最新美国发明专利第2012-10-02期 - 专利汇|PatentHub专利检索|专利查询网|发明专利查询分析

Document	Document Title
US08278317B2	Potassium channel inhibitors The present invention relates to compounds having the structure (I) useful as potassium channel inhibitors to treat cardiac arrhythmias, and the like.
US08278316B2	Aza pyridone analogs useful as melanin concentrating hormone receptor-1 antagonists MCHR1 antagonists are provided having the following Formula I: wherein all of the variables are defined herein. Such compounds are useful for the treatment of MCHR1 mediated diseases, such as obesity, diabetes, IBD, depression, and anxiety.
US08278315B2	Radiotherapy method using x-rays A method of treating living mammals including humans uses x-rays to disrupt DNA in malfunctioning cells such as cancerous or tumorous cells. A compound comprising a pre-selected element is administered to the mammal so that the compound associates with DNA. Then a localized region of cells which contains the malfunctioning cells is irradiated with line emission x-rays of an energy selected to cause emission of Auger electrons from the pre-selected element of the compound to disrupt DNA proximate to the irradiated pre-selected element. A kit useful for the treatment comprises an x-ray tube capable of emitting monochromatic line emission x-rays and a compound which associates with DNA and has an element which when irradiated emits said Auger electrons.
US08278314B2	Quinazoline analogs as receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors This invention provides quinazoline analogs of Formula I: where A is bonded to at least one of the carbons at the 5, 6, 7 or 8 position of the bicyclic ring, and the ring is substituted by up to two independent R3 groups. The invention also includes methods of using compounds of Formula I as type I receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors and for the treatment of hyperproliferative diseases such as cancer.
US08278313B2	Macrocyclic spiro pyrimidine derivatives Macrocyclic Spiro pyrimidine compounds of formula (I): compositions comprising such compounds, methods for making the compounds, and methods of treating and preventing the progression of diseases, conditions, and disorders using such compounds and compositions are described herein.
US08278308B2	Diketopiperazine salts for drug delivery and related methods Drug delivery systems have been developed based on the formation of diketopiperazine carboxylate salts and microparticles containing the same. The systems may further comprise a bioactive agent. Related methods for making and using the biologically active agent delivery compositions are also provided. In certain embodiments, the pharmaceutically acceptable salts described can be formed by removal of solvent by methods including distillation, evaporation, spray drying or lyophilization.
US08278307B2	Monocyclic Heteroaryl compounds This invention relates to compounds of the general formula: in which the variable groups are as defined herein, and to their preparation and use.
US08278306B2	C-met protein kinase inhibitors Described herein are compounds that are useful as ROCK inhibitors. These compounds, and pharmaceutically acceptable compositions thereof, are useful for treating or lessening the severity of a variety of disorders, including cardiovascular, inflammatory, neurological, or proliferative diseases or disorders.
US08278300B2	Use for PDE5 inhibitors The present invention is concerned with the use of PDE5 inhibitors in medicine.
US08278298B2	Inhibition of tau-tau-association A composition and use thereof for the prophylaxis or treatment of Alzheimer's disease, motor neurone disease, Lewy body disease, Pick's disease or progressive supranuclear palsy. The composition includes an agent which modulates or inhibits tau-tau association and which does not inhibit tau-tubulin binding. In the method the agent is administered to an individual in order to achieve the desired therapeutic effect. Preferably the agent which is administered is a phenothiazine compound.
US08278295B2	Amino-heterocyclic compounds The invention provides PDE9-inhibiting compounds of Formula (I), and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, wherein R1, R2, R3, A, and n are as defined herein. Pharmaceutical compositions containing the compounds of Formula I, and uses thereof in treating neurodegenerative and cognitive disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease and schizophrenia, are also provided.
US08278293B2	Diazo bicyclic Smac mimetics and the uses thereof The invention relates to diazo bicyclic mimetics of Smac which function as inhibitors of Inhibitor of Apoptosis Proteins. The invention also relates to the use of these mimetics for inducing apoptotic cell death and for sensitizing cells to inducers of apoptosis.
US08278291B1	Treatment of wrinkles and strias with 4-hydroxyandrostenedione or a derivative thereof The invention relates to the treatment of wrinkles in the face, wrinkles at open-necked regions, pregnancy strias, and stretched strias on the lower abdomen, thighs or buttocks with a steroidal aromatase inhibitor which also has 5-alpha reductase inhibitor activity which is 4-hydroxyandrostenedione or a derivative thereof.
US08278290B2	Tubulin polymerisation inhibitors The present invention relates to compounds of general formula (I) as tublin polymerization inhibitors and methods for preparing such compounds.
US08278289B2	Boroxine composition for removal of skin changes The present invention relates to the field of skin disorders, particularly to the prevention and/or treatment of benignant or malignant changes of the epidermis visible in form of e.g. nevus. A pharmaceutical, dermatological and/or cosmetic composition is disclosed comprising as active constituent the boroxine compound. The present invention further provides the respective uses of the boroxine compound in medicine, particularly in the field of skin disorders, and in dermatological and/or cosmetic applications.
US08278282B2	Nucleoside analogs for treatment of viral infections This invention relates to novel compounds that have various medicinal applications, e.g. for the treatment and/or prevention of viral infections.
US08278279B2	Method for treating prostatitis utilizing modified pore-forming protein proaerolysin The present disclosure includes methods and compositions for treating any condition involving prostatitis and similar diseases and/or conditions. These methods and compositions involve the use of targeted modified pore-forming proteins, including variant proaerolysin proteins.
US08278278B2	Cell proliferation reducing cancer specific PCNA peptides Cell-permeable caPCNA-derived peptides and their variants serve as therapeutic compositions to reduce the proliferation of cancerous cells and also augment cytotoxic effects of chemotherapeutics.
US08278273B2	Methods of enhancing functioning of the large intestine The invention relates to glucagon-related peptides and their use for the prevention or treatment of disorders involving the large intestine. In particular, it has now been demonstrated that GLP-2 and peptidic agonists of GLP-2 can cause proliferation of the tissue of large intestine. Thus, the invention provides methods of proliferating the large intestine in a subject in need thereof. Further, the methods of the invention are useful to treat or prevent inflammatory conditions of the large intestine, including inflammatory bowel diseases.
US08278269B2	Control of growth and repair of gastro-intestinal tissues by gastrokines and inhibitors A novel group of gastrokines called Gastric Antrum Mucosal Protein is characterized. A member of the group is designated AMP-18. AMP-18 genomic DNA, cDNA and the AMP-18 protein are sequenced for human, mouse and pig. The AMP-18 protein and active peptides derived from it are cellular growth factors. Surprisingly, peptides capable of inhibiting the effects of the complete protein, are also derived from the AMP-18 protein. Cytoprotection and control of mammalian gastro-intestinal tissue growth and repair (restitution) is facilitated by the use of the proteins, making the proteins candidates for therapies in inflammatory bowel disease and gastric ulcers.
US08278268B2	Combination therapy comprising glucose reabsorption inhibitors and PPAR modulators Combination therapy comprising PPAR modulators and glucose reabsorption inhibitors useful for the treatment of diabetes and Syndrome X are disclosed.
US08278267B2	Method of modifying food preference comprising administering amylin or amylin agonist Compositions and methods for preventing, treating or controlling conditions or disorders associated with obesity, diet and nutrition are provided. The methods provided generally involve the administration of an Amylin or an Amylin agonist to a subject in order to prevent, treat or control conditions or disorders associated with obesity, diet and nutrition.
US08278260B2	Water-activated “green” cleaning wipe Eco-friendly, or “green”, cleaning wipes are disclosed. The wipes may include a substrate and a green concentrated aqueous cleaning composition impregnated therein. The wipes are dry to the touch before they are activated by water and applied to inanimate surfaces for cleaning. Because of the green concentrated cleaning composition and water-activation just before application, the disclosed wipes may clean larger surface areas and have longer shelf lives and lower weights for easy transportation, packaging and handling than conventional wet wipes that are pre-loaded with a diluted cleaning composition.
US08278257B2	Color changing paint removing composition A composition and related process for removing paint from a substrate in which the composition contains a solvent, an organic filler and a colorant.
US08278256B2	Fluorinated lubricants Polymers of formula Q-O-[A-B]z-[A-B′]z-A-Q′ (I) wherein: A=-(X)a—O-A′-(X′)b— with A′=perfluoropolyether chain and X, X′=—CF2—, —CF2CF2—; a, b=0.1 with the proviso that a=1 if A is linked to Q-O—; b=0 when A is linked to Q′; B derives from homopolymerizable olefins by radical route, of formula: —[(CR1R2—CR3R4)j(CR5R6—CR7R8)j′]— (Ia) wherein j is an integer from 1 to 30, j′ is an integer from 0 to 29 with the proviso that (j+j′) is higher than 2 and lower than 30; R1-R8 are halogen; H; C1-C6 (per)haloalkyl; C1-C6 alkyl; or C1-C6 oxy(per)fluoroalkyl; B′=B but at least one among R1-R8 has a meaning different from that in B; z, z′ are such that the number average molecular weight of the polymer of formula (I) is between 500 and 150,000; Q, Q′=C1-C3 (per)fluoroalkyl or functional end group —(CFW)-Dq-Tk; W=F, CF3; k and q are integers, k ranges from 1 to 4, q is an integer and is equal to 0 or 1; with the proviso that at least one of Q, Q′ is functional end group.
US08278252B2	Nano-sized particles for stabilizing viscoelastic surfactant fluids An aqueous, viscoelastic fluid gelled with a viscoelastic surfactant (VES) is stabilized and improved with an effective amount of an alkaline earth metal oxide, alkaline earth metal hydroxide, alkali metal oxides, alkali metal hydroxides, transition metal oxides, transition metal hydroxides, post-transition metal oxides, and post-transition metal hydroxides. These fluids are more stable and have a reduced or no tendency to precipitate, particularly at elevated temperatures. The additives may reduce the amount of VES required to maintain a given viscosity. These stabilized, enhanced, aqueous viscoelastic fluids may be used as treatment fluids for subterranean hydrocarbon formations, such as in hydraulic fracturing. The particle size of the magnesium oxide or other agent may be nanometer scale, which scale may provide unique particle charges that use chemisorption, crosslinking and/or other chemistries to associate and stabilize the VES fluids.
US08278251B2	Fines migration control at their sources in water reservoirs Water flood materials may contain an effective amount of a nano-sized particulate additive to inhibit or control the movement of fines within a subterranean formation during a water flood secondary recovery operation. The particulate additive may be an alkaline earth metal oxide, alkaline earth metal hydroxide, alkali metal oxide, alkali metal hydroxide, transition metal oxide, transition metal hydroxide, post-transition metal oxide, post-transition metal hydroxide, piezoelectric crystal, and/or pyroelectric crystal. The particle size of the magnesium oxide or other agent may be nanometer scale, which scale may provide unique particle charges that help control and stabilize the fines, e.g. clays.
US08278250B2	Methods useful for diverting aqueous fluids in subterranean operations Methods of using relative permeability modifiers for the diversion of aqueous fluids during subterranean operations are provided. An embodiment of the present invention provides a method of diverting fluids in a subterranean formation that may comprise providing a treatment fluid comprising an aqueous fluid and a relative permeability modifier that comprises water-soluble polymer with hydrophobic or hydrophilic modification; introducing the treatment fluid into a well bore that penetrates the subterranean formation; and at least a first portion of the treatment fluid to penetrate into a portion of the subterranean formation so as to substantially divert a second portion of the treatment fluid or another aqueous treatment fluid to another portion of the subterranean.
US08278243B2	Laser imaging An ink formulation comprises a marking component and a metal salt that absorbs laser irradiation at 700-2000 mn and thereby causes the marking component to change colour. A copper salt in particular allows effective marking with a diode or CO2 laser.
US08278240B2	Method of production of transition metal nanoparticles There is provided a method of stably producing nanoparticles of a metal alone, in particular a transition metal alone, the method comprises heating a chelate complex (M-DMG) comprised of two dimethyl glyoxime (DMG) molecules and one transition metal (M) ion at 300 to 400° C. so as to generate transition metal (M) nanoparticles carried on carbon particles. The method preferably comprises heating a mixture of said chelate complex (M-DMG) and alumina so as to generate transition metal (M) nanoparticles carried on alumina. Preferably, the transition metal (M) is one of Ni, Cu, Pd, and Pt. Typically, the generated transition metal (M) nanoparticles have a size of a diameter of 5 to 15 nm.
US08278237B2	Catalyst for aromatization of lower hydrocarbons and process for production of aromatic compounds A catalyst for producing aromatic compounds from lower hydrocarbons while improving activity life stability of methane conversion rate; benzene formation rate; naphthalene formation rate; and total formation rate of benzene, toluene and xylene is formed by loading molybdenum and copper on metallo-silicate serving as a substrate and then calcining the metallo-silicate. When the catalyst is reacted with a reaction gas containing lower hydrocarbons and carbonic acid gas, aromatic compounds are produced. In order to obtain the catalyst, it is preferable that molybdenum and copper are loaded on zeolite formed of metallo-silicate after the zeolite is treated with a silane compound larger than a pore of the zeolite in diameter and having an amino group and a straight-chain hydrocarbon group, the amino group being able to selectively react with the zeolite at a Bronsted acid point of the zeolite. It is preferable that a loaded amount of molybdenum is within a range of from 2 to 12 wt. % based on total amount of the calcined catalyst while copper is loaded at a copper to molybdenum molar ratio of 0.01 to 0.8.
US08278232B2	Pyrochlore materials and a thermal barrier coating with these pyrochlore materials A pyrochlore ceramic material and a thermal barrier coating containing pyrochlore ceramic materials are provided. Using the thermal barrier coating in a single or double layer which includes magnesium and/or titanium can improve the spallation behavior and the thermal expansion coefficient of the component onto which the thermal barrier coating is applied.
US08278229B2	Cover coating composition for glass lining Provided is a cover coating composition for a glass lining comprising a frit constituting the composition which mainly includes 65 to 75 mol % of SiO2, 2 to 8 mol % of ZrO2, 10 to 22 mol % of R2O where R represents Li, K, or Cs, and 2 to 12 mol % of R′O where R′ represents Mg, Ca, Sr, or Ba, and the frit is free of Na2O, and said cover coating composition for a glass lining may further contain a metal fiber.
US08278226B2	Antifouling fibre coatings for marine constructions A fiber-coated marine material has antifouling properties, without necessarily containing bioactive agents. At least a part of the marine material is covered by piles of fibers having a thickness of at least 50 μm and a fiber length of at least 3 mm. The thickness-to-length ratio of the fibers is at least 0.010, and the piles of fibers have a density lower than 40 fibers/mm2. The fiber coating can be directly applied onto the marine material, such as ropes and construction parts, or can be present on sheets which can be applied on the marine equipment.
US08278223B2	Method for forming hole pattern A method for forming a hole pattern includes forming a hard mask layer for a hole pattern over an etch target layer, forming pillar patterns having a gap therebetween over the hard mask layer for a hole pattern, forming spacer patterns on sidewalls of the pillar patterns, removing the pillar patterns between the spacer patterns, and etching the hard mask layer for a hole pattern by using the spacer patterns as etch barriers.
US08278222B2	Selective etching and formation of xenon difluoride This invention relates to a process for selective removal of materials, such as: silicon, molybdenum, tungsten, titanium, zirconium, hafnium, vanadium, tantalum, niobium, boron, phosphorus, germanium, arsenic, and mixtures thereof, from silicon dioxide, silicon nitride, nickel, aluminum, TiNi alloy, photoresist, phosphosilicate glass, boron phosphosilicate glass, polyimides, gold, copper, platinum, chromium, aluminum oxide, silicon carbide and mixtures thereof. The process is related to the important applications in the cleaning or etching process for semiconductor deposition chambers and semiconductor tools, devices in a micro electro mechanical system (MEMS), and ion implantation systems. Methods of forming XeF2 by reacting Xe with a fluorine containing chemical are also provided, where the fluorine containing chemical is selected from the group consisting of F2, NF3, C2F6, CF4, C3F8, SF6, a plasma containing F atoms generated from an upstream plasma generator and mixtures thereof.
US08278217B2	Semiconductor device and method of producing the same A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor chip having a surface provided with connecting electrodes, a stacked structure made up of alternately stacked dielectric and wiring layers and provided on the surface of the semiconductor chip, a passive element provided in the stacked structure and electrically connected to the wiring layers; and external electrodes for external electrical connection provided on the stacked structure and electrically connected to the connecting electrodes via the wiring layers. The passive element has at least one layer selected from a group consisting of a capacitor dielectric layer, a resistor layer and a conductor layer that are formed by spraying an aerosol particulate material.
US08278215B2	Noble metal activation layer Processes for minimizing contact resistance when using nickel silicide (NiSi) and other similar contact materials are described. These processes include optimizing silicide surface cleaning, silicide surface passivation against oxidation and techniques for diffusion barrier/catalyst layer deposition. Additionally, processes for generating a noble metal (for example platinum, iridium, rhenium, ruthenium, and alloys thereof) activation layer that enables the electroless barrier layer deposition on a NiSi-based contact material are described. The processes may be employed when using NiSi-based materials in other end products. The processes may be employed on silicon-based materials.
US08278214B2	Through mold via polymer block package Methods for forming an integrated circuit chip package having through mold vias in a polymer block, and such packages are described. For example, a first interconnect layer may be formed on a molded polymer block, wherein the first interconnect layer comprises first interconnects through a first polymer layer and to the block. Then, at least one second interconnect layer may be formed on the first interconnect layer, wherein the second interconnect layer comprises second interconnects through a second polymer layer and to the first interconnects of the first interconnect layer. Through mold vias may then be formed through the block, into the first interconnect layer, and to the first interconnects. The through mold vias may be filled with solder to form bumps contacting the first interconnects and extending above the block. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.
US08278208B2	Semiconductor device having decreased contact resistance and method for manufacturing the same A semiconductor device includes a first plug formed on a semiconductor substrate and exposed on side and upper surfaces of an upper part thereof and a second plug formed on the first plug to contact the exposed side and upper surfaces of the upper part of the first plug.
US08278206B2	Variable resistance memory device and methods of forming the same A method of forming a memory device includes forming a first interlayer insulating layer on a semiconductor substrate, forming a first electrode in the first interlayer insulating layer, the first electrode having a top surface of a rectangular shape extending in a first direction, and forming a variable resistance pattern on the first electrode, the variable resistance pattern having a bottom surface of a rectangular shape extending in a second direction crossing the first direction, the bottom surface of the variable resistance pattern contacting the first electrode, wherein the area of contact between the lower electrode and the variable resistance pattern is substantially equal to a multiplication of a minor axis length of a top surface of the first electrode and a minor axis length of a bottom surface of the variable resistance pattern.
US08278205B2	Semiconductor device and method for manufacturing the same The present invention is a method for manufacturing a semiconductor device having a conductor and an insulating film on a substrate, the method including the steps of forming the conductor on the substrate, forming the insulating film on the conductor, removing the insulating film on the conductor, and blowing an organosilane gas and a hydrogen gas to reduce an oxidized region on the conductor, wherein the oxidized region on the conductor is formed when the insulating film is removed.
US08278203B2	Metal control gate formation in non-volatile storage Methods for fabricating control gates in non-volatile storage are disclosed. When forming stacks for floating gate memory cells and transistor control gates, a sacrificial material may be formed at the top of the stacks. After insulation is formed between the stacks, the sacrificial material may be removed to reveal openings. In some embodiments, cutouts are then formed in regions in which control gates of transistors are to be formed. Metal is then formed in the openings, which may include the cutout regions. Therefore, floating gate memory cells having at least partially metal control gates and transistors having at least partially metal control gates may be formed in the same process. A barrier layer may be formed prior to depositing the metal in order to prevent silicidation of polysilicon in the control gates.
US08278201B2	Semiconductor device having a buried gate and method for manufacturing the same According to the present invention, a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes forming a recess on a semiconductor substrate, forming a first gate electrode material and a hard mask layer on an entire surface including the recess, etching the hard mask layer and the first gate electrode material to form the first gate electrode pattern on a lower portion of inside of the recess, forming a second gate electrode material on an entire surface including the recess, and etching the second gate electrode material and separating the second gate electrode material.
US08278199B2	Method of manufacturing a semiconductor device Reliability of a semiconductor element and its product yield are improved by reducing variations in the electrical characteristic of a metal silicide layer. After forming a nickel-platinum alloy film over a semiconductor substrate, by carrying out a first thermal treatment at a thermal treatment temperature of 210 to 310° C. using a heater heating device, the technique causes the nickel-platinum alloy film and silicon to react with each other to form a platinum-added nickel silicide layer in a (PtNi)2Si phase. After removing unreacted nickel-platinum alloy film, the technique carries out a second thermal treatment having the thermal treatment temperature higher than that of the first thermal treatment to form the platinum-added nickel silicide layer in a PtNiSi phase. The temperature rise rate of each thermal treatment is set to 10° C./s or more.
US08278197B2	Method to tailor location of peak electric field directly underneath an extension spacer for enhanced programmability of a prompt-shift device The invention provides a method to enhance the programmability of a prompt-shift device, which reduces the programming time to sub-millisecond times, by altering the extension and halo implants, instead of simply omitting the same from one side of the device as is the case in the prior art prompt-shift devices. The invention includes an embodiment in which no additional masks are employed, or one additional mask is employed. The altered extension implant is performed at a reduced ion dose as compared to a conventional extension implant process, while the altered halo implant is performed at a higher ion dose than a conventional halo implant. The altered halo/extension implant shifts the peak of the electrical field to under an extension dielectric spacer.
US08278195B2	Plasma CVD apparatus In a plasma CVD apparatus, unnecessary discharge such as arc discharge is prevented, the amount of particles due to peeling of films attached to a reaction chamber is reduced, and the percentage of a time contributing to production in hours of operation of the apparatus is increased while enlargement of the apparatus and easy workability are maintained. The plasma CVD apparatus is configured such that in a conductive reaction chamber 104 with a power source 113, a vacuum exhausting means 118, and a reaction gas introduction pipe 114, plasma 115 is generated in a space surrounded by an electrode 111, a substrate holder 112, and an insulator 120.
US08278194B2	Method for fabricating semiconductor devices and a semiconductor device made therefrom A method for fabricating semiconductor devices includes: (a) forming over a temporary substrate a sacrificial film layer; (b) growing laterally and epitaxially an epitaxial film layer; (c) forming over the epitaxial film layer a patterned mask that covers partially the epitaxial film layer and that defines a plurality of through holes to expose a plurality of epitaxial surface regions, respectively; (d) forming a plurality of conductive members respectively in the through holes and on the epitaxial surface regions; (e) removing the patterned mask and removing a part of the epitaxial film layer and a part of the sacrificial film layer beneath the patterned mask; (f) removing the sacrificial film layer; and (g) removing the temporary substrate.
US08278187B2	Method for reprocessing semiconductor substrate by stepwise etching with at least two etching treatments Disclosed is a method for reprocessing a semiconductor substrate which is by-produced in manufacturing a silicon-on-insulator substrate. The method includes: forming an embrittlement layer in a single crystal semiconductor substrate; bonding the single crystal semiconductor substrate with a base substrate having an insulating surface; and separating the single crystal semiconductor substrate along the embrittlement layer to give a silicon-on-insulator substrate and a semiconductor substrate to be reprocessed. The above steps provide, in the peripheral portion on the semiconductor substrate, a projection comprising the embrittlement layer and a single crystal semiconductor layer over the embrittlement layer. The method is characterized by an etching step to selectively remove the projection without etching a portion where the projection is absent, which allows the semiconductor substrate to be reused for the production of another silicon-on-insulator substrate.
US08278181B2	Semiconductor device and method of manufacturing the same A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device including a ferroelectric capacitor formed over a semiconductor substrate, wherein the ferroelectric capacitor including a lower electrode, a ferroelectric film formed on the lower electrode, and an upper electrode formed on the ferroelectric film, and the upper electrode including a first conductive film formed of a first conductive noble metal oxide, and a second conductive film formed of a metal nitride compound formed on the first conductive film.
US08278177B2	Semiconductor device and method of manufacturing the same A first p-type SiGe mixed crystal layer is formed by an epitaxial growth method in a trench, and a second p-type SiGe mixed crystal layer is formed. On the second SiGe mixed crystal layer, a third p-type SiGe mixed crystal layer is formed. The height of an uppermost surface of the first SiGe mixed crystal layer from the bottom of the trench is lower than the depth of the trench with the surface of the silicon substrate being the standard. The height of an uppermost surface of the second SiGe mixed crystal layer from the bottom of the trench is higher than the depth of the trench with the surface of the silicon substrate being the standard. Ge concentrations in the first and third SiGe mixed crystal layers are lower than a Ge concentration in the second SiGe mixed crystal layer.
US08278173B2	Method of fabricating gate structures A method includes: forming first and second projections; forming a first structure engaging the first projection, and including: a non-metallic conductive layer, and a first opening over the conductive layer; forming a second structure engaging the second projection, and including: a second opening; and conformally depositing a pure metal in the first and second openings. A different aspect involves an apparatus including: a first device that includes a first projection and a first gate structure, the first projection extending from a substrate, and the first gate structure engaging the first projection, and including an opening, and a conformal, pure metal disposed in the opening; and a second device that includes a second projection and a second gate structure, the second projection extending from the substrate, and the second gate structure engaging the second projection, and including a silicide including a metal that is the same metal disposed in the opening.
US08278172B2	Semiconductor device and method of manufacturing the same A method of forming a semiconductor device includes the following processes. A pillar is formed which stands on a semiconductor substrate. A first insulating film is formed which covers a side surface of the pillar. An upper portion of the first insulating film is removed to expose a side surface of an upper portion of the pillar. A contact plug is formed, which contacts the side surface of the upper portion of the pillar and a top surface of the pillar.
US08278168B2	Methods of forming a semiconductor device A semiconductor device and associated methods, the semiconductor device including a semiconductor substrate with a first well region, a first gate electrode disposed on the first well region, and a first N-type capping pattern, a first P-type capping pattern, and a first gate dielectric pattern disposed between the first well region and the first gate electrode.
US08278164B2	Semiconductor structures and methods of manufacturing the same A semiconductor structure has embedded stressor material for enhanced transistor performance. The method of forming the semiconductor structure includes etching an undercut in a substrate material under one or more gate structures while protecting an implant with a liner material. The method further includes removing the liner material on a side of the implant and depositing stressor material in the undercut under the one or more gate structures.
US08278163B2	Semiconductor processing apparatus and semiconductor processing method A semiconductor processing apparatus includes: a stage on which a substrate having a semiconductor film to be processed is to be mounted; a supply section that supplies a plurality of energy beams onto the semiconductor film mounted on the stage in such a way that irradiation points of the energy beams are aligned at given intervals; and a control section that moves the plurality of energy beams and the substrate relative to each other in a direction not in parallel to alignment of the irradiation points of the plurality of energy beams supplied by the supply section, and scans the semiconductor film with the irradiation points of the plurality of energy beams in parallel to thereby control a heat treatment on the semiconductor film.
US08278156B2	Spacer double patterning for lithography operations Systems and methods of semiconductor device fabrication and layout generation are disclosed. An exemplary method includes processes of depositing a layer of a first material and patterning the layer to form an initial pattern, wherein the initial pattern defines critical features of the layout elements using a single exposure; depositing spacer material over the first pattern on the substrate and etching the spacer material such that the spacer material is removed from horizontal surfaces of the substrate and the first pattern but remains adjacent to vertical surfaces of the first pattern; removing the initial pattern from the substrate while leaving the spacer material in a spacer pattern; filling the spacer pattern with final material; and trimming the tilled pattern to remove portions of the final material beyond dimensions of the layout elements.
US08278147B2	Semiconductor device and manufacturing method thereof Of three chips (2A), (2B), and (2C) mounted on a main surface of a package substrate (1) in a multi-chip module (MCM), a chip (2A) with a DRAM formed thereon and a chip (2B) with a flash memory formed thereon are electrically connected to wiring lines (5) of the package substrate (1) through Au bumps (4), and a gap formed between main surfaces (lower surfaces) of the chips (2A), (2B) and a main surface of the package substrate (1) is filled with an under-fill resin (6). A chip (2C) with a high-speed microprocessor formed thereon is mounted over the two chips (2A) and (2B) and is electrically connected to bonding pads (9) of the package substrate (1) through Au wires (8).
US08278142B2	Combined metallic bonding and molding for electronic assemblies including void-reduced underfill A method for forming electronic assemblies includes providing a plurality of IC die each having IC bonding conductors and a workpiece having workpiece bonding conductors. A curable dielectric film is applied to the IC bonding conductors or the workpiece surface. The plurality of IC die are placed on the workpiece surface so that the plurality of IC bonding conductors are aligned to and face the plurality of workpiece bonding conductors to provide a first bonding. The placing is performed at a vacuum level corresponding to a pressure <1 kPa, and at a temperature sufficient to provide tackiness to the curable dielectric film. The plurality of IC die are then pressed to provide a second bonding. A temperature during pressing cures the curable dielectric film to provide an underfill and forms metallic joints between the plurality of IC bonding conductors and the plurality of workpiece bonding conductors.
US08278141B2	Integrated circuit package system with internal stacking module An integrated circuit package system includes: fabricating an integrated circuit substrate; forming an internal stacking module coupled to the integrated circuit substrate including: forming a flexible substrate, coupling a stacking module integrated circuit to the flexible substrate, and bending a flexible extension over the stacking module integrated circuit; molding a package body on the integrated circuit substrate and the internal stacking module; and coupling an external integrated circuit to the internal stacking module exposed through the package body.
US08278139B2	Passivating glue layer to improve amorphous carbon to metal adhesion A method and apparatus is provided for forming a resistive memory device having good adhesion among the components thereof. A first conductive layer is formed on a substrate, and the surface of the first conductive layer is treated to add adhesion promoting materials to the surface. The adhesion promoting materials may form a layer on the surface, or they may incorporate into the surface or merely passivate the surface of the first conductive layer. A variable resistance layer is formed on the treated surface, and a second conductive layer is formed on the variable resistance layer. Adhesion promoting materials may also be included at the interface between the variable resistance layer and the second conductive layer.
US08278138B2	Resistive memory device and method of fabricating the same Provided are a resistive memory device and a method of fabricating the same. The resistive memory device comprises an electron channel layer formed by means of a swelling process and an annealing process. Thus, conductive nanoparticles are uniformly dispersed in the electron channel layer to improve reliability of the resistive memory device. According to the method, an electron channel layer is formed by means of a printing process, a swelling process, and an annealing process. Thus, fabrication time is reduced.
US08278137B2	Electroluminescent devices comprising bus bars A method for manufacturing an organic semiconductor device having a plurality of pixels, said method comprising: providing a substrate comprising a patterned layer of well-defining banks (308); depositing a first conductive material (310, 312) in the wells and over the well-defining banks (308), the first conductive material forming first electrodes (310) in the wells and bus-bars (312) over the well-defining banks (308) with an electrical break therebetween; depositing an organic semiconductive layer (318) over the first electrodes (310) in the wells; and depositing a second conductive material (320) over both the organic semiconductive layer (318) and the bus-bars (312) forming a continuous second electrode (320) over the organic semiconductive layer (318) and the bus-bars (312).
US08278135B2	Highly pure film formation method for light emitting device using gas from evaporated electroluminescent source There is provided a film formation apparatus which is capable of forming an EL layer using an EL material with high purity. The EL material is purified by sublimation immediately before film formation in the film formation apparatus, to thereby remove oxygen, water, and another impurity, which are included in the EL material. Also, when film formation is performed using the EL material (high purity EL material) obtained by purifying with sublimation as an evaporation source, a high purity EL layer can be formed.
US08278129B2	Manufacturing method of nitride semi-conductor layer, and a nitride semi-conductor light emitting device with its manufacturing method In a process of fabricating a nitride nitride semi-conductor layer of AlaGabIn(1-a-b)N(00), the AlGaInN layer is grown at a growth rate less than 0.09 μm/h according to the metal organic vapor phase epitaxy (MOPVE) method. The AlGaInN layer fabricated by the process in the present invention exhibits a high quality with low defect, and increases internal quantum yield.
US08278127B2	Method for manufacturing a thin-film transistor using a laser A method and apparatus of fabricating a thin film transistor is disclosed, which patterns an ohmic contact layer by a laser patterning process so that it is capable of preventing a semiconductor layer from being damaged, and reducing fabrication time, wherein the method comprises forming a gate electrode pattern on a substrate; forming a gate insulating layer on the gate electrode pattern; sequentially forming a semiconductor layer pattern and an ohmic contact layer pattern on the gate insulating layer; forming source and drain electrode patterns on the ohmic contact layer pattern, wherein the source and drain electrode patterns are provided at a fixed interval therebetween; and removing the ohmic contact layer pattern exposed between the source and drain electrode patterns through the use of laser.
US08278126B2	Method for manufacturing organic electroluminescence device The present invention is intended to provide a method for manufacturing an organic EL device, which method can form a film having high barrier properties to water vapor or oxygen, while suppressing damage to an organic EL element, during formation of the film including inorganic layers for sealing the organic EL element. When an organic EL element (20) which is composed of a pair of electrodes in which at least one of the electrodes being transparent or translucent and an organic EL layer (22) which comprises a light-emitting layer held between the electrodes, and a sealing layer (30) which includes at least one layer of inorganic film being in contact with the organic EL element (20) and which seals the organic EL element (20) are formed on a substrate (10), a first sealing film (31) which is included in the sealing layer (30) and which is in contact with the organic EL element (20) is formed by ion beam sputtering method, and the other inorganic film which is included in the sealing layer (30) is formed by any method other than the ion beam sputtering method.
US08278125B2	Group-III nitride epitaxial layer on silicon substrate A semiconductor device includes a silicon substrate; silicon faceted structures formed on a top surface of the silicon substrate; and a group-III nitride layer over the silicon faceted structures. The silicon faceted structures are separated from each other, and have a repeated pattern.
US08278124B2	Assembly of ordered carbon shells on semiconducting nanomaterials In some embodiments of the invention, encapsulated semiconducting nanomaterials are described. In certain embodiments the nanostructures described are semiconducting nanomaterials encapsulated with ordered carbon shells. In some aspects a method for producing encapsulated semiconducting nanomaterials is disclosed. In some embodiments applications of encapsulated semiconducting nanomaterials are described.
US08278123B2	Ferromagnetic preferred grain growth promotion seed layer for amorphous or microcrystalline MgO tunnel barrier MgO-based magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) device includes in essence a ferromagnetic reference layer, a MgO tunnel barrier and a ferromagnetic free layer. The microstructure of MgO tunnel barrier, which is prepared by the metallic Mg deposition followed by the oxidation process or reactive sputtering, is amorphous or microcrystalline with poor (001) out-of-plane texture. In the present invention at least only the ferromagnetic reference layer or both of the ferromagnetic reference and free layer is proposed to be bi-layer structure having a crystalline preferred grain growth promotion (PGGP) seed layer adjacent to the tunnel barrier. This crystalline PGGP seed layer induces the crystallization and the preferred grain growth of the MgO tunnel barrier upon post-deposition annealing.
US08278122B2	Method for forming MTJ cells A method of forming an integrated circuit structure includes forming a bottom electrode layer over a substrate; forming magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) layers over the bottom electrode layer; patterning the MTJ layers to form a MTJ stack; forming a dielectric layer covering the MTJ stack; forming an opening in the dielectric layer to expose a portion of the MTJ stack; filling the opening with a top electrode material; and performing a planarization to the top electrode material. After the step of performing the planarization, the top electrode material and the dielectric layer are patterned, wherein a first portion of the top electrode material in the opening forms a top electrode, and a second portion of the top electrode material forms a metal strip over the dielectric layer and connected to the top electrode.
US08278119B2	Detection method and detection reagent for autoimmune pancreatitis or fulminant type-1 diabetes By detecting an antibody which immunologically reacts with amylase α2-A in a sample, AIP or FT1DM is examined or the possibility of developing FT1DM is determined. For instance, detection of this antibody is carried out by an immunological method using an antigen which immunologically reacts with this antibody. The antigen is preferably a partial fragment containing the amino acid sequence of amino acid numbers 299 to 511 of human amylase α2-A (SEQ ID NO: 1).
US08278117B2	Sample holder for maldi mass spectrometric analysis, and mass spectrometric analysis method Used is a sample holder for MALDI mass spectrometry, which has a CuO secondary particle as a laser-beam-absorbing matrix and in which the secondary particle comprises an aggregate of CuO primary particles having an average particle diameter of 100 nm or smaller and has an uneven surface arising from the shape formed by the primary particles constituting the outermost surface of the secondary particle. As the CuO secondary particle, usable is one derived from a CuO powder produced by baking basic copper carbonate in air at 200 to 300° C., and the basic copper carbonate is produced in a process of mixing an aqueous ammonium hydrogencarbonate solution and an aqueous copper nitrate solution. The CuO secondary particle has an average particle diameter of, for example, from 0.3 to 10 μm.
US08278116B2	Detecting succinylacetone This invention relates, inter alia, to detecting and/or measuring succinylacetone and one or more additional biological analytes using mass spectrometry.
US08278112B2	Site-specific installation of methyl-lysine analogues into recombinant histones The present invention provides reagents and methods for the introduction of analogues of methyl or acetyl lysine into histone proteins.
US08278111B2	Metal abstraction peptide (MAP) tag and associated methods Compositions comprising a tripeptide having the sequence XC1C2; wherein X is any amino acid such that XC1C2 is capable of binding a metal in a square planar orientation or square pyramidal orientation or both; and wherein C1 and C2 are the same or different; and wherein C1 and C2 individually are chosen from a cysteine and a cysteine-like nonnatural amino acid, as well as metal-XC1C2 complexes and methods for forming such complexes.
US08278106B2	Encapsulation of pancreatic cells derived from human pluripotent stem cells The present invention relates to methods for encapsulating pancreatic progenitors in a biocompatible semi-permeable encapsulating device. The present invention also relates to production of human insulin in a mammal in response to glucose stimulation.
US08278105B2	Induction, propagation and isolation of liver progenitor cells The present invention relates to methods of induction and isolation of progenitor cells from stem cell cultures, specifically liver progenitor cells from human embryonic stem cell cultures. In one embodiment, the present invention provides a method of inducing hepatocyte-like progenitor cells by placing a quantity of human embryonic stem cells in a medium supplemented with an inhibitor of the MAPK/MEK/ERK signaling pathway, FGFR, GSK3 and/or BMP.
US08278102B2	Viable cells from frozen umbilical cord tissue Viable progenitor cells are extracted from frozen umbilical cord tissue. In embodiments, the umbilical cord tissue is a blood vessel bearing perivascular Wharton's jelly, and the extracted progenitor cells are HUCPVCs.
US08278100B2	Lasonolide compounds as reagents for inducing premature chromosome condensation and methods for treating disorders The present invention is directed towards lasonolide derivatives, methods of inducing premature chromosome condensation using lasonolide derivatives, and methods of treating disorders, such as cancer, in a subject, the method comprising administering to the subject a lasonolide derivative.
US08278098B2	Materials and methods involving hybrid vascular endothelial growth factor DNAs and proteins The present invention provides polypeptides that bind cellular receptors for vascular endothelial growth factor polypeptides; polynucleotides encoding such polypeptides; compositions comprising the polypeptides and polynucleotides; and methods and uses involving the foregoing. Some polypeptides of the invention exhibit unique receptor binding profiles compared to known, naturally occurring vascular endothelial growth factors.
US08278096B2	Stem cell lines from deer antlers, their application and culture methods New lines of stem cells from the growing antlers of deer (Cervidae) and the application of said cells in the reconstruction of connective tissue, preferentially bone, cartilage or adipose tissue, in humans and animals; as well as a method of culturing them and the application of tissues from growing deer antlers in the production of the MIC-1 stable stem cell line.
US08278093B2	Codon-optimized polynucleotide-based vaccines against human cytomegalovirus infection The invention is related to polynucleotide-based cytomegalovirus vaccines. In particular, the invention is plasmids operably encoding HCMV antigens, in which the naturally-occurring coding regions for the HCMV antigens have been modified for improved translation in human or other mammalian cells through codon optimization. HCMV antigens which are useful in the invention include, but are not limited to pp65, glycoprotein B (gB), IE1, and fragments, variants or derivatives of either of these antigens. In certain embodiments, sequences have been deleted, e.g., the Arg435-Lys438 putative kinase in pp65 and the membrane anchor and endocellular domains in gB. The invention is further directed to methods to induce an immune response to HCMV in a mammal, for example, a human, comprising delivering a plasmid encoding a codon-optimized HCMV antigen as described above. The invention is also directed to pharmaceutical compositions comprising plasmids encoding a codon-optimized HCMV antigen as described above, and further comprising adjuvants, excipients, or immune modulators.
US08278091B2	Assay device Provided is an assay device and kit for detecting the presence or amount of an analyte of interest.
US08278089B2	Quality of life for hepatitis C patients with a formulation for administration to the oral mucosa including Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus and N-acetyl D-glucosamine Disclosed are quick dissolve tablets, each including Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp bulgaricus (LBD) and N-acetyl-glucosamine (NAG), as well as excipients, for oral mucosal administration, for improving the quality of life of Hepatitis C patients. Any formulation suitable for oral mucosal administration can be employed for administering the active ingredients in a sufficient dosage for therapeutic effect, one such formulation being: 50 mg of Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp bulgaricus lysate strain YB-I 10 mg of N-acetyl D-glucosamine. Excipients can include one or more of, maltodextrin; xanthan gum; acesulfam K; lemon powder and a flavoring, e.g., juice; Mannitol TL-32-04, Microcrystalline Cellulose and Carrageenan, Fructose, PVP-XL TL-11-04, Gellan Gum, Citrus TL 1-04, Orange TL 19-04, Sucrolose TL-13-04, and Mg ST TL-13-04.
US08278086B2	Enhancement of vanadium-containing phosphatase inhibitors The present invention is directed to a composition comprising a vanadium-containing phosphatase inhibitor and a polyol. In the presence of the polyol the effect of the inhibitor is enhanced, even in the presence of chelating agents or reducing agents. The invention also concerns the use of the inventive composition for inhibiting a phosphatase, as well as kits comprising the composition.
US08278082B2	Method of carbon sequestration The present invention relates to methods and apparatus for robust and long-term sequestration of carbon. In particular, the present invention relates to sequestration of carbon as carbonates, using coccolithophorid algae grown using land-based aquaculture. The invention also relates to improved methods of Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTCE).
US08278078B2	Method of cultivating yeast for enhancing pentitol production A method for culturing the yeast for enhancing pentitol production is provided. The yeast cultured according to the present disclosure is Pichia stipitis. Application of the yeast in pentitol production by fermention of the lignocellulosic hydrolysate or the xylose-to-pentitol production yield can be enhanced 3 to 6 times from the non-detoxified or the overliming-processed lignocellulosic hydrolysate.
US08278075B2	L-cysteine-producing bacterium and a method for producing L-cysteine L-Cysteine, L-cystine, a derivative or precursor thereof, or a mixture thereof is produced by culturing a bacterium belonging to the family Enterobacteriaceae, which has L-cysteine-producing ability and has been modified so that the activity of a protein encoded by a tolC gene, for example, a protein defined in the following (a) or (b), is increased in a medium, and by collecting L-cysteine, L-cystine, a derivative or precursor thereof, or a mixture thereof from the medium: (a) a protein comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2, (b) a protein comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2, but wherein one or several amino acid residues are substituted, deleted, inserted or added, increase of which activity in the bacterium improves the ability of the bacterium to produce L-cysteine.
US08278073B2	Lactose phosphorylase enzymes The present invention relates to novel lactose phosphorylase enzymes and the uses thereof. More specifically, the invention relates to lactose phosphorylase enzymes created by mutation of a cellobiose phosphorylase from Cellulomonas uda. By introducing mutations in this enzyme, the activity can be switched from cellobiose phosphorylase into lactose phosphorylase.
US08278070B2	Organic solvent pretreatment of biomass to enhance enzymatic saccharification Biomass is pretreated using an organic solvent solution, under alkaline conditions, in the presence of one or more organo-mercaptan and optionally one or more additional nucleophile to fragment and extract lignin. Pretreated biomass is further hydrolyzed with a saccharification enzyme consortium. Fermentable sugars released by saccharification may be utilized for the production of target chemicals by fermentation.
US08278068B2	Ex vivo human skin model The present invention relates to the use of an ex vivo human skin sample as a biological model, particularly for the assessment of pharmacological and cosmetic effects.
US08278065B2	Polynucleotides encoding anti-GD2 antibodies Described herein are antibodies that specifically bind ganglioside GD2. Also described are nucleotides encoding such antibodies, cells expressing such antibodies, methods of use for such antibodies, and methods for using the antibodies to treat diseases associated with ganglioside GD2. In addition, tissue culture media supplements are described as are methods of use for the supplements. Described herein are albumin-ganglioside conjugates and corresponding methods for producing such conjugates. Methods of purifying or isolating antibodies are also described.
US08278064B2	Method for detecting a protease Methods for detecting proteases by contacting a sample to be assayed with a substrate at least partially coated with a film of a synthetic polymeric matrix, and measuring a signal output of the substrate is provided herein.
US08278063B2	Methods for degrading toxic compounds The invention relates to bacteria, bacterial extracts, supernatants obtained from the culturing of said bacteria, polypeptides and compositions for degrading benzimidazole carbamate fungicides, carbanilate fungicides, sulfonamide herbicides, thioamide herbicides and/or synthetic pyrethroid insecticides. In particular, the invention relates to the identification of Nocardioides sp. which degrades benzimidazole carbamate fungicides, carbanilate fungicides, sulfonamide herbicides, thioamide herbicides and/or synthetic pyrethroid insecticides.
US08278062B2	Method of using lipid acyltransferase A method of producing one or more of a carbohydrate ester, a protein ester, a protein subunit ester or a hydroxyl acid ester, which method comprises admixing an acyl donor, an acyl acceptor and water to produce a high water environment comprising 5-98% water, wherein said acyl donor is a lipid substrate selected from one or more of the group consisting of a phospholipid, a lysophospholipid, a triacylglyceride, a diglyceride, a glycolipid or a lysoglycolipid and said acyl acceptor is selected from one ore more of the group consisting of a carbohydrate, a protein, a protein subunit, or a hydroxyl acid; and contacting the admixture with a lipid acyltransferase, such that said lipid acyl transferase catalyses one or both of the following reactions: alcoholysis or transesterification.
US08278061B2	Polymorphisms in the EGFR pathway as markers for cancer treatment The invention provides compositions and methods for identifying patients for single agent anti-EGFR therapy. The methods comprise determining the genomic polymorphism present in a predetermined region of a gene of interest and correlating the polymorphism to the predictive response. Patients identified as responsive are then treated with the appropriate therapy.
US08278058B2	Diagnostic composition and kit for renal cell carcinoma Disclosed herein are a composition and a kit for diagnosing renal cell carcinoma. The composition and kit employ, as a renal cell carcinoma marker, nicotinamide N-methyltransferase, L-plastin, secretagogin, NM23A, CapG, which is an actin regulatory protein, and/or C4a anaphylatoxin.
US08278057B2	Addressable antibody arrays and methods of use Systems and assay methods are disclosed for detecting an autoantibody in a sample. In certain instances, the systems and methods employ a mass tag releasably connected to an antigen. The tag is thereafter released for detection. A tag can be detected by mass spectrometry or in certain instances the tag is fluorescent. Methods for diagnosing a disease or disorder in a subject are also disclosed.
US08278053B2	Methods of studying a biomarker, and methods of detecting a biomarker Embodiments of the present disclosure provide for methods of studying (e.g., detecting, localizing, and/or quantifying) biomarker(s) and the like.
US08278051B2	Method of amplifying a target nucleic acid by rolling circle amplification Provided is a method of amplifying a nucleic acid using rolling cyclic amplification (RCA), including amplifying a nucleic acid together with formation of a single-strand circular DNA template using RCA by reacting a reaction solution including: (a) two hairpin oligos, (b) a target nucleic acid, (c) a DNA ligase, (d) an endonuclease, (e) a DNA polymerase, and (f) a primer.
US08278037B2	N-acetylgalactosamine transferases and nucleic acids encoding the same An enzyme which transfers N-acetylgalactosamine to N-acetylglucosamine via a β1-4 linkage was isolated and the structure of its gene was explained. This led to the production of said enzyme or the like by genetic engineering techniques, the production of oligosaccharides using said enzyme, and the diagnosis of diseases on the basis of said gene or the like.The present invention uses a protein having the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 1, 3, 26 or 27 in the Sequence Listing or a variant of said amino acid sequence wherein one or more acids are substituted or deleted, or one or more acids are inserted or added and having the activity of transferring N-acetylgalactosamine (GalNAc) to N-acetylglucosamine serving as a substrate via a β1-4 linkage and nucleic acids encoding said protein.
US08278032B2	Transporter protein in mammal and utilization of the same The present invention provides a lipid membrane that contains a polypeptide consisting of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2, 4, 6, 8, or 22. Use of the present invention enables screening for a chemical which regulates excretion of a chemical and/or a waste. Furthermore, use of the present invention enables an arbitrary chemical to be tested for nephrotoxicity and/or hepatotoxicity.
US08278031B2	Increasing the viability of mammalian oocytes The present invention relates to a method for improving viability and/or stress tolerance of viable biological material and using the said material comprising applying hydrostatic pressure to said biological material; keeping the said viable biological material at the hydrostatic pressure for a predetermined time period; releasing the hydrostatic pressure; and using the said material for any desired purpose in accordance with any useful protocol. The usage of the said biological material incorporates any techniques, protocols that are applicable in the field of assisted reproductive techniques, biotechnical and/or biotechnological manipulations.
US08278021B2	Method of fabricating a thin film transistor substrate and a photosensitive composition used in the thin film transistor substrate Disclosed is a method of producing a thin film transistor substrate having high light sensitivity, heat-resistance, impact resistance, and a photosensitive composition used by the same, the method including forming data wires on an insulating substrate, forming an organic insulating film on the data wires by applying a photosensitive composition comprising a terpolymer, where the terpolymer is derived from monomers of an unsaturated carboxylic acid, an unsaturated carboxylic acid anhydride, or a mixture thereof, an unsaturated epoxy group-containing compound, and an olefinic compound.
US08278020B2	Polyester synthesis The present disclosure provides methods for modifying polymeric resin materials after polymerization to make fine adjustments in the chemical or physical properties of the resin, or in modifying the structure of the polymer chains. The resulting resins may be useful in forming toner particles. In embodiments, a polymeric resin may have epoxy groups added to its backbone to increase its melting point. The resulting polymer, sometimes referred to herein as an epoxidized polymer, may, in turn, be reacted with wax-like components, to increase the compatibility of the polyester with waxes utilized in forming toner particles. In other embodiments, the resulting epoxidized polymer may be reacted with components possessing carboxylic acid groups to adjust the acid value and weight average molecular weight of the resin.
US08277999B2	Fuel cell system and method to prevent freezing after shut-down A fuel cell system has an apparatus sending gas to the fuel cell; a part calculating an amount of residual water in the fuel cell system based on an operating and an environmental condition; a part judging whether at least one state quantity value that includes a generating duration of the fuel cell, an amount of electric power generated, and an amount of temperature change of a coolant is equal to or less than a prescribed threshold value; a part calculating a sending apparatus operating time for decreasing the residual water amount to a prescribed value; and a control part operating the gas sending apparatus until the end of the operating time, wherein the operating time calculating part calculates a different operating time depending on whether one of the state quantity values is equal to or less than a prescribed threshold value.
US08277996B2	Fuel cell A fuel cell according to the present invention comprises a membrane electrode assembly, a bipolar plate for guiding a reaction gas to the membrane electrode assembly, two layers of coolant flow fields formed on the bipolar plane opposite to another plane on which a reaction gas flow field is formed, and an interlayer separation plate; wherein the interlayer separation plate separates the two layers of coolant flow fields and has permeability or jet orifices so as to allow a coolant to pass through.
US08277994B2	Fuel cell system A fuel cell system comprising: an anode gas flow path supplied with an anode gas; a cathode gas flow path supplied with a cathode gas; a fuel cell generating electricity by the anode gas being supplied to the anode gas flow path and the cathode gas being supplied to the cathode gas flow path; an anode gas supplying unit supplying the anode gas to the anode gas flow path; a blowdown valve ejecting fluid from inside the anode gas flow path towards an exterior; and a control unit which controls the anode gas supplying unit and the blowdown valve, supplies the anode gas from the anode gas supplying unit to the anode gas flow path, and performs a periodic fluid substitution by opening the blowdown valve periodically, wherein the control unit comprises a low temperature condition determination unit.
US08277992B2	Method of optimizing operating efficiency of fuel cells A method of operating a fuel cell electrochemical system includes receiving at least one of a cost of electricity and a cost of fuel and adjusting at least one of an operating efficiency and throughput of the fuel cell based on the at least one of the received cost of electricity and the received cost of fuel.
US08277990B2	Fuel cell system A fuel cell system for a vehicle, controlling a power generation amount of a fuel cell. A required power generation amount of the fuel cell and a target operational state corresponding to required power generation amount are calculated. An operational state of the fuel cell is detected. A correction power generation amount used for correcting the required power generation amount and an allowable power generation amount that the fuel cell can stably generate based on the operational state of the fuel cell are also calculated. Further, an output power generation amount of the fuel cell is determined based on a relation between the allowable power generation amount and the power generation amount obtained by correcting the required power generation amount by the correction power generation amount.
US08277988B2	Anode water separator for a fuel cell system An anode reactant recycling system for a fuel cell is disclosed, the system including a hollow main body, a bleed conduit, an injector, a water separator, and a hydrophilic porous media. The anode reactant recycling system for a fuel cell is adapted to minimize a required number of components, eliminate the need for the anode heat exchanger, use a single valve for removal of condensate and reactant byproducts from the anode reactant recycling system, and provide an upstream volume for startup pressurization.
US08277986B2	Bipolar plate with microgrooves for improved water transport One embodiment of the invention comprises a fuel cell bipolar plate comprising a substrate comprising a first face, a reactant gas flow field defined in the first face, the reactant gas flow field comprising a plurality of lands and channels, and a plurality of microgrooves formed in the first face.
US08277977B2	Binder composition, slurry for electrodes, electrode and nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery The present invention aims at providing slurry for electrodes having advantageous homogeneity and stability, an electrode having advantageous homogeneous thickness and density, and further, a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery having small variability in battery properties.In the present invention, slurry for electrodes is produced by using the binder composition used for manufacturing a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery wherein polymers for binding active materials are dissolved or dispersed in organic solvent or water, and a total sum of content ratios of monomer and oligomer is 300 ppm or less.
US08277970B2	Pouch-type secondary battery having an non-sealing residue portion Disclosed herein is a secondary battery including an electrode assembly of a cathode/separator/anode structure mounted in a pouch-shaped battery case in a sealed state, wherein a residue portion, which is not sealed (non-sealing residue portion), is defined between a sealing portion of the battery case and the electrode assembly for collecting generated gas, and the non-sealing residue portion is formed by mounting the electrode assembly between upper and lower laminate sheets, at least one of which has a receiving part of a size approximately corresponding to the electrode assembly, sealing three sides of the upper and lower laminate sheets, including two sides where electrode terminals are disposed, among four sides of the upper and lower laminate sheets, injecting an electrolyte in the battery case through the non-sealing portion, and sealing the non-sealing portion such that the resultant sealing portion is spaced a predetermined width from the receiving part.
US08277969B2	Lithium ion secondary battery A lithium ion secondary battery 1 includes a spirally wound electrode assembly 20 and a cylindrical battery container 10. The spirally wound electrode assembly 20 includes a negative electrode 21, a positive electrode 22 and a separator 23. The negative electrode 21 includes negative-electrode active material layers 21b and 21c containing a negative-electrode active material capable of forming an alloy with lithium. The lithium ion secondary battery 1 includes an urging part 20a. The urging part 20a is disposed in the center of and in contact with the spirally wound electrode assembly 20. The urging part 20a is contractible in diameter. The urging part 20a is configured to urge the spirally wound electrode assembly 20 radially outward at least when contracting in diameter.
US08277967B2	Energy device, method for manufacturing the same, and apparatus including the same The present invention provides an energy device including a carbon nanotube electrode which prevents a carbon nanotube from peeling from an electric conductor. The energy device includes rolled electrode bodies, wherein at least one of the electrode bodies is formed such that a carbon nanotube layer is formed on the electric conductor, and concave regions are formed in a stripe shape on the carbon nanotube layer so as to extend in a direction parallel to a roll axis.
US08277966B2	Double winding-typed electrode assembly Disclosed herein is a double winding type electrode assembly constructed in a structure in which a cathode and an anode are opposite to each other while a separator is disposed between the cathode and the anode, wherein the electrode assembly is manufactured by preparing a plurality of cell units, each cell unit having a cathode sheet and an anode sheet, of a predetermined size, wound, while a separator is disposed between the cathode sheet and the anode sheet, each cell unit being elliptical in section, and sequentially winding the cell units while arranging the cell units on a long separator sheet.
US08277965B2	Battery pack enclosure with controlled thermal runaway release system A battery pack thermal management system is provided that is comprised of at least one enclosure failure port integrated into at least one wall of a battery pack enclosure, where the enclosure failure port(s) remains closed during normal operation of the battery pack, and opens during a battery pack thermal runaway event, thereby providing a flow path for hot gas generated during the thermal runaway event to be exhausted out of the battery pack enclosure in a controlled fashion.
US08277960B2	Inhomogeneous compounds having high magnetic resistance, the production and use thereof The invention relates to inorganic, intermetallic, inhomogeneous compounds having a magnetic resistance effect and an intrinsic field sensitivity of at least 7% at 1 T at room temperature. The invention further relates to a method for the production and use thereof, particularly as magnetic field sensors or in spin electronics.
US08277958B2	Aluminum titanium nitride coating and method of making same Hard coatings and methods of making the hard coatings comprising aluminum titanium nitride which are usable on cutting tools are disclosed. The coatings include at least one aluminum titanium nitride layer having between about 0 and about 15 weight percent hexagonal phase and a composition of (AlxTi1-x)N, where x is in the range of about 0.53 to about 0.58 moles.
US08277956B2	Organic light emitting diode Provided is an organic light emitting diode including: a first electrode; a second electrode; an organic layer between the first electrode and the second electrode; and a luminous efficiency improvement layer disposed on a surface of the first electrode facing away from the organic layer or a surface of the second electrode facing away from the organic layer, wherein the luminous efficiency improvement layer includes a porphyrazin derivative, a phthalocyanine derivative, a naphthalocyanine derivative, or a combination of at least two compounds of the foregoing.
US08277954B2	Organic electroluminescent device An organic electroluminescent device comprises: a pair of electrodes; and at least one organic compound layer therebetween, the at least one organic compound layer comprises at least a light-emitting layer, wherein at least one of the at least one organic compound layer comprises at least one compound represented by formula (1):Formula (1): wherein Q1 to Q4 each independently represents an atomic group for forming an aromatic hydrocarbon ring or an aromatic heterocyclic ring in combination with two carbon atoms in formula (1); A1 and A2 each independently represents a carbon atom or a nitrogen atom; and Q5 and Q6 each independently represents an atomic group for forming an aromatic hydrocarbon ring or an aromatic heterocyclic ring in combination with A1 and A2 respectively, provided that Q5 and Q6 are not combined through a single bond, a divalent aromatic hydrocarbon ring group or a divalent aromatic heterocyclic ring group.
US08277953B2	Production of structured hard chrome layers The present invention relates to an apparatus with a structured hard chrome layer electrodeposited onto a work-piece, the structured hard chrome layer being cup-shaped and/or labyrinth-like and/or column-shaped. The structured hard chrome layer can be electrodeposited from an electrolyte onto the work-piece, said electrolyte containing (a) a Cr (VI) compound in an amount corresponding to 50 g/l to 600 g/l of chromic acid anhydride; (b) 0.5 g/l to 10 g/l of sulphuric acid; (c) 1 g/l to 20 g/l of aliphatic sulphonic acid, comprising 1 to 6 carbon atoms; and (d) 10 g/l to 200 g/l of at least one compound forming a dense cathode film, said compound being selected from among ammonium molybdate, alkali molybdate and alkaline earth molybdate, ammonium vanadate, alkali vanadate and alkaline earth vanadate, ammonium zirconate, alkali zirconate and alkaline earth zirconate.
US08277950B2	Retardation film having uniform in-plane phase-difference value and laminated optical film having positive dispersibility in wavelength The present invention relates to a retardation film having a zero wavelength dispersibility and a uniform retardation, and an optical laminated film having a positive wavelength dispersibility. Here, in the retardation film, a homo polypropylene resin has an isotactic index more than 85 percent and having, and a value subtracting an average in-plane retardation value of the retardation film from the in-plane retardation value at the retardation film is in a range of ±5 nm. In the optical laminated film, another retardation film having a negative wavelength dispersibility is laminated on the above retardation film having a zero wavelength dispersibility.
US08277949B2	Use of thermoplastic polyurethanes in rubber modified bitumen roofing membranes A roofing membrane that includes a blend of thermoplastic polyurethane and petroleum liquid so as to improve the UV stability of the blend without adversely affecting the flexibility of the dried and/or cured blend.
US08277947B2	Charging member, process cartridge, and electrophotographic apparatus A charging member is provided having a support, a conductive elastic layer formed on the support and a surface layer formed on the conductive elastic layer. The surface layer contains a polysiloxane having at least one of structures represented by the following formulas (1a1), (1a2), (1b1) and (1b2): Toners and external additives used in the toners clinging to the charging member surface can be minimized even through repeated use over a long period of time, thus the charging member can perform stable charging and image reproduction even when used in the DC contact charging method.
US08277942B2	Semiconductor nanocrystal heterostructures A semiconductor nanocrystal heterostructure has a core of a first semiconductor material surrounded by an overcoating of a second semiconductor material. Upon excitation, one carrier can be substantially confined to the core and the other carrier can be substantially confined to the overcoating.
US08277935B2	Cleaning implement comprising a modified open-cell foam A cleaning implement comprises a modified open-cell foam with a density in the range from about 5 to about 1,000 kg/m3 and with an average pore diameter in the range from about 1 μm to about 1 mm, comprising an amount in the range from about 1 to about 2,500% by weight, based on the weight of the unmodified open-cell foam, of at least about one water-insoluble polymer (b), selected from polystyrene, styrene copolymers, polybutadiene, butadiene copolymers, polyvinylesters, polyvinylethers, copolymers from (meth)acrylic acid with at least one (meth)acrylate, and polyurethanes, with the proviso that styrene-acrylonitrile-C1-C10-alkyl (meth)acrylate terpolymers, styrene-butadiene-n-butyl acrylate terpolymers, and styrene-maleic anhydride copolymers are excluded.
US08277923B2	Friction weld assembly of a plurality of superposed plates The invention relates to a friction weld assembly of a plurality of superposed plates, said plates being held together by a connection body which rests on the upper plate by means of a collar and is formed as a slender cone ending in a tip. The connection body comprises a driving element in the region of the collar thereof, for the attachment of a pressure and rotation tool. A girder formed from the slender cone and penetrating from the upper plate into the lower plate, and a girder protruding from the lower plate along the inner surfaces thereof, form a friction welding region extending onto the slender cone.
US08277920B2	Optical recording material, chalcone type compounds and metal complexes An optical recording material comprising at least one kind of chalcone type compound represented by the following general formula (I) or a metal complex using the chalcone type compound as a ligand: wherein ring A represents a 5- or 6-membered heterocyclic ring or an aromatic ring; ring B represents a 5- or 6-membered heterocyclic ring, an aromatic ring, or a metallocene structure; the above-mentioned heterocyclic and aromatic ring may be condensed with other rings or may be substituted; n is 0 or 1.
US08277918B1	All vehicle mats A cut-to-fit universal vehicle floor mat has arrays of peripheral cells separated from each other and from a central area of the mat body by indented trim lines. The arrays of cells can include one or more of the following: an array adjacent a deadpedal notch, an array for accommodating a gas pedal, an array for a transmission tunnel indentation, an array for a transmission tunnel bulge and an array to fit a passenger's side wheel well. The cells are formed by intersections of the trim lines, and a cell may have convexly curved transition segment between a longitudinal trim line outboard of the cell and a transverse trim line.
US08277915B2	Self-adhered air barrier membrane Disclosed is a self-adhered, vapor permeable, air barrier membrane that is easy to install. The membrane has a Young's modulus of 3000 to 80,000 psi, most preferably 4000 to 15,000 psi, in the cross-direction and 5000 to 100,000 psi, most preferably 5000 to 20,000 psi, in the machine direction.
US08277914B2	Polymer composition and use thereof A polymer composition includes (1) a crystalline norbornene-based polymer and (2) an amorphous alicyclic structure-containing polymer in a weight ratio of 90:10 to 50:50, the crystalline norbornene-based polymer (1) having a melting point of 110 to 145° C., an Mw measured by gel permeation chromatography of 50,000 to 200,000, and a ratio Mw/Mn of 1.5 to 10.0, and obtained by ring-opening polymerization of a polymerizable monomer mixture (1) containing 90 to 100 wt % of 2-norbornene and 0 to 10 wt % of a substituent-containing norbornene monomer, and hydrogenating the resulting polymer, and the amorphous alicyclic structure-containing polymer (2) having a Tg of 50° C. or more and not having a melting point, and obtained by polymerization of a polymerizable monomer mixture (2) containing a 2-norbornene compound and a dicyclopentadiene compound in an amount of 50 wt % or more and less than 90 wt % in total. A film obtained by molding the polymer composition has a steam permeability of 0.40 g/m2·day or less and a haze value of 20% or less when the film has a thickness of 100 μm. A medical container is obtained by molding the polymer composition.
US08277913B2	Foamed polyvinylidene fluoride tubular structures The invention relates to foamed polyvinylidene tubular structures—and particularly those for use as conduit. The tubular structures may be corrugated, and are especially useful for fiber-optic plenum conduit. The polyvinylidene foam may also be directly applied to fiber optic cable.
US08277911B2	Anticorrosion composition An anticorrosion composition is manufactured which contains a water-soluble inorganic acid salt (a) containing at least one of copper and tin, an alkaline component (b), and a binder (c), the equivalent ratio of the water-soluble inorganic acid salt (a) and the alkaline component (b) being 2:0.25 to 2:2. This anticorrosion composition is applied to a fiberboard to manufacture an anticorrosion fiberboard which can absorb reducing sulfur compounds produced from the fiberboard or already present in the atmosphere.
US08277904B2	Method for producing thermoelectric material A method for producing a thermoelectric material is provided. A semiconductor material powder is provided. An electroless plating process is preformed to deposit metal nano-particles on the surface of semiconductor material powder. An electrical current activated sintering process is performed to form a thermoelectric material having one and plurality grain boundaries.
US08277901B2	Patterning method, method of manufacturing organic field effect transistor, and method of manufacturing flexible printed circuit board In the condition where a nozzle for applying a coating liquid is disposed on the lower side of a substrate and a substrate surface controlled in wettability is faced down, the nozzle and the substrate are moved relative to each other, whereby the coating liquid is applied to a desired region of the substrate, and then the coating liquid is dried, to obtain a pattern included a dried coating layer.
US08277900B2	Patterning method, method of manufacturing organic field effect transistor, and method of manufacturing flexible printed circuit board In the condition where a nozzle for applying a coating liquid is disposed on the lower side of a substrate and a substrate surface controlled in wettability is faced down, the nozzle and the substrate are moved relative to each other, whereby the coating liquid is applied to a desired region of the substrate, and then the coating liquid is dried, to obtain a pattern included a dried coating layer.
US08277899B2	Porous films by backfilling with reactive compounds The invention provides methods for modifying one or more properties of porous thin films. In such methods, a formulation comprising a reactive species is applied to the porous thin film and allowed to crosslink. In some embodiments, the crosslinked network thus formed imparts increased mechanical strength and wear resistance to the porous thin films.
US08277895B2	Method for manufacturing ceramic honeycomb structure and coating material for the ceramic honeycomb structure There is provided a method for manufacturing a ceramic honeycomb structure comprising: a coating material adjustment step for obtaining a coating material by mixing at least water with a ceramic powder aggregate having only one peak in a particle size distribution, an average particle size of 23 to 39 μm, and a particle size distribution width of 15 to 33, a coating material application step for applying the coating material to cover the outer periphery of a honeycomb structure having a plurality of cells separated by porous ceramic partition walls, and a coating material heat-drying step for forming an outer wall by heat-drying the coating material after the coating material application step. By the method, the outer periphery is covered with a coating material to form an outer wall to hardly generate, for example, crack generation and peeling upon drying the outer wall, and the coating material is provided.
US08277894B2	Selenium ink and methods of making and using same A selenium ink comprising selenium stably dispersed in a liquid medium is provided, wherein the selenium ink is hydrazine free and hydrazinium free. Also provided are methods of preparing the selenium ink and of using the selenium ink to deposit selenium on a substrate for use in the manufacture of a variety of chalcogenide containing semiconductor materials, such as, thin film transistors (TFTs), light emitting diodes (LEDs); and photo responsive devices (e.g., electrophotography (e.g., laser printers and copiers), rectifiers, photographic exposure meters and photo voltaic cells) and chalcogenide containing phase change memory materials.
US08277893B2	Chemical vapor deposition apparatus A chemical vapor deposition apparatus which comprises a susceptor for mounting a substrate thereon, a heater for heating the substrate, a feed gas introduction portion and a reaction gas exhaust portion, wherein a light transmitting ceramics plate held or reinforced by means of a supporting member is equipped between the heater and a mounting position of the substrate. A chemical vapor deposition apparatus that is capable of forming film stably for a long time without giving a negative influence on a quality of semiconductor film even in a case of chemical vapor deposition reaction employing a furiously corrosive gas with an elevated temperature for producing a gallium nitride compound semiconductor or so was realized.
US08277887B2	Delivery device Delivery devices for delivering solid precursor compounds in the vapor phase to reactors are provided. Such devices include a precursor composition of a solid precursor compound with a layer of packing material disposed thereon. Also provided are methods for transporting a carrier gas saturated with the precursor compound for delivery into such CVD reactors.
US08277886B2	Delivery device Delivery devices for delivering solid precursor compounds in the vapor phase to reactors are provided. Such devices include a precursor composition of a solid precursor compound with a layer of packing material disposed thereon. Also provided are methods for transporting a carrier gas saturated with the precursor compound for delivery into such CVD reactors.
US08277885B2	Electrically conductive foam and application method for same A kind of electrically conductive foam for preventing an electronic component from electro-magnetic interference includes the following compositions: electrically conductive material accounting for about 5% to about 10% by weight; plastic material accounting for about 10% to about 16% by weight; propellant accounting for about 65% to about 75% by weight; surfactant accounting for about 0.5% to about 4% by weight; and auxiliary material accounting for about 4% to about 5% by weight.
US08277883B2	Porous silica microspheres having organosilane modified surfaces A method for preparing functionalized porous particles is disclosed, the method comprising contacting a plurality of porous silica particles with water, at least one of an ionic fluoride such as HF or NH4F or a basic activator, and a multifunctional organosilane. Also disclosed are functionalized porous silica particles produced from the methods disclosed herein.
US08277882B2	Roofing and/or siding material and a method of forming thereof A roofing and/or siding system having an improved average resulting reflectivity. The roofing and/or siding system is at least partially coated with a plurality of granules. At least one layer of paint is applied to the roofing and/or siding system to increase the resulting reflectivity of the roofing and/or siding system.
US08277881B2	White reflective coating for modified bitumen membrane A coating composition useful for building materials products, especially roofing surfaces, is provided. The coating composition provides durable exterior protection to surfaces that it applied to, and it has reflective properties. The coating composition includes a mixture of a polymeric binder, a polymeric carrier and a pigment. The pigment is present in the coating composition in amount that is capable of providing a coating that has an initial energy efficiency rating greater than or equal to 0.65 for a low-sloped roof, or an initial energy efficiency greater than or equal to 0.25 for a steep-sloped roof.
US08277874B2	Manufacturing method of magnetic recording medium, the magnetic recording medium, and magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus A manufacturing method of a magnetic recording medium, the magnetic recording medium having a structure where plural magnetic recording areas and isolation areas in a magnetic recording layer are formed on a non-magnetic substrate, the isolation areas being configured to magnetically isolate the magnetic recording areas, the manufacturing method includes a step of forming the magnetic layer on the non-magnetic substrate, the magnetic layer being made of a hard magnetic material having a magnetic coercive force whereby magnetic recording is impossible; and a step of performing ion implantation partially at positions corresponding to the plural magnetic recording areas of the magnetic layer so that the magnetic recording areas are formed by reducing the magnetic coercive force in the positions of the ion implantation to a magnetic-recordable magnetic coercive force, and allowing the isolation areas to maintain the magnetic coercive force whereby magnetic recording is impossible.
US08277872B1	Methods of making multi-scale carbon structures Methods of manufacturing a carbon structure including exposing a carbon fiber substrate to oxygen at a first predetermined temperature and activating the carbon fiber substrate by exposure to oxygen at a second predetermined temperature. A catalyst including palladium is deposited on the activated carbon fiber substrate. The deposited catalyst on the carbon fiber structure is exposed to a hydrocarbon at a third predetermined temperature to grow carbon structures thereon. The carbon structures grown can be multimodal in nature with structures that are nano-scale and/or submicron-scale.
US08277869B2	Heating for buffer layer deposition Improved methods and apparatus for forming thin film buffer layers of chalcogenide on a substrate web through the chemical combination of a metal and chalcogen in solution form. The web and/or the solutions may be heated by one or a plurality of heating elements that may be disposed out of physical contact with the web, allowing enhanced control over the reaction speed through fine temperature control. One or more properties of the chalcogenide layer may be measured, and the temperature of the system may be adjusted in response.
US08277866B2	Extruded, highly cooked, non-sticky starch products Improved extruded starch-bearing products (e.g., starches, starch-bearing legumes, starch-bearing grains and formulations containing any of the foregoing) are provided having relatively high cook values and low cold water viscosities. The products are prepared by initial preconditioning to partially cook the starting material(s), followed by low shear extrusion cooking, with a total STE/SME ratio of at least about 4.
US08277865B2	Nutritious fabricated snack products A snack chip comprising from about 15% to about 60% of vegetable material; from about 40% to about 65% of starch material made from materials selected from the group consisting of tapioca, rice and mixtures thereof; from about 0.1% to about 3.0% water; and from about 1% to about 20% of optional ingredients. At least about 40% of the starch material is pre-gelatinized. The snack chip can be made by combining the vegetable material and dry ingredients with water to form a dough which is then sheeted, dried without the use of a heated extruder to form a half product, which is cooked to form the snack chip.
US08277862B2	Beverage products having steviol glycosides and at least one acid Beverage products are provided which include rebaudioside A, erythritol, and an acid component. The beverage product has a titratable acidity in the range of about 8.75 to about 10.25, and a pH in the range of about 2.8 to about 3.3. Beverage products disclosed herein achieve a proper sweet/tart ratio to increase sweetness and to reduce tartness and bitterness of beverages made with natural sweeteners.
US08277852B2	Bioactive botanical cosmetic compositions and processes for their production The present invention is directed to bioactive botanical cosmetic compositions derived from membrane and cell serum fractions of plant cell juice. The present invention also relates to the methods for preparing these bioactive botanical cosmetic compositions and the uses of these compositions in various cosmetic formulations and as topical skin cosmetic applications.
US08277851B2	Herbal medicinal composition and herbal medicinal extract for inducing production of peripheral blood stem cells and method for preparing the same A herbal medicinal composition and a herbal medicinal extract for inducing production of peripheral blood stem cells and a method for preparing the same. The herbal medicinal composition contains herbal medicinal herbs disclosed herein such as Cinnamomum Ramulus, Paeoniae (Ovatae) Radix Rubra, Glycyrrhizae Radix, Zingiberis Rhizoma, Jujubae Fructus, Anelicae Radix, and Astragali Radix.
US08277849B2	Microalgae-derived compositions for improving the health and appearance of skin Provided herein are microalgal skin care compositions and methods of improving the health and appearance of skin. Also provided are methods of using polysaccharides for applications such as topical personal care products, cosmetics, and wrinkle reduction compositions. The invention also provides novel decolorized microalgal compositions useful for improving the health and appearance of skin. The invention also includes insoluble polysaccharide particles for application to human skin.
US08277840B2	Sustained release formulation of alprazolam The present invention is directed towards the preparation of extended release Alprazolam formulation. The formulation thus obtained provides an efficient mode of delivery of Alprazolam in a continuous manner.
US08277837B2	Hemostatic textile The present invention is directed to a hemostatic textile, comprising: a material comprising a combination of glass fibers and one or more secondary fibers selected from the group consisting of silk fibers; ceramic fibers; raw or regenerated bamboo fibers; cotton fibers; rayon fibers; linen fibers; ramie fibers; jute fibers; sisal fibers; flax fibers; soybean fibers; corn fibers; hemp fibers; lyocel fibers; wool; lactide and/or glycolide polymers; lactide/glycolide copolymers; silicate fibers; polyamide fibers; feldspar fibers; zeolite fibers, zeolite-containing fibers, acetate fibers; and combinations thereof; the hemostatic textile capable of activating hemostatic systems in the body when applied to a wound. Additional cofactors such as thrombin and hemostatic agents such as RL platelets, RL blood cells; fibrin, fibrinogen, and combinations thereof may also be incorporated into the textile. The invention is also directed to methods of producing the textile, and methods of using the textile to stop bleeding.
US08277836B2	Carbohydrates mixture A carbohydrate mixture for dietetic foods and pharmaceuticals is provided. The carbohydrate mixture comprises two different, substantially soluble carbohydrate components A and B, which remain undigested in the gastrointestinal tract and enter the large intestine without being resorbed. Carbohydrate component A may comprise at least one monosaccharide or of at least one oligosaccharide (disaccharide to hexasaccharide) or a mixture of two or more of these saccharides. Carbohydrate component B may comprise a polysaccharide (from heptasaccharide onwards) or a mixture of two or more polysaccharides. Carbohydrate component A=5 to 95 wt-% and carbohydrate component B=5 to 95 wt-% of the sum of the carbohydrate components A+B (=100 wt-%), and at least 80 wt-% of the carbohydrates/saccharides of both carbohydrate components have a prebiotic effect. The carbohydrate mixtures have not only a nutritive effect but they also stimulate health-promoting microorganisms present in the natural flora of the large intestine.
US08277834B2	Method for producing protein adsorption-preventing ocular lens material The present invention is a method of manufacturing an eye lens material having a process in which a phosphorylcholine group-containing chemical compound represented by the following formula (1) is reacted and covalently bonded onto the surface of an eye lens material wherein a chemical compound having an end amino group is introduced to said eye lens material and then the chemical compound represented by the following formula (2) or (3) is introduced through said chemical compound having an end amino group.The object of the present invention is to provide a method of manufacturing a contact lens that prevents protein adsorption.
US08277829B2	Nano/macroporous bone tissue scaffolds for regenerative medicine A biocompatible inorganic porous material having a three-dimensional coexistent network of interconnected macro-pores and nanopores produced by the steps of mixing an organic water-soluble polymer (e.g., polyethylene oxide or a block copolymer of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide), an alkoxysilane, and an inorganic water-soluble calcium salt in an aqueous acid solution, such that a sol-gel process of hydrolysis and polycondensation is initiated and thereby producing a gel; drying the gel to remove solvent by evaporation; and heating the gel to remove the polymer by thermal decomposition, thereby forming an inorganic porous material, which may be suitable for use as a bone tissue scaffold.
US08277827B2	Antimicrobial textiles comprising peroxide This invention pertains to method for imparting a durable antimicrobial activity to substrates, particularly textiles. An acetate-free metal and peroxide antimicrobial treatment formulation is prepared by adjusting the pH of a mixture of a metal salt in aqueous hydrogen peroxide to about 7.5. The substrate is treated with the composition and dried to afford the treated substrate with antimicrobial activity. Zinc salts, ions, or complexes are preferred.
US08277826B2	Methods for making antimicrobial resins Methods for making antimicrobial resins and for forming coatings comprising antimicrobial resins on substrate surfaces are disclosed. The methods involve providing a mixture comprising about 15 weight % to about 80 weight % of a hydrophilic acrylic oligomer, about 10 weight % to about 80 weight % of a multifunctional acrylic monomer, about 5 weight % to about 40 weight % of an adhesion-promoting acrylic or vinyl monomer, and about 0.1 weight % to about 15 weight % of a metal salt; and exposing the mixture to a radiation source to cure at least a portion of the mixture, thereby forming an antimicrobial resin.
US08277825B2	Insect attractants and their use in methods of insect control The present invention utilizes a fatty acid as an attractant in a method of attracting whiteflies. By using a fatty acid as a whitefly attractant, it is possible to attract whiteflies to a desired location. The fatty acid can be used in a lure or other propagator to provide a dispersion of fatty acid in the air, the variation in the concentration of the fatty acid in the air being such that a whitefly is attracted to the lure as the source of the fatty acid. The use of a fatty acid as an attractant results in significantly higher levels of attraction, as measured by the number of whiteflies attracted to a sticky trap, as compared to the use of color alone.
US08277824B2	Solubilization of cyclohexane-based carboxamide derivatives for use as sensates in consumer products Disclosed are methods of solubilizing various coolants, in particular cyclohexane-based carboxamide derivatives to facilitate formulating these coolants into a wide variety of consumer products, including those for oral cavity, throat, skin and hair care applications. Suitable solvents are those that provide at least 5% concentrated solutions of these coolants. Particularly preferred solvents are those used in the perfume and flavor industries and are GRAS materials that do not contribute formulation difficulties or negative aesthetics.
US08277822B2	Botulinum toxin treatment A liquid or semi-solid formulation of botulinum toxin for the preparation of a medicament intended to treat a disorder characterized by bladder spasms (e.g. urinary incontinence due to unstable bladder or unstable detrusor sphincter, voiding complications due to detrusor overactivity or unstable detrusor sphincter, urinary retention secondary to spastic sphincter or hypertrophied bladder neck and neurogenic bladder dysfunction secondary to Parkinson's disease, spinal cord injury, stroke or multiple sclerosis or characterized by a spasm reflex), wherein said medicament is for administration by infusion into the bladder or by other methods that do not involve injection into the bladder wall.
US08277809B2	CXCL13 antagonists and their use for the treatment of inflammatory diseases Methods of treating disorders related to CXCL13 activity utilize CXCL13 antagonists and, optionally, TNFα antagonists, such as antibodies, including specified portions or variants, polypeptides, polynucleotides, siRNA, shRNA, ribozymes, and DNAzymes. Disorders related to CXCL13 activity include inflammatory disorders, such as pulmonary disorders, for example, asthma, emphysema, and COPD, and systemic lupus erythematosus.
US08277806B2	Use of trifunctional bispecific and trispecific antibodies for the treatment of malignant ascites The invention describes the use of a pharmaceutical preparation containing a trifunctional bispecific and/or trispecific having the following properties: a) binding to a T cell; b) binding to at least an antigen on a tumor cell associated with malignant ascites and/or pleural effusion; c) binding, by its Fc portion (in the case of bispecific antibodies) or by a third specificity (in the case of trispecific antibodies), to Fc receptor-positive cells for the destruction of the tumor cells in the treatment of malignant ascites and/or pleural effusion.
US08277801B2	Delivery system for functional compounds A delivery system for various functional compounds is disclosed. The delivery system incorporates a composition containing alumina. Various functional materials containing particular moieties may be adsorbed onto the alumina and used as desired. The functional compounds can be, for instance, pharmaceuticals, xenobiotics, anti-microbial agents, anti-viral agents, UV absorbers, odor control agents, fragrances, and the like. In one particular embodiment, for instance, certain dyes can be adsorbed onto the alumina surfaces. Once the dye is adsorbed onto the alumina surface, the resulting particles can be combined with a liquid vehicle for use in any suitable printing process.
US08277794B2	Immune privileged and modulatory progenitor cells Described herein is a method for modulating an immune reaction between lymphocytes and a body recognized by the lymphocytes as foreign. The method exploits the immunomodulating activity of a new class of progenitor cells termed HUCPVCs derived from the perivascular region of human umbilical cord. The method can also employ soluble factors exuded by cultured HUCPVCs. The method is useful to treat immune disorders including graft versus host disease, autoimmune disorders, and the like.
US08277791B2	Cosmetic compositions having improved transfer resistance Cosmetic compositions and methods with improved transfer resistance and long wear properties are disclosed. The cosmetic compositions contain a synergistic combination of at least one silicone polyurethane polymer and at least one elastomer.
US08277790B2	Method for inhibiting fading and enhancing color intensity of color-treated hair The invention provides a method for inhibiting color fading in color-treated keratinous fibers, which method includes treating the keratinous fibers with a color-fade inhibiting-effective effective amount of a monoalkyl quaternary ammonium salt. The invention also provides a method for enhancing the intensity of color in color-treated keratinous fibers, which method includes treating the keratinous fibers with a color intensity enhancing effective amount of an alkyl a quaternary ammonium salt. Additionally provided are products for inhibiting the fading of color and increasing the intensity of color in color-treated keratinous fibers.
US08277788B2	Quick dispersing hair conditioning composition Disclosed is a quick dispersing hair conditioning composition comprising (a) an isostearamidopropyl ethyldimethylammonium salt or a dicocodimethylammonium salt; (b) one or more fatty alcohols; (c) dimethicone; and (d) water. The hair conditioning composition of the invention has one or more advantageous properties. For example, an embodiment of the invention has a dispersion rate such that when 1.5 mL of the composition is dispersed into 400 mL of water at about 35° C. to about 40° C., the dispersion has a transmittance at 420 nm that is less than about 70% of the water at the same temperature in less than about 120 seconds.
US08277786B2	Odor controlled personal care compositions containing hydroxypropyl trialkylammonium salts A personal care composition is provided which includes from 0.1 to 30% of a dihydroxypropyltri(C1-C3 alkyl) ammonium salt by weight of the composition; from 0.0001 to 0.005% of a tri(C1-C3 alkyl)amine or protonated form thereof by weight of the ammonium salt; from 0.002 to 15% of an aluminum salt by weight of the composition; and a cosmetically acceptable carrier wherein the composition has a pH ranging from 5.5 to 6.9. Unpleasant amine odor from trialkyl amines which arise from the dihydroxypropyltri(C1-C3 alkyl) ammonium salts is suppressed by the aluminum salt and by careful control of pH conditions.
US08277783B2	Permanganate containing whitening compositions and methods of their use In general, the invention provides a fast-acting, whitening composition containing permanganate. Particular alkali-metal or alkaline-earth metal salts of permanganate; hydrogen peroxide; or an alkali or alkaline-earth metal peroxide; and an acid.
US08277782B2	Topical oral care compositions comprising host response modulating agents The present invention relates to topical oral care compositions comprising in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier a safe and effective amount of a host-response modulating agent including one or more of an anti-oxidant and modifier of cell redox status, anti-inflammatory agent, metalloproteinase inhibitor, vitamins and nutrients key to maintenance of a host response balance and inhibitor of activation of NF-kB in combination with one or a mixture of additional oral therapeutic actives selected from antimicrobial/antiplaque agents, biofilm inhibiting agents, antibiotics; analgesics and local anesthetic agents; dentinal desensitizing agents and odor masking agents. The present compositions are effective in treating and preventing bacteria-mediated diseases present in the oral cavity and in mediating host reaction to the presence of pathogenic bacteria in the oral cavity as well as the toxins and endotoxins, inflammatory cytokines and mediators released or prompted by these oral pathogens. By controlling bacteria-mediated diseases and conditions present in the oral cavity and modulating host reaction, spread into the bloodstream and other parts of the body of pathogenic bacteria and associated harmful substances is prevented or minimized.
US08277780B2	Stable liquid desoximethasone compositions with reduced oxidized impurity The present invention relates to a stable liquid formulation comprising desoximetasone, isopropyl myristate, a C2-C4 alcohol and a stabilizing agent. Specifically, the present invention provides a liquid formulation comprising: a) about 0.01 wt % to about 2.5 wt % desoximetasone; b) about 10 wt % to about 70 wt % isopropyl myristate; c) about 20 wt % to about 70 wt % C2-C4 alcohol; and d) a stabilizing agent selected from the group consisting of an oleaginous vehicle and a propellant, wherein the stabilizing agent is in an amount sufficient to reduce the formation of less than about 1 wt % 17-carboxy-9α-fluoro-11β-hydroxy-16a-methyl-androsta-1,4-diene-3-one under an accelerated storage condition.
US08277774B2	Method for the preparation of high purity stannous oxide Provided herein are methods for the preparation of high purity stannous oxide comprising: (a) reacting a Sn salt with a C2-12 dicarboxylic acid in the aqueous phase to form a suspension comprising a Sn-dicarboxylate complex; (b) washing the Sn-dicarboxylate complex with water to obtain a wash solution comprising a washed Sn-dicarboxylate complex essentially free of the anion of the Sn salt; and (c) reacting the washed Sn-dicarboxylate complex with a base to form high purity SnO, wherein the high purity SnO has an alpha radiation count of less than about 0.002 cph/cm2.
US08277772B2	Method of extracting Te and bismuth oxide and recovering byproducts A method of extracting Te and bismuth oxide and recovering byproduct comprises: leaching raw materials with a Te content of ≧1.8% by utilizing a leaching system containing H2SO4, Cl−, Br−, NH4+ and NaClO3, reducing leach solution with SO2 gas by precipitation method after separating impurities from it, washing with concentrated hydrochloric acid to obtain tellurium precipitation (18), purifying to obtain Te with a purity of higher than 99.99%. The filtrate produced is used for extracting Bi2O3 with a purity of higher than 99.99% when Bi content in the raw material is ≧2%. Acidic waste solution produced during the process could be returned to the leaching step for recycle.
US08277765B2	Process for recovering molybdate or tungstate from aqueous solutions Process for recovering molybdate or tungstate from an aqueous solution, in which molybdate or tungstate is bound to a water-insoluble, cationized inorganic carrier material from the aqueous solution at a pH in the range from 2 to 6, the laden carrier material is separated off and the bound molybdate or tungstate is liberated once again into aqueous solution at a pH in the range from 6 to 14. The process is suitable for recovering molybdate or tungstate in the delignification of pulp with hydrogen peroxide in the presence of molybdate or tungstate as catalyst. The recovered molybdate or tungstate can be recycled to the delignification.
US08277764B2	Unitary cartridge for particle processing A single disposable cartridge for performing a process on a particle, such as particle sorting, encapsulates all fluid contact surfaces in the cartridge for use with microfluidic particle processing technology. The cartridge interfaces with an operating system for effecting particle processing. The encapsulation of the fluid contact surfaces insures, improves or promotes operator isolation and/or product isolation. The cartridge may employ any suitable technique for processing particles.
US08277763B2	Incubator apparatus and method The present invention relates to a method of processing analyte using a portable incubator apparatus. The incubator apparatus 10 has a plurality of cavities 20 each configured to receive analyte to be incubated. The method comprises: receiving analyte in each of the plurality of cavities; incubating the analyte in the plurality of cavities, the incubator apparatus being operable to control temperatures of analyte contained in the plurality of cavities independently of each other; and moving the incubator apparatus from a first location to a second location while the analyte is being incubated, the incubator apparatus being configured to maintain desired incubation conditions independently of a supply of electrical power and apparatus external to the incubator apparatus as the incubator apparatus is being moved.
US08277762B2	Apparatus and methods for evaluating the barrier properties of a membrane The present invention teaches apparatus (511) and methods for screening the effect of test formulations on the barrier properties of a membrane (212), that are especially beneficial when skin is used as the test membrane (212). The apparatus (511) and methods enable more efficient measurements of skin permeabilization, of the permeation of molecular or particulate entities through skin, and of the absorption and adsorption by skin of ingredients in fluid formulations, together with screening of exfoliation of material from the exterior of the stratum corneum. The apparatus (511) provide for fluid contact to the skin from both donor and receptor sides, for measurements of skin electrical response in the presence of test formulations, of permeation and permeation enhancement, for the depth profiling of test formulation constituents through the skin, of stratum corneum component disruption, and of loss of material from the stratum corneum.
US08277761B2	Channelless fluidic sample transport medium A fluidic device (100) comprising a substrate (101) and a transport medium (103) provided on the substrate (101) to define a transport path for transporting a fluidic sample (104) driven by an electric force.
US08277753B2	Microfluidic transfer pin A liquid dispenser for a microfluidic assay system is described. The dispenser includes at least one transfer pin for transferring a microfluidic sample of liquid to a target receptacle. A pin tip at one end of the transfer pin is structured to cooperate with an opening in the target receptacle. The tip uses a high voltage potential to transfer the sample from the pin to the receptacle.
US08277752B2	Optical measurement apparatus An optical measurement apparatus is provided for conducting a test by efficiently reading color development of a reagent after reaction by optical measurement.To the above end, an optical measurement apparatus is provided which is to be used with at least one test instrument mounted to the apparatus. The test instrument includes a carrier provided with at least one reagent retaining portion which retains a reagent, and a sample is applied to the carrier. The optical measurement apparatus includes a reader for reading color development of the reagent retaining portion, and a controller for performing driving control of the reader and determination. The controller performs the determination by utilizing data obtained by a reading operation P to read the color development of the reagent performed after the lapse of a reaction completion period Tr1-Tr6 from the mounting of the test instrument, and the reaction completion period depends on the reagent.
US08277744B2	Pinching channels for fractionation of fragmented samples The invention provides a device, system, and method for isolating one or more sample components of a sample material following separation of the sample material into a plurality of sample components. The device includes first and second pinching channels, a separation channel extending between the first and second pinching channels, a collection leg that includes a collection well between first and second ends of the collection leg, and a waste leg, all of which are in fluid communication with a switching region. In the method, a sample material is separated into a plurality of separated components in the device and one or more of the separated components are isolated in the collection well. The separated components are constrained and elongated in the switching region by first and second buffer streams.
US08277743B1	Substrate fabrication Systems and methods for fabricating bodies (e.g., porous bodies) are described. Various aspects provide for reactors and the fabrication of reactors. Some reactors include surfaces that provide for heterogeneous reactions involving a fluid (and/or components thereof). A fluid may be a gas and/or a liquid. A contaminant in the fluid (e.g., a dissolved or suspended substance) may react in a reaction. Some reactors provide for independent control of heat transfer (between the fluid, the reactor, and the environment) with respect to mass transfer (e.g., fluid flow through the reactor).
US08277742B2	Method of fabrication visible light absorbed TiO2/CNT photocatalysts and photocatalytic filters A method of fabricating visible light absorbed TiO2/CNT photocatalysts and photocatalytic filters is disclosed, in which the method of fabricating the photocatalysts comprises steps: (a) providing a substrate; (b) forming a plurality of carbon nanotubes on the substrate; (c) providing a titanium source and an oxygen source; and (d) forming at least one titanium dioxide layer on the carbon nanotubes. The filter of the present invention comprises: a substrate, a plurality of carbon nanotubes, and a titanium dioxide layer. The plurality of carbon nanotubes form on the surface of the substrate, one end of each carbon nanotube connects to the substrate, and the titanium dioxide layer covers the surface of the carbon nanotubes. The filter of the present invention is a visible light absorbed filtering net, the titanium dioxide layer formed on the CNTs has high uniformity and therefore the photodegradation efficiency of the filter is an improvement.
US08277741B2	Anti-germicidal and/or antimicrobial apparatus for reducing and/or eliminating germs and/or bacteria from the soles of footwear and method for use The present invention relates an apparatus that reduces and/or eliminates germs and/or bacteria from the soles of a person's footwear, and an associated method of use. According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a person can step onto and stand on the exemplary apparatus to have germs and/or bacteria reduced and/or eliminated from the soles of his or her footwear through the use of anti-germicidal and/or antimicrobial radiation and/or light. An exemplary apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention can be configured so that when a person stands on a top portion, the person's footwear sinks to a bottom portion that is substantially transparent, displacing substantially opaque gel so that at least one of the soles of the person's footwear is exposed to the anti-germicidal and/or antimicrobial radiation and/or light source.
US08277738B2	Mobile type electron accelerator Disclosed is a mobile type electron accelerator which enables a high voltage generator and a beam extraction device irradiating electron beams, and a reactor to be safely placed in containers mounted on trailers of a vehicle having mobility so as to allow a sample (for example, waste water, waste gas, and a sample to be investigated) to be tested in real time while maximally suppressing danger of environmental pollution or radiation exposure, thereby assuring rapidity, field applicability, and accuracy.
US08277736B2	Fluidized bed reactor system The present invention relates to a fluidized bed reactor system made up of at least two fluidized bed reactors, comprising at least one main reactor (1) in the form of a circulating fluidized bed and a secondary reactor (2) in the form of a circulating fluidized bed, and also a particle line comprising a particle separator for transporting fluidized bed particles from the main reactor into the secondary reactor, characterized in that, in the lower region of the respective reactor, a line (10) connects the secondary reactor (2) to the main reactor (1) for transporting fluidized bed particles.
US08277735B2	High intensity air purifier This document describes a high intensity air purifier (HAIP), a super oxidation purifier, and a controller for controlling operation of any of various purification systems. In some implementations, a HAIP includes an air purifier system coupled within a housing having an air inlet and an air outlet. The air purifier system includes a pre-filter coupled to the air inlet, an axial fan for receiving and forwarding air from the air inlet. The air purifier system further includes a UV reaction chamber having a UV-light source for providing UV light to the forwarded air from the air inlet and a reflective lining to reflect the provided UV light, to provide UV purified air from the UV reaction chamber. The air purifier system further includes a chemical catalyst cartridge for receiving the UV purified air from the UV reaction chamber, for further purifying the UV purified air, and a post filter coupled to the air outlet.
US08277734B2	Biological activity monitoring and/or suppression Ultraviolet radiation is shone within an area and detected. The detected ultraviolet radiation is monitored over a period of time to determine a set of biological activity dynamics for the area. Ultraviolet radiation detected during a calibration period can be used to provide a baseline with which analysis of subsequently detected ultraviolet radiation is compared and analyzed. When the presence of biological activity is determined within the area, ultraviolet radiation and/or one or more other approaches can be utilized to suppress the biological activity.
US08277730B2	Tissue infiltration method A tissue infiltration apparatus (1) for specimens present in cassettes (5) comprises at least two liquid containers (7, 11, 13, 15) and a transport apparatus (6). Multiple cassettes (5) are receivable in a transport basket (4). The transport apparatus (6) is configured in such a way that at least two transport baskets (4) are transportable in the tissue infiltration apparatus (1). A transport basket (4) is deliverable to, and/or movable away from, a liquid container (7, 11, 13, 15) with the transport apparatus (6). An execution sequence (21) in which the transport baskets (4) pass through the liquid containers (7, 11, 13, 15) is definable. To enable accelerated or preferred processing of a transport basket (4) with the tissue infiltration apparatus (1), at least one means (8) is provided with which the order of two transport baskets (4) is definably modifiable.
US08277726B2	Hybrid water treatment for high temperature steam generators A steam generation system comprises: an oxygenated water treatment (OWT) sub-system configured to generate water having oxidizing chemistry; a steam generation sub-system configured to convert the water having oxidizing chemistry into steam having oxidizing chemistry; an attemperator or other injection device or devices configured to add an oxygen scavenger to the steam having oxidizing chemistry to generate steam having less oxidizing or reducing chemistry; and a condenser configured to condense the steam having less oxidizing or reducing chemistry into condensed water.
US08277725B2	Method of freshening air Air freshener products and methods for freshening air are disclosed. In some embodiments, the air freshening product may include a container for storing an air freshening composition that may contain compressed gas such as compressed air, nitrogen, nitrous oxide, inert gases, or carbon dioxide. When the container is completely filled with propellant and air freshening composition, the air freshening composition may be released from the container at a flow rate of from about 0.8 grams/second to about 1.5 grams/second, wherein the mean particle size of the released spray droplets is from about 10 microns to about 100 microns.The method of freshening air, in certain embodiments, provides improved delivery of an air freshening composition using a non-hydrocarbon propellant. If malodor counteractants are used, the method may also provide a reduction in malodors.
US08277723B2	High-purity hafnium, target and thin film comprising high-purity hafnium, and process for producing high-purity hafnium Provided is a method of manufacturing high-purity hafnium by using a hafnium sponge with reduced zirconium as the raw material in which the impurity content of Fe, Cr, and Ni, the impurity content of Ca, Na, and K, the impurity content of Al, Co, Cu, Ti, W, and Zn, the alpha dose, the impurity content of U and Th, the impurity content of Pb and Bi, and the content of C as a gas component contained in the hafnium are reduced. Based on this efficient and stable manufacturing technology, additionally provided are a high-purity hafnium material obtained from the foregoing high-purity hafnium, as well as a sputtering target, a gate insulation film and a metal gate thin film, which are formed from this material. This high-purity hafnium has a purity 6N or higher except Zr and gas components, wherein Fe, Cr and Ni are respectively 0.2 ppm or less, Ca, Na and K are respectively 0.1 ppm or less, and Al, Co, Cu, Ti, W and Zn are respectively 0.1 ppm or less.
US08277720B2	Device and method for heating a metal material Device for heating metal material includes an elongated DFI burner arranged to be driven with gaseous oxidant and gaseous fuel and to be displaceable and longitudinally arranged with respect to the metal material. The burner includes longitudinal tubular vessels for fuel and for oxidant, arranged in parallel to one another and relative to the surface of the metal material. Each of these vessels has an opening through which the fuel and oxidant flow out and then converge in an ignition zone outside the respective vessels, where a flame is generated. Supply devices are arranged via a regulator to keep the pressure constant throughout the respective vessel during operation. Each of the vessels has a longitudinally displaceable piston for controlling the longitudinal extension of the flame in the longitudinal direction of the vessels.
US08277719B2	Process for the preparation of auxetic foams A process for the preparation of thermoplastic auxetic foams comprising the steps of: a) taking conventional thermoplastic foam; b) subjecting said foam to at least one process cycle wherein the foam is biaxially compressed and heated; c) optionally subjecting the foam to at least one process cycle wherein the biaxial compression is removed and the foam mechanically agitated prior to reapplying biaxial compression and heating; d) cooling said foam to a temperature below the softening temperature of said foam; and e) removing said compression and heat.
US08277712B2	Fiber and nanofiber spinning method The present invention relates to a method for spinning fibers, or fiberizers, using a rotary fiber-making die system made up of thin plates, embodied by a housing fixture, configured and stacked to define slots, channels and/or grooves through which the material used to make the fibers will flow. The die system allows for the production of different size and types of fibers, including nanofibers having a diameter of less than 1 micron, and facilitates a variety of cost effective methods for extrusion. The use of plates means the dies can be manufactured cost effectively, with easier clean-outs, replacements and/or variations.
US08277711B2	Production of nanofibers by melt spinning A process and apparatus for forming nanofibers from a spinning melt utilizing a high speed rotating distribution disc. The fibers can be collected into a uniform web for selective barrier end uses. Fibers with an average fiber diameter of less that 1,000 nm can be produced.
US08277708B2	Compression molding thickness regulator Some embodiments comprise a mechanical thickness regulator for a compression mold, or related systems and/or methods. A regulator can include a thickness regulator pin received by a recess in an extendable and retractable relation. The regulator pin can include a tip, or can be contacted with a tip, defining a predetermined distance from the pin to the end of the tip, the distance defining a gap of well known dimensions for receiving and molding polymer melt.
US08277707B2	Rotary tablet press A rotary tablet press comprises a housing and a rotary die table having dies arranged circumferentially. Each die is associated with a punch having an end receivable in the die and being arranged for compression of a powder or granular material in the die by reciprocation of the punch by rotation of the die table. The rotary tablet press comprises a feeding device and a tablet discharge device. Each die opening and its corresponding punch end are enclosed in a compression chamber comprising a dust extraction nozzle. The compression chamber communicates with the surroundings of the tablet press through a non-return valve arranged to prevent outflow from the compression chamber to the surroundings of the tablet press.
US08277706B2	Process of making water-dispersible 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.
US08277701B2	Photosensitive resin composition for color filter and color filter using same Disclosed are a photosensitive resin composition for a color filter and a color filter using the same. The photosensitive resin composition for a color filter includes (A) an acrylic-based binder resin including a structural unit represented by the following Chemical Formula 1, wherein the substituents of Chemical Formula 1 are the same as defined in the specification; (B) an acrylic-based photopolymerizable monomer; (C) a photopolymerization initiator; (D) a pigment; and (E) a solvent.
US08277700B2	Process for preparing a photochromic polymeric composition, thus obtained polymeric composition and use thereof The present invention discloses a process for preparing a photochromic polymeric composition, characterized in that the photochromic polymeric composition is prepared by comprising (meth)acrylamide compound in the reaction mixture useful for the preparation of the photochromic polymeric composition. The present invention also relates to the thus obtained polymeric composition, photochromic articles made from said polymeric composition, and use of said polymeric composition for preparing photochromic articles. The photochromic polymeric composition according to the present invention makes the absorption peak of the photochromic dye therein become longer, thus exhibiting a desired grey with a bit bluish green or grey with a bit blue.
US08277698B2	Infrared curable ink composition for color filter and color filter The present invention relates to an infrared curable ink composition for a color filter. The ink composition according to the present invention includes a melamine compound and an epoxy compound, and thus can be cured for a short time, thereby being used in the infrared curing process, and reducing the production process and time required for the color filter production. In addition, the color filter produced by the ink composition according to the present invention has excellent chemical resistance and heat resistance, thereby being applied to various electronic devices such as liquid crystal display device.
US08277694B2	Sintered compact of composite oxide, amorphous film of composite oxide, process for producing said film, crystalline film of composite oxide and process for producing said film Provided is an amorphous film substantially comprised of indium, tin, calcium and oxygen, wherein tin is contained at a ratio of 5 to 15% based on an atomicity ratio of Sn/(In+Sn+Ca) and calcium is contained at a ratio of 0.1 to 2.0% based on an atomicity ratio of Ca/(In+Sn+Ca), and remnant is indium and oxygen. The film can be further crystallized by annealing at a temperature of 260° C. or lower in which resistivity of the film will be 0.4 mΩcm or less. An ITO thin film for use as a display electrode or the like in a flat panel display can be made into an amorphous ITO film by way of sputter deposition without heating the substrate or adding water during deposition. This ITO film is characterized in that it will crystallize by annealing at a temperature of 260° C. or less, which is not such a high temperature, and have low resistivity after being crystallized. Thus, the present invention aims to provide a method of producing such a film and a sintered compact for producing such a film.
US08277690B2	Conducting copolymer ferromagnetic composite and a process for the preparation thereof The present invention provides a conducting copolymer ferromagnetic composite. Particularly, the present invention relates to a conducting copolymer of aniline and ethylene-dioxy thiophene containing ferrite particles. The present invention also provides insitu polymerization of aniline and ethylene-dioxy thiophene in the presence of ferrite particles and suitable surfactant medium. This conducting copolymer ferromagnetic composite can be used for the dissipation of electrostatic charge, for the shielding of electromagnetic interference and as absorbing of electromagnetic waves in the microwave region.
US08277684B2	Liquid-crystal medium The invention relates to a liquid-crystalline medium of negative dielectric anisotropy based on a mixture of polar compounds, which comprises at least one compound selected from the group of the compounds of the formulae IA, IB and IC in which R1A, R2A, R1B, R2B, R1C, R2C, L, m, n, o, p and b have the meanings indicated in Claim 1, and to the use thereof for an active-matrix display, in particular based on the ECB, PALC, FFS or IPS effect.
US08277683B2	Nano-sized structured layered positive electrode materials to enable high energy density and high rate capability lithium batteries Nano-sized structured dense and spherical layered positive active materials provide high energy density and high rate capability electrodes in lithium-ion batteries. Such materials are spherical second particles made from agglomerated primary particles that are Li1+α(NixCoyMnz)1−tMtO2−dRd, where M is selected from can be Al, Mg, Fe, Cu, Zn, Cr, Ag, Ca, Na, K, In, Ga, Ge, V, Mo, Nb, Si, Ti, Zr, or a mixture of any two or more thereof, R is selected from F, Cl, Br, I, H, S, N, or a mixture of any two or more thereof, and 0≦α≦0.50; 0
US08277681B2	Metal polishing slurry and chemical mechanical polishing method A metal polishing slurry which is capable of simultaneously realizing a high polishing speed and reduced dishing in the polishing of a subject to be polished is provided. The metal polishing slurry includes, an oxidizing agent; and an organic acid; and a compound represented by the following general formula (1):
US08277677B2	Mechanical strength and thermoelectric performance in metal chalcogenide MQ (M=Ge,Sn,Pb and Q=S, Se, Te) based compositions Thermoelectric eutectic and off-eutectic compositions comprising a minor phase in a thermoelectric matrix phase are provided. These compositions include eutectic and near eutectic compositions where the matrix phase is a chalcogenide (S, Se, Te) of Ge, Sn, or Pb or an appropriate alloy of these compounds and at least one of Ge, Ge1−xSix, Si, ZnTe, and Co are precipitated as the minor phase within the matrix. Methods of making and using the compositions are also provided. The thermoelectric and mechanical properties of the compositions make them well-suited for use in thermoelectric applications. Controlled doping of eutectic compositions and hypereutectic compositions can yield large power factors. By optimizing both the thermal conductivities and power factors of the present compositions, ZT values greater than 1 can be obtained at 700K.
US08277670B2	Plasma process with photoresist mask pretreatment A method for etching features in a dielectric layer through a photoresist (PR) mask is provided. The PR mask is patterned using laser light having a wavelength not more than 193 nm. The PR mask is pre-treated with a noble gas plasma, and then a plurality of cycles of a plasma process is provided. Each cycle includes a deposition phase that deposits a deposition layer over the PR mask, the deposition layer covering a top and sidewalls of mask features of the PR mask, and a shaping phase that shapes the deposition layer deposited over the PR mask.
US08277666B2	Drinking container with filter filling reservoir A drinking container includes a main reservoir; a filling reservoir; a filter connecting the filling reservoir to the main reservoir; a plunger assembly having a plunger head in the filling reservoir and a shaft extending therefrom. The shaft defines a passageway from to an opening in the plunger head, to allow addition of liquid through the passageway into the filling reservoir. A valve allows closing of the opening to allow the plunger head to be urged into the filing reservoir, thereby urging liquid in the filling reservoir through the filter into the drinking reservoir.
US08277662B2	Steam boiler apparatus and operating method therefor It is intended to effectively suppress corrosion of a feed-water supply pipe in a preheater, by means of recirculation of boiler water to feed-water to be supplied to a steam boiler, even if a concentration of an alkaline component of the feed-water is relatively high. An alkali metal hydroxide is added from an agent-adding unit (14) to feed-water after removing therefrom a water hardness component in a water-softener unit (15) using a cation exchange resin and then removing therefrom dissolved gas in a degasifier unit (16). Then, the feed-water is supplied to a steam boiler 20 via a feed-water supply line 13 while being heated by a preheater (41). A part of boiler water having a pH value increased along with an increase in concentration of the alkali metal hydroxide resulting from enrichment thereof in the steam boiler (20) is mixed with the feed-water via a recirculation line (38). An alkaline component of the feed-water in the feed-water supply line (13) reacts with hydrogen ions from the cation exchange resin to form a carbonic acid, so that a concentration of the alkaline component is reduced. Thus, when the boiler water is mixed with the feed-water, a pH of the feed-water is increased without being influenced by a buffering ability of the alkaline component, to suppress corrosion of the feed-water supply line (13).
US08277657B2	Systems and methods for microbial reductive dechlorination of environmental contaminants In preferred embodiments, bioremediation systems are provided that comprise electricigenic microbes that use electrons provided directly from the anode of an electrical bioremediation system to carry out reductive dehalogenation of halogenated hydrocarbon contaminants, including chlorinated solvents. The present invention also provides methods of performing in situ bioremediation of halogenated solvents in groundwater or soil through the use of the provided systems.
US08277656B2	Filter device The filter device is provided with a housing (1) and with a stack of filter plates (10, 11) arranged therein at a spacing from one another. The housing includes an inlet (7) for the fluid to be filtered, an outlet (9) for the filtrate which is connected in a conducting manner to the inside of the filter plates (10, 11), and a cavity extending through the stack and formed by recesses in the filter plates (10, 11). The filter plate stack is arranged fixed to the housing, and a centrifugal pump (14) with several impellers (15) is arranged within the filter plate stack. This pump ensures an intensive through-flow of the filter plate stack and thus a removal of the filter residues.
US08277655B2	Fluid filtering with contaminant removal An apparatus, system, and method for fluid filtering with contaminant removal, such as removing water from the surface of a top loading-type fuel filter element, includes a housing containing a cavity, a fluid flow inlet leading into the cavity, a filter element disposed in the cavity, and a flow director configured to direct the flow of fluid against the filter element such that contaminant collected on the surface of the filter element is sloughed off. The flow director may be configured to direct the fluid flow at least partially parallel to the filter element. The flow director may further be configured as one or more holes in a filter element housing disposed around the filter element.
US08277654B2	Water purification apparatus and system The invention relates to a two-stage design for a water purification system, with water to be purified first passing through a first stage containing particulate filtration media, and a second stage containing a porous filtration block. The particulate filtration media can be the same as, or different from, material included in the porous block. Either material may be any material that removes contaminants from water by, e.g., absorption, adsorption, ion exchange, sequestration, or other mechanism, or any combination of these.
US08277651B2	Methods and apparatus for centrifugal liquid chromatography Apparatus and methods related to centrifugal liquid chromatography are described. An angular velocity can be simultaneously imparted to a large number of chromatographic enclosures. Via centrifugal forces, a mobile phase fluid including a sample can be driven through a stationary phase within the chromatographic enclosure to perform a chromatographic separation process on components of the sample. The use of centrifugation as a driving force can allow significantly smaller stationary phase particles to be employed as compared to high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Further, for an equivalent chromatographic separation process, the use of centrifugation can provide much greater separation efficiencies than HPLC.
US08277648B2	Remediation system for transition metal ions and method for same In at least one embodiment, a remediation system for oxic water having transition metal ions includes a first chamber defining a first cavity having a first inlet and a first outlet. The first cavity includes oxic water having dissolved ions of reduced species of chalcogenides. The system also includes a second chamber in fluid communication with the first chamber. The oxic water has a pH ranging from 2.5 to 7.5 when present in the first chamber.
US08277646B2	System and method for temporary storm water drainage control A temporary storm water drainage control member having a first portion including a series of flow control openings formed therein, and a second portion defining a side wall, is releasably mountable over or within the open end of a storm water pipe system. The side wall of the second portion of the drainage control member engages the storm water pipe in a frictionally engaging fit to mount the drainage control member over or within the opening of the storm water pipe.
US08277643B2	Catalytic pyrolysis of solid biomass and related biofuels, aromatic, and olefin compounds This invention relates to compositions and methods for fluid hydrocarbon product, and more specifically, to compositions and methods for fluid hydrocarbon product via catalytic pyrolysis. Some embodiments relate to methods for the production of specific aromatic products (e.g., benzene, toluene, naphthalene, xylene, etc.) via catalytic pyrolysis. Some such methods may involve the use of a composition comprising a mixture of a solid hydrocarbonaceous material and a heterogeneous pyrolytic catalyst component. In some embodiments, the mixture may be pyrolyzed at high temperatures (e.g., between 500° C. and 1000° C.). The pyrolysis may be conducted for an amount of time at least partially sufficient for production of discrete, identifiable biofuel compounds. Some embodiments involve heating the mixture of catalyst and hydrocarbonaceous material at high rates (e.g., from about 50° C. per second to about 1000° C. per second). The methods described herein may also involve the use of specialized catalysts. For example, in some cases, zeolite catalysts may be used; optionally, the catalysts used herein may have high silica to alumina molar ratios. In some instances, the composition fed to the pyrolysis reactor may have a relatively high catalyst to hydrocarbonaceous material mass ratio (e.g., from about 5:1 to about 20:1).
US08277638B2	Process for using catalyst with rapid formation of iron sulfide in slurry hydrocracking A process is disclosed for converting heavy hydrocarbon feed into lighter hydrocarbon products. The heavy hydrocarbon feed is slurried with a catalyst comprising iron oxide and alumina to form a heavy hydrocarbon slurry and hydrocracked to produce lighter hydrocarbons. The iron oxide in the catalyst converts to catalytically active iron sulfide in the presence of hydrogen and sulfur.
US08277635B2	Electrochemical biosensor measuring system Disclosed herein is an electrochemical biosensor measuring device which comprises at least two photodiodes for emitting light beams at regular time intervals in a sequential manner, with the insertion of an electrochemical biosensor thereto, and a detector for sensing the emitted light beams, thereby identifying the production lot information recorded on a production lot information identification portion on the electrochemical biosensor. Thus, the device enjoys economic advantages of not requiring a high-priced optical filter in detecting the light absorbed through or reflected from the production identification information recorded in biosensor and a complicated software algorithm to recover the production lot information. Also, the measuring device automatically identifies the production lot information recorded on the biosensor, so that the frequency of inconvenience and error that occur when a user personally inputs the production lot information of the biosensor can be reduced, with the result that the measured values can be conveniently and accurately acquired.
US08277630B2	Tin electroplating solution and a method for tin electroplating A tin plating solution and tin plating method for chip components minimizes tin shavings when plated components are rubbed together such as during bulk mounting. This minimizes sticking of the chip components together.
US08277629B2	Continuous plating system and method with mask registration A continuous plating system with mask registration is disclosed herein that uses drums and rollers with protruding pins which engage with guide holes in a masking belt and a lead frame. Through engagement with the pins the masking belt is keyed to the lead frame as the lead frame passes through a plating solution tank.
US08277627B2	Method and system for irrigation An electrically-driven separation apparatus can be utilized to desalinate seawater and/or brackish water to provide irrigation water having a desired sodium adsorption ratio (SAR).
US08277623B2	Conductive diamond electrode and ozone generator using the same The present invention relates to a conductive diamond electrode, comprising a substrate having a plurality of convex and concave part disposed over the entire surface of the conductive diamond electrode, and a diamond film coated on the surface of said substrate, wherein the width of each convex part of said convex and concave part is in a range from 0.2 mm to 1 mm. The present invention can provide a conductive diamond electrode, applying a thin film of conductive diamond and a thick substrate, being less expensive than a self-supported type conductive diamond electrode and also having mechanical strength enough to be used in the zero-gap electrolysis, functioning stably for a long time with smooth water supply or gas liberation, and an ozone generator using the conductive diamond electrode.
US08277622B2	High uniformity boron doped diamond material The present invention relates to diamond material comprising a boron doped single crystal diamond substrate layer having a first surface and a boron doped single crystal diamond conductive layer on said first surface, wherein the distribution of boron in the conductive layer is more uniform than the distribution of boron in the substrate layer.
US08277620B2	Electrolyzer module forming method and system Embodiments of the present techniques provide electrolyzers made using thermoformed electrode assemblies and diaphragm assemblies. Each electrode assembly is made from two plastic rings and an electrode plate using a twin sheet thermoforming technique. A first plastic ring is laid in a mold having the appropriate shape to form the electrode assembly. The electrode plate is laid on top of the first plastic ring and is generally centered on the ring. The second plastic ring is laid over the electrode plate, and is generally centered over the electrode plate. The plastic is heated to soften the plastic, and a vacuum is pulled on the mold to pull the softened plastic into the shape of the mold. The mold is closed over the assembly to seal the two plastic rings together. After cooling, the molded part may be removed, resulting in a hollow plastic rim surrounding an electrode plate.
US08277611B2	Paper and method for making paper The invention relates to a paper that is formed of a fiber-based source material and is applicable as printing paper. According to the invention, the surface of the paper is surface-treated by arranging on the surface sufficient density in such manner that the density of at least one surface layer of the paper is sufficiently high to yield a Gurley-Hill value of over 7000 s/100 ml as measured from the entire paper. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for making paper.
US08277604B2	Antenna for plasma processor and apparatus An antenna includes excitation terminals responsive to an RF source to supply an RF electromagnetic field to a plasma that processes a workpiece in a vacuum chamber. The coil includes a transformer having a primary winding coupled to the excitation terminals and a multi-turn plasma excitation secondary winding connected in series with a capacitor.
US08277603B2	Move mechanism for moving target object and charged particle beam writing apparatus A move mechanism for horizontally moving a target object in an accelerating manner, includes a moving unit configured to be horizontally moved in an accelerating manner, a plate part arranged on the moving unit and supported by the moving unit at a substantially center-of-gravity height position, and a mirror part configured to reflect a laser beam for measuring a position, the mirror part being connected to the plate part such that a center-of-gravity height position of the mirror part is arranged at the substantially center-of-gravity height position of the plate part.
US08277602B2	Apparatus and method for the wet chemical treatment of a product and method for installing a flow member into the apparatus To ensure a uniform flow over the surface of a product W, an apparatus is provided for the wet chemical treatment of the product W that is disposed in the apparatus 100. This apparatus comprises at least one flow member 150 that includes respectively at least one paddle-like flow element 155, wherein at least one flow member 155 is disposed situated opposite the surface of the product W and is moveable substantially parallel to the surface of the product W.
US08277601B2	Reactive hot melt adhesive Solvent free, moisture curable reactive hot melt adhesives are prepared using an oxazolidine functional prepolymer and a polyfunctional isocyanate.
US08277600B2	High-temperature bonding composition, substrate bonding method, and 3-D semiconductor device A high-temperature bonding composition comprising a silicon base polymer as a thermosetting binder is provided. The silicon base polymer is obtained from dehydrolytic condensation of a condensate precursor comprising a silane compound having at least one pair of silicon atoms tied by a crosslink composed of an aliphatic hydrocarbon, heterocyclic or aromatic hydrocarbon group, and having at least three hydroxyl and/or hydrolyzable groups. Those silicon atoms having a direct bond to the crosslink composed of the aliphatic hydrocarbon, heterocyclic or aromatic hydrocarbon group are present in a proportion of at least 90 mol % relative to all silicon atoms in the polymer.
US08277597B2	Method for bonding high heat conductive insulating resin Provided is a method for bonding a high heat conductive insulating resin, by which the high heat conductive insulating resin can be bonded to a heat sink without deteriorating insulating characteristics and heat conducting characteristics. The method includes: a fixing step of fixing the heat sink by means of a jig having a vacuuming function; a placing step of placing the heat sink fixed with the jig on a sheet-like high heat conductive insulating resin previously bonded to a cooler and making a hermetically closed space; and a bonding step of having a bonding section between the heat sink and the sheet-like high heat conductive insulating resin under a negative pressure by depressurizing the hermetically closed space, heating the sheet-like high heat conductive insulating resin, and bonding the sheet-like high heat conductive insulating resin to the heat sink.
US08277596B2	Method of making a ceiling panel with enhanced acoustics and texture A ceiling tile and a method of manufacture, wherein the ceiling tile has contrasting colors of texturized woven yarn and a coating, respectively, wherein individual colors of the yarn and coating are at different depths of surface texture, wherein color contrasts accentuate the surface texture depths to be viewed, and provide a desirable, unpredictable randomness of pattern of the color contrasts.
US08277594B2	Self-cleaning dry adhesives A shape memory polymer microfiber material coupled to a base portion and coated with a dry adhesive in which the tips of the microfibers may be modified to achieve superhydrophobicity. The resultant surface of the material may be altered between to an adhesive state from a superhydrophobic state as the shape memory polymer transforms from its permanent shape to a temporary shape. The shape memory polymer microfiber material may be reversibly coupled to one or more substrates when in the adhesive state and uncoupled when in the superhydrophobic state.
US08277593B2	Printing plate and method of fabricating liquid crystal display device using the same A printing plate and a method of fabricating an LCD device are disclosed. The printing plate includes convex and concave portions, and a blanket support formed in the concave portion to prevent the bottom of the concave portion from being directly in contact with a pattern material coated on a blanket of a printing roll. The blanket support is additionally formed in the concave portion of the printing plate to prevent the pattern material coated on the blanket of the printing roll from being directly in contact with the bottom of the concave portion. In this case, the pattern material can be prevented from being transferred onto the printing plate in an undesired pattern. As a result, it is possible to form a precise pattern.
US08277592B2	Method of shaping a reflector A mirror is shaped using a shaping apparatus including a crossbar and a horizontal array of members (wheels in some embodiments) attached to a bottom of the crossbar. The height of the array of members is adjusted to form a predetermined shape. The shaping apparatus is positioned over a mirror such that the members contact the mirror. The shaping apparatus is moved along a length of the mirror such that the members remain in contact with the mirror. A frame is attached to the mirror such that when the shaping apparatus is removed from the mirror, the mirror substantially retains the predetermined shape.
US08277590B2	Method and device for the manufacture of a composite ring A process for manufacturing a composite block of closed geometry, in the form of a continuous ring, based on reinforcing fibres and on a cross-linkable resin, by continuously winding in superposition a predetermined number Nc of layers of a tape of the reinforcing fibres embedded in a matrix based on a composition comprising the cross-linkable resin, the method comprising, from the upstream end downstream, the steps of: forming a tape made of the reinforcing fibres, the thickness of the tape being between 0.1 mm and 0.5 mm; depositing the tape on a support that dictates the final shape of the composite block, and winding the tape onto the support, in a single direction, by superposing the number Nc of layers in order directly to form the continuous ring on the support, Nc being less than 15.
US08277589B2	Method of retreading a tire A mold (150) for a tread layer (40) having tread-forming side and sole-forming side, the sole-forming side having a plurality of mold elements (56) extending therefrom toward the tread-forming side. Either the mold elements (56) or the sole-forming side of the mold is configured to create a tread layer (40) having a recessed tread element such as an incision, lateral groove, longitudinal groove or other void on the sole side of the tread layer that enables the edges of the recessed tread element to obtain full coverage when subjected to an abrasion process.
US08277586B2	Production process for hydraulic binder-based boards with four tapered edges, production line of such boards A production process is provided for a board of hydraulic binder with a facing on each of its sides. The process includes on one side first tapered parallel edges and on the same side or the other side, two second tapered parallel edges perpendicular to the first. The process also includes the use of a forming lath having at least two distal parts. The process can be used in a production line that includes a specific lath.
US08277583B2	Perchlorate-free red signal flare composition Perchlorate-free flare compositions are disclosed which, when burned, produce red smoke and flames. Methods of producing the compositions are also disclosed.
US08277581B2	Nickel-iron-zinc alloy nanoparticles Nickel-iron-zinc alloy nanoparticles of the present invention are in the form of tabular particles having a thickness of 1 μm or less and an aspect ratio of 2 or more, wherein the (220) plane which is the crystal plane of the face-centered cubic lattice is oriented on the tabular surface of the particles.
US08277575B2	Compounds and methods of fabricating compounds exhibiting giant magnetoresistence and spin-polarized tunneling The invention relates to inorganic intermetallic compounds having a PMR effect (combined GMR/CMR effect), which are characterized in that they contain at least two elements per formula unit and have a field sensitivity of less than 10% per 0.1 T at temperatures greater than 290 K. The invention also relates to composites consisting of these compounds, to a method for the production thereof and to their use, in particular, as magnetic field sensors or in the domain of spin electronics.
US08277558B2	Czochralski apparatus for growing crystals and purification method of waste salts using the same Disclosed are a czochralski apparatus for growing crystals and a purification method of waste salts using the same. More particularly, the present invention provides a czochralski apparatus for growing crystals comprising screw thread for fixing salt crystals mounted on a pulling bar of the apparatus in order to prevent desorption of crystals caused by load thereof during a crystal growing process without requiring alternative seed crystals and, in addition, a method for purification of waste salts, which can isolate impurities from molten waste salts using a czochralski crystal growing process without alternative adsorption medium, does not generate secondary wastes and may continuously purify the waste salts.
US08277552B2	Ink set, recording apparatus, and recording method An ink set includes a cyan ink composition containing C. I. Pigment Blue 15:6 as a pigment; a magenta ink composition containing a quinacridone pigment or a quinacridone solid solution pigment; a light magenta ink composition containing a quinacridone pigment selected from the group consisting of C. I. Pigment Violet 19, C. I. Pigment Red 122, C. I. Pigment Red 202, and C. I. Pigment Red 209 or a quinacridone solid solution pigment composed of at least two selected from the group, the pigment concentration being lower than that of the magenta ink composition; a light cyan ink composition containing C. I. Pigment Blue 15:3 as a pigment at a pigment concentration lower than that of the cyan ink composition; an orange ink composition containing a pigment selected from the group consisting of C. I. Pigment Orange 43 and C. I. Pigment Red 242: a green ink composition containing a pigment selected from the group consisting of C. I. Pigment Green 36 and C. I. Pigment Green 7.
US08277551B2	Ink set, recording apparatus, and recording method An ink set includes a cyan ink composition containing C. I. Pigment Blue 15:6 as a pigment; a magenta ink composition containing a quinacridone pigment selected from the group consisting of C. I. Pigment Violet 19, C. I. Pigment Red 122, C. I. Pigment Red 202, and C. I. Pigment Red 209 or a quinacridone solid solution pigment composed of at least two selected from the group; a yellow ink composition containing a pigment selected from the group consisting of C. I. Pigment Yellow 74, C. I. Pigment Yellow 213, and C. I. Pigment Yellow 185; a light magenta ink composition containing a quinacridone pigment selected from the group consisting of C. I. Pigment Violet 19, C. I. Pigment Red 122, C. I. Pigment Red 202, and C. I. Pigment Red 209 or a quinacridone solid solution pigment composed of at least two selected from the group at a pigment concentration lower than that of the magenta ink composition; and a light cyan ink composition containing C. I. Pigment Blue 15:3 as a pigment at a pigment concentration lower than that of the cyan ink composition.
US08277549B2	Water-based ink for ink-jet recording, ink set for ink-jet recording, ink-jet recording apparatus, method of ink-jet recording, color change inhibitor, and method of suppressing color change The present invention provides a water-based ink for ink-jet recording containing a coloring agent, water, and a water-soluble organic solvent. The coloring agent contains a dye represented by the following general formula (1). The ink further includes a boron compound and at least one of amino polycarboxylic acid and amino polycarboxylate.
US08277547B2	Separator tank for separation of fluid comprising water, oil and gas A separator tank comprises an essentially cylindrical vertical tank (1) having an upper part (6) and a lower part (7), a tangentially arranged inlet (2) for fluid in the upper part of the tank, at least one first outlet (4) in the upper part of the tank, at least one second outlet (3) in the lower part of the tank, and means (12) for calming a stream around the second outlet. An inner annular wall (5) has a first opening (8) at an upper end of said inner annular wall to allow communication between the upper part and the lower part of the tank. The separator tank comprises a rod-shaped vortex eye breaker (11) extending vertically at the center of the tank in order to improve the capacity of the tank.
US08277544B2	Thermal modulation device for two dimensional gas chromatography A thermal modulation device for a gas chromatography (GC) system a cold zone, a first hot zone and a second hot zone, which are located outside of a GC oven of the GC system, and a flexible capillary column. The cold zone includes a thermoelectric cooler assembly. The first hot zone is adjacent a first side of the cold zone, and has a corresponding first heat source. The second hot zone is adjacent a second side of the cold zone, and has a corresponding second heat source. The flexible capillary column includes a first segment, configured to move between the first hot zone and the cold zone in accordance with a modulation frequency, and a second segment, configured to move between the cold zone and the second hot zone in accordance with the modulation frequency.
US08277542B2	Method for capturing mercury from flue gas The present invention relates to use of carbon-based sorbents such as activated carbon for controlling vapor phase mercury emissions in coal-fired power plant flue gases or waste incineration flue gases. The invention features new methods that improve the performance of carbonaceous sorbents for mercury control compared to the previous methods. One method consists of injecting the sorbent (consisting of at least some carbonaceous material) into the flue gas where the flue gas temperature is at a value above about 1100° F. and below about 2000° F. The invention also consists of injecting the sorbent within or upstream of an economizer section in a coal-fired power boiler. Injecting the sorbent at the locations indicated above, rather than further downstream, provides increased residence time for contact between the flue gas and the sorbent resulting in increased mercury capture, improved sorbent utilization, and improved fly ash properties.
US08277539B2	Leaching process for copper concentrates containing arsenic and antimony compounds A method of recovering copper from a copper sulfide concentrate comprising a copper arsenic sulfosalt or a copper antimony sulfosalt, using pyrite as a catalyst. The concentrate and pyrite are added to an acidic sulfate leach solution. The copper is leached from the concentrate, in the presence of an oxygen-containing gas, under conditions whereby the pyrite is substantially unoxidized. The pyrite:copper sulfide ratio of the pyrite being added to the copper sulfide present in the concentrate being added is at least 1:3. The pyrite may be maintained at a concentration in the leach solution of at least 9 grams per liter. The leached copper is recovered from the solution by conventional methods.
US08277536B2	Process for producing molten iron and apparatus for producing molten iron A process for producing molten iron with a combination of a moving-hearth reducing furnace and an iron bath-type melting furnace that includes charging a bedding carbonaceous material on a hearth of the moving-hearth reducing furnace and placing carbonaceous material-containing agglomerates containing a powdery iron oxide source and a powdery carbonaceous reductant on the bedding carbonaceous material; thermally reducing the carbonaceous material-containing agglomerates while moving the hearth in the moving-hearth reducing furnace to generate solid reduced iron and simultaneously thermally carbonizing the bedding carbonaceous material to generate char; hot-forming the solid reduced iron and the char into agglomerates without substantial cooling; continuously charging the agglomerates into the iron bath-type melting furnace from thereabove; and blowing oxygen-containing gas into the iron bath-type melting furnace to melt the solid reduced iron and to thereby generate molten iron.
US08277535B2	Method for producing porous metal body, porous aluminum body, battery electrode material including porous metal body or porous aluminum body, and electrode material for electrical double layer capacitor A porous metal body containing continuous pores and having a low oxygen content is provided by decomposing a porous resin body that contains continuous pores and has a layer of a metal thereon by heating the porous resin body at a temperature equal to or less than the melting point of the metal while the porous resin body is immersed in a first molten salt and a negative potential is applied to the metal layer; and a method for producing the porous metal body is provided.
US08277534B2	Carbon nanotube fibers/filaments formulated from metal nanoparticle catalyst and carbon source Disclosed is a method of: providing a mixture of a polymer or a resin and a transition metal compound, producing a fiber from the mixture, and heating the fiber under conditions effective to form a carbon nanotube-containing carbonaceous fiber. The polymer or resin is an aromatic polymer or a precursor thereof and the mixture is a neat mixture or is combined with a solvent. Also disclosed are a carbonaceous fiber or carbonaceous nanofiber sheet having at least 15 wt. % carbon nanotubes, a fiber or nanofiber sheet having the a polymer or a resin and the transition metal compound, and a fiber or nanofiber sheet having an aromatic polymer and metal nanoparticles.
US08277528B2	Dust removal system for a riding lawn mower A dust removal system for a riding lawn mower, comprising an engine, a speed change device disposed outside of an engine compartment, and a universal coupling inserted through an opening provided to a separating wall in order to connect an output shaft of the engine and an input shaft of the speed change device. The dust removal system is composed of a perforated board which rotates integrally with the output shaft and around the axis of the output shaft in order to impede grass cuttings from flowing into the engine compartment through the opening, the perforated board having an insertion hole formed in the center to allow the universal coupling to be inserted; and a seal unit for substantially sealing the space between the universal coupling and the peripheral edge of the insertion hole. The seal unit has a radially extending flange formed on the universal coupling, and a ring member in which one end is mounted on the flange and the other end is in contact with the peripheral area around the insertion hole.
US08277525B2	High energy transport gas and method to transport same A high energy transport gas and a method to transport the high energy transport gas are used to increase the energy content of a pipeline and other vessels that are designed to carry natural gas under ambient conditions, in a compressed state or in a liquefied state. Methane and other gases are used as the feedstock, with methane from natural gas fields, coal beds or derived from hydrogen reacting with coal being primary energy sources. Also, this gas and method can provide an abundant source for hydrogen production, and the energy from hydrogen can be used for fuel cell applications that generate electricity and power motor vehicles. This gas and method are capable of increasing the energy capacity of current natural gas pipelines and other storage and transport vessels.
US08277523B2	Method and apparatus to transport solids A method of operating a gasification facility includes channeling a conveying fluid at a first temperature through at least one first steam heating device to increase the temperature of the conveying fluid to a second predetermined temperature. The method also includes channeling the conveying fluid at the second predetermined temperature through a second steam heating device to increase the temperature of the conveying fluid to a third predetermined temperature. The method further includes channeling the conveying fluid at the third predetermined temperature to a solids conveyance system. Solids become entrained within the conveying fluid. The method also includes transporting at least a portion of the solids to a gasification system.
US08277515B2	Vacuum attachment system A vacuum socket system pertaining to the field of prosthetics wherein an enhanced suspension mechanism is provided by incorporating a vacuum source, circuitry, and a power source. A virtually air-tight seal between residual limb and prosthesis allows a vacuum fit to be generated via a vacuum source. The vacuum source is in constant interaction with circuitry and software for a means of vacuum pressure control, data recordation, and other means. A sound dampening method is employed to lessen both the sound and vibration generated from the vacuum source.
US08277513B2	Modular knee prosthesis A joint prosthesis may include a tibial tray, a tibial base, a tibial articular member, and a femoral articular member. A coupler may engage the tray, and optionally the base, with an interference fit. An interference fit may be engaged using a mating surface with a constant non-tapering cross-sectional geometry.
US08277511B2	Shoulder or hip prosthesis and method for setting same A prosthesis and method for a ball and socket joint. The prosthesis includes a first component including an anchoring shank and a metaphyseal portion. The metaphyseal portion includes a first articular surface configured to move in translation relative to the anchoring shank. An intermediate component includes a first articular surface configured to engage with the first articular surface on the metaphyseal portion, and a second articular surface configured to engage with the ball and socket joint.
US08277510B2	Tools and methods for spinal fusion The present disclosure relates to a spinal fusion impactor tool that includes an attachment means for securing an implant device to the distal end of the tool, a means for adjusting the angle of the distal head relative to the handle to better position the implant for introduction into the implant site, means for remotely releasing the implant device at the distal end and a clamp device on the shaft of the tool to secure tabs, attachments and other devices. The impactor tool is preferably used in conjunction with implantation of an intervertebral fusion cage that is equipped with shims having tabs or other removing means, but may also be used to introduce, for example, an implant, graft, fusion device, wedge or distractor device into any joint space or bony region in preparation for implantation.
US08277509B2	Transforaminal prosthetic spinal disc apparatus An intervertebral prosthetic implant having a first endplate having a first surface configured to substantially engage with a first vertebral body and a second surface having an extension with a concave contact surface, the concave contact surface being spaced apart from the second surface. A second endplate is provided with a first surface configured to substantially engage with a second vertebral body and a second surface comprising a convex contact surface, and the second endplate having a securing element positioned along and above the second surface defining a first and second window on opposing sides of the second surface. The securing element extends along the width and length of the lower endplate and configured with an access hole. An extension portion extends from the first surface of the first endplate through the access hole of the securing element and contacts the second surface of the second endplate.
US08277508B2	Hybrid intervertebral disc system An intervertebral disc prosthesis is adapted for implantation between first and second vertebral endplates. The prosthesis comprises a first endplate assembly for engaging the first vertebral endplate. The first endplate assembly has a concave first inner surface. The prosthesis further comprises a second endplate assembly for engaging the second vertebral endplate. The second endplate assembly has a concave second inner surface. The prosthesis further comprises a core component extending between the first and second inner surfaces and adapted to move relative to the concave first and second inner surfaces. The core component includes a flexible body extending between first and second end surfaces such that the end surfaces are not contiguous. The first and second end surfaces have a hardness greater than the flexible body.
US08277503B2	Stent for irrigation and delivery of medication A stent comprises a flexible tube having a proximal end, a distal end, and a passageway extending from said proximal end toward said distal end. A first generally straight tube segment extends from the proximal end while a first generally curved segment extends from an end region of the first generally straight tube segment disposed away from the proximal end of the stent. A second generally straight tube segment extends from an end region of the first curved segment away from the first generally straight tube segment and is arranged at an acute angle relative to the first generally straight tube segment. A second generally curved tube segment extends from one end of the second generally straight tube segment and includes a channel on an exterior surface of the second generally curved tube segment. The first generally curved tube segment and the second generally straight tube segment further include at least one cavity irrigation hole extending from the tube passageway, for providing irrigation fluids into the cavity into which the stent is inserted. At least one segments includes a channel on an exterior surface. The channel is sized to serve as a reservoir to contain a predetermined amount of at least one form of medication for delivery, over a period of time, of the medication to a cavity region proximate which the stent has been inserted.
US08277502B2	Tissue anchor for annuloplasty device A method is provided, including coupling, to a first portion of tissue of a patient, a distal tissue coupling element of a tissue anchor. The tissue anchor further includes (a) an implant -coupling element, and (b) a cord, which is removably coupled to the implant-coupling element. The method comprises advancing an implant over the cord until the implant reaches and is coupled to the implant-coupling element. The method further includes restraining the implant from separating from the implant-coupling element, with an implant-restraining element of the implant-coupling element. Other applications are also described.
US08277499B2	Prosthesis coupling device and method A coupling device (28) is formed of a double tubing (50) of a substantially non-porous membrane material, typically a conventional graft material, that is of inner and outer layers of membrane material (52, 54). The inner and outer layers (52, 54) are coupled by bridging rings (56, 58) which allow the layers (52, 54) to be spaced from one another in use. Attached to the inner and outer layers (52, 54) are first and second stents (60, 62). The stent (60) is located on the inside of the double tubing, while the stent (62) is located on the outside of the double tubing (50). The device (28) can expand in effect to ‘bulge’ and thus to fill the gaps to the vessel wall and to the stent-graft sections (24, 26). The device can provide reliable coupling of stent-grafts in vessels of varying diameter or in vessels inflicted with one or more aneurysms.
US08277498B2	System for delivery of a stent at an elevated temperature Methods and systems of delivering a stent at an elevated temperature are disclosed herein.
US08277497B2	Method and thermally active multi-phase heat transfer apparatus and method for abstracting heat from individual's wrist Cold pack apparatus for abstracting heat comprises a container charged with a first liquid and with small auxiliary containers free to circulate in the first liquid. Each of the small auxiliary containers is charged with a second liquid. The first and second liquids each have a selected temperature of transformation that facilitates use of the apparatus to heat or cool a substance contacted by the apparatus. The cold pack apparatus reduces pain at a joint or at a diseased area in the epithelium by producing spaced apart points of cold at the joint or diseased area for an extended period of time of one hours or more.
US08277496B2	Methods and devices for manipulating the thermoregulatory status of a mammal Methods and devices for manipulating the thermoregulatory status of a mammal are provided. In the subject methods, thermal energy is transferred between the environment and both of the thoracic/abdominal core body and head of the mammal. In general, thermal energy transfer between thoracic/abdominal core body and the environment occurs under negative pressure conditions. The subject methods and devices can be used to increase the thoracic/abdominal core body temperature of a mammal, in which case thermal energy is introduced into the thoracic/abdominal core body of the mammal and removed from the head of the mammal or cold is merely applied thereto. The subject methods and devices can also be used to reduce the thoracic/abdominal core body temperature of a mammal, in which case thermal energy is removed from the thoracic/abdominal core body of the mammal and introduced into the head of the mammal or heat is merely applied thereto.
US08277493B2	Anterior cervical plating system An anterior fixation system includes a plate defining a plurality of screw holes, a number of screws and a number of locking assemblies for fixing the screws to the plate. The system includes two bone screws, a fixed angle screw and a variable angle screw, that are configured to extend through the same screw openings in the fixation plate. The surgeon can select either the fixed or variable angled screws to be implanted with a single plate and can place either type of screw into any of the screw holes along the plate. The fixation plate can include several screw holes in various patterns that provide the surgeon with great flexibility in the placement of bone screws depending upon the spinal anatomy and pathology. Also contemplated is a locking assembly to lock one or more bone screws within a respective screw hole.
US08277492B2	Bone anchored surgical mesh A bone-anchored surgical mesh has slot-like anchoring members that allow for the variable placement of screws and other bone fasteners. This permits the surgeon discretion in the placement of bone fasteners used to attach the mesh to the patient's bone. The elongate openings of the anchoring members allow for a sliding motion between the bone fasteners and the anchoring members, and facilitates positioning and articulation of the mesh. The anchoring members may include bushings to aid the sliding motion of the anchoring member on the bone fastener. In one embodiment, the mesh consists of shorter modular strips that overlap each other such that a single bone fastener is passed through two overlapping anchoring members to lock the two modular mesh strips together. Additional modular mesh strips can be added on at either end, as desired, to provide the desired length of dural coverage.
US08277490B2	Translational manipulation polyaxial screw head A novel surgical screw is presented as a polyaxial, multiaxial, or monoaxial screw. The polyaxial screw allows versatile angulation between a bone anchor section and a screw body and allows the surgeon to attach a rod to the invention in a top-loading manner and manipulate the rod to accommodate a patient's body and the surgical goals. The screw uses a rod saddle to seat a rod, and permits the surgeon to sagitally manipulate the rod. After implantation of the screw and insertion of the rod, a locking screw is used to fix the angle and position of the rod and screw body.
US08277488B2	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.
US08277487B2	Method of percutaneously enlarging processus spinosus interspace using minimally invasive implant For minimally-invasive therapy for spinal canal stenosis, a therapeutic device capable of stationing an interspinous process spacer without the need of large skin incision or ligamentous tissue incision and also without the need of detaching of the paraspinal muscle from the spine. The interspinous process spacer includes a conoid screw region (2) to be screwed into a processus spinosus interspace; a spacer region (3) in the longitudinal direction of the screw region (2); head region (4) capable of free interlocking with a tool arbitrarily; and through-hole (5) passing through the axial centers of screw region (2), spacer region (3) and head region (4). The processus spinosus interspace is enlarged by screwing of the screw region (2) into the processus spinosus interspace. The spacer region (3) is pinched upon passing of the screw region (2) through the processus spinosus interspace to attain enlarging and fixing of adjacent processus spinosus interspaces.
US08277483B2	Vascular wound closing apparatus and method Wound closure apparatus is provided including a body having an elongated, lowermost force-transmitting surface operable to be placed in a proximal, external, wound-closing position on a patient, together with a force-exerting assembly coupled with the body and operable to exert a downwardly directed force serving to generate wound-closing pressure against the patient's tissue. The force-transmitting surface is preferably three-dimensionally asymmetric so that forces of different magnitude are exerted at different locations along the length of the surface. The apparatus is especially designed for the closure of wounds attendant to endovascular interventions, e.g., a femoral artery puncture wound incident to percutaneous cardiac intervention (PCI), and is capable of quickly effecting wound closure with a time-to-ambulation (TTA) of approximately 60 minutes, and with a very low complication rate.
US08277482B2	Closure device with string retractable umbrella and method for closing a body opening with the same A method for closing a body opening in a patient is disclosed. The method comprises positioning a delivery catheter within the body opening. The delivery catheter includes a closure device comprising a distal occluding body and a proximal occluding body. The closure device is collapsibly disposed within a distal end of the delivery catheter. The method further includes deploying the closure device from the delivery catheter about the body opening such that a distal frame of the distal occluding body expands to its expanded configuration at a distal end of the body opening and a proximal frame of the proximal occluding body expands to its expanded configuration at an opposing proximal end of the body opening.
US08277481B2	Tissue closure and tissue closing device A living body tissue closing device includes an elongated body element, a clip (living body tissue closure) for closing a wound hole which penetrates a living body tissue membrane, and a thread. The body element includes a sheath, and elongated feeding and deformation arrangement. The elongated feeding and deformation arrangement includes a covered tube, a pusher tube, a thread anchoring cap, a guide wire, and a stopper. The clip includes a seal portion for covering the wound hole and a peripheral portion of the wound hole from one side of the living body tissue membrane, a deformation portion deformable between a first form in which the deformation portion can pass through the wound hole and a second form in which the deformation portion cooperates with the seal portion to sandwich the living body tissue membrane therebetween from the other side, and a fastener portion for retaining the deformation portion in the second form.
US08277478B2	Frontal sinus dilation catheter A balloon dilation catheter includes a substantially rigid inner guide member and a movable shaft coupled to a balloon that is slidably mounted on the substantially rigid inner guide member. To treat a sinus cavity of a subject using the balloon dilation the substantially rigid inner guide member is advanced into a drainage pathway of the sinus (e.g., frontal recess) of the subject via a nasal passageway. The shaft and balloon are advanced in a distal direction over the substantially rigid inner guide member to place the balloon in the drainage pathway. The balloon is inflated to expand or otherwise remodel the drainage pathway.
US08277470B2	Mechanical pump for removal of fragmented matter and methods of manufacture and use Material transport catheters and methods for their use rely on rotation of an impeller within a catheter body and a clearing element for preventing buildup of materials at the opening of the catheter body. The impeller preferably comprises an inner tube or shaft having a helical rotor formed over an outer surface thereof. The clearing element may comprise a free end of a structure near the distal end of the catheter body for disrupting clot, wherein the free end of the structure extends into the distal opening of the catheter body to break up materials as the impeller is rotated. Alternatively, the clearing element may comprise a cutting member disposed at the distal opening of the catheter body.
US08277467B2	Anastomosis device configurations and methods A surgical tool which comprises an elongated body having a proximal end and a distal end, first and second sets of tissue approximating structures having deployed and retracted positions relative to the elongated body, an actuating mechanism extending from the proximal end of the elongated body for independently deploying and retracting each of the first and second sets of tissue approximating structures, a drainage lumen extending from a drainage aperture at the distal end of the elongated body to the proximal end, a main balloon adjacent to the distal end of the elongated body, and a strap connector extending from the elongated body that is connectable with a stabilization strap.
US08277466B2	Anastomosis device and method An apparatus and method for using an anastomosis device to repair severed tissues resulting from a surgical medical procedure such as a radical prostatectomy, ilio-orthotopic neobladder construction, cystoprostatectomy, cystectomy, urethral anastomosis, or ureteral anastomosis.
US08277465B2	Apparatus and method for connecting a conduit to a hollow vessel The present invention provides a system and method for forming a side branch on a hollow vessel, such as the aorta. The side branch is preferably adapted to be connected to a connector conduit, but any other suitable use is also acceptable. The system comprises a graft including a side branch portion, and an applicator comprising a hole forming element adapted to form a hole in the wall of the vessel and an insertion element adapted to be inserted through the wall of the vessel, the insertion element comprising a retraction element adapted to enter into engagement with the graft. The hole forming element may comprise a cutting element adapted to cut a hole in the wall of the vessel, and a positioning element adapted to hold the position of the applicator relative to the vessel. The system further comprises a graft protection element adapted to prevent the graft from being damaged by the cutting element. In this case, the clamping element and the graft protection element may be the same element, for example, an expansion element, which may be expandable from an unexpanded state to fully expanded state and to a partially expanded state. The expansion element may be a balloon, which may be in the shape of a circular toroid, and may include a tension member that restricts the dimensions of the balloon. In addition, the expansion element may be an umbrella mechanism.
US08277454B2	System for navigation-assisted shoulder operations and navigation method for positioning navigated treatment apparatuses with respect to a bone The present application relates to a system for navigation-assisted shoulder operations in which the humeral component is partially replaced with a prosthesis, comprising: a first tracking unit which is configured to be fastened to a section of a bone which is to be removed during the operation; a detection unit which is configured to detect landmarks on the bone; a second tracking unit which is configured to be attached to another section of the same bone; a camera unit which simultaneously detects the first and second tracking unit, in order to determine their respective location; and a computational unit which is connected to the camera unit and is configured to: determine a first relative location of the landmarks relative to the first tracking unit from data acquired by means of the detection unit; and calculate a second relative location of the landmarks relative to the second tracking unit on the basis of the first relative location; such that additional navigated treatment apparatuses can be exactly positioned during the operation by referring to the second tracking unit.
US08277452B2	Bone resection device A bone resection device for use in resection of bone during joint replacement surgery includes a handle, an elongate shaft rotatably mounted to the handle, a cutting tool housing attached to the shaft at or towards the distal end of the shaft, at least one cutting tool fastened to the housing, and a pivot control member configured to be at least partially disposed about the elongate shaft, the pivot control member being attached at or toward the distal end of the pivot control member to the at least one cutting tool, the distal end of the pivot control member and the distal end of the shaft being configured to be axially displaceable with respect to one another a predetermined distance, during operation of the device.
US08277451B2	Two members cerclage tool A method for placing a fixation member around a bone for internal fixation of the bone includes (a) inserting a first member of a cerclage tool through an incision and into a vicinity of the bone, the first member extending from a first proximal end comprising a first handle portion and along a first central portion to a first distal end comprising a first bent tube portion; (b) inserting a second member of the cerclage tool through the incision and into the vicinity of the bone, the second member extending from a second proximal end comprising a second handle portion and along a second central portion to a second distal end comprising a second bent tube portion; (c) joining the first and second members together to form a continuous tube with the first bent tube portion and the second bent tube portion that encircles the bone, wherein the first bent tube portion and the second bent tube portion cross over one another to form a non-zero angle at a location that is proximal of the bone when viewed from a direction extending perpendicularly into a plane comprising the first and second members, wherein the continuous tube is configured and dimensioned to receive the fixation member; (d) disassembling the joined first and second members; and (e) removing the disassembled first and second members from the vicinity of the bone and from the incision.
US08277446B2	Electrosurgical tissue sealer and cutter A surgical instrument comprises an end effector including a pair of jaw members configured to move with respect to one another between an open configuration and a closed configuration for clamping tissue. At least one jaw member includes an elongate cam slot extending in a longitudinal direction over a substantial a length a tissue clamping surface of the at least one jaw member. A plurality of electrically isolated, and longitudinally spaced electrodes is supported by the tissue clamping surface and is configured to deliver electrosurgical energy to tissue. A reciprocating member engages the elongate cam slot and is extendable to a sealing position with respect to each of the electrodes to define a predetermined gap distance between a particular electrode and an opposing tissue clamping surface.
US08277445B2	Ablation device A method and system for achieving hemostasis (the stoppage of bleeding) is described. RF (radio frequency) energy is used to ablate the surface of tissue to stop bleeding. The depth of destruction of the tissue can be controlled so as to desiccate and coagulate the tissue. In one implementation, an electrode carrier including bipolar electrodes is applied to the tissue, and RF energy transmitted through the bipolar electrodes to ablate the tissue. A layer of desiccated tissue can be created as well as coagulation of the tissue to achieve hemostasis.
US08277444B2	Treatment of atrial fibrillation by overlapping curvilinear lesions Ablation methods and instruments are disclosed for creating lesions in tissue, especially cardiac tissue for treatment of arrhythmias and the like. Percutaneous ablation instruments in the form of coaxial catheter bodies are disclosed having at least one central lumen therein and having one or more balloon structures at the distal end region of the instrument. The instruments include an energy emitting element which is independently positionable within the lumen of the instrument and adapted to project radiant energy through a transmissive region of a projection balloon to a target tissue site to form a series of lesions on the target tissue.
US08277443B2	Manipulator A manipulator includes a wire which is movable back and forth, a driven wire both ends of which are connected to the wire, an idle pulley, a guide pulley, a driven pulley which is movable back and forth, and an end effector coupled to the driven pulley. The driven wire passes from a terminal along a first side on the idle pulley and extends to a second side opposite to the first side, and then passes along the second side on the driven pulley. The driven wire is then wound around the driven pulley and passes along the first side on the driven pulley and then the second side on the idle pulley, and finally returns to the terminal, thereby making up an 8-shaped configuration path. The driven wire is crossed between the idle pulley and the guide pulley.
US08277438B2	Guide catheter with removable support Catheters such as guide catheters can be configured for delivery of devices to vasculature portions such as intracranial spaces while retaining a desired level of flexibility. A catheter having an elongate shaft can include removable support means that can provide column support to the elongate shaft. The elongate shaft can include anchoring means that releasably secure the removable support means. The catheter can be deployed within a patient's vasculature, followed by deploying the removable support means.
US08277436B2	Vessel enlargement by arteriogenic factor delivery A method of delivering an arteriogenic factor. The factor is delivered in a medically effective manner to structurally enlarge blood vessel. A distal portion of a catheter can be advanced to an existing blood vessel to deliver the arteriogenic factor.
US08277432B2	Shaped absorbent article with edge elastics An absorbent article includes a liquid-permeable topsheet, a liquid-impermeable backsheet and an absorbent core located therebetween. The fluid-permeable topsheet and fluid-impermeable backsheet extend beyond the absorbent core in at least the width (X) direction and are joined to one another in the area outside the absorbent core to form an edge-seam. The absorbent article also includes two elastic members, each elastic member extending along one longitudinal edge of the absorbent core such that—along a major portion of the extension of the elastic members in the length (Y) direction—the elastic members overlie both a portion of the absorbent core and a portion of the edge-seam in the width (X) direction. This arrangement provides improved three-dimensional forming of the article.
US08277429B2	Absorbent product having a miniature model Absorbent product including a package, at least one absorbent article and a miniature model.
US08277428B2	Sanitary absorbent article A sanitary napkin including a central absorbent pad, the central absorbent pad having a liquid pervious cover layer, a liquid impervious barrier layer and an absorbent core between the cover layer and barrier layer. The central absorbent pad includes a pair of flaps adapted to fold over a crotch portion of an undergarment in use. The central absorbent pad further includes two preferential bending axes, each axis being inward from and adjacent to a respective longitudinal side edge and extending obliquely with respect to the longitudinal centerline, the axes converging towards the longitudinal centerline in the first distal end of the central absorbent pad. The preferential bending axes are adapted to enable the sanitary napkin to be folded from an initial substantially hourglass shape to a tapered shape.
US08277426B2	Male urinary incontinence device A male urinary incontinence device is provided which includes a body, the body having a shell, and the shell forming a cavity adapted to hold male genitalia. An absorbent, suitable for absorbing urine, is at least partially disposed within the cavity and a moisture barrier is positioned adjacent the body to help protect clothing from urine soiling. A liquid-permeable liner is attached to the body in a spaced-apart relation to the absorbent. To create a hammock-like effect, the liquid-permeable liner may be attached at the perimeter of the body.
US08277425B2	Dual lumen port with F-shaped connector A port for subcutaneous implantation, comprising a housing including first and second wells formed therein and a substantially F-shaped flow element including first and second lumens extending therethrough wherein, when in an operative configuration the F-shaped flow element is coupled to the housing with a proximal end of each of the lumens in fluid communication with a respective one of the first and second wells for receiving fluid therefrom, and wherein distal ends of each of the lumens form outlets, each outlet being coupleable to a lumen of a medical catheter, the F-shaped flow element including first and second arms extending from a trunk with the first lumen extending through the first arm to the trunk and the second lumen extending through the second arm to the trunk, the first and second lumens being separated from one another within the trunk.
US08277421B2	Drug solution injector A drug solution injector comprises a needle tube having a sharp needlepoint, a bottomed outer cylinder arranged on the base end side of the needle tube and having an inside space communicable with the inside of the needle tube, a gasket slidable within the outer cylinder, a drug solution in the space formed by the outer cylinder and the gasket, a support member supporting the needle tube and having a flow channel communicating with the inside of the needle tube, an operation mechanism permitting selection between a communicated state wherein the inside of the needle tube and the inside of the outer cylinder communicate with each other through the flow channel and a blocked state wherein the communication is blocked by rotating the support member, and an exposure preventer for preventing exposure of the needlepoint.
US08277420B2	Securement device with toggle clamp mechanism A securement device for securing a medical article includes two supports extending from a base. Lever arms extend from each of the supports. One or both of the lever arms include a channel portion. The lever arms are pivotable about the ends of the supports to define an open position and a closed position. In the open position, the lever arms extend generally upwardly from the supports. In the closed position, the lever arms extend generally downwardly from the supports, and the channel portion or portions at least partially surround the medical article. As the lever arms move from the open position to the closed position, they exert an outward force on the ends of the supports.
US08277417B2	Central venous catheter kit with line gripping and needle localizing devices A central venous catheter kit enables health care workers quickly and controllably gain ultrasound supported access to vascular tissue for catheterization. Ultrasound support requires gel for reducing acoustic impedance and reflectance loss, which gel is included in the kit, as well as at least two newly conceived devices, the first for gripping the guide wire in an otherwise gelled environment, and the second for marking the skin for proper needle localization. State of the art kit components are thus included in the kit, in addition to the scanning gel and the noted device(s). The devices each comprise certain finger- or digit-grippable structure, and textured surfacing for enhancing the frictional contact between the user's digits and the devices.
US08277415B2	Infusion medium delivery device and method with drive device for driving plunger in reservoir A delivery device includes a durable housing portion and a separable disposable portion that selectively engage and disengage from each other. The disposable housing portion secures to the patient-user and may be disposed of after it has been in use for a prescribed period. Components that normally come into contact with a patient-user or with infusion medium are supported by the disposable housing portion, while the durable housing portion supports other components such as electronics and a drive device. A reservoir is supported by the disposable housing portion and has a moveable plunger that operatively couples to the drive device, when the disposable and durable housing portions are engaged.
US08277414B2	Injection device An injection device (210; 110) is described. A housing (212; 112) receives a syringe and includes a return spring (226; 126) for biasing the syringe from an extended position in which its needle (218; 118) extends from the housing (212; 112) to a retracted position in which the it does not. A drive spring (230; 130) acts on a first drive element (232; 132) and a second drive element (234; 134) acts upon the syringe to advance it from its retracted position to its extended position and discharge its contents through the needle. The first drive element (232; 132) is capable of movement relative to the second (234; 134) once a nominal decoupling position has been reached. A release mechanism is activated when the first drive element (234; 134) is further advanced to a nominal release position, to release the syringe (214; 114) from the action of the drive spring (230; 130), whereupon the return spring (226; 126) restores the syringe (214; 114) to its retracted position. The nominal decoupling and release positions are defined relative to the syringe (214; 114). This may be achieved by interaction between a moving component and a decoupling component (162; 262) that moves with the syringe as it is advanced.
US08277413B2	Device for administering a fluid product An administering device for a fluid product includes a product receptacle that accommodates the product to be administered, a fluid reservoir for a driving fluid, a driving means, a product chamber, and a fluid connection. The product receptacle includes an opening at a forward end and a product stopper at a rear end. The driving means acts upon the fluid reservoir, the pressure chamber adjoins the product stopper while the fluid connection is located between the fluid reservoir and the pressure chamber, and the driving means acts upon the fluid reservoir in such a way that the pressure chamber is impinged upon by pressure which affects the product stopper and the product is discharged from the product receptacle.
US08277409B2	Cutting element for a retracting needle syringe A cutting element for a retracting needle syringe having a plunger with a cuttable distal end and a spring biased needle held by a cuttable support and a cutting element capable of cutting the cuttable distal end and the cuttable support includes a body portion having a proximal end, a distal end side wall therebetween and a passageway therethrough. The distal end of the body portion includes a cutting edge and a raised distally projecting tapered cutting tooth having distally converging edges. At least one tooth edge includes a sharp side wall for cutting the distal end of the plunger and the needle support.
US08277408B2	Safety needle assembly The present invention is a safety shield assembly having a shield and a collar for connecting the shield to a fluid handling device whereby the shield may be pivoted with respect to the collar. Preferably, the safety shield assembly may be used with a needle assembly, an intravenous infusion set a syringe, a catheter or other fluid handling devices or assemblies that contain piercing elements. The shield includes a cannula channel with a finger lock for preventing re-exposure of the used needle.
US08277407B2	Artificial kidney Artificial kidney for gradual, and at least semi-continuous, blood treatment, wherein a blood stream is fed from a body of a living human or animal being into the artificial kidney, where anticoagulation is first effected, blood cells and molecules of large and medium molecular weight, such as proteins, are then primarily separated from plasma and fed back to the blood stream, regulating a water and salt balance by diverting excess plasma water and further removing from the blood stream, plasma or plasma water accumulated and toxic substances, by removal of specific electrolytes and waste products and wherein purified or partially purified plasma and plasma water is being carried back to the blood tract of the body.
US08277406B2	Method for separating a volume of whole blood into at least three components A method for separating a volume of whole blood contained in a separation bag into at least three components comprising centrifuging the separation bag so as to separate therein a first inner layer comprising plasma, a second intermediate layer comprising platelets, a third intermediate layer comprising lymphocytes, monocytes and granulocytes and a fourth outer layer comprising red blood cells, transferring, into a plasma component bag connected to the separation bag, a plasma component and transferring into a mononuclear cell component bag a mononuclear cell components.
US08277404B2	Orthopedic or prosthetic support device An orthopedic or prosthetic support device is arranged to conform and secure to a limb of a wearer. The device includes a resilient support member adapted to extend about a limb, and a tensioning element associated with the support member. An adjustment system is connected to the support member and engages the tensioning element. The adjustment system is arranged to incrementally adjust and retain the tensioning element relative to the support member.
US08277402B2	Orthopaedic device and method of use for treating bone fractures Orthopaedic device and a method of use thereof are provided for treating a bone fracture. The orthopaedic device has at least one pressure applying element configured to apply pressure to soft tissue adjacent to the bone fracture and a holder configured to engage, in an engaged configuration, soft tissue adjacent to the bone fracture and, while in the engaged configuration, to permit adjustable positioning and securing the at least one pressure applying element to the holder.
US08277399B2	Resuscitation/respiration system A patient resuscitation/respiratory system includes a system control unit with a timer module controlling a plurality of air pressure modules. In an exemplary embodiment, the air pressure modules include a first air pressure module for controlling a first flow of pressurized gas from a first pressurized gas supply to an inflatable abdominal cuff, a second air pressure module for controlling a second flow of pressurized gas from the first gas supply to an inflatable chest cuff, and a third air pressure module for controlling a third flow of pressurized gas from the first gas supply to an inflatable leg cuff. The control unit in this embodiment includes a ventilator supply module for controlling a flow of breathable gas from a second pressurized gas supply to a patient ventilator module to periodically connect the patient ventilator module and the patient's lungs to the breathable gas supply. The timer module is configured to automatically cycle the plurality of air pressure modules to periodically inflate and deflate the cuffs in a resuscitation mode. The system control unit in a portable embodiment may be battery powered, and the gas supplies may be portable compressed gas cylinders.
US08277398B2	Methods and devices to target vascular targets with high intensity focused ultrasound An ultrasonic applicator unit (2) is used diagnostically to locate a puncture wound (316) in an artery and then therapeutically to seal the puncture wound with high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU). A control unit (6) coupled to the applicator unit includes a processor (74) that automates the procedure, controlling various parameters of the diagnostic and therapeutic modes, including the intensity and duration of the ultrasonic energy emitted by the applicator unit. A protective, sterile acoustic shell (4), which is intended to be used with a single patient and then discarded, is slipped over the applicator unit to protect against direct contact between the applicator unit and the patient and to maintain a sterile field at the site of the puncture. The apparatus and method are particularly applicable to sealing a puncture made when inserting a catheter into an artery or other vessel. Several different procedures are described for locating the puncture wound, including imaging the vessel in which the puncture is disposed and use of a locator rod to determine the disposition of the puncture along the longitudinal axis of the artery.
US08277397B2	Wave generating device with inner reflector A wave generating device including a reflective surface adapted to reflect energy waves to a focus, and an energy wave transducer positioned at least partially around and outwards from the reflective surface, and adapted to generate an energy wave inwards towards the reflective surface through a wave propagating medium disposed between the reflective surface and the energy wave transducer.
US08277396B2	Method and apparatus for assessing proprioceptive function This invention relates to a method and apparatus for assessing proprioception in a subject. One embodiment of an apparatus of the invention comprises two articulating members attachable to a pair of limbs of a subject, and provides data relating to geometry and/or location and/or motion of each limb in 2- or 3-dimensional space. The apparatus may include means for monitoring gaze direction. The apparatus may comprise a robotic linkage. One embodiment of the method comprises obtaining data relating to the geometry and/or location and/or motion of the limbs, or portions thereof, of a subject as the subject performs a matching task. Another embodiment comprises obtaining data relating to the location of a limb of a subject, together with data relating to gaze direction as the subject looks toward the perceived location of limb.
US08277391B2	Methods and devices for defining and marking tissue In order to later identify the location of a biopsy or surgery, various means and methods for permanently and non-surgically marking selected tissue in the human body are used. Later visualization of the markers is readily accomplished using state-of-the-art imaging systems.
US08277389B2	Sensing rate of change of pressure in the left ventricle with an implanted device An implantable device and method for monitoring S1 heart sounds with a remotely located accelerometer. The device includes a transducer that converts heart sounds into an electrical signal. A control circuit is coupled to the transducer. The control circuit is configured to receive the electrical signal, identify an S1 heart sound, and to convert the S1 heart sound into electrical information. The control circuit also generates morphological data from the electrical information. The morphological data relates to a hemodynamic metric, such as left ventricular contractility. A housing may enclose the control circuit. The housing defines a volume coextensive with an outer surface of the housing. The transducer is in or on the volume defined by the housing.
US08277387B2	System and method for determining the blood pressure of a patient In order to provide a technique for determining high-quality blood pressure values of a patient, especially in cases of unsupervised blood pressure measurements in a home environment, it is suggested to use a system (1) for determining the blood pressure of a patient (2) comprising a blood pressure measuring device (3, 4) for measuring a blood pressure value, an auxiliary device (6, 7, 8, 9) for measuring the motor activity of the patient (2) during a defined period of time prior to the blood pressure measurement, and a processing device (13, 14), said processing device (13, 14) being adapted to obtain the motor activity information and the blood pressure value, said processing device (13, 14) being further adapted to automatically assess the blood pressure value using the motor activity information, and said processing device (13, 14) being further adapted to provide a measuring result depending on the result of the assessment.
US08277381B2	Low profile intravascular ultrasound catheter The present invention provides low profile intravascular ultrasound catheters adapted to access sites within the patient's body through narrow blood vessels, e.g., the radial artery. In an embodiment, a low profile catheter comprises an catheter sheath, a short guidewire receiver attached to the distal end of the catheter sheath, and a telescope assembly at the proximal end. The catheter sheath comprises a main portion and a tapered portion for increased flexibility toward the distal end of the catheter. In one embodiment, a rotatable and translatable imaging core is received within the catheter sheath for ultrasound imaging. A short guidewire receiver is used to allow the imaging core to be advanced farther distally with respect to the distal end of the catheter. In an embodiment, the catheter sheath extends through a portion of the telescope assembly to provide enhanced support of the imaging core within the telescope assembly.
US08277378B2	System and method for collection and analysis of patient information for automated remote patient care A system and method for collection and analysis of patient information for automated remote patient care is disclosed. Patient care records in a database are collected. Each patient care record is defined and includes collected measurements sets. Each collected measurements set is specified and includes individual measurements, which each relate to patient information recorded by a medical device adapted to be implanted. At least one of the collected measurements sets is processed. A set of the collected measurements regularly stored and periodically sent from the implantable medical device is received. The collected measurements set are stored into the patient care record. One or more of the collected measurements sets are analyzed in the patient care record for the individual patient relative to one or more other collected measurements sets stored in the patient care record. Feedback based on the analysis of the one or more collected measurements sets is sent.
US08277375B2	Flexible segment system A flexible segment system including: a first link; a first flexible hinge integral to the first link; and a second link integral to and continuing from the first flexible hinge.
US08277374B2	Medical instrument, endoscope and endoscope device A medical instrument of the present invention comprises a spiral shaped portion provided at an insertion portion main body, for generating a force at the insertion portion main body to advance/retreat in a subject by a contact with a body wall of the subject, a balloon provided so as to expand radially in a radial direction of the insertion portion main body and capable of contact with the body wall, a suction opening portion provided between the spiral shaped portion and the balloon in the insertion portion main body, and a suction pipeline communicating with the suction opening portion, inserted into the insertion portion main body and connected to a suction pressure controller on a rear end side of the insertion portion main body in the insertion direction.
US08277371B2	Transcranial magnetic stimulation system and methods A system and methods for transcranial magnetic stimulation, the system including a helmet, a positioning portion, a stimulator and a cooling system, are disclosed. The helmet includes a coil for deep brain magnetic stimulation. The coil has a base portion, and return portions, which may include a protruding return portion and a contacting return portion. The coil is designed to minimize unintended stimulation of portions of the brain, while reducing accumulation of surface charges. The coil is stimulated at several locations and/or at different times so as to focus the electrical field on a specific deep neuronal structure.
US08277367B2	Machine for shaping blanks of cardboard boxes The machine according to the invention comprises a store containing the blanks; an extractor arm; means for shaping the blanks; and an upstream transport device for receiving and distributing the blanks of the boxes. The extractor arm and the shaping means are provided on the frame of a bench, which is inserted, as in a module, between the store and the upstream transport device. Said bench comprises: a ramp which is upwardly inclined at an angle of 45° in relation to the horizontal and acts as a guiding channel; a sole having an upper part, in the region of the shaping station, which can be retracted to enable the blank to pass via the ramp; a transport system for moving the blanks from the lower point to the upper point; a forming arm carried by a framework which extends above the ramp; and a transfer arm which participates in the shaping of the blank before moving it, once it has become a box blank on the downstream transport device.
US08277362B2	Continuously variable transmission and control method thereof The transmission controller performs a non-coordinated shift, in which the gear position of the subtransmission mechanism is modified from the second gear position to the first gear position at a higher speed than when the gear position of the subtransmission mechanism is modified by a coordinated shift while permitting a deviation between the through speed ratio and the target through speed ratio, instead of the coordinated shift when it is determined that the second speed kick down shift is to be performed.
US08277350B2	Two mode electro-mechanical transmission and control A two mode power-split electric hybrid system and a method of control said hybrid system. The hybrid system is comprised of an engine, a transmission, an energy storage device and a control system for effecting said control method. Said transmission is a reconfigurable power split system, comprising a power-splitting device and an output power path selecting device. The power splitting device includes a compound planetary gear system and two electric machines which form a local series electric hybrid system. Said transmission regulates the output power state of said hybrid system by controlling power flow within said local series hybrid system. The hybrid system provides at least two operating mode, an output power split mode and a compound power split mode. Said control system includes multiple controllers and control modules. In accordance with the operating conditions of the hybrid system, said control system computes and sets system power requirement, allocates ob board power resources and sets engine operating speed and torque. In addition, said control system sets the operation mode of the transmission and controls the engine speed by adjusting operating torque of electric machines, based on the differential signal between reference engine speed and actual engine speed. Said control system is also capable of controlling engine torque through engine controller.
US08277342B2	Modified soccer game A modified soccer (“football”) field layout and associated modified method of playing soccer on the modified soccer field layout are described. The modified soccer field layout is approximately the same size as a conventional soccer field layout. In one example, the modified soccer field layout also has two Forward Areas and two Forward Lines. In one example, the method of playing soccer on the modified soccer field includes at least one associated Forward Area Soccer Rule.
US08277341B1	Bunting practice bat An apparatus is described that includes a bat handle and a bunt element within a region of space extending from the baseball bat handle where a meat portion of a bat would exist if the bat handle was part of a baseball or softball bat. The bunt element has solid material in a first location of the region of space that is struck by a pitched ball that first meets the region of space within a bunt window on the region of space. The bunt element has empty space in a second location of the region of space that is struck by a pitched ball that first meets the region of space outside the bunt window.
US08277336B2	Golf club head and method for manufacturing the same A method for manufacturing a golf club head having a hollow structure composed of a main body-member and a metal face member welded thereto, comprises the steps of: (a) preparing a rolled material having a constant thickness; (b) cutting out a face member part or blank from the rolled material; (c) making the face member by forming the turnback through press working on the face member part; and (d) reducing the thickness of a corresponding-to-turnback region by machining prior to the step (c), wherein the corresponding-to-turnback region is a region of the cutout face member part corresponding to the turnback, or a region of the rolled material corresponding to the turnback.
US08277335B2	Golf club A golf club head includes a body defining an interior cavity. The body includes a sole positioned at a bottom portion of the golf club head, a crown positioned at a top portion, and a skirt positioned around a periphery between the sole and crown. The body has a forward portion and a rearward portion. The club head includes a face positioned at the forward portion of the body. The face defines a striking surface having an ideal impact location at a golf club head origin. Some embodiments of the club head form a club head for a fairway wood that has a high moment of inertia, a low center-of-gravity and a thin crown.
US08277334B2	Composite metal wood club A metal wood golf club head adapted for attachment to a shaft, comprising of a body portion and a crown portion, each portion constructed of a different density material. Combining a high-density material in the body portion, with a low-density material in the crown portion, creates an ultra-low center of gravity relative to the geometric face center, resulting in higher launch angles and spin rate ratios. The material for the crown portion is preferably a composite. A vibration dampening gasket is disposed between the ledge and lip sections of the body and crown respectively.
US08277333B2	Releasable and interchangeable connections for golf club heads and shafts Golf club heads are releasably engaged with shafts so that the club heads and shafts can be readily interchanged and/or so that the shaft position with respect to the club head can be readily changed. Assemblies for connecting the club head and shaft may include: a shaft adapter, a shaft retainer, and a club head having an interior chamber. The club head and shaft may be changed by releasing the securing system and exchanging the original parts with different parts. Furthermore, the shaft may be bent or otherwise extend at an angle from the shaft adapter so as to allow adjustment of the shaft position with respect to the club head.
US08277331B2	Golf training method and apparatus The disclosure sets forth an apparatus and method for use in training a golf player in the proper stance for swinging in full rotation, as well as for teaching direction putting skills. Specifically, the invention focuses upon training a golf player to assume a correct stance and posture from the point of addressing the ball through the swing and follow-through by employing a positioning item for a golf player's lower posterior, back, and head.
US08277327B2	Horseback riding simulation An inflatable air cushion or other type seat a person can sit on is instrumented with electronic input devices that can sense motion of the cushion and/or motion of the person's body. Such input devices provide inputs to a computer graphics system that dynamically generates a responsive scene on a real time display. The sensed motion can be used to generate a graphics simulation of horseback riding.
US08277322B2	Game system An input device comprises a first storage section for storing game data, a first communication section for communicating with a game apparatus, a first reception control section for receiving game data from the game apparatus, a first write control section for storing the game data received from the first reception control section into the first storage section, and a first transmission control section for transmitting the game data stored in the first storage section to the game apparatus. The game apparatus comprises a second storage section for storing game data, a second communication section for communicating with the input device, a second transmission control section for transmitting the game data stored in the second storage section, a second reception control section for receiving game data from the input device, and a game process control section for executing a predetermined game process using the game data received by the second reception control section.
US08277321B2	Game device, control method for game device, program, and information storage medium To provide a game device which can allow a user to feel that an operation subject character loses its balance in a case where the operation subject character hits a moving object in such a state where the operation subject player character is located at a position comparatively far from the moving object in a sport game in which the operation subject character hits the moving object according to a predetermined operation by the user. Determination means (92a) determines whether or not the moving object is positioned in a decision area which is set based on a position of the operation subject character in a case where the predetermined operation is performed. Operation-subject-character control means (92b) causes the operation subject character to hit the moving object in a case where it is determined that the moving object is positioned in the decision area. Decision area control means (92c) controls a size of the decision area after the moving object is hit, based on a position of the moving object at a reference time based on at least one of a time at which the predetermined operation is performed and a time at which the operation subject character hits the moving object.
US08277319B2	Communications interface for a gaming machine The present invention provides a system and method for an improved communications interface for a gaming machine. Certain embodiments of an improved gaming network include a gaming system including a communication interface, and a server providing at least one of an application, a service, and a status to the gaming system. The communication interface initiates communication with the server to transmit and/or receive information. The communication interface may allow games or other applications/services to be downloaded to the gaming system. In an embodiment, the communication interface facilitates voice over internet protocol communication, for example. The communication interface may also provide a secondary game at the gaming system and/or access to the Internet or other network, for example. In an embodiment, the communication interface facilitates purchase and/or confirmation of items and/or services at the gaming system. The communication interface may translate information to an appropriate protocol for the gaming system.
US08277318B2	System for creating and operating three-dimensional vehicles from pre-constructed parts A game system involves software executing from a machine-readable physical medium on a computerized appliance, an interactive interface provided by the software and accessible to a client, enabling the client to participate in a video game incorporating an avatar associated with the client, a jumbled association of parts of a specific vehicle represented in a scene in the video game, and one or more trigger devices available to the client, individual trigger devices associated with different specific vehicles. Applying a trigger device from the one or more devices to the association of parts, if the device is associated with that specific vehicle, causes the parts to rearrange in the interactive interface into a recognizable vehicle operable by the avatar manipulated by the client.
US08277311B2	Wagering web service system and method A system to coordinate a wagering event using a virtual Web server with an administration application and a server database. The administration application is executable code which can generate a first event page from an event category page. The administration application also has a player management page, a pool page and a ticket management set of pages. The administration application interoperates with a banking application and a casino application. The administration application will send the event information to the casino application, receive wager information from the casino application, coordinate wager amounts with the banking application, close the wagering, monitor the event, update pool, close the pool, and allocate the winnings and losses.
US08277310B2	Medium position determination apparatus When the same gaming chip is identified in betting regions, a betting apparatus identifies an intermediate position of the betting regions as a tentative position of the gaming chip. The betting apparatus determines whether or not gaming chips are placed on the same betting region based on a distance between tentative positions of the gaming chips. When a gaming chip is identified in one betting region, the betting apparatus determines that the gaming chip is placed on a center position of the betting region. When gaming chips are not placed on the same betting region, the betting apparatus determines that the gaming chips are placed on tentative positions of the gaming chips. When gaming chips are placed on the same betting region, the betting apparatus determines that the gaming chips are placed on an intermediation position on a line connecting tentative positions of the gaming chips.
US08277305B2	Gaming device and method for providing a free spin game with payline multipliers A gaming device provides a free spins game wherein a plurality of modifiers are each associated with one of a plurality of paylines. During the free spins game, each modifier modifies awards won on the particular payline with which it is associated. In one embodiment, the payline multipliers increase in each of the free spins depending on whether a given payline scores a win or not in the free spin.
US08277304B1	Aligning a gaming machine reel to a home position A gaming machine having spinning reels and methods for operating the gaming machine use a computer and/or software instructions to align a home position of each spinning reel or a home position of a reel strip mounted on each spinning reel with a target position on the gaming machine. An optical detector unit using an optical strip on the spinning reel may be used to align a home position with a pay line on the gaming machine.
US08277301B2	Method and a system for a multidimensional game A method, a system and a computer program for a feature game of a multidimensional grid to be used together with a base game. A player may play an initial base game and elect to play the feature game. The player may be provided with a ticket that becomes a winning ticket if some or all of the characters in the multidimensional grid adjoin so as to produce a winning line of horizontal, vertical or diagonal matching characters with a winning set of characters. More than one winning line is possible on each game ticket, producing multiple ways of winning on a single game ticket.
US08277298B2	Electronic single player table blackjack tournament A blackjack tournament including a plurality of players, each seated at a single player table with the same predetermined starting amount of funds to wager, each player being dealt to from at least one deck of playing cards arranged in the same predetermined order as the at least one deck used for each other player.
US08277296B2	Horse race gaming machine In the horse race gaming machine 60001, orders of arrival in racing games are stored for each of the player's racehorses. If the player's racehorses, in consecutive racing games equal to or more than a predetermined number of times including a result of this racing game, have finished consecutively in a place equal to or lower than a predetermined place (S60602: YES), a part of total BET amount specified by the player for this racing game is refunded to the player (S60603). Otherwise, a part or all of insurance is paid to the player in accordance with the predetermined number. Incidentally, to have a player's racehorse run in this racing game, there may be a case that the player is required to pay an entry point given to the player in accordance with BET amount specified by the player. By the player's specifying a side bet, the player's racehorse is able to be made a race entry in any of the racing games.
US08277293B2	Holding device A holding device for a stuffing machine for stuffing sausages, having a head provided with a casing brake, and a drive shaft through which the casing brake can be driven, the casing brake enclosing the free end of a filling tube of the stuffing machine at an operating position and exposing the free end of the filling tube by pivoting the head away at a sausage casing pull-on position. When the head is being moved from the operating position to the sausage casing pull-on position, the drive shaft is deflected at an angle α relative to the longitudinal axis of the holding device without decoupling of the power train.
US08277289B2	Multi-functional grinding apparatus A multi-functional grinding apparatus includes a fixed barrel, a moving barrel, a cutting device, a grinding plate, and an actuator. The fixed barrel defines a chamber therein and includes a number of inner side surfaces, the inner side surfaces are substantially parallel to a central axis of the fixed barrel. Each of the inner side surfaces defines a holding groove therein for holding a workpiece. The moving barrel is received in the chamber and includes a first side surface and a second side surface, the first side surface and second side surface are substantially parallel to the central axis. The cutting device is fixed on the first side surface. The grinding plate is fixed on the second side surface. The actuator is configured for driving the moving barrel to move towards a workpiece, and rotating the moving barrel.
US08277287B2	Skin treatment system A collection canister having an interior for receiving air entrained exfoliated skin particles and liquid resulting from dermabrasion treatment and separating the skin particles and liquid from the entraining air and collecting the skin particles and liquid. The canister has trap structure including a partition wall for trapping exfoliated skin particles and liquid and retaining the exfoliated skin particles and liquid in the canister interior between a canister inlet and a canister outlet.
US08277283B2	Wafer polishing method and wafer produced thereby A wafer is polished by a method comprising a slicing step of cutting out a wafer from a single crystal ingot and a step of polishing at least one of both surfaces and an end face of the wafer, wherein the at least one surface and end face of the wafer are simultaneously subjected to a mirror polishing.
US08277281B2	Method and system for endpoint detection A method and system are presented for monitoring a process sequentially applied to a stream of substantially identical articles by a processing tool, so as to terminate the operation of the processing tool upon detecting an end-point signal corresponding to a predetermined value of a desired parameter of the article being processed. The article is processed with the processing tool. Upon completing the processing in response to the end-point signal generated by an end-point detector continuously operating during the processing of the article, integrated monitoring is applied to the processed article to measure the value of the desired parameter. The measured value of the desired parameter is analyzed to determine a correction value thereof to be used for adjusting the end-point signal corresponding to the predetermined value of the desired parameter for terminating the processing of the next article in the stream.
US08277280B2	Honing feed system and method employing rapid tool advancement and feed force signal conditioning The honing feed system and method utilizes feedback from various sources during rapid feeding of the honing tool while rotating and stroking, to detect initial contact with a bore surface, to slow the feed to a normal honing rate, involving conditioning the feedback signals to eliminate noise factors such as the stroking movement and forces generated to rotate and feed the tool unopposed.
US08277279B2	Method for processing a work-piece A method for processing a work-piece is disclosed herein. The method includes the step of removing material from a work-piece to a predetermined depth with a tool that changes size. The method also includes the step of passing the tool across the work-piece in one or more passes during the removing step such that a cutting depth into the work-piece changes during a particular pass. Each pass is defined by a pass depth. The method also includes the step of maintaining a substantially constant chip thickness during the removing step. The method also includes the step of selectively maximizing one of a feed rate and a pass depth of material removal at the expense of the other during the removing step to minimize the time of the passing step.
US08277273B2	Method of producing organic electroluminescence element, organic electroluminescence element, and lighting device A method of producing an organic EL element according to the present invention is a method of producing an organic electroluminescent element by stacking at least an anode, a cathode, and an organic light-emitting layer disposed between the anode and the cathode. The method includes an organic light-emitting layer formation step for forming the organic light-emitting layer by applying an organic light-emitting ink having an organic light-emitting material and a solvent to a light-emitting layer formation region on which the organic light-emitting layer is to be formed, by using a relief printing plate that has a relief portion in a shape corresponding to the shape of light-emitting layer formation region and has a plurality of grooves formed on a surface portion of the relief portion. According to the method of the present invention, coating unevenness when the region for forming a large area of organic light-emitting layer is coated with the organic light-emitting ink by using a relief printing method can be prevented, and thus the organic light-emitting layer with a uniform thickness can be formed.
US08277266B2	Outboard motor and marine vessel including the same An outboard motor includes an outboard motor main body, an attachment mechanism, a pivoting mechanism, an angle detecting device, a rotation speed detecting device, and a controller. The pivoting mechanism includes a first cylinder arranged to support and pivot the outboard motor main body about a horizontal shaft from a first angle to a second angle greater than the first angle. An angle detection value and a speed detection value are input into the controller. The controller is arranged to execute a speed reduction control to control the engine so as to reduce the engine speed. The controller is arranged not to execute the speed reduction control when the angle detection value is a value corresponding to the inclination angle less than the first angle or a value corresponding to the inclination angle greater than the second angle.
US08277263B1	Intersystem grounding bridge An intersystem grounding bridge has an elongated housing made from electrically conductive material, the housing including a plurality of channels spaced along a longitudinal axis thereof, the channels for receiving a grounding wire/conductor associated with a communication system component. The housing has a plurality of corresponding threaded apertures dimensioned for receipt of set screws for securing a grounding wire/conductor inserted in a corresponding channel. The intersystem grounding bridge includes a split bolt portion extending substantially in line with the elongated axis of the housing and having an open ended slot formed therein dimensioned for receiving a grounding rod/conductor, the split bolt portion having threads formed thereon for receiving a threaded fastener for securing the grounding rod/conductor to the split bolt portion. A pressure bar having a bottom portion dimensioned for contacting the grounding rod/conductor in the split bolt portion may also form part of the grounding bridge.
US08277239B1	USB AC adapter with removable USB vehicle power adapter The USB AC adapter with removable USB vehicle power adapter comprises of a housing with a slot that holds a removable vehicle power adapter. The housing has an alternating current plug adapted to be insertable into an alternating current source. The housing further encloses a universal serial bus. Power conversion circuits are enclosed in the housing to convert the 110V alternating current to both 5V and 12V direct currents. The 5V direct current is directed through the universal serial bus in the housing. The 12V direct current is directed to the slot that holds the removable vehicle power adapter. The removable vehicle power adapter is adapted to be removable from the housing and insertable into a vehicle's cigarette lighter socket and converts the 12V from the vehicle's direct current power supply to 5V direct current output through a universal serial bus.
US08277238B2	Card connector A card connector (1) is disclosed. The card connector (1) comprises a housing (11), at least one terminal (51), a card guiding mechanism and an identification switch. The housing (11) is configured to accommodate a card adapter (101), in which a first card (201) is fitted, or a second card (301). Each of the at least one terminals (51) is attached to the housing (11). The card guiding mechanism includes an urging member (81). The urging member (81) is configured to urge the card adapter (101) or the second card (301) in a direction opposite to an insertion direction. The card guiding mechanism is configured to hold in a lock position the card adapter (101) or the second card (301) pushed in the insertion direction by way of push operation. The identification switch is formed by a first contact member (52) and a second contact member (53), and is arranged further inward in the insertion direction from an insertion direction front end (301a) of the second card (301) held in the lock position. The identification switch is configured to identify the card adapter (101) and the second card (301). The card adapter (101) has a front projection (103) extending forward from an insertion direction front end (101a). The first contact member (52) is displaced in the thickness direction of the card adapter (101) and comes into contact with the second contact member (53) when abutting against the front projection (103) of the card adapter (101).
US08277236B2	Calibration adapter A calibration adapter with coaxial connector for connecting to a complementary coaxial connector of a device to be calibrated, where the coaxial connector has an inner conductor part, an outer conductor part arranged coaxially thereto, and a male termination. The calibration adapter has a drum where at least two calibration standards are arranged, the drum is rotatably arranged on a pin connected centrally to a first cap such that a longitudinal axis of the pin is flush with a longitudinal axis of the first cap. The coaxial connector with a second termination opposite the male termination, is connected eccentrically to the longitudinal axis of the first cap, and the at least two calibration standards are arranged in the drum such that by the rotation of the drum relative to the first cap, the second termination can be optionally connected to one of the calibration standards.
US08277232B2	Straddle mount connector A straddle mount connector includes a housing that has a mating end and a mounting end configured to be mounted to an edge of a circuit board. Contacts are held by the housing with the contacts extending from the mounting end that are configured to be terminated to the circuit board. The contacts are arranged at the mating end and are configured for mating with a corresponding mating component. A comb extends from the mounting end of the housing that has a plurality of fingers separated from one another by a gap. The comb is positioned such that the fingers are positioned between corresponding contacts and the contacts are positioned within corresponding gaps.
US08277229B2	Connector assembly A connector assembly includes a riser card, a first connector, a bent connector, and a second connector. The riser card includes a first side and a second side. The first connector is mounted on the first side of the riser card. The first connector includes at least one first pin extending through the riser card and protruding from the second side of the riser card. The bent connector is mounted on the second side of the riser card. The bent connector is coupled with the first connector in the riser card. The bent connector includes a first portion mounted on the second side and a second portion spaced from the riser card. The second connector is connected to the second portion. A gap is defined between the second connector and the riser card, and the at least one first pin of the first connector is located in the gap to avoid interfering with the second connector.
US08277226B2	Electric connector with a linearly and circularly displaceable plug An electric connector connecting one plug with several sockets in a housing, arranged to allow rotating the plug relative to the housing, as well as linearly moving the plug along the housing, while keeping the connector functional. The plug pins are movably connected to round flat tracks, which are movably connected to linear tracks that are connected via straps to the corresponding sockets' slots.
US08277220B2	Implant, in particular jaw implant, with different material properties The invention relates to an implant (1), particularly a jaw implant, which comprises several structural zones (5, 6, 12) made of a material which is non-resorbable, particularly from bones, for the implantation on bones or at least in the vicinity of bones. In an advantageous further embodiment of the implant, two or more of said structural zones (5, 6, 12) have respectively different material properties, in particular different physical properties such as different deformation and/or strength properties. The invention also relates to a method for determining load-dependent deformations in different bone regions, according to which X-ray images of the bone regions are taken with and without mechanical load for comparison. By comparing the X-ray images taken of the individual bone regions under or without load, the resulting deformation can be determined due to the applied load.
US08277218B2	Screw-type dental implant A dental implant apparatus consisting of an auger-like lower threaded portion that is screwed into the bone. It includes a divergent intermediate collar with mini-threads for engaging the cortical bone, and a tapered abutment for fixed tooth replacement or a ball-like snap attachment to secure removable dentures. The apical end of the device has a tapered portion with a blunt tip that condenses the medullar bone, which in combination with the divergent collar engaging and wedging into the cortical bone, provides a dual stabilization structure that can be immediately loaded or placed in light function by cementing on a temporary crown or bridge or by lightly attaching a removable full or partial denture.
US08277213B2	Apparatus for injection molding An adaptor bushing for an injection molding apparatus comprising a manifold, a nozzle assembly and a nozzle retention device, comprises: (i) a bushing passage for fluid communication between a passage of the manifold and a nozzle passage; (ii) at least one transition region joining portions of the bushing passage; and, (iii) at least one alignment surface effective to (a) align longitudinal centerlines of the bushing passage, manifold passage and nozzle passage and (b) eliminate or reduce relative tilt of the adaptor bushing, nozzle assembly and manifold so that with the adaptor bushing clamped between the manifold and nozzle assembly, leakage of material at the interfaces of the bushing passage with the manifold passage and nozzle passage is eliminated or reduced to an acceptable level under normal operating conditions. A manifold and nozzle assembly construction comprises an adaptor bushing interposed between a manifold passage and a nozzle passage.
US08277212B2	High power rotational cycle moulding method and device The invention relates to a device for forming moldable bodies (57) from a moldable mass by means of a matrix grid (19), in which at least one cavity (21) is formed by lateral limiting elements (20), and at least one tool (17, 18) which compresses the moldable mass into the cavity (21). The inventive device is characterized by a compression partition (38) that can be displaced on the matrix grid (19) for portioning the moldable mass. Said compression partition (38) comprises lateral limiting elements (39) that correspond to the lateral limiting elements (20) of the matrix grid (19). The invention also relates to a method for forming moldable bodies (57) consisting of forming a moldable mass and guiding it to a matrix grid (19) such that it rests on the front face (45) of the lateral limiting elements (20) of the matrix grid (19). A compression partition (38) with lateral limiting elements (39), that correspond to the lateral limiting elements (20) of the matrix grid (19), is displaced towards the matrix grid (19) to reduce the part (14A) of the moldable mass on the lateral limiting elements (20) of the matrix grid (19) in the direction of a cavity (21) formed by the matrix grid (19) between the lateral limiting elements (20), thus portioning the moldable mass. At least one tool (17, 18) compresses the portions of the moldable mass in the cavity (21).
US08277211B2	Apparatus for transferring doses and dose An apparatus comprising a transferring element for transferring a dose of flowable material, said dose being provided with an elongated body having a transverse dimension and an end zone, a receiving member for receiving said dose from said transferring element, wherein said transferring element comprising an end-forming arrangement for forming said end zone in such a way as to decrease said transverse dimension in the vicinity of said end zone. A dose of plastics comprises an elongated body provided with a transverse dimension, said elongated body comprising an end zone provided with a respective transverse dimension that is less than said transverse dimension.
US08277209B2	Screen/tray method and system for wet sulphur priller Relatively uniform spherical shaped solid pellets (prills) may be created by passing molten sulfur through a nested strainer to remove particles that would otherwise become trapped in the system, a drip tray with a heating channel attached on its underside, an injection conduit for delivery of a cooled zone of water to create solid prills, and thereafter moving the prills through a stationary curved screen to remove most of the excess water and a vibrating screen.
US08277203B2	DC fan of inner rotor type A DC fan of an inner rotor type includes a housing having a frame defining a compartment. A rotor is rotatably received in the compartment. The rotor includes a shaft having an outer periphery and a permanent magnet fixed to and around the outer periphery of the shaft. A stator is fixed in the compartment of the frame and surrounds the rotor. The stator includes a plurality of magnetic pole faces facing an outer periphery of the permanent magnet. An air gap is formed between each magnetic pole face and the permanent magnet. The stator further includes at least one coil. An impeller is coupled to an end of the shaft. A drive control unit is mounted in the compartment and electrically connected to the at least one coil of the stator.
US08277201B2	Pump apparatus Vessels (10, 11, 12 and 13) are associated with an inlet manifold (14) passing to inlets (16), each controlled by a knifegate valve (17). The lower ends of the pots (10) and (12), and pots (11) and (13), pass material through respective outlet knifegate valves (22) to respective first (23) and second (24) delivery lines. The respective knifegate valves (17) and outlet knifegate valves (22) of pots (10) and (11) on the one hand and pots (12) and (13) on the other, are operable by respective common pneumatic actuators (25). Each pot has an ejector assembly (26) having an upper chamber (28), an air injector nozzle (30), and an accelerator tube (31) to create the venturi function. An air cycling valve (32) transitions the upper chamber (28) between a depressurized space and a pressurized space. The accelerator tube (31) exhausts to a delivery line (23 or 24). Ejector assembly (26) air is supplied via air control valve (35). The respective delivery lines (23) and (24) each have an eductor port (37) which allow for air to be ported into the line. The completed load and discharge cycle is governed by a pneumatic PLC and pneumatic timers.
US08277193B1	Thin walled turbine blade and process for making the blade A thin wall turbine blade used in a gas turbine engine, in which the blade is cast in conventional grain from a super alloy using the lost wax process as a single piece, and then the blade walls are machined to remove enough material to leave a thin wall. The blade is cast with a wall thickness greater than the designed for thin wall in order that any core shifting during the casting process will be accounted for in the machining process. prior to machining, a scanning process is used to measure the actual wall thickness on all portions of the blade wall in order to determine how much material must be removed to leave the blade wall with the proper thinness.
US08277190B2	Turbomachine rotor assembly and method Disclosed is a rotor assembly for a turbomachine includes a disk having a first axial face and a second axial face. The disk includes at least one circumferential dovetail extending around an outer surface of the disk and a plurality of axial dovetails extending from the first axial face to the second axial face. Each blade of a plurality of blades is installed into an axial dovetail of the plurality of axial dovetails and each platform of a plurality of platforms is installed adjacent to a blade of the plurality of blades via the at least one circumferential dovetail. Further disclosed is a method of assembly of a rotor for a turbomachine.
US08277185B2	Wind turbine, wind turbine controller and method for controlling a wind turbine A wind turbine having at least one rotor blade attached to a rotor hub is provided, wherein the wind turbine further includes at least one sensor disposed at or near the rotor blade, the sensor being adapted to detect an aerodynamic condition of the rotor blade.
US08277180B2	Axial fan for conveying cooling air for a cooling device of a motor vehicle The invention relates to an axial fan (1) for conveying cooling air for a cooling device of a motor vehicle, wherein the axial fan (1) has axial vanes (4) each having a front edge (4a) and a rear edge (4b), a van tip (4c) and a circumferential ring (5) which is connected to the vane tips (4c) and has an approach edge (5a) and a dispersing edge (5b). It is proposed that the approach edge (5a) of the circumferential rind (5) is set back in the flow direction (L) in relation to the front edges (4a) of the axial vanes (4).
US08277178B2	Fan assembly A fan assembly includes a first fan and a second fan mounted on the first fan. The first and second fans respectively include first and second frames. The first frame includes four pairs of first projections on a top thereof. The first projections of each pair are arranged face to face, and each includes a first hook towards the other one. The second projection includes four pairs of second projections on a bottom thereof. The second projections of each pair are arranged back to back, and each protrudes a second hook pointing away from the other one. The pair of second projections are received between a corresponding pair of first projections with the second hooks respectively engaging with the first hooks.
US08277177B2	Fluidic rim seal system for turbine engines A fluidic rim seal system can be provided between a neighboring stationary and rotatable components in the turbine section of a turbine engine. For instance, the stationary component can be an inner shroud associated with a vane. The inner shroud can include a groove that extends circumferentially about the shroud. The rotatable component can be a blade cover plate. The blade cover plate can include a protrusion that culminates at a tip. One or more passages can extend through the protrusion. The passages can have an inlet in fluid communication with a coolant source and an outlet at the tip. A tip region of the protrusion is received in the groove. During engine operation, an air barrier is formed in the groove by the air discharging from the outlet. This air also provides cooling to the protrusion as well as a portion of the inner shroud.
US08277174B2	Gas turbine engine compressor arrangement A gas turbine engine includes a fan section, a gear arrangement configured to drive the fan section, a compressor section and a turbine section. The compressor section includes a low pressure compressor section and a high pressure compressor section. The turbine section is configured to drive compressor section and the gear arrangement. An overall pressure ratio, which is provided by a combination of a pressure ratio across said low pressure compressor section and a pressure ratio across said high pressure compressor section, is greater than about 35. The pressure ratio across the low pressure compressor section is between about 3 and about 8 whereas the pressure ratio across the high pressure compressor section is between about 7 and about 15.
US08277171B2	Aerofoil An aerofoil comprising a pressure-side wall, a suction-side wall and an intermediate wall extending from a free end of the pressure-side wall at an acute angle relative thereto towards the suction-side wall. A cooling fluid passageway extends through a region where the intermediate wall meets the pressure-side wall at an apex. The fluid passageway has an opening, at least in part, in the face of the pressure-side wall.
US08277168B2	Tidal power apparatus A tidal power apparatus comprises a moored pontoon (1) having a duct (2) therethrough opening at opposed ends of the pontoon. The duct has a vertical axis rotor (3) therein driving an electrical generator (6). A deflector vane (8) is located in the duct at each end thereof, each deflector vane being mounted to pivot about a vertical axis between an active position, in which the deflector vane deflects water flow to one side of the rotor axis to cause rotation of the rotor, and an inactive position substantially aligned with the water flow from the turbine.
US08277164B2	Hoist suspension frame for flatbed trailers A removable frame for detachable mounting onto a trailer flatbed chassis for suspending a carrier beam extending transversely to and beyond the lateral edges of the chassis, the carrier beam having a pair of movable trolley hoists suspended therefrom whereby cargo can be loaded onto and off from both sides of the bed of the trailer chassis.
US08277162B2	Unit for opening insert for test tray and method of mounting semiconductor device using the same A unit for opening an insert of a test tray which comprises an accommodating space for accommodating a semiconductor device and a support for supporting the semiconductor device accommodated in the accommodating space, the unit includes a body, a pair of opening devices provided in the body to open the insert, and a positioning guide unit protruding to be inserted into an accommodating space for a semiconductor device when opening the insert and supporting the semiconductor device that is transferred into the accommodating space to be spaced upward apart from a support provided in the accommodating space.
US08277157B2	Tie-down device The present invention relates to a tie-down device comprising a base member and a retaining member, the retaining member having a plate and a pin extending from the plate, the pin being engageable with a part of a channel or structure associated with the channel, the plate being engageable with another part of the channel or structure associated with the channel by pushing the retaining member to a distal position away from the base member and twisting the retaining member whilst in the distal position into engagement with the channel or structure associated with the channel.
US08277156B2	Cover for securing a load in an environment and related methods A cover for securing a load in an environment includes a sheet; a strap having a length that is extendable, and that includes a first end portion, a middle portion, and a second end portion; a first coupler attached to the strap's first end portion and operable to releasably attach the strap's first end portion to a structure other than the sheet to anchor the cover; a second coupler attached to the strap's second end portion and operable to releasably attach the strap's second end portion to a structure other than the sheet to anchor the cover; and a fastener operable to fasten the strap's first end portion to the sheet. When the sheet is used to secure and/or cover a load the first coupler is disposed between the fastener and the strap's middle portion. By having the first coupler located between the fastener and the strap's middle portion, one can both secure the load with the strap and secure the cover 10 to the structure. Thus, one can quickly, easily and adequately secure and cover a load with the cover.
US08277151B2	Rotatable tool for chip removing machining as well as a cutting insert therefor A cutting or milling insert for rotatable tool for chip removing machining and of the type that comprises a cutting edge in a transition between a front chip surface and a clearance surface extending rearward from the same. Remotely behind the first-mentioned cutting edge, a second cutting edge is formed in a transition between, on one hand, a second chip surface behind the first clearance surface, and, on the other hand, a trailing second clearance surface. The spacing between opposite sections of the front cutting edge is greater than the corresponding spacing between opposite sections of the second or rear cutting edge, the cutting edge angle (α) of at least the front cutting edge being acute. A rotatable cutting tool, which is equipped with the cutting or milling insert is also provided.
US08277150B2	Detachable insert-type cutting tool The detachable insert-type cutting tool is provided with a holder, a head member which has an insert seat on which a cutting insert is detachably mounted and which is detachably attached to a head portion of the holder so that an attachment surface of the head member is closely in contact with an attachment surface of the holder, a coolant hole which is formed inside the holder so as to be opened on the attachment surface of the holder, and a first groove which is formed on the attachment surface of the head member, communicating with the coolant hole opened on the attachment surface of the holder and extending so as to be opened toward a cutting edge of the cutting insert mounted on the insert seat.
US08277147B2	Method for replacing pipes, and apparatus therefor This invention relates to a method for replacing pipes, and an apparatus therefor. The method utilizes a cable which is passed along an existing pipe. The cable is connected to a component at the end of the pipe, the component also being connected to a length of replacement pipe. The cable is pulled whereby the existing pipe is removed and the replacement pipe inserted in its place. The invention is expected to achieve its greatest utility as a method and apparatus for replacing pipes carrying water or gas to domestic and commercial properties.
US08277145B2	Engineered, scalable underground storage system and method An engineered, scalable underground containment system and method for storing compressed gases or liquids in permeable rock formations using conventional drilling techniques. The porosity and permeability of the formation may be enhanced to maximize reservoir capacity and increase the rate at which gases and liquids can be introduced into and removed from the reservoir. In some embodiments, layers of cap rock in the formation are utilized as containment barriers, and in some, containment barriers are constructed around the storage zones.
US08277144B1	Articulated handle adapter for float dressing concrete flatwork An articulated handle adapter for concrete hand-type floats that removably connects to a long pole handle, ordinarily used with bull floats, to a hand-type float for removal of imperfections preparatory to the final finishing. The inventive adapter includes an offset and canted yoke and a canted ear which is received between the bracket arms of a pole handle sleeve. The inventive adapter eliminates the use of knee boards in the process of removal of imperfections. The inventive adapter permits the cement finisher working on slab or flatwork to float out imperfections such as deep jointer marks, bull float marks, small holes, humps and bumps and the like far into the work surface while standing off to one side outside the forms, thereby speeding the final finishing process.
US08277138B2	Machine and method for rapid application and curing of thin ultraviolet light curable coatings A moveable machine to rapidly apply and cure thin layers of a UV curable coating on a surface such as a floor. The machine has an applicator to apply a thin curable coating in a path following the direction of motion of the machine. The machine also has UV lamps to cure the curable coating with a curing beam that overlaps newly applied coating. The UV lamps emit an intense UV radiation beam creating an annular cure zone around the applicator path. Movement of the machine along with the ensuing movement of the applicator and rotating UV lamps causes the applied curable coating to be exposed to the annular cure zone and cured. This rapid curing of applicator coating paths allows the machine to be immediately passed over the cured area multiple times and rapidly build up multiple thin cured layers to achieve a thick coating.
US08277134B2	Printer with cutter A printer with a cutter has a print head, a a platen roller, a fixed blade, and a movable blade that slides toward the fixed blade for cutting a printed recording sheet. A fixed blade holder has a first surface supporting the fixed blade thereon and a second surface curved along an outer periphery of the platen roller with a first gap therebetween for guiding the recording sheet toward a downstream side of the fixed blade holder when the recording sheet enters the first gap. A holder support pivotally supports the fixed blade holder and has a surface opposed to the outer periphery of the platen roller with a second gap therebetween for guiding the recording sheet to allow the recording sheet to be wound around the outer periphery of the platen roller when the recording sheet is guided by the second surface of the fixed blade holder.
US08277130B2	Optical connector with reflector Disclosed is an optical connector which terminates an optical fiber inside the optical connector. The optical connector includes a main body. The main body includes: a reflector for reflecting light; a groove portion formed in a top surface of the main body; an optical fiber insertion hole opened in the groove portion, the optical fiber being inserted in the optical fiber insertion hole; an optical fiber placement stage provided in the groove portion, a front end portion of the optical fiber being placed on the optical fiber placement stage. The groove portion includes a front inner surface and a back inner surface which face each other in the longitudinal direction of the optical fiber insertion hole, and the optical fiber placement stage is separated away from the front and back inner surfaces.
US08277129B2	Optical connector with reflector Disclosed is an optical connector which terminates an optical fiber inside the optical connector. The optical connector includes a main body. The main body includes: a reflector for reflecting light; a groove portion formed in a top surface of the main body; an optical fiber insertion hole opened in the groove portion, the optical fiber being inserted in the optical fiber insertion hole; an optical fiber placement stage provided in the groove portion, a front end portion of the optical fiber being placed on the optical fiber placement stage. The groove portion includes the optical fiber insertion hole formed at a back inner surface of the groove. The optical fiber placement stage is formed by projecting from the side surface of the groove portion.
US08277128B2	Block-out device for fiber optic connector The present invention is directed toward a device for protecting an adapter from contamination, damage or misuse. The device includes a front member having an opening for receiving a removal tool. The device also includes cover members having a front portion and a back portion. The front member of the device interconnects the front portions of the cover members. The front portion of each cover member includes a sealing member for sealing an opening in the adapter when the cover member is installed within the adapter. The back portion of each cover member includes an arm extending upwardly therefrom for engaging the adapter to secure the device within the adapter.
US08277124B2	Bearing apparatuses, systems including same, and related methods In an embodiment, a bearing apparatus comprises a first bearing assembly including a plurality of circumferentially-spaced first bearing elements each of which includes a first bearing surface. The bearing apparatus further includes a second bearing assembly including a plurality of circumferentially-spaced second bearing elements each of which includes a second bearing surface oriented to engage the first bearing surfaces of the first bearing assembly during operation. At least one of the second bearing elements may be circumferentially spaced from an adjacent one of the second bearing elements by a lateral spacing greater than a lateral dimension of the at least one of the second bearing elements.
US08277120B2	Semiconductor integrated circuit A semiconductor integrated circuit includes a delay characteristic compensating circuit that is provided in a logic area including an inside and a surface of a chip. The delay characteristic compensating circuit includes a heat generating circuit that heats the semiconductor integrated circuit, a temperature sensor that measures a junction temperature, a voltage monitor that measures a power supply voltage, and a control circuit that actuates the heat generating circuit when the junction temperature does not reach a reference temperature and when the power supply voltage is lower than a reference voltage and stops actuating the heat generating circuit when the junction temperature reaches the reference temperature.
US08277118B2	Drop counter and flow meter for apparatus and method for determining the thermal stability of fluids A thermal oxidation tester is shown for determining thermal stability of a fluid, particularly hydrocarbons when subjected to elevated temperatures. The tendency of the heated fluid to oxidize and (1) form deposits on a surface of a heater tube and (2) form solids therein, are both measured at a given flow rate, temperature and time. The measured results are used to determine whether a fluid sample passes or fails the test. Sample flow rate is important in the jet fuel thermal oxidation test. Current practice requires manual drop counting or flow confirmation with the use of volumetric glassware. An apparatus is described to precisely measure the flow rate and automatically perform flow rate check using a drip rate method and/or volumetric method.
US08277115B2	Guiding device for submersible motor agitators A guiding device for submersible motor agitators having a guiding tube and a sliding carriage for carrying a submersible motor agitator. The guiding tube is held in a pivotable lower mount and in an upper mount composed of a bracket and an adjusting lug, and the angular position of the guiding tube can be adjusted via the adjusting lug. The sliding carriage, the adjustment lug and any optional connecting lug are dimensioned in such a way that the sliding carriage carrying the submersible motor agitator can be removed from the guiding tube without disassembling the guiding device.
US08277114B2	Gas foil impeller An impeller assembly includes a shaft, multiple scoops spaced circumferentially about the shaft, each scoop including an upper blade portion and a lower blade portion, spaced apart at the leading edges and joined at the inner edges, and a rib extending rearward from the inner edges, each scoop being coupled to the shaft by attachment at the rib. A system and method for mixing gas or liquid into liquid include a vessel for containing liquid, a drive shaft for extending into the vessel, and an impeller assembly adapted for rotating about the drive shaft, adapted for submerging below the liquid surface, and having multiple scoops, each scoop including an upper blade portion and a lower blade portion, spaced apart at the leading edges and joined at the inner edges, and a rib extending rearward from the inner edges, each scoop being coupled to the shaft by attachment at the rib.
US08277112B2	Devices and fluid flow methods for improving mixing The invention provides devices and methods for increasing the degree of mixing of fluids, including under conditions of laminar flow and turbulent flow. In one embodiment, mixing of fluids using the invention's devices and methods is increased by splitting the flow of at least one of the fluids into two or more inlet channels. This is optionally followed by further splitting and merging (e.g., using one or more split and merge (SAM) mixer) the fluids.
US08277110B2	Micromixer biochip The present invention provides a micromixer biochip, comprising: a substrate having a surface; a fluidic channel layer disposed above the surface of the substrate, including a mixing chamber and a single-opening fluidic channel, wherein one end of the single-opening fluidic channel is closed and the other end of the single-opening fluidic channel connects to the mixing chamber, and a top portion of the single-opening fluidic channel is made of a flexible material; and an air chamber layer disposed above the top portion of the fluidic channel layer, including an air pore, at least one chamber, and an air channel connecting the chamber and the air pore, wherein the number and position of the air chamber correspond to the number and position of the single-opening fluidic channel of the fluidic channel layer.
US08277107B2	Light emitting apparatus and light unit having the same Provides are a light emitting apparatus and a light unit having the same. The light emitting apparatus comprises a light emitting device comprising a light emitting element and a plurality of external leads, and a plurality of electrode pads under the light emitting device.
US08277106B2	Lighting device The present invention provides a lighting device, comprising a first light guide adapted to guide light and output the light in a first direction; a second light guide adapted to guide light and output the light in another, second direction; a dividing structure adapted to receive light from a light source and guide the light into the first light guide and into the second light guide, wherein the dividing structure comprises controllable dividing means for guiding a first percentage of the light from the light source into the first light guide, and a second percentage of the light from the light source into the second light guide.
US08277103B2	Substantially transparent linear light source An apparatus and method for coupling light into a light source in the form of a surface are disclosed. According to one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a linear light source including a light diffuser. The apparatus also has a sheet having a first edge with the linear light source placed along the first edge. The linear light source diffuses light emitted from a primary light source such that the light emanates along the first edge of the sheet. The linear light source is also substantially transparent to light exiting from the first edge of the sheet.
US08277097B1	Bicycle fog light system An LED light system which attaches to the wheel axle of a bicycle or other vehicle and includes a horn, a controller to store different horn tones and light sequences, a rechargeable power source, and means to activate and deactivate the light and horn separately. A housing has a vertically oriented support plate. A row of light emitting diodes is secured to the support plate. A speaker is secured to one end of the support plate. Electrical elements are provided within the housing. The electrical elements include a controller. The controller has at least one port operatively coupled to the controller. The controller has a potential source powering the controller and the light emitting diodes and the speaker. The controller has means for activating and inactivating the light emitting diodes and the speaker. An attachment component is provided. In this manner the system is secured to a recipient member.
US08277096B2	Light arrangement, method for operating a light arrangement and a motor vehicle The invention relates to a light arrangement, comprising a motor vehicle light which can be operated in at least two operating modes, as well as further comprising a control mechanism for the motor vehicle light. The invention further relates to a method for operating a motor vehicle light and a motor vehicle.
US08277095B2	Light emitting diode lamp A light emitting diode lamp includes a lamp shade, a light emitting diode light source, a universal joint and a power connector. The light emitting diode light source is disposed in the lamp shade. The universal joint includes a first connecting part and a second connecting part. The first connecting part is fixed to the lamp shade. The second connecting part is rotatably connected to the first connecting part and fixed to the power connector.
US08277094B2	Expandable liquid volume in an LED bulb An LED bulb includes a base, a shell connected to the base, an LED mount disposed within the shell, one or more LEDs, a thermally conductive liquid, and a liquid-volume compensator mechanism. The one or more LEDs are mounted on the LED mount. The thermally conductive liquid is held within the shell. The liquid-volume compensator mechanism moves from a first position to a second position to compensate for expansion of the thermally conductive liquid.
US08277093B2	Connector, LED unit, and method for producing connector A connector includes: one terminal having a part-connecting portion to be connected to an anode of an LED; and the other terminal having the part-connecting portion to be connected to a cathode of the LED; and a housing in which the terminals are embedded. The connector is made by insert-molding. The terminals are arranged in a cavity formed between upper and lower dies so that the part-connecting portions are arranged in the same plane with a gap. An outer shape of the cavity corresponds to an outer shape of the connector. After a projection formed on the upper die is interposed between the part-connecting portions, the cavity is filled with melted synthetic resin to mold the housing.
US08277092B2	Lamp assembly utilizing light emitting diodes A lamp assembly is provided. The lamp assembly has a housing that functions as a heat sink for the dissipation of heat therefrom. A circuit board assembly is carried by the housing and has a drive circuit that has a current regulator. A plurality of light emitting diodes are also present and are configured to be driven by a current source regulated by the current regulator so as to decrease the amount of heat generated through driving the plurality of light emitting diodes such that the housing is optimally sized to still function effectively as a heat sink.
US08277087B2	LED light has more than one reflective means to create multiple images An LED night light having different power sources including a battery, outlet plug-in power source, or interchangeable power source incorporates more than one reflective means with desired relative positions, distances, and/or orientations to create plurality of LED or LEDs image on at least one surface of the night light. At least one of the reflective means can be a see-though surface to permit the plurality of LED images to be seen through the reflective means. An LED light device having power and cost saving features is also provided.
US08277080B2	Outdoor low power LED lamp An LED based lighting fixture for street lighting includes a lighting head unit including a heat sink structure for dissipating heat. Below the heat sink structure is one or more LED circuit boards each including a plurality of low power LEDs oriented in a plurality of different directions. Light emitted from the lighting head unit is cast in a desired pattern of disbursement. A lens unit is attached to the bottom side of the lighting head unit covering the LED circuit board. The lighting fixture includes a mounting unit for mounting the lighting head unit to a fixed structure such that an angle of the lighting head unit may be adjusted to direct the pattern of disbursement of light cast from the lighting head unit to a desired direction.
US08277079B2	Boresight collimating device for wide waveband utilizing a source switching elliptical reflector A boresight collimating device using a novel way of achieving multiple source illumination of the pin hole/reticule using one moving part, a rotating elliptical mirror, while maintaining precision alignment of the device is disclosed.
US08277076B2	Lighting device The present invention provides a lighting device having a battery housing to hold a battery, a light housing having a light source and a lens assembly into which said light source will emit light when activated, said battery and said light source being in circuit with a switch to open and close said circuit, said light housing being moveable relative to said battery housing to motivate said switch to open and/or close said circuit.
US08277073B2	Portable light apparatus and method of attachment An organic light emitting diode system is sufficiently thin and poser efficient to permit its attachment to different configurations such as pocketbooks, brief bags, suitcases and the like. At least one side of the OLED material can have an attachment mechanism to facilitate attachment to a surface in the area to be lighted. The system may include a portable power source that provides electrical power to actuate the OLED material, causing it to generate light. A switch connected to the battery can control power to the OLED material to switch the light on and off. The switch can be manually operated or automatic. The low power consumption of embodiments of the OLED apparatus also provides for unique applications and uses.
US08277071B2	Wall-mountable light fixture providing light having a particular directionality A path-illuminating wall-mountable light fixture (100) can comprise a wall-mountable support platform (101) that is configured and arranged to be installed on a wall (701) and at least a first light aperture (102) that is operably coupled to the wall-mountable support platform. This first light aperture is configured and arranged so that electrically-sourced light (110) emanating from the first light aperture is directed in a first direction that is substantially parallel to the wall, substantially non-perpendicular to the wall, and less than horizontal. When inclusive of a second such light aperture (104), the second light aperture can offer similarly oriented emanated light in a direction that is substantially the opposite of this first direction. By one approach, the light emanating from this (or these) light aperture(s) can be responsive to an animate object detector (107).
US08277066B2	Lighting device for display device, display device and television receiver A lighting device 12 for a display device of the present invention includes tubular light sources 17 provided in a parallel arrangement and covering members 20 that covers respective ends of the tubular light sources 17. Electrodes 41 are provided at ends of the tubular light sources 17. Electrical terminals 24 for electrically connecting to the electrodes 41 are assembled to the covering members 20. Namely, the covering members 20 have an electrical connection function for connecting the tubular light sources 17 to an external power source in addition to a covering function that is its primary function for covering the ends of the tubular light sources 17 so that they are not viewed. With this configuration, efficiency of the assembly work can be improved and reliable power supply to the tubular light sources 17 can be provided.
US08277064B2	Light source and illumination system having a predefined external appearance The invention relates to a light source and an illumination system. The light source (10) comprises a light emitter (20) and a light conversion element (30). The light emitter emits visible light of a first color through the light conversion element in a direction away from the light source. The light conversion element comprises a photoluminescent material (40) for converting at least a part of the light of the first color into light of a second color different from the first color. The light source further comprises conversion material (42) for converting at least a part of ambient light impinging on the conversion material into light of a third color (Ba) different from the second color. When the light emitter emits light, the color of the light emitted is mainly a mixture of the light of the first color and light of the second color. When the light emitter does not emit light, the color of the light emitted by the light source is determined by the reflected ambient light, light of the second color and light of the third color. As such, the color of the light source can be tuned when the light emitter does not emit light and can, for example, be made substantially identical to the color of the light emitted when the light emitter emits light.
US08277056B2	Locally dimmed display A locally dimmed display has a spatial light modulator illuminated by a light source. The spatial light modulator is illuminated with a low resolution version of a desired image. The illumination may comprise a series of lighting elements that vary smoothly from one element to another at the spatial light modulator.
US08277054B2	Reflecting mirror, lamp unit, and projection type image display device The present invention provides for example a reflecting mirror that has a reflecting surface that is capable or preventing the rise of the temperature of the electrodes due the reflection light. The reflecting surface that reflects towards the electrodes the light rays emitted by the lamp has been corrected such that within an area surrounded by line segments connecting points P1(Z1, Y1), P2(Z2, Y2) and P3(Z3, Y3) and a Z axis, a part Sp corresponding to a distance between the electrodes is enlarged, wherein on a Z-Y rectangular coordinate system defined with a common axis as the Z-axis and an axis intersecting the Z-axis at a right angle at a center point (C) between the electrodes as a Y-axis, Z coordinates of the points P1(Z1, Y1), P2(Z2, Y2) and P3(Z3, Y3) respectively represent positions of intersection points with the Z-axis of reflection lights which have been emitted from 1st to 3rd points arranged in the common axis in number order and have been reflected at an identical reflection point on the reflecting mirror, and Y coordinates thereof respectively represent illuminances at the intersection points.
US08277052B2	Aspect-ratio independent, multimedia capture, editing, and presentation systems and methods thereof A multimedia presentation system includes a plurality of display systems and at least one control system. The plurality of display systems output image areas of a multimedia presentation to at least partially different locations of a display environment. The control system adjusts the output of the image areas from the plurality of display systems to conform to the display environment. The display and capture systems may be wearable, mobile or adjustable and can react to any environment. Editing environments allow the same show to be easily relinked to a new display configuration without any need for extensive user-driven layout revision. Virtual display configurations are simulated and presented on other displays.
US08277051B2	Method for controlling power supply including setting a flag An apparatus includes a lamp a power supply for supplying power to lamp, an image processing unit for displaying an image according to any one of a plurality of video signals applied externally, and a control unit for causing the power supply to start supplying power to the lamp when at least one of the plurality of video signals is applied in an initial state, checking whether or not any one of the plurality of video signals is applied within a predetermined period of time from the time when the applied video signal is stopped, making the power supply continue to supply power to the lamp if at least one of the plurality of video signals is applied, and making the power supply stop supplying power to the lamp if any one of the plurality of video signals has not been applied.
US08277050B2	Projector and projector controlling method A projector includes: an image projection unit which modulates light emitted from a light source and projects the modulated light; a cooling fan which cools the image projection unit; a light source control unit which controls lighting of the light source; a cooling control unit which controls operation of the cooling fan; an input operation unit which receives input operation; and a control unit which allows the light source control unit to decrease the luminance of the light source or allows the cooling control unit to increase the rotational speed of the cooling fan during the period from the time when the input operation unit receives the first ending operation to the time when the input operation unit receives the second ending operation.
US08277048B2	Ophthalmic endoillumination using fiber generated light In one aspect of the invention, an ophthalmic endoilluminator includes at least one pump light source and a scintillator fiber optically coupled to the pump light source. The scintillator fiber receives an output of the pump light source and produces light in a different wavelength range than the output of the pump light source. An optical coupling element couples the light to an optical fiber, which conducts the light into an eye.
US08277047B2	Illumination unit for the generation of optical sectional images in transparent media, in particular in the eye Illumination unit for the generation of optical sectional images in transparent media, particularly in the eye is disclosed. In the arrangement according to the invention, the low-divergence beams emitted by a laser serving as illumination source are imaged on or in the eye under examination by a reflection element which is controllable in a defined manner and beam deflection elements present in the beam path. The optical sectional images resulting in and on the eye can be observed and/or recorded, further processed and evaluated with an image processing unit in a known manner. In the solution according to the invention, a sectional image is generated by the deliberate periodic beam deflection of a particularly fine laser beam with high depth of focus, which sectional image remains sharp through the entire dimension of the object to be examined and makes possible an improved evaluation. The intensity of the laser beam bundle can be varied in such a way that it is sufficient for observation and documentation, but so that the diameter of the beam bundle is fine enough for a high detail resolution.
US08277038B2	Ink jet printer An ink jet printer includes: an ink head having a print head for ejecting ink and movable in a first direction, the ink curable upon irradiation with ultraviolet light; a first device positioned on a first side section of the ink head and a second device positioned on a second side section of the ink head opposite the first side section in the first direction, the devices being for irradiating a recording medium with ultraviolet light; and a cutting head attachable to the ink head such that the cutting head is positioned adjacent the ink head, movable in the first direction, and configured to cut at least a portion of the recording medium. When the ink and cutting heads are attached, at least a portion of the cutting head is positioned in front or in rear of one of the devices in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction.
US08277035B2	Printhead including sectioned stimulator/filter device A jetting module includes a nozzle plate, a thermal stimulation membrane, and an enclosure. Portions of the nozzle plate define a nozzle. The thermal stimulation membrane includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion of the membrane includes a heater. The second portion of the membrane includes a plurality of pores. The enclosure includes a wall that extends from the nozzle plate to the thermal stimulation membrane to define a liquid chamber positioned between the nozzle plate and the thermal stimulation membrane. The liquid chamber is in fluid communication with the nozzle. The liquid chamber is in fluid communication with the plurality of pores of the thermal stimulation membrane.
US08277034B2	Orientation of air-permeable membrane in inkjet printhead An inkjet printhead assembly for use in an inkjet printer, the inkjet printhead assembly includes an array of nozzles disposed along a nozzle array direction; an ink chamber including an ink outlet that is fluidly connected to the array of nozzles; and an air-permeable membrane positioned in the ink chamber at an angle that is inclined relative to the nozzle array direction.
US08277033B2	Liquid-drop ejecting apparatus and liquid cartridge A liquid-drop ejecting apparatus comprises: a liquid-drop ejection head, a first tank, a second tank and a negative pressure generation unit. The first tank includes: a liquid storage chamber for storing therein a liquid to be supplied to the liquid-drop ejection head; a gas chamber formed therein; a communication hole connecting the liquid storage chamber and the gas chamber; a gas-permeable membrane which covers the communication hole, and by which the liquid storage chamber and the gas chamber is divided; and a suppression member provided in the gas chamber and configured to contact with the gas-permeable membrane which is deformed to project toward an inside of the gas chamber, so as to suppress the deformation of the gas-permeable membrane. The second tank for storing therein a liquid to be supplied to the liquid storage chamber. The negative pressure generation unit configured to generate a negative pressure in the gas chamber.
US08277031B2	Liquid-ejecting head, liquid-ejecting apparatus, and actuator A liquid-ejecting head includes a flow-passage-forming substrate that includes a pressure-generating chamber, the pressure-generating chamber being in communication with a nozzle through which droplets are ejected, and a piezoelectric element disposed on the flow-passage-forming substrate, the piezoelectric element altering the internal pressure of the pressure-generating chamber. The piezoelectric element includes a piezoelectric layer containing titanium (Ti) and zirconium (Zr), a first electrode, and a second electrode. The first electrode and the second electrode are disposed on the opposite sides of the piezoelectric layer,. The component ratio Ti/(Zr+Ti) of the piezoelectric layer is 0.40 or more but less than 0.50. At least a portion of the piezoelectric layer formed on the first electrode contains tetragonal crystals formed by phase transition under stress caused by an underlying layer.
US08277030B2	Liquid ejecting apparatus A liquid ejecting head unit includes head main bodies capable of ejecting liquid droplets from nozzle openings by applying pressure to liquid inside pressure generating chambers communicated with the nozzle openings. Liquid flow paths that are formed for the head main bodies connect the nozzle openings including the pressure generating chambers and storage members that store liquid to be supplied to the pressure generating chambers. Heating members are disposed in the vicinity of the liquid flow paths and heat the liquid flowing through the liquid flow paths. A control unit controls the heating members. Temperature detecting units detect temperatures of the liquid flowing through the liquid flow paths. The control unit controls the heating members based on the temperatures of the liquid, which are detected by the temperature detecting units and lengths of the liquid flow paths extending from the storage members to the head main bodies.
US08277028B2	Print assembly A print assembly is disclosed. The print assembly includes a printhead for printing on a printing medium having encoded positional data thereon, a media feed assembly for feeding the medium past the printhead, a capper assembly movable between a capped position covering the printhead and an uncapped position exposing the printhead, and a print controller having a reader configured to operatively read the positional data to provide the print controller with a signal indicative of a position of the medium relative to the printhead. The controller is configured to derive a feed speed of the medium from the signal, and to correlate printing of the printhead with such feed speed.
US08277020B2	Liquid ejection method and liquid ejection apparatus A liquid ejection method includes determining, according to image data, an ejection pixel that is a pixel at which a liquid is to be ejected and a non-ejection pixel that is a pixel at which a liquid is not to be ejected; determining, according to the image data, a nozzle requiring flushing; and ejecting liquid from the nozzle requiring flushing to the non-ejection pixel adjacent to the ejection pixel, the non-ejection pixel being among pixels associated with the nozzle requiring flushing.
US08277016B2	Medium transporting apparatus and recording apparatus A medium transporting apparatus has a first transport path that reverses the sides of the medium when guiding the medium, wherein the first transport path is installed so as to be connected to the middle of a second transport path between a mounting portion and a recording portion; a first mode in which after there has been recording on a first surface of a preceding medium, a second roller installed on the mounting portion transports a succeeding medium to the recording portion side while guiding it to the second transport path.
US08277013B2	Printer There is provided a printer which includes two rotatable bodies, two rotational drive mechanisms which drives the two rotatable body, respectively, two attaching mechanisms which attach a printing medium to the two rotatable bodies, respectively, an ink-jet head arranged to face one of the rotatable bodies, a transfer mechanism which has a first transfer path connecting the two rotational bodies with passing a facing area facing the two rotational bodies and a second transfer path connecting the two rotational bodies without passing the facing area, and a transporting control mechanism which controls the two rotational drive mechanisms to transfer the printing medium from one rotatable body to the other rotatable body via the first transfer path, and from the other rotatable body to the one rotatable body via the second transfer path.
US08277010B2	Image forming device that performs bi-directional printing while calibrating conveying amount of recording medium An image forming device performs a bi-directional printing operation and includes a unit that determines a first amount by calibrating a predetermined amount based on a first value relating to a positional offset of a print element, and a unit that determines a second amount by calibrating the predetermined amount based on a second value relating to a positional offset of another print element. A recording medium is conveyed in a conveying direction the first amount after one of forward and reverse prints and the second amount after the other of the forward and reverse prints.
US08277007B2	Image processing apparatus An image processing apparatus, connected to an ejection head in which a nozzle group configured of nozzles that eject CMY inks of the CMYK color system and a nozzle group configured of nozzles that eject K ink of the CMYK color system are formed at different nozzle densities, that converts inputted image data into print data and outputs the print data to the ejection head, and includes: a first processing device that inputs the image data; and a second processing device communicably connected to the first processing device via a predetermined communication interface.
US08277002B2	Self-closing slide assembly with dampening mechanism A slide assembly with a self-closing mechanism that includes a dampening mechanism. In one arrangement, the slide assembly includes an inner slide segment slidably coupled to an outer slide segment. The self-closing mechanism is configured to move the inner slide segment towards a retracted position when the inner segment is moved to within a predetermined distance from the retracted position. The slide assembly can also include a latch which is engaged during the closing process and functions to trigger the self-closing and dampening. In an arrangement, the slide assembly has a maximum width dimension of about 0.4 inches or less, taking into account normal manufacturing variations. In an arrangement, a movable portion of the self-closing mechanism slidably engages a bearing race of the outer segment.
US08277000B2	Front-mount type interlocking sliding rail assembly A front-mount type interlocking sliding rail assembly includes a sliding rail assembly formed of an outer rail, an intermediate rail and an inner rail, a bracket affixed to the outer rail, a swivel member pivoted to the bracket and having two opposite protruding blocks and an actuating block, first limiter and second limiter disposed at two opposite sides and movable by the swivel member, a switching block affixed to the inner rail and having two opposing wings respectively suspending in between a base portion and two stop flanges of the bracket, and a push member located on one wing and adapted for pushing the actuating block to bias the swivel member.
US08276997B2	Brake system for a motorcycle, and motorcycle incorporating same In a brake-by-wire brake system for a motorcycle, a pressure regulator is interposed between a pressure-generating unit and a brake caliper to regulate an output hydraulic pressure of the pressure generator, and to apply the regulated hydraulic pressure to a brake caliper. The pressure regulator is controlled by a control unit, based on input from an applied operating force detector, to minimize or prevent influences of engine vibration and heat on the pressure regulator. The pressure regulator is arranged between an engine body and a fuel tank disposed in back of an intake system connected to and extending upwardly from a cylinder head of the engine body; where the intake system is disposed on an upper side of the engine body. The pressure regulator is flexibly supported, through a flexibly resilient case, by a support cage attached to a body frame.
US08276996B2	Systems and methods for monitoring and controlling tractor/trailer vehicle systems A status of one or more subsystems positioned on one or more trailers is communicated to a tractor electrically and mechanically connected to the trailer. The status may be automatically supplied by the subsystem or may be requested either by the operator of the tractor/trailer combination or automatically by another subsystem on either the tractor or the trailer. A spread spectrum data communications signal representing the status of a respective subsystem is superposed on the power bus. The status of the respective subsystem can then be determined from the spread spectrum data communications signal. Preferably, the status of the subsystem is indicated to an operator positioned on the tractor. A command for controlling a subsystem on a trailer can also be communicated from the tractor to the trailer over the power bus. A spread spectrum data communications signal representing the command is produced on the power bus, and the subsystem is controlled based on the spread spectrum data communications signal. Preferably, the command is received from an operator positioned in the tractor.
US08276991B2	Guide shoe for a roller-type loader and wear inserts for guide shoes A guide shoe for a shearer loader, in particular for a shearer-loader drive assembly, comprising at least one base wall, comprising a guide projection, on the base-wall side, for engaging under a rack drive of a rack drive arrangement, and comprising a guide surface for engaging behind the rack drive. To achieve shorter downtime periods in the case of repairs to the shearer-loader drive assembly due to wear, and in order to reduce their susceptibility to wear, the guide projection and the guide surface are realized on wear inserts that are movably and, preferably, replaceably fastened, or fastenable, to the guide shoe. Movement of the wear inserts could be limited by pivot limiting strips or inhibited by clamping strips.
US08276978B2	Substrates for vehicle instrument panels and vehicle instrument panels incorporating the same An interior finish panel for a vehicle may include a panel substrate, at least two pieces of skin disposed over the panel substrate, and a foam layer. The panel substrate may include an inclined portion disposed between a base portion and at least one sealing surface. The at least two pieces of skin may include an upper skin and a lower skin joined together at a seam, wherein the seam may be at least partially disposed over the inclined portion. The seam may be sealed to a vertex of the inclined portion between the inclined portion and the sealing surface. The foam layer may be disposed between the at least two pieces of skin and the panel substrate. The foam layer may taper from the base portion towards the vertex of the inclined portion and terminate along the inclined portion before the vertex of the inclined portion.
US08276975B2	FRP panel for automobile An FRP panel for an automobile, comprising a panel element to which a difference in rigidity and/or a difference in strength is provided between a first FRP layer on a first surface side and a second FRP layer on a second surface side on the opposite side of the first surface. The FRP panel for the automobile having a crushable structure suitable for absorbing impact can be realized, and the impact on a pedestrian in collision can be suppressed by properly absorbing the impact to protect the pedestrian.
US08276968B2	Locking device A locking device includes a locking mechanism and a striker. The locking mechanism includes a lock base, a hook and a pawl. The lock base has a recess that is capable of receiving the striker. The hook is capable of forming a locked condition in which the striker is held between the hook and the recess of the lock base or an unlocked condition in which the hook is spaced away from the striker. The pawl is capable of rotating to a position in which the pawl can engage an engagement surface of the hook and maintaining the hook in the locked condition. The engagement surface of the hook is provided with a resin coating that constitutes an elastically reactive portion. The elastically reactive portion is shaped to produce an elastically reactive force between the engagement surface of the hook and the pawl in the locked condition.
US08276967B1	Structure of floor mat of cargo bed of truck A structure of floor mat of automobile cargo bed includes a mat body that is integrally formed and made of a thermoplastic rubber material. The mat body has an outer contour matching the contour and size of the internal floor of an automobile cargo bed and is laid flat on the floor of the cargo bed. The mat body has a bottom forming a plurality of triangular prism like grooves. When the mat body is wound up to collapse, the grooves form folding lines that provide an effect of positioning so as to make winding up the mat body easy and providing a reduced collapsed size of the mat, whereby the amount of space required for stowage is reduced and product transportation is facilitated.
US08276966B2	Structure for lower part of rear vehicle body A structure is in a lower part of a rear vehicle body 1. In this structure, each rear side member 2 is divided into a rear side member front part 10 and a rear side member rear part 11 in a front-to-rear direction of the vehicle, a cross member 26 below a spare tire housing is joined to the rear side member rear part 11, and a central part in a vehicle width direction 26a of the cross member 26 below the spare tire housing extends rearward in the vehicle and is curved obliquely downward.
US08276963B2	Storage structure having a lid A storage structure, including: a main body portion including an opening portion and a cable outlet portion; a lid slidably mounted on the main body portion to open and close the opening portion, the lid including a cable introductory portion; and a flat plate-shaped cable including a first end at the cable outlet portion, a second end at the cable introductory portion, and a cable slack portion between the first and second ends, where the length of the cable slack portion between the cable outlet portion and the cable introductory portion is set to be equal to or more than the distance between the cable outlet portion and the cable introductory portion, both when the lid is positioned to open and to close the opening portion.
US08276961B2	Vehicle trim assembly A vehicle trim panel includes a mounting structure fixed to a base surface. The mounting structure includes a first and second support portions spaced apart from one another, both extending from the base surface. The first and second support portions have respective first ends fixedly attached to the base surface and respective second ends distal from their respective first ends. The first support portion and the second support portion are bridged by a guide portion that extends between the second ends of the first and second support portions. The guide portion defines a guide surface that extends in a direction that is non-orthogonal relative to a plane defined by an adjacent section of the base surface. The guide portion, the first support portion, the second support portion and the adjacent section of the base surface define an insertion aperture with a central axis that extends parallel to the plane.
US08276957B2	Robot hand and finger mechanism A robot hand converts the longitudinal extending and retracting motion of an actuating rod of a linear actuator into opening and closing motion of left and right first links via a link mechanism. The link mechanism includes left and right middle links composed of coil springs. When the left and right first links come in contact with an object to be gripped, the middle links elastically deform and expand, and the force gripping the object gradually increases due to the elastic deformation of the middle links. It is possible to prevent a large gripping force from acting suddenly on the object and to prevent the object from being deformed, damaged, or otherwise suffering harmful effects.
US08276954B2	Bumper system A bumper system for motor vehicles has a cross-member and two crush boxes. The cross-member is made from steel and the crush boxes are made from aluminum, or vice versa. The bumper member that is made from steel has a zinc coating on at least the joint area thereof. A braze weld fixedly connects the crush boxes to the cross-member along associated joints.
US08276948B2	Multiple access door lock mechanism with reversible cam actuation In combination a door, latch structure at an edge of the door, and independently opens the door latch operating components at opposite sides of the door, displaceable structure in the door having a position blocking movement of the latch structure, first means responsive to displacement of a selected one of the components for displacing the structure from the blocking position to allow movement of the latch structure, for door opening, and the first means including a rotatable cam having reversible positions in each of which motion is transmitted to the displacement structure in response to displacement of the respective components.
US08276947B2	Connecting piece comprising a gripping element on the outer surface for rotating the connecting piece A first element is connected to a first end of the connecting piece and a second element is connected to a second end of the connecting piece. At least one end of the connecting piece is provided with a thread, whereby the connecting piece is connectable for instance to a pipe or fitting with threaded connection. The connecting piece may be made of plastic, for example, the connecting piece is made substantially completely of thermoplast in such a way that the thermoplastic body is provided with a thread. The outer surface of the connecting piece is provided with a gripping member. The gripping member is formed and dimensioned such that it gives way earlier than the connecting member thread and/or basic structure.
US08276942B2	Combat vehicle restraint system A combat vehicle restraint system accommodates a wide range of soldiers, both with and without battle, arctic, or chemical gear. The restraint system includes lengthened belts and an adjustable buckle position. The belts include loops for locating and grasping the belts, and separate lap and shoulder belts with small narrowing ends to prevent catching on gear. The belts are extendable from Inertial reels which are calibrated for off-road operation. The buckle engages each belt separately and includes a single action release. The buckle position is easily adjusted using an oversized knob so that a soldier may easily find and adjust buckle length in the dark, wearing heavy gloves, or with muddy slippery fingers. The latch/unlatch mechanism and associated hardware is an open frame type to reduce or eliminate affects of mud, dust, water or other contaminants on operation.
US08276941B2	Height adjustable support for semitrailers or the like A height-adjustable support (10) for semi-trailers or similar, comprising a locally fixed external support tube (13), an internal support tube (14), which is fixed to a nut (18) on a spindle (17), the spindle being driven by a change-over gear and a bevel gear assembly. The change-over gear has two gear wheel stages which can be alternately activated, a separate gear stage comprising bevel gear toothing being provided for the distribution of forces after each gear wheel stage.
US08276934B2	Device for securing a footwear to a sliding board The securing device, to be mounted on a ski-board, includes a main body with a support base for a sole, two lateral flanges, and an assembly for the attachment of the shoe to the main body, including: a protective element and first and second means for attaching the latter onto the first and the second flanges. The first means include two serrated straps, namely front and rear. The proximal end of at least one strap is mounted so that it pivots on the first flange. The distal ends mate with front and rear locking systems fixed onto the protective element, for adjusting the length of said straps. The second flange is fitted with front and rear attachment systems. The second means of attachment include a fixing handle, pierced with two holes, in which the attachment systems engage, and a closure system by which the handle is connected to the protective element.
US08276933B2	Self-latching trailer coupler A self-latching trailer coupler has a fixed body, a displaceable slide and a biasing member. The body includes a slide slot in which the slide is displaceable in reciprocating first and second displacement directions. The biasing member biases the slide in one of the displacement directions. A biasing chamber and a retention chamber are formed within a side of the slide. The biasing chamber has at least two sides enclosing the biasing member. The coupler additionally has a retention member attached to the body which extends into the biasing chamber and engages an end of the biasing member. The retention member further extends into the retention chamber to define the displacement limits of the slide.
US08276927B1	Vehicle suspension and improved method of assembly A vehicle suspension including a spring module and a spring mount positioned within an opening in the spring module with two shear springs on either side of the spring mount, wherein the spring mount includes an inboard part and an outboard part, and a through-hole positioned in the inboard or outboard part to allow passage of a threaded connecting rod therethrough that has been tightened to draw the inboard part of the first spring mount together with the outboard part of the first spring mount, and to compress the first shear spring between a first side wall of the spring mount and a first side wall of the opening, and also to compress a second shear spring between a second side wall of the spring mount and a second side wall of the opening.
US08276925B2	Mounting arrangement for lower steering arm A knuckle includes a spindle to support a wheel and upper and lower bosses extending inwardly of the spindle. The lower boss includes a tie rod arm mount interface. A tie rod arm is received within the tie rod arm mount interface and a steer arm is positioned on an opposite side of the knuckle from the tie rod arm. The steer arm is fixed to the tie rod arm and includes an input mount interface to receive steering input to turn a wheel. The steer arm and tie rod arm are attached to each other with at least one fastener, or can be integrally formed together as a single-piece component.
US08276922B2	Child trailer A child trailer includes a body with a plurality of wheels located at the bottom thereof, a joint and a coupler. The joint is located in front of the body to adjust the angle with the body. The coupler includes a coupling dock, a pair of adjustment arms and a pair of strap holders. The coupling dock is connected to the front end of the joint. The adjustment arms are respectively connected to the left side and right side of the coupling dock. Each of the adjustment arms includes a sleeve to adjust the transverse distance and an adjustment bar to adjust the longitudinal distance. The adjustment arm also has a pivotal member hinged on the strap holder. The strap holders are fastened to a stroller to enhance steadiness and safety and improve practicality.
US08276920B2	Carpet slider for baby strollers A Carpet slider for baby strollers has a flexible mat on top of which a stroller is placed. A pair of straps curl up the front and the back of the mat. The straps are configured so that, depending upon the way a particular stroller is built, they are joined, from back to front, either on the outside or the inside of the frame holding the wheels so that they are securedly held in place and cannot slide off. A pair of rigid member for anchoring the straps and give structural integrity.
US08276919B2	Hydraulic cylinder The hydraulic cylinder having a portion on a side of a lip tip end of an annular clearance between an inner circumferential face of a shaft hole of a cylinder and a piston is made up of a minute clearance in order to suppress protrusion of the lip, wherein an annular clearance area for suppressing occurrence of the cavitation and for shortening an axial distance of the annular clearance portion made up of the minute clearance is formed on an opposite side of the annular clearance portion from a mounting groove.
US08276918B1	Plunger seal ring One or more multifunction elastomeric plunger seal rings augment a plunger packing assembly within a plunger pump packing box. Each such ring comprises a totally-enclosed circumferential tubular cavity. The cavity is filled with a dilatant liquid which transmits hydraulic pressure throughout the tubular cavity and simultaneously damps pump vibration transmitted via the packing box. Pump pressure strokes increase tubular cavity hydraulic pressure, resulting in radial ring expansion forces both inwardly toward a plunger and outwardly toward its packing box. Inward ring expansion tends to close the extrusion gap, while outward expansion force improves heat transfer from plunger to packing box. Outward expansion force also increases coupling of packing box vibration to hysteresis loss in the dilatant liquid. During reductions in both pumped fluid pressure and associated pump vibration between pressure strokes, sealing and vibration damping functions of the rings are attenuated, reducing heat generation and frictional ring wear.
US08276913B2	Letterbox media diverter A 3-way letterbox media diverter directs and controls media in 2 forward directions and 1 reverse direction within a printer's paper path. The letterbox design enables actuation of the diverter from a first position to a second position just as the trail edge of a sheet passes a post fuser nip. Once the diverter reaches the second position, an invert nip now controlling the sheet is reversed to thereby invert the sheet. Thus, inversion of the sheet is accomplished in a small space envelope, time to reverse direction is reduced, process speed can be reduced and additional paper guides are eliminated.
US08276906B2	Image forming device having improved sheet feeding mechanism An image forming device includes a pickup roller, a planetary gear mechanism having an input gear, trigger and an output gear, lift mechanism, a cam member, a change-over member, and a stop assembly. The change-over member includes a first arm movable between a first position engaging with the trigger for transmitting rotation of the input gear to the output gear and a second position disengaging from the trigger for stopping transmission of rotation from the input gear to the output gear. The second arm is contactable with the cam member for moving the first arm between the first and second positions with movement of the pickup roller. The stop assembly includes a third arm movable between a third position engageable with and a fourth position disengageable from the output gear, and a fourth arm contactable with the cam member for moving the third arm between the third and fourth positions.
US08276904B2	Sheet pick-up module of automatic document feeder A sheet pick-up module includes a driving shaft, a driving shaft sleeve, a pick-up driving roller, a pick-up roller sleeve and a sliding sleeve. When the driving shaft is rotated to drive rotation of the driving shaft sleeve, the driving shaft sleeve pushes the sliding sleeve toward the pick-up roller sleeve, and the sliding sleeve is rotated to push the pick-up roller sleeve, so that the pick-up driving roller and the pick-up roller sleeve are synchronously rotated to transport the document at a pick-up speed. When the feed roller is contacted with the document to transport the document at a feed speed faster than the pick-up speed, the pick-up driving roller is driven to rotate by the document, and the pick-up roller sleeve is rotate to push the sliding sleeve, so that the sliding sleeve is moved in a direction away from the pick-up roller sleeve.
US08276902B2	Device for handling single sheets, for introducing rectangular individual sheets into a container A single sheet handling device (20) for the input and/or output of at least one single sheet (38) respectively into and out of a container (20). The single sheet handling device (30) has a vane wheel (54) with at least one vane (58, 59). The vane (58, 59) presses at least a part of the single sheets (38) arranged in a stack (36) in the container (20) into the container (20) upon a contact of the vane (58, 59) with the front side of the stack (36) or holds these single sheets in a position in the container (20). The vane (58, 59) has an inner rigid first area (72, 74) and a flexible second area (76, 78) extending outwardly beyond the first area (72, 74).
US08276900B2	Sheet processing apparatus and image forming apparatus equipped with the same A folded spine of a booklet held by a pair of opposing holding members is deformed by entering a pressing member into a gap between the pair of holding members and bringing the pressing member into pressure contact with the folded spine. In consequence, the folded spine is prevented from receiving an excessive pressing force, and a smooth surface with a width substantially equal to the thickness of the booklet is thus formed on the folded spine, whereby a booklet with a good appearance can be made.
US08276897B2	Device for keeping plastic fastening elements at the ready Plastic parts are held by a holding device in a position for transfer to a receiver. Each part has a wall with a pierceable wall region that is accessible from one side, and the holding device is provided with a needle. With the part in the transfer position, the pierceable wall region is pressed against the needle, so that the needle penetrates the pierceable wall region and the wall is secured to the needle. The holding device may be a magazine type with multiple sockets for holding corresponding parts on needles.
US08276895B2	Clamping device The present invention relates to a clamping device comprising an elongate support structure carrying a fixed jaw and a movable jaw and an advancing clamping mechanism mounted on the support structure for advancing the movable jaw toward the fixed jaw in a longitudinal direction. The clamping device further comprises a transportation mechanism for convenient transportation.
US08276893B2	Cartridge and rod end isolator An elastomer-containing rod end isolator. The isolator includes a handle for connection to a load and inner and outer members. The outer member is a pocket and the inner member is spherical or nearly so. The pocket and the inner member are concentric and the inner member has two continuous exterior legs extending in a circular path. An elastomer fills most of the space between members.
US08276886B2	Combined guardrail and cable safety systems A combined guardrail and cable safety system is disclosed. In one aspect, a safety barrier incorporating the teachings of the present disclosure may include a plurality of cable posts spaced from each other and disposed adjacent to a roadway. At least two cables may be releasably engaged with and supported by the cable posts. The cable posts and the at least two cables may cooperate with each other to prevent a vehicle from leaving the roadway. A plurality of guardrail posts may also spaced from each other and disposed adjacent to the roadway longitudinally spaced from the plurality of cable post. A box beam guardrail beam may be attached to the plurality of guardrail posts. The at least two cables may operably extend from the cable posts to engage respective cable anchor brackets attached to the box beam guardrail beam.
US08276885B2	Support jack A support jack, in particular for supporting semitrailers, includes a vertically telescopically displaceable supporting element having an outer sleeve, and an inner sleeve that can be vertically displaced in a telescopic fashion, each sleeve having a rectangular cross-section with four sidewalls. At least the inner sleeve has a wall plate joined to two adjacent side walls with welding seams that improve the bending stiffness of the support jack. The welding seams can be located inside or outside either of the sleeves. Such a support jack can be located on the lower side of any vehicle.
US08276884B2	Recovery bumper with a multiple-pulley, multi-directional winch-system and stabilizing support legs A remotely controllable recovery vehicle winch/stabilizing system, having a vehicle bumper; a first pulley attached to the bumper's first end; a winch attached to bumper's second end; a second pulley approximately midway between the first pulley and said winch and adjacent a swivel sheave; a cable, directed by the first and second pulleys and the swivel sheave, to be wound or unwound about the winch, with the pulleys, the swivel sheave, and the winch operatively arranged with respect to each other so as to maintain the cable perpendicular, or nearly so, to the rotational axis of the drum as it is fed to or played off of the drum so as to prevent the cable from jamming as the cable is used to either recover or deposit an object, and a set of stabilizing legs each leg attached to said bumper so as to stabilize and secure the recovery or release apparatus.
US08276882B2	Wire bundle pull tool A pull tool for handling an elongate article comprises a panel having opposing panel sides and opposing panel ends and a fastening mechanism extending along at least a portion of the panel sides. The fastening mechanism is configured to join the panel sides to form the panel in a sleeve configuration for encasing the elongate article therewithin. The panel of the pull tool has inner and outer surfaces with the outer surface having a substantially low coefficient of friction.
US08276881B2	Lifting mechanism with self-locking function A lifting mechanism with self-locking function, including an ascending/descending seat, a rocking member pivotally connected with the ascending/descending seat, a guide section and a prestressing section. The rocking member serves to convert a horizontal force provided by a power source into a vertical force to up and down reciprocally move the ascending/descending seat in the direction of Z-axis. The guide section includes guide members, which can be cross roller ways for guiding the ascending/descending seat to ascend/descend. The prestressing section can be adjusted to change the gaps between fixed guide rails and movable guide rails of the cross roller ways. Accordingly, the sliding friction between the fixed guide rails and the movable guide rails can be adjusted to provide auxiliary locking force for locating the ascending/descending seat.
US08276878B2	Passive sensors for automatic faucets The present invention is directed to novel optical sensors and novel methods for sensing optical radiation. The novel optical sensors and the novel optical sensing methods are used, for example, for controlling the operation of automatic faucets and flushers. The novel sensors and flow controllers (including control electronics and valves) require only small amounts of electrical power for sensing users of bathroom facilities, and thus enable battery operation for many years. A passive optical sensor includes a light detector sensitive to ambient (room) light for controlling the operation of automatic faucets or automatic bathroom flushers.
US08276876B2	Limiter for water faucets equipped with lever-type handles A limiter detachably associated with a water faucet having a lever-type handle, enabling to prevent the rotational movement range of the lever-type handle. The limiter comprises a body and a limiting-handle where the limiting-handle is rotatably connected to the body. The limiter may be installed to the faucet at one of its hot or cold sides, where the limiter enables a user to rotate the limiting-handle towards and away from the lever-type handle of the faucet to physically limit the rotational movement of the lever-type handle. The limiter may be installed near the side of the faucet where hot water are controlled to serve as a safety device enabling to prevent the flow of hot water when the limiter's limiting-handle is locked in a limiting position that prevents rotating of the lever-type handle of the faucet.
US08276869B2	Adjustable supporting stand An adjustable supporting stand includes a main body with a receiving room, a slidable module disposed in the receiving room, a supporting holder assembled on the slidable module, a gear set connected to the supporting holder, and an elastic member disposed on the main body. The gear set has at least one first gear and a second gear, and the first gear is smaller than the second gear. One end of the elastic member is fixed on the main body and another end of the elastic member is connected to the second gear.
US08276866B2	Adjustable clips for grazing-incidence collectors An adjustable clip for securing a grazing-incident collector (GIC) shell to a spider having spokes is disclosed. The clip includes a base adapted to be secured to a spider spoke and having an upper surface. The clip includes a fork member having two prongs each with end pads at respective prong ends, and having a first hinge portion at an end opposite the prong ends. A hinge leaf is secured to the base upper surface and has a second hinge portion that operably engages the first hinge portion, thereby forming a hinge that allows for rotatable adjustment of the fork member relative to the base. Movement of the GIC shell when performing optical alignment is accommodated by the clip self-adjusting by its end pads moving over the GIC shell outer surface. When GIC shell alignment is achieved, the end pads are secured to the GIC shell outer surface, thereby turning the clip into a rigid support member that secures the GIC shell in place relative to the spider.
US08276865B2	Holding device A holding device includes a holder, a connecting body, and a base. The base has a first meshing portion. The connecting body is disposed between the holder and the base, and it has a pivotal element, a limiting portion, and a second meshing portion. The second meshing portion is disposed on the limiting portion. Two ends of a surface of the pivotal element are pivotally connected with the base and the limiting portion, respectively, and thus the base and the limiting portion may rotate relative to the pivotal element. When the limiting portion rotates relative to the pivotal element, the second meshing portion is meshed with or detached from the first meshing portion.
US08276857B2	Extension and retraction arrangement with articulated door An extension and retraction arrangement with a sliding door construction for adjusting a monitor from a retracted configuration to an extended configuration. The door is slidable between an open position and a closed position for at least partially closing the aperture in the framework. A pocket door is pivotally coupled to an arm aperture portion in the door, and a flipper door is pivotally coupled to an arm aperture portion in a framework. The flipper door and the pocket door interlock to be retained in closed positions to seal the arm aperture when the extension and retraction arrangement is in a storage configuration. The door is articulated with multiple sections and is guided by drive pins engaged with drive slots and slide pins that slide along guide surfaces of drive path subassemblies.
US08276855B2	Soldering iron stand A soldering iron stand comprises a stand base, and a soldering iron holder provided on an upper portion of the stand base and formed to have a curved surface for receiving thereon a soldering iron to be held by the stand base. The soldering iron holder has a plurality of recesses formed therein and arranged in a circumferential direction of the curved surface. Each of the recesses is provided with a heat-resistant elastic member.
US08276850B2	Environmentally stable hybrid fabric system for exterior protection of an aircraft A method of forming an exterior surface protective structure (12) for an aircraft (10) includes uniting a loaded surfacer (52) having a carrier (51) to a hybrid prepreg substrate (32). The prepreg substrate (32) includes a carbon fabric (44) with an integral conductive component (48) having conductivity with in a metal conductivity range and is united to a base substrate (30). The loaded surfacer (52) and the prepreg substrate (32) are cured, which includes interfacially adhering matter between the loaded surfacer (52) and the prepreg substrate (32). A protective fabric system (12) for an exterior (14) of an aircraft (10) includes the base substrate (30). The hybrid prepreg substrate (32) is coupled to the base substrate (30). The loaded surfacer (52) with the carrier (51) is interfacially adhered to the prepreg substrate (32).
US08276849B2	Apparatus for supporting instruments in an instrument panel According to one embodiment, a bracket configured to hold a pressure transducer comprises a body, a face plate, and one or more pressure fitting connectors. The body has a rear portion and a front portion that meet to form an angle less than 180 degrees. The face plate is coupled to the front portion of the body, and has a surface defining a plate aperture configured for a cable to pass through. The pressure fitting connectors are coupled to the rear portion of the body. Each pressure fitting connector is configured to receive a pressure hose.
US08276848B2	Rib structure for torsion boxes of a wing or horizontal stabiliser of an aircraft Rib structure for a torsion box of an aircraft wing or a horizontal stabilizer. The structure comprises a center element which extends between the front spar and the rear spar of the torsion box, a series of vertical stiffening elements arranged between an upper skin and a lower skin of the torsion box. The vertical stiffening element consists of a first lateral wing which extends in the direction of said front spar and a second lateral wing which extends in the direction of said rear spar. These lateral extensions emerge from respective opposite sides of the vertical body and are attached side to side to the center element of the rib.
US08276846B2	Aircraft component An aircraft component includes a composite laminate structure, the composite laminate structure including an end surface at which a multiplicity of the layers of the laminate structure terminate. The aircraft component further includes a deflecting surface mounted to the composite laminate structure for protecting the end surface from direct impacts. In one embodiment, the end surface of the composite laminate structure has a convex cross-section and the deflecting surface includes laminate material laid over the end surface. In a further embodiment, the deflecting surface includes an inert strip.
US08276838B2	General winding and feeding apparatus A general winding and feeding apparatus includes a rotating shaft on the upper side of a standing wall of a base, and a motor is connected to the rotating shaft in the standing wall. A swing arm extends across a traveling material and is situated at a suitable position on the standing wall. Digital variable frequency methods may be used to drive the motor, which operates in conjunction with light-coupled sensors to detect the traveling speed of a material on the swing arm and sense a swing position of the swing arm. Feedback is generated in real-time to modify the speed of the motor, and the constant speed travel of the material can be achieved while being either wound or unwound.
US08276834B2	Multi-function shower head A multi-function shower head provides three water flower levels in response to three watering modes and comprises a low-flow controlling valve and a water flower generator such that the water flow passes through water flower generator to result in a centrifugal force, and then passes through a plurality of tunnels and a path to spray water, obtaining low-flow and strong water flower. Thereby, a water saving and strong flowing purpose of the shower head is achieved.
US08276829B2	Building control system with remote control unit and methods of operation A building controller for controlling the comfort level in a building is described. The building controller may include a thermostat and wireless remote controller for communicating with the thermostat from a remote location. The thermostat may have access to a first temperature sensor for sensing a first temperature, sometimes at or near the thermostat. The remote controller may likewise have a second temperature sensor for sensing a second temperature, sometimes at or near the remote controller. Under some conditions, the thermostat may use the second temperature sensed by the remote controller to control the comfort level in a building unless or until a predetermined condition is detected, after which the thermostat may use a different temperature, such as the first temperature at or near the thermostat, to control the comfort level in a building.
US08276827B2	Coding pattern comprising control symbols A substrate having a coding pattern disposed therein or thereon. The coding pattern comprises: a tiling of contiguous grid cells, each grid cell being demarcated by t target elements and having t-fold rotational symmetry, each grid cell containing nt control symbols, each control symbol being encoded by a set of macrodots; and a tiling of contiguous tags, each tag consisting of an array of c grid cells, each tag containing a plurality of data symbols, each data symbol being encoded by a set of macrodots. Any contiguous tag-shaped array of c grid cells contains cnt control symbols, which encode r1 registration symbols and r2 second symbols. The r1 registration symbols, taken in a defined sequence relative to a physical layout of the tag-shaped array, form a registration codeword of length r1. The r2 second symbols form one or more second codewords.
US08276825B2	Radio frequency identification tag and antenna A radio frequency identification tag includes: a resilient base sheet; an electronic component; a reinforcing member having at least one concave portion at a periphery of the reinforcing member; and an antenna including a dipole portion and an inductance portion, the inductance portion having an impedance matching with that of the electronic component and being formed in a loop shape; the inductance portion being partly covered by the reinforcing member, the loop shape of the inductance portion being narrowed where the loop shape runs under the concave portion of the periphery of the reinforcing member and being widened outside of the reinforcing member.
US08276824B2	Communication device, communication method, program, and communication system A communication device including a receiving unit, a command processing unit, an updating unit, a transmitting unit, and a selector is provided. The receiving unit receives a transmitted command. The command processing unit performs command processing in response to the received command and generates a response containing a result of the command processing. The updating unit updates information held in one area of a memory currently disabled using the result of the command processing, wherein a first area and a second area form the memory for holding information indicating a current status. The transmitting unit transmits the generated response. The selector switches the one area currently disabled and holds the information that was updated using the result of the command processing into the enabled state and the other area currently enabled into the disabled state immediately after transmission of the response is completed.
US08276822B2	Electronic circuit An electronic circuit, for which a coil 22 is disposed being overlapped with a region of a memory array 11, carries out communications by inductive coupling between stacked and mounted chips by means of the coil 22. Because each side of the coil 22 is disposed so as not to be parallel to a word line and a bit line 15, crosstalk between ‘the coil 22’ and ‘the word line 14 and bit line 15’ can minimized. This allows efficiently arranging a coil to carry out communications by inductive coupling between chips to be stacked and mounted.
US08276820B2	Information notification method and information notification system An information notification method includes coding information by a first information processing apparatus, displaying the coded information on a screen of the first information processing apparatus, obtaining displayed coded information as image information by a second information processing apparatus having an image-capturing unit, transmitting the obtained image information to a third information processing apparatus from the second information processing apparatus, receiving at the third information processing apparatus the image information transmitted from the second information processing apparatus, and decoding by the third information processing apparatus the received image information so as to obtain the coded information.
US08276819B2	Optical code reader An optical code reader of the imager type includes: at least one non-collimated light source having an illumination optics associated therewith including at least one lens; and a photodetector device having a receiving optics associated therewith including at least one lens, wherein the at least one lens of the illumination optics and the at least one lens of the receiving optics are displaceable together to change their distance from the at least one light source and from said photodetector device respectively.

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