employing the above compounds is also provided. |
| US08273775B2 |
Non-steroidal brassinosteroid mimetic
The present invention relates to non-steroidal mimetics of brassinosteroids. More specifically, it relates to non-steroidal monocyclic compounds, capable of rescuing the brassinosteroid receptor null mutation bri1-116. Preferably, said compounds are low molecular weight, monocyclic halogenated compound. |
| US08273768B2 |
Iso CA-4 and analogues thereof as potent cytotoxic agents inhibiting tubuline polymerization
The invention relates to a compound of the formula (I) in which: R1, R2 and R3 are independently a methoxy group optionally substituted by one or more fluorine atoms; R4 is a hydrogen atom; R5 and R6 are identical and each represent a hydrogen or fluorine atom; A is a cycle selected from the group including aryl and heteroaryl groups, wherein said groups can be substituted. |
| US08273765B2 |
Bicyclo-pyrazoles and pharmaceutical compositions comprising them
Bicyclo-pyrazole compounds of formula (I), as herein defined, are useful for treating diseases linked to disregulated protein kinases. |
| US08273764B2 |
Fused heterocyclic compounds and use thereof
A fused heterocyclic compound of formula (1): wherein, A1 and A2 represent a nitrogen atom or the like, R1, R2, R3 and R4 represent a halogen atom or the like, R2 and R3 represent a halogen atom or the like, R5 represents a C1-C6 chain hydrocarbon group optionally substituted with one or more halogen atoms, or the like, R6 and R7 represent a C1-C4 chain hydrocarbon group substituted with one or more halogen atoms, or the like, and n represents 0 or 1, has an excellent noxious arthropod controlling effect. |
| US08273755B2 |
4-methylpyridopyrimidinone compounds
The present invention is directed to novel 4-methylpyridopyrimidinone compounds of Formula (I), and to salts thereof, their synthesis, and their use as inhibitors of phosphoinositide 3-kinase alpha (PI3-Kα). |
| US08273754B2 |
Substituted 1H-pyrazolo[3,4-D]pyrimidine-6-amine compounds
The present invention relates to substituted 1H-pyrazolo-[3,4-d]pyrimidine-6-amine compounds and methods of synthesizing these compounds. The present invention also relates to pharmaceutical compositions containing substituted 1H-pyrazolo-[3,4-d]pyrimidine-6-amine compounds and methods of treating cell proliferative disorders, such as cancer, by administering these compounds and pharmaceutical compositions to subjects in need thereof. |
| US08273753B2 |
Polymorph B of N-{2-Fluoro-5-[3-(thiophene-2-carbonyl)-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-7-yl]-phenyl}-N-methyl-acetamide
The present invention relates to a method of treating anxiety, epilepsy, sleep disorders, and insomnia, for inducing sedation-hypnosis, anesthesia, and muscle relaxation, and for modulating the necessary time to induce sleep and its duration, which comprises administering a therapeutically effective amount of Polymorph B of N-{2-Fluoro-5-[3-(thiophene-2-carbonyl)-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-7-yl]-phenyl}-N-methyl-acetamide characterized by a powder X-Ray diffraction pattern containing specific peaks at 2θ=7.1° (±0.1°) and 21.4° (±0.1°) to a patient in need thereof. |
| US08273752B2 |
Substituted imidazopyrimidines and triazolopyrimidines
The invention relates to substituted imidazo- and triazolopyrimidines and processes for their preparation, and their use for the manufacture of medicaments for the treatment and/or prophylaxis of diseases, in particular of haematological disorders, preferably of leucopenias and neutropenias. |
| US08273750B2 |
Organic compounds
The invention provides novel 7,8-dihydro-imidazo[1,2-α]pyrazolo[4,3-e]pyrimidin-4-one compounds and 7,8,9-trihydro-[1H or 2/f]-pyrimido[1,2-a]pyrazolo[4,3-e]pyrimidin-4(5H)-one compounds, substituted at the 1 or 2 position with C2-g allcyl, C3-9 cycloalkyl, heteroarylalkyl, or substituted arylalkyl, in free, salt or prodrug form, processes for their production, their use as pharmaceuticals, particularly as PDE1 inhibitors, and pharmaceutical compositions comprising them. |
| US08273748B2 |
Amino alcohol derivative and immunosuppresive agent having same as an active ingredient
An amino alcohol derivative useful as an excellent immunosuppressive agent is provided.As a result of intensive research to create a highly safe compound which has an excellent immunosuppressive activity, it was discovered that an amino alcohol derivative represented by the general formula (1), has excellent immunosuppressive activity. |
| US08273746B2 |
Methods involving aldose reductase inhibitors
Embodiments of the invention include methods and compositions involving aldose reductase inhibitors for the treatment of inflammation, including uveitis and asthma. |
| US08273745B2 |
Polycyclic acid compounds useful as CRTH2 antagonists and antiallergic agents
The present invention relates to a novel compound or a salt thereof, which is useful as a CRTH2 antagonist, especially as a medicament for disorder that participates eosinophil, for example, allergic disorder such as asthma, allergic rhinitis, allergic dermatitis, conjunctival inflammation, hives, eosinophilic bronchitis, food allergy, inflammation of the nasal sinuses, multiple sclerosis, angiitis, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and the like. |
| US08273744B2 |
AMPK modulators
The present invention relates to compounds and pharmaceutically acceptable salts, esters and prodrugs of Formula (I) or (II): which are useful as AMPK modulators effective in treating diabetes, obesity and cancer in a subject. |
| US08273743B2 |
Quinoxaline inhibitors of the hedgehog signalling
The invention provides novel inhibitors of hedgehog signaling that are useful as a therapeutic agents for treating malignancies where the compounds have the general formula I: wherein A is a carbocycle or heterocycle; X is alkylene, NR4C(O), NR4C(S), NR4C(NH), NR4SO, NR4SO2, NR4C(O)NH, NR4C(S)NH, C(O)NR4, C(S)NR4, C(NH)NR4, NR4PO or NR4PO(OH) wherein R4 is H or alkyl; R1 is selected from the group consisting of alkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl or a heterocycle each of which is optionally substituted with hydroxy, halogen, amino, nitro, alkyl, acyl, alkylsulfonyl or alkoxy; R2 is halogen, hydroxy, alkyl, acyl or alkoxy each optionally substituted with hydroxy, halogen, amino, nitro, alkyl, acyl, alkylsulfonyl or alkoxy; R3 is halogen, hydroxy, alkyl, acyl or alkoxy each optionally substituted with hydroxy, halogen, amino, nitro, alkyl, acyl, alkylsulfonyl or alkoxy; m is 0-3; n is 0-3; and salts and solvates thereof. The invention also provides methods of using these compounds for therapy and/or prophylaxis in a mammal of hyperproliferative diseases and angiogenesis mediated diseases due to their activity for inhibiting the hedgehog signaling pathway. |
| US08273740B2 |
2-sulfanyl-benzoimidazol-1-yi-acetic acid derivatives as CRTH2 antagonists
The invention relates to 2-sulfanyl-benzoimidazol-1-yl-acetic acid derivatives and their use as potent “chemoattractant receptor-homologous molecule expressed on Th2 cells” antagonists in the treatment of prostaglandin mediated diseases, to pharmaceutical compositions containing these derivatives and to processes for their preparation. |
| US08273739B2 |
Method for the purification of mycophenolate mofetil
The present invention provides a method for the preparation of mycophenolate mofetil wherein mycophenolic acid or an amine salt of mycophenolic acid is esterified with 2-morpholinoethanol, the resulting mixture is extracted into water at a pH-value between 1.0 and 3.0, and mycophenolate mofetil is back-extracted in a water-immiscible solvent at a pH-value between 3.0 and 5.0. |
| US08273737B2 |
Quinolizidinone M1 receptor positive allosteric modulators
The present invention is directed to compounds of formula (I) which are M1 receptor positive allosteric modulators and that are useful in the treatment of diseases in which the M1 receptor is involved, such as Alzheimer's disease, schizophrenia, pain or sleep disorders. The invention is also directed to pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compounds, and to the use of the compounds and compositions in the treatment of diseases mediated by the M1 receptor. |
| US08273736B2 |
Thienopyridine and furopyridine kinase inhibitors
Compounds having the formula are useful for inhibiting protein tyrosine kinases. The present invention also discloses methods of making the compounds, compositions containing the compounds, and methods of treatment using the compounds. |
| US08273725B2 |
Stable hyaluronan/steroid formulation
A pharmaceutical composition comprising in admixture a hyaluronic acid related component (HARC) and a pharmaceutically effective amount of triamcinolone hexacetonide (TAH). The composition is stable in an accelerated shelf life test in which the composition is heated to 80° C. for 24 hours. |
| US08273722B2 |
Enhanced biotherapeutic production using inhibitory RNA
Compositions, kits, systems, equipment, and protocols utilize synthetic siRNA having a delivery facilitating moiety in improved bioprocesses that enhance the production of biomaterials. The siRNA can target genes associated with the following: 1) deleterious vector derived genes; 2) genes that confer non-optimal growth or differentiation properties to the cells; 3) genes that can influence heterogeneity or post-translational modification pattern of the desirable gene product; 4) genes that highly express non-desired proteins; 5) genes that express proteins which interfere with purification of the desired protein; and 6) other genes that can interfere with the bioprocess. |
| US08273721B2 |
Combination treatment for bladder cancer
Novel methods useful for treating a patient with bladder cancer such as superficial bladder cancer includes administering to the patient a therapeutically effective amount of valrubicin and trospium chloride. |
| US08273711B2 |
Topical drug delivery using phosphatidylcholine
The present invention relates to compositions and methods for transdermal drug delivery comprising formulating a phosphatidylcholine carrier composition containing the drug and applying the composition to the skin. |
| US08273708B2 |
Methods of treatment of ocular surface pathologies
The invention concerns compositions and methods for treating and/or preventing ocular pathologies. The invention also concerns compositions and methods enabling the regulation of paracellular permeability of the ocular epithelium. The compositions and methods of the invention are based in particular on the use of agents or conditions modulating the opening of tight junctions of the ocular epithelium. The invention can be used for preventive or curative treatment of various pathologies, such as pathologies of the ocular surface in mammals, particularly in human beings. |
| US08273699B2 |
Process for preparing a perfume particle
A process for preparing a perfume composition, the process having the steps of; (a) contacting a perfume ingredient with a molten material to form a pre-mix; (b) contacting the pre-mix with a first solid material to form a soft-solid intermediate high active perfume material; (c) solidifying the molten material to form a hardened-solid intermediate high active perfume material; (d) contacting the hardened-solid intermediate high active perfume intermediate material with a second solid material to form a perfume composition, wherein the ratio of the wt % amount of perfume ingredient present in the hardened-solid intermediate high active perfume material to the wt % amount of perfume ingredient present in the perfume composition is greater than 1.5:1. |
| US08273697B2 |
Pipe unblocker with visual temperature and rinsing indicator
The present invention relates to a liquid pipe unblocker comprising at least one strong acid, and a colored indicator capable of assuming different colors, depending on the acid concentration and on the polarity of the pipe unblocker solution. |
| US08273693B2 |
Polymeric gel system and methods for making and using same in hydrocarbon recovery
Coacervate gels having excellent shear viscosities and other properties are made with anionic or cationic polymers, a smaller amount of a surfactant having a charge opposite that of the polymer, and a hydrophobic alcohol and an effective amount of a phosphorus-containing compound sufficient to increase the viscosity of coacervate gels up to 3 times as compared to the gels in the absence of the phosphorus-containing compound. The Zeta Potential of the gel is maintained at an absolute value of at least 20. Optional gel promoting additives include betaines and amine oxides. A preferred gel comprises poly diallyl dimethyl ammonium chloride, a lesser amount of sodium lauryl sulfonate, and lauryl alcohol. The gels are particularly useful in well drilling fluids and well fracturing fluids. |
| US08273687B2 |
Limonene-containing herbicide compositions, herbicide concentrate formulations and methods for making and using same
Provided are methods, kits and compositions for killing, controlling or suppressing a plant by administering to surfaces of the plant a herbicide composition comprising a herbicidally effective limonene component and an emulsifying agent in an aqueous emulsion, wherein the composition has a pH greater than 5. Also provided are methods, kits and compositions for killing, controlling or suppressing a plant, comprising administering to surfaces of the plant a herbicide composition comprising a herbicidally effective limonene component and an emulsifying agent in an aqueous emulsion, wherein the composition includes a wetting agent. Also provided are methods, kits and compositions for killing, controlling or suppressing a plant, comprising administering to surfaces of the plant a herbicide composition comprising a herbicidally effective limonene component and an emulsifying agent in an aqueous emulsion, wherein the composition has a pH greater than 5 and includes a wetting agent. |
| US08273686B2 |
Method for combating phytopathogenic fungi
The present invention relates to the use of an active compound that inhibits the mitochondrial breathing chain at the level of the b/c1 complex for combating phytopathogenic fungi. |
| US08273684B2 |
Seed coating composition
The invention pertains to a seed coating composition comprising a certain latex binder and/or graft polymer dispersant. The seed coating composition imparts good color to treated seeds, has excellent durability, and is non-sticky after application to allow for smooth flow of coated seed in planting equipment. |
| US08273681B2 |
Exhaust gas purifying catalyst and method for manufacturing the same
An exhaust gas purifying catalyst includes: rhodium; a zirconium-containing oxide which supports rhodium, and comprises: at least one element selected from the group consisting of calcium, lanthanum, cerium, neodymium and yttrium; and zirconium; and a NOx absorbing material comprising at least one selected from the group consisting of magnesium, barium, sodium, potassium and cesium. A degree of dispersion of rhodium is 20% or more after baking at 900° C. in air for three hours. A method for manufacturing the exhaust gas purifying catalyst includes: mixing the zirconium-containing oxide with water, thereby preparing an aqueous liquid of the zirconium-containing oxide; and supporting rhodium on the zirconium-containing oxide by mixing the aqueous liquid of the zirconium-containing oxide with an aqueous solution of a rhodium salt. A pH of a mixed liquid of the aqueous solution of the rhodium salt and the aqueous liquid of the zirconium-containing oxide is adjusted to 7 or more. |
| US08273674B2 |
Self-flow refractory mixture
A refractory self-flow filler mortar, includes in mass % with relation to the basic refractory material, at least 1% and at most 10% of non-granulated spherical particles with median size greater than 0.1 μm and less than or equal to 2 mm and further includes in mass % with relation to the total dry mass of the mortar, less than 4.5% of silica (SiO2) and between 1% and 8% water, the standard deviation of the non-granulated spherical particle size being less than 100%. |
| US08273673B2 |
Doped refractory with a high zirconia content
The invention provides a fused cast refractory product with a high zirconia content comprising, as. a percentage by weight based on the oxides: ZrO2+Hf2O: >85%; SiO2: 6% to 12%; Al2O3: 0.4% to 1%; Y2O3: 0.2%; a dopant selected from the group formed by Nb2O5, Ta2O5, and mixtures thereof, in a quantity such that the molar ratio ZrO2/(Nb2O5+Ta2O3) is in the range 200 to 350. |
| US08273670B1 |
Load lock design for rapid wafer heating
A semiconductor processing tool heats wafers using radiant heat and resistive heat in chamber or in a load lock where pressure changes. The wafers are heated in greater part with a resistive heat source until a transition temperature or pressure is reached, then they are heated in greater part with a radiant heat source. Throughput improves for the tool because of the wafers can reach a high temperature uniformly in seconds. |
| US08273668B2 |
Methods of forming a pattern and methods of fabricating a semiconductor device having a pattern
Methods of forming a pattern and methods of fabricating a semiconductor device having a pattern are provided, the methods include forming a self-assembly induction layer including a first region and a second region on a semiconductor substrate. A block copolymer layer is coated on the self-assembly induction layer. A first pattern, a second pattern and a third pattern are formed by phase separating the block copolymer. At least one of the first, second and third patterns may be removed to form a preliminary pattern. An etching process may be performed using the preliminary pattern as an etching mask. The first pattern contains the same material as that of the second pattern, and the third pattern contains a material different from that of the first pattern. |
| US08273667B2 |
Method for manufacturing semiconductor device having porous low dielectric constant layer formed for insulation between metal lines
The present invention related to a method for manufacturing a semiconductor device. More particularly, this method describes how to manufacture a semiconductor device having a porous, low dielectric constant layer formed between metal lines, comprising an insulation layer enveloping fillers. |
| US08273666B2 |
Process to fabricate bottom electrode for MRAM device
Formation of a bottom electrode for an MTJ device on a silicon nitride substrate is facilitated by including a protective coating that is partly consumed during etching of the alpha tantalum portion of said bottom electrode. Adhesion to SiN is enhanced by using a TaN/NiCr bilayer as “glue”. |
| US08273662B2 |
Method for manufacturing a semiconductor device
A manufacturing method of a semiconductor device wherein a metal pad is etched to form a trench in which a central part is concave in form, or to form a trench in the shape of a cylinder or a parallelepiped on the edge part of a metal pad. Accordingly, the contact area between a polymide isoindro quirazorindione (PIQ) or similar curable layer and the metal pad is increased and the bondability is improved. Accordingly, the technology of improving the characteristic of device by preventing the problem that the metal pad is excessively opened in a subsequent curing process and the layer of a lower portion of the metal pad is attacked is disclosed. |
| US08273659B2 |
Method for patterned etching of selected material
Surface processing in which the area to be processed is restricted to a predetermined pattern, can be achieved by: (a) providing a layer of a first reagent over a region of the surface to be processed which at least covers an area of the predetermined pattern; (b) providing one or more further reagents which are further reagents required for the processing of the surface; and (c) applying at least one of the further reagents over the region to be processed according to the predetermined pattern; such that the first reagent acts with the one or more of the further reagents to process the surface only in the area of the predetermined pattern. The process is particularly applicable to etching where an etchant having two or more components is used. In that case at least a first etchant component is applied over the surface and at least one further etchant component is applied in the predetermined pattern. |
| US08273656B2 |
Method of forming conductive layer and semiconductor device
Provided are a method of forming a conductive layer on an inner portion of a through-electrode in which uniform adhesion property of plating in the inner portion of a through-hole is enhanced and a tact time is short, and a semiconductor device. The method of forming a conductive layer includes: a first plating step of forming a first plating layer on the inner portion of the through-hole; a plating suppression layer forming step of forming a plating suppression layer including a material different from a material of the first plating layer in an opening portion of the through-hole after the first plating step; and a second plating step of forming a second plating layer by plating on the inner portion of the through-hole after the plating suppression layer forming step. |
| US08273651B2 |
Method for fabricating wiring structure of wiring board
A method for fabricating a wiring structure of a wiring board is provided. First, a substrate including an insulation layer and a film disposed on the insulation layer is provided. Next, an intaglio pattern exposing the insulation layer is formed on an outer surface of the film. The intaglio pattern is formed by removing a portion of the insulation layer and a portion of the film. Next, an activated layer is formed on the outer surface and in the intaglio pattern. The activated layer completely covers the outer surface and all surfaces of the intaglio pattern. Then, the film and the activated layer on the outer surface are removed, and the activated layer in the intaglio pattern is remained. After the film and the activated layer on the outer surface are removed, a conductive material is formed in the intaglio pattern by chemical deposition method. |
| US08273648B2 |
Circuit structures and methods with BEOL layers configured to block electromagnetic edge interference
Back-end-of-line (BEOL) circuit structures and methods are provided for blocking externally-originating or internally-originating electromagnetic edge interference. One such BEOL circuit structure includes a semiconductor substrate supporting one or more integrated circuits, and multiple BEOL layers disposed over the semiconductor substrate. The multiple BEOL layers extend to an edge of the circuit structure and include at least one vertically-extending conductive pattern disposed adjacent to the edge of the circuit structure. The vertically-extending conductive pattern is defined, at least partially, by a plurality of elements disposed in the multiple BEOL layers. The plurality of elements are uniformly arrayed at the edge of the circuit structure in a first direction or a second direction throughout at least a portion thereof. The plurality of elements are sized and positioned in the first direction or the second direction to block electromagnetic interference of a particular wavelength from passing therethrough. |
| US08273646B2 |
Non-volatile memory device
A non-volatile memory device includes a memory cell region which is formed on a semiconductor substrate to store predetermined information, and a peripheral circuit region which is formed on the semiconductor substrate. The memory cell region includes a gate electrode; and a charge storage layer, the charge storage layer being formed to be a notch or wedge shape having an edge extending into both sides of a bottom end of the gate electrode. The peripheral circuit region includes no charge storage layer therein. |
| US08273645B2 |
Method to attain low defectivity fully silicided gates
A method of forming fully silicided (FUSI) gates in MOS transistors which is compatible with wet etch processes used in source/drain silicide formation is disclosed. The gate silicide formation step produces a top layer of metal rich silicide which is resistant to removal in wet etch processes. A blocking layer over active areas prevents source/drain silicide formation during gate silicide formation. Wet etches during removal of the blocking layer and source/drain metal strip do not remove the metal rich gate silicide layer. Anneal of the gate silicide to produce a FUSI gate with a desired stoichiometry is delayed until after formation of the source/drain silicide. The disclosed method is compatible with nickel and nickel-platinum silicide processes. |
| US08273641B2 |
Plasma deposition of amorphous semiconductors at microwave frequencies
Apparatus and method for plasma deposition of thin film photovoltaic materials at microwave frequencies. The apparatus avoids unintended deposition on windows or other microwave transmission elements that couple microwave energy to deposition species. The apparatus includes a microwave applicator with one or more conduits passing therethrough that carry deposition species. The applicator transfers microwave energy to the deposition species to activate or energize them to a reactive state. The conduits physically isolate deposition species that would react or otherwise combine to form a thin film material at the point of microwave power transfer and deliver the microwave-excited species to a deposition chamber. One or more supplemental material streams may be delivered directly to the deposition chamber without passing through the microwave applicator and may combine with deposition species exiting the one or more conduits to form a thin film material. Precursors for the microwave-excited deposition species include fluorinated forms of silicon. Precursors delivered as supplemental material streams include hydrogenated forms of silicon. The invention allows for the ultrafast formation of silicon-containing amorphous semiconductors that exhibit high mobility, low porosity, little or no Staebler-Wronski degradation, and low defect concentration. |
| US08273638B2 |
Thin film transistor using a metal induced crystallization process and method for fabricating the same and active matrix flat panel display using the thin film transistor
Provided is a thin film transistor that may be manufactured using Metal Induced Crystallization (MIC) and method for fabricating the same. Also provided is an active matrix flat panel display using the thin film transistor, which may be created by forming a crystallization inducing metal layer below a buffer layer and diffusing the crystallization inducing metal layer. The thin film transistor may include a crystallization inducing metal layer formed on an insulating substrate, a buffer layer formed on the crystallization inducing metal layer, and an active layer formed on the buffer layer and including source/drain regions, and including polycrystalline silicon crystallized by the MIC process. |
| US08273633B2 |
Method of enhancing dopant activation without suffering additional dopant diffusion
A method of enhancing dopant activation without suffering additional dopant diffusion, includes forming shallow and lightly-doped source/drain extension regions in a semiconductor substrate, performing a first anneal process on the source/drain extension regions, forming deep and heavily-doped source/drain regions in the substrate adjacent to the source/drain extension regions, and performing a second anneal process on source/drain regions. The first anneal process is a flash anneal process performed for a time of between about 1 millisecond and 3 milliseconds, and the second anneal process is a rapid thermal anneal process performed for a time of between about 1 second and 30 seconds. |
| US08273632B2 |
Patterning methodology for uniformity control
The present disclosure provides a method of fabricating a semiconductor device. The method includes forming a patternable layer over a substrate. The method includes forming a first layer over the patternable layer. The method includes forming a second layer over the first layer. The second layer is substantially thinner than the first layer. The method includes patterning the second layer with a photoresist material through a first etching process to form a patterned second layer. The method includes patterning the first layer with the patterned second layer through a second etching process to form a patterned first layer. The first and second layers have substantially different etching rates during the second etching process. The method includes patterning the patternable layer with the patterned first layer through a third etching process. |
| US08273628B2 |
Semiconductor device manufacturing method including exposing electrode layers into a hole
A semiconductor device manufacturing method includes: alternately stacking a plurality of insulating layers and electrode layers; forming a hole penetrating through a multilayer body of the insulating layers and the electrode layers; forming a conductive film on an inner wall of the hole; anisotropically etching the conductive film to selectively leave the conductive film on a sidewall of the hole; altering the conductive film into an insulator by heat treatment; and removing the insulator covering the electrode layers to expose the electrode layers into the hole. |
| US08273624B2 |
Plasma immersed ion implantation process using balanced etch-deposition process
Methods for implanting ions into a substrate by a plasma immersion ion implanting process are provided. In one embodiment, a method for implanting ions into a substrate includes providing a substrate into a processing chamber, generating a plasma from a gas mixture including a reacting gas and a etching gas in the chamber, adjusting the ratio between the reacting gas and the etching gas in the supplied gas mixture and implanting ions from the plasma into the substrate. In another embodiment, the method includes providing a substrate into a processing chamber, supplying a gas mixture including reacting gas and a halogen containing reducing gas into the chamber, forming a plasma from the gas mixture, gradually increasing the ratio of the etching gas in the gas mixture, and implanting ions from the gas mixture into the substrate. |
| US08273622B2 |
Semiconductor with a dynamic gate-drain capacitance
A semiconductor device with a dynamic gate drain capacitance. One embodiment provides a semiconductor device. The device includes a semiconductor substrate, a field effect transistor structure including a source region, a first body region, a drain region, a gate electrode structure and a gate insulating layer. The gate insulating layer is arranged between the gate electrode structure and the body region. The gate electrode structure and the drain region partially form a capacitor structure including a gate-drain capacitance configured to dynamically change with varying reverse voltages applied between the source and drain regions. The gate-drain capacitance includes at least one local maximum at a given threshold or a plateau-like course at given reverse voltage. |
| US08273620B2 |
Semiconductor integrated circuit device and related fabrication method
Embodiments of the invention provide a semiconductor integrated circuit device and a method for fabricating the device. The semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate having a cell region and a peripheral region, a cell active region formed in the cell region, and a peripheral active region formed in the peripheral region, wherein the cell active region and the peripheral active region are defined by isolation regions. The semiconductor device further includes a first gate stack formed on the cell active region, a second gate stack formed on the peripheral active region, a cell epitaxial layer formed on an exposed portion of the cell active region, and a peripheral epitaxial layer formed on an exposed portion of the peripheral active region, wherein the height of the peripheral epitaxial layer is greater than the height of the cell epitaxial layer. |
| US08273617B2 |
Electronic devices and systems, and methods for making and using the same
A suite of novel structures and methods is provided to reduce power consumption in a wide array of electronic devices and systems. Some of these structures and methods can be implemented largely by reusing existing bulk CMOS process flows and manufacturing technology, allowing the semiconductor industry as well as the broader electronics industry to avoid a costly and risky switch to alternative technologies. As will be discussed, some of the structures and methods relate to a Deeply Depleted Channel (DDC) design, allowing CMOS based devices to have a reduced σVT compared to conventional bulk CMOS and can allow the threshold voltage VT of FETs having dopants in the channel region to be set much more precisely. The DDC design also can have a strong body effect compared to conventional bulk CMOS transistors, which can allow for significant dynamic control of power consumption in DDC transistors. There are many ways to configure the DDC to achieve different benefits, and additional structures and methods presented herein can be used alone or in conjunction with the DDC to yield additional benefits. |
| US08273615B2 |
Thin film transistor and method of fabricating the same
A thin film transistor includes a substrate; a semiconductor layer disposed on the substrate, the semiconductor layer having a source region, a drain region, and a channel region between the source region and the drain region; a gate insulating layer disposed on the semiconductor layer and on the substrate; and a gate electrode disposed on the insulating layer over the channel region, wherein the semiconductor layer includes tapered edge portions with a taper angle defined between the tapered edge portions and a surface of the substrate is less than about 30 degrees. |
| US08273609B2 |
Method for fabricating thin film transistors and array substrate including the same
The present invention relates to a method for fabricating thin film transistors (TFTs), which includes the following steps: forming a semi-conductive layer on a substrate; forming a patterned photoresist layer with a first thickness and a second thickness on the semi-conductive layer; pattering the semi-conductive layer by using the patterned photoresist layer as a mask to form a patterned semi-conductive layer; removing the second thickness of the patterned photoresist layer; performing a first ion doping process on the patterned semi-conductive layer by using the first thickness of the patterned photoresist layer as a mask; removing the first thickness of the patterned photoresist layer; and forming a dielectric layer and a gate on the patterned semi-conductive layer. The present invention also discloses a method for fabricating an array substrate including aforementioned TFTs. |
| US08273608B1 |
Method of forming a copper-compatible fuse target
A copper-compatible fuse target is fabricated by forming a target structure at the same time that a trace structure is formed on a passivation layer, followed by the formation of an overlying non-conductive structure. After the overlying non-conductive structure has been formed, a passivation opening is formed in the non-conductive structure to expose the passivation layer and the side wall of the target structure. |
| US08273607B2 |
Integrated circuit packaging system with encapsulation and underfill and method of manufacture thereof
A method of manufacture of an integrated circuit packaging system includes: providing a package carrier having a dispense port; attaching an integrated circuit to the package carrier and over the dispense port; placing a mold chase over the integrated circuit and on the package carrier, the mold chase having a hole; and forming an encapsulation through the dispense port or the hole, the encapsulation surrounding the integrated circuit including completely filled in a space between the integrated circuit and the package carrier, and in a portion of the hole, the encapsulation having an elevated portion or a removal surface resulting from the elevated portion detached. |
| US08273606B2 |
Method of fabricating a semiconductor package using a fluxing underfill composition applied to solder balls in a dip process
The present invention relates to a method of fabricating a semiconductor package or circuit assembly using an fluxing underfill composition applied to solder contact points in a dip process. |
| US08273604B2 |
Semiconductor device and method of forming WLCSP structure using protruded MLP
A semiconductor device can include a carrier substrate, and a first semiconductor die disposed on a surface of the carrier substrate. An encapsulant can be disposed over the first semiconductor die and the carrier substrate. The semiconductor device can include first vias disposed through the encapsulant as well as second vias disposed through the encapsulant to expose first contact pads. The first contact pads are on upper surfaces of the first semiconductor die. The semiconductor device can include conductive pillars that fill the first vias, and first conductive metal vias (CMVs) that fill the second vias. The conductive pillar can include a first conductive material, and the first CMVs can be in contact with the first contact pads. The semiconductor device can include a conductive layer disposed over the encapsulant. The conductive layer can electrically connect one of the first CMVs with one of the conductive pillars. |
| US08273601B2 |
Method of fabricating multi-chip package structure
A method of fabricating a multi-chip package structure is provided. In the method, a number of cavities are formed on a predetermined cutting line of a first wafer by partly removing the first wafer and a first metal layer. Conductive walls of a first circuit layer are electrically connected to a cut cross-section of the first metal layer exposed by the cavities. In addition, conductive bumps of a second wafer or a chip are pressed into a cover layer and electrically connected to the first circuit layer. The first metal layer is then patterned to form a second circuit layer having a number of second pads. Next, the first wafer and the second wafer are cut along the predetermined cutting line to form a number of separated multi-chip package structures. |
| US08273598B2 |
Method for forming a self-aligned bit line for PCRAM and self-aligned etch back process
A method of forming bit line aligned to a phase change material that includes forming a pedestal of a sacrificial material on a portion of a lower electrode and forming at least one dielectric material adjacent to the sacrificial material, wherein the at least one dielectric material has an upper surface substantially coplanar with an upper surface of the pedestal of the sacrificial material. The pedestal of the sacrificial material is removed selective to the at least one dielectric material and the lower electrode to provide an opening to an exposed surface of the lower electrode. A phase change material is formed on the exposed surface of the lower electrode, and the opening is filled with a conductive fill material. A self-aligned etch back process is also provided. |
| US08273597B2 |
Process for making solar panel and the solar panel made thereof
The present invention provides a process for making solar panels. The process of the present invention avoids the use of laser scribing so it is particularly useful in making flexible solar panels. In addition, the present invention provides an alternative scheme for connecting the first electrodes and second electrodes in a solar panel. |
| US08273592B2 |
Method of manufacturing group-III nitride semiconductor light emitting device, group III nitride semiconductor light emitting device and lamp
The object of the present invention is to provide a method of manufacturing a Group-III nitride semiconductor light-emitting device that is highly productive and that enables production of a device having excellent light-emitting properties; a Group-III nitride semiconductor light-emitting device; and a lamp using the light emitting device. The present invention provides a method of manufacturing a Group-III nitride semiconductor light-emitting device, comprising the steps of: activating a gas including a Group-V element and a metal material with plasma, thereby reacting the gas with the metal material; forming on a substrate an intermediate layer that is made of a Group-III nitride compound; and stacking an n-type semiconductor layer that is made of a Group-III nitride semiconductor, a light-emitting layer, and a p-type semiconductor layer, sequentially on the intermediate layer, wherein the Group-V element is nitrogen, the gas fraction of nitrogen in the gas is within a range of more than 20% to less than 99% during forming of the intermediate layer, and the intermediate layer is formed into a single crystal structure. |
| US08273591B2 |
Super lattice/quantum well nanowires
Segmented semiconductor nanowires are manufactured by removal of material from a layered structure of two or more semiconductor materials in the absence of a template. The removal takes place at some locations on the surface of the layered structure and continues preferentially along the direction of a crystallographic axis, such that nanowires with a segmented structure remain at locations where little or no removal occurs. The interface between different segments can be perpendicular to or at angle with the longitudinal direction of the nanowire. |
| US08273585B2 |
Optical semiconductor device and method for manufacturing the same
There is provided an optical semiconductor device having a first optical semiconductor element including an InP substrate, a lower cladding layer formed on the InP substrate, a lower optical guide layer which is formed on the lower cladding layer and is composed of AlGaInAs, an active layer which is formed on the lower optical guide layer and has a multiple quantum well structure where a well layer and a barrier layer that is formed of AlGaInAs are alternately stacked, an upper optical guide layer which is formed on the active layer and is composed of InGaAsP, and an upper cladding layer formed on the upper optical guide layer. |
| US08273579B2 |
Method and apparatus for inspecting biological samples
A method of selecting for analysis a sample of a biological material anisotropically distributed on a substrate, said method comprising the steps of directing a beam of radiation onto said substrate, said radiation being selected to interact with said anisotropically distributed biological material to an extent corresponding to said anisotropy; measuring said interaction at plurality of locations on said substrate; and selecting said sample by reference to said measurements.An inspection apparatus for selecting for analysis a sample of a biological material anisotropically distributed on a substrate is also disclosed. The apparatus comprises a source of radiation selected to direct a beam of radiation onto said substrate, said radiation being selected to interact with said anisotropically distributed biological material to an extent corresponding to said anisotropy; a detector for measuring said interaction at plurality of locations on said substrate; and a processor coupled to the detector for utilizing the measurement at each of said plurality of locations to select a portion of said sample for further analysis. |
| US08273576B2 |
Hexavalent chromium detector
The present invention relates to a molecular-based system for the optical detection, quantification and detoxification of hexavalent chromium (Cr6+) by reversible metal-substrate electron transfer. More particularly, the invention provides a Cr6+ sensor device comprising a divalent osmium (Os2+)-, iron (Fe2+)- or ruthenium (R2+)-based pyridyl complex capable of changing its oxidation state in response to a reduction of Cr6+ at the presence of H+, thereby causing a reversible and optically readable change in optical properties of said complex. The Os2+-, Fe2+- or R2+-based pyridyl complex used according to the invention can be used for selective detection and quantification of Cr6+, as well as for catalytic detoxification of Cr6+. |
| US08273575B2 |
Methods for the diagnosis, risk assessment, and monitoring of autism spectrum disorders
Methods for the diagnosis, risk assessment, and monitoring of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) are disclosed. More specifically the present invention relates to the measurement of small molecules (metabolites) in human plasma that are found to have different abundances between persons with a clinical manifestation of ASD and subjects not expressing symptoms of ASD. Further, this invention relates to the monitoring of putative therapeutic strategies designed to ameliorate the biochemical abnormalities associated with ASD. |
| US08273573B2 |
Method for obtaining a collection of plugs comprising biological molecules
The present invention provides microfabricated substrates and methods of conducting reactions within these substrates. The reactions occur in plugs transported in the flow of a carrier-fluid. |
| US08273572B2 |
Methods of using multilayered cell culture apparatus
A multilayered cell culture apparatus for the culturing of cells is disclosed. The cell culture apparatus is defined as an integral structure having a plurality of cell culture chambers in combination with tracheal space(s). The body of the apparatus has imparted therein gas permeable membranes in combination with tracheal spaces that will allow the free flow of gases between the cell culture chambers and the external environment. The flask body also includes an aperture that will allow access to the cell growth chambers by means of a needle or cannula. The size of the apparatus, and location of an optional neck and cap section, allows for its manipulation by standard automated assay equipment, further making the apparatus ideal for high throughput applications. |
| US08273570B2 |
Process of inducing differentiation of embryonic cell to cell expressing neural surface marker using OP9 or PA6 cells
A method for inducing differentiation of an embryonic stem cell into an ectodermal cell and an ectoderm-derived cell, which comprises culturing the embryonic stem cell under non-aggregation conditions; a medium and a medium supernatant used in the method; an agent for inducing differentiation used in the method; a stroma cell or a stroma cell-derived factor having activity of inducing differentiation in the method; an antibody which specifically recognizes the stroma cell; an antigen which recognizes the antibody; a cell induced by the method; a method for evaluating or screening a substance relating to the regulation in a differentiation step from an embryonic stem cell into an ectodermal cell or an ectoderm-derived cell by carrying out the method; and a medicament comprising the stroma cell, the stroma cell-derived cell, the antibody, the antigen or the cell. |
| US08273568B2 |
Replication-competent herpes simplex virus mediates destruction of neoplastic cells
A method for killing malignant brain tumor cells in vivo entails providing replication competent herpes simplex virus vectors to tumor cells. A replication competent herpes simplex virus vector, with defective expression of the γ34.5 gene and the ribonucleotide reductase gene, specifically destroys tumor cells, is hypersensitive to anti-viral agents, and yet is not neurovirulent. |
| US08273565B2 |
Methods of increasing dihydroxy acid dehydratase activity to improve production of fuels, chemicals, and amino acids
The present invention is directed to recombinant microorganisms comprising one or more dihydroxyacid dehydratase (DHAD)-requiring biosynthetic pathways and methods of using said recombinant microorganisms to produce beneficial metabolites derived from said DHAD-requiring biosynthetic pathways. In various aspects of the invention, the recombinant microorganisms may be engineered to overexpress one or more polynucleotides encoding one or more Aft proteins or homologs thereof. In some embodiments, the recombinant microorganisms may comprise a cytosolically localized DHAD enzyme. In additional embodiments, the recombinant microorganisms may comprise a mitochondrially localized DHAD enzyme. In various embodiments described herein, the recombinant microorganisms may be microorganisms of the Saccharomyces clade, Crabtree-negative yeast microorganisms, Crabtree-positive yeast microorganisms, post-WGD (whole genome duplication) yeast microorganisms, pre-WGD (whole genome duplication) yeast microorganisms, and non-fermenting yeast microorganisms. |
| US08273564B2 |
Disinfectant composition comprising phage of Acinetobacter baumannii
The present invention provides a disinfectant composition including a phage of Acinetobacter baumannii and a carrier. The present invention also provides a method for disinfecting a medical institute or a medical research institute, including the steps of applying an effective amount of a phage of Acinetobacter baumannii to the medical institute or the medical research institute for reducing amount of Acinetobacter baumannii in the medical institute or the medical research institute. |
| US08273562B2 |
Method for producing 4-hydroxy-L-isoleucine
A highly active L-isoleucine dioxygenase from Bacillus thuringiensis is provided. A method for manufacturing (2S,3R,4S)-4-hydroxy-L-isoleucine or a salt thereof by reacting L-isoleucine in an aqueous solvent in the presence of L-isoleucine dioxygenase and isolating (2S,3R,4S)-4-hydroxy-L-isoleucine is also provided. |
| US08273561B2 |
High pressure treatment of aggregated interferons
High pressure to treat aggregated interferons, particularly recombinant human interferon-β, to reduce the aggregate content of interferon material. Highly pure, soluble monomeric recombinant interferon-β is prepared in representative embodiments. Multiple strategies may be used in combination that make nonglycosylated IFN-β more amenable to high pressure treatment. It has been found that refolding yields of high pressure treatment can be significantly improved by use of a combination of strategies, including, or example a pre-treatment of the IFN-β that involves solubilizing and then precipitating the protein. This pre-treatment is particularly effective with respect to recombinant IFN-β inclusion bodies recovered from host cells such as E. coli cells. According to another strategy, refolding under high pressure is much more effective when the refolding reagent incorporating the IFN-β incorporates a zwitterionic surfactant and/or a cholate salt. When a solubilization and precipitation pre-treatment is used, the effectiveness of the high pressure treatment is further enhanced when the refolding reagent incorporating the protein incorporates a disulfide shuffling chemistry such as cysteine/cystine. According to still yet another strategy, high pressure treatment is more effective when using atypically high treatment pressures. When coupled with purification techniques, these strategies singly or in combination provide a low aggregate or substantially aggregate free, biologically active solution. Biologically active solutions comprising nonglycosylated interferon, said interferon comprising less than about 5 weight percent of protein aggregation has been found to exhibit improved PK/PD characteristics. |
| US08273549B2 |
Compositions and methods for the expression of selenoproteins in eukaryotic cells
Recombinant nucleic acid constructs for the efficient expression of eukaryotic selenoproteins and related methods for production of recombinant selenoproteins are provided. The nucleic acid constructs comprise novel selenocysteine insertion sequence (SECIS) elements. Certain novel SECIS elements of the invention contain non-canonical quartet sequences. Other novel SECIS elements provided by the invention are chimeric SECIS elements comprising a canonical SECIS element that contains a non-canonical quartet sequence and chimeric SECIS elements comprising a non-canonical SECIS element that contains a canonical quartet sequence. The novel SECIS elements of the invention facilitate the insertion of selenocysteine residues into recombinant polypeptides. |
| US08273545B2 |
SIVA ubiquitination and/or degradation-related activity and modulators thereof
The present invention relates to the ubiquitination and/or degradation-related activity of a SIVA polypeptide and to agents capable of modulating said activity. |
| US08273544B2 |
Methods for diagnosis, prognosis and methods of treatment
The present invention provides an approach for the determination of the activation states of a plurality of proteins in single cells. This approach permits the rapid detection of heterogeneity in a complex cell population based on activation states, expression markers and other criteria, and the identification of cellular subsets that exhibit correlated changes in activation within the cell population. Moreover, this approach allows the correlation of cellular activities or properties. In addition, the use of modulators of cellular activation allows for characterization of pathways and cell populations. Several exemplary diseases that can be analyzed using the invention include AML, MDS, and MPN. |
| US08273539B2 |
Extracellular and membrane-associated prostate cancer markers
This document relates to methods and materials involved in identifying, assessing, and monitoring prostate cancer in male mammals. For example, this document provides arrays for detecting polypeptides or nucleic acids that can be used to identify prostate cancer in male mammals. In addition, methods and materials for assessing and monitoring prostate cancer in mammals are provided herein. |
| US08273535B2 |
Methods for detection of corn event DAS-59132
The invention provides assays for detecting the presence of the maize DAS-59132 event based on the DNA sequence of the recombinant construct inserted into the maize genome and the DNA sequences flanking the insertion site. Kits and conditions useful in conducting the assays are provided. |
| US08273529B2 |
Method for hybridizing nucleic acids and hybridization apparatus
A method for hybridizing a target nucleic acid and a probe nucleic acid that can specifically bind to the target nucleic acid and that is immobilized on a substrate includes a first reaction step of allowing the target nucleic acid contained in a sample solution to react with the probe nucleic acid, a recovery step of recovering the sample solution after the first reaction step, a heating step of heating the recovered sample solution to the denaturation temperature of the target nucleic acid or a higher temperature, and a second reaction step of allowing the target nucleic acid contained in the sample solution after the heating step to react with the probe nucleic acid. |
| US08273526B2 |
Method of isolating stem and progenitor cells from placenta
The present invention provides methods of cryopreserving stem and progenitor cells in a mammalian placenta; and methods of obtaining fetal stem and progenitor cells from a cryopreserved mammalian placenta. Cells obtained by carrying out the methods can be used in a variety of therapeutic applications. |
| US08273522B2 |
Exposure mask and method for manufacturing semiconductor device using the same
A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device comprises performing an exposing and developing process using an exposure mask including shading patterns and assistant patterns arranged in parallel to the shading patterns to prevent a scum phenomenon generated when a main pattern is formed in a cell region over a semiconductor substrate, thereby improving characteristics, reliability and yield of the semiconductor device. As a result, the method enables high-integration of the semiconductor device. |
| US08273516B2 |
Toner compositions
Toners are provided which include a resin including at least one baroplastic polymer. The baroplastic polymer, in embodiments, may be a block copolymer with discrete low glass transition temperature (Tg) domains and high Tg domains that plasticize one another at ambient temperature when subjected to pressures of from about 500 psi (about 3.45 MPa) to about 10,000 psi (about 69 MPa), enabling them to be extruded and molded without heat. The resulting polymers, in turn, may then be utilized to form toners. |
| US08273515B2 |
Toner and method of manufacturing the same, two-component developer, developing device and image forming apparatus
A toner containing a lignin resin, a carbon-neutral biomass polymer having a low environmental load and taking global environmental protection into account, as a constitutional component of a binder resin, and having a wide fixing non-offset range and an excellent fixing property, is provided. The toner contains at least a binder resin, a colorant, and a release agent. Furthermore, in the toner, the binder resin includes a resin A that is a lignin resin and a resin B that is another resin component, and the resin B has a peak top molecular weight of 103 to 104 and an acid number of 20 or less. |
| US08273514B2 |
Interfacial layer and coating solution for forming the same
The present embodiments are generally directed to an improved imaging member exhibiting various advantages over conventional imaging members. More specifically, the present embodiments are directed to an improved interfacial layer formed from an aqueous-based coating solution which exhibits improved formation and coating properties, such as increased homogeneity and adhesion, and methods for making the same. The aqueous-based coating solution is environment-friendly and avoids the need to use more expensive organic solvents which involve higher safety risks in the manufacturing process. |
| US08273512B2 |
Photoreceptor interfacial layer
The presently disclosed embodiments relate generally to layers that are useful in imaging apparatus members and components, for use in electrostatographic, including digital, apparatuses. Embodiments pertain to an improved electrostatographic imaging member comprising an interfacial layer further comprising an opaque semi-crystalline polyester resin that is also a hot-melt adhesive to prevent light transmission to the substrate and thus significantly reduce “plywood effect,” a print quality defect. |
| US08273509B2 |
Electrophotographic photoreceptor, and image forming device and electrophotographic photoreceptor cartridge using the same member cartridge
To realize an electrophotographic photoreceptor excellent in abrasion resistance, the photosensitive layer of the photoreceptor comprises a polyester resin containing a repeating structural unit represented by the formula (1) and a hydrazone compound. (In the formula (1), Ar1 to Ar4 each represents, independently of each other, an arylene group which may have a substituent. X1 represents a bivalent group (including a single bond) and X2 represents a bivalent group (including a single bond) with 3 or less atoms.) |
| US08273506B2 |
Method of manufacturing optical element, and optical element
A manufacturing method of an optical element is provided, the optical element comprising: a shield part formed by a light shielding film formed and patterned on a substrate; a light transmission part formed by partially exposing a surface of the substrate; and a phase shifter part formed by partially etching the surface of the substrate, the method comprising the steps of: preparing an optical element blank with the light shielding film and a first resist film laminated on the substrate in this order; and forming a first resist pattern by applying drawing and development to the first resist film, covering a formation scheduled area of the shield part, and demarcating the formation scheduled area of the phase shifter part. |
| US08273505B2 |
Mask blank and method of manufacturing an imprint mold
Provided is a method of manufacturing an imprint mold formed with a highly accurate fine pattern by the use of a mask blank.In a mask blank having a thin film for forming a pattern on a transparent substrate, the thin film comprises an upper layer formed of a material containing Cr and nitrogen and a lower layer formed of a material containing a compound mainly composed of Ta and capable of being etched by dry etching using a chlorine-based gas. The upper layer and the lower layer of the thin film are etched by dry etching using a chlorine-based gas substantially free of oxygen and then the substrate is etched by dry etching using a fluorine-based gas, thereby obtaining an imprint mold. |
| US08273503B2 |
High-temperature fuel cell system and method for the production of contacting elements for such a fuel cell system
A high-temperature fuel cell system includes individual SOFC fuel cells which are in contact with each other for electrically connecting the same in parallel or in series. In at least one embodiment, contacting elements that are suitable for the fuel cell system with a certain flexibility in addition to the required electrical conductivity for continuous operation. The contacting elements between two fuel cells are formed by a metal wire mesh that is advantageously made of nickel. Such nickel wires can be mechanically transformed into a continuous mesh, especially a tube, from which sections having a suitable length can be cut and be provided with the proper shape. |
| US08273502B2 |
Direct methanol fuel cell system using solid methanol, portable electronic device using same, and fuel cartridge for direct methanol fuel cell system
A fuel cartridge has a pair of flat faces in which holes are formed. A net is stretched within the holes, and solid methanol is packed inside the fuel cartridge. A fuel cell unit, shaped as a flat box, comprises a pair of flat wall portions, a pair of long-side wall portions, and a pair of short-side wall portions. Each flat wall portion is provided with two MEAs-4, as fuel cells that are arranged so that the fuel electrodes (not shown) face inward. One of the long-side wall portions has an opening provided with, on the edge thereof, an elastic packing serving as a sealing member. An opening and closing lid is pivotably provided to the opening by a pivot as a pivot member. The resulting reduced size methanol fuel cell system has sufficient air-tightness and good power generation efficiency, and is simple in structure. |
| US08273500B2 |
Polymer electrolyte composition and fuel cell
A polymer electrolyte composition obtained by mixing a plurality of ion-conductive polymers, wherein if the ion-conductive polymer that is highest in ion exchange capacity among the plurality of ion-conductive polymers is termed first ion-conductive polymer, and the ion-conductive polymer that is lowest in ion exchange capacity is termed second ion-conductive polymer, then the first ion-conductive polymer and the second ion-conductive polymer are both block copolymers composed of a segment having an ion-exchange group and a segment having substantially no ion-exchange groups, and if the weight fraction of the segment having an ion-exchange group in the first ion-conductive polymer is termed Wh1, and the weight fraction of the segment having an ion-exchange group in the second ion-conductive polymer is termed Wh2, then the relations (I) and (II) listed below are satisfied: (I) Wh1>Wh2; (II) Wh1−Wh2≦0.25. |
| US08273489B2 |
Hydrogen generator and fuel cell system including the same
A hydrogen generator (100a) includes: a heater (1) which combusts a mixture gas of combustion fuel and combustion air to generate a combustion gas; a preheat evaporator (6) which heats a raw material and water by the combustion gas generated by the heater to generate a mixture gas of the raw material and the water; a reformer (2) which generates a hydrogen-containing gas by causing the mixture gas generated by the preheat evaporator to pass through a reforming catalyst (2a) heated by the combustion gas; and a shift converter (3) which incorporates a shift catalyst (3a) which reduces, by a shift reaction, carbon monoxide contained in the hydrogen-containing gas generated by the reformer, and further includes a water trapping portion (7) which traps liquid water discharged from the preheat evaporator, and the hydrogen generator (100a) is configured to carry out heat exchange between the hydrogen-containing gas supplied from the reformer to the shift converter and the water in the water trapping portion. |
| US08273484B2 |
Nitrogen silylated compounds as additives in non-aqueous solutions for electrochemical cells
Nitrogen silylated compounds are useful as additives in a nonaqueous electrolytic solution. The electrolytic solution including such additives is suitable for use in electrochemical cells such as lithium and lithium ion batteries. Batteries using this electrolytic solution have long cycle life and high capacity retention. |
| US08273481B2 |
Process for preparing electroactive insertion compounds and electrode materials obtained therefrom
A process for preparing an at least partially lithiated transition metal oxyanion-based lithium-ion reversible electrode material, which includes providing a precursor of said lithium-ion reversible electrode material, heating said precursor, melting same at a temperature sufficient to produce a melt including an oxyanion containing liquid phase, cooling said melt under conditions to induce solidification thereof and obtain a solid electrode that is capable of reversible lithium ion deinsertion/insertion cycles for use in a lithium battery. Also, lithiated or partially lithiated oxyanion-based-lithium-ion reversible electrode materials obtained by the aforesaid process. |
| US08273478B2 |
Rechargeable lithium battery
A rechargeable lithium battery includes an electrolyte including an additive such as an ethylene carbonate-based compound represented by Chemical Formula 1 and a silicon-included compound, and a negative electrode including a negative active material including an active element selected from the group consisting of Si, Sn, Ga, Cd, Al, Pb, Zn, Bi, In, Mg, and Ge. In Chemical formula 1, X and Y are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, a halogen, and a C1 through C5 fluoroalkyl, provided that at least one of X and Y is selected from the group consisting of a halogen and a C1 through C5 fluoroalkyl.The rechargeable lithium battery has a suppressed volume expansion characteristic due to a high-capacity negative active material, and has excellent reliability and cycle-life characteristics. |
| US08273474B2 |
Battery system thermal management
Electrochemical cell battery systems and associated methods of operation are provided based on the incorporation of a thermal management matrix including a supply of phase change material disposed at least in part in a heat conductive lattice member to effectively dissipate heat produced or generated by or in the battery system such as to minimize or prevent thermal runaway propagation in the electrochemical cells of the system. |
| US08273473B2 |
Secondary battery having safety vent
A secondary battery has a safety vent, and the safety vent has an asymmetric structure and provides a substantial opening for the battery, instead of having a local crack, to rapidly vent to atmosphere in order to prevent the secondary battery from bursting when the internal pressure of a battery increases excessively or external impact is applied thereto. The secondary battery includes an electrode assembly charging/discharging functions, a can housing the electrode assembly, a cap assembly that includes a cap plate closing up an open part of the can, and a safety vent having an asymmetric track shape that is provided in the cap plate of the cap assembly. |
| US08273469B2 |
Piston ring
Disclosed is a piston ring comprising a supporting material and a wear-resistant coating. The wear-resistant coating is composed of a ternary system A-B—N which is applied using a PVD process and in which A and B each represent an element form the group encompassing Ti, Zr, Hf, V, Nb, Ta, Cr, Mo W, Al, Si and C, wherein A≠B and N represents nitrogen. The thickness of the wear-resistant coating amounts to ≧3 μm. |
| US08273468B2 |
Green luminescent materials
There is provided a green luminescent material having Formula I or Formula II R1 and R2 can be the same or different and can be hydrogen, alkoxy, tertiary alkyl, or cycloalkyl. R3 and R4 are the same or different and can be fluorine, aryl, or alkyl. There is also provided an organic electronic device containing the green luminescent material. |
| US08273460B2 |
Composition for preparing organic insulating film, organic insulating film prepared by using the same and organic thin film transistor comprising the organic insulating film
Disclosed are a composition comprising an organic insulating polymer in which a photo-reactive functional group showing an increased crosslinking degree is introduced into a side-chain, an organic insulating film comprising the composition, an organic thin film transistor (OTFT) comprising the organic insulating film, an electronic device comprising the organic thin film transistor and methods of fabricating the organic insulating film, the organic thin film transistor and the electronic device. The OTFT comprising the organic insulating film of example embodiments may not show any hysteresis during the driving of the OTFT, and therefore, may exhibit a homogeneous property. |
| US08273457B2 |
Adhesive for bonding circuit members, circuit board and process for its production
An adhesive for bonding and securing a semiconductor chip to a circuit board and electrically connecting the electrodes of the two, and containing an adhesive resin composition and an inorganic filler being contained in an amount of 10 to 200 parts by weight of 100 parts by weight of the adhesive resin composition. |
| US08273456B2 |
Two-part thermocurable polyimide resin composition and cured product thereof
It relates to a highly heat resistant thermosetting polyimide resin composition that is cured at a temperature of 150° C. or less, and provides a cured product that generates a less amount of decomposed gas even under heating to 250° C., and has flexibility and adhesiveness.A two-component thermosetting polyimide resin composition containing a liquid A containing a polyimide (a) having a main chain constituted by a repeating unit having a polyoxyalkylenediamine structure with amino groups on both ends thereof, and a liquid B containing a bismaleimide compound, and a cured product of a thermosetting polyimide resin composition obtained by mixing these two liquids and curing the mixture under heating. |
| US08273454B2 |
Epoxy resin impregnated yarn and the use thereof for producing a preform
A yarn includes reinforcing fiber filaments and a resin that is infiltrated into the yarn and can be repeatedly melted and solidified by cooling to room temperature, wherein the filaments of the yarn are at least partially bound to one another by the resin, wherein the yarn contains 2.5 to 25 wt.% of infiltrated resin relative to its total weight, and wherein the infiltrated resin includes a mixture of at least two epoxy resins E1 and E2, E1 having an epoxy value in the range of 2,000 to 2,300 mmol/kg of resin and E2 having an epoxy value in the range of 500 to 650 mmol/kg of resin, and the weight ratio E1:E2 of the epoxy resins E1 and E2 in the mixture is chosen so that the infiltrated resin mixture has an epoxy value between 550 and 2,100 mmol/kg of resin. A preform comprising the yarn, a method for producing the preform and its use in producing a composite are also described. |
| US08273451B2 |
Water-dispersible and multicomponent fibers from sulfopolyesters
Disclosed are multicomponent fibers derived from a blend of a sulfopolyester with a water non-dispersible polymer wherein the as-spun denier is less than about 6 and wherein the water dispersible sulfopolyester exhibits a melt viscosity of less than 12,000 poise measured at 240° C. at a strain rate of 1 rad/sec, and wherein the sulfopolyester comprising less than about 25 mole % of residues of at least one sulfomonomer, based on the total moles of diacid or diol residues. The multicomponent fiber is capable of being drawn at a relatively high fiber speed, particularly at least about 2000 m/min, and may be used to produce microdenier fibers. Fibrous articles may be produced from the multicomponent fibers and microdenier fibers. Also disclosed is a process for multicomponent fibers, nonwoven fabrics, and microdenier webs. |
| US08273450B2 |
Thermoset polyurethane matrix fiber reinforced composite
A composite fiber and resin reinforcement for strength members for use in the composite wood industry. The composite fiber and resin reinforcement is a fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) composite comprising a thermoset polyurethane resin matrix and a plurality of fibers. Typical uses will be as a reinforcing material for wood laminates, such as wood support beams (glulam), truck floors and truss fabrication. |
| US08273449B2 |
Polyethylene films and method of making the same
The instant invention is a polyethylene film, and method of making the same. The polyethylene film according to instant invention includes at least one heterogeneously branched ethylene/α-olefin copolymer having a density in the range of about 0.910 to about 0.930 g/cm3, a molecular weight distribution in the range of about 2.8 to 3.8, a melt index (I2) in the range of about 0.3 to about 4 g/10 min, and an I10/I2 ratio in the range of 6.5 to about 7.8. The film has a normalized dart impact strength of equal or greater than (6666-7012*density) g/mil, a normalized tear strength of equal or greater than (440*e−(density−0.915)2/2*(0.00949)2) g/mil, and a haze in the range of 3 to 10 percent. The method of making the polyethylene film according to instant invention includes the following steps: (1) providing at least one heterogeneously branched ethylene/α-olefin copolymer having a density in the range of about 0.910 to about 0.930 g/cm3, a molecular weight distribution in the range of about 2.8 to 3.8, a melt index (I2) in the range of about 0.3 to about 4 g/10 min, and an I10/I2 ratio in the range of 6.5 to about 7.8; (2) processing the heterogeneously branched ethylene/α-olefin copolymer via blown film extrusion process or cast film extrusion process; and (3) thereby forming a film having a normalized dart impact strength of equal or greater than (6666-7012*density) g/mil, a normalized tear strength of equal or greater than (440*e−(density−0.915)2/2*(0.00949)2) g/mil, and a haze in the range of 3 to 10 percent. |
| US08273448B2 |
Reinforced silicone resin films
Reinforced silicone resin films comprising at least two polymer layers, wherein at least one of the polymer layers comprises a cured product of a at least one silicone resin having an average of at least two silicon-bonded hydrogen atoms, hydroxyl groups, or hydrolysable groups per molecule, and at least one of the polymer layers comprises a carbon nanomaterial. |
| US08273445B2 |
Reinforced assembly carrier
A reinforced assembly carrier is provided. A supporting frame made of molding compound is formed on the edge area of the upper surface and/or on the edge area of the lower surface of the assembly carrier thereby enhancing the mechanical strength of the assembly carrier. |
| US08273444B2 |
Lamp design surface member and method of manufacturing lamp design surface member
A lamp design surface member is provided. The lamp design surface member includes a design surface having a decorative surface. Concave-convex portions and planar portions are formed together on the decorative surface. The concave-convex portions have a peak cross-sectional height Rt of 1 μm or more and the planar portions have a peak cross-sectional height Rt smaller than 1 μm. The planar portions are formed so that an area ratio of the planar portions to the decorative surface is in a range of 30% to 80%. |
| US08273443B2 |
Stack of interfolded absorbent sheet products
A stack of interfolded absorbent sheet products comprises a plurality of absorbent sheets each of which is itself folded at least twice about axes that are perpendicular to one another. The absorbent sheets have an embossed surface relief of a predetermined pattern or design. Each of the absorbent sheets within the stack comprises at least one pair of panels sandwiched between a pair of adjacent panels of another of the absorbent sheets in the stack. |
| US08273432B2 |
Automotive fuel hose
An automotive fuel hose is disclosed including an inner layer, an intermediate layer and an outer layer provided in this order on an outer peripheral surface of an innermost layer of a fluororesin. The inner layer and the outer layer each include of an amine-modified polyamide resin, where the intermediate layer is a resin composition including the following components: (A) a polyphenylenesulfide resin as a major component; (B) an acid-modified polyolefin resin; (C) an unmodified polyolefin resin; and (D) an epoxy resin. The proportion of the component (B) in the resin composition is 4 to 12 wt % and the proportion of the component (C) in the resin composition is 4 to 12 wt %, wherein the proportion of the component (D) in the resin composition is 1.5 to 5 wt %. |
| US08273430B2 |
Metal/polymer laminate ducting and method for making same
A laminated duct structure for gas turbine engines, and a method for manufacturing laminated duct structures for gas turbine engines. The duct structure incorporates a metallic inner layer and a polymeric outer layer. Preferably, the thin metallic layer is a corrosion resistant material such as corrosion resistant stainless steel or titanium. The supporting outer polymeric layer is, in a preferred embodiment of the invention, a polyimide material, such as polyimide resin-impregnated fiberglass cloth. |
| US08273428B2 |
Biodegradable molded article and container using the molded article
A biodegradable molded article and a container using the molded article, exhibiting heat resistant properties. The molded article is obtained by injection molding a polylactic acid resin, wherein the polylactic acid resin of the molded article contains less than 4 mol % of D-lactic acid. The molded article has a crystallized portion having a ratio of the crystallizing heat quantity to the melting heat quantity (|ΔHC|/|Hm), which ratio is not more than 0.7 in a differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) curve. |
| US08273425B2 |
Nanotube assisted self-cleaning material
A self-cleaning material is generally described that may include a substrate having a first surface. A self-cleaning layer of aligned nanotube structures may be formed on the first surface of the substrate, where absorption of light by the nanotube structures may cause a change in state of the self-cleaning material based on an angle of incidence of the light and an orientation vector corresponding to the layer of aligned nanotube structures. |
| US08273420B2 |
Liquid crystal compound and process for production thereof, liquid crystal composition, and liquid crystal electrooptical element
Disclosed is a liquid crystal composition suitable for producing a liquid crystal electrooptical element which can be driven at a low voltage in a wide temperature range and has high display quality. Also disclosed is a liquid crystal electrooptical element produced by using the liquid crystal composition. Further disclosed is a liquid crystal compound represented by the formula [R1-(A1)a-Z1-(A2)b-Z2-(A7)e-Z5-A3-CF═CFCF2O-A4-Z3-(A5)c-Z4-(A6)d-R2]. In the formula, R1 and R2 independently represent a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, —CN, —NCS, —SF5, or an alkyl group containing 1 to 18 carbon atoms; A1, A2, A3, A4, A5, A6 and A7 independently represent trans-1,4-cyclohexylene group, 1,4-cyclohexenylene group, 1,3-cyclobutylene group, 1,2-cyclopropylene group, naphthalene-2,6-diyl group, 1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalene-2,6-diyl group, decahydronaphthalene-2,6-diyl group, or 1,4-phenylene group; Z1, Z2, Z3, Z4, and Z5 independently represent a single bond, an alkylene group containing 1 to 4 carbon atoms; and a, b, c, d, and e independently represent 0 or 1 with the proviso that 0≦a+b+c+d+e≦3. |
| US08273418B2 |
Head unit arrangement method, liquid droplet ejection apparatus, method of manufacturing electro-optic device, and electro-optic device
Provided herein is a head unit arrangement method for arranging a plurality of head units in a liquid droplet ejection device that plots an image in a matrix form with functional liquid droplets in a number n of colors by performing the number n of primary scans and a number (n−1) of secondary scans. The head unit arrangement method includes evaluating liquid droplet ejection performance of each of the head units based on an inspection result of a volume of liquid droplet ejection from each of the functional liquid droplet ejection heads to arrange two of the head units that exhibit the lowest liquid droplet ejection performance at both ends in the Y-axis direction. |
| US08273413B2 |
Methods of forming metal oxide nanostructures, and nanostructures thereof
A method of forming a metal oxide nanostructure comprises disposing a chelated oligomeric metal oxide precursor on a solvent-soluble template to form a first structure comprising a deformable chelated oligomeric metal oxide precursor layer; setting the deformable chelated oligomeric metal oxide precursor layer to form a second structure comprising a set metal oxide precursor layer; dissolving the solvent-soluble template with a solvent to form a third structure comprising the set metal oxide precursor layer; and thermally treating the third structure to form the metal oxide nanostructure. |
| US08273409B2 |
Method for film formation, apparatus for film formation, and computer-readable recording medium
Disclosed is a method for film formation, characterized by comprising allowing a treatment gas stream containing a metal carbonyl-containing treatment gas and a carbon monoxide-containing carrier gas to flow into a region on the upper outside of the outer periphery of a substrate to be treated in a diameter direction of the substrate while avoiding the surface of the substrate and diffusing the metal carbonyl from the treatment gas stream into the surface of the substrate to form a metal film on the surface of the substrate. |
| US08273408B2 |
Methods of depositing a ruthenium film
Cyclical methods of depositing a ruthenium layer on a substrate are provided. In one process, initial or incubation cycles include supplying alternately and/or simultaneously a ruthenium precursor and an oxygen-source gas to deposit ruthenium oxide on the substrate. The ruthenium oxide deposited on the substrate is reduced to ruthenium, thereby forming a ruthenium layer. The oxygen-source gas may be oxygen gas (O2). The ruthenium oxide may be reduced by supplying a reducing agent, such as ammonia (NH3) gas. The methods provide a ruthenium layer having good adherence to an underlying high dielectric layer while providing good step coverage over structures on the substrate. After nucleation, subsequent deposition cycles can be altered to optimize speed and/or conformality rather than adherence. |
| US08273407B2 |
Systems and methods for forming magnetic nanocomposite materials
A method of fabricating a film of magnetic nanocomposite particles including depositing isolated clusters of magnetic nanoparticles onto a substrate surface and coating the isolated clusters of magnetic nanoparticles with an insulator coating. The isolated clusters of magnetic nanoparticles have a dimension in the range between 1 and 300 nanometers and are separated from each other by a distance in the range between 1 and 50 nanometers. By employing PVD, ablation, and CVD techniques the range of useful film thicknesses is extended to 10-1000 nm, suitable for use in wafer based processing. The described methods for depositing the magnetic nanocomposite thin films are compatible with conventional IC wafer and Integrated Passive Device fabrication. |
| US08273403B2 |
Generation of surface coating diversity
This invention relates to a surface discovery system and high-throughput combinatorial synthesis methods for generating large numbers of diverse surface coatings on solid substrates. The system is built upon a synthon which comprises at least three elements: a chemical backbone coating on the solid substrate that comprises a copolymer (B) of at least one passive constituent (P) and at least one active constituent (A); a spacer unit (S) separating the backbone from a functional group; and a functional group (F). The methods comprise the following steps: 1) selecting a plurality of synthons so that each synthon has at least two points of diversity selected from P, A, S and F; 2) applying copolymer B onto a substrate; and 3) attaching a combination of S and F to constituent A of copolymer B. Steps 2) and 3) are performed such that different synthons are generated on localized regions of the substrate. |
| US08273399B2 |
Method for making coated frozen confections
A process for making a coated frozen confection is provided, the process comprising: forming two sheets of coating material comprising particles and a binder, the binder comprising an aqueous solution of sweeteners of from 70 to 90° Brix; placing one or more frozen confection pieces onto the first sheet of coating material; then placing the second sheet of coating material on top of the frozen confection and first sheet; and shaping the second sheet around the frozen confection and pressing the second sheet onto the first sheet so that they are welded together to form a continuous coating. A coated frozen confection is also provided. |
| US08273395B2 |
Process for manufacturing tea products
Shown is a process having the steps of: providing fresh tea material rich in stem; and expressing juice from the fresh tea material thereby to produce stem residue and tea juice having a mixture of tea compounds. |
| US08273392B2 |
Fermented frozen dessert
The present invention relates to frozen desserts which can be free of additives. It also pertains to a process for the manufacture of such frozen dessert which process includes the step of fermenting milk proteins with micro-organisms yielding hetero-exopolysaccharides, and thus avoiding the use of additives such as thickeners or stabilizers. |
| US08273390B2 |
Methods and compositions for administration of TRPV1 agonists
Compositions are provided that contain a TRPV1 agonist, such as capsaicin, and a solvent system. Topical application of the composition results in rapid delivery of agonist to the dermis and epidermis. Method of using the compositions for reducing nociceptive nerve fiber function in subjects, and for treatment of capsaicin-responsive conditions are also provided. |
| US08273387B2 |
Topical skin formulations comprising plant extracts
Disclosed are compositions and corresponding methods of their use that include extracts from Loropetalum chinensis, Camptotheca acuminate, Lonicera maackii, Washingtonia filifera, Artemisia parviflora, Glochidion lanceolaris, Polygonum hydropiper, Populus davidiana, Tsoongiodendron odorum, Trema angustifolia, Ficus tikoua, Pistacia chinensis, Zizyphus mauritiana, Garuga forrestii, Michelia figo, Sabina chinensis, Cuphea balsamona, Setaria palmifolia, Polygonum lapathifolium, Machilus longipedicellata, Geranium nepalense, Ipomoea obscura, Cedrus deodara, Quercus aliena, Carqueja, Condurango, Catuaba, Carex baccans, Chrysalidocarpus lutescens, Gnaphalium pensylvanicum, Celtis sinensis, Cassia siamea, Catalpa yunnanesis, Potamogenton perforliatus, Cinnamomum japonicum, or any combination thereof. |
| US08273385B1 |
Oral rinse composition and method
New oral rinse solutions and mouthwashes are provided. The oral rinse solutions comprise essential oil and alcohol, supplemented with hydrogen peroxide, and natural extracts. The essential oil and/or alcohol can be provided as part of a base composition. The most preferred base compositions are antiseptic mouthwashes containing the essential oil and/or alcohol. Alternatively, the ingredients can be individually added to the inventive composition. The oral rinse solutions provide antimicrobial activity while soothing oral inflammations and irritations, thus being useful for treating, alleviating, and promoting healing of a wide variety of oral ailments such as periodontal disease (gingivitis and periodontitis), plaque, oral inflammation, toothaches, oral ulcerations, dry socket, dentin hypersensitivity, and halitosis, as well as address aesthetic issues such as bad breath and tooth discoloration. |
| US08273384B2 |
Process for the preparation of a non-corrosive base solution and methods of using same
The present invention provides novel methods of making a non-corrosive base solution for use as an alkalinity increasing agent and/or antioxidant. The present invention further provides novel compositions and methods which can be used to provide relief from disorders related to or complicated by acidosis or excessive free radical or other reactive oxygen species production including, but not limited to, gout, Lesch-Nyhan syndrome, hemochromatosis, Alzheimer's, amyotropic lateral sclerosis, arthritis, atherosclerosis, cancer, cataracts, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, diabetes, cellulitis, coronary artery disease, heart failure, hypertension, inflammatory bowel disease, macular degeneration, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's, Reynaud's phenomenon, reperfusion injury, pancreatic impairment, skin infections, Hepatitis C, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and infection. The compositions and methods of the present invention additionally supply relief from microbial infections including fungal infections as well as prevent secondary infections. Additional compositions and methods are provided which employ a non-corrosive base solution in combination with a second alkalinity increasing agent and/or antioxidant, or other therapeutic agent to yield a more effective treatment tool against acidosis and/or excessive ROS production including free radical production useful to prevent or reduce acidosis and/or excessive ROS production or related symptoms or conditions associated with acidosis and/or excessive free radical production in mammalian subjects. |
| US08273379B2 |
Process for producing arsenic trioxide formulations and methods for treating cancer using arsenic trioxide or melarsoprol
The invention relates to the use of arsenic compounds to treat a variety of leukemia, lymphoma and solid tumors. Further, the arsenic compounds may be used in combination with other therapeutic agents, such as a retinoid. The invention also provides a process for producing arsenic trioxide formulations. |
| US08273375B2 |
Multiparticle pharmaceutical dosage form for a low-soluble active substances and method for producing said pharmaceutical dosage form
The invention relates to an oral multiparticle pharmaceutical dosage form in the form of a receptacle reducing the pH values of stomach, containing a plurality of pellets, particles, granules or agglomerates whose mean diameter ranges from 50 to 2500 μn substentially consisting of a) an internal matrix layer containing an active agent which is neither peptide or protein, nor the derivatives or conjugates thereof, a lipophilic matrix whose melting point is greater than 37° C. and a polymer with mucoadhesive effect, b) an external film coating substentially consisting of a polymer or an anionic copolymer which is optionally formulated with conventional pharmaceutical additives, wherein the active agent has a water solubility according to DAB 10, of at least 30 volume parts of water for one part by weight of the active agent and is coated with the lipophilic matrix and said active agent-containing lipophilic matrix is coated with a matrix made of a polymer with mucoadhesive effect. A method for producing the inventive multiparticle pharmaceutical dosage is also disclosed. |
| US08273373B2 |
Photocrosslinked biodegradable hydrogel
A photocrosslinked biodegradable hydrogel includes a plurality of natural polymer macromers cross-linked with a plurality of hydrolyzable acrylate cross-links. The hydrogel is cytocompatible and produces substantially non-toxic products upon degradation. |
| US08273366B2 |
Ophthalmic drug delivery system
A drug delivery system comprising a contact lens having dispersed therein as nanoparticles having a particle size less than about 200 nm, an ophthalmic drug nanoencapsulated in a material from which said ophthalmic drug is capable of diffusion into and migration through said contact lens and into the post-lens tear film when said contact lens is placed on the eye. |
| US08273360B2 |
Outer membrane vesicle (OMV) vaccine comprising N. meningitidis serogroup B outer membrane proteins
A composition comprising (a) Neisseria meningitidis serogroup B outer membrane vesicles (OMVs), and (b) an immunogenic component selected from other Neisseria proteins, or immunogenic fragments thereof. Component (b) preferably includes a protein from a different NmB strain from that from which the OMV of component (a) is derived. The OMVs are preferably obtained by deoxycholate extraction. Optionally, the composition may also comprise a protective antigen against other pathogens. |
| US08273357B2 |
Antigen-carbohydrate conjugates
The present invention generally relates to compositions comprising antigen-carbohydrate conjugates and methods of immune modulation featuring these reagents. |
| US08273353B2 |
Inhibitors of vascular endothelial growth factor activity
The present invention is directed to novel chimeric VEGF receptor proteins comprising amino acid sequences derived from the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) receptors flt-1 and KDR, including the murine homologue to the human KDR receptor FLK-1, wherein said chimeric VEGF receptor proteins bind to VEGF and antagonize the endothelial cell proliferative and angiogenic activity thereof. The present invention is also directed to nucleic acids and expression vectors encoding these chimeric VEGF receptor proteins, host cells harboring such expression vectors, pharmaceutically acceptable compositions comprising such proteins, methods of preparing such proteins and to methods utilizing such proteins for the treatment of conditions associated with undesired vascularization. |
| US08273352B2 |
Humanized anti-factor D antibodies and uses thereof
The invention relates to anti-Factor D antibodies, their nucleic acid and amino acid sequences, the cells and vectors that harbor these antibodies and their production and their use in the preparation of compositions and medicaments for treatment of diseases and disorders associated with excessive or uncontrolled complement activation. These antibodies are useful for diagnostics, prophylaxis and treatment of disease. |
| US08273349B2 |
Binding member which binds to both lewis-Y and lewis-B haptens, and its use for treating cancer
The invention relates to the use of a binding member which binds to LewisY and Lewisb haptens in the treatment of tumours and leukaemia. The binding member may be an antibody which binds to LewisY and Lewisb haptens and cancer cells and induces cells death. |
| US08273346B2 |
Method for increasing fructose digestion with strains of Bacillus coagulans and fructase
The invention relates generally to digestive disorders, and in particular to methods for treating irritable bowel syndrome by increasing carbohydrate absorption by administering a composition containing a Bacillus coagulans bacterium. |
| US08273345B2 |
Targeted gene delivery to dendritic cells
Methods and compositions are provided for delivery of a polynucleotide encoding a gene of interest, typically an antigen, to a dendritic cell (DC). The virus envelope comprises a DC-SIGN specific targeting molecule. The methods and related compositions can be used to treat patients suffering from a wide range of conditions, including infection, such as HIV/AIDS, and various types of cancers. |
| US08273341B2 |
Antiviral compounds
The invention is related to anti-viral compounds, compositions containing such compounds, and therapeutic methods that include the administration of such compounds, as well as to processes and intermediates useful for preparing such compounds. |
| US08273339B2 |
Polymer-based compositions and conjugates of antimicrobial agents
Provided herein are water-soluble polymer conjugates and polymer-based compositions of antimicrobial agents. Also provided are methods for synthesizing and administering such conjugates and compositions. |
| US08273336B2 |
Hair treatment composition
Disclosed is a pretreatment agent which can achieve a chemical treatment such as the formation of permanent waves or hair-dye uniformly only by pre-treating hair with the pretreatment agent, and which can impart smooth and soft touch to hair as if a hair treatment is applied to the hair after the chemical treatment. Specifically disclosed is a hair treatment composition which is characterized by comprising (A) a tertiary amine, (B) a quaternary ammonium salt and (C) a higher alcohol, wherein the ratio of the content of the higher alcohol to the total content of the tertiary amine and the quaternary ammonium salt is 0.1 to 1.0 by weight and the pH value of the whole composition is 7.0 or higher. |
| US08273334B2 |
Hair transformation method
Disclosed is a method and composition for transforming hair. The composition is a dual composition that is useful to curl or straighten hair. The composition also repairs hair. The reducing solution includes monoethanolamine and thioglycolic acid and is essentially ammonium hydroxide free. |
| US08273326B2 |
Imaging infection with compounds that bind to thymidine kinase
The instant invention provides a method for diagnosing an infection in a subject by administering to the subject a compound suitable for imaging which binds to a thymidine kinase present in the infecting organism, and obtaining an image of the subject to determine the presence and location of the compound, wherein a localization of the compound is indicative that the subject has an infection. |
| US08273319B1 |
Enrichment of specific chirality single wall carbon nanotubes with genomic DNA
An improved method for enriched chirality of single wall carbon nanotubes is described. Genomic DNA, particularly salmon DNA (SaDNA) is shown to sort out single wall carbon nanotubes of specific chirality by a process of solubilization (dissolving in solution) and separation (such as centrifuging), without requiring more complex processes such as anion exchange chromatography. A possible reason for enhanced chirality separation using DNA may be attributed to its lowered GC (guanine-cytosine) content. |
| US08273318B2 |
Surface modifying carbon nanotube material, manufacturing method therefor, electronic component and electronic device
A carbon nanotube material is exposed to ultraviolet rays, and a silicon-containing compound capable of modifying the surface of the carbon nanotube material in combination with the ultraviolet rays is supplied to thereby modify the surface of the carbon nanotube material. |
| US08273316B2 |
Method for purification of silicon tetrachloride
An object of the present invention is to provide a method for purification of silicon tetrachloride which solves the problems of separating and removing organic chlorosilanes by distillation or adsorption.The method for purification of silicon tetrachloride comprises the steps of (1) bringing a mixed gas including a silicon tetrachloride gas and an oxygen-containing gas into contact with a catalyst layer which is controlled to a temperature of 200 to 450° C. and which includes at least one selected from the group consisting of activated carbon and metal-supporting activated carbon, and (2) cooling the mixed gas after brought into contact to separate and recover liquid silicon tetrachloride. |
| US08273312B2 |
Liquid testing assembly
A liquid testing assembly for testing a liquid, the assembly comprising a test vessel and a stopper adapted to fit into a free end of the vessel. The stopper substantially hermetically seals the test vessel from the ambient. Further, the assembly includes a support coated with one or more identifying materials for identifying one or more constituents of the liquid. The support is fixed in the stopper and/or the vessel and extends into its interior for a predetermined distance. The liquid testing assembly when assembled is pre-evacuated to a predetermined vacuum sufficient to draw a predetermined volume of liquid to be sampled into the test vessel. The predetermined volume is of such an amount that it wets the one or more identifying materials ensuring identification of one or more constituents present in the liquid. A kit employing the liquid testing assembly is also discussed. |
| US08273308B2 |
Moving microdroplets in a microfluidic device
This disclosure provides systems, methods, and devices for processing samples on a microfluidic device. One system includes a microfluidic device having an upstream channel, a DNA manipulation zone located downstream from the upstream channel and configured to perform PCR amplification of a sample, a first valve disposed upstream of the DNA manipulation zone, and a second valve disposed downstream of the DNA manipulation zone. The system also includes a controller programmed to close the first and second valves to prevent gas and liquid from flowing into or out of the DNA manipulation zone, and a computer-controlled heat source in thermal contact with the DNA manipulation zone. |
| US08273305B2 |
Specimen sample collection device and test system
A specimen sample collection device includes a handle having a sufficiency indicator and absorbent pad partially contained therein with one or more test strips, a pad compression tube insertable over the absorbent pad within the handle and around an end of the handle, and a collection tube having one or more sample chambers, attachable to the pad compression tube, and wherein the compression tube defines one or more chambers, and wherein when the collection tube is attached to the pad compression tube, the chambers are in fluid communication with the pad compression tube. A sufficiency indicator includes a light pipe indicator. The system includes a ratcheting pad compression tube lock. An electro-optical reader captures and records test strip results through the window and communicates the results to a printer or other device. |
| US08273302B2 |
Component separation device
A component separating device includes a flow channel, an acoustic wave generator for generating an acoustic wave in the flow channel, a first inlet channel for introducing a fist solution containing solid particles into the flow channel, a second inlet channel for introducing a second solution, and outlet channels for discharging a solution from the flow channel. A density grade generator is provided at the first inlet channel for forming a density grade of the solid particles. This component separating device extracts the solid particles into a high-purity solution at a high collecting rate. |
| US08273300B2 |
Modular system for radiosynthesis with multi-run capabilities and reduced risk of radiation exposure
Macro- and microfluidic devices and related technologies, and chemical processes using such devices. More specifically, the devices may be used for a fully automated synthesis of radioactive compounds for imaging, such as by positron emission tomography (PET), in an efficient, compact and safe to the operator manner. In particular, embodiments of the present invention relate to an automated, multi-run, microfluidic instrument for the multi-step synthesis of radiopharmaceuticals, such as PET probes, comprising a remote shielded mini-cell containing radiation-handing components. |
| US08273298B2 |
Body odor detection device
A device for detecting human body odors produced from ammonia and amino acids—chemicals naturally excreted through the skin and sweat glands. Unless eliminated, such odors can alert game animals to a hunter's presence. Worn on the exterior of odor-absorbing clothing, the device includes both a packet and an indicator chemical sensitive to extremely low concentrations of nitrogen-containing compounds. The packet defines first and second openings which, in use, are directed away from and toward the wearer's body, respectively. Affixed to the packet, a transparent tape forms an airtight window through which one can continually view the indicator chemical, held in place within the first opening by the tape's adhesive backing. Accessible only to substances which pass through the wearer's clothing and then into the packet's interior via the second opening, the indicator chemical undergoes a permanent color change, once odor-producing chemicals begin to break through the clothing. |
| US08273296B2 |
System for managing treatment of a particular health condition via a mobile phone device
A measurement module for glucose testing includes a glucose testing measurement module housing, a test strip receptacle formed in the housing, and a connector portion formed in the housing and shaped to permit mechanical removable attachment of the housing to a hand-held computer. Electronics determine the amount of glucose present in a sample of body fluid, when the test strip is positioned in the receptacle and the body fluid is placed on a test strip, and communicate the glucose amount to the hand-held computer via the connector portion. |
| US08273294B2 |
Molded cartridge with 3-D hydrodynamic focusing
A microfluidic circuit cartridge having 3-D hydrodynamic focusing. The cartridge may be fabricated with injection-molded or other molded layers providing a 3-D structure. A flow channel on the card may have a sample core flowing in a fluid of a flow channel for analysis. The sample core may be adjustable in position within the channel with one or more jets or channels of fluid being injected into the flow channel. The jets may also adjust the size of the sample core. There may be a hemoglobin measurement mechanism or card with a cuvette. |
| US08273292B2 |
Steel for machine and structural use having excellent machinability
The present invention provides a steel for machine and structural use which sustains mechanical properties such as strength by reducing S content, and exerts excellent machinability (in particular, tool life) in both of intermittent cutting with HSS tools and continuous cutting with carbide tools. The invention relates to a steel for machine and structural use which contains an oxide inclusion containing, wherein a total mass of an average composition of the oxide inclusions is 100%: CaO: 10 to 55 mass %; SiO2: 20 to 70 mass %; Al2O3: more than 0 and 35 mass % or less; MgO: more than 0 and 20 mass % or less; MnO: more than 0 and 5 mass % or less; and one or more members selected from the group consisting of Li2O, Na2O, K2O, BaO, SrO and TiO2: 0.5 to 20 mass % in total. |
| US08273291B2 |
Silicon alloy, alloy powder thereof, manufacturing apparatus, manufacturing process and sintered alloy thereof
A controlled combustion synthesis apparatus comprises an ignition system, a pressure sensor for detecting internal pressure, a nitrogen supply, a gas pressure control valve for feeding nitrogen and exhausting reaction gas, means for detecting the internal temperature of the reaction container, a water cooled jacket, and a cooling plate. A temperature control system controls the temperature of the reaction container by controlling the flow of cooling water supplied to the jacket and the cooling plate in response to the detected temperature. By combustion synthesizing, while controlling the internal pressure and temperature, the apparatus can synthesize a silicon alloy including 30-70 wt. % silicon, 10-45 wt. % nitrogen, 1-40 wt. % aluminum, and 1-40 wt % oxygen. |
| US08273290B2 |
Composite metal material and method for producing the same
A method for producing a composite metal material includes preparing a solution containing a surfactant having both hydrophilicity and hydrophobicity, dispersing a nanosized to micro-sized fine carbonaceous substance into a state of being monodispersed in the solution, bringing the solution having the dispersed fine carbonaceous substance into contact with surface of a metal powder particle, drying the metal powder particle to make the fine carbonaceous substance in the monodispersed state adhere to the surface of the metal powder particle via a component of the solution, and thermally decomposing and removing the solution component adhering to the surface of the metal powder particle by heat-treating the metal powder particle either in a hydrogen-containing reducing atmosphere or in a vacuum atmosphere to partially expose the surface of the metal powder particle out of the adhering fine carbonaceous substance, and thus progress diffusion and sintering among the metal powder particles through exposed parts. |
| US08273288B2 |
Regulation method for throughflow and bottom nozzle of a metallurgical vessel
Regulation of the throughflow of metal melt is provided through a bottom nozzle of a metallurgical vessel having an upper nozzle arranged in the floor of the metallurgical vessel and a lower nozzle arranged below the upper nozzle. At least one inert gas inlet aperture is provided to the melt throughflow aperture, and a sensor is arranged on or in the lower nozzle for determining the layer thickness of metal clogging in the nozzle. The inert gas supply into the bottom nozzle is regulated using measurement signals of the sensor. A bottom nozzle for the metallurgical vessel is provided with a wall of the melt throughflow aperture through the nozzles being formed at least sealed against metal melt and the nozzles being at least partially surrounded by a gas-tight housing. The housing at its lower end encloses the lower nozzle at its periphery in a gas-tight manner and is arranged with a portion of its inner side abutting on the outer side of the nozzle. A thermally insulating solid is arranged between the wall of the melt throughflow aperture and the housing. |
| US08273281B2 |
Golf ball mold, golf ball and golf ball manufacturing method
A golf ball mold that is provided that has of a plurality of mold parts which removably mate to form a cavity having an inner wall with a plurality of dimple-forming protrusions thereon, wherein a non-circular resin injection port for injecting into the cavity a resin material is formed between a plurality of mutually adjoining dimple-forming protrusions which include a plurality of dimple-forming protrusions that lie across a parting line of the mold. By using the golf ball mold of the invention, even when manufacturing golf balls with a high dimple surface coverage on which the dimples are tightly arranged, particularly up to the vicinity of the resin injection port, imbalances in the resin injection pressure and flow rate during injection molding are suppressed, enabling golf balls to be manufactured without giving rise to production problems such as molding defects, scorching, or deformation and eccentricity of the core. |
| US08273277B2 |
Process for producing a proton-conducting, polyazole-containing membrane
A method for producing a proton-conducting, polyazole-containing membrane, in which A) a composition containing polyphosphoric acid and at least one polyazole and exhibiting a solution viscosity in the range from 10 Pa·s to 1000 Pa·s, measured to DIN 53018 at the temperature at the orifice during production of the membrane, is pressed through an orifice at a temperature in the range from 25° C. to 300° C., and B) the composition is then solidified. |
| US08273275B2 |
Manufacturing method and manufacturing apparatus for hollow structure of image display element
A disclosed method of manufacturing an image display element structure includes a coating step of coating a substrate surface including a plurality of recessed portions arranged at predetermined intervals, with a coating material that is plastic-deformable, in such a manner as to maintain spaces in the recessed portions; and an expanding step of forming gaps in the coating material coating the substrate surface by expanding gas in the spaces, wherein the gaps correspond to the recessed portions; and a peeling step of peeling off the coating material in which the gaps have been formed, from the substrate surface. |
| US08273272B2 |
Method for manufacturing lens used in camera module
The present invention provides a method for manufacturing a lens used in a camera module including the steps of: preparing a preform for manufacturing a lens; forming a front lens on a front surface of the preform; and forming an array lens by forming a rear lens on a rear surface of the preform during the formation of the front lens. |
| US08273269B2 |
Red colour filter composition
A composition, for producing dispersions, thermoplastic masses and/or color filters, comprising (a) a colorant of formula (1) wherein 20-100 mol % R1 are Br and 80-100 mol % R3 are H, especially of formula (Ib) and/or (Ic); (b) from 0 to 150% by weight, based on (a), of C. I. Pigment Red 144, 188, 190, 224, 242 or 2,4,6-trimethylphenylperylene diimide; (c) from 3 to 25% by weight, based on (a), of a di- or tri-azacyclopentylmethyl-substituted colorant (formulae given); (d) from 0 to 10% by weight, preferably from 0.01 to 8% by weight, based on the sum of (a) and (b), of an additionally sulfonated colorant of the same kernels as in (c); and (e) from 0 to 30% by weight, preferably from 3 to 25% by weight, especially from 5 to 20% by weight, based on (a), of a diketopyrrolopyrrole colorant substituted by at least one chain containing a plurality of nitrogen atoms (cf. formula (V)). |
| US08273266B2 |
Copper-alkaline-earth-silicate mixed crystal phosphors
This invention relates to luminescent materials for ultraviolet light or visible light excitation comprising copper-alkaline-earth dominated inorganic mixed crystals activated by rare earth elements. The luminescent material is composed of one or more than one compounds of silicate type and/or germinate or germanate-silicate type. Accordingly, the present invention is a very good possibility to substitute earth alkaline ions by copper for a shifting of the emission bands to longer or shorter wavelength, respectively. Luminescent compounds containing Copper with improved luminescent properties and also with improved stability against water, humidity as well as other polar solvents are provided. The present invention is to provide copper containing luminescent compounds, which has high correlated color temperature range from about 2,000K to 8,000K or 10,000K and CRI up to over 90. |
| US08273264B2 |
Liquid-crystal compounds and LC media
Disclosed are novel liquid-crystal compounds, processes and intermediates for the preparation thereof, the use thereof for optical, electro-optical and electronic purposes, in particular in liquid-crystal (LC) media and LC displays, and to LC media and LC displays containing the same. |
| US08273263B2 |
Ionic compound
An ionic compound is provided that has an anion represented by a: formula (1) and a cation represented by a formula (2): where X is an element selected from the group consisting of B, C, N, O, Al, Si, P, S, As, and Se, M1 and M2 are identical or different, and represent linking groups, and, when multiple M1s or multiple M2s are present, they may be identical or different, Q represents a monovalent element or organic group, a represents an integer of 1 or more, and b, c, d, and a each represent an integer of 0 or more; and RS-LH⊕(2) where L is an element selected from the group consisting of C, Si, N, P, S, and 0, R represents a monovalent element, functional group, or organic group, and s represents an integer of 2 to 4. |
| US08273262B2 |
Method for etching glass substrate
The invention provides a method for etching which is intended for reducing the thickness of a glass substrate, and which attains a high etching rate and is capable of inhibiting haze generation on the glass substrate surface. The invention relates to a method for etching a glass substrate surface, comprising etching the glass substrate surface in an amount of 1-690 μm in terms of etching amount, in which the etching is conducted with an etchant having an HF concentration of 1-5 wt % and an HCl concentration of 1 wt % or higher. |
| US08273259B1 |
Ashing method
Ashing of organic material is conducted initially at a low temperature and then at a high temperature. A low flow rate of ashing gas maximizes ashing rate at the low temperature, and a high flow rate of ashing gas maximizes ashing rate at a high temperature. Preferably, a crossover temperature of a particular organic material in a given ashing system is determined, the crossover temperature characterized in that below the crossover temperature, a decrease in ashing gas flow rate results in an increase of ashing rate, and above the crossover temperature, an increase in ashing gas flow rate results in an increase of ashing rate. |
| US08273258B2 |
Fine pattern forming method
A disclosed fine pattern forming method includes steps of: forming patterns made of a first photoresist film, arranged at a first pitch on a film; trimming the patterns made of the first photoresist film; depositing a protection film on the patterns made of the first photoresist film on the trimmed patterns made of the first photoresist film, the protection film being made of reaction products of an etching gas, thereby obtaining first patterns; forming other patterns made of a second photoresist film, arranged at a second pitch, on the protection film, the other patterns made of the second photoresist film being shifted by half of the first pitch from the corresponding patterns made of the first photoresist film; trimming the other patterns made of the second photoresist film into second patterns; and etching the film using the first patterns and the second patterns. |
| US08273256B2 |
Method for manufacturing wiring structure of wiring board
A method for manufacturing a wiring structure of a wiring board is provided. In the method, a substrate including an insulation layer and a film disposed on the insulation layer is provided. Next, a barrier layer completely covering the film is formed. Next, an intaglio pattern partially exposing the insulation layer is formed on an outer surface of the barrier layer. Next, an activated layer is formed on the outer surface and in the intaglio pattern. Then, the activated layer on the outer surface is removed, and the activated layer in the intaglio pattern is remained. After the activated layer on the outer surface is removed, a conductive material is formed in the intaglio pattern by using a chemical deposition method. After forming the conductive material, the barrier layer and the film are removed. |
| US08273243B2 |
Process for desulfurization and denitration of a gas-oil-type hydrocarbon fraction that contains nitrogen compounds
The invention describes an improved process for deep desulfurization of a gas-oil-type hydrocarbon fraction that comprises a catalytic hydrodesulfurization unit that is preceded by a unit for adsorption of the nitrogen compounds that inhibit the hydrodesulfurization reaction. |
| US08273242B2 |
Nanofabricated structures for electric field-assisted nucleic acid extraction
Embodiments of the invention provide devices and methods for extracting nucleic acid molecules from solution using electric fields. The structures and methods of embodiments of the invention are suited to incorporation into micro and nano fluidic devices, such as lab-on-a-chip devices and micro total analysis systems. |
| US08273239B2 |
Corrosion protection of steel in concrete
An electric field modifier for boosting a current output of a sacrificial anode to enhance its protective effect and direct the current output to improve current distribution in galvanic protection of steel in a concrete element exposed to air is disclosed. A cavity is formed in a concrete element and a combination comprising a sacrificial anode, an electric field modifier and an ionically conductive filler are embedded therein. The sacrificial anode is connected to the steel. The modifier comprises an element with an anode side, supporting an oxidation reaction, in electrical contact with a cathode side, supporting a reduction reaction. The cathode of the modifier faces the sacrificial anode and is separated therefrom by a filler which contains an electrolyte that connects the sacrificial anode to the cathode of the modifier. The anode of the modifier faces away from the sacrificial anode. Preferably, the reduction reaction, on the cathode of the modifier, comprises reduction of oxygen from the air. |
| US08273236B2 |
Process for producing carbon dioxide solution, production apparatus, and carbonated water
A first aqueous solution filled in an electrolytic cell (2) is electrolyzed by applying DC voltage between the electrodes 7a and 7b in said electrolytic cell 2, to form an oxidation field short of electrons in said aqueous solution; and then, a second aqueous solution with carboxylic acid dissolved in it is mixed into the first aqueous solution in oxidation field state, so that the first aqueous solution in oxidation field state obtains electrons and is deoxidized, and the carboxylic acid is oxidized, to produce carbonic acid gas in said aqueous solution. Therefore, the present invention can be used to produce carbonic acid gas solution at a low cost easily. |
| US08273234B2 |
Method for manufacturing PCB and PCB manufactured using the same
The present invention relates to a Printed Circuit Board (PCB), and, more particularly, to a printed circuit board in which a special-purpose dot circuit and an external circuit are simultaneously formed in order to improve electrical efficiency, for example by decreasing impedance and electromagnetic waves, and a method of manufacturing the same. The method of manufacturing a printed circuit board, including a copper clad laminate that includes an insulated substrate and a piece of copper foil applied on one side of the insulated substrate, includes the steps of (a) adhering a dry film including a photosensitizing agent on the copper foil, and then exposing and developing the dry film, thereby forming a dry film opening for forming a dot circuit, (b) forming a copper plating layer by performing electroless or electrolytic plating, and then stripping the dry film other than the copper plating layer, thereby forming a dot circuit, which is a first metal layer, (c) further adhering a dry film including a photosensitizing agent on the dot circuit, and exposing and developing the dry film, thereby forming an external circuit, and (d) forming a second metal layer by performing electroless or electrolytic plating in order to improve the conductivity of the dot circuit and external circuit. |
| US08273233B2 |
Method to reduce void formation during trapezoidal write pole plating in perpendicular recording
A method of forming a write pole in a PMR head is disclosed that involves forming an opening in a mold forming layer. A conformal Ru seed layer is formed within the opening and on a top surface. An auxiliary layer made of CoFeNi or alloys thereof is formed as a conformal layer on the seed layer. All or part of the auxiliary layer is removed in an electroplating solution by applying a (−) current or voltage during an activation step that is controlled by activation time. Thereafter, a magnetic material is electroplated with a (+) current to fill the opening and preferably has the same CoFeNi composition as the auxiliary layer. The method avoids Ru oxidation that causes poor adhesion to CoFeNi, and elevated surfactant levels that lead to write pole impurities. Voids in the plated material are significantly reduced by forming a seed layer surface with improved wettability. |
| US08273232B2 |
Copper filling-up method
A method of filling copper in a non-through hole on a substrate that has been treated to render it conductive, which comprises plating said substrate in an acidic copper plating bath comprising a water-soluble copper salt, sulfuric acid and a filling additive that is a polymer having the activities of both of a brightener and a leveler. |
| US08273229B2 |
Hydrogen quantity sensor and hydrogen storage device using the same
A hydrogen quantity sensor can directly measure hydrogen contained in a hydrogen storage device with simple and easy means. The hydrogen quantity sensor comprises a detecting electrode comprised of a hydrogen storage alloy disposed inside a hydrogen storage vessel, a standard electrode disposed to confront the detecting electrode; and an electrolyte member disposed between the detecting electrode and the standard electrode. The detecting electrode, the standard electrode and the electrolyte member constitute a sensor portion to measure hydrogen concentration within the hydrogen storage alloy as an electromotive force value. |
| US08273228B2 |
Portable device for the measurement and control of analytes in biological fluids
Portable device for the measurement and control of analytes in biological fluids, provided with biosensor for measurement and control of biological fluids such as glucose and other analytes characterized by the possibility of using electrolytic cells with two, three or more electrodes, with polarization voltage between a few millivolts and 100 millivolts; the possibility of measuring the fluid temperature at the outlet of the electrolytic cell in high resolution mode for diagnostic purposes, hence it can also be used for performing very accurate thermal compensation of the electrochemical measurement; the possibility of performing optimised correction of both the systematic and random errors in the measurement performed; the possibility of calibrating the sensors used more accurately and efficiently and, lastly, the possibility of performing the measurement with much lower polarization voltages at the electrodes than the equipment in the state of the art with consequent benefits in terms of reduced wear of the electrodes used and reduced susceptibility to electrochemical interferences in the measuring phase. |
| US08273226B2 |
Wear-resistant electrochemical test sensor and method of forming the same
An electrochemical test sensor includes a base, a generally hard electrically-conductive layer, an electrochemically-active layer, and a lid. The electrically-conductive layer is located between the base and the electrochemically-active layer. The electrically-conductive layer and the electrochemically-active layer are made of a different material. The electrically-conductive layer and the electrochemically-active layer form an electrode pattern. The electrochemical test sensor includes a reagent adapted to assist in determining information related to an analyte of a fluid sample. |
| US08273224B2 |
Composite collector bar
A collector bar for electrical connection to a busbar system of an electrolytic cell, the collector bar being received within a recess in a cathode block of the cathode of the electrolytic cell; wherein the collector bar comprises a first conductor which electrically connects to the busbar system, the first conductor having an external surface or surfaces which electrically contact the cathode block and at least one second conductor having a lower electrical resistance to the first conductor, the second conductor being positioned on at least one external surface of the first conductor in electrical contact with the first conductor. |
| US08273223B2 |
Handling device for hoods of a cell for electrolytic aluminium production
A handling device for hoods of an aluminum production cell by fused bath electrolysis, including a positioning device and a hood-gripping device. The positioning device includes a vertical guide device, a mobile support mounted on the guide device so that it can be moved in at least a vertical direction during use, an articulated arm, a first framework mounted on the articulated arm so that it can pivot about a first rotation axis A substantially horizontal during use, a motor to make the first framework pivot about the first rotation axis A, a second framework mounted on the first framework so that it can be moved along the first translation axis B that is substantially horizontal during use, and means of displacing the second framework along the first translation axis B. The hood-gripping system is fixed to the second framework and includes a set of gripping devices designed to grip a set of hoods at a number of fixing points. |
| US08273222B2 |
Apparatus and method for RF plasma enhanced magnetron sputter deposition
The present disclosure relates to an apparatus and method for depositing coatings on the surface of a workpiece with sputtering material in an ion plasma environment. The apparatus may include a magnetron including a core cooling system surrounded by a magnet assembly and target material having a surface capable of providing a source of sputtering material. An RF plasma generation assembly is also provided in the apparatus including an RF antenna capable of providing an RF plasma and drawing ions to one or both of the workpiece surface and target material surface. |
| US08273219B2 |
Heat pump distillation
A distillation column is disclosed. The column includes a plurality of rectification zones and corresponding stripping zones. Each rectification zone is linked to a heat pump or a stage of a heat pump. Overhead material from the top rectification zone is compressed and used to heat bottoms liquid from the bottom stripping zone. Similarly, overhead material from a lower rectification zone is compressed and used to heat liquid taken from the uppermost or top stripping zone. Optionally, overhead material from a middle rectification zone is compressed and used to heat liquid from a middle stripping zone. A single multiple stage heat pump compressor may be utilized as opposed to a plurality of heat pumps. Because the heat exchanger from each rectification-stripping zone pair has a lower duty, economical stab-in heat exchangers may be utilized. |
| US08273216B2 |
Process for the production of paper
The present invention relates to a process for producing paper which comprises: providing an aqueous suspension comprising cellulosic fibers, adding to the suspension, after all points of high shear, a cationic polysaccharide; and a polymer P2 being an anionic polymer; and, dewatering the obtained suspension to form paper. |
| US08273215B2 |
Method for producing coated paper
The present invention provides a method for producing a coated paper, including steps of coating a base paper coated with an aqueous solution of a water-soluble polymer with a coating liquid containing at least a pigment and an adhesive to produce a coated paper, and calendering the coated paper having a moisture content of not more than 5.5% by weight. The present invention also provides a method for producing a coated paper, including steps of coating a base paper having a moisture content of not more than 4% by weight with a coating liquid containing at least a pigment and an adhesive to produce a coated paper, and calendering the coated paper having a moisture content of not more than 5.5% by weight. |
| US08273213B2 |
Tissue product, method of manufacture of a tissue product and apparatus for embossing a tissue ply
A one-ply tissue product includes a first external surface and a second external surface, the first surface having a wet-formed pattern and the second surface having an embossed pattern imitating the wet-formed pattern. Additionally, also multi-ply tissue product is suggested comprising at least two plies including two outer plies, each outer ply having a first surface and a second surface, one outer ply having a wet-formed pattern on at least the first surface and the other outer ply having an embossed pattern on at least the first surface imitating the wet-formed pattern on the first surface of the one outer ply, both outer plies being brought together so that their respective first surfaces represent external surfaces of the multi-ply tissue product. Moreover, a corresponding method and an embossing unit are also disclosed. |
| US08273201B2 |
Process for the production of a wood fiber insulating material board or mat and wood fiber insulating material boards or mats produced by this process
A fiber mixture of natural fibers and binder fibers are blown from a storage container onto a first transport belt with a three-dimensional alignment of the fibers resulting in a fiber fleece. Thermally activatable synthetic resin granules are blown onto the fiber fleece and the fleece is defibered and remixed. The remixed fiber mixture is blown onto a second transport belt with a three-dimensional alignment of the fibers resulting in a mat. The thickness of the mat is obtained by the circulating speed of the second transport belt. The mat is transferred to an oven belt and is moved through a heating/cooling oven, for softening of the binder fibers and the synthetic resin granules, resulting in an intimate bonding of the wood fibers, the binder fibers, and the synthetic resin granules. The final thickness and the bulk density are set to specified ranges. |
| US08273199B1 |
Gas generating compositions with auto-ignition function
The present invention generally relates to auto-ignition/booster compositions for inflators of occupant restraint systems, for example. An auto-ignition/booster and/or gas generant composition in accordance with the present invention includes an aromatic acid selected from tetrazoles, carboxylic acid/benzene-based fuels, nitrotriazoles, aminonitrotriazoles, aminotriazoles, bistetrazolylamines, bitetrazoles, and mixtures thereof; an alkali metal nitrate selected from potassium nitrate and sodium nitrate, and mixtures thereof; a basic constituent; and a catalytic non-oxidizing molybdenum-containing additive. A gas generator and a gas generating system including compositions of the present invention are also contemplated. |
| US08273194B2 |
Manufacture of shape-memory alloy cellular materials and structures by transient-liquid reactive joining
This invention discloses a method, using pure niobium as a transient liquid reactive braze material, for fabrication of cellular or honeycomb structures, wire space-frames or other sparse builtup structures or discrete articles using Nitinol (near-equiatomic titanium-nickel alloy) and related shape-memory and superelastic alloys. Nitinol shape memory alloys (SMAs), acquired in a form such as corrugated sheet, discrete tubes or wires, may be joined together using the newly discovered joining technique. Pure niobium when brought into contact with nitinol at elevated temperature, liquefies at temperatures below the melting point and flows readily into capillary spaces between the elements to be joined, thus forming a strong joint. |
| US08273191B2 |
High-strength stainless steel material and production process of the same
Provided is a high-strength stainless steel material having less deterioration in mechanical strength and improved workability, particularly bending workability compared with conventional steel materials. The high-strength stainless steel material of the present invention has a specific composition, has a metal microstructure composed of two phases, that is a ferrite phase and a martensite phase, has a γmax of from 50 to 85, the γmax being represented by the following equation (1): γmax=420Wc+470WN+23WNi+7WMn−11.5WCr−11.5WSi+189 (1) wherein, Wc, WN, WNi, WMn, WCr, and WSi; represent contents (unit: mass %) of C, N, Ni, Mn, Cr, and Si relative to the total mass of the stainless steel material, respectively; and has a difference of 300 HV or less in hardness between the ferrite phase and the martensite phase. |
| US08273188B2 |
Constant velocity universal joint component and manufacturing method thereof
In a constant velocity universal joint component and a manufacturing method thereof capable of achieving increased strength without significant procedural changes, and that can contribute to size reduction and weight reduction, a sharp-angled portion 15 is formed by machining after cold plastic working is applied. A carburization process is then performed in which surface carbon concentration of 0.45 mass % to less than 0.60 mass % is obtained. Quenching is then performed. High-frequency induction hardening is subsequently performed. |
| US08273186B2 |
Mat washing machine
Mat washing device, method of using the mat washing device, and method of washing mats. The mat washing device includes a system that may be transported on a flat bed trailer from one location to another. The mat washing device includes conveying systems, brush systems, rails systems and control mechanisms. The mat washing device may be used by placing mat, on edge, on a conveying system and conveying the mat to a first brushing system and a second brushing system. In one aspect the first brushing system includes a cable brush having a bolt secured at the end of a cable in order to beat or brush material from the mat when the cable brush is spun. |
| US08273184B2 |
System and method for optimized gas turbine compressor cleaning and performance measurement
The present invention is directed to a system and method for optimizing a wash procedure. Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a system for optimizing a wash procedure. In a first embodiment, the system comprises: means for collecting a sample of fouling, the sample comprising one or more contaminates; means for identifying the one or more contaminates; and means for selecting one or more washing products for removing the one or more contaminates from a turbine. In an alternate embodiment, the present invention is directed to a method for optimizing a wash procedure. The method comprises: collecting a sample of fouling, wherein the sample comprises one or more contaminates; identifying the one or more contaminates; and selecting one or more washing products for removing the one or more contaminates from a turbine. |
| US08273175B2 |
Compositions and methods for protection of reinforced concrete
PVC compositions, concrete composition including the PVC compositions, and reinforced concrete structures that contain the concrete compositions are described. Methods for manufacturing the reinforced concrete structures of the present technology, methods for repairing reinforced concrete structures having corroded rebar, and methods for reducing rebar corrosion in reinforced concrete structures are also described. |
| US08273174B2 |
Method of making a fiber cement board with improved properties and the product
A cement product incorporating nanocrystalline cellulose and cellulose fiber throughout the product and a method of making the product. |
| US08273173B2 |
Nano-additive for hydrocarbon well cementing operations
A cement additive, comprising nanostructured or not particles of SiO2—CaO—Al2O3 and at least one additive selected from the group consisting of nano-sized particles of SiO2, 2CaO.SiO2, 3CaO.SiO2, Al2O3, P—Ca and/or combinations thereof. |
| US08273171B2 |
Pearlescent pigment
A pearlescent pigment (100) includes: a flaky substrate (10); a titanium dioxide layer (20) that is formed on the flaky substrate (10); and an oxazoline compound layer (40) that is formed on the titanium dioxide layer (20) with the titanium dioxide layer (20) being interposed between the flaky substrate (10) and the oxazoline compound layer (40), and serves as a top surface of the pearlescent pigment (100). |
| US08273168B2 |
Ink, ink jet recording method, ink cartridge, and ink jet recording apparatus
An ink contains at least a pigment, wherein the pigment is a solid solution of C.I. Pigment Red 202 and C.I. Pigment Violet 19, and a primary particle diameter D (nm) of the pigment and a 50%-cumulative diameter D50 (nm) in particle diameter distribution of the pigment satisfy a relation of D×0.95≦(=<)D50≦(=<)130, and a 90%-cumulative diameter D90 (nm) in particle diameter distribution of the pigment and the 50%-cumulative diameter D50 (nm) satisfy a relation of 1.5≦(=<)D90/D50≦(=<)2.2. |
| US08273164B2 |
Fuel vapor processors
A fuel vapor processor has a fuel tank, a canister, a vapor pipe, a recovery pipe, an air pipe, a suction device, a vapor pipe valve, an air pipe valve, and a pressure regulator. The vapor pipe leads fuel vapor generated in the fuel tank to the canister for trapping the fuel vapor in the canister. The recovery pipe recoveries the fuel vapor desorbed from the canister into the fuel tank. The air pipe communicates the canister with the atmosphere. The suction device is disposed on the recovery pipe for desorbing the fuel vapor trapped in the canister. The pressure regulator is communicated with the air pipe between the air pipe valve and the canister in order to allow gas flow from the atmosphere toward the canister. During desorption of the fuel vapor due to the suction device, the vapor pipe valve and the air pipe valve are closed, and negative pressure is kept in the canister such that the fuel vapor is desorbed from the canister and fresh air is led into the canister via the pressure regulator. |
| US08273163B2 |
Flame-retardant hydrocarbon adsorption trap
A flame-retardant hydrocarbon adsorption trap is adapted for mounting within an air intake tract. The traps includes a hydrocarbon vapor adsorbent media adapted to adsorb hydrocarbon vapors from an intake tract when an engine is not operating then later releasing the vapors when the engine runs. The trap includes at least two air permeable HCA media retention layers positioned in a spaced parallel relationship and forming a gap there-between into which hydrocarbon vapor adsorbent media is received. The retention layers are formed of a synthetic fiber media adapted to provide flame-resistant properties. |
| US08273162B2 |
Wastewater plumbing vent gas adsorption filter
The objective of the unit 10 is mainly to adsorb Hydrogen Sulfide gas (also known as H2S) and other gases including but not limited to Carbon Dioxide 26 from plumbing, sewer, and wastewater management system vents 21 thereby removing the odor and or greenhouse gasses associated with the air stream/gas 26. The unique “T” housing 12 shaped design, along with the unique perforated disc containment system 14 holds the filtration media 16 in the horizontal portion 120 of the “T” housing 12. configuration allows fresh air circulation 28 to blend with the odorous gasses 26 passing through the filtration media 16 within the containment chamber and reduces their concentration (PPM) thereby increasing the life of the unit 10. Having the inlet to the filtration media at the base of the vertical portion of the “T” 120 and two outlets at the distal ends 119 of equal or greater size and diameter as each other or as the inlet, also reduces Pressure drop across the media 16. The disc within the containment system 14 eliminates the need for a Media bag or cartridge reducing maintenance costs. |
| US08273161B2 |
Indoor air cleaner
An air vent air purifier includes a grill portion and a housing that is attached to the bottom of the grill portion. The housing fits within a forced air vent. The housing encloses an ionization grid, control circuitry and energy source. When energized, air flowing through the vent from the air handling device passes through the ionization grid, where it is ionized, thereby cleaning the air throughout the entire room. The grill may include a decorative element to match the décor of a room. Batteries provide the energy. A series of indicator lights indicate a power on condition and the level of the battery. |
| US08273160B2 |
Method and apparatus for extracting carbon dioxide from air
A method and apparatus for extracting CO2 from air comprising an anion exchange material formed in a matrix exposed to a flow of the air, and for delivering that extracted CO2 to controlled environments. The present invention contemplates the extraction of CO2 from air using conventional extraction methods or by using one of the extraction methods disclosed; e.g., humidity swing or electro dialysis. The present invention also provides delivery of the CO2 to greenhouses where increased levels of CO2 will improve conditions for growth. Alternatively, the CO2 is fed to an algae culture. |
| US08273153B2 |
Dry natural gas liquefaction method
The method allows liquefaction of a dry natural gas comprising water and heavy hydrocarbons containing more than five carbon atoms. The following stages are carried out: a) passing the dry natural gas through a water-adsorbent solid so as to obtain a water-depleted natural gas and a water-laden adsorbent solid, b) passing the water-depleted natural gas through a solid adsorbing heavy hydrocarbons comprising at least five carbon atoms so as to obtain a heavy hydrocarbon-depleted natural gas and a heavy hydrocarbon-laden adsorbent solid, c) liquefying the heavy hydrocarbon-depleted natural gas at a pressure above 40 bar abs so as to obtain a liquid natural gas under pressure, d) expanding the liquid natural gas under pressure obtained in stage c) to atmospheric pressure so as to obtain a liquid natural gas and a gas fraction. |
| US08273146B1 |
Wafer and epitaxial wafer, and manufacturing processes therefor
Provided is a silicon wafer which is stabilized in quality exerting no adverse influence on device characteristics and manufactured by restricting a boron contamination from the environment, and a manufacturing process therefor. Concretely, the silicon wafer is characterized by an attached boron amount thereon being 1×1010 atoms/cm2 or less. In order to manufacture such a wafer as contains a small amount of boron attached on the wafer surface, the wafer is treated in an atmosphere of boron concentration of 15 ng/m3 or less. Boron-less filters and boron adsorbing filters are used as filters in a clean room and the like so as to lower the boron concentration in the atmosphere. |
| US08273144B2 |
Air treatment device and housing for an air treatment device
Various embodiments of air treatment devices (and housings therefor) are provided. The housings are generally configured to provide air treatment devices that lessen the perceived size of the air treatment devices. Further, embodiments provide housings that are typically easier to clean and maintain and to provide ease in access to internal components of the air treatment devices. Embodiments may also position a control display associated with an air treatment device, such that the control display is visible from a position in front and above the air treatment device. Embodiments may also be configured to minimize and/or inhibit air exiting from the air outlet of the air treatment device from immediately reentering the air inlet and thus being recirculated. |
| US08273142B2 |
Silicon polishing compositions with high rate and low defectivity
The invention relates to a chemical-mechanical polishing composition comprising silica, one or more organic carboxylic acids or salts thereof, one or more polysaccharides, one or more bases, optionally one or more surfactants and/or polymers, optionally one or more reducing agents, optionally one or more biocides, and water, wherein the polishing composition has an alkaline pH. The polishing composition exhibits a high removal rate and low particle defects and low haze. The invention further relates to a method of chemically-mechanically polishing a substrate using the polishing composition described herein. |
| US08273138B2 |
Liquid fuel compositions
Liquid fuel compositions comprising one or more C4+ compounds derived from a water-soluble oxygenated hydrocarbon. |
| US08273137B2 |
Fuel composition
A middle distillate fuel composition is provided comprising (a) a middle distillate base fuel, (b) a Fischer-Tropsch derived paraffinic wax component, and (c) one or more cold flow additives; a method for formulating a middle distillate fuel composition comprising a middle distillate base fuel, comprising (i) incorporating into the base fuel a Fischer-Tropsch derived wax component. The use of a Fischer-Tropsch derived wax component in a middle distillate fuel composition, for the purpose of increasing the effect of a CFPP improver additive in the composition is disclosed. |
| US08273128B2 |
Sliding intervertebral implant method
A method includes a first member that connects to an intervertebral space between two adjacent vertebrae. The first member includes a pair of curved side walls connected to each of a front wall, an upper curved wall, and a lower curved wall, wherein a length of a first curved side wall is less than a length of each of a second curved side wall, the upper curved wall, and the lower curved wall, and wherein an edge of the second curved side wall is offset from an edge of the front wall. A second member is slidably attached to the first member, and includes a top and bottom curved wall each connected to an inclined side wall and a guide wall, wherein the guide wall includes grooves, wherein the second curved side wall of the first member slides in the grooves of the guide wall. |
| US08273127B2 |
Interbody fusion device and associated methods
A method and apparatus is provided for use in spinal fusion procedures. An interbody fusion device has a first piece that is a load bearing device designed to bear the axial loading from the end plates of adjacent vertebrae. A second piece of the interbody fusion device is a retention device whose function is to prevent migration of the load bearing device. One or more fasteners secure the retention device to the vertebrae above and below the load bearing device. The fasteners cause the end plates of the vertebrae to compress the end plates to the load bearing device to facilitate proper fusion. |
| US08273126B2 |
Vertebral body replacement implant and instrument for handling the vertebral body replacement implant
In a vertebral body replacement implant having a bottom locating part for positioning against a lower vertebral body and having a top locating part for positioning against an upper vertebral body, wherein both locating parts are telescopically displaceable relative to one another in the manner of a piston-cylinder unit, having a sealed hydraulic chamber formed by the locating parts, having a charging opening leading into the hydraulic chamber for a hydraulic medium, which upon entering the hydraulic chamber pushes the two locating parts apart from one another, and having a locking device, which may be activated by means of an instrument and upon activation fixes the two locating parts non-displaceably relative to one another, in order to facilitate the handling of the vertebral body replacement implant it is proposed that the locking device is disposed on the vertebral body replacement implant in the region of the charging opening. An instrument for handling the vertebral body replacement implant is also proposed. |
| US08273124B2 |
Self-distracting cage
Various spinal implants and methods for stabilizing the spine are provided. In one exemplary embodiment, a spinal implant is provided having an expandable container with an interior volume that is selectively expandable between a compressed condition and an expanded condition. The expandable container is coupled to a superior endplate member having a bone-contacting surface and an engagement surface effective to mate with a superior surface of the expandable container, and an inferior endplate member having a bone-contacting surface and an engagement surface effective to mate with an inferior surface of the expandable container. In addition, at least one inlet port is formed in the expandable container and is effective to communicate a fluid to at least one cavity disposed within the interior volume of the expandable container. |
| US08273121B2 |
Process of use of a device for cornea transplantation
The invention is a surgical instrument (1) used in ophthalmology, which allows a penetrating or lamellar cornea transplant without the use of suture. It comprises a set of arc segments interconnected by a small diameter polypropylene wire (2), which goes through the internal body structure of each segment. The first arc segment (3), also called the segment guide, is an arc of 160-330 degrees with a circular cross-section and a rounded edge. The second arc segment (4), also called the main segment, is an arc of 270-360 degrees, and has a horizontal or oblique cross-section tangential to the surface of the cornea, or a circular cross-section. The third arc segment (5), also called the secondary segment, has a thickness or cross-section greater than that of the main segment. |
| US08273120B2 |
Prosthetic valve delivery system
A prosthetic valve delivery system for percutaneously delivering and deploying a prosthetic valve within an existing valve is disclosed. The delivery system includes a stented prosthetic valve having a balloon-expandable stent portion with a prosthetic valve disposed therein and at least one self-expanding stent portion. The delivery system further includes a dual balloon catheter having a first balloon on which the stented prosthetic valve is disposed during delivery and a second balloon. Upon delivery within the existing valve, the self-expanding stent portion contacts the existing valve and the first balloon expands the balloon-expandable stent portion to a first diameter such that the stented prosthetic valve is in a first stage deployment configuration. The second balloon then expands the balloon-expandable stent portion to a second diameter, greater than the first diameter, such that the stented prosthetic valve is in a second stage deployment configuration being fully deployed within the existing valve. |
| US08273116B2 |
Indirect-release electrolytic implant delivery systems
Medical devices and methods for delivery or implantation of prostheses within hollow body organs and vessels or other luminal anatomy are disclosed. The subject technologies may be used in the treatment of atherosclerosis in stenting procedures or be used in variety of other procedures. The systems may employ a self expanding stent restrained by one or more members released by an electrolytically erodable latch. Such release means do not connect directly to the implant, though one or more portions may contact it. |
| US08273114B2 |
Grounded pressure cooling
A chiller is coupled to a plurality of cuffs suitable for application to extremities of a human subject, each cuff having an outer support belt with an adjustable diameter and an inner bladder having an inlet port and an outlet port. The bladder has one surface constrained by the support belt and an opposite surface for application of pressure and cooling to an enclosed human extremity. The plurality of cuffs are connected to the cooler with a series of outlet ports and inlet ports such that the chiller causes the cuffs to be pressurized with a coolant which provides vascular restriction and cooling to increase the formation of human growth hormone. |
| US08273112B2 |
Pedicle screw assembly
Disclosed are spinal fusion assemblies for use in skeletal systems. The assembly includes a coupling element that can be coupled to a fixation element, such as, for example, a screw with a head that removably mates with the coupling element. The coupling element and fixation element are configured to be coupled to an elongate stabilizer, such as a rod, that is positioned between a top and a bottom saddle. A compression member, such as a compression nut, is configured to mate with the coupling element and provides a compressive force to the top and bottom saddles to secure the elongate stabilizer therebetween. The top and bottom saddles are movably positioned within the coupling element such that they can gradually reposition and self-align into a secure engagement with the stabilizer as the compression member provides the compressive force. |
| US08273110B2 |
System and method for installing an annular repair rivet through a vertebral body port
A method for repairing a defect in the annulus of an intervertebral disc uses a port through a vertebra adjacent the disc for passage of a rivet insertion tool to place a first part of a two-part annulus repair rivet against an internal surface of the annulus adjacent the defect. A separate rivet insertion tool places a second part of the annulus repair rivet on an external surface of the annulus adjacent the defect. The first and second parts are secured together, repairing the defect. |
| US08273108B2 |
Interspinous spacer
An implantable spacer for placement between adjacent spinous processes in a spinal motion segment is provided. The spacer includes a body defining a longitudinal axis and passageway. A first arm and a second arm are connected to the body. Each arm has a pair of extensions and a saddle defining a U-shaped configuration for seating a spinous process therein. Each arm has a proximal caming surface and is capable of rotation with respect to the body. An actuator assembly is disposed inside the passageway and connected to the body. When advanced, a threaded shaft of the actuator assembly contacts the caming surfaces of arms to rotate them from an undeployed configuration to a deployed configuration. In the deployed configuration, the distracted adjacent spinous processes are seated in the U-shaped portion of the arms. |
| US08273107B2 |
Interspinous process implant having a thread-shaped wing and method of implantation
Systems and method in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention can includes an implant comprising a spacer and a frame having a central body and a helical shaped wing extending from the central body. The frame can be positioned near about adjacent spinous processes, and can be rotated and urged so that the adjacent spinous processes pass within a groove of the wing, thereby allowing the wing to be arranged on an opposite side of the adjacent spinous processes. The spacer can then be arranged over the frame so that the spacer contacts and distracts the spinous processes, thereby limiting relative movement of the adjacent spinous processes during extension. |
| US08273106B2 |
Soft tissue repair and conduit device
A soft tissue repair device includes a deformable tubular member having a longitudinal bore extending between first and second open ends and a flexible strand passing through the longitudinal bore of the tubular member. The flexible strand has a first end portion extending outside the first open end of the tubular member and a second portion forming a first loop that passes through the second open end of the tubular member and an intermediate opening between the first and second open ends of the tubular member. Pulling the first end portion of the flexible strand away from the tubular member deforms a portion of the tubular member between the second open end and the intermediate opening into a folded shape forming a soft tissue anchor. |
| US08273102B2 |
Surgical clamp inserts with hooked traction elements
Compliant inserts for surgical instruments having improved traction are provided. The clamping surface of the inserts includes a plurality of short and densely arranged traction elements. The tractive force supplied by the traction elements approaches that of steel jawed clamps. |
| US08273100B2 |
Three element coaxial vaso-occlusive device
A vaso-occlusive device includes inner, intermediate, and outer elements arranged coaxially. The inner element is a filamentous element, preferably a microcoil. The intermediate element is made of a non-metallic material, preferably an expansile polymer. The outer element is substantially non-expansile and defines at least one gap or opening through which the intermediate element is exposed. In a preferred embodiment, when the intermediate element is expanded, it protrudes through the at least one gap or opening in the outer element and assumes a configuration with an undulating, convexly-curved outer surface defining a chain of arcuate segments, each having a diameter significantly greater than the diameter of the outer element. The expanded configuration of the intermediate element minimizes friction when the device is deployed through a microcatheter, thereby reducing the likelihood of buckling while maintaining excellent flexibility. The result is a device with enhanced pushability and trackability when deployed through a microcatheter. |
| US08273099B2 |
Thrombus filter with break-away anchor members
A thrombus filter which can be securely fixed at a selected location in the vascular system of a patient and removed when no longer required. The thrombus filter includes a body portion and a plurality of struts, each strut having a joined end and a free end. The joined end of each strut is fixably attached to the body portion. The struts radiate outwardly from the body member such that the thrombus filter is generally conical in shape. The free end of each strut includes an anchor member. A weakened portion is disposed proximate the free end of each strut. When removal of the thrombus filter is desired, forces are applied to the thrombus filter causing the struts to break at the weakened portions proximate the free ends. When breaking of the struts has been accomplished, the thrombus filter may be freely pulled into the lumen of the retrieval catheter. Once the thrombus filter is disposed inside the lumen of the retrieval catheter, the removal of the thrombus filter from the body of the patient becomes a simple matter of withdrawing the retrieval catheter from the blood vessel. |
| US08273098B2 |
Carpal tunnel release tool
A carpal tunnel release tool and methods for using the same are disclosed. Embodiments of the carpal tunnel release tool include a guide with an angled track and a knife that fits into and follows the angled track. In one embodiment, the knife is retracted into the guide as it is advanced along the track to cut the ligament. In an alternate embodiment the blade is extended outwardly from the surface of the guide as the blade is advanced along the track. Other embodiments include a projection at the terminal end of the track that maintains the position of the ligament over the guide, serves as a type of cutting block to ensure complete bisecting of the ligament, and can aid the surgeon in placement of the guide beneath the ligament. Further embodiments include an inserter that inhibits tissue entering the track as the guide is advanced beneath the ligament. |
| US08273095B2 |
Device and method for establishing an artificial arterio-venous fistula
A shunt rivet for implantation in the aorta and inferior vena cava to treat chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and a method of treating chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. |
| US08273093B2 |
Instrumentation for recording and replicating orthopaedic implant orientation
An instrument for recording and replicating the spatial orientation of a dialable component of an implant relative to a bone engaging component of the implant includes a base assembly for supporting the bone engaging component and a fixture supported on the base assembly for supporting an alignment tool. The alignment tool is configured to engage a portion of the dialable component when the implant is supported by the base assembly. The fixture includes a locking assembly for locking the spatial position of the alignment tool relative to a pre-determined datum on a trial implant. The same instrument can be used to support a final implant and to replicate the spatial position of the alignment tool relative to the same datum on the final implant. The alignment tool can then be used to align the dialable component of the implant. The alignment tool can also constitute an impacting tool so that it can be used to impact the dialable component into locking engagement with the implant using the same instrument. |
| US08273092B2 |
Intramedullary nail distal targeting device
The present invention relates to an intramedullary nail distal targeting device (20) adapted to be installed to an external jig system (A) having a proximal attachment (B) to support an intramedullary nail (C) thereon and an extension arm (D) secured to the proximal attachment (B), the nail distal targeting device including a drill guide (21) being defined by an abbreviated cylindrical body (23) having at least a pair of guide slots (24, 24′) each of the guide slots (24, 24′) having a scalloped inner surface (25), an attaching mechanism (22) being provided at the upper portion of the drill guide (21), the attaching mechanism (22) secured in a rotating and sliding manner to a distal end of the extension arm (D) and at least a pair of guide sleeves (10, 10′) being telescopically fitted correspondingly into the slots (24, 24′) of the drill guide (21), each of the guide sleeves (10, 10′) having a scalloped outer surface to correspondingly fit into the guide slots (24, 24′), each of the guide sleeves (10, 10′) being provided with aligned and spaced apart drill-guiding holes (13, 14, 15) extended between the opposed end portions thereof. |
| US08273091B2 |
Alignment device for locking nail
An alignment device for an intramedullary locking nail insertable in an intramedullary canal of a long bone. The alignment device includes a locating member having a handle portion connected to an elongated insertion member, and a targeting member movably coupled to the locating member. The insertion member can be inserted in a proximal portion of the intramedullary canal. The targeting member includes a plurality of guiding portions. Each guiding portion is configured to receive one of a plurality of blocking fasteners along an implantation trajectory and into the bone and around the intramedullary canal when the insertion member is inserted into the intramedullary canal. The implantation trajectory of each blocking fastener does not intersect the insertion member. |
| US08273090B2 |
Tibial plateau and/or femoral condyle resection system for prosthesis implantation
According to the invention, the system enables a preoperative study to be carried out wherein the tibia and/or femur is modelled on a computer (6) in 3D, the ideal cutting plane is defined and the position of the resection instruments (1, 2, 3) used to cut the bone is modelled. Additionally, according to the invention, the system enables redefinition of the ideal cutting plane and the positioning and orientation of the resection instruments (1, 2, 3) on the tibia and/or femur, in such a manner that the plane of the slot (4) of the cutting guide (3) through which the cutting tool is introduced coincides with the ideal cutting plane. |
| US08273086B2 |
Low profile spinal tethering devices
Methods and devices for treating spinal deformities are provided. In one exemplary embodiment, a low-profile spinal anchoring device is provided for receiving a spinal fixation element, such as a tether, therethrough. The device generally includes a staple body that is adapted to seat a spinal fixation element, a fastening element for fixing the staple body to bone, and a locking assembly for coupling a spinal fixation element to the staple body. In one embodiment, the locking assembly includes a washer that is adapted to couple to the staple body such that the spinal fixation is disposed therebetween, and a locking nut that is adapted to engage the staple body to mate the washer to the staple body. |
| US08273085B2 |
Electrosurgical instrument and system
An electrosurgical instrument includes a body portion, an actuator, a first jaw having a first electrode and a second jaw. The first electrode has a relatively large area seal surface with a relatively small edge portion and a third electrode, and the second jaw has a second electrode having a relatively large area seal surface and a smaller edge portion. The actuator moves the jaws between an first, open position, a second position for grasping tissue, and a third position where the jaws are further closed such that the first and second seal surfaces are adjacent each other and only the edge portions are exposed. An electrosurgical generator is connected to deliver a coagulation RF waveform between the first and second jaws when in the second position, and to deliver a cutting RF waveform between one or both of the first and second electrodes and the third electrode when the jaw members are in the third position. |
| US08273079B2 |
Systems and methods for prostate treatment
A vapor delivery needle is provided that may include any of a number of features. One feature of the energy delivery probe is that it can apply condensable vapor energy to tissue, such as a prostrate, to shrink, damage, denaturate the prostate. In some embodiments, the needle can ablate a continuous lobe region in the prostate parallel to the urethral wall. Another feature of the vapor delivery needle is that it can introduce a cooling fluid into the urethra during treatment. Methods associated with use of the energy delivery probe are also covered. |
| US08273076B2 |
Indicator for tool state and communication in multi-arm robotic telesurgery
Medical and/or robotic devices, systems and methods provide an indicator associated with a manipulator assembly of a multi-arm telerobotic or telesurgical system. An example of an indicator comprises a multi-color light emitting diode (LED) mounted to a manipulator moving an associated surgical instrument, allowing the indicator to display any of a wide variety of signals. The invention may provide an additional user interface to facilitate communications between the telesurgical system and/or members of a telesurgical team. |
| US08273075B2 |
Osmotic pump with remotely controlled osmotic flow rate
Embodiments of a system including a remotely controlled osmotic pump device and associated controller are described. Methods of use and control of the device are also disclosed. According to some embodiments, an osmotic pump device is placed in an environment in order to pump a material into the environment or into an additional fluid handling structure within the osmotic pump device. Exemplary environments include a body of an organism, a body of water, or an enclosed volume of a fluid. In selected embodiments, a magnetic field, an electric field, or electromagnetic control signal may be used. |
| US08273069B2 |
Stretchable composite sheet and disposable wearing article using the same
A stretchable composite sheet used in a waist region of a disposable wearing article. The stretchable composite sheet has a stretchable sheet and a non-stretchable sheet, and the stretchable sheet is stretched. Nip roll mechanisms are respectively arranged on one end side in the stretch direction (SD) and the other end side, and the stretchable sheet is bonded to the non-stretchable sheet by the nip roll mechanisms with the stretchable sheet contracted in the direction (CD) orthogonal to the stretching direction (SD). The above processes provide the stretchable composite sheet with basic weight change regions in which the basis weight of the stretchable sheet is changed depending on stretch conditions of the stretchable sheet. The basic weight of the basic weight change regions is greater than that of a center region of the stretchable composite sheet. |
| US08273063B2 |
Implantable pump for drug delivery to treat erectile dysfunction
An implantable pump (10) is provided for pumping a drug in a patient's body (100). The pump includes a drug delivery chamber (22) configured to be filled with the drug and a drug delivery catheter (50) having a catheter lumen (58) and a distal end (56), the drug delivery catheter in fluid communication with the drug delivery chamber and configured to deliver the drug to a delivery site (102). It also includes a pushing element (44) coupled to the distal end of the catheter, and configured to push away from the catheter lumen fibrotic matter that has developed in response to the drug delivery catheter. Other embodiments are also described. |
| US08273062B2 |
Injection needle
The invention relates to an injection needle for injecting a pharmaceutical product into a human or animal body. The needle comprises a tubular body with an end for penetrating into a human or animal body, and having a main bevel and a secondary bevel forming a tip of the needle. The secondary bevel is positioned opposite the main bevel and forms, with the main bevel, a single cutting edge oblique to the longitudinal axis of the tubular body. The cutting edge extends on both sides of a middle plane of the main bevel that passes through the longitudinal axis of the tubular body. |
| US08273057B2 |
Connector for use in single and double breast pumping
The connector provides fewer connections and attachments to a breastpump configured for expressing breast milk from both of a woman's breasts simultaneously, thereby facilitating easier use of the breast pump and yielding fewer pieces for the user to carry or misplace. The connector includes a manifold with four ports. Individual tubes extend from three of the four ports and each has a plug member. One tube engages with a vacuum source and the remaining two tubes engage with a breastshield assembly for double breast pumping. When single breastpumping is desired, one of the two tubes connected to the breastpump assemblies is disconnected and engaged with the dock port of the manifold. |
| US08273053B2 |
Patient status sensor
Embodiments of a patient status sensor can be applied to a patient or trauma victim to provide a quick visual and/or audible indication of the patient's vital signs (e.g., respiration, heart rate, or other vital signs). Certain embodiments are configured as an adhesive patch that includes electrodes for measuring heart rate (and respiration in some implementations), a processor configured to perform calculations for determining one or more vital signs using information from the electrodes, and audible or visual indicators to communicate information about vital signs or patient status to a medical attendant. Certain embodiments include an access opening for providing intraosseous delivery of fluids to bone marrow (e.g., through sternal or long bone) and can be integrated or used with an intraosseous delivery system. Certain embodiments include wired or wireless components to communicate vital signs or patient status to an external monitoring device. |
| US08273052B2 |
Fully automated control system for type 1 diabetes
An augmented, adaptive algorithm utilizing model predictive control (MPC) is developed for closed-loop glucose control in type 1 diabetes. A linear empirical input-output subject model is used with an MPC algorithm to regulate blood glucose online, where the subject model is recursively adapted, and the control signal for delivery of insulin and a counter-regulatory agent such as glucagon is based solely on online glucose concentration measurements. The MPC signal is synthesized by optimizing an augmented objective function that minimizes local insulin accumulation in the subcutaneous depot and control signal aggressiveness, while simultaneously regulating glucose concentration to a preset reference set point. The mathematical formulation governing the subcutaneous accumulation of administered insulin is derived based on nominal temporal values pertaining to the pharmacokinetics (time-course of activity) of insulin in human, in terms of its absorption rate, peak absorption time, and overall time of action. The MPC algorithm is also formulated to provide control action with an integral effect, and in essence minimizes overall drug consumption. When employed as a modulator in an automated integrated glucose-control system for type 1 diabetes, the control algorithm provides the system with self-learning capability that enables it to operate under unrestricted activity of the subject. |
| US08273048B2 |
System and method for diverting flow to facilitate measurement of system parameters
A method and various devices are disclosed that facilitates the measurement of hemodynamic parameters by injection of an indicator in an indicator dilution technique using an extracorporeal circuit connected to a patient. Specifically, the invention deals with problems caused by the spike in pressure in an extracorporeal line that result from the injection of a bolus. The method and various devices provide for diversion of blood during an indictor injection process and then return of the diverted blood back into the system after the injection is completed. The variations of the invention use diversion lines, accommodating cases and other devices that are designed to accumulate blood displaced during injection and then returning the blood to the extracorporeal circuit after injection. |
| US08273045B2 |
Method for fitting an orthopedic brace to the body
A method is provided for securely fitting an orthopedic brace to the body by means of a plurality of straps, strap locks, strap attachment members, and strap connection members. The method retains the close fit of the brace to the body without the need for substantial readjustment of the fit even after repeated removal and remounting of the brace on the body. The method also enables repositioning the brace on the body without requiring removal of the brace from the body or substantial readjustment of the fit. |
| US08273043B2 |
Orthosis apparatus and method of using an orthosis apparatus
The present invention provides a new and improved orthosis for use in effecting relative movement between bones in an arm of a patient. The apparatus includes a lower cuff gripping distal bone, such as a wrist, and an upper cuff gripping a proximal bone, such as an upper arm. The lower cuff is secured in a rotatable drive assembly substantially coincident to a longitudinal axis of a medial bone, such as the forearm, during rotational distal adjustment. The angle between the forearm and the upper arm is adjustable and can be securely fixed at a desired angle. The rotation of the rotatable drive assembly effectuates the pronation and supination of the hand and wrist relative to the patient's forearm. The orthosis of the present invention can be disassembled with interchanging parts substituted depending on the patient's needs. |
| US08273042B2 |
Orthopedic aid with a locking device
The use of an orthopedic aid with two parts (15, 16) which are movable relative to one another and with a locking device for locking the two parts (15, 16) in a predetermined relative position and for unlocking the parts (15, 16) in order to permit movement of the parts (15, 16) with respect to one another is made much safer by virtue of the fact that at least one signaling arrangement (36, 40, 41, 42) is provided which emits a particular signal for the locking state or upon unlocking of the locking device. The risk of accidents due to the parts (15, 16) being incorrectly locked is at least substantially reduced. |
| US08273039B1 |
Apparatus for clearing mucus from the pulmonary system
An apparatus for clearing mucus from the pulmonary system, utilizing two different types of external excitation applied concurrently to the thorax, the first type of excitation consisting of vibrational stimulations, and the second type of excitation consisting of compressive stimulations, with control means provided to regulate the excitations. |
| US08273037B2 |
Method and system for soft tissue destruction
A method and system for adipose tissue treatment. The system of the invention includes an applicator configured to apply negative pressure pulses to a skin surface when activated by a controller, where the negative pressure is created during a time interval in which the flow of water through the cell membrane is not significant. An intensity of the negative pressure is used that causes selective damage to fat cells. |
| US08273032B2 |
Physiological parameter monitoring with minimization of motion artifacts
An implanted system includes at least two optical sensors implanted proximate to an artery of a patient such that one optical sensor is upstream of another optical sensor. Arterial pulses of the patient may be detected based on electrical signals from at least one of the optical sensors. In addition, electrical signals from the optical sensors may be used to minimize the effects of motion artifacts on the detection of arterial pulses. For example, a detected pulse may be determined to be a spurious pulse if the optical sensors indicate the occurrence of the pulse within a predetermined range of time. As another example, a first optical sensor signal may be shifted in time relative to a second optical sensor signal, and the signals may be correlated. An arterial pulse may be detected at a time at which a peak or trough amplitude value of the correlated signal is observed. |
| US08273028B2 |
Electrical connector
An electrical connector is described. In one implementation, the connector includes a female portion including one or more electrical contacts and a male portion including one or more electrical contacts. The female portion and the male portion each have a self-orientating geometry that allows the male portion to be mated with the female portion in any rotational position along 360 degrees of rotation. When mated, the electrical contacts of the female portion mate with corresponding one or more electrical contacts of the male portion to form one or more electrical connections between two electronic components. |
| US08273026B2 |
Ultrasonic imaging method and probe for 3D gynaecologic inspection
An ultrasonic imaging method particularly for 3D gynaecologic inspections provides an ultrasound probe having a number of transducers forming a linear array. An imaging scanning unit connected to the transducers alternatively generates electric driving signals for each transducer. The probe is oscillated in a direction transversal to the longitudinal extension of the linear array of transducers and around an axis coinciding or parallel to the longitudinal extensions of the linear array of transducers to modify the orientation of the direction of propagation of the ultrasound signals. The ultrasound beams are steered so that the linear array of transducers generates a trapezoidal scanning slice or plane diverging in the direction of propagation of the beams. |
| US08273025B2 |
Ultrasound probe
An ultrasound probe having a forced cooling system for circulating a liquid through a probe cable. The ultrasound probe comprised of a handle unit including a plurality of ultrasound transducers, a flexible cable connected to the handle unit and a connector unit coupled to the cable. The cable includes a plurality of electric signal lines and a cooling liquid circulation flow channel. The circulation flow channel is comprised of an outward path for transmitting the cooling liquid from the connector unit to the handle unit, and a return path for transmitting the cooling liquid from the handle unit to the connector unit. At least either one of the outward path or the return path is comprised of a plurality of thin tubes. |
| US08273022B2 |
Analyte monitoring device and methods of use
An analyte monitor includes a sensor, a sensor control unit, and a display unit. The sensor has, for example, a substrate, a recessed channel formed in the substrate, and conductive material disposed in the recessed channel to form a working electrode. The sensor control unit typically has a housing adapted for placement on skin and is adapted to receive a portion of an electrochemical sensor. The sensor control unit also includes two or more conductive contacts disposed on the housing and configured for coupling to two or more contact pads on the sensor. A transmitter is disposed in the housing and coupled to the plurality of conductive contacts for transmitting data obtained using the sensor. The display unit has a receiver for receiving data transmitted by the transmitter of the sensor control unit and a display coupled to the receiver for displaying an indication of a level of an analyte. The analyte monitor may also be part of a drug delivery system to alter the level of the analyte based on the data obtained using the sensor. |
| US08273020B2 |
Method and system for providing rule based cognitive stimulation to a user
A method and system for providing evolving, highly variable, long-term ongoing cognitive stimulation over a broad spectrum of cognitive domains. The user is presented with a series of entertaining audio/visual activities customized for the user, based on the user's life experience and cognitive level, each activity providing stimulation in one or more cognitive domains. The activities themselves and their level of challenge may change, in real time, over both the short- and the long term, varying in relation to current and historical user response patterns, creating an experience that remains engaging, with on-going use, over a period of months or years. |
| US08273017B1 |
Surgical access port with ring actuated latching mechanism
A surgical devices comprises a roll-up wound protector with a distal ring, a proximal ring, and a flexible sleeve having a length extending between the proximal and distal rings. The proximal ring has proximal, distal, medial, and lateral faces and is rollable to gather the flexible sleeve around the proximal ring and shorten the length of the flexible sleeve. A hand access port comprises a frame circumscribing an aperture. The aperture is aligned with the proximal and distal rings and is adapted to receive and seal against a surgeon's arm. A latching mechanism is connected to the frame and circumscribes the proximal ring, the latching mechanism having an engaged state wherein the hand access port is attached to the proximal ring and a disengaged state wherein the hand access port is not attached to the proximal ring. An actuation ring is operably connected to the latching mechanism to select between the engaged and disengaged states. |
| US08273013B2 |
Endoscope insertion assistant probe and applicable endoscope apparatus therefor
An endoscope insertion assistant probe is inserted into a body cavity prior to insertion of an insertion portion of an endoscope into the body cavity, to assist the insertion of the endoscope, and includes a flexible, elongated probe; and a distal end guiding element that is arranged at a distal end portion of the probe. The distal end guiding element is made of a thin-film resin member and expandable by fluid. |
| US08273008B2 |
Shielding assemblies for infusion systems
A shielding assembly for an infusion system includes a plurality of compartments and a door for each compartment, and provides a radioactive radiation barrier for the compartments. One of the compartments contains a radioisotope generator of the infusion system and another of the compartments may contain a waste bottle of the infusion system. An opening into each of the generator and waste bottle compartments may be oriented upward, and the opening into the latter may be at a higher elevation than the opening into the former, for example, to facilitate independent removal and replacement of each. A door of at least one of the compartments, other than the generator compartment, when closed, may prevent the door of the generator compartment from being opened. A cabinet structure for the infusion system may enclose the shielding assembly and secure the generator. |
| US08273005B2 |
Treatment of pain, neurological dysfunction and neoplasms using radiation delivery catheters
A catheter-based radiation delivery system is adapted to treat pain, nervous system injury, and select neoplasms. A source of pain is identified within soft tissues of an individual or an animal. A needle or catheter is then used to deliver radiation to the source of pain. |
| US08272999B2 |
Seat mechanisms
Described are several mechanisms for permitting a user to adjust the seat on a stationary exercise bicycle. The described mechanisms can be used to adjust the height of the seat or the fore and aft positioning of the seat on an upright type bicycle. Each of the described mechanisms can be configured to provide users with an optimum seat position and with a convenient latch mechanism to adjust the position of the seat. |
| US08272995B2 |
Elliptical exercise methods and apparatus
Various exercise machines have foot supporting linkages that move a person's feet through respective left and right paths of motion in respective planes that are skewed relative to one another. |
| US08272993B2 |
Method for carrying out a load shift in vehicles with electric drive
A method of carrying out a shift under load in either an electric vehicle which has a change-under-load transmission or a hybrid vehicle which has a hybrid transmission while the vehicle is operating in a purely electrical mode. The speed adaptation of the electric machine, which is required for synchronization to a new gear, is carried out in a speed regulation mode. |
| US08272989B2 |
Variable ratio transmission for distributing a drive torque to at least two output shafts
A variable-ratio transmission for distributing a drive torque to at least two drive output shafts (8, 9), comprising a conventional differential (1) is proposed, which comprises an electric motor (5) for distributing the drive torque directly between the drive output shafts (8, 9) and a plus planetary gearset (2) that serves as a variable-ratio unit, such that the plus planetary gearset (2) is arranged coaxially with a drive input shaft (8), the outer sun gear (3) of the plus planetary gearset (2) is connected to the output (8), on the side of the differential (1) facing toward the planetary gearset (2), and the web (4) of the planetary gearset (2) is connected to the electric motor (5), and such that the inner sun gear (6) of the planetary gearset (2) is connected by a countershaft (7) to the other drive output shaft (9). |
| US08272988B2 |
Retrograde torque limit bicycle with bidirectional input and one-way output
The present invention is applied to pedal vehicles, or mixture of electric and pedal vehicles, or combination of electric and pedal auxiliary vehicles, especially to a bicycle capable of being pedaled bidirectionally and driven to move in unidirectional, and through the torque limit transmission being transferred into overload sliding or disengaging status, the retrograde torque limit bicycle with bidirectional input and one-way output is prevented from being locked. |
| US08272984B2 |
Endless metal belt
An endless metal belt including a ring formed by laminating endless metal plates; and multiple elements continuously attached to the ring. Each of the elements has a body, a head connected to the body by a pillar, and slots formed between the body and the head on left and right sides of the pillar, respectively, for receiving the ring. The elements satisfy the equations (h/t)<1 and (S/h)>40, where h is a width of the slots, t is a plate thickness of the elements, and S is an area of the head. |
| US08272978B2 |
Batting training aid
A training aid to teach batters a better swing, particularly the proper hand path of such a swing. The training aid has a head portion with at least one planar or flat surface to strike a practice ball, a neck portion having a first shorter run and a second longer run, the first and second runs being at an angle to one another, and a handle portion. The shorter run of the neck portion is connected to the handle portion while the longer run of the neck portion is connected to the head portion. |
| US08272976B2 |
Golf club with pick and place feature
A golf club that picks up a golf ball, sets the golf ball on a tee and may be used to hit the golf ball by providing an opening in the golf club head for entrance of the golf ball which through a series of inclining and declining planes and bumpers the ball rolls into the back of the golf club via a push down motion, thence the golf club can be picked up, held above the tee, and with a turn of the wrist the golf ball can be set upon the tee for driving by the same golf club. |
| US08272973B2 |
Golf club grip
A lightweight, oversized grip assembly for a golf club or other sporting equipment includes a first grip element defining an open channel for receiving a gripping end of the golf club or other sporting equipment, and a second grip element dimensioned to match a cross-sectional dimension and a longitudinal dimension of the first grip element. The assembled first grip element and second grip element define a grip having a maximum diameter of up to about 500 mm. The first grip element defines an open channel axially along a longitudinal dimension thereof, having a width and a depth dimensioned to receive substantially an entirety of a thickness of the gripping end. The second grip element defines a substantially planar cover for capturing the base element and the gripping end between the first grip element and the second grip element. |
| US08272972B2 |
Golf club, method for changing shaft insertion depth of golf club, and method for replacing shaft of golf club
A golf club, includes: a head; a shaft; a shaft case, having a cylindrical shape and fixed to a leading end of the shaft, a hosel, mounted on the head, wherein: the shaft case is inserted into the hosel from an upper end of the hosel; and the shaft case is fixed to the hosel so that an insertion depth of the shaft into the hosel is changed. |
| US08272969B2 |
Flagpole and ferrule assembly
A golf flagpole and ferrule assembly for mounting in a golf cup hole is disclosed. The flagpole and ferrule both include cooperating coupling parts to form an attachment therebetween. A cap is applied over portions of the flagpole and the ferrule to couple to the retaining members and secure the flagpole to the ferrule. |
| US08272966B2 |
Damper device
A damper device includes a damper portion and a limiter portion, and the limiter portion has a first constitutive member formed to cover the damper portion or the limiter portion, a first and second friction materials fixed to a second constitutive member of the damper portion, a cover plate provided so as to be slidable to the first friction material, a support plate arranged so as to be distant from the cover plate at a radially inner portion of the support plate and so as to contact the cover plate at a radially outer portion of the support plate, a pressure plate provided so as to be slidable to the second friction material and a coned disc spring provided between the support plate and the pressure plate, wherein the first constitutive member is at least one of the cover plate and the support plate. |
| US08272964B2 |
Identifying obstructions in an impression area
Systems and methods for defining and tracking advertising campaigns across a channel video game network are disclosed. The system allows advertisements to be dynamically activated in video games. Advertisements are tracked to determine user impressions and user exposure to the advertisement. In the system, an impression area is defined relative an advertisements in the game. Methods for redefining the impression area or for accounting for the existence of obstructions that distort the view of the advertisement are also provided. |
| US08272963B2 |
Reconfigurable gaming machine
A gaming machine has at least one video screen, but preferably three. One screen displays a primary game and the other two screens preferably display pay tables, a secondary game, or artwork related to the primary and/or secondary game. The content of the video screens is reconfigurable. The content may be downloaded over a network connecting a plurality of gaming machines to a central computer, or the content of several different games may be stored locally within the gaming machine. |
| US08272962B2 |
Sourcing of electronic wagering games accessed through unaffiliated hosts
The play of a wagering game by a user on the user's computing device is supported while a web page from a host server is displayed on the user's screen. The game is contained in a window on the web page, but the game is under the control of a server. The user's computing device downloads a module of an application that supports play of the wagering game. Requests from the user's computing device for critical game information is routed via the host server to the source server. A reply to this request is transmitted from the source server via the host server to the user's computing device thereby permitting play of the game within web page window as displayed on the user's screen. The host server controls the subject matter displayed on the web page outside the window containing the wagering game. |
| US08272959B2 |
Interactive computer gaming system with audio response
A remotely accessed lottery system in accordance with the present invention, includes at least one gaming location including a plurality of terminals, each terminal including a display and an input device, the terminals being connected on a local area network. A dedicated transmission link is coupled to the local area network. A central station is remotely disposed relative to the at least one gaming location, the central station coupled to the local area network by the dedicated transmission link. The central station further includes at least one computer for generating tickets to be sent to the terminals pursuant to requests by players to participate, wherein the tickets are digitally rendered on a display of the terminals and have outcomes predetermined at the central station prior to the request for purchase and also includes a device for updating player accounts responsive to requests for participation and winning results as determined at the central station. A method for playing virtual scratch off games is also included. |
| US08272955B2 |
Computer-readable storage medium having stored thereon game program, game apparatus, and game control method
Displayed on a predetermined display device is a play screen on which a virtual game space is rendered, the virtual game space containing a character item indicating a predetermined character and a player object. Also displayed is a character string object screen on which character string objects are rendered, each of the character string objects formed as a combination of the character items displayed on the play screen. When the player object has obtained a character item, a process is performed onto the same character as the obtained character item, the process indicating that the character item has been obtained is performed, the same character being among characters of character strings displayed on the character string object screen. When all constituent characters of a character string object have been obtained, effect generating process predefined as a game effect corresponding to the character string object is performed. |
| US08272951B2 |
Attribute building for characters in a virtual environment
Systems and method provided herein involve a mechanism that allows users to have more input and influence in customizing their virtual characters' profile by developing their attributes. By developing and improving attributes of their characters, the social value of their characters can be increased within the virtual environment. Additional attributes that can be developed include, but are not limited to, strength, speed, agility, intelligence, creativity, style, streets-smart, safety-awareness, grooming, cooking, and manners. Jobs, tasks, classes, sessions, and the like, as well as competitions can be created that emphasize one or more attributes to facilitate encouraging users to have their characters learn, master, and test such new skills. |
| US08272950B2 |
Parlay-based tournament including successive games
A parlay-based tournament playable by a plurality of players is provided. The tournament includes a plurality of successive games. Each game has a ticket pool and a plurality of results. |
| US08272946B2 |
Gaming device having a multi-function free game bonus
An apparatus and method for a free spins game including a plurality of reels, an outcome and a plurality of sections associated with the outcome. The gaming device or player activates the reels to indicate a designated symbol combination including at least two section indicator symbols. When a designated symbol combination including the section indicator symbols is indicated on the reels, the gaming device obtains the corresponding section. The gaming device or player continues to activate the reels until there are no free spins remaining in the game or until all of the sections are obtained. The gaming device then provides the outcome to the player. |
| US08272940B2 |
Gaming device having match game with award determined by prediction of correct matches
A gaming device having a game which includes a predicted number of matches, and an actual number of matches. An award is provided to the player that is based on the absolute value of the difference between the predicted number of matches and the actual number of matches. |
| US08272939B2 |
Video wagering machine including a bonus round termination enhancement
A method and system are provided for providing a bonus round responsive to a bonus trigger in a wagering game. The method includes providing at least one bonus spin. The method includes awarding a prize associated with a bonus spin result. The method includes, responsive to a termination trigger occurring, awarding a termination bonus and terminating the bonus round. |
| US08272938B2 |
Gaming machine with win multiplier feature
A method and apparatus for conducting a wagering game are disclosed. After a player makes a wager, a display depicts a combination of symbols. If the displayed combination yields a predetermined award and meets a predetermined criterion, a win multiplier feature is invoked. In the win multiplier feature the symbols of the combination are associated with respective multipliers, and then the player is prompted to select one of the symbols of the combination. The display reveals the multiplier associated with the selected symbol. The predetermined award is multiplied by the revealed multiplier. |
| US08272937B2 |
Central determination gaming system with a game outcome generated by a gaming terminal and approved by a central controller
A central determination gaming system including a plurality of gaming terminals in communication with a central controller. In one embodiment, upon initiation of a game at one of the gaming terminals, the gaming terminal randomly generates a proposed game outcome. The proposed game outcome is communicated to the central controller. The central controller determines if a pool of predetermined game outcomes includes the proposed game outcome. If the pool includes the proposed game outcome, the central controller authorizes the proposed game outcome to be provided to the player, flags the authorized game outcome from further authorizations and communicates the authorized game outcome to the gaming terminal. The gaming terminal then provides the authorized game outcome to the player. If the pool does not include the proposed game outcome, the central controller discards the proposed game outcome and instructs the gaming terminal to generate another proposed game outcome for authorization. |
| US08272932B2 |
Ventilation system for a cab of an agricultural machine involved in spraying operations, and an agricultural machine fitted with such a system
The ventilation system for a cab (1) of an agricultural machine involved in spraying operations comprises; at least one outside air intake (7); at least one air outlet (29) opening out into said cab (1); means (14) for causing air coming from said outside air intake (7) to flow towards said air outlet (29); means (11) for selectively closing said outside air intake, referred to as first closure means; and means (21, 23) for controlling the spraying function. The first closure means (11) are slaved to said control means (21, 23) in such a manner that activating and deactivating the spraying function lead respectively to said air intake (7) being closed and opened by said first closure means (11). |
| US08272929B2 |
Auto-arranged coin stacker and dispenser
Auto-Arranged Coin Stacker and Dispenser device that is capable of stacking and dispensing coins automatically in a row and columnar configuration inside chambers formed between a back panel and a front panel between which a space is created to accept coins to drop freely and sequentially from an opening at the top of the device. A spacer having substantially the thickness of the coins is configured to have guide posts wherein the dropping coins are directed automatically to advance downward and arrange themselves first horizontally then vertically in the space provided between the front and back panels. The subsequently falling coins form additional rows vertically above the previous rows in a well-ordered manner by gravity assist and judiciously spaced guides on the sides. The device presents the stacked coins through a translucent frontage to show an immediate accounting of what has been deposited with an aesthetic appearance to the viewer. |
| US08272926B2 |
System and method for stunning poultry with gas
System and method for controlled atmosphere stunning of chickens in a batch mode is provided. The disclosed method includes the steps of: loading one or more batches of chickens in a stunning chamber and sealably enclosing the stunning chamber to isolate the atmosphere therein. Carbon dioxide is then introduced to the isolated atmosphere in a series of three, four or five phases to humanely stun the chickens. The carbon dioxide containing atmosphere is subsequently forcibly exhausted from the stunning chamber and the ranks of cages or modules containing the stunned chickens are advanced to the tipper or dumping station. |
| US08272920B2 |
Children's ride-on vehicles having mechanical assemblies
Children's ride-on vehicles are disclosed. In some embodiments, the vehicle may include first and second mechanical members, with the second mechanical member configured to move between a concealing position, in which the second mechanical member conceals a portion of the first mechanical member, and a revealing position, in which the second mechanical member does not conceal the portion of the first mechanical member. In some embodiments, a biasing member urges the second mechanical member toward the concealing position. In some embodiments, a user input device permits a child to lock the first mechanical member in one of a retracted position and an extended position. |
| US08272919B2 |
Interactive intelligent toy
The present invention is directed to an interactive intelligent toy that provides the appearance and experience of a toy hamster moving in, and interacting with, its environment and habitat. In an exemplary embodiment, the interactive intelligent toy comprises an intelligent motive and control component enclosed by a cover resembling a hamster, with fur coat, eyes, ears, mouth, nose, and whiskers. The motive component includes a drive mechanism and circuitry operable to control the drive mechanism, monitor and detect user and event inputs, and detect and decode embedded codes from a pathway and perform predetermined actions or generate predetermined sounds in response. The motive component moves along and through a pathway component having one or more embedded codes detectable by the motive component, the embedded codes providing information to the motive component to direct desired action of the motive component. |
| US08272918B2 |
Simulation dog tail swinging installment
A simulation tail swinging installment includes a base plate, an electromagnetic coil disposed on the base plate, a battery module configured for supplying power to the electromagnetic coil, and a control circuit coupled to the battery module. The simulation tail swinging installment further includes a furcated component having two arms disposed with respect to the electromagnetic coil, with the two arms located on opposite sides of the electromagnetic coil, respectively. Each of the arms includes a permanent magnet positioned in correspondence with the electromagnetic coil. The furcated component is mounted to the base plate through a pivot connected to the base plate. A first driving cable and a second driving cable are attached to the two arms, respectively. The first driving cable and the second driving cable extend through and along two side portions of a simulation tail and secured to a distal end of the simulation tail. |
| US08272911B2 |
Method for manufacturing image display element
A method for manufacturing an image display element including: a front panel; a back panel facing the front panel; plural pixels arranged in a matrix between the panels, and to be selected to be in a display or non-display state; and plural electrodes for controlling the pixels, the panels being bonded with the pixels and the electrodes interposed therebetween, and the electrodes being connected to a driving control circuit via metal wires, includes a first step of performing dicing from the back side of the opposing surface from the front panel, and forming a groove part such that electrode terminals connected to the electrodes are exposed between adjacent plural pixel lines, with the back panel bonded thereto, and a second step of forming the metal wires so as to be connected to the electrode terminals exposed at the groove part. |
| US08272905B2 |
Structure for a terminal in an electric connector
The present invention relates to a field of electric connector, and in particular, to a structure for a terminal in an electric connector. In one preferred embodiment, a structure for a terminal in an electric connector is provided. The structure comprises: a terminal fixation part; a terminal elastic part; and an overstress prevention element. The terminal elastic part is extended from the terminal fixation part, wherein the terminal elastic part enables elastic deformation relative to the terminal fixation part and is configured to bend toward the terminal fixation part upon application of an external force. The overstress prevention element is provided between the terminal fixation part and the terminal elastic part, and is adapted for restricting overbending of the terminal elastic part. Furthermore, the present invention provides an electric connector incorporating the structure for the terminal therein. According to the present invention, the structure for a terminal in an electric connector realizes an overstress preventing performance. Furthermore, the structure for the terminal in the electric connector is compact in structure, has high efficiency in material utilization and low cost, and enables precise control of the stress on the structure for the terminal. |
| US08272902B2 |
Communications connector with multi-stage compensation
A communication connector uses compensation circuitry to compensate for crosstalk in a network connection. Capacitors are connected between specific conducive paths in said communication connector. Inductive stubs are utilized in the compensation circuitry to improve the overall compensation performance. |
| US08272900B2 |
Electrical connector, cable and apparatus utilizing same
An electrical connector, such as a circuit board connector, includes a first group or subassembly of electrical contacts physically separate from an adjacent and second group or subassembly of contacts. The first group of electrical contacts and second group of electrical contacts each include a row of lower contacts and upper contacts. The second group of electrical contacts has an identical but mirrored configuration as the first group of electrical contacts. |
| US08272899B2 |
Electrical charger with base unit and adaptor unit
There is provided an electrical charger including a base unit and an adaptor unit. The base unit is configured for being coupled to an electronic device, and includes an electrical connector plug which includes a plurality of electrical connector plug contacts. The adaptor unit is configured for being coupled to a power supply, and includes a plurality of adaptor unit contacts and a receiving aperture defining an opening for an electrical connector plug receiving receptacle configured for receiving the electrical connector plug. After the electrical connector plug is received within the electrical connector plug receiving receptacle and while the electrical connector plug is disposed within the electrical connector plug receiving receptacle, each one of the electrical connector plug contacts is disposable in an electrical contact engagement state with a respective one of the adaptor unit contacts such that, when the adaptor unit becomes disposed in electrical communication with a power supply and the base unit becomes disposed in an electrical coupling relationship with an electronic device and each one of the electrical connector plug contacts becomes disposed in electrical contact engagement with a respective one of the adaptor unit contacts, power is supplied to the electronic device. |
| US08272898B2 |
Electrical connector system with magnetic module
An electrical connector system includes a substrate (1) connected to PHY side and an electrical connector (3) mounted on the substrate (1), a transformer (5) and a common mode filter (7). The electrical connector (3) is used to mate with a cable assembly and so forms a Cable side. The transformer (5) further includes a first wire (51) having two opposite ends electrically connected to the PHY side and a second wire (53) having two opposite ends. The common mode filter (7) has a third wire (73) and a fourth wire (75) that are physically separated from and electrically connected to opposite ends of the second wire (53). |
| US08272896B2 |
Retainer for overmolded electrical circuit
A plug assembly comprises a molded plug first and second ends, front and back surfaces, and extending along a longitudinal axis. The plug includes a socket extending from the front surface at least partially through the plug along a width axis. The socket defines at least one hole extending at least partially therethrough. The plug assembly also includes a retainer at least partially molded within the plug, with a first end adjacent the first end of the plug and a second end adjacent the second end of the plug. Additionally, the plug assembly includes a first wire set connected to the socket within the plug. The plug assembly further includes a first securing member securing the first wire set to the retainer within the plug, adjacent the first end of the retainer, to hold the first wire set in a fixed position within the plug during the overmolding process. |
| US08272891B2 |
Connector
A connector includes a first terminal housing for housing a first inner housing that houses a plurality of first connecting terminals vertically aligned at predetermined intervals, a second terminal housing for housing a second inner housing that houses a plurality of second connecting terminals vertically aligned at predetermined intervals, a plurality of insulating members that are aligned and housed in the first terminal housing and are fixed to the lower surfaces of the plurality of first connecting terminals, and a connecting member for collectively fixing and electrically connecting the plurality of first connecting terminals to the plurality of second connecting terminals at each contact point by pressing an upper surface of one of the second connecting terminals at an uppermost part of the laminated structure. The plurality of insulating members each have a same shape and size. |
| US08272890B2 |
Modular adapter for a connector insert and connection unit comprising such modular adapters
The invention refers to a modular adapter for a connector insert, characterized in that it comprises a hollow body provided with a through cavity for receiving a connector insert, an external wall of said hollow body being provided with reversible retention means able to cooperate with the internal wall of a through hole in a connector box in which said adapter is intended to be mounted. The invention also refers to a connection unit comprising two modular adapters, respectively male and female adapters. |
| US08272889B2 |
Connector
A connector has a base having an opening formed at a front surface of the base, to which a distal end of a flexible printed circuit is inserted, a plurality of insertion holes passing from the front surface to a rear surface arranged in a line at a predetermined pitch, and a fit-in recess at an upper surface of the base, a connection terminal press-fit into the insertion hole of the base from a side, a support fitting assembled to the fit-in recess of the base from an upper side, and including an elastic temporary holding portion capable of engaging a temporary holding cutout portion arranged on both side edges of the distal end of the flexible printed circuit, and an operation lever for supporting a turning shaft portion arranged at both side ends at a bearing of the support fitting in a turnable manner, and driving the connection terminal. |
| US08272885B2 |
Connector
There is disclosed a connector, such as a wet-mateable connector, comprising first and second components having first and second contacts respectively and arranged to be coupled together such that the first and second contacts make a connection. The connector comprises a shuttle associated with the first component and moveable between at least a decoupled position in which the shuttle protects the first contact and a coupled position in which the first contact is exposed. During coupling of the first and second components the shuttle is moved to the coupled position so as to expose the first contact such that it can make an electrical connection with the second contact. The connector also comprises a latch arranged to latch the second component to the shuttle such that upon decoupling of the first and second components, the shuttle is returned to the decoupled position. |
| US08272880B2 |
Socket and semiconductor device including socket and semiconductor package
A socket includes: a circuit board; a plurality of connection terminals disposed on the circuit board; a plurality of contacts each fixed to a corresponding one of the connection terminals, wherein each of the contacts is formed of a conductive elastic member, each of the contacts comprising: a tail portion fixed to the corresponding connection terminal; an extending portion connected to the tail portion and extending in a direction substantially parallel with a surface of the circuit board; a rise portion connected to the extending portion and extending in a direction substantially perpendicular to the surface of the circuit board; and a tip portion connected to the rise portion. |
| US08272879B2 |
Planar connector
The present invention provides a planar connector having excellent performances including flatness, warp-deformation resistance, and heat resistance, being capable of responding to shape changes in recent planar connectors. Specifically, the planar connector is composed of a composite resin composition comprises (A) a liquid crystalline polymer containing 55% by mole or less of p-hydroxy benzoic acid residue and having a melting point of 330° C. or higher, (B) a plate-like inorganic filler, and (C) a fibrous filler having a weight average fiber length within a range of 250 to 600 μm, the amount of (B) component being 25 to 35% by weight to the total composition, the amount of (C) component being 10 to 25% by weight to the total composition, the sum in total of (B) component and (C) component being 40 to 50% by weight to the total composition, wherein the connector has a lattice structure inside an outer frame, and has an opening inside the lattice area, and wherein the pitch interval of the lattice area is 1.5 mm or less, and the ratio of the thickness of the thickness of the lattice area to the outer frame area is 0.8 or less. |
| US08272878B2 |
Distributor connection module for telecommunication and data technology
The invention relates to a distribution board connection module (1) for telecommunications and data technology, comprising a trough (2) which is in the form of a U in cross section, the trough (2) being made from metal or metalized plastic and having a base plate (3) and two limbs (4), the base plate (3) having openings, into which first printed circuit board plug-type connectors (5) are inserted, the modules (10) each having a plastic housing, which has a cavity, in which at least one printed circuit board (21) is arranged, the plastic housing having, on its front end side (13, 14), an opening in which at least one printed circuit board plug-type connector (22) is arranged and having, on its rear end side (15, 16), an opening, the modules (10) being plugged onto the limbs (4) of the trough (2) and a printed circuit board plug-type connector (5), which is inserted into the base plate (3) of the trough (2), engaging in the opening of the rear end side (15, 16) of a plugged-on module and making contact with the printed circuit board of the module (10), and to a grounding clip (30) for a module. |
| US08272874B2 |
System and method for assisting language learning
Speech data from the operation of a speech recognition application is recorded over the course of one or more language learning sessions. The operation of the speech recognition application during each language learning sessions corresponds to a user speaking, and the speech recognition application generating text data. The text data may a recognition of what the user spoke. The speech data may comprise the text data, and confidence values that are an indication of an accuracy of the recognition. The speech data from each language learning session may be analyzed to determine an overall performance level of the user. |
| US08272873B1 |
Language learning system
Computer software for language analysis and material design, and a method of natural language training, comprising: receiving a plurality of texts in a predetermined natural language; establishing one or more groups of core words of the natural language; and compiling teaching materials that comprise at least a predetermined percentage of words that are within one or more of the groups. At least one of the groups comprises high frequency words in the natural language. |
| US08272871B2 |
Transfer coping for dental implants
A dental implant component includes a distal end that includes a top surface and a proximal end that defines an opening. An inner surface of the component defines an internal cavity. At least one resiliently deflectable prong is disposed in the internal cavity. The prong is configured to releasingly engage a groove formed in a bore of a prosthetic abutment. The component further comprising elongated protrusions positioned within the inner surface configured to engage grooves formed in an inner bore of the abutment. |
| US08272869B2 |
Dental matrix
A dental matrix includes a band with an edge for placement toward the gingival margin of a tooth to be restored, and a strip of material such as dental floss, attached to and extending along an edge of the band. In the preferred embodiment, buccal and lingual extensions are located beyond a central portion of the band along the edge. The extensions are folded over the strip of material so as to secure the strip of dental floss to the edge. The strip of material facilitates the insertion of the band in the interproximal space between two teeth. |
| US08272864B2 |
Injection mold having pre-heating device, the pre-heating device, and method for pre-heating injection mold
An injection mold having pre-heating device, the pre-heating device, and method for pre-heating injection mold are provided. The pre-heating device includes a high frequency coil member and a transportation device having a Z axle servo motor, a Z axle linear sliding rail, an annular transportation belt and a lifting rack. The annular transportation belt is driven by the Z axle servo motor. The high frequency coil member is hung on the lifting rack. The lifting rack is moveably connected to the Z axle linear sliding rail, coupled to the annular transportation belt and is driven by the annular transportation belt to perform an ascent or descent movement along the Z axle linear sliding rail. |
| US08272863B2 |
Bottom of a mould for a mould for producing thermoplastic containers, and moulding device comprising at least one mould provided with such a bottom
The invention relates to a bottom of a mold (13) for a mold for producing containers, especially bottles, by blow molding or blow drawing, said containers having a body and a bottom (14) of a container, comprising a peripheral base (15) in the shape of a crown, which is connected on the inside to a central area (16) forming an arch consisting of a plurality of radiating impressions (17) alternating with a plurality of radiating projections which are distributed in an angular and equidistant manner about a central axis (Y) of the bottom (14) of the container. For the molding of the central area (16) of the bottom (14) of the container, the bottom (13) of the mold comprises: a plurality of radiating projecting branches (19) distributed in an angular and equidistant manner, and extending approximatively radially to the axis (X) of the bottom of the mold; a central core (20) comprising a lateral wall (21) to which the branches (19) are connected; and in-between sections (22) forming cores of angular sectors regularly separating said branches from each other. The bottom (13) of the mold is characterized in that each radiating projecting branch (19) has an upper part (23) in the form of an inclined platform which descends from the center towards the periphery with at least two points (24, 25) of inflection of the curve. |
| US08272861B1 |
Apparatus for vulcanizing at least a tread of a tire
An apparatus for vulcanizing at least a tread of a tire has a top mold section and a bottom mold section. The mold sections are secured to one another during a vulcanizing process by a plurality of locking mechanisms located around the outer circumference of the apparatus. Each locking mechanism includes a dual action hydraulic actuator. A piston rod of the hydraulic actuator imparts movement to a generally vertically oriented articulated linkage member. T-shaped projection located at an end of the articulated linkage member distal from the piston rod is brought into engagement with a securing member associated with the top mold section to secure the mold sections to one another. After the vulcanizing process is complete the hydraulic actuator imparts movement to the articulated linkage member to release the top mold section from the bottom mold section. |