最新美国发明专利第2013-05-21期 - 专利汇|PatentHub专利检索|专利查询网|发明专利查询分析

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US08445511B2	Quinoline or quinoxaline derivatives for treating neurodegenerative diseases The present invention relates to compounds of Formula (I) below, to their pharmaceutically acceptable salts and to their isomers or mixtures of isomers: HetAr—X—CHR1R2 (I) in which: —HetAr represents a group chosen from: —X represents a linear, saturated or unsaturated, hydrocarbon-based chain comprising from 8 to 22 carbon atoms, optionally interrupted by an —NH— or —NH—CO— group, —R1 represents a hydrogen atom or an —OH, —O(C1-C6)alkyl, —OCO((C1-C6)alkyl), —OSO2((C1-C6)alkyl) or —OSO3H group, and —R2 represents a hydrogen atom or a (C2-C6)alkynyl, (C2-C6)alkenyl or (C3-C6)cycloalkyl group. The present invention also relates to a process for preparing the compounds of Formula (I), and also to the use thereof, especially in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.
US08445509B2	Fused heterocyclic derivatives and use thereof The present invention provides a fused heterocyclic derivative having a strong kinase inhibitory activity and use thereof.The present invention relates to a compound represented by the formula wherein each symbol is as defined in the present specification, or a salt thereof.
US08445504B2	Tricyclic pyrazolopyrimidine derivatives A pyrazolopyrimidine compound represented by formula (1) that inhibits the function of HSP90 as a chaperone protein and that has antitumor activity, a medicament comprising a compound represented by formula (1), a pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound represented by formula (1), and a method for treating cancer using a compound represented by formula (1).
US08445501B2	Substituted 7-carboxamido-pyrrolo[3,2-d]pyrimidines The compounds of Formula (I), in which R1, R21, R22, R23, R24, Y and R3 have the meanings as given in the description, the salts thereof, the N-oxides of the compounds and the salts thereof and the stereoisomers of the compounds, the salts, the N-oxides of the compounds and the N-oxides of the salts thereof are effective inhibitors of the type 5 phosphodiesterase.
US08445497B2	Compounds for the treatment of hepatitis C The disclosure provides compounds of formula I, including their salts, as well as compositions and methods of using the compounds. The compounds have activity against hepatitis C virus (HCV) and may be useful in treating those infected with HCV.
US08445495B2	Certain Chemical entities, compositions and methods Certain substituted urea derivatives selectively modulate the cardiac sarcomere, for example by potentiating cardiac myosin, and are useful in the treatment of systolic heart failure including congestive heart failure.
US08445492B2	Method for inhibiting growth of cancer cells and cell telomere and diseases of cell proliferation by using heteroannelated anthraquinone derivative compounds A heteroannelated anthraquinone derivative compound is provided. The heteroannelated anthraquinone derivative compound is represented by a formula (I): wherein R1 is a substituent being one selected from a group consisting of i) a first substituent being one selected from a group consisting of a hydryl group, an amino group, a nitro group, a hydroxyl group and a cyan group, ii) a second substituent being one selected from a group consisting of (CH2)nX, a straight (CH2)n alkyl group, a (CH2)n alkoxyl group, a branched (CH2)n alkyl group, a C3˜C12 naphthenic group, and a C3˜C12 cyclic alkoxyl group, wherein 1≦n≦12, and X is a halogen, iii) a third substituent being one selected from a group consisting of a straight C1˜C8 alkyl group with a double-bond, a C1˜C8 alkoxyl group with a double-bond, a branched C1˜C8 alkyl group with a double-bond and a C3˜C8 naphthenic group with a double-bond, and iv) a fourth substituent of a C5˜C12 heterocyclic group.
US08445487B2	Purine PI3K inhibitor compounds and methods of use Purine compounds of Formula I, and including stereoisomers, geometric isomers, tautomers, solvates, metabolites and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, are useful for inhibiting lipid kinases including p110 alpha and other isoforms of PI3K, and for treating disorders such as cancer mediated by lipid kinases. Methods of using compounds of Formula I for in vitro, in situ, and in vivo diagnosis, prevention or treatment of such disorders in mammalian cells, or associated pathological conditions, are disclosed.
US08445484B2	Bicyclic peptidomimetic inhibitors of aspartyl-proteases for the treatment of infectious diseases The present invention refers to 3-aza-bicyclo [3.2.1] octane derivatives of general formula (I) their preparation, use and pharmaceutical compositions useful in the treatment of pathologies associated with microbial pathogens expressing aspartylprotease activity.
US08445482B2	Thieno- and furo-pyrimidine modulators of the histamine H4 receptor Thieno- and furo-pyrimidine compounds are described, which are useful as H4 receptor modulators. Such compounds may be used in pharmaceutical compositions and methods for the modulation of histamine H4 receptor activity and for the treatment of disease states, disorders, and conditions mediated by H4 receptor activity, such as inflammation.
US08445481B2	Scaffold-diversified pyrrolidinone derivatives and their use The present disclosure provides novel compounds of the formula (I): wherein R0, R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, and R6 are as defined in the detailed description. Two preferred compounds of formulae (IX) and (X) are disclosed. Also disclosed are uses of the disclosed compounds, for example, in regulating glucose transport and in inhibiting acetyl coenzyme A carboxylase.
US08445480B2	CETP inhibitors derived from benzoxazole arylamides Compounds having the structure of Formula I1 including pharmaceutically acceptable salts of the compounds, are potent CETP (cholesterol ester transfer protein) inhibitors, and are useful for raising HDL-cholesterol, reducing LDL-cholesterol, and for treating or preventing atherosclerosis Atherosclerosis and its clinical consequences, coronary heart disease (CHD), stroke and penpheral vascular disease, represent a truly enormous burden to the health care systems of the industrialized world In formula I, A-B is an arylamide moiety.
US08445479B2	Staurosporine derivatives as inhibitors of FLT3 receptor tyrosine kinase activity The present invention relates to the use of staurosporines derivatives for the preparation of a drug for the treatment of diseases involving deregulated FLT3 receptor tyrosine kinase activity, especially for the curative and/or prophylactic treatment of leukemias and myelodysplastic syndromes, and to a method of treating diseases involving deregulated FLT3 receptor tyrosine kinase activity.
US08445476B2	Carbacephem β-lactam antibiotics Carbacephem β-lactam antibiotics having the following chemical structures (I) and (II) are disclosed: including stereoisomers, pharmaceutically acceptable salts, esters and prodrugs thereof, wherein Ar2, R1, R2 and R3 are as defined herein. The compounds are useful for the treatment of bacterial infections, in particular those caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus spp.
US08445475B2	Supramolecular complexes as photoactivated DNA cleavage agents The invention provides supramolecular metal complexes as DNA cleaving agents. In the complexes, charge is transferred from one light absorbing metal (e.g. Ru or Os) to an electron accepting metal (e.g. Rh) via a bridging π-acceptor ligand. A bioactive metal-to-metal charge transfer state capable of cleaving DNA is thus generated. The complexes function when irradiated with low energy visible light with or without molecular oxygen.
US08445474B2	Compositions of R(+) and S(−) pramipexole and methods of using the same Compositions of predetermined amounts of R(+) pramipexole and S(−) pramipexole and methods of using the same, including for the treatment and prevention of Parkinson's disease, are provided.
US08445473B2	Heteroaryl-substituted bicyclic Smac mimetics and the uses thereof The invention relates to heteroaryl-substituted 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.
US08445471B2	Process for obtaining steroidal phosphate compounds A process for obtaining 21-disodium phosphate pregnane derivative compounds of formula (I), wherein X═R═H or X═F and R=α-CH3 or X═F and R=β-CH3: comprises spray drying a solution comprising compound of formula (I).
US08445465B2	Glycol chitosan derivative, preparation method thereof and drug delivery system comprising the same The present invention relates to a glycol chitosane derivative, a preparation method thereof and a drug delivery system comprising the same. More specifically, the invention relates to a glycol chitosan derivative, which can form nano-sized self-assembled structures and has both temperature sensitivity and biodegradability so as to be suitable for use as a drug delivery system, as well as a preparation method thereof and a drug delivery system comprising the same.
US08445464B2	Methods of use of biomaterial and injectable implant containing biomaterial This invention relates to the use of a biomaterial for the treatment, repair and/or enhancement of bodily tissue insufficiencies of the vocal chords, muscles, ligaments, cartilage, post-operative regions, sexual organs and/or weight supporting areas of the feet as well as other conditions of the bones and joints. The biomaterial for use in the invention may comprise an injectable bioresorbable polysaccharide composition wherein the polysaccharide may be succinochitosan glutamate. This invention also relates to the use of a biomaterial comprising an injectable bioresorbable polysaccharide composition in which resorbable particles may be in suspension, the said particles comprising or consisting essentially of chitin and/or chitosan, which may be free of any additional formulation modifying agents, and a process for manufacturing the same. The invention also includes the use of various medicaments in the biomaterial formulations to enhance the treatment of the affected area of the body.
US08445462B2	Composition for the treatment of osteoarthritis The present invention relates to compositions comprising chondroitin sulphate and mannosamine or a derivative thereof. The mannosamine derivative is preferably N-acetylmannosamine. The compositions may comprise glucosamine. Said compositions are useful in the treatment or prevention of degenerative joint diseases, preferably of osteoarthritis, in the treatment or prevention of tendon or ligament diseases, disorders or injuries and of immune system diseases, preferably of rheumatoid arthritis.
US08445457B2	Oral pharmaceutical solutions containing telbivudine A pharmaceutical solution suitable for oral administration comprising β-L-thymidine/2′-deoxy-L-thymidine (telbivudine), a pharmaceutically suitable solvent system, one or more taste-enhancing/masking agents, a preservative system, and a buffer system suitable to allow both drug stability and preservation.
US08445454B2	Use on minicircle vectors for cardiac gene therapy Compositions and methods are provided for the treatment of an ischemic cardiovascular condition by providing a patient with a novel non-viral minicircle DNA vector comprising polynucleotide sequences that potentiate HIF-1 activity, including RNAi or antisense agents selective for proteins involved in HIF1 inactivation.
US08445453B2	CCR ligands for stem cell homing Chemokines ligands to at least one of CCR1, CCR2, CCR3, or CCR5 can be used to home stem cells for therapeutic applications.
US08445452B2	Fulvic acid and antibiotic combination This invention relates to a fulvic acid and antibiotic combination for use in the treatment of various diseases and conditions. The invention further relates to the use of the combination for the treatment of various diseases and conditions, including bacterial infection. In particular, the bacteria are antibiotic resistant bacteria.
US08445449B2	Method and peptide for regulating cellular activity Method and peptide for regulating cellular activity includes a panel of synthesized peptides that have biological effects on inhibiting or enhancing cellular activity. Selected peptides can be used as therapy to reduce and/or inhibit, or initiate and/or enhance, an inflammatory response in a subject.
US08445444B2	Compositions and methods for diagnosing, treating, and preventing prostate conditions Disclosed are compositions and methods for diagnosing, preventing, and treating prostate cancer and prostate intraepithelial neoplasia (PIN).
US08445441B2	Inhibitors of BCL-2 A purified polypeptide for inhibiting binding of BCL-2 to IP3 receptors includes an amino acid sequence consisting of about 10 to 80 amino acids. The amino acid sequence has a sequence identity at least 90% homologous to a portion of SEQ ID NO:1. The polypeptide inhibits binding of Bcl-2 to IP3 receptors of cells that express IP3R and Bcl-2 and induces apoptosis in a cell.
US08445438B2	Compositions comprising capture peptides for A β-amyloid peptide Disclosed herein is a composition for the treatment and/or prevention of Alzheimer's disease and the delivery thereof. The composition comprises a PEG hydrogel having bound thereto a capture peptide, wherein the capture peptide is capable of binding beta-amyloid. In another embodiment, the capture peptide is attached to a solid support.
US08445433B2	Synthesis of glucagon-like peptide A new method of synthesizing GLP-1 peptide is devised.
US08445432B2	Neurturin molecules Neurturin polypeptides which possess reduced heparin and heparan sulfate binding affinity but retain neurotrophic activity, nucleic acids which encode the neurturin variants and vectors and host cells which express the enhanced neurturin polypeptides. Use of the enhanced neurturin polypeptides, nucleic acids and host cells in the treatment or prevention of disease.
US08445430B2	Cyclic carboxamide compounds and analogues thereof as of hepatitis C virus The invention provides cyclic carboxamide compounds and analogues thereof of Formula I and the pharmaceutically salts and hydrates thereof. The variables R, R1, R6-R8, R16, R18, R19, M, n, T, Y, and Z are defined herein. Certain compounds of Formula I are useful as antiviral agents. Certain cyclic carboxamide compounds and cyclic carboxamide analogues disclosed herein are potent and/or selective inhibitors of viral replication, particularly Hepatitis C virus replication. The invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions containing one or more cyclic carboxamide compounds or cyclic carboxamide analogues and one or more pharmaceutically acceptable carriers. Such pharmaceutical compositions may contain a cyclic carboxamide compound or cyclic carboxamide analogue as the only active agent or may contain a combination of a cyclic carboxamide compound or cyclic carboxamide analogue and one or more other pharmaceutically active agents. The invention also provides methods for treating viral infections, including Hepatitis C infections.
US08445429B2	Lactoferrin and neuronal health and development in the infant gut The present invention relates generally to the field of neuronal health, neuronal protection and neuronal development. One embodiment of the present invention relates to a composition that can be used for the treatment or prevention of a delayed development of the enteric nervous system. Neuronal cells in the gut can be protected. Disorders linked to a delayed development of the enteric nervous system and/or to an impaired enteric nervous system can be treated or prevented by the administration of lactoferhn containing compositions.
US08445428B2	Plant derived antibiotic peptide rich in glycine The present invention relates to a novel peptide extracted from guava (Psidium guajava) seeds, that provides bactericide activity, Preferentially against Gram-negative bacteria which are known to cause urinary, hospital, and intestinal tract infections (Proteus sp. And Klebsiella sp.). The peptide, that has the amino acid sequence RESPSSRMEC YEQAERYGYG GYGGGRYGGG YGSGRGQPVG QGVERSHDDN RNQPR, belongs to the class of glycine rich proteins and has approximately 5 kDa of molecular weight. The invention also relates to antibiotic compositions for human, veterinary and plant treatments. Alternatively, the peptide, or a functionally similar derivative, subjects of the present invention, can be used for transforming organisms aiming pathogen resistance, other adaptive advantages, as well as various properties, specially for plants and animals.
US08445421B2	Solid detergent composition comprising beta cyclodextrin A solid detergent composition including: (a) detersive surfactant; (b) beta cyclodextrin; (c) essentially free from zeolite builder; (d) essentially free from phosphate builder; (e) optionally, essentially free from silicate; and (f) optionally perfume; and (g) optionally, additional detergent ingredients.
US08445417B2	Lubricating composition containing borated phospholipid The invention relates to a lubricating composition containing (a) a borated phospholipid, (b) an amine salt of a phosphoric acid ester, and (c) an oil of lubricating viscosity. The invention further provides for the use of the lubricating composition for lubricating a limited slip differential.
US08445410B2	Ligand screening and discovery Disclosed is a method that includes: (i) providing a plurality of initial nucleic acid cassettes that include: a) a first coding region encoding a first immunoglobulin variable domain, b) a second coding region encoding a second immunoglobulin variable domain, and c) a ribosomal binding site disposed between the first and second coding regions for translation of the second polypeptide in a first expression system, wherein the first and second coding regions are in the same translational orientation; (ii) modifying each nucleic acid cassette of the plurality in a single reaction mixture so that it is functional in a second expression system, wherein the first and second region remain physically attached during the modifying; (iii) introducing each modified nucleic acid cassette into a mammalian cell to produce a mixture of transfected cells; and (iv) expressing each modified nucleic acid cassette in the transfected cells.
US08445397B2	Dielectric ceramic and laminated ceramic capacitor A laminated ceramic capacitor which exhibits excellent lifetime characteristics in a high temperature loading test uses a dielectric ceramic constituting the dielectric layers which contains (Ba1-xCax)TiO3 as its main constituent, and contains a parts by mol of Al, b parts by mol of V, c parts by mol of Mg, and d parts by mol of Re with respect to 100 parts by mol of the (Ba1-xCax)TiO3. The Re is at least one metal element selected from among Y, La, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, and Yb, and the x, a, b, c, and d respectively satisfy the conditions of 0.050≦x≦0.150, a≧0.15, 0.05≦b≦0.50, c≦0.50, and d≧1.00.
US08445395B2	Method of obtaining porous ceramics A method of manufacturing a porous ceramic part, comprising the following steps in succession: a) preparing a mixture M containing a ceramic powder in suspension, at least one gelling agent and at least one foaming agent, at a mixing temperature which is higher than the gelling temperature of the gelling agent; b) shearing the mixture M at a foaming temperature which is higher than the gelling temperature, to obtain a foam; c) gelling the foam by cooling the mixture M to a temperature below the gelling temperature of the gelling agent; and d) drying the gelled foam to obtain a perform. According to the invention, a stabilizing agent is added to the mixture M, which agent has an instantaneous viscosity, in Pa·s, that increases by a factor of at least ten when a shear rate of the stabilizing agent is reduced from 100 s−1 to 0.
US08445393B2	Low-density web and method of applying an additive composition thereto Sheet-like products, such as tissue products made from a low-density web, are disclosed containing an additive composition. The additive composition, for instance, comprises an aqueous dispersion containing an alpha-olefin polymer, and an ethylene-carboxylic acid copolymer. The additive composition may be applied to the surface of the web so that it does not thoroughly or even substantially penetrate the web. For instance, the additive may be applied to one or both surfaces of the web by gravure printing, press coating, spraying or the like. The additive composition may improve the strength of the tissue web and/or improve the perceived softness of the web.
US08445378B2	Method of manufacturing a CMOS device including molecular storage elements in a via level Memory cells in integrated circuit devices may be formed on the basis of functional molecules which may be positioned within via openings on the basis of appropriate patterning techniques, which may also be used for forming semiconductor-based integrated circuits. Consequently, memory cells may be formed on a “molecular” level without requiring extremely sophisticated patterning regimes, such as electron beam lithography and the like.
US08445377B2	Mechanically robust metal/low-k interconnects A mechanically robust semiconductor structure with improved adhesion strength between a low-k dielectric layer and a dielectric-containing substrate is provided. In particular, the present invention provides a structure that includes a dielectric-containing substrate having an upper region including a treated surface layer which is chemically and physically different from the substrate; and a low-k dielectric material located on a the treated surface layer of the substrate. The treated surface layer and the low-k dielectric material form an interface that has an adhesion strength that is greater than 60% of the cohesive strength of the weaker material on either side of the interface. The treated surface is formed by treating the surface of the substrate with at least one of actinic radiation, a plasma and e-beam radiation prior to forming of the substrate the low-k dielectric material.
US08445376B2	Post-etching treatment process for copper interconnecting wires A method for post-etching treatment of copper interconnecting wires that are used to electrically couple an upper interconnecting layer with a lower interconnecting layer includes forming the lower interconnecting layer on a substrate, and forming the upper interconnecting layer on the lower interconnecting layer. The lower interconnecting layer includes a first dielectric layer, a plurality of wire trenches formed in the first dielectric layer and being filled with copper, and a first top barrier layer overlying the first dielectric layer and the wire trenches. The upper interconnecting layer includes a second dielectric layer on the top barrier layer, and a plurality of vias extending through the second dielectric layer and the top barrier layer and exposing the copper in the wire trenches. The method further includes treating the exposed copper using a plasma process comprising NH3.
US08445372B2	Selective silicide formation using resist etch back Methods of selectively forming metal silicides on a memory device are provided. The methods can include forming a mask layer over the memory device; forming a patterned resist over the mask layer; removing upper portions of the patterned resist; forming a patterned mask layer by removing portions of the mask layer that are not covered by the patterned resist; and forming metal silicides on the memory device by a chemical reaction of a metal layer formed on the memory device with portions of the memory device that are not covered by the patterned mask layer. By preventing silicidation of underlying silicon containing layers/components of the memory device that are covered by the patterned mask layer, the methods can selectively form the metal silicides on the desired portions of the memory device.
US08445371B2	Self-aligned contacts A method of forming a gate structure with a self-aligned contact is provided and includes sequentially depositing a sacrificial layer and a secondary layer onto poly-Si disposed at a location of the gate structure, encapsulating the sacrificial layer, the secondary layer and the poly-Si, removing the sacrificial layer through openings formed in the secondary layer and forming silicide within at least the space formally occupied by the sacrificial layer.
US08445369B2	Method for fabricating semiconductor device A method for fabricating a semiconductor device includes forming junction area for a bit line contact (BLC) and a junction area for a storage node contact (SNC) by performing ion implantation in a substrate having a buried gate; forming a first insulation pattern having an opening to expose the junction areas; forming a buffer layer to fill the openings; forming a second insulation pattern over the first insulation pattern after filling the openings, wherein the second insulation pattern has openings to expose the buffer layer in an area of the buffer layer that lies over the junction area for the SNC; and forming an SNC to fill the opening of the second insulation patterns.
US08445367B2	Methods of manufacturing semiconductor devices In a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, a plurality of sacrificial layers and a plurality of insulating interlayers are repeatedly and alternately on a substrate. The insulating interlayers include a different material from a material of the sacrificial layers. At least one opening through the insulating interlayers and the sacrificial layers are formed. The at least one opening exposes the substrate. The seed layer is formed on an inner wall of the at least one opening using a first silicon source gas. A polysilicon channel is formed in the at least one opening by growing the seed layer. The sacrificial layers are removed to form a plurality of grooves between the insulating interlayers. A plurality of gate structures is formed in the grooves, respectively.
US08445366B2	Electron beam annealing apparatus and annealing methods using the same Electron beam annealing apparatuses for annealing a thin layer on a substrate and annealing methods using the apparatuses are provided. The electron beam annealing apparatuses may include an electron beam scanning unit that may scan a pulsed electron beam onto a substrate.
US08445364B2	Methods of treating semiconducting materials including melting and cooling A method for treating semiconducting materials includes providing a semiconducting material having a crystalline structure, pre-heating a portion of the semiconducting material to a temperature less than the melting temperature of the semiconducting material, and then cooling the semiconducting material prior to exposing at least the portion of the semiconducting material to a heat source to create a melt pool, and cooling the semiconducting material.
US08445363B2	Method of fabricating an epitaxial layer A method of fabricating an epitaxial layer includes providing a substrate. The substrate is etched to form at least a recess within the substrate. A surface treatment is performed on the recess to form a Si—OH containing surface. An in-situ epitaxial process is performed to form an epitaxial layer within the recess, wherein the epitaxial process is performed in a hydrogen-free atmosphere and at a temperature lower than 800° C.
US08445358B2	Method for manufacturing semiconductor substrate and method for manufacturing semiconductor device An object of the present invention is to reduce the influence of a foreign substance adhering to a single crystalline semiconductor substrate and manufacture a semiconductor substrate with a high yield. Another object of the present invention is to manufacture, with a high yield, a semiconductor device which has stable characteristics. In the process of manufacturing a semiconductor substrate, when an embrittled region is to be formed in a single crystalline semiconductor substrate, the surface of the single crystalline semiconductor substrate is irradiated with hydrogen ions from oblique directions at multiple (at least two) different angles, thereby allowing the influence of a foreign substance adhering to the single crystalline semiconductor substrate to be reduced and allowing a semiconductor substrate including a uniform single crystalline semiconductor layer to be manufactured with a high yield.
US08445357B2	Method of fabricating semiconductor integrated circuit device and semiconductor integrated circuit device fabricated using the method Provided are a method of fabricating a semiconductor integrated circuit device and a semiconductor integrated circuit device fabricated using the method. The method includes: forming a mask film, which exposes a portion of a substrate, on the substrate; forming a first buried impurity layer, which contains impurities of a first conductivity type and of a first concentration, in a surface of the exposed portion of the substrate by using the mask film; removing the mask film; forming a second buried impurity layer, which contains impurities of a second conductivity type and of a second concentration, using blank implantation; and forming an epitaxial layer on the substrate having the first and second buried impurity layers, wherein the first concentration is higher than the second concentration.
US08445350B2	Semiconductor device and method of manufacturing the same According to an embodiment of a semiconductor device and a method of manufacturing the same, buried gates are formed in a semiconductor substrate including a cell region and a peripheral region, with the cell region and the peripheral region formed to have a step therebetween. Next, a spacer is formed in a region between the cell region and the peripheral region to block an oxidation path between a gate oxide layer and another insulating layer. Embodiments may reduce damage to active regions and prevent IDD failure because a gate pattern is formed on a guard region provided at a periphery of the cell region.
US08445344B2	Uniform high-k metal gate stacks by adjusting threshold voltage for sophisticated transistors by diffusing a metal species prior to gate patterning Sophisticated gate electrode structures for N-channel transistors and P-channel transistors are patterned on the basis of substantially the same configuration while, nevertheless, the work function adjustment may be accomplished in an early manufacturing stage. For this purpose, diffusion layer and cap layer materials are removed after incorporating the desired work function metal species into the high-k dielectric material and subsequently a common gate layer stack is deposited and subsequently patterned.
US08445342B2	Short channel semiconductor devices with reduced halo diffusion A short channel semiconductor device is formed with halo regions that are separated from the bottom of the gate electrode and from each other. Embodiments include implanting halo regions after forming source/drain regions and source/drain extension regions. An embodiment includes forming source/drain extension regions in a substrate, forming source/drain regions in the substrate, forming halo regions under the source/drain extension regions, after forming the source drain regions, and forming a gate electrode on the substrate between the source/drain regions. By forming the halo regions after the high temperature processing involved informing the source/drain and source/drain extension regions, halo diffusion is minimized, thereby maintaining sufficient distance between halo regions and reducing short channel NMOS Vt roll-off.
US08445340B2	Sacrificial offset protection film for a FinFET device A method for fabricating a semiconductor device is disclosed. An exemplary embodiment of the method includes providing a substrate; forming a fin structure over the substrate; forming a gate structure, wherein the gate structure overlies a portion of the fin structure; forming a sacrificial-offset-protection layer over another portion of the fin structure; and thereafter performing an implantation process.
US08445336B2	Method of fabricating polycrystalline silicon, TFT fabricated using the same, method of fabricating the TFT, and organic light emitting diode display device including the TFT A method of fabricating a polycrystalline silicon (poly-Si) layer includes providing a substrate, forming an amorphous silicon (a-Si) layer on the substrate, forming a thermal oxide layer to a thickness of about 10 Å to 50 Å on the a-Si layer, forming a metal catalyst layer on the thermal oxide layer, and annealing the substrate to crystallize the a-Si layer into the poly-Si layer using a metal catalyst of the metal catalyst layer. Thus, the a-Si layer can be crystallized into a poly-Si layer by a super grain silicon (SGS) crystallization method. Also, the thermal oxide layer may be formed during the dehydrogenation of the a-Si layer so that an additional process of forming a capping layer required for the SGS crystallization method can be omitted, thereby simplifying the fabrication process.
US08445335B2	Method of forming pixel structure A method of forming a pixel structure is provided. A pixel electrode made of transparent conductive material is formed to electrically connect a data line and a source electrode of a switching element of the adjacent sub-pixel region so that a plurality of sub-pixels can share the same data line. The number of data lines can be reduced, and the aperture ratio (AR) can be improved.
US08445328B2	Method for producing chip elements equipped with wire insertion grooves The invention relates to a method for producing chip elements provided with a groove, comprising the following steps: on an interconnect substrate, providing a conductive track arranged to connect a contact area of an active surface of a chip to an area corresponding to a first wall of the groove; growing a contact bump by electrodeposition on the conductive track at the level of the area corresponding to the first wall of the groove; assembling the chip on the substrate via its active surface so that a side wall of the chip forms the bottom of the groove; machining the chip via its rear surface in parallel to the substrate while measuring the distance between the rear surface of the chip and the contact bump; stopping machining when the measured distance reaches a required value; and assembling by bonding a plate to the rear surface of the chip so as to form a second wall of the groove.
US08445325B2	Package-in-package using through-hole via die on saw streets A semiconductor device includes a first die having top, bottom, and peripheral surfaces. A bond pad is formed over the top surface. An organic material is connected to the first die and disposed around the peripheral surface. A via hole is formed in the organic material. A metal trace connects the via hole to the bond pad. A conductive material is deposited in the via hole. A redistribution layer (RDL) has an interconnection pad disposed over the top surface of the first die.
US08445324B2	Method of wafer-level fabrication of MEMS devices The present disclosure relates to a method of fabricating a micromachined CMOS-MEMS integrated device as well as the devices/apparatus resulting from the method. In the disclosed method, the anisotropic etching (e.g., DRIE) for isolation trench formation on a MEMS element is performed on the back side of a silicon wafer, thereby avoiding the trench sidewall contamination and the screen effect of the isolation beams in a plasma etching process. In an embodiment, a layered wafer including a substrate and a composite thin film thereon is subjected to at least one (optionally at least two) back side anisotropic etching step to form an isolation trench (and optionally a substrate membrane). The method overcomes drawbacks of other microfabrication processes, including isolation trench sidewall contamination.
US08445319B2	Nonvolatile memory element, manufacturing method thereof, and nonvolatile semiconductor apparatus using the nonvolatile memory element A nonvolatile memory element comprises a first electrode layer (103), a second electrode (107), and a resistance variable layer (106) which is disposed between the first electrode layer (103) and the second electrode layer (107), a resistance value of the resistance variable layer varying reversibly according to electric signals having different polarities which are applied between the electrodes (103), (107), wherein the resistance variable layer (106) has a first region comprising a first oxygen-deficient tantalum oxide having a composition represented by TaOx (0
US08445317B2	Methods of fabricating semiconductor devices Methods for fabricating a semiconductor device are provided. In the methods, first material layers and second material layers may be alternatingly and repeatedly stacked on a substrate. An opening penetrating the first material layers and the second material layers may be formed. A semiconductor solution may be formed in the opening by using a spin-on process.
US08445315B2	Thin-film solar battery module manufacturing method The present invention relates to a thin-film solar battery module manufacturing method and a thin-film solar battery module that are capable of securing dielectric breakdown voltage characteristics of high reliability. An important aspect of the invention relates to forming isolation trenches along peripheral regions of a transparent substrate and thereafter selectively removing electrode and semi-conductor layers to arrive at the thin film solar battery module.
US08445314B2	Method of creating reusable template for detachable thin film substrate A structure and method operable to create a reusable template for detachable thin semiconductor substrates is provided. The template has a shape such that the 3-D shape is substantially retained after each substrate release. Prior art reusable templates may have a tendency to change shape after each subsequent reuse; the present disclosure aims to address this and other deficiencies from the prior art, therefore increasing the reuse life of the template.
US08445308B2	Fabrication of phosphor dots and application of phosphor dots to arrays of lighting elements In accordance with certain embodiments, arrays of phosphor dots are formed and associated with arrays of light-emitting elements to form lighting systems.
US08445305B2	Method for manufacturing 3-dimensional structures using thin film with columnar nano pores and manufacture thereof Disclosed is a method for manufacturing 3-dimensional structure using a thin film with a columnar nano pores and a manufacture thereof. A method for packaging an MEMS device or an NEMS device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention includes: forming a sacrificial layer; forming a thin film having columnar nano pores formed therein by depositing one of a metallic material, an oxide, a nitride and a fluoride on the sacrificial layer; forming a support layer on the thin film and patterning the support layer; removing the sacrificial layer through use of the nano pores of the thin film parts of which are exposed by patterning the support layer; and forming a shielding layer on the thin film and the support layer.
US08445303B2	Method of manufacturing semiconductor device and semiconductor device A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes steps of forming a semiconductor device layer on an upper surface of a substrate including the upper surface, a lower surface and a dislocation concentrated region arranged so as to part a first side closer to the upper surface and a second side closer to the lower surface, exposing a portion where the dislocation concentrated region does not exist above on the lower surface by removing the substrate on the second side along with at least a part of the dislocation concentrated region, and forming an electrode on the portion.
US08445302B2	Method for producing group III nitride semiconductor light-emitting device, group III nitride semiconductor light-emitting device, and lamp One object of the present invention is to provide a method for producing a group III nitride semiconductor light-emitting device which has excellent productivity and produce a group III nitride semiconductor light-emitting device and a lamp, a method for producing a group III nitride semiconductor light-emitting device, in which a buffer layer (12) made of a group III nitride is laminated on a substrate (11), an n-type semiconductor layer (14) comprising a base layer (14a), a light-emitting layer (15), and a p-type semiconductor layer (16) are laminated on the buffer layer (12) in this order, comprising: a pretreatment step in which the substrate (11) is treated with plasma; a buffer layer formation step in which the buffer layer (12) having a composition represented by AlxGa1-xN (0≦x<1) is formed on the pretreated substrate (11) by activating with plasma and reacting at least a metal gallium raw material and a gas containing a group V element; and a base layer formation step in which the base layer (14a) is formed on the buffer layer (12).
US08445299B2	Performance optically coated semiconductor devices and related methods of manufacture The present application disclosed various embodiments of improved performance optically coated semiconductor devices and various methods for the manufacture thereof and includes depositing a first layer of a low density, low index of refraction material on a surface of a semiconductor device, depositing a multi-layer optical coating comprising alternating layers of low density, low index of refraction materials and high density, high index of refraction materials on the coated surface of the semi-conductor device, selectively ablating a portion of the alternating multi-layer optical coating to expose at least a portion of the low density first layer, and selectively ablating a portion of the first layer of low density material to expose at least a portion of the semiconductor device.
US08445296B2	Apparatus and methods for end point determination in reactive ion etching Methods and apparatus for performing end point determination. A method includes receiving a wafer into an etch tool chamber for performing an RIE etch; beginning the RIE etch to form vias in the wafer; receiving in-situ measurements of one or more physical parameters of the etch tool chamber that are correlated to the RIE etch process; providing a virtual metrology model for the RIE etch in the chamber; inputting the received in-situ measurements to the virtual metrology model for the RIE etch in the chamber; executing the virtual metrology model to estimate the current via depth; comparing the estimated current via depth to a target depth; and when the comparing indicates the current via depth is within a predetermined threshold of the target depth; outputting a stop signal. An apparatus for use with the method embodiment is disclosed.
US08445295B2	Semiconductor device and method for manufacturing the same An electrical characteristics test for a semiconductor integrated circuit using a Kelvin contact method can be conducted in a pre-process without obstructing the reduction in size of a semiconductor chip or without complicating the circuit design. A probe card in a testing apparatus includes probes for Kelvin contact, the probes for Kelvin contact including a coil probe and a POGO pin probe disposed inside the coil probe, and a probe for two-terminal measurement. Electrode pads formed in each chip area over a wafer are in a relation of A=B<2A, given that the area of one of the electrode pads with which the probe for Kelvin contact comes into contact is B and the area of the other electrode pad with which the probe for two-terminal measurement comes into contact is A.
US08445287B2	Method and apparatus for determining anticoagulant therapy factors Methods and apparatus are disclosed for determining new anticoagulant therapy factors for monitoring oral anticoagulant therapy to help prevent excessive bleeding or deleterious blood clots that might otherwise occur before, during or after surgery. The inventive methods and apparatus provide an International Normalization Ratio (INR) based on a coagulation reaction with a blood sample of a living being. Embodiments include methods and apparatus for determining an anticoagulant therapy factor without requiring use of a mean normal prothrombin time determination or an ISI, and may be carried out with the patient sample and a coagulation reagent, where the coagulation reagent may be selected from a number of coagulation reagents. One embodiment provides an INRs value which is determined from a prothrombin time (PT or T1) of a patient blood sample and a theoretical end of test time (TEOT), where a theoretical clotting area is used to determine the INRs value according to the expression, INRs=T1TEOTMUL, where MUL is a multiplier that takes into account pixel parity and sampling times. The INRs may be used to determine a course of treatment for a patient or other living being without regard to the specific coagulation regent used to generate the coagulation data (e.g., time and optical activity values).
US08445281B2	In vitro exposure of immature oocytes to BDNF enhances generation of embryonic stem cells Compositions and methods are provided for enhancing the survival and promoting the maturation of mammalian oocytes, zygotes and preimplantation embryos. BDNF or BDNF agonists may be administered to an individual, or to cells in vitro, to enhance cellular maturation, embryo growth and fertilization. Accordingly, compositions comprising BDNF are herein presented for use in promoting in vivo oocyte maturation as well as for use as a component in culture media for promoting preimplantation maturation of zygotes and embryos, for instance, for use with in vitro fertilization procedures and for the production of stem cells. Additionally, compounds that interfere with the binding of BDNF to its receptor may be administered to an individual to prevent oocyte maturation, thereby acting as a contraceptive. The BNDF receptor, TrkB, and BDNF also find use in the screening and design of agonists and antagonists for use in the methods of the invention.
US08445277B2	Rejuvenation or preservation of germ cells Certain embodiments disclosed herein include, but are not limited to, at least one of compositions, methods, devices, systems, kits, or products regarding rejuvenation or preservation of germ cells or gametes. Certain embodiments disclosed herein include, but are not limited to, methods of modifying germ cells or gametes, or methods of administering modified germ cells or gametes to at least one biological tissue.
US08445272B2	Method of stimulating NKT with 6″-amino-6″-deoxygalactosylceramides This invention relates to galactosylceramide compounds.
US08445267B2	Tyrosine-modified recombinant rAAV vector compositions and methods for use Disclosed are tyrosine-modified rAAV vectors, as well as infectious virions, compositions, and pharmaceutical formulations that comprise them. Also disclosed are methods of preparing and methods for using the disclosed tyrosine-phosphorylated capsid protein mutant rAAV vectors in a variety of diagnostic and therapeutic applications including in vivo and ex vivo gene therapy, and large-scale production of rAAV vectors.
US08445266B2	Apparatus for judging cell detachment, method of judging cell detachment, and cell culture apparatus An apparatus for judging cell detachment that judges a state of detachment of cells that have been cultured within a cell culture container (cultured cells), includes: an image-capturing unit that captures an image of the cultured cells; and a detachment state judging unit that determines luminance information within the cell culture container based upon image capture data from the image-capturing unit, and judges that the culture cells are detached when the luminance information exceeds a predetermined luminance level.
US08445265B2	Reaction vessel and reaction controller The invention relates to a reaction vessel and a reaction controller, wherein temperature control of a liquid stored within the vessel can be performed with a high accuracy and faithful responsiveness. The reaction container and the reaction controller comprise one or a plurality of reaction chambers in which liquid is storable, and a wall that surrounds the reaction chamber, and the entirety or a part of the wall is formed by a temperature raising and lowering body that can raise or lower the temperature thereof according to a signal from an instructing part provided outside.
US08445264B2	Systems and methods for harvesting target particles of a suspension Tube and float systems and methods for isolating, enumerating, and harvesting target materials of a suspension are described. In one aspect, a tube and float system includes a filter embedded in a tube cap. The filter enables the passage of fluids but prevents the passage of the target materials. The tube and float system can be used to isolate and enumerate the target materials by centrifuging the tube and float system with the suspension to trap the target materials between the float and inner wall of the tube. Fluids above and below the float are poured off and a second fluid can be introduced to the tube to re-suspend the trapped target material. The second fluid can be poured through the filter in the cap to trap the target material against the filter. The target material can be enumerated and analyzed.
US08445263B2	Device for cellular electrophysiology sensor, cellular electrophysiology sensor using the device, and method for manufacturing the cellular electrophysiology sensor device A leakage current on a side surface of a sensor chip of a cell electrophysiological sensor is reduced. In order to do so, a sensor chip having a continuity hole and a chip holding part covering the side surface of the sensor chip are provided. The sensor chip includes silicon as a main component, and the chip holding part is made of glass. The chip holding part is adhesively bonded to the side surface of the sensor chip by glass welding. Thus, in the cell electrophysiological sensor device of the present invention, the airtightness between the side surface of the sensor chip and the chip holding part is improved, so that a leakage current can be reduced.
US08445258B2	Recycling of waste material A process and apparatus for recycling municipal domestic waste comprises subjecting the waste to steam at 150° C.-200° C. at above atmospheric pressure but less than twice atmospheric pressure, After steam treatment, the resultant material is separated into constituent parts and biomass and/or plastics subjected to further treatment: The further treatment preferably produces bioethanol from the biomass and diesel from the plastics. As an alternative, some or all of the biomass may be gasified in order to produce hydrogen which may, in turn be fed to a fuel cell to produce an electrical output.
US08445257B2	Production of branched-chain alcohols by photosynthetic microorganisms The present invention provides genes, polypeptides and expression constructs therefor, recombinant photosynthetic microorganisms, and method of use thereof, such as for the production of branched-chain alcohols (including 2-methyl-1-butanol, 3-methyl-1-butanol, and isobutanol) and derivatives thereof for a variety of uses.
US08445252B2	Method for producing functional compost, functional compost and compost for proliferation of filamentous fungus The method for producing functional compost according to the invention includes: inoculating a filamentous fungus with a function, such as the Coprinus curtus GM-21 strain (NITE BP-37) with a plant disease control function, into compost in an bacterial-activity-restricted state which is, for example, at least one state selected from the group consisting of a nutrient-restricted state, a pH-restricted state and a water content-restricted state; and cultivating the filamentous fungus in the compost to allow its selective proliferation. Further, the invention provides functional compost obtained by the above production method, as well as compost for proliferating a filamentous fungus in a bacterial-activity-restricted state.
US08445251B2	Rationally-designed single-chain meganucleases with non-palindromic recognition sequences Disclosed are rationally-designed, non-naturally-occurring meganucleases in which a pair of enzyme subunits having specificity for different recognition sequence half-sites are joined into a single polypeptide to form a functional heterodimer with a non-palindromic recognition sequence. The invention also relates to methods of producing such meganucleases, and methods of producing recombinant nucleic acids and organisms using such meganucleases.
US08445249B2	Sso7-polymerase conjugate proteins This invention provides Sso7-polymerase conjugates that exhibit improved activity in a polymerase reaction.
US08445244B2	Methods for increasing product yields A non-naturally occurring microbial organism includes a microbial organism having a reductive TCA or Wood-Ljungdahl pathway in which at least one exogenous nucleic acid encoding these pathway enzymes is expressed in a sufficient amount to enhance carbon flux through acetyl-CoA. A method for enhancing carbon flux through acetyl-CoA includes culturing theses non-naturally occurring microbial organisms under conditions and for a sufficient period of time to produce a product having acetyl-CoA as a building block. Another non-naturally occurring microbial organism includes at least one exogenous nucleic acid encoding an enzyme expressed in a sufficient amount to enhance the availability of reducing equivalents in the presence of carbon monoxide or hydrogen, thereby increasing the yield of redox-limited products via carbohydrate-based carbon feedstock. A method for enhancing the availability of reducing equivalents in the presence of carbon monoxide or hydrogen includes culturing this organism for a sufficient period of time to produce a product.
US08445239B2	Fermentation processes for cultivating streptococci and purification processes for obtaining CPS therefrom This invention is in the field of bacterial cultures and specifically relates to the optimization of culture conditions to improve the production of bacterial capsular polysaccharides from Streptococcus strains in fed batch culture and to novel purification methods suitable for production scale purification of bacterial capsular polysaccharides from Streptococcus strains resulting in higher levels of purity than previously obtained for production scale.
US08445236B2	Biomass pretreatment A method is provided for producing an improved pretreated biomass product for use in saccharification followed by fermentation to produce a target chemical that includes removal of saccharification and or fermentation inhibitors from the pretreated biomass product. Specifically, the pretreated biomass product derived from using the present method has fewer inhibitors of saccharification and/or fermentation without a loss in sugar content.
US08445232B2	Cell-free system for synthesis of proteins derived from cultured mammalian cells Prepared is an extract composition having an improved protein synthetic activity in a cell-free protein synthesis system using a mammalian cultured cell extract. An eukaryotic translation initiation factor and/or translational regulator are added to a cell-free protein synthesis system comprising an extract prepared from cultured mammalian cells and a template mRNA. These factors are one or more selected from the group consisting of eukaryotic translation initiation factors 4E (eIF4E), 2 (eIF2) and 2B (eIF2B), and eukaryotic translational regulator p97.
US08445228B2	Enhancement of in vitro translation by nanoparticle conjugates Provided herein are kits and methods suitable for enhancing in vitro translation of a nuclei acid sequence of interest.
US08445227B2	N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase III expression in lower eukaryotes The present invention relates to eukaryotic host cells having modified oligosaccharides which may be modified further by heterologous expression of a set of glycosyltransferases, sugar transporters and mannosidases to become host-strains for the production of mammalian, e.g., human therapeutic glycoproteins. The process provides an engineered host cell which can be used to express and target any desirable gene(s) involved in glycosylation. Host cells with modified lipid-linked oligosaccharides are created or selected. N-glycans made in the engineered host cells exhibit GnTIII activity, which produce bisected N-glycan structures and may be modified further by heterologous expression of one or more enzymes, e.g., glycosyltransferases, sugar transporters and mannosidases, to yield human-like glycoproteins. For the production of therapeutic proteins, this method may be adapted to engineer cell lines in which any desired glycosylation structure may be obtained.
US08445226B2	Process and composition for the manufacture of a microbial-based product Processes to produce microorganisms that can be incorporated into a microbial-based product that results in high viable cell yields and shelf-stable products are disclosed. These microbial-based products are useful for inhibiting pathogenic growth and as a food additive. A preferred microorganism is a lactic acid producing bacteria. In one embodiment, the process comprises inoculating a lactobacillus fermentation medium with lactic acid producing bacterial cells, harvesting the lactic acid producing bacterial cells at mid to late log phase, concentrating the lactic acid producing bacterial cells, and preserving the lactic acid producing bacterial cells at a concentration of at least 5×109 cfu/ml.
US08445219B2	Method of determination of receptor binding saturation effected by monoclonal antibodies The invention relates to the determination of the degree of membrane receptor binding by specific monoclonal antibodies. This method is notably beneficial for monoclonal antibodies that are used in targeted therapies in order to define a target effective dose (TED). Especially the invention relates to the determination of the saturation degree of receptor binding effected by an anti-EGFR antibody of interest.
US08445218B2	Device and methods for the immunological identification of cerebrospinal fluid The present disclosure relates to detection of the presence or absence of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in a sample by the detection of one or more antigens that are enriched in CSF compared to their levels in other bodily fluids. The devices and methods are suitable for the detection of the presence or absence of cerebrospinal fluid in samples of mixed bodily fluids from a wide variety of human populations crossing ethnicity, age, gender, health status and genetic variability.
US08445215B1	Assays and methods for the detection of Crohn's disease The present invention provides devices and methods for aiding in the diagnosis of Crohn's disease. The devices and methods accurately identify whether a sample from an individual is associated with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) or a clinical subtype thereof such as Crohn's disease (CD). The present invention is useful for determining whether a sample from an individual is an IBD sample, or differentiating between CD and ulcerative colitis (UC). Thus, the present invention provides an accurate diagnostic prediction of IBD or a clinical subtype thereof and prognostic information useful for guiding treatment decisions.
US08445211B2	I-Plastin assay method for the in vitro diagnosis of colorectal cancer A method for the in vitro diagnosis of colorectal cancer by determining the presence of the I-Plastin tumor marker in a biological sample taken from a patient suspected of having colorectal cancer. Said method can be used for early diagnosis, screening, therapeutic follow-up and prognosis, and also for relapse diagnosis in relation to colorectal cancer.
US08445208B2	Multivariate analysis involving genetic polymorphisms related to mediators of inflammatory response for prediction of outcome of critcally ill patients A method of using genetic polymorphisms related to pro-inflammatory mediators to predict clinical outcome in critically ill patients admitted to an ICU is provided.
US08445205B2	Nucleic acid analysis using sequence tokens The present invention provides methods and compositions for tagging nucleic acid sequence fragments, e.g., a set of nucleic acid sequence fragments from a single genome, with one or more unique members of a collection of oligonucleotide tags, or sequence tokens, which, in turn, can be identified using a variety of readout platforms. As a general rule, a given sequence token is used once and only once in any tag sequence. In addition, the present invention also provides methods for using the sequence tokens to efficiently determine variations in nucleotide sequences in the associated nucleic acid sequence fragments.
US08445203B2	Method for diagnosing and predicting cerebellar ataxia The present invention relates to an in vitro method for diagnosing and/or predicting hereditary cerebellar ataxia in a dog, and/or identifying a dog which is healthy carrier of hereditary cerebellar ataxia, comprising determining the presence or absence of an homozygous or heterozygous genetic variation in the arylsulfatase G gene sequence in a biological sample from said dog, as compared with the arylsulfatase G gene sequence of a healthy non-carrier dog, wherein the presence of said homozygous genetic variation indicates that said dog is or will be affected by hereditary cerebellar ataxia, and the presence of said heterozygous genetic variation indicates that said dog is healthy carrier of hereditary cerebellar ataxia, said dog being of a breed selected in the group consisting of American Staffordshire Terrier, American Pit Bull Terrier and Pit Bull type.
US08445201B2	Hybridization device, methods, and system using mixing beads A method, device and system for hybridizing a target oligonucleotide to at least one array comprising a plurality of mixing beads are provided. A target solution is mixed by agitating the mixing beads while the target oligonucleotides are hybridizing to the complementary probes on the array. In another embodiment, a permeable barrier contains the mixing beads, thereby preventing them from contacting the array surface.
US08445195B2	Method and kit for the detection of bacterial species by means of DNA analysis The present invention relates to the detection and identification of different bacterial species, all of which cause zoonosis, based on DNA analysis. More specifically, the invention provides the primers, probes, genes and genic regions required to apply a method for the simultaneous detection of bacteria and bacterial groups belonging to the genera Anaplasma, Ehrlichia, Borrelia, Bartonella, Coxiella, Rickettsia and Francisella based on Multiple PCR analysis by RLB (Reverse Line Blotting), in addition to providing a kit to carry out said analysis.
US08445192B2	Device and method for detection and identification of immunological proteins, pathogenic and microbial agents and cells The present invention provides a method and device for detecting and quantifying the concentration of magnetic-responsive micro-beads dispersed in a liquid sample. Also provided is a method and microfluidic immunoassay pScreen™ device for detecting and quantifying the concentration of an analyte in a sample medium by using antigen-specific antibody-coated magnetic-responsive micro-beads. The methods and devices of the present invention have broad applications for point-of-care diagnostics by allowing quantification of a large variety of analytes, such as proteins, protein fragments, antigens, antibodies, antibody fragments, peptides, RNA, RNA fragments, functionalized magnetic micro-beads specific to CD4+, CD8+ cells, malaria-infected red blood cells, cancer cells, cancer biomarkers such as prostate specific antigen and other cancer biomarkers, viruses, bacteria, and other pathogenic agents, with the sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of bench-top laboratory-based assays.
US08445191B2	Polymeric carriers for immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization Certain disclosed embodiments of the present invention concern the synthesis, derivatization, conjugation to immunoglobulins and signal amplification based on discrete, relatively short polymers having plural reactive functional groups that react with plural molecules of interest. Reactive functional groups, such as hydrazides, may be derivatized with a variety of detectable labels, particularly haptens. The remaining reactive functional groups may be conjugated directly to a specific binding molecule, such as to the oxidized carbohydrate of the Fc region of the antibody. Disclosed conjugates display large signal amplification as compared to those based on molecules derivatized with single haptens, and are useful for assay methods, particularly multiplexed assays.
US08445188B2	Process for formation of highly uniform arrays of nano-holes and nano-pillars A photolithography method of patterning photoresist involves disposing a two-dimensional array of focusing particles of spherical or other shape on the photoresist and illuminating the particles on the photoresist to generate deep, sub-wavelength patterns on the photoresist. When developed, a positive photoresist layer generates a two-dimensional array of micro- or nano-holes on the developed photoresist. When developed, a negative photoresist layer generates a two-dimensional array of micro- or nano-pillars on the developed photoresist.
US08445187B2	Hardmask composition having antireflective properties and method of patterning material on substrate using the same A hardmask composition includes an organic solvent and one or more aromatic ring-containing polymers represented by Formulae 1, 2 and 3:
US08445185B2	Method of manufacturing piezoelectric vibrating reed, piezoelectric vibrating reed, piezoelectric vibrator, oscillator, electronic apparatus, and radio-controlled timepiece There are provided a method of manufacturing a piezoelectric vibrating reed capable of improving the reliability of a product by sorting out a defective product correctly, a piezoelectric vibrating reed, a piezoelectric vibrator having a piezoelectric vibrating reed, an oscillator, an electronic apparatus, and a radio-controlled timepiece. In a resist pattern forming step, a resist pattern is formed by performing contact exposure on a photoresist film in a state where a photomask is in close contact with the photoresist film. Before the resist pattern forming step, a photomask treatment step is included in which when a defect is found in an outer shape equivalent region equivalent to the outer pattern in the photomask, a part of a light shielding film pattern is removed to change the shape of the outer shape equivalent region where damage is present.
US08445179B2	Method for treating a lithographic printing plate A method for treating a lithographic printing plate including the step of applying a liquid containing a surfactant to the plate, characterized in that the surfactant includes at least one hydrophilic segment including polyglycerol, and at least one hydrophobic segment selected from an optionally substituted alkylene group, an alkyl or aryl substituted poly(meth)acrylate, an optionally substituted polyester, polyether, polyurethane, polycarbosilane, polysiloxane, polystyrene and/or a polymer including a perfluoroalkyl group with the proviso that the liquid is not applied as a fountain solution.
US08445178B2	Composition for radical polymerization and method of forming pattern using the composition A composition for radical polymerization includes a photosensitive material, a photoinitiator, a solvent, and a material for adjusting a size of a pattern. A method of forming a pattern using the composition is also disclosed.
US08445177B2	Photosensitive adhesive composition, and obtained using the same, adhesive film, adhesive sheet, semiconductor wafer with adhesive layer, semiconductor device and electronic part A photosensitive adhesive composition comprising: (A) a polyimide having a carboxyl group as a side chain, whereof the acid value is 80 to 180 mg/KOH; (B) a photo-polymerizable compound; and (C) a photopolymerization initiator.
US08445175B2	Composition containing hydroxylated condensation resin for forming resist underlayer film Disclosed is a lithographic composition for forming a resist underlayer film, which can be used as a lower layer antireflection film by which an exposure light striking on a photoresist formed on a semiconductor substrate is inhibited from being reflected from the substrate in a lithographic process of manufacturing semiconductor equipment, a planarization film for flattening a semiconductor substrate having a rugged surface used in order to fill in a hole formed on the semiconductor substrate, a film which prevents a photoresist from being contaminated by a substance generated from a semiconductor substrate during heating/burning, or the like. The lithographic composition for forming a resist underlayer comprises a polymer having a structure of formula (1): (where Y represents a C1-10 alkylene group or a C6-14 aromatic ring, provided that the alkylene group and the aromatic ring have one or more hydroxyl group(s) being not larger than the number of the replaceable hydrogen atom of the alkylene group and the aromatic ring); and a solvent.
US08445173B2	Method of producing heat-sensitive transfer image-receiving sheet having a lenticular lens A method of producing a heat-sensitive transfer image-receiving sheet, having the steps of: conveying a transparent support by web handling; providing at least one receptor layer on the transparent support; and drying the heat-sensitive transfer image-receiving sheet, in which the at least one receptor layer contains a latex polymer having a weighted average glass transition temperature of 30° C. or more, the heat-sensitive transfer image-receiving sheet is dried at a temperature that is higher than the weighted average glass transition temperature by 30° C. or more, and the heat-sensitive transfer image-receiving sheet has a lenticular lens on the side of the transparent support opposite to the side on which the receptor layer is provided.
US08445172B2	Method for producing toner and toner A method for producing a toner, containing: ultrasonically vibrating a liquid toner composition in which a toner material containing at least a binder resin and a colorant is dissolved or dispersed in a solvent; introducing the liquid toner composition to a liquid chamber, and ejecting the liquid toner composition as droplets from an ejecting plate having a plurality of holes and disposed on one surface of the liquid chamber; and drying and solidifying the droplets so as to produce a toner, wherein the ultrasonically vibrating is performed before the introducing the liquid toner composition to the liquid chamber.
US08445171B2	Toner for electrophotography and method of preparing the toner A method of preparing a toner, including dripping a toner constituent liquid comprising an organic solvent; and toner constituents comprising a resin and a colorant, which are dissolved or dispersed in the organic solvent through a nozzle to form a droplet; and removing the organic solvent from the droplet, wherein the droplet is dried while contacted with a first de-solvent gas comprising steam in a pre-heated period and at least a part of a constant-rate drying period, or the droplet is dried at least in a pre-heated period and a constant-rate drying period, which include two stages including a first stage and a second stage, wherein the droplet is contacted with the first de-solvent gas including steam in the first stage and a second de-solvent gas having a dew point not greater than −10° C. under ordinary pressure in the second stage.
US08445169B2	Toner for hybrid development, developer for hybrid development and image-forming apparatus A toner for hybrid development, comprising toner particles containing at least a binder resin and a colorant and being charged when made in friction-contact with a carrier; reverse polarity particles that are charged to polarity reversed to the charged polarity of the toner particles when made in friction-contact with the carrier, and have a number-average primary particle size in a range from 95 to 850 nm; and same polarity particles that are charged into the same polarity as the charged polarity of the toner particles when made in friction-contact with the carrier, and have a number-average primary particle size in a range from 80 to 800 nm and a shape factor in a range from 100 to 160; a developer for hybrid development containing the above toner and a carrier; and an image-forming apparatus provided with the developer for hybrid development.
US08445168B2	Electrophotographic photosensitive member and electrophotographic apparatus The present invention provides an electrophotographic photosensitive member including a photoconductive layer, an intermediate layer made of hydrogenated amorphous silicon carbide on the photoconductive layer, and a surface layer made of hydrogenated amorphous silicon carbide on the intermediate layer, wherein a ratio (C/(Si+C); C2) in the surface layer is 0.61 to 0.75, and a sum of atom density of silicon and carbon is 6.60×1022 atoms/cm3 or more, a ratio (C/(Si+C); C1) and a sum (D1) of atom density of silicon and carbon in the intermediate layer increase continuously from the photoconductive layer toward the surface layer without exceeding C2 and D2, and the intermediate layer has a continuous region in which C1 is 0.25 to C2 while D1 is 5.50×1022 to 6.45×1022 atoms/cm3, the region being 150 nm or larger in a layer thickness direction, and an electrophotographic apparatus equipped therewith.
US08445162B2	Cathode catalyst for fuel cell and membrane-electrode assembly for fuel cell and fuel cell system including same A cathode catalyst includes a carrier including Mo, S, and I, and an active metal supported on the carrier and including a material selected from the group consisting of Ru, Pt, Rh, and combinations thereof. It is shown that such a catalyst for a cathode has improved activity over platinum catalysts.
US08445160B2	Fuel cell with gas passage forming member and water ingression preventing means An electrolyte membrane on the inside of annular frames with an anode-side electrode catalyst layer, a first gas diffusion layer and a first gas flow channel-forming body stacked on top of the membrane. An electrode catalyst layer, a second gas diffusion layer and a second gas flow channel-forming body are stacked on the underside. Frames have a supply channel supplying fuel gas to the gas flow channel in the first gas flow channel-forming body, a discharge channel discharges the fuel gas. An overhang part that extends outward is on the outer peripheral edge of the first channel-forming body to overlap a flange part of the frame beyond the outer peripheral edge of the anode-side electrode catalyst layer. Penetration of seeping water can be prevented by retaining the seeping water in the overhang part.
US08445158B2	Fuel cell system and operation method thereof A fuel cell system (100) comprising: a fuel cell (1) configured to generate electric power using an oxidizing gas and a fuel gas; a recovered water tank (3) configured to store water recovered from an exhaust gas discharged from the fuel cell; a water storage tank (4) configured to store water used as cooling water for cooling the fuel cell; a water feed flow path (g) through which the water stored in the recovered water tank is supplied to the water storage tank; a pump (8) configured to force water to flow from the recovered water tank to the water storage tank within the water feed flow path; a water purifier (7) configured to purify the water forcibly flowed by said pump in the water feed flow path by means of a built-in TOC absorber (7a) before the water is supplied to the water storage tank; and a controller (101), wherein the controller controls the pump so as to operate in a stop period of the fuel cell system such that water moves in the water feed flow path.
US08445156B2	Multi-stream heat exchanger for a fuel cell system A multi-stream heat exchanger includes at least one air preheater section, at least one cathode recuperator section, and at least one anode recuperator section, wherein each section is a plate type heat exchanger having two major surfaces and a plurality of edge surfaces, a plurality of risers through at least some of the plates, and a plurality of flow paths located between plates. The cathode recuperator section is located adjacent to a first edge surface of the anode recuperator, and the air preheater section is located adjacent to a second edge surface of the anode recuperator section.
US08445154B2	Header for supplying gas in fuel cell and fuel cell power system The present invention provides a fuel cell power system, in which a combustion exhaust gas having a high temperature and generated by the combustion reaction of unreacted fuel gas and oxidizer gas which are not utilized in a power-generating reaction is introduced into a gas header for distributing the fuel gas or the oxidizer gas to a plurality of fuel cells contained in a fuel cell body, in such a way that a larger amount of heat is transferred to the gas which is to be supplied to the cells disposed in a peripheral area of the fuel cell body by heat exchange, and a smaller amount of the heat is transferred to the gas which is to be supplied to the cells disposed in a central area of the fuel cell body.
US08445149B2	Fuel cell system and control method of fuel cell system A fuel cell system includes a diluting apparatus which comprises a first introducing portion, a second introducing portion and an inner space and a discharge portion, and a control unit which comprises discharged fuel gas quantity detection means, a current remaining fuel gas detection means and a purge treatment means. In this fuel cell system purging the fuel gas is controlled calculating a current remaining fuel gas quantity in the inner space based on a fuel gas quantity introduced into the inner space, a flow rate of an oxidizing off-gas, a ventilation rate and a flow rate of a diluting gas.
US08445148B2	Method of forming a package for MEMS-based fuel cell A MEMS-based fuel cell package and method thereof is disclosed. The fuel cell package comprises seven layers: (1) a sub-package fuel reservoir interface layer, (2) an anode manifold support layer, (3) a fuel/anode manifold and resistive heater layer, (4) a Thick Film Microporous Flow Host Structure layer containing a fuel cell, (5) an air manifold layer, (6) a cathode manifold support structure layer, and (7) a cap. Fuel cell packages with more than one fuel cell are formed by positioning stacks of these layers in series and/or parallel. The fuel cell package materials such as a molded plastic or a ceramic green tape material can be patterned, aligned and stacked to form three dimensional microfluidic channels that provide electrical feedthroughs from various layers which are bonded together and mechanically support a MEMS-based miniature fuel cell. The package incorporates resistive heating elements to control the temperature of the fuel cell stack. The package is fired to form a bond between the layers and one or more microporous flow host structures containing fuel cells are inserted within the Thick Film Microporous Flow Host Structure layer of the package.
US08445140B2	Solid polymer electrolytes based on triblock copolymers, especially polystyrene-poly(oxyethylene)-polystyrene Solid polymer electrolyte (SPE) comprising at least one electrolyte salt and at least one linear triblock copolymer A-B-A, in which: the blocks A are polymers that may be prepared from one or more monomers chosen from styrene, o-methylstyrene, p-methylstyrene, m-t-butoxystyrene, 2,4-dimethylstyrene, m-chlorostyrene, p-chlorostyrene, 4-carboxystyrene, vinylanisole, vinylbenzoic acid, vinylaniline, vinylnaphthalene, 9-vinylanthracene, 1 to 10C alkyl methacrylates, 4-chloromethylstyrene, divinylbenzene, trimethylolpropane triacrylate, tetramethylolpropane tetraacrylate, 1 to 10C alkyl acrylates, acrylic acid and methacrylic acid; the block B is a polymer that may be prepared from one or more monomers chosen from ethylene oxide (EO), propylene oxide (PO), poly(ethylene glycol) acrylates (PEGA) and poly(ethylene glycol) methacrylates (PEGMA). Rechargeable battery cell or accumulator comprising an anode and a cathode between which is intercalated the said solid polymer electrolyte.
US08445136B2	Lithium/sulfur battery with hermetically sealed anode Protected anode architectures for active metal anodes have a polymer adhesive seal that provides an hermetic enclosure for the active metal of the protected anode inside an anode compartment. The compartment is substantially impervious to ambient moisture and battery components such as catholyte (electrolyte about the cathode), and prevents volatile components of the protected anode, such as anolyte (electrolyte about the anode), from escaping. The architecture is formed by joining the protected anode to an anode container. The polymer adhesive seals provide an hermetic seal at the joint between a surface of the protected anode and the container.
US08445134B2	Secondary batteries with treated bentonite cathodes having enhanced conductivity An electrochemical cell for a secondary battery is provided, which includes a positive electrode having an intercalation cathode material of bentonite; a negative electrode material having an anode material containing one of magnesium and sodium; an electrolyte positioned in contact with at least one of the positive electrode and the negative electrode; wherein, when the anode material contains magnesium, the electrolyte is a solid gel polymeric electrolyte; and wherein, when the anode material is sodium, the electrolyte is a salt electrolyte, both the anode material and the electrolyte are molten at the operating temperature of the battery, and the cell further comprises a beta alumina solid electrolyte separator between the negative electrode and the electrolyte. To increase its conductivity, the bentonite material is treated, before cell assembly, with an acid and/or intercalated with an anilinium ion, which is then polymerized to form a polyaniline within the bentonite framework.
US08445133B2	Electrode for a charge storage device and method of manufacture An electrode for a charge storage device and a method for forming the electrode. The electrode comprises an electrode body having an essentially continuous phase of an active material, an essentially continuous phase of an electroconductive material, and an essentially continuous phase of void space. The active material is oxidized by applying a potential to the electrode body in the charge storage device so as to transform the active material to an oxide species thereof. The resulting oxide species of the active material has a higher active surface area than the active material prior to the oxidizing.
US08445132B2	Manufacturing method of a battery A manufacturing method for a battery is provided in the present invention. The manufacturing method includes the steps of: S1 rolling up a positive-electrode structure by a carbon rod; S2 rolling up a separation structure; S3 rolling up a negative-electrode structure; and S4 inserting the carbon rod with the positive-electrode structure, the separation structure and the negative-electrode structure into a paper tube. At least one of the positive-electrode structure and the negative-electrode structure contains chlorophyll. Thus not only is the manufacturing method of the battery simple, and economical, but also natural, non-toxic substances are employed, unlike the conventional batteries, the battery of the present invention will not cause environmental pollution even when discarding after being used.
US08445130B2	Hybrid thin-film battery An electrochemical device is claimed and disclosed wherein certain embodiments have a cathode greater than about 4 μm and less than about 200 μm thick; a thin electrolyte less than about 10 μm thick; and an anode less than about 30 μm thick. Another claimed and disclosed electrochemical device includes a cathode greater than about 0.5 μm and less than about 200 μm thick; a thin electrolyte less than about 10 μm thick; and an anode less than about 30 μm thick, wherein the cathode is fabricated by a non-vapor phase deposition method. The electrochemical device may also include a substrate, a current collector, an anode current collector, encapsulation and a moderating layer.
US08445128B2	Latching module, battery cover assembly using the latching module and portable electronic device using the battery cover assembly A latching module includes a main body and two elastic members. The main body includes two opposite sidewalls and a first surface connecting with the sidewalls, the first surface configured for resisting the battery. The two elastic members are respectively mounted to the sidewalls of the main body. Each elastic member has at least one latching portion and at least one stopping portion.
US08445123B2	Lubricant for magnetic recording media, and magnetic recording medium using the lubricant A magnetic recording medium having high bonding capability between the surface lubricant and the diamond-like carbon (DLC) protective layer in the surface of the magnetic recording medium is disclosed. The lubricant is a fluorine-containing lubricant for magnetic recording media represented by the following formula (1), (2) or (3), wherein the substituents R1, R2, R3, R4, R5 and R6 in the terminal part of the lubricant each independently represent an organic group, and at least one of the substituents R1 and R2, at least one of the substituents R3 and R4, and at least one of the substituents R5 and R6 each have an isocyanate group: Also disclosed is a magnetic recording medium using the lubricant.
US08445117B2	Corrosion and wear-resistant claddings The present invention discloses corrosion and wear-resistant claddings comprising hard particles and an alloying addition dispersed in a nickel-based alloy matrix. The alloying addition comprises at least one of molybdenum or copper. The cladding does not include cobalt-bonded tungsten carbide particles.
US08445116B2	Coated articles and methods Coated articles and methods for applying coatings are described. The article may include a base material and a coating comprising silver formed thereon. In some embodiments, the coating comprises a silver-based alloy, such as a silver-tungsten alloy. The coating may, in some instances, include at least two layers. For example, the coating may include a first layer comprising a silver-based alloy and a second layer comprising a precious metal. The coating can exhibit desirable properties and characteristics such as durability (e.g., wear), hardness, corrosion resistance, and high conductivity, which may be beneficial, for example, in electrical and/or electronic applications. In some cases, the coating may be applied using an electrodeposition process.
US08445115B2	Brazed nano-grained aluminum structures A method of processing a brazed article includes forming a braze joint with an aluminum component comprising a nano-grained aluminum alloy.
US08445114B2	Electrocomposite coatings for hard chrome replacement The invention provides a method and system for electrolytically coating an article. The method includes providing an article to be coated and disposing the article in an electrolytic cell. The cell includes an anode, a cathode in operable communication with the article, and an electrolyte bath. During electrolysis, the electrolyte bath comprises cobalt ions, phosphorous acid, and tribological particles selected from the group consisting of refractory materials, solid lubricants and mixtures thereof dispersed therein. The method further includes applying steady direct electric current through the anode, the electrolyte bath and the cathode to coat the article with cobalt, phosphorous and the tribological particles. An improved composition of matter is also provided that may be used as a coating, or the composition may be electroformed on a mandrel to form an article made from the composition of matter.
US08445113B2	Electro-conductive member for electrophotography, electrophotographic apparatus, and process cartridge When a polymer blend of an NBR and an alkylene oxide-polymerized polymer is used as the electro-conductive elastic layer of an electro-conductive member for electrophotography, a change in shape of the electro-conductive member occurs owing to its expansion due to water absorption, thereby causing image unevenness in some cases. In addition, when the ratio at which the alkylene oxide-polymerized polymer is blended is reduced for suppressing the shape change due to water absorption, image unevenness resulting from the insufficiency of electro-conductivity occurs in some cases. When an electro-conductive member for electrophotography having an electro-conductive elastic layer containing an NBR to which a specific alkylene oxide oligomer is graft-bonded is used, high ionic electro-conductivity is obtained and a change in its shape due to water absorption is reduced.
US08445108B2	Composite materials, composite film manufactured by using the same and method for manufacturing composite film The present invention provides a composite material comprising a glass cloth; and an organic-inorganic hybrid composition comprising diphenylsilanediol and alkoxy si lane, a composite film manufactured by using the same, and a method for manufacturing the composite film.
US08445105B2	Iron-based soft magnetic powder for dust core, method for production thereof, and dust core An iron-based magnetic powder for dust cores has layers of phosphoric acid-based film and silicone resin film sequentially formed on the surface thereof. The phosphoric acid-based film contains at least one element selected from the group consisting of Co, Na, S, Si, and W. The iron-based powder effectively keeps insulation among iron powder particles, excels in mechanical strength even though the amount of insulating material is reduced due to achieve high-density forming, and exhibits good thermal stability necessary for electrical insulating properties even after high-temperature heat treatment.
US08445104B2	Thermally printable adhesive label A linerless label roll of repositionable labels adapted to be printed in varying lengths comprising a web of thermally printable paper wound along a running axis and having a continuous length of adhesive on one side of the web so that when a length of the web is caused to be thermally printed it will have an adhesive on the reverse side thereof that extends in a uninterrupted manner along the entire length of the thermally printed web.
US08445103B2	Adhesive composition, adhesive optical film and image display device To provide an adhesive composition which shows high adhesion with a glass substrate and has excellent heat resistance, moisture resistance and moist heat resistance, an adhesive optical film comprising an adhesive layer made of the adhesive composition, which shows high adhesion between the adhesive layer and an optical film and effectively suppresses the occurrence of adhesive residue and lack of adhesive and also has excellent heat resistance, moisture resistance and moist heat resistance, and an image display device comprising the adhesive optical film, the adhesive optical film comprises an optical film 1, an adhesive layer 3 made of a water dispersible adhesive composition comprising, as raw monomers, an alkyl (meth)acrylate ester whose alkyl group has 4 to 18 carbon atoms, a carboxyl group-containing vinyl monomer, a phosphoric acid group-containing vinyl monomer, and a copolymerizable vinyl monomer which is optionally copolymerizable with the above monomers, wherein a carboxyl group concentration is from 0.05 to 1.50 mmol/g and a phosphoric acid group concentration is from 0.01 to 0.45 mmol/g in the raw monomers, an under coat layer 2 containing an oxazoline group-containing polymer, and being interposed between the optical film 1 and the adhesive layer 3, and the adhesive optical film is applied onto an image display device.
US08445101B2	Sound attenuation building material and system A building material configured to enhance sound attenuation and reduction in dB across a walled partition, the building material comprising a facing membrane, a core matrix disposed about the facing membrane, the core matrix comprising a plurality of microparticles and a binder solution configured to support the microparticles, the building material comprising at least a substantially exposed face, wherein a side of the core matrix is at least partially exposed to increase sound attenuation by reducing reflections from sound waves impinging on the building material as compared to a control building material lacking an exposed face. Two building materials may be used in conjunction with one another about a building structure, such as a stud wall, to create and define a sound trap that functions to reduce sound transmission across the partition formed by the stud wall and building materials.
US08445097B2	Multi-layer fluoropolymeric film and articles incorporating such films The present invention discloses a multi-layer fluoropolymeric film that is useful as a light capture front sheet in solar modules, and more broadly as an antireflection layer. The present invention further discloses a glass shaped article having a multi-layer fluoropolymeric film disposed upon the surface thereof. The shaped article is useful in applications where it is desirable to reduce reflection of incident light.
US08445094B2	Circuitized substrate with dielectric layer having dielectric composition not including continuous or semi-continuous fibers A circuitized substrate which includes at least one circuit layer and at least one substantially solid dielectric layer comprised of a dielectric composition which includes a cured resin material and a predetermined percentage by weight of particulate fillers, but not including continuous or semi-continuous fibers as part thereof.
US08445093B2	Sterile cover for a wind screen made of radioprotective material A sterile screen cover made of radioprotective material has an L-shaped horizontal section, including a front wall associated with a side wall. The front wall has two orifices through which the arms of the operator can pass, a first orifice being located close to the angle of the screen, the second being located on the free edge of the front wall. The sterile cover is a single part that includes at least one internal “panel” and one “external panel” joined together by a joining region, the panels intended to cover, respectively, at least the internal and external faces of the front wall and at least part of the height of its free edge. The joining region has an indentation shaped to match the border of the second passage orifice; these inner and outer panels are each provided with an opening intended to be placed in front of the first passage orifice.
US08445092B2	Resin sheet for circuit boards, sheet for circuit boards and circuit board displays A resin sheet for circuit boards (2) obtained from a macromolecular material of the energy ray curable type and used for embedding circuit chips, which has a double bond concentration of 4.5 to 25 mmol/g before being cured by irradiation with an energy ray; a sheet for circuit boards including the resin sheet for circuit boards, one face of the resin sheet being formed on a support (1); and a circuit board for displays (5) which is obtained by embedding circuit chips (3) into a face of the resin sheet for circuit boards in the sheet for circuit boards, followed by curing the resin sheet by irradiation with an energy ray. The resin sheet for circuit boards (2) can be advantageously used for producing circuit boards having embedded circuit chips for controlling each pixel of displays, in particular, flat panel displays efficiently with excellent quality and productivity.
US08445087B2	Hydrogenated styrenic block copolymers blends with polypropylene The present invention comprises a molding composition comprising at least about 70% wt. polypropylene or polypropylene random copolymer; up to about 30 wt. % of a block copolymer composition comprising at least one selectively hydrogenated block copolymer which substantially matches the index of refraction of the polypropylene or polypropylene random copolymer, and up to about 0.70% by wt. of a clarifying agent, wherein the weight % of the total blend is 100%. The present invention also may be a molded article produced from the molding composition. A molded article formed from such a composition at a thickness of 0.125 inches will have a haze of less than about 50% and an instrumented impact toughness of at least 100 inch-lbs at −20° C. to −30° C.
US08445086B2	Polymer compositions and articles having improved reheat characteristics Polymer compositions, for example of polyethyleneterephthalate bottles or preforms, include a reheat additive which has reducing transmission/increasing absorbance across the IR region as the wavelength increases. The reheat additive may be a titanium nitride, made by a plasma vapor deposition technique. Advantageously, the material may be used at a lower level than hitherto known materials or may be used at the same levels as hitherto but provide a greater reheat effect. Example 3a shown in the figure illustrates the absorbance of a preferred material.
US08445084B2	One-way glass article An article made of one-way glass is disclosed. The reflective surface of the one-way glass faces inwardly of the article. The article is free of internal or external ornamentation or opaque elements and is illuminated by external light sources reflected within the article by the reflective surface.
US08445081B2	Polarizing plate protective film, polarizing plate and liquid crystal display device A polarizing plate protective film comprising a cellulose ester, and a saccharide ester compound in which all or a part of OH groups in Compound (A) or in Compound (B) are esterified, wherein Compound (A) consists of one of a furanose structure and a pyranose structure, and Compound (B) consists of two to twelve of at least one type of a furanose structure and a pyranose structure which are bonded in Compound (B); wherein the polarizing plate protective film exhibits Ro of 0-10 nm and Rt of −30 to +20 nm.
US08445079B2	Optical film, image display device, diethynylfluorene, and polymer thereof An object of the present invention is to provide an optical film exhibiting a preferable wavelength dispersion and capable of being formed comparatively thinly.The present invention is an optical film containing the repeating unit represented by the following general formula (II).In the formula (II), A, A′, B, and B′ each denote a substituent, a, a′, b, and b′ denote the number of substituents of the corresponding A, A′, B, and B′. A, A′, B and B′ each independently denote a halogen or an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms. R1 and R2 denote a halogen, an alkyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, and the like. X denotes —CO—, —SO2—, and the like.
US08445077B2	Method of producing coated member A method of producing a coated member in which a base material surface is at least partially coated with a diamond-like carbon film, the method includes: a diamond-like carbon film deposition process in which a diamond-like carbon film is formed on a surface of the base material by generating plasma by applying voltage to the base material in a processing chamber that stores the base material, while evacuating the processing chamber and introducing feedstock gas that contains at least a carbon compound into the processing chamber; and a hydrogenation process in which the deposited diamond-like carbon film is hydrogenated using hydrogen gas by stopping the voltage application and introducing hydrogen gas inducted instead of the feedstock gas, while the evacuation is being continued.
US08445076B2	Fouling and scaling resistant nano-structured reverse osmosis membranes In one embodiment, a method of modifying a surface of a membrane includes exposing the surface to an impinging atmospheric pressure plasma source to produce an activated surface, and exposing the activated surface to a solution including a vinyl monomer. In another embodiment, a method of manufacturing a desalination membrane includes treating a surface of the membrane with an impinging atmospheric plasma source for an optimal period of time and rf power, and exposing the surface to an aqueous solution containing a vinyl monomer. In another embodiment, an apparatus includes a membrane having a surface, and polymer chains terminally grafted onto the surface of the membrane.
US08445075B2	Method to minimize wet etch undercuts and provide pore sealing of extreme low k (k<2.5) dielectrics Methods of processing films on substrates are provided. In one aspect, the methods comprise treating a patterned low dielectric constant film after a photoresist is removed from the film by depositing a thin layer comprising silicon, carbon, and optionally oxygen and/or nitrogen on the film. The thin layer provides a carbon-rich, hydrophobic surface for the patterned low dielectric constant film. The thin layer also protects the low dielectric constant film from subsequent wet cleaning processes and penetration by precursors for layers that are subsequently deposited on the low dielectric constant film.
US08445074B2	Atmospheric plasma treatment of tire cords The present invention is directed to a method of treating a tire cord, comprising the steps of A) atomizing a mixture of at least one polymerizable monomer, a halogenated saturated hydrocarbon, and a carrier gas to form an atomized mixture; B) generating an atmospheric pressure plasma from the atomized mixture; and C) exposing the tire cord to the atmospheric pressure plasma under conditions suitable to form a polymer strongly bonded to the tire cord and capable of bonding to rubber.
US08445070B2	Biodegradable waterproof paper and manufacturing method for the same A biodegradable waterproof paper coated with PLA film and the manufacturing method for the same are disclosed. The biodegradable waterproof paper includes a PLA film on at least one surface of the paper and the PLA film partially infiltrates into the fibers of the paper.
US08445069B2	Coating method, coater, and method for manufacturing planographic printing plate A coating method of forming a plurality of layers on a belt-like support continuously traveling, comprising: a step of applying a first coating liquid onto a front surface of the support to form a lower layer on the support; a drying step of removing a solvent in the lower layer until an amount of the residual solvent reaches not more than 100 mg/m2; a step of applying a second coating liquid onto the lower layer after drying to form an upper layer; and a drying step of removing moisture of the upper layer; wherein the drying step of removing moisture of the upper layer comprises: a first drying step of removing moisture in the upper layer until a moisture content of the upper layer reaches not more than 10% of moisture at the time of application within a range in which a following conditional expression (1) is satisfied: (1) temperature (Tw) of the support≦average softening temperature (T0) of the lower layer+10° C.; and a second drying step of raising the temperature (Tw) of the support to remove remaining moisture of the upper layer.
US08445064B2	Composition for light emitting body-polymer composite, light emitting body-polymer composite, and light emitting device including the light emitting body-polymer composite A composition for a light emitting body-polymer composite, the composition including a light emitting body; and a cross-linkable composition including a monomer represented by Chemical Formula 1. A light emitting body-polymer composite prepared by cross-linking the composition and a light emitting device including the light emitting body-polymer composite are also provided.
US08445054B2	Process for preparing low-calorie, low-fat snack nuts The Present Invention relies upon a physical process for preparing reduced fat, high fiber, high protein, low calorie roasted snack nuts. The process of the Present Invention exhibits significantly lower process times and higher yields than the prior art processes. The process comprises expelling the oil from nutmeat kernels (defatting) using a novel pressing process that takes less than a minute. The defatting process deforms the nuts. The nuts are reformed to their original shape using water. Then the reformed nuts are annealed using cold water to produce hardened nuts. The nuts are then dried and post-processed with coatings and roasting using state-of-the-art technology. The yield of snack nuts produced by this process is generally greater than eighty percent.
US08445052B2	Process for producing lactose-free milk The invention concerns a process for producing lactose-free or substantially lactose-free milk, preferably without addition of water, and the product obtainable by the process. The process comprises the steps of: a) Ultrafiltration of original milk to obtain a first permeate and a first retentate; b) Nanofiltration of said first permeate to obtain a second permeate and a second retentate; c) Mixing said first retentate with said second permeate to obtain a mixture; and d) Hydrolysing remaining lactose in said mixture to obtain a hydrolysed milk. The process provides a lactose-free product with the taste of the original milk.
US08445051B2	Thiol-containing fragrance and flavor materials One aspect of the present invention provides a compound represented by formula (I), wherein, R1 is hydrogen or an acetyl group and R2 is a C1-3 straight chain or branched alkyl group. Another aspect of the present invention provides flavor or fragrance compositions comprising at least one compound of formula (I).
US08445050B2	Beverages and foodstuffs resistant to light induced flavor changes, processes for making the same, and compositions for imparting such resistance One aspect of the present invention is concerned with a composition comprising caramelised carbohydrate, which composition, when dissolved in water at a dry solids content of 0.1 wt. %, exhibits: i. an absorption at 280 nm (A280) that exceeds 0.01, preferably exceeds 0.05, more preferably exceeds 0.1 and most preferably exceeds 0.3; and ii. an absorption ratio A280/560 of at least 200, preferably of at least 250. Other aspects of the invention relate to a method of manufacturing a beverage or foodstuff that is resistant to light induced flavor changes, said method comprising introducing into said beverage or foodstuff a composition as defined above; and to a process for the manufacture of said composition.
US08445049B2	Roasting apparatus and packaging system for providing a cooked food product having a long shelf life A system and method of packaging a food product which provides a long shelf life, wherein the food product is cooked on rollers heated to 500° to 550° F. degrees in an oven heated to 750° to 800° F. for less than ten minutes and then enters a blast chiller at about 5° F. After cooling the product to 40° F. the product is placed in a cook-in bag, seasonings are added and the bag is vacuum-sealed and stored in a cooler at about 40° F. or lower. The seasonings are irradiated prior to being added to the food product to further control pathogen growth.
US08445045B2	Pineapple coating application device with applicator and conveyor brushes and related methods A pineapple coating application device may include a frame, and a pineapple roller conveyor carried by the frame and having laterally extending conveyor brushes to advance pineapples along a longitudinal path of travel. Adjacent ones of the laterally extending conveyor brushes may rotatably capture the pineapples therebetween. The pineapple coating application device may include a pineapple coating dispenser, and a laterally extending applicator brush positioned above the pineapple roller conveyor to cooperate with the laterally extending conveyor brushes to apply a coating to the pineapples from the pineapple coating dispenser as the pineapples are rotated and advanced along the longitudinal path of travel.
US08445044B2	Food thickening agent, method for producing food thickening agent The invention provides a food and water thickener and a method for preparing the food and water thickener. The food thickener comprises pretreated mineral water, xanthan, food preservative, a first antimicrobial and chelating agent, and a sequestering agent, wherein the food thickener has a density of between 750 and 1250 grams per liter. The method for producing the thickener incorporates pretreatment of mineral water and xanthan, and specific heating steps. Also provided is method for producing thickened alcoholic beverages. The invention further provides a method for invoking a swallow response in dysphagic patients, the method comprising increasing the mass of food to between 750 mg per liter and 1500 mg per liter; and orally administering the food to dysphagic patients.
US08445040B2	Extracts of Sclerocarya birrea Provided are extracts obtained from the marula fruit (Sclerocarya Birrea) and uses thereof in a great variety of applications, e.g., use in food supplements for engendering an anti-atherogenic effect in healthy and non-healthy subjects (humans and non-human animals) and as agents for treating or preventing various diseases and disorders.
US08445032B2	Melt-blended protein composition A melt-processed protein composition formed from a protein, plasticizer, and an electrophilic reagent is provided. The electrophilic reagent, for instance, may be selected to undergo a nucleophilic addition reaction with free sulfhydryl and/or thiyl radicals to help minimize the formation of disulfide crosslinking bonds that could otherwise lead to protein aggregation during melt processing. To enhance the degree to which the electrophilic reagent can limit crosslinking, a plasticizer is also employed that helps to mediate the adsorption of the electrophilic reagent into the internal structure of the protein, where it can be more stably retained. Furthermore, the temperature and shear rate employed during melt blending may also be selected to be relatively low to help limit polypeptide dissociation, thereby minimizing the impact of aggregation and embrittlement.
US08445026B2	Selenium nanoparticles with improved biological effects Novel methods for biological effective, stable amorphous and monoclinic selenium nanoparticles are disclosed. They are prepared by reacting selenium source with a reducing agent or an oxidative agent in an aqueous media at a temperature between 0-100° C. in the presence of selenium binding polymer molecules such as poly/oligopeptide acids or peptone or nucleic acids or poly/oligosaccharide or their mixtures.
US08445025B2	Hybrid superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles and polyethylenimine as a magnetoplex for gene transfection Disclosed are the nanoparticle and the method for the same, and the preparing method includes steps of mixing polyethylenimine (PEI) with the poly(acrylic acid)-bound iron oxide (PAAIO) to form a PEI-PAAIO polyelectrolyte complex (PEC) and mixing the PEI-PAAIO PEC with genetic material such as plasmid DNA to form the PEI-PAAIO/pDNA magnetic nanoparticle. The PEI-PAAIO/pDNA magnetoplex is highly water dispersible and suitable for long term storage, shows superparamagnetism, low cytotoxicity, high stability and nice transfection efficiency, and thus the PEI-PAAIO PEC can replace PEI as a non-viral gene vector.
US08445020B2	High-loading, controlled-release magnesium oral dosage forms and methods of making and using same Disclosed are high-loading, controlled-release dosage forms for oral administration of magnesium salts. For example, an oral dosage form can comprise from about 80% to about 95% magnesium lactate and one or more components. As another example, an oral dosage form can comprise at least about 50% magnesium salt and exhibit a controlled release dissolution profile. Also disclosed are methods for making controlled release dosage forms for oral administration of a therapeutically effective amount of magnesium salt to a mammal. Also disclosed are methods for treating a disorder characterized by magnesium deficiency and methods for preventing or alleviating low magnesium levels. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present invention.
US08445019B2	Microparticle dispersion liquid manufacturing method and microparticle dispersion liquid manufacturing apparatus In a dissolving step, a poorly soluble drug and a dispersion stabilizer are dissolved in a volatile organic solvent. In a fixing step, the organic solvent, contained in a solution obtained in the dissolving step, is removed by evaporation, pellet-form residues 1 are obtained by the organic solvent removal, and the residues 1 are fixed on respective bottom surfaces of a plurality of locations of a container 30. In a water injecting step, water 2 is injected into each of a plurality of recesses 31 of the container 30. In an irradiating step, laser light L, emitted from a light irradiating unit 20, is irradiated simultaneously or successively on the residues 1 fixed on the respective bottom surfaces of the recesses 31 of the container 30, and the residues 1 are thereby pulverized and made into microparticles and a microparticle dispersion liquid, constituted of the microparticles being dispersed in the water 2, is manufactured.
US08445018B2	Abuse resistant drug formulation A pharmaceutical composition may include a coated particulate which may include at least one active pharmaceutical ingredient, particularly one susceptible to abuse by an individual. The coated particles may include a fat/wax and have improved controlled release and/or crush resistance. Method of making these coated particulate and dosage forms therewith are also described.
US08445016B2	Grafted polymers and uses thereof The invention features grafted polymer systems for use in medical devices and/or for the delivery of active agents. The grafted polymers include at least one transport moiety, a linear backbone segment, and a pendant segment.
US08445009B2	Processes for the production of solid dressings for treating wounded tissue Disclosed are processes for preparing solid dressings for treated wounded tissue in mammalian patients, such as a human, comprising a haemostatic layer consisting essentially of a fibrinogen component and a fibrinogen activator. Also disclosed are methods for treating wounded tissue using these dressings and frozen and liquid compositions useful for preparing the haemostatic layer(s) of these dressings or for treating wounded tissue in a mammal.
US08445007B2	Bis-(α-amino)-diol-diester-containing poly (ester amide) and poly (ester urethane) compositions and methods of use The present invention provides biodegradable, biocompatible bis-(α-amino acyl)-diol-diester-containing poly(ester amide) (PEA) and poly(ester urethane) (PEUR) co-polymer compositions with mechanical properties that can be readily tailored by selection of various combinations and proportions of the building blocks of the co-polymers. The compositions are suitable for use in production of drug-releasing biodegradable particles and implantable surgical devices, such as stents and internal fixation devices. The co-polymer compositions, particles and surgical devices biodegrade in vivo by enzymatic action to release bioactive agents in a controlled manner over time as well as biocompatible breakdown products, including one to multiple different amino acids.
US08445005B2	Antiwrinkle agent, lipolysis promoter, external composition for skin and food and beverage composition An antiwrinkle agent, lipolysis promoter, external composition for skin, and food and beverage composition having for an active ingredient thereof a compound represented by general formula (1): (wherein R represents a hydrogen atom or an acyl group having 2 to 20 carbon atoms) or an extract obtained from guinea ginger and/or an acylation treatment product of said extract.
US08445003B2	Stable pharmaceutical composition and methods of using same The present invention relates to, inter alia, pharmaceutical compositions comprising a polyunsaturated fatty acid and to methods of using the same to treat or prevent cardiovascular related diseases.
US08444999B2	Mutated Salmonella typhi strain and use thereof in a vaccine The present invention relates to an attenuated Salmonella typhi having mutation in chromosomal gene loci, its use as a potent vaccine candidate to combat the Salmonella infection.
US08444996B2	Multicomponent vaccine for malaria providing long-lasting immune responses against plasmodia Disclosed are immunogenic conjugates which elicit an immune response to Plasmodium proteins. In particular examples, the Plasmodium proteins include sexual stage surface proteins, circumsporozoite protein (CSP), or immunogenic portions of CSP. Also provided herein are immunogenic compositions including one or more of the disclosed immunogenic conjugates and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. Further provided is a method of eliciting an immune response to Plasmodium in a subject, comprising administering to the subject an immunogenic composition disclosed herein.
US08444993B2	Multi-phase emulsions based on amphiphilic block copolymers A method for enhancing a body's response to an immunogen is disclosed. The method comprises immunizing a subject in need thereof a vaccine composition in a water-in-oil (W/O/W) emulsion that comprises (a) an antigen; and (b) an adjuvant composition in a W/O/W emulsion. The adjuvant composition comprises: (i) a continuous aqueous phase comprising H2O; (ii) an oil phase comprising oil dispersed in the continuous aqueous phase, comprising an internal aqueous phase comprising H2O, being dispersed in the oil phase; and a physiologically acceptable lipophilic emulsifier selected from the group consisting of mannide monooleate and sorbitan esters, stabilizing the interface between the inner aqueous phase and the oil phase to form a water-in-oil (W/O) emulsion; and (iii) poly(ethylene glycol)-block-poly(lactide-co-ε-caprolactone), stabilizing the interface between the oil phase and the continuous aqueous phase.
US08444991B2	Method of preparing an immunologically-active adjuvant-bound dried vaccine composition The disclosure provides a method of preparing an immunologically-active adjuvant-bound freeze dried vaccine composition. A specific embodiment provides a stable vaccine composition comprising an aluminum-salt adjuvant, a recombinant Clostridium botulinum neurotoxin protein and a glass-forming agent. These vaccine compositions are useful in the treatment of humans and other animals at risk of infection from Clostridium botulinum neurotoxin.
US08444990B2	Antibody-induced apoptosis Anti-Her2 antibodies which induce apoptosis in Her2 expressing cells are disclosed. The antibodies are used to “tag” Her2 overexpressing tumors for elimination by the host immune system. Also disclosed are hybridoma cell lines producing the antibodies, methods for treating cancer using the antibodies, and pharmaceutical compositions.
US08444985B2	Vaccine compositions and methods for treatment of mucormycosis and other fungal diseases The present invention provides therapeutic compositions and methods for treating and preventing fungal disease or conditions including mucormycosis. The therapeutic methods and compositions of the invention include vaccine compositions having an FTR polypeptide or an antigenic fragment of the polypeptide; a vector including a nucleotide sequence that is substantially complimentary to at least 18 contiguous nucleotides of FTR sequence; an antisense; a small interfering RNA or an antibody inhibitor of FTR. The vaccine compositions of the invention can further include an adjuvant.
US08444979B2	Antibodies that inhibit TSLP activity The invention is directed to purified and isolated novel TSLP polypeptides, the nucleic acids encoding such polypeptides, processes for production of recombinant forms of such polypeptides, antibodies generated against these polypeptides, fragmented peptides derived from these polypeptides, and the uses of the above.
US08444978B2	Angiogenic and immunologic applications of anti-CD160 specific compounds obtainable from mAb CL1-R2 The present invention relates to biological and medical applications of an anti-CD160 monoclonal antibody (CL1-R2 CNCM I-3204) and of the conservative equivalents thereof. It more particularly relates to the applications of these anti-CD160 compounds in the fields of EC angiogenesis, and NK and T cytokine production.
US08444971B2	OVR110 antibody compositions and methods of use Isolated antibodies and antigen binding fragments thereof directed against Ovr110 which is expressed by head and neck, ovarian, endometrial, kidney, pancreatic, lung or breast cancer are provided. Also provided are cells and methods for their production as well as methods for their use in killing an Ovr110-expressing cancer cells and alleviating or treating an Ovr110-expressing cancer in a mammal. The anti-Ovr110 antibodies modulate Ovr110 function or internalize upon binding to Ovr110 expressed by mammalian cells in vitro and in vivo. Compositions comprising an anti-Ovr110 antibody and a carrier as well as articles of manufacture or kits thereof are also provided. In addition, isolated nucleic acids encoding an anti-Ovr110 antibody, expression vectors containing the isolated nucleic acids, and host cells containing the vectors are provided.
US08444970B2	Compositions and methods for treating ocular diseases and conditions The present invention relates to compositions and methods for prevention and treatment of diseases and conditions, particularly ocular diseases and conditions, characterized by aberrant fibrogenesis or scarring, inflammation, and/or aberrant neovascularization or angiogenesis. The compositions and methods of the invention utilize immune-derived moieties that are specifically reactive against the bioactive lipid, sphingosine-1-phosphate, and its variants, which moieties are capable of decreasing the effective concentration of bioactive lipid being targeted. In one embodiment, the immune-derived moiety is a humanized monoclonal antibody that is reactive against sphingosine-1-phosphate.
US08444969B2	Neutrophil-depleted platelet rich plasma formulations for cardiac treatments Compositions and methods for preparing neutrophil-depleted platelet rich plasma are provided. Generally, these compositions comprise a higher concentration of platelets and depressed concentrations of neutrophils relative to whole blood although white blood cells may be at higher concentrations than whole blood. The concentrations of the platelets and/or the white blood cells may be two to eight times the respective concentrations in whole blood. These compositions may have depressed concentrations of red blood cells and hemoglobin. In some variations, the compositions may be useful to treat damaged connective tissue and/or to slow or stop cardiac apoptosis after a heart attack. The neutrophil-depleted platelet rich plasma composition may be delivered in conjunction with reperfusion therapy.
US08444968B2	Cartilage repair methods The present application discloses methods for repairing hyaline cartilage defects. The methods comprise a combination of introducing autologous bone mesenchymal stem cells to a joint, and applying to the joint a membrane comprising a polyester entangled with a polysaccharide. In some aspects, the bone mesenchymal stem cells are mesenchymal stem cells originating in bone underlying the joint. In these aspects, contact between the joint and the mesenchymal stem cells can be effected by introducing apertures through the bone using standard surgical techniques such as microfracture, abrasion, or drilling. Cartilage which forms in response to application of these methods is hyaline cartilage rather than fibrocartilage.
US08444966B2	Methods of feeding ruminants An isolated microorganism comprising a Propionibacteria strain is described. When the microorganism is fed to a ruminant, protein and fat levels in milk produced by the ruminant are increased, while body condition and milk production levels are maintained. When fed to the ruminant, the microorganism also has positive effects on various metabolic hormones and metabolites, e.g, an increase in energy balance, plasma non-esterified fatty acids levels, and plasma leptin level. Supplementation with propionibacteria reduced dry matter intake but did not affect milk production in the cows. Therefore, the propionibacteria of the invention made the cows more energy efficient as cows produced the same amount of milk, yet consumed less dry matter.
US08444964B2	Compositions and methods for enhanced tumor cell immunity in vivo The invention provides a method of preventing or reducing the severity of a cancer in a subject by stimulating the subject's immune response against the cancer. The invention provides, for example, a method of stimulating an immune response in a subject by administering to the subject tumor cells that are substantially similar to the subject's cancer cells and that are genetically modified to reduce or inhibit the expression of one or more immunosuppressive agents. The invention also provides a method of preventing or reducing the severity of cancer in a subject by stimulating the subject's immune response against the cancer by administering to the subject tumor cells that are substantially similar to the subject's cancer cells and that are genetically modified to prevent the expression of an immunosuppressive agents and, in combination with the genetically modified tumor cells, an immunostimulatory agent. The invention further provides compositions useful for practicing the claimed methods.
US08444962B2	Bioremediation method for accelerated biological decomposition of petroleum hydrocarbons in sea ice-covered polar regions, and bacteria and enzyme mixtures as agents for carrying out said method A bioremediation method for accelerated biological degradation of petroleum hydrocarbons in a sea ice-covered polar region comprising contacting the petroleum hydrocarbons with an inoculum. The inoculum includes a bacterial mixture, nutrients, and an environmentally friendly carrier material. The bacterial mixture includes a plurality of cold-adapted autochthonous bacterial strains, wherein each of the bacterial strains are active at an ambient temperature of −3° C., and wherein each of the bacterial strains has a different temperature tolerance range, a different salinity tolerance range, a different degradation spectrum, and a different potential to emulsify oil. Bacteria of the bacterial strains are immobilized on the environmentally friendly carrier material.
US08444955B2	Radiofluorination methods The invention relates to conjugates of formula (V) or (VI), their use as radiopharmaceuticals, processes for their preparation, and synthetic intermediates used in such processes.
US08444953B2	Symmetric and asymmetric halogen-containing metallocarboranylporphyrins and uses thereof The present invention is directed to low toxicity boronated compounds and methods for their use in the treatment, visualization, and diagnosis of tumors. More specifically, the present invention is directed to low toxicity halogenated, carborane-containing 5,10,15,20-tetraphenylporphyrin compounds and methods for their use particularly in boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) and photodynamic therapy (PDT) for the treatment of tumors of the brain, head and neck, and surrounding tissue. The invention is also directed to using these halogenated, carborane-containing tetraphenylporphyrin compounds in methods of tumor imaging and/or diagnosis such as MRI, SPECT, or PET.
US08444952B2	IM-20 crystalline solid and process for its preparation The invention concerns a crystalline solid designated IM-20 which has the X-ray diffraction diagram given below. Said solid has a chemical composition expressed by the empirical formula: mXO2: nGeO2: pZ2O3: qR: sF: wH2O, in which R represents one or more organic species, X represents one or more tetravalent element(s) other than germanium, Z represents at least one trivalent element and F is fluorine.
US08444951B2	Catalytic process and system for converting liquid fuels into syngas The present invention provides a process and apparatus for the gasification of a liquid fuel and includes providing a supply of a liquid fuel, a supply of oxidant, and a supply of liquid water; atomizing the liquid fuel and mixing it with the oxidant and steam; catalytically reacting the fuel-oxidant-steam mixture in a catalyst bed; initiating the catalytic reaction with an ignition source; positioning a heat exchanger in proximity with the catalyst bed so as to convert the liquid water to steam; and feeding the steam into the catalytic reaction, thereby eliminating the need for a liquid fuel vaporizer. A preferred catalyst bed includes an ultra-short-channel-length metal substrate.
US08444948B2	Graphite nano-carbon fiber and method of producing the same According to one embodiment, there is provided a graphite nano-carbon fiber provided by using an apparatus having a reactor capable of keeping a reducing atmosphere inside thereof, a metal substrate arranged as a catalyst in the reactor, a heater heating the metal substrate, a pyrolysis gas source supplying pyrolysis gas obtained by thermally decomposing a wood material in a reducing atmosphere to the reactor, a scraper scraping carbon fibers produced on the metal substrate, a recovery container recovering the scraped carbon fibers, and an exhaust pump discharging exhaust gas from the reactor. The carbon fibers are linear carbon fibers with a diameter of 25 to 250 nm formed with layers of graphenes stacked in a longitudinal direction.
US08444947B2	Method for making carbon nanotube wire structure The present disclosure provides a method for making a carbon nanotube wire structure. A plurality of carbon nanotube arrays is provided. One carbon nanotube film is formed by drawing a number of carbon nanotubes from each of the plurality of carbon nanotube arrays, whereby a plurality of carbon nanotube films is formed. The carbon nanotube films converge at one spot. The carbon nanotube wire structure is formed by treating the carbon nanotube films by at least one of a mechanical method and an organic solvent method.
US08444941B2	Cracking catalysts, additives, methods of making them and using them Collection enhanced materials, flue gas additives, and methods of making the enhanced materials and flue gas additives are provided. In one embodiment, a down stream addition system configured to control material passing through a metering device from a vessel to a gaseous exhaust path extending between a unit and an exhaust flue of the unit is provided. In alternative embodiments, methods are provided for introducing at least one of a flue gas additive and a collection enhanced material to a gaseous exhaust stream exiting a unit; exposing and removing at least a portion of at least one a of flue gas additive and a collection enhanced material from a gaseous exhaust stream exiting a unit prior to entering an exhaust flue; and recycling at least a portion of material removed a from a gaseous exhaust stream exiting a unit back to the gaseous exhaust stream without passing through the unit.
US08444939B2	Catalytic reactor A reactor module for Fischer-Tropsch synthesis having a generally rectangular reactor block with a stack of plates defining flow channels for coolant and flow channels for the synthesis reaction arranged alternately in the block. The synthesis flow channels extend in a generally vertical direction between upper and lower faces of the reactor block and are defined by plates in combination with either bars or sheets such that each channel is of width no more than 200 mm. The coolant flow channels are oriented in the same direction, and communicate through distributor chambers with inlet and outlet ports at side faces of the reactor block. A plant may contain a multiplicity of such reactor modules operating in parallel, the modules being interchangeable and replaceable. The temperature control is enhanced by allowing the coolant flow to be parallel to the synthesis gas flow.
US08444938B2	Method and apparatus for automated storage and retrieval of miniature shelf keeping units A method of random-access storage and retrieval of any particular compartmentalized samples from a integral array of storage compartments with an apparatus to wholly excise intact sample-containing compartments and then convey the liberated samples intact in their respective compartments to designated locations of an adapted receiving tray, where they are releaseably locked in place.
US08444937B2	In-situ soil nitrate ion concentration sensor A method and apparatus for near real-time in-situ soil solution measurements is presented. An outer sleeve is placed in soil where ionic concentrations of organic or inorganic species are to be measured. A porous section connects with the outer sleeve (the porous section initially loaded with distilled water) equilibrates with the solution present in soil pores to form a solution to be measured. The initial distilled water is displaced within the porous section by a removable plunger. After substantial equilibration of the solution to be measured within the apparatus, the plunger is removed and a removable probe replaced. The probe may be an Ion Selective Electrode, or a transflection dip probe. The probe then may be used under computer control for measurement of solution properties. The Ion Selective Electrode may measure nitrate (NO3−) concentrations. The transflection dip probe may be read with spectrometer with an input deuterium light source.
US08444936B2	Autoanalyzer and pipetting nozzle for autoanalyzer There is provided a highly reliable autoanalyzer less liable to sample and reagent carry-over and capable of preventing contamination and precisely pipetting samples and reagents. Using a sample pipetting nozzle 27 having water-repellent surfaces, a sample is pipetted from a sample cell 25 to a reaction cell 4 having a hydrophilic bottom face.
US08444934B2	Removable microfluidic flow cell A microfluidic flow cell for removably interfacing with a removable-member for performing a reaction therebetween. The microfluidic flow cell device comprises at least one reaction portion defining with the removable-member a reaction chamber when in an interfaced position thereof. The microfluidic flow cell comprises at least one fluid-receiving portion for receiving a fluid therein and being in fluid communication with the reaction chamber. When the microfluidic flow cell and the removable-member are in the interfaced position, the cell is adapted to allow for the fluid in the fluid-receiving portion to flow to the reaction chamber. Devices, systems and methods comprising this microfluidic flow cell are also disclosed.
US08444933B2	Microfluidic device and method of manufacturing the same A microfluidic device includes a first substrate including a micro-flow path, and a valve seat protruding into the micro-flow path, a second substrate, coupled to the first substrate, and including a cavity corresponding to the valve seat, a first parylene layer disposed on an inner surface of the first substrate, and a valve gate film provided between the first substrate and the second substrate, such that the valve gate film opens and closes the micro-flow path with air pressure applied between the valve seat and the cavity, the valve gate film having a hydrophilic surface. A portion of the first parylene layer, which is disposed on a lower surface of the valve seat and contacting the valve gate film, has a hydrophobic surface.
US08444931B2	Retorting apparatus and method An apparatus for the heat treatment of a product, especially a food product such as a food product contained within a hermetically sealed container or pouch of plastics or like material, for example for sterilization, pasteurization or cooking, having a heating unit to bring product from ambient towards a heat treatment temperature and pressure; a retort unit to apply a heat treatment to a product; and a cooling unit to allow product to be brought down from heat treatment temperature and pressure towards ambient; wherein each unit and retort is selectably sealable from the others and from ambient conditions.
US08444930B2	Endoscope cleaning/disinfecting apparatus connector and endoscope cleaning/disinfecting apparatus An endoscope cleaning/disinfecting apparatus connector according to the present invention includes a cleaning/disinfecting apparatus connection section, a circulating section and a discharge section, wherein the discharge section communicates with the circulating section and includes a first channel that discharges a fluid R that passes through the circulating section into a pipe sleeve, a second channel that branches from the first channel and discharges the fluid R to the periphery of the pipe sleeve, and an opening/closing section that is provided in a branch section that branches from the first channel to the second channel or in the second channel, is freely expandable/contractible according to a flow rate of a fluid and blocks the second channel when the flow rate of the fluid is a predetermined amount or higher.
US08444925B2	Lignocellulosic biomass saccharification pre-treatment device A lignocellulosic biomass saccharification pre-treatment device for easily recovering ammonia water to be used in a pre-treatment for saccharification of a lignocellulosic biomass and recycle use. The device has a mixing unit 2 mixing lignocellulosic biomass and ammonia, a heating unit 3 heating the mixture, a separation unit 4 separating ammonia gas from the mixture to obtain a biomass-water mixture, and a transfer unit 6 transferring the biomass-water mixture to a later process. An ammonia water supply unit 8 supplies ammonia water to the mixing means 2. An ammonia recovery unit 20 recovers ammonia gas as ammonia water. A heat-of-dissolution recovery unit 24 recovers heat-of-dissolution generated when ammonia gas is dissolved in water. A heat pump unit 30 generates heat to be supplied to the heating unit 3 using at least the heat-of-dissolution as a heat source.
US08444924B2	Gliding arc electrical discharge reactors with improved nozzle configuration A plasma gliding arc discharge reactor is described. The reactor may include a housing having a plurality of divergent electrodes, a power supply connected to the electrodes, which delivers pulsed power to the reactor, and a nozzle that directs a mixture of a carrier gas and a liquid to a region between the divergent electrodes, thereby generating plasma in the region. The nozzle can include a first inlet for receiving the carrier gas, a second inlet for receiving the liquid and a mixing chamber that is configured to mix the carrier gas and the liquid prior to being directed to the region.
US08444921B2	Molecular separators, concentrators, and detectors preparatory to sensor operation, and methods of minimizing false positives in sensor operations As an elegant solution for minimizing false positives returned by a sensor tuned to an analyte molecule, filters constructed of carbon nanotubes are positioned relative to the sensor to limit the sensor to being exposed to molecules within a defined range of sizes, with too-big molecules being excluded from reaching the sensor by one filter, and too-small molecules being pumped out through another, finer filter before the sensor is operated.
US08444916B2	Stainless steel excellent in corrosion resistance, ferritic stainless steel excellent in resistance to crevice corrosion and formability, and ferritic stainless steel excellent in resistance to crevice corrosion The stainless steel of the first embodiment includes C: 0.001 to 0.02%, N: 0.001 to 0.02%, Si: 0.01 to 0.5%, Mn: 0.05 to 0.5%, P: 0.04% or less, S: 0.01% or less, Ni: more than 3% to 5%, Cr: 11 to 26%, and either one or both of Ti: 0.01 to 0.5% and Nb: 0.02 to 0.6%, and contains as the remainder, Fe and unavoidable impurities. The stainless steel of the second embodiment has an alloy composition different from those of the first and third embodiments and satisfies the formula (A): Cr+3Mo+6Ni≧23 and formula (B): Al/Nb≧10 and contains as the remainder, Fe and unavoidable impurities. The stainless steel of the third embodiment has an alloy composition different from those of the first and second embodiments and includes either one or both of Sn: 0.005 to 2% and Sb: 0.005 to 1% and contains as the remainder, Fe and unavoidable impurities.
US08444911B2	Shaft and post tensioning device A system for applying tension to a component for use in molten metal processing. Preferably, the component includes an outer core and at least one tension rod positioned partially within the outer core. The component is preferably elongated, such as a support post or an impeller shaft. The tension rod applies compression to the outer cover, which makes the outer cover more resistant to breakage if it strikes, or is stricken by, an object.
US08444908B2	Polyolefin composition for injection stretch blow molding The present invention relates to an injection-stretch blow molding process (ISBM) for the manufacture of an impact-resistant container with good optical properties from a polyolefin composition comprising a polypropylene and a polyethylene produced with a metallocene-based catalyst.
US08444907B2	Method for producing patterned materials A large area patterned film includes a first patterned area; a second patterned area; and a seam joining the first patterned area and the second patterned area, wherein the seam has a width less than about 20 micrometers. A method for tiling patterned areas includes depositing a predetermined thickness of a curable material; contacting a first portion of the curable material with a mold; curing the first portion of the curable material; removing the mold from the cured first portion of the curable material; contacting a second portion of the curable material with the mold, such that the mold contacts a portion of the cured first portion of the curable material; curing the second portion of the curable material; and removing the mold to yield a seam between the cured first portion of the curable material and the cured second portion of the curable material, wherein the seam has a dimension less than about 20 micrometers.
US08444906B2	Method of cutting substrate A substrate cutting method includes the steps of aligning a panel including two or more substrates, along a cutting line, forming groove lines in the respective substrates of the panel along the cutting line, by oscillating respective ultraviolet UV laser beams along the cutting line, and cutting the panel along the groove lines, by applying force to the panel.
US08444901B2	Method of fabricating a high temperature progressive cavity motor or pump component The present application discloses a progressive cavity motor or pump component, either stator or rotor, which provides a high glass transition temperature polymeric surface on the component which becomes resilient at or below the expected operating temperature of the motor or pump, but which remains solid at ambient temperatures, along with a method of fabricating either a stator or a rotor with such surface characteristics. Since the surface becomes resilient, the progressive cavity pump operates efficiently at temperatures above the glass transition temperature of the selected polymeric surface.
US08444900B2	Method and system for forming composite geometric support structures A method and system for fabricating a geometrically versatile composite lattice support structure having a seamless three-dimensional configuration. The lattice support structure is created by forming two or more cross supports, such as helical, longitudinal, circumferential and/or lateral cross supports, which intersect to form a plurality of multi-layered nodes. The lattice support structure may be designed without any protrusions extending outward from the overall geometry, thus enabling efficient tooling, and thus enabling ease of mass production. The lattice support structure may comprise a completely circumferentially closed geometry, such as a cylinder, ellipse, airfoil, etc. The method for fabricating the lattice support structure comprises laying up a fiber material, in the presence of resin, within rigid channels of a rigid mold, thus creating a green, uncured three-dimensional geometry of unconsolidated cross supports and multi-layered nodes where these intersect. Subjecting these to a curing system functions to consolidate the cross supports and multi-layered nodes to produce the composite lattice support structure.
US08444896B2	Water-dispersible and multicomponent fibers from sulfopolyesters Disclosed are water-dispersible fibers derived from sulfopolyesters having a Tg of at least 25° C. The fibers may contain a single sulfopolyester or a blend of a sulfopolyester with a water-dispersible or water-nondispersible polymer. Also disclosed are multicomponent fibers comprising a water dispersible sulfopolyester having a Tg of at least 57° C. and a water non-dispersible polymer. The multicomponent fibers may be used to produce microdenier fibers. Fibrous articles may be produced from the water-dispersible fibers, multicomponent fibers, and microdenier fibers. The fibrous articles include water-dispersible and microdenier nonwoven webs, fabrics, and multilayered articles such as wipes, gauze, tissue, diapers, panty liners, sanitary napkins, bandages, and surgical dressings. Also disclosed is a process for water-dispersible fibers, nonwoven fabrics, and microdenier webs. The fibers and fibrous articles have further applications in flushable personal care and cleaning products, disposable protective outerwear, and laminating binders.
US08444895B2	Processes for making water-dispersible and multicomponent fibers from sulfopolyesters Disclosed are water-dispersible fibers derived from sulfopolyesters having a Tg of at least 25° C. The fibers may contain a single sulfopolyester or a blend of a sulfopolyester with a water-dispersible or water-nondispersible polymer. Also disclosed are multicomponent fibers comprising a water dispersible sulfopolyester having a Tg of at least 57° C. and a water non-dispersible polymer. The multicomponent fibers may be used to produce microdenier fibers. Fibrous articles may be produced from the water-dispersible fibers, multicomponent fibers, and microdenier fibers. The fibrous articles include water-dispersible and microdenier nonwoven webs, fabrics, and multilayered articles such as wipes, gauze, tissue, diapers, panty liners, sanitary napkins, bandages, and surgical dressings. Also disclosed is a process for water-dispersible fibers, nonwoven fabrics, and microdenier webs. The fibers and fibrous articles have further applications in flushable personal care and cleaning products, disposable protective outerwear, and laminating binders.
US08444893B2	Forming carbon-carbon composite preforms using molten pitch and carbon fiber filaments In one example, a method includes defibrillating at least one carbon fiber to form a plurality of carbon fiber filaments, melting pitch to form molten pitch, and mixing the plurality of carbon fiber filaments and the molten pitch to form a substantially homogeneous mixture of carbon fiber filaments. In another example, a method includes mixing a plurality of carbon fiber filaments having a length between about 6.35 millimeters and about 50.8 millimeters in molten pitch to form a substantially homogeneous mixture of carbon fiber filaments within the molten pitch, wherein mixing the plurality of carbon fiber filaments does not substantially change an average length of the plurality of carbon fiber filaments.
US08444892B2	Method and plant for manufacturing articles in the form of sheets or blocks of conglomerate stone or stone-like material In order to manufacture articles in the form of sheets or blocks of conglomerate stone or stone-like material, single mixes are prepared in mixers (18a,b,c,) arranged in a line and at intervals along a conveyor belt (12), each mixer depositing on said conveyor belt a layer of single mix which is arranged on top of the mix deposited by the mixer immediately upstream, forming a multiple mix which is then fed in an axially offset position to a rotating support (24) provided with homogenizing means and then passes to the vacuum vibrocompression section, after a deaeration step. A crushing device (32) is inserted between each mixer and the underlying belt so as to control the size of the agglomerations in each mix. Means (34) are envisaged for cleaning the upper surface (12a) of the conveyor belt (12) and the crushing devices (32) between the cycles for preparation of the multiple mix.
US08444890B2	Method of manufacturing a foam composition roller brush The invention is directed toward a chemical mechanical polishing/planarizing (CMP) brush with an embedded mandrel. PVA foam injected into the substantially hollow mandrel expands through apertures in the mandrel to fill a mold in the desired shape of the brush with the foam in the mandrel being integral with the outer foam covering the brush.
US08444886B2	Preparation of thermoplastic polymer particles having controlled geometry and powders obtained therefrom Controlled geometry particles of thermoplastic polymers are prepared from compositions containing the thermoplastic polymer and two additives, in the molten state, by cooling the molten composition and disintegrating the resulting dispersion of thermoplastic polymer; powders obtained therefrom advantageously have mean particle diameters ranging from 0.1 to 800 μm and are useful additives in, e.g., paints and coatings.
US08444885B2	Method for making privacy film Provided is a method for making a privacy film. In the method, a nickel mold having desired intagliated patterns are prepared, and a curable resin is then injected into the nickel mold to prepare a master mold. A UV curable resin is injected into the master mold, and then cured to thereby form a film where uneven patterns are formed. A black ink is injected into a concave portion of the film. The method provides advantages such as process simplicity, excellent production efficiency, and low fabrication cost.
US08444883B2	Method for preparing cathode active material for lithium secondary battery A method for preparing a cathode active material for a lithium secondary battery is provided. The preparing method includes: adding a phosphorus compound to a transition metal oxide dispersion liquid to prepare a coating liquid; drying the coating liquid to prepare a powder including phosphorus oxide coated on the surface of the transition metal oxide; and dry-mixing the powder coated with the phosphorus oxide with a lithium intercalation compound, and then firing the mixture to form a solid solution compound of L1-M1-M2-P—O (where M1 is a transition metal derived from transition metal oxide, and M2 is a metal derived from lithium intercalation compound) on the surface of the lithium intercalation compound. The method for preparing a cathode active material for a lithium secondary battery simplifies the conventional preparing process to save process cost, and it provides comparable electrochemical characteristics to a cathode active material obtained from a wet process.
US08444882B2	Anisotropic conductive film and light emitting device An anisotropic conductive film is provided that does not have a light-reflecting layer on a light emitting diode element which causes costs to increase when a light emitting device that uses an LED element is flip-chip mounted, and that does not cause emission efficiency to deteriorate. Further, a light emitting device that uses such an anisotropic conductive film is provided. This anisotropic conductive film has a structure in which a light-reflecting insulating adhesive layer and an anisotropic conductive adhesive layer are laminated, wherein the light-reflecting insulating adhesive layer has a structure in which light-reflecting particles are dispersed in an insulating adhesive. The light emitting device has a structure in which a light emitting diode element is flip-chip-mounted on a substrate, with this anisotropic conductive film provided between a connection terminal on the substrate and a bump for connection of the light emitting diode element.
US08444881B2	Methods for making scent simulants of chemical explosives, and compositions thereof The present invention relates to methods for producing non-detonable and non-explosive parent-odor scent simulants of both detonable and entropy-burst chemical explosive materials. A detonable explosive material is a material that explosives with the aid of detonation while an entropy burst explosive material is a very sensitive energetic material that does not require detonation, but explodes through a spontaneous decomposition of its molecules into gaseous products. The invention also presents representative non-detonable, non-hazardous compositions of such simulants that can be safely and effectively utilized within a broad spectrum of biological and non-biological explosives detection programs, non-limiting examples being the training of biological search-and-detect creatures such as explosive detecting dogs and the calibration of electronic explosive detecting instruments that rely on the principles of vapor sampling for their operations.
US08444880B2	Yellow phosphor having oxyapatite structure, preparation method and white light-emitting diode thereof A yellow phosphor having oxyapatite structure, preparation method and white light-emitting diode thereof are disclosed. The yellow phosphor has a chemical formula of (A1−xEux)8−yB2+y(PO4)6−y(SiO4)y(O1−zSz)2, wherein A and Eu are divalent metal ions, B is a trivalent metal ion, 0
US08444879B2	Triazine derivatives Disclosed are triazine derivatives of formula wherein X1 is a bivalent radical of formula A and A′ independently from each other are unsubstituted or substituted, straight-chain or branched C1-C12alkylene, which is optionally interrupted by C5-C12cycloalkylene, N, O or S; C5-C12cycloalkylene; biphenylene; C6-C10arylene; or C5-C10arylene-(C1-C12alkylene); R1 is a radical of formula R2 and R3 independently from each other are hydrogen; C1-C12alkyl; OR7; NR7R8; C6-C10aryl; X2 is O, or NH; W1 is C1-C20alkyl; or a group Sp-Sil; Sp is a straight-chain or branched saturated or single or multiple unsaturated C3-C12 hydrocarbon; Sil is a silane; an oligosiloxane; or a polysiloxane moiety; and R4, R5 R6, R7, R8 and R9 independently from each other are hydrogen; C1-C12alkyl; or C3-C12cycloalkyl.
US08444870B2	Inductive plasma source with high coupling efficiency A method and apparatus are provided for processing a substrate with a radiofrequency inductive plasma in the manufacture of a device. The inductive plasma is maintained with an inductive plasma applicator having one or more inductive coupling elements. There are thin windows between the inductive coupling elements and the interior of the processing chamber. Various embodiments have magnetic flux concentrators in the inductive coupling elements and feed gas holes interspersed among the inductive coupling elements. The thin windows, magnetic flux concentrators, and interspersed feed gas holes are useful to effectuate uniform processing, high power transfer efficiency, and a high degree of coupling between the applicator and plasma. In some embodiments, capacitive current is suppressed using balanced voltage to power an inductive coupling element.
US08444868B2	Method for removing copper oxide layer The invention is directed to a method for removing copper oxide from a copper surface to provide a clean copper surface, wherein the method involves exposing the copper surface containing copper oxide thereon to an anhydrous vapor containing a carboxylic acid compound therein, wherein the anhydrous vapor is generated from an anhydrous organic solution containing the carboxylic acid and one or more solvents selected from hydrocarbon and ether solvents.
US08444867B2	Method for fabricating patterns on a wafer through an exposure process A method for forming patterns on a wafer includes forming a fence having a sloped face in an edge portion of the wafer. The sloped face is direct to an inside of the wafer. A first photoresist layer is formed which extends to cover the fence on the wafer. First photoresist patterns are formed by performing a first exposure and development on the first photoresist layer. An etch process is performed using the first photoresist patterns and the fence as an etch mask. The fence is formed by selectively exposing a negative resist using a light shielding blade, and at this time, the first photoresist layer is formed including a positive resist.
US08444863B2	Microfiltration devices A method of treating a hollow fiber membrane microfiltration filter having an influent side and an effluent side to improve performance of the filter is disclosed. The method entails sealing imperfections in surfaces of the filter by flushing the filter with a liquid aqueous suspension of particulates. Filter cartridge devices also are disclosed. The devices may include a bactericidal chamber. A radial flow filter may be included in the devices. The filter cartridges may include a drain tube positioned within the filter for removing of effluent generated by the filter. A plurality of filter cartridges may be positioned on the drain tube.
US08444855B2	Method and device for removing contaminates from fluid-material A method for removing contaminants from a fluid-material comprising: providing at least one substrate comprising a three-dimensional knit in an initial configuration made of knitted polymeric fiber which substantially resumes the initial configuration after it is released from stretching or compressing force; and submerging said at least one substrate in a fluidic material for treatment of the fluidic material.
US08444854B2	Process for the treatment of wastes combining a phase of treatment by methanization and a phase of thermophilic aerobic treatment The present invention relates to the treatment of organic liquid and solid waste, comprising a first stage of treatment of the liquid content fraction of the waste by methanization, a second stage of treatment in a thermophilic or mesophilic aerobic phase of the semi-solid content fraction of the waste and a third stage in which said treated liquid and solid content portions are mixed in order to form a substrate, which is further treated by mesophilic or thermophilic aerobic phase treatment, resulting into compost.
US08444851B2	System for reception and transport of lime mud from a white liquor filter The system is for the reception and transport of dry lime mud from a continuously operating pressurized filter in a causticization process. A tube valve is used as an outlet from the pressurized process. The tube valve has a minimum length that is twice a diameter of the tube. A column of lime mud can be held within it as a pressure lock. The column of lime mud can be caused to descend through the tube valve by controlling a difference in pressure between an inner surface and an outer surface of the tube such that the diameter of the tube expands essentially uniformly along its length by 5-10% or by at least 4-6 millimeters.
US08444848B2	Electrochemical substrate slicing using electromagnetic wave excitation An apparatus for cutting a workpiece using electrochemical etching and a method of using thereof are described. The apparatus includes an electrochemical bath configured to contain an electrochemical solution, a support apparatus configured to support and immerse a workpiece in the electrochemical bath, and a non-contact cutting device configured to extend into the electrochemical bath and slice the workpiece via electrochemical etching along a cutting plane. The apparatus further includes an electromagnetic (EM) radiation source configured to illuminate a cutting surface formed between opposing sidewalls within an evolving cutting groove formed in the workpiece during slicing along the cutting plane.
US08444841B2	Partial plating method, a laser plating device, and a plated material A partial plating method capable of applying fine hard gold plating, a laser plating device capable of applying partial plating to a minute region with high positional precision, and a plated member. The partial plating method comprising plating a region to be plated by projecting a laser beam having a wavelength of 330 nm or more and 450 nm or less. A laser plating device comprises a plating tank, a laser oscillator for emitting a laser beam, a conveying device for conveying a member to be plated, a photoelectronic sensor for detecting the position of a positioning hole of the member to be plated, and a galvanometer scanner having a galvanometer mirror capable of scanning the laser beam. The plated member is applied with fine spot plating by the laser plating device.
US08444840B2	Method of forming an electrode casing for an alkaline electrochemical cell with reduced gassing Electrochemical cells including a casing or cup for direct electrical contact with a negative electrode or counter electrode and serving as the current collector for the electrode. The casing includes a substrate having a plated coating of an alloy including copper, tin and zinc, the coating having a composition gradient between the substrate and the external surface of the coating wherein the copper content is greater adjacent the substrate than at the external surface of the coating and the tin content is greater at the external surface of the coating than adjacent the substrate. Methods for forming a coated casing and an electrochemical cell including a coated casing are disclosed, preferably including providing an electrode casing with a coating utilizing variable current density plating that reduces discoloration of a surface exposed to the ambient atmosphere.
US08444839B2	Polymeric sorbent sheets as ion reservoirs for electroblotting Electroblotting for the transfer of electrophoretically separated species from a gel to a transfer membrane is performed in a semi-dry format with sheets of absorbent polyester or polyester/cellulose blend wetted with buffer solution in place of the traditional buffer-wetted filter paper. The result is effective electroblotting at a lower electric current level than that obtained with filter paper and thereby less resistance heating of the gel, the transfer membrane, and the species being transferred.
US08444836B2	Microdevice for treating liquid samples A device for forming at least one circulating flow, or vortex, at the surface of a drop of liquid, including at least two first electrodes forming a plane and having edges facing each other, such that the contact line of a drop, deposited on the device and fixed relatively to the device, has a tangent forming, when projected onto the plane of the electrodes, an angle between 0° and 90° with the edges facing each other of the electrodes.
US08444835B2	Electronic and fluidic interface An electronic fluidic interface for use with an electronic sensing chip is provided. The electronic fluidic interface provides fluidic reagents to the surface of a sensor chip. The electronic sensing chip typically houses an array of electronic sensors capable of collecting data in a parallel manner. The electronic fluidic interface is used, for example, as part of a system that drives the chip and collects, stores, analyzes, and displays data from the chip and as part of a system for testing chips after manufacture. The electronic fluidic interface is useful, for example, nucleic sequencing applications.
US08444834B2	Redox polymers for use in analyte monitoring Polymers for use as redox mediators in electrochemical biosensors are described. The transition metal complexes attached to polymeric backbones can be used as redox mediators in enzyme based electrochemical sensors. In such instances, transition metal complexes accept electrons from, or transfer electrons to, enzymes at a high rate and also exchange electrons rapidly with the sensor. The transition metal complexes include at least one substituted or unsubstituted biimidazole ligand and may further include a second substituted or unsubstituted biimidazole ligand or a substituted or unsubstituted bipyridine or pyridylimidazole ligand.
US08444832B2	Apparatus and method for providing electrical contact for planar material in straight through installations The invention relates to the electrical contacting of planar goods 1 in the form of segments in in-line plants for the electrolytic and/or wet chemical treatment of the treatment side 10 of the good by applying electrical external current while keeping the upper contacting side 9 dry and dipping the treatment side 10 into the treatment liquid 11. By use of the known transport systems having upper and lower transport and/or contact means, treatment liquid 11 is transferred from the lower means to the upper ones so that the top side of the good is often inadmissibly wetted and the upper contacts are electroplated, therefore needing to be continuously de-metallized, thus requiring a larger effort.According to the invention, the level is lowered in the region of upper contacts 6. Therefore, the same cannot be wetted, even when no good is present in the region of the contacts 6. This is achieved by means of down pipes 5 which are assigned to each contact 6. Even when in the relaxed state, the contacts do touch no treatment liquid, so that the top side of the good stays dry and the contacts do not require a de-metallization.
US08444827B2	Structured fabric A structured fabric for use in a papermaking machine for forming a web of fibrous material includes a repeating weave pattern that includes a plurality of warp yarns, warp knuckles, weft yams and weft knuckles that form two different types of pockets each of which include a plurality of margins and a bottom and is open on the web-facing side are formed between the knuckles, wherein the weft yarns have a first group, but not the second group, that form weft knuckles and the second group, but not the first group, form at least part of the bottom of the pockets formed.
US08444824B2	Paper or board machine employing a single-wire draw dryer section A paper or board machine having a machine dryer section with a drying group with single-wire draw. A drying wire (F) presses the web (W) on a drying cylinder (10) against heated cylinder surfaces, and the web (W) remains at the side of the outside curve of reversing cylinders (11) situated between drying cylinders (10). For enhancing runnability of the web (W), a runnability component (20) is in a pocket space (T) confined by two adjacent drying cylinders (10) and a reversing cylinder (11) situated between them and by the drying wire (F). The web (W) passes from the drying cylinder (10) to the reversing cylinder (11) as a short transfer of 80-400 mm, where a negative pressure effect produced by the runnability component (20) is applied and confined by seals of the runnability component (20) against the surfaces of the drying cylinder (10) and reversing cylinder (11).
US08444822B2	Lignocellulose fiber-resin composite material A method of making a formed, dried lignocellulose fiber material comprising (a) providing an aqueous lignocellulose fiber pulp slurry having an effective consistency; (b) de-watering the slurry to provide a de-watered material at an effective de-watering rate under an effective pressure to prevent or reduce the formation of fissures and voids within the material; (c) drying an effective amount of the de-watered material at an effective temperature and period of time to provide the formed, dried lignocellulose fiber material having a thickness of at least 5 mm. The formed, dried lignocellulose material may be used to make a lignocellulose fiber-resin composite material of use as a cost effective structural member, as a substitute for steel, in, for example, bridges, processing equipment, and the like.
US08444819B2	Cationic crosslinked waxy starch products, a method for producing the starch products, and use in paper products There are disclosed cationic crosslinked waxy starch products having a Brookfield viscosity of about 700 cps to about 2500 cps and a method for preparing the starch products. Also disclosed is the use of the cationic crosslinked waxy starch products having a Brookfield viscosity of about 700 cps to about 2500 cps in the production of paper products.
US08444817B2	Polyareneazole/thermoset pulp and methods of making same The present invention relates to thermoset and polyareneazole pulp for use as reinforcement material in products including for example fluid seals and friction materials, as a processing aid including its use as a thioxotrope, and as a filter material. The pulp comprises (a) irregularly shaped, thermoset fiber fibrous structures, (b) irregularly shaped, polyareneazole fibrous structures and (c) water whereby thermoset fiber fibrils and/or stalks are substantially entangled with polyareneazole fibrils and/or stalks. The invention further relates to processes for making such thermoset and polyareneazole pulp.
US08444813B2	Method for preparing aramid paper and the aramid paper obtained therefrom A method for preparing aramid insulating paper, includes the operations of: providing aramid pulp slurry and aramid short fiber slurry at respective desired concentrations; blending, beating and fluffing the aramid pulp slurry and the aramid short fiber slurry in a given ratio to afford a paper pulp at a desired concentration; transiting the paper pulp to a papermaking machine fitted with a head box to form and make wet paper sheets; pressing to dewater the wet paper sheets and drying the dewatered paper sheets; and calendering the dried paper sheets at a high temperature to obtain the aramid insulating paper, wherein in operation iii), at least one ultrasonic generator is mounted on the head box to apply directional ultrasonic waves to the paper pulp flowing through the heat box. The aramid insulating paper prepared according to the method of the invention has enhanced strength, smoothness and uniformity.
US08444812B2	Creping adhesives with improved film properties The invention provides a composition of matter used to produce very soft high grades of tissue paper. The composition of matter comprises a PAE resin acidified with a multifunctional acid. The multifunctional acid includes but is not limited to carboxyl and sulfonyl. The acid has a functional group selected from carboxyl and sulfonyl and a functional group selected from carboxyl, sulfonyl, hydroxyl, lactone, phenol, amine and heterocycle. The PAE resin facilitates the use of an adhesive in a Yankee Dryer apparatus that is durable when the adhesive is wet but remains soft when the adhesive becomes dry. These properties allow the adhesive to be strong and remain engaged to the dryer apparatus when wet but be easily removed by the creping blade when dry.
US08444810B2	Apparatus and process for treatment of fibers A process for treatment of fibers is disclosed. The treatment comprises simultaneously and continuously macerating the fibers and exposing the fibers to superheated steam, ammonia gas and ethylenediamine gas. The treatment is carried out in a chamber where the fibers are subjected to the mechanical rubbing and crushing action of a plurality of rotating pins against channels disposed on the chamber interior wall. The treatment results in improved fiber water holding capacity and improved conversion efficiency in the production of ethanol from the treated fibers.
US08444809B2	Method and system for direct contact of hot liquor with wood chips in transfer circulation A method for heating a chip slurry in a pulping system including an impregnation vessel and a chemical digesting vessel, the method including: impregnating chips in the impregnation vessel with a liquor; transporting the chips from the impregnation vessel to an upper elevation of the digester vessel; extracting liquor from a lower elevation of the digester vessel, wherein the extracted liquor has a temperature substantially higher than a temperature of the chips being transported to the upper elevation of the digester vessel, and adding extracted liquor from the lower elevation of the digester vessel to the chips being transported from the impregnation vessel to the digester vessel.
US08444807B2	Method for preparing paper pulp from recycled paper containing contaminants The invention relates to a method for preparing paper pulp from recycled paper containing contaminants characterized in that it comprises a first step of agitating the paper in the presence of water in order to obtain a mixture of fibers and contaminants in suspension, a second step of coarsely screening said mixture in order to separate the coarse contaminants from the rest of the suspension, a third step of fine screening in order to separate the fine contaminants from the coarsely-screened suspension and a fourth step of washing said coarse and fine contaminants in order to separate the reusable fibrous materials from the rest of the non-reusable contaminants. In particular, the invention aims to provide a method for preparing paper pulp that is capable of producing a good quality paper pulp from highly-contaminated recycled paper, especially having a contaminant level in the dry state that is greater than or equal to 15% by weight.
US08444805B2	Low formaldehyde emission adhesive system The invention relates to an improved two component adhesive system, a kit comprising said two adhesive components, its use and a method for production of interior wood products, in particular form-pressed products, parquet floor elements and solid wood panels with very low formaldehyde emission and to the interior wood products obtainable having improved properties.The two-component adhesive system comprises adhesive component I comprising a 50-70 wt % melamine-formaldehyde (MF) type resin in 25-40 wt % water and adhesive component II comprising 25-40 wt % of a water based dispersion adhesive, 15-40 wt % of a formaldehyde scavenger and an acidic compound in an amount such that the pH of adhesive component II is 1.5-6.5, wherein adhesive component I and II are to be applied in a weight ratio I:II of 1:0.5 to 1:1.5 and the adhesive system has a molar ratio of formaldehyde (F) to total amino group (F/NH2) between 0.2 and 0.7.
US08444803B2	Method for making an insulating and tight wall for a tank The invention relates to a method for making the wall of a heat-insulated fluid-confinement tank, such as for a liquefied gas, that is integrated in the carrier structure (50) of a ship, wherein a prefabricated substantially rectangular block (25) is assembled on top of a flexible mat strip (35), the assembling of said block comprising the following steps: applying two longitudinal parallel strips of glue (26, 26′) on the lower surface of said block (25), said strips (26, 26′) being separated by a glue-free central longitudinal space (28); gluing said glued block (25) on a flexible mat strip (35) by pressing said glued block (25) on said flexible mat strip (35) so that after gluing, said longitudinal central space (28) is at least partially filled with glue, thus defining a substantially continuous glue layer on the lower surface of the block (25), said substantially continuous glue layer reinforcing the gluing of said flexible mat strip (35) in order to ensure tightness.
US08444799B2	Method for manufacturing semiconductor device and surface protective tape A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device includes adhering an adhesive layer of a surface protective tape including a base material film, an intermediate layer disposed on the base material film, and the adhesive layer disposed on the intermediate layer to one surface of a semiconductor substrate; curing the intermediate layer while a flat plate is pressed against the base material film of the surface protective tape; grinding the other surface of the semiconductor substrate; curing the adhesive layer; and separating the surface protective tape from the semiconductor substrate.
US08444798B2	Hot press cushioning member and method for manufacturing laminated plate A hot-press cushioning member 11a is configured so that an amount of compressed thickness deformation (a) is obtained by subtracting a compressed thickness (H2) of the hot-press cushioning member under a predetermined press-forming pressure from an initial thickness (H1), an amount of restored thickness deformation (b) is obtained by subtracting the compressed thickness (H2) from an uncompressed thickness (H3) of the hot-press cushioning member with the press-forming pressure released, and the (a:b) ratio ranges from 1:1 to 1:0.8.
US08444797B2	Earmuff assembly method According to the method, a flexible pad is first adhered to a base plate, and then a front cover made of a soft material is joined to cover the flexible pad. An additional rim section from the front cover is preserved and folded inward to cover and adhere to a back wall of the base plate. Finally, a back cover with a number of magnetic elements installed is joined to the base plate so that the rim section of the front cover is locked and concealed by the back cover. As described above, an earmuff is quickly assembled and could be quickly and detachably attached to and replaced later from the headset for cleaning, greatly enhancing the usability of the headset.
US08444796B2	Mold for producing hollow-cylinder-like molded parts Exemplary embodiments are directed to a mold for producing hollow-cylinder-type molded parts, having an external mold portion, that determines an inner cavity of a molded part to be manufactured. The external mold portion has a first cylindrical mold, which extends in a rotationally symmetrical manner about a first axis, and a hemispherical mold having a diameter equal to a diameter of the first cylindrical mold directly adjoins one of the two ends of the cylindrical mold along the first axis, wherein a second cylindrical mold adjoins the hemispherical mold in radial alignment. The hemispherical mold has a spherical cap, the second cylindrical mold is rotatable together with the spherical cap about a second axis which is arranged at an angle with respect to the first axis, and the second cylindrical mold is arranged concentrically with respect to the second rotational axis.
US08444794B2	Core joiner and cutter apparatus An automatic core joiner and cutter apparatus for use in the recycling of used cores and the manufacture of new conjoined cores is disclosed. The apparatus combines an infeed unit, a milling unit, and an outfeed unit, all controlled by a PC. The infeed unit includes at least two infeed rollers for supporting a used core member. An infeed pusher bar moves these core member into and out of contact with the milling unit. The outfeed unit includes at least two rollers for supporting a core remnant. An outfeed pusher bar moves the core remnant into and out of contact with the milling unit. The milling unit, positioned between the infeed and outfeed unit includes an infeed cutter and an infeed milling bit, an outfeed cutter and an outfeed milling bit. The infeed cutter removes the damaged end of the used core and the outfeed cutter removes the damaged end of a core remnant. The used core is milled by the infeed milling bit and the core remnant is milled by the outfeed milling bit. A glue applicator applies glue to at least one of the milled surfaces and the milled surfaces are mated together to produce a new conjoined core. The infeed cutting and milling operations and the outfeed cutting and milling operations are controlled by the controller and performed at the same time.
US08444790B2	Multi-layer intumescent fire protection barrier with adhesive surface An intumescent fire protection barrier in the form of an adhesive sheet or continuous roll of tape. The barrier comprises laminated layers of an intumescent material, a reinforcing matrix, a pressure sensitive adhesive and a release liner. The intumescent material is adhesively applied to a structural steel substrate and expands by at least 10 times its original thickness during a fire to provide fire protection to the substrate. Multiple layers of the fire protection barrier may be installed on top of one another. This application method dramatically reduces installation time as compared with sprayed on fire protection coatings.
US08444785B2	Solid composite propellants and methods of making propellants Solid composite propellants are provided that include a matrix comprising an energetic oxidizer and a binder. A multi-layered reactive thin film is provided in the matrix. The reactive thin film includes metal and inorganic oxidizer. Methods of making the solid composite propellants are also provided.
US08444783B1	3,3,7,7-tetrakis(difluoramino)octahydro-1,5-diazocinium salts 3,3,7,7-Tetrakis(difluoramino)octahydro-1,5-diazocinium intermediate salts through difluoramination followed by N-denosylation or N-deprotection, which are valuable for use as precursor(s) to HNFX as well as to other members of the rare class of 3,3,7,7-tetrakis(difluoramino)octahydro-1,5-diazocines.
US08444772B2	Liquid processing apparatus A liquid processing apparatus, capable of preventing a cleaning solution from remaining on a lifting member of a target object, thereby preventing an attachment of a cleaning solution to an opposite surface of a target object, and preventing an inflow of the cleaning solution into an inert gas supply part to efficiently supply the inert gas to the object, is disclosed. The liquid processing apparatus includes a hollow-shaped support plate to support an object, a hollow-shaped rotary shaft fixedly connected to the support plate, a rotary drive part to rotate the rotary shaft in a predetermined rotating direction, and a lift pin plate arranged in a hollow of the support plate to have lift pins supporting a main body and the processed object. A cleaning solution supply part to supply a cleaning solution and an inert gas supply part to supply an inert gas are extended in a hollow of the rotary shaft. The lift pin plate includes an inclined surface, and the front end of the inert gas supply part is positioned in a position higher than that of the front end of the cleaning solution supply part.
US08444770B2	System for cleaning components for filling holes in a printed circuit board with a fluid fill material A method for cleaning components of a system for filling holes in a printed circuit board with a fluid fill material includes removing the components being a dispensing head and a manifold connected to the dispensing head preferably as a single unit. The single unit is retained in that format. Excess fluid material from the dispensing head and manifold is evacuated preferably by passing air through the dispensing head and manifold. Then the dispensing head and manifold is placed in a cleaning tub, and the manifold is attached to a solvent pump line. The dispensing head and manifold is flushed with a flow of solvent from the solvent pump line; and excess solvent from the dispensing head and manifold is evacuated, by passing air through the dispensing head and manifold.
US08444765B2	Process and apparatus for large-scale manufacturing of bulk monocrystalline gallium-containing nitride A method for large-scale manufacturing of gallium nitride includes a process for reducing and/or minimizing contamination in the crystals, for solvent addition to an autoclave, for improving or optimizing the solvent atmosphere composition, for removal of the solvent from the autoclave, and for recycling of the solvent. The method is scalable up to large volumes and is cost effective.
US08444763B2	Geopolymer cement and use therof The present invention relates to a novel type of noncorrosive geopolymer cement in which said cement comprises a metakaolin or a mixture of metakaolin and non-thermally activated aluminosilicate, in a weight ratio comprised between about 40:60 and about 80:20, and an alkaline silicate solution having a molar ratio M2O:SiO2 comprised between about 0.51 and 0.60, M representing Na or K, and to the use of a superplasticizer comprising a crosslinked acrylic acid polymer in the manufacture of geopolymer cement.
US08444760B2	Bituminous composition This disclosure relates to bituminous compositions and methods of producing the same. More particularly, the disclosure relates to the production of bituminous compositions formulated with performance-graded bitumen-containing solvent-free bitumen emulsions which exhibit controllable, temperature-dependent interfacial rheology. When employed in paving applications, these bituminous compositions develop adhesive strength and load-bearing strength properties at rates comparable to traditional hot mix paving compositions and at rates faster than traditional cold mix paving compositions.
US08444758B2	Low voc additives for extending the wet edge and open time of aqueous coatings Disclosed is a low VOC coating additive employing a water-dispersible polymer, a water insoluble plasticizer, cyclohexanedimethanol, and optionally an amphiphilic component. The additive can be added to a coating to improve at least one performance characteristics of the coating, such as, wet-edge time, open time, scrub resistance, wet adhesion, and water resistance.
US08444756B2	Lithium silicate materials Lithium silicate materials are described which can be easily processed by machining to dental products without undue wear of the tools.
US08444755B2	Ink-jet recording ink, ink-jet recording ink set, ink-jet recording ink media set, ink cartridge, ink-jet recording method and ink-jet recording apparatus An ink-jet recording ink including water, a water-soluble organic solvent, a pigment as a colorant (B), and at least one fluorochemical surfactant selected from compounds represented by Structural Formula (1) below, Structural Formula (1) where R1 denotes any one of a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group and a perfluoroalkyl group, R2 denotes any one of a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group and a fluorine-containing group, Rf denotes a fluorine-containing group, and m and n each denote an integer of 1 or greater.
US08444753B2	Exhaust gas purifying system, method for manufacturing the exhaust gas purifying system and exhaust gas purifying method using the exhaust gas purifying system An exhaust gas purifying system includes an exhaust gas purifying apparatus provided with a gas inlet side connected to an inlet pipe and a gas outlet side connected to an exhaust pipe. A holding sealing material of the exhaust gas purifying apparatus has a first side face and a second side face. The first side face is positioned on the gas outlet side and has a first slanting face formed on the first side face. The first slanting face has a first inside end point and a first outside end point. The first inside end point is positioned between the gas inlet side and the first outside end point. The first slanting face extends from the first inside end point to the first outside end point and is tilted relative to an end face of an exhaust gas treating body of the exhaust gas purifying apparatus.
US08444746B2	Briquetting of mill scale The invention relates to a method for the agglomeration of iron-oxide-containing residual materials, in particular scale and mill scale, wherein the residual materials and paper sludge are dried and ground and agglomerates are produced, by hot briquetting, from a mixture of the residual materials and paper sludge so processed. In this manner, it is possible to produce mill scale briquettes of high strength and density. These briquettes can then be charged into an electric arc steelmaking furnace for the purpose of recycling the iron contained in the residual materials.
US08444741B2	Coated honeycomb body and method for producing a coated honeycomb body A method for producing a metallic honeycomb body from metallic layers with channels through which an exhaust gas stream can flow, includes providing the honeycomb body with a coating. Such honeycomb bodies are used in exhaust gas systems of preferably mobile internal combustion engines as catalyst carrier bodies, filters, mixers and/or adsorbers. The coating is provided in a two-stage application and enables the production of exceptionally advantageous coated metallic honeycomb bodies, which are distinguished by a large coating surface and a low flow resistance. At the same time, an exceptionally large surface enlargement is provided in the honeycomb body while using a smaller amount of coating. A honeycomb body is also provided.
US08444738B2	Filter device for reducing automobile exhaust fume Disclosed herein is a filter device for reducing automobile exhaust fume. The filter device includes a case, a front flange mounted inside the case, a rear flange mounted inside the case, and a filter member mounted between the front and rear flanged. The case includes an inlet port, a porous tube and an exhaust port. The filter member includes a laminated-type or rolled-up type metallic foam filter mounted between the front and rear flanges, and a jacket wrapped around the metallic foam filter. The exhaust gas that flows inside the porous tube passes through the metallic foam filter. The jacket is formed in a network form to maintain the shape of the metallic foam filter and provide durability thereto. The jacket is formed with a rectangular vent hole. The jacket holds the metallic foam filter such that the shape, construction and position of the metallic foam filter can be maintained.
US08444737B2	Ceramic structures and methods of making ceramic structures A method of firing a green structure to produce a ceramic structure may comprise heating a firing environment during a first stage of firing of a green structure over a first timed temperature cycle having an average ramp rate sufficient to substantially complete burnout of organic material prior to initiation of clay dehydration proximate a core of the ceramic structure. The method may further comprise heating the firing environment during a second stage of the firing over a second timed temperature cycle having an average ramp rate that is faster than the average ramp rate of the first timed temperature cycle.
US08444735B2	Air cleaner having anti-rotational arrangement and methods An air cleaner having a housing body and a removable cover and a filter element, in which the cover and the filter element rotationally interfere with each other by engagement between an inside surface of the cover and an outer radial periphery of the filter element. A filter element includes a pair of end caps, filter media, and an outer wall on the end cap circumscribing the filter media, in which the outer wall is non-circular. A method of installing a filter element into a housing includes orienting a cover over an element and a housing body by engaging an inside surface of the cover and an outer radial periphery of the filter element to rotationally interfere with each other.
US08444733B2	Filter device, especially air filter A filter device has a housing assembled of a housing bottom part and housing top part. A filter element is inserted into the housing and is made of a filter medium. A locking device connects the filter element with the housing bottom part and the housing top part in a mounted position of the filter element inside the housing. The locking device has a locking element connected to the filter element. The housing bottom part and the housing top part each have locking parts, wherein the locking element engages the locking parts on the housing bottom part and the housing top part.
US08444730B2	Even-loading DPF and regeneration thereof A motor-vehicle engine system comprises an envelope configured to transmit exhaust. The envelope encloses a first array of filtration cells downstream of a second array of filtration cells. The system further comprises a fuel injector configured to increase a temperature in the envelope when soot is evenly distributed between the first and second arrays in order to address thermal gradients.
US08444728B2	Stabilized chemical mechanical polishing composition and method of polishing a substrate A chemical mechanical polishing composition, comprising, as initial components: water; 0.1 to 20 wt % abrasive having an average particle size of 5 to 50 nm; and, 0.001 to 1 wt % of an adamantyl substance according to formula (II): wherein A is selected from N and P; wherein each R8 is independently selected from hydrogen, a saturated or unsaturated C1-15 alkyl group, C6-15 aryl group, C6-15 aralkyl group, C6-15 alkaryl group; and, wherein the anion in formula (II) can be any anion that balances the positive charge on the cation in formula (II).
US08444727B2	Method of manufacturing chemical mechanical polishing layers A method of manufacturing polishing layers for use in chemical mechanical polishing pads is provided, wherein the formation of density defects in the polishing layers is minimized.
US08444726B2	Method for manufacturing grinding wheel having depressions on grinding surface thereof A grinding wheel is manufactured such that (a) any one of particles for an abrasive grain layer and particles for a substrate layer are put into the press-mold die, and other particles are put onto the particles in the press-mold die, and then the substrate layer and the abrasive grain layer are integrally press-molded to form a non-baked grinding chip with an arcuate shape; (b) depressions are formed on the abrasive grain layer of the non-baked grinding chip; (c) the grinding chip on which the depressions are formed is baked; and (d) the plurality of baked-grinding chips are adhered to a core of the grinding wheel.
US08444724B2	Upright gasifier A generally upright reactor system for gasifying a feedstock. The reactor system generally includes a main body, at least two inlet projections extending outwardly from the main body, and at least one inlet positioned on each of the inlet projections. Each of the inlets is operable to discharge the feedstock into the reaction zone.
US08444722B2	Organic fuel brick Ecologically friendly organically composed fuel products are presented whose composition includes, but is not limited to, ingredients: 58 to 60 percent decomposed straw, 38 percent horse or cow manure, two percent hay mixture from various blends used as feed, and two percent straw dust. The above ingredients are subjected to a number of processing steps with the end product being a hydraulically compressed fuel product, such as a brick, block, briquette, blank, pellet, etc., dried to a less than 10 percent moisture content. Eco-friendly organic fuel products may be created from other ingredients than those described herein could undergo the disclosed process to produce other types of fuel items, both organic and inorganic, with the ingredients comprising wood chips, other kinds of animal manure, and wood chips.
US08444718B2	Process to prepare an aviation fuel A process to prepare an aviation fuel and an automotive gas oil from a source of mineral derived gas oil is provided. From the mineral derived gas oil a low boiling fraction is isolated for use as an aviation fuel or as an aviation fuel component and the remaining part of the mineral derived gas oil is blended with a Fischer-Tropsch derived kerosene fraction and/or a Fischer-Tropsch derived gas oil fraction to obtain a blend suited for use as at least part of an automotive gas oil.
US08444717B2	Method for evaluating battery safety under internal short-circuit condition, battery and battery pack whose safety is identified by internal short-circuit safety evaluation method, and method for producing the same The invention provides a method for evaluating the safety of a battery under an internal short-circuit condition. The battery includes: an electrode group including a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and an insulating layer for electrically insulating the electrodes, which are wound or laminated; an electrolyte; a housing for housing the electrode group and the electrolyte; and a current-collecting terminal for electrically connecting the electrode group and the housing. The method of the invention includes: placing a foreign object at a location inside the electrode group of the battery where the positive electrode and the negative electrode face each other; and pressing the location by the pressure applied by a pressing tool to locally crush the insulating layer between the positive and negative electrodes, thereby causing an internal short-circuit. The contact area of the electrode group and the pressing tool during the pressing is larger than the area of a rectangle circumscribed about the foreign object. A short-circuit test is conducted at a given location inside the battery to comprehensively evaluate the safety of the battery under an internal short-circuit condition.
US08444716B1	Soluble solid hair coloring article A soluble solid hair coloring article having zwitterionic direct dye and one or more soluble porous solids containing nonionic surfactant, cationic surfactant, or a mixture thereof, such that the one or more soluble porous solids have a density of from about 0.03 g/cm3 to about 0.15 g/cm3; and methods of applying the soluble solid hair coloring article to hair.
US08444710B2	Oxidative dyeing compositions comprising an 1-hexyl/heptyl-4,5-diaminopyrazole and a m-aminophenol and derivatives thereof Compositions for the oxidative dyeing of keratin fibers, in particular human keratin fibers, comprising (A) a 1-hexyl/heptyl-4,5-diaminopyrazole compound of the general formula (I), its physiologically compatible water-soluble salt, or mixtures thereof and; (B) a m-aminophenol compound of the general formula (II), its physiologically compatible water-soluble salt, or mixtures thereof; and (C) an oxidizing agent. wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7, R8 and R9 are as defined herein and a=1 or 2.
US08444708B2	Epilatory compositions An epilatory composition of the adhesive type comprises a gel-like matrix material, for example of a rosin-based or sugar-based material, together with 0.1-5 wt % of a branched polyalkene, for example polyisobutene. The resulting compositions offer skin care benefits while maintaining excellent viscoelastic and adhesive properties.
US08444707B2	Epilatory strip A preformed epilatory strip comprises a matrix material that includes a mixture of a major amount—at least 60 wt %—of a sugar-based material and a minor amount—1 to 30 wt %—of a rosinous material. Optionally a particulate material, for example fumed silica, is present.
US08444703B2	Method of donning a prosthetic limb An elevated vacuum locking system for prosthetic limb. An exemplary embodiment may include a plunger pin mounted to a flexible liner and including a through passage between a location proximate the exterior of the liner and a distal end of the plunger pin; a locking mechanism mounted within the distal end of a socket; a manifold mounted to the exterior of the distal end of the socket and including a cavity adapted to receive the distal end of the plunger pin when the patient's residual limb and the liner are installed into the socket, the manifold including a through passage connecting an interior of the cavity to an exterior fitting; and a vacuum pump operative to withdraw air from the interior of the socket via the through passage of the plunger pin, the cavity, and the through passage of the manifold.
US08444702B2	Plunger pin and manifold for a prosthetic limb An elevated vacuum locking system for prosthetic limb. An exemplary embodiment may include a plunger pin mounted to a flexible liner and including a through passage between a location proximate the exterior of the liner and a distal end of the plunger pin; a locking mechanism mounted within the distal end of a socket; a manifold mounted to the exterior of the distal end of the socket and including a cavity adapted to receive the distal end of the plunger pin when the patient's residual limb and the liner are installed into the socket, the manifold including a through passage connecting an interior of the cavity to an exterior fitting; and a vacuum pump operative to withdraw air from the interior of the socket via the through passage of the plunger pin, the cavity, and the through passage of the manifold.
US08444699B2	Method and apparatus for augmenting bone defects A bone augment for repairing a bone defect. The bone augment includes a porous body and a metallic liner. The porous body defines a bore and is configured to be intraoperatively shaped to correspond to the bone defect. The metallic liner is injection molded within the bore such that portions of the liner interlock with pores of the porous body. The metallic liner is operable to mount an implant to the bone augment.
US08444698B2	Joint prosthesis with infinitely positionable head A joint prosthesis includes a bone engaging portion, such as a stem, and articulating component, such as a humeral head, and an insert component that supports the articulating component and is removable from the stem. A mating component mates with the humeral head and is configured to engage the insert component at adjustable angles according to the anatomy of the patient's joint. In a revision surgery, the stem remains within the patient's bone while the insert component is removed with the mating component and humeral head fixed to the insert component. A new insert component may be prepared with the mating component and humeral head oriented to replicate the angular orientation of the previous prosthesis. The new insert component is then mounted within an insert cavity in the implanted stem and rigidly fastened to complete the revision.
US08444696B2	Anatomic spinal implant having anatomic bearing surfaces The present application is directed to an interbody spinal implant having a structural configuration that provides for maintaining the normal anatomic relationship of two adjacent vertebrae of the spine. The spinal implant is sized to fit within the disc space created by the removal of disc material between two adjacent vertebrae and conform wholly, or in part, to the disc space created. The spinal implant of the present invention has first and second sides with upper and lower bearing surfaces that form a support structure for bearing against the end plates of the adjacent vertebrae. The upper and lower bearing surfaces of the first and second sides are shaped to create an anatomic fit with the endplates of the adjacent vertebrae.
US08444693B2	Apparatus, systems, and methods for achieving lumbar facet fusion Assemblies of one or more implant structures make possible the achievement of diverse interventions involving the fusion and/or stabilization of lumbar and sacral vertebra in a non-invasive manner, with minimal incision, and without the necessitating the removing the intervertebral disc. The representative lumbar spine interventions, which can be performed on adults or children, include, but are not limited to, lumbar interbody fusion; translaminar lumbar fusion; lumbar facet fusion; trans-iliac lumbar fusion; and the stabilization of a spondylolisthesis.
US08444691B2	Nasal valve treatment method and apparatus A method and apparatus for treating a nasal valve condition including surgically forming an access path to create a pocket on a side of the patient's nose. The pocket is positioned between a soft tissue layer and opposing surfaces of upper and lower cartilages of the nose. The pocket spans a junction between the upper and lower cartilages. An implant is placed through the access path into the pocket with a length oriented to span the junction. A delivery system for placement of the implant includes a surgical tool for forming the access path and for delivering the implant into the access path.
US08444685B2	Rapid exchange stent delivery system and associated components A rapid exchange stent delivery catheter includes an inner tubular member having a proximal portion, a distal portion, a stent holding portion located adjacent the distal portion of the inner member, and a guide wire lumen extending from a proximal guide wire opening disposed distal of the proximal portion of the inner member to a distal guide wire opening disposed at a distal end of the inner member. The proximal guide wire opening has a first length. An outer tubular member is slidably disposed about the inner member. The outer member has a proximal portion, a distal portion, and a guide wire opening disposed distal of the proximal portion of the outer member. The guide wire opening of the outer member has a second length that is shorter than the first length and a guide wire ramp extends into, and is movable along the first length.
US08444682B2	Shape memory locking device for orthopedic implants A mechanism to connect the supporting portions of orthopaedic implants such as in the head, spine, upper limb and lower limb and thereby prevent loosening and fretting at the implant interface of an orthopaedic implant construct has been developed based on shape memory effect and super-elasticity of shape memory materials such as nickel-titanium (nitinol or NiTi) shape-memory-alloy, without the use of typical threaded fastening technique. Advantages are conferred by making the entire device, not just connecting pieces, out of shape memory alloy and having shape memory effect and super-elasticity. Heating the memory head of the device will compress the connection portion without the use of an auxiliary device (e.g. coupling member) so that the connection portion can be completely clamped down by the memory head. Further advantages are provided through the use of a two-way shape memory effect in which the memory device can be closed or tightened by heating up the ambient temperature, and re-opened by cooling down the temperature.
US08444679B2	Clavicle plate and screws A bone plate and system is provided. The bone fixation plate conforms to the contour of an irregularly shaped bone and eliminates the need for pre-bending or intraoperative bending of the plate. The bone plate is applied to the bone in a generally flat condition and the process of installing and tightening the bone screws in the prescribed order serves to contour the plate to the plate to the underlying bone while providing sufficient strength to effect bone healing. The geometry of the plate allows the plate to follow the contour of an irregularly shaped bone, preventing prominence and patient palpability and streamlining the surgical procedure.
US08444678B2	Instruments and methods for minimally invasive spine surgery A minimally invasive surgical method includes inserting a first port that defines a first pathway to a first vertebra, advancing a first anchor through the first port to the first vertebra, inserting a second port that defines a second pathway to a second vertebra, advancing a second anchor through the second port to the second vertebra, positioning a first end of a fixation element in the first port, and advancing the first end of the fixation element subcutaneously through an opening in the first port and an opening in second port to the second anchor. A surgical access port includes a proximal end, a distal end, and a sidewall defining a lumen extending from the proximal end to the distal end. The port may include a first opening formed in the sidewall that defines a passageway for medical hardware from the lumen to external to the port.
US08444677B2	Polyaxial bone screw with helically wound capture connection A polyaxial bone screw assembly includes a threaded shank body having an upper capture structure, a head and a closed retainer ring. The external capture structure surface and retainer ring internal bore surface are both threaded for rotatable attachment within a cavity of the head. The head has a U-shaped cradle defining a channel for receiving a spinal fixation rod. The head channel communicates with the cavity and further with a restrictive opening that allows for loading the capture structure into the head but prevents passage of the closed retainer ring out of the head. The retainer ring has an external substantially spherical surface that mates with an internal surface of the head, providing a ball joint, enabling the head to be disposed at an angle relative to the shank body. The threaded capture structure or the closed retainer structure includes a tool engagement formation and gripping surfaces for non-slip engagement by a tool for driving the shank body into bone.
US08444676B2	Locking cap assembly for spinal fixation instrumentation A spinal anchor assembly for securing a spinal fixation element has an anchor element adapted for attachment to bone. The anchor element has an opening for receiving a spinal fixation element and side walls on opposed sides of the opening with a plurality of inferior surfaces defined on the side walls. A twist-lock closure closes the opening and captures the spinal fixation element. A locking element can be provided on the closure element and the anchor element. The locking element can be configured so that when the closure element is rotated from the open position to the closed position, the locking element engages to deter the closure element from twisting back to the open position.
US08444664B2	Medical ultrasound instrument with articulated jaws A forceps includes a housing, a shaft assembly, an end effector assembly, and a waveguide assembly. The housing has one or more transducers that generate a mechanical vibration in response to energy transmitted thereto from an energy source. The shaft assembly extends from the housing and includes one or more articulating and clamping members and a longitudinal axis defined therethrough. The end effector assembly is disposed at a distal end of the shaft assembly and includes a pair of opposing jaw members pivotable between approximated and unapproximated configurations in response to movement of the one or more clamping members. The articulating members articulate the jaw members relative to the longitudinal axis of the shaft assembly. The waveguide assembly is positioned within the shaft assembly and receives the mechanical vibration generated by the transducer. The waveguide assembly is positionable within one or both of the jaw members.
US08444661B2	Unfolding balloon catheter for proximal embolus protection Devices, systems and methods for removing foreign bodies within a body lumen are disclosed. An unfolding balloon catheter may include an elongated shaft having an intussuscepting balloon that can be actuated within a body lumen to capture and retrieve an intravascular device. The balloon may be configured to radially and/or axially expand when inflated, enveloping the intravascular device. In certain embodiments, the balloon may be formed by folding the ends of a distensible member inwardly, and then bonding the ends of the distensible member to the elongated shaft to form an expandable sleeve. An adhesive layer located along a portion of the elongated shaft may be used to temporarily secure the balloon to the elongated shaft.
US08444660B2	Device and method for through the scope endoscopic hemostatic clipping Medical device used to cause hemostasis of blood vessels using a clip arrangement delivered to a target region through an endoscope. Method for using the device to cause hemostasis of a blood vessel through an endoscope. Medical device including a reversibly closeable clip, a locking arrangement, a control wire, a sheath, and a handle with an actuating trigger. Through the endoscope, hemostatic clipping device that is fully reversible and lockable. Hemostatic clip that reversibly targets and clips bleeding ulcers.
US08444658B2	Hydrodynamic suture passer A hydrodynamic suturing instrument, comprising an elongated cannulated suturing needle having a distal end configured to carry a suture through tissue and a proximal end adapted to connect to a syringe barrel and a lumen extending form said proximal end to an opening at the distal end for having a size for the passage of a suture, the opening at the distal end configured to receive a suture extending from the lumen along an outer surface of the needle wherein a sharp point extends forward of the suture. A companion instrument includes forceps having a distal end with jaws and a proximal end with a cannula extending from the proximal end to the distal end for passage of the needle, and the jaws having an opening enabling passage of the needle through tissue grasped in the jaws.
US08444655B2	Tissue retrieval device with modular pouch cartridge A specimen retrieval instrument comprises a handle assembly, an actuating rod, an introducer tube, and a retrieval bag. In some versions the specimen retrieval instrument further comprises a modular cartridge containing the retrieval bag. Upon translation of the actuating rod within the tube, the cartridge opens, releasing and opening the retrieval bag for receiving a specimen. A center spindle may be included where the spindle includes a slot for inserting a portion of the retrieval bag and wrapping the retrieval bag about the spindle. Some versions of the specimen retrieval instrument further comprise a rotating cam actuator that opens and closes a pair of support arms attached to the retrieval bag. Some versions of the specimen retrieval instrument further comprise rotating curved support arms operable to open and close the retrieval bag. Pins registered to helical grooves may provide rotation of the support arms as the support arms translate.
US08444654B2	Method for detecting body parameters A method for detecting biometric parameters includes the steps of performing a bone graft procedure on a joint, providing a biometric sensor at the joint, and measuring a biometric parameter at the joint with the sensor. The sensor is capable of measuring parameters in an adjacent surrounding including pressure, tension, shear, relative position, and vascular flow. Data relating to the biometric parameter is transmitted to an external source and the data are analyzed to evaluate a biometric condition of the joint. A set of the sensors can be placed on the joint.
US08444650B2	Pivotable interbody spacer system and method A spinal spacer system includes a handle member, an extension member including a first and a second end, wherein the first end of the extension member is coupled to the handle member. Additionally, a coupling device configured to selectively couple a spacer to the second end of the extension member is disposed on the extension member including an angular fixation member configured to fix the spacer in an angular position relative to the handle member. The spinal spacer system also includes an actuator configured to selectively actuate the coupling device and the angular fixation member. The spacer of the present exemplary spinal spacer system includes a proximal end, a distal end, and a rotatably coupleable engagement member disposed on the proximal end of the spacer. According to one exemplary embodiment, the coupling device includes a single protruding member extending from the second end of the extension member.
US08444648B2	Surgical file A surgical file instrument including a surgical file assembly having an elongated tubular member with a guide/shield supporting the blade of the surgical file and being formed on the distal end thereof, the guide/shield portion being generally planar shaped and having an elongated longitudinally extending dimple defining a rail for guiding said blade and keeping it central and preventing wobbling. The side edges of said guide/shield extend upwardly and bear against the underside of the blade for supporting the same.
US08444645B2	Method and device for computer assisted distal locking of intramedullary nails A method for computer assisted localization of the distal locking holes (11; 14) of an implanted intramedullary nail (2) having a nail axis (19) and a first and second distal locking hole (11; 14) by A) acquiring one single image IM of the distal end section (25) of said intramedullary nail by means of an X-ray device (9) whose optical axis (30) is oriented essentially perpendicular to the nail axis (19) but irrespective to the orientation of the distal locking holes (11; 14); and B) calculating the position of the first and second hole axis (23; 20) of the first and second distal locking hole (11; 14) with respect to a three-dimensional coordinate system A-COS (7) of the implanted intramedullary nail (2).
US08444643B2	Clamping element and insert therefor An insert (70) for a clamping element with two jaws to clamp a rod-shaped element comprises an inner cavity (144) to accommodate a rod-shaped element and at least one flange element (153) at one longitudinal end of the insert intended to abut against the clamping element. The flange element (153) comprises clamping members (161) to reduce the available room within the inner cavity (144) for the rod-shaped element to be clamped and to clamp the flange element (153) between the rod-shaped element and an outer clamping surface of the clamping element to prohibit any longitudinal movement of the clamped insert.
US08444641B2	Two piece tube for suction coagulator An electrosurgical suction coagulator includes a housing having proximal and distal ends and a substantially malleable elongated tube-like shaft extending longitudinally from the distal end of the housing. The elongated tube-like shaft includes a tube-like dielectric sheath and a tube-like electrode having a first thermal conductivity K1 disposed coaxially through the tube-like dielectric sheath. The tube-like electrode is configured to operably couple to a source of electrosurgical energy and a proximal end of the tube-like electrode is adapted to operably couple to a source of suction. The tube-like shaft also includes a thermally conductive member having a second thermal conductivity K2 that is less than K1. The thermally conductive member is configured to impede the propagation of thermal energy in a proximal direction from the distal end of the tube-like shaft.
US08444633B2	System and method for altering internal stress distributions to reshape a material A system and method for altering the configuration of a transparent material (e.g. the cornea of an eye) requires identifying local stress distribution patterns inside the material. These patterns are then used to define boundary (interface) surfaces between volumes within the material. In operation, a laser unit performs Laser Induced Optical Breakdown (LIOB) along selected boundary surfaces to disrupt stress distribution patterns between volumes of the material that are separated from each other by the boundary surface. This LIOB allows an externally applied force to thereby alter the configuration of the material.
US08444631B2	Surgical manipulator The present invention provides a surgical manipulator including a manipulator arm, an end-effector held by the robotic arm, surgical tools held by the end-effector and manipulator joints, particularly right-angle drive devices for transmitting rotational motion in one axis to a perpendicular axis.
US08444627B2	Respiratory manifold with bridge A respiratory manifold is provided which has a base port that is coupled to a central body. The central body has at least one laterally-positioned arm having a port. The base port includes a bridge to guide an object moved through one port into the body of the manifold and through the base port to a tracheal tube without folding, twisting, bunching or buckling of any portion of the object within the manifold.
US08444625B2	Inventory sparing catheter systems and methods Some embodiments relate to a catheter system having a changeable or adjustable working length. The catheter system can comprise a proximal end, a distal end, and a first axial lumen configured to receive a guidewire formed through at least a portion of the catheter body. A first opening can be formed through a portion of the catheter body and be in communication with the first lumen. The sheath can be rotatable, axially movable, or otherwise changeable from at least a first position to a second position, wherein the sheath can substantially cover the first opening in the catheter body in the first position, and can substantially expose the first opening in the catheter body in the second position.
US08444623B2	Patient hydration method A patient hydration method includes administering hydration fluid to a patient, and a hydration fluid measurement device responsible to a source of hydration fluid, a patient urine output measurement device. A controller is responsive to the hydration fluid measurement device and the patient urine output measurement device. The controller operates the infusion device, in response to the patient urine output measurement device and the hydration fluid measurement device, to hydrate the patient based on the patient's urine output.
US08444621B2	Sampler cap A sampler cap includes a sampler connector, an analyzer connector and a liquid impermeable closure member, which may be a membrane or a filter. The sampler cap may be used to transfer a test sample to an analyzer without removing the sampler cap from the sampler.
US08444615B2	One-piece suction canister liner A suction canister liner including a one-piece liner having a generally cylindrical shape with an open end, a closed end, a sidewall connecting the open end to the closed end, and a rim extending outward generally perpendicular to the sidewall at the open end. An inner surface of the sidewall at the open end of the liner is configured to receive a lid in a sealing engagement and the rim can engage an open-ended suction canister and support the liner within the suction canister.
US08444612B2	Self contained wound dressing apparatus The composite wound dressing apparatus promotes healing of a wound via the use of a vacuum pump. The vacuum pump applies a vacuum pressure to the wound to effectively draw wound fluid or exudate away from the wound bed. The vacuum pump is tethered to the wound dressing and is portable, preferably, carried by the patient in a support bag, which permits patient mobility. Moreover, the patient does not need to be constrained for any period of time while exudate is being removed from the wound.
US08444610B2	Assembly for conditioning and dispensing a medical liquid This assembly is of the type including: a vessel (4) for containing liquid, the vessel (4) having a neck (14); a dispensing dropper end fitting (6) disposed at the end of the neck (14); and a cap (8) for closing the vessel (4), provided to be screwed onto the neck (14). In a preferred embodiment, the cap (8) and the neck (14) have safety element preventing the cap (8) from being unscrewed simply by applying an unscrewing torque, and allowing the cap (8) to be unscrewed when an additional action is applied together with the torque for unscrewing the cap (8).
US08444607B2	Infusion medium delivery device and method with drive device for driving plunger in reservoir A delivery device includes first and second housing portions that selectively engage and disengage. A reservoir on one housing portion operatively engages a drive device and/or a needle inserting device on the other housing portion. Upon proper engagement of the housing portions, the reservoir operatively couples to the drive device and/or the needle inserting device. A first magnet on the first housing portion and a second magnet (or a magnetically-attractive material) on the second housing portion are positioned to magnetically interact with each other, upon operative engagement of the housing portions. A third magnet on the second housing portion may be opposed to the first magnet to help align the housing portions for connection. A magnet-responsive device may be on one or both housing portions to detect alignment and/or connection of the housing portions.
US08444606B2	Injection device The invention concerns an injection device for apportioning set doses of a drug from a reservoir to a subject. The injection device comprises a housing having an interior thread formed as an outwardly pointing thread carried on an upstanding tower centrally located in the pen shaped device. This outwardly pointing thread forms a first thread connection with the interior thread of the rotatable scale drum. The injection device further comprises a driver for moving the piston rod forward when moved axially. The driver operates the piston rod through a second thread connection having a pitch different than the first thread connection.
US08444605B2	Needle tip guard for percutaneous entry needles A needle tip protective device for use with percutaneous entry needles. In one embodiment, the needle tip protective device includes a needle guard slidably mounted on a hypodermic needle, the latter having a needle tip located at the distal end thereof, and a change of profile formed medially there along. The needle guard is movable along the hypodermic needle and engageable with the change in profile formed thereon. The engagement with the change in profile is configured to correspond with the ability of the needle trap to entrap the needle tip once the needle trap has advanced the sufficient distance distally along the hypodermic needle. In further refinements, the needle trap may be biased toward the distal needle tip of the needle.
US08444600B2	Replaceable heating cartridge for use with a warming device for medical treatment A replaceable heating cartridge for use with a warming device to heat or warm a fluid. The replaceable heating cartridge comprises a heater having first and second sides, a first connecting portion to receive a fluid from an external source, a second connecting portion to supply a heated fluid, a plurality of barrier members disposed on each side of the heater, and a pair of cover members. Each cover member is disposed on one side of the heater and configured to couple to each other with the heater and the barrier members therein between to form a body with a fluid path. The fluid path wraps around the heater multiple times to warm the fluid flowing through the fluid path from the first connecting portion to supply the heated fluid at the second connecting portion. An air filter is disposed on the fluid path to remove air from the fluid. Preferably, one of the cover member further comprises a plurality of openings to discharge the air removed from the fluid by the air filter.
US08444598B2	Intravascular therapeutic agent delivery Intravascular devices and a method of delivering at least one therapeutic agent. The device includes an elongate element with proximal and distal portions and at least first and second lumens provided therein. The first lumen is adapted for delivering at least one therapeutic agent. The second lumen is adapted for allowing fluid therethrough. An expandable member is disposed adjacent to the distal portion of the elongate element. At least one tip cut is provided in a distal tip portion of the elongate element. The at least one tip cut is adapted for providing flexibility to the elongate element. The method includes providing an elongate element. Spacing of at least one tip cut is varied during positioning of the elongate element within a vessel. The vessel is occluded with the elongate element. The at least one therapeutic agent is delivered to tissue adjacent the occluded vessel.
US08444595B2	Methods to pair a medical device and at least a remote controller for such medical device A disease management system, methods, and devices are shown and described. In one embodiment, the system includes an infusion pump and a remote controller with the ability to be paired to each other. A method to verify a wireless connection between an infusion pump and a remote controller is shown and described herein. In a further embodiment, a method to verify a wireless connection between an infusion pump and a remote controller is provided. In addition, a method of operating a diabetes management system is provided in which the system includes an infusion pump and at least a remote controller.
US08444594B2	System for removal and infusion of body fluid, and method for its operation The invention relates to a system for the extraction and infusion of a body fluid, in particular a system for the extraction and infusion of blood, having a fluid distribution device with an outer structural element at which several connection ports are formed and an inner structural element which is arranged, at least partially, in a seat in the outer structural element, is displaceable between positions and has a hollow space configured for the intake and discharge of a fluid. The invention also relates to a method for operating a system for the extraction and infusion of a body fluid.
US08444593B2	Method for testing peritoneum function and a peritoneal dialysis planning apparatus A peritoneal function testing method uses a ratio of MTACun/MTACc, calculated using MTACun and MTACc, as an index for a peritoneal function test, wherein MTACun is an overall mass transfer-area coefficient for urea nitrogen and MTACun is an overall mass transfer-area coefficient for creatinine. The use of MTACun/MTACc enables examination of the future peritoneal function of a patient (a mechanism of deterioration in peritoneal function). To be specific, MTACun and MTACc can be obtained by computing a Pyle-Popovich model. In addition, the peritoneal function testing method further calculates a permeability coefficient for cell pores (LpSC) and an overall permeability coefficient (LPS) from a Three-Pore Theory model while obtaining a ratio of LPSC/LPS calculated using the LPSC and the LPS. The LPSC/LPS ratio and the MTACun/MTACc ratio can be used as indexes for the peritoneal function test.
US08444591B2	Insufflation gas heater system and tubing for use therewith A warming gas flows through a jacket to heat an insufflation gas flowing in a separate tube, thereby reducing cost and disposable waste. The heated warming gas may be filtered to sterilize or maintain sterility and released to atmosphere after heating the flowing insufflation gas. Alternatively the warming gas may be reheated and recirculated through the jacket, with an additional tube being used within the jacket so that the warming gas flows in both directions lengthwise. The insufflation gas may be carbon dioxide and the warming gas may be room air. The heating element and sensors may be separate from the disposable unit of a heated insufflation set, and need not be re-sterilized prior to or after use in surgery. The heat is constantly maintained, thereby eliminating “cold spots” caused by the natural cycling of the resistance heaters due to the nature of the operation being preformed on the patient.
US08444589B2	Ocular implant with fluid outflow pathways having microporous membranes Disclosed are devices, methods and systems for treatment of eye disease such as glaucoma. Implants are described herein that enhance aqueous flow through the normal outflow system of the eye with minimal to no complications. The implant can include reversibly deformable portions that have a plurality of openings layered, covered or otherwise spanned by an elastomeric film or membrane having micropores. The micropores allow for fluid flow out of the implant while inhibit cellular infiltration and blockage of the openings.
US08444579B2	System for delivering acoustic energy in connection with therapeutic ultrasound systems and catheters The invention discloses a system for delivering acoustic energy to a subject in connection with high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) systems. In an embodiment, the system comprises an optionally disposable waveguide-attached ablation applicator coupled with an optionally re-usable waveguide, and an optional acoustic power source. The systems may comprise acoustic energy exit port intensity control, waveguide heat-sinking, and transducer operational adjustments that accommodate waveguide effects on the traversing acoustic power.
US08444578B2	Wearable ambulatory data recorder A wearable ambulatory data recorder that senses physiological parameters of a patient, and stores physiological parameter data for later retrieval, as well as techniques for using such a wearable ambulatory data recorder, are described. The data recorder includes one or more sensors located on or within a housing. The data recorder may include an adhesive layer for attachment to a patient. In some embodiments, the housing may be within a patch, e.g., bandage, which includes the adhesive layer. The housing may be waterproof. Features of the data recorder such as size, waterproofness, and inclusion of an adhesive may allow the data recorder to be unobtrusively worn by a patient during a variety of daily activities. The data recorder may be for single use and thereafter disposable.
US08444577B2	Medical guide wire A guide wire for guiding a medical device within a body lumen is described. The guide wire includes a proximal section, a distal section, and a mid section. The proximal section includes a proximal wire core tapered with contraction towards a proximal end of the proximal wire core. The distal section includes a distal wire core tapered with contraction towards a distal end of the distal wire core. The mid section includes a joint for joining the proximal wire core and the distal wire core. The guide wire also includes a safety wire extending along the mid section, and along at least parts of the proximal and distal sections. Moreover, the guide wire includes an outer tubing enveloping the overlapping joint and at least parts of the proximal and distal sections.
US08444572B2	Capsule medical device and body-tissue obtaining method A capsule medical device includes a capsule-shaped casing that can be introduced into an in-vivo region of a subject; and a rotation driving unit that generates torque along a circumferential direction of the capsule-shaped casing. The capsule medical device also includes a cutting-obtaining unit that rotates along the circumferential direction of the capsule-shaped casing due to the torque to cut out and obtain a mass of body tissue from the in-vivo region of the subject.
US08444569B2	Methods and devices for counteracting hypotension Devices and methods are disclosed to address blood pressure control. More particularly, the present invention relates to correction of transient low blood pressure.
US08444568B2	Remote blood pressure waveform sensing method The invention as disclosed is a non-contact method and apparatus for continuously monitoring a physiological event in a human or animal, such as blood pressure, which involves utilizing a laser-based interferometer system in combination with a laser tracking system and a signal processor to produce a waveform that is representative of a continuous physiological event such as blood pressure or respiration in a subject.
US08444566B2	Guide for placement of catheter into brain and a method of utilizing the same The subject matter discloses a method and apparatus for detecting an environment within a body comprising a stylet and a catheter capable of being inserted into the body and a bio-sensing module for detecting a predefined material within the body, upon insertion of the stylet and catheter with close proximity to the predefined material. The predefined material may be beta-transferrin, and the apparatus may comprise a transmitter and an indication unit for transmitting data related to the presence of the predefined material in the body.
US08444564B2	Noninvasive diagnostic system A method for diagnosing a joint condition includes in one embodiment: creating a 3d model of the patient specific bone; registering the patient's bone with the bone model; tracking the motion of the patient specific bone through a range of motion; selecting a database including empirical mathematical descriptions of the motion of a plurality actual bones through ranges of motion; and comparing the motion of the patient specific bone to the database.
US08444558B2	Apparatus for monitoring vital signs having fluid bladder beneath padding A sleeping monitoring system includes a first padding layer. A fluid bladder is beneath the first padding layer. A sensor is in fluid communication with the fluid bladder. The sensor is configured to output a vital sign signal.
US08444557B2	Methods and devices for providing access through tissue to a surgical site Methods and devices are provided for providing access through tissue to a surgical site. Generally, the methods and devices allow adjustment of a surgical access port's longitudinal length. In one embodiment, a surgical access port is provided that includes a housing having a cannula distally extending therefrom. The housing can be configured to cut a proximal portion of the cannula to adjust a longitudinal length of the cannula and hence of the surgical access port. In another embodiment, a surgical access port is provided that includes a cannula formed of a plurality of modular segments removably coupled together. One or more of the segments can be configured to be removable from the cannula to change the cannula's longitudinal length.
US08444551B2	Controllable endoscopic sheath apparatus and related method of use A controllable sheath for optimizing the control of surgical instruments at the operation site includes a flexible sheath surrounding an endoscope and including a lumen extending along the walls of the sheath and adjacent to the endoscope. The lumen permits the passage of surgical instruments from the proximal end of the endoscopic device to the operation site. The lumen extends beyond the distal end of the endoscope and deflects at the distal end as desired by the operator's manipulation of a controller device. This distal end deflection may occur through various different techniques where the ability to deflect the lumen gives the operator increased control and maneuverability over the surgical implements located in the lumen. Depending upon the particular requirements of the surgical procedure, the controllable sheath may include any number of lumens capable of distal end deflection.
US08444550B2	Capsule medical device guidance system and method for guiding capsule medical device A capsule guidance system includes a capsule including an imaging unit that captures an in-vivo image, a transmitting unit that transmits the image, and a magnetic field response unit; a magnetic field generation unit that generates a magnetic field; a receiving unit that receives the image; a display unit that displays the image; an operation input unit that inputs operation information for magnetically guiding the capsule; a control unit that controls the magnetic field generation unit to guide the capsule in accordance with the operation information; and a selection unit that selects at least two of a liquid surface, a submerged area, and a liquid bottom that is a lower boundary surface between the liquid and the outside as guidance areas into which the capsule medical device is guided. The control unit switches the magnetic field to be generated in accordance with the selected guidance area.
US08444548B2	Electronic endoscope An insertion unit has a channel through which a treatment tool can be inserted. A distal end of the insertion unit has a single-focus objective optical system or a focal-point-variable objective optical system to focus the optical image on a light receiving surface of an image capturing element. At a short object distance from the distal end, an image signal with a sufficient resolution is obtained from the image capturing element. In this state, a treatment tool projected by a reduced amount from a distal end opening of the channel is captured on a light receiving surface of the image capturing element. A required resolution is also provided for a far side.
US08444542B2	Gear apparatus for a centrifuge including a drive shaft having two hollow longitudinal channels for lubricating the gear apparatus via an associated lubricant compensating system A gear apparatus for a solid-bowl screw centrifuge. The gear apparatus includes a shaft, a gear, and a bearing. The centrifuge includies a drum and a screw, both of which are configured to be driven. The screw is further configured to be driven at a different rotational speed relative to the drum. The gear apparatus is connected between one or more drive motors and the screw and the drum. The gear apparatus is continuously filled with a lubricant and includes a hollow drive shaft having two hollow longitudinal channels extending in an axial direction. Also included is a lubricant compensating system having a lubricant compensating container connected via a line and a rotary lead-through for lubricating the bearing through the two hollow longitudinal channels.
US08444541B2	Solid-bowl centrifuge having a liquid discharge sealed such that a pond level in a separation space remains unchanged when pressurization occurs A solid-bowl screw centrifuge includes a rotatable drum having a horizontal axis of rotation, which drum surrounds a centrifuging space. Further included is a screw which is arranged within the drum, the screw being rotatable at a different speed relative to the drum. Further included is at least one liquid discharge sealed from its surroundings and at least one solid discharge in a tapering region of the drum. Also included is an immersion disk on the screw which disk lies between a liquid feed and the solid discharge and divides the centrifuging space into a discharge space between the immersion disk and the solid discharge, and a separation space between the immersion disk and the liquid discharge. The centrifuge includes a device for charging the separation space with a gas. A process for operating for the solid-bowl centrifuge is also disclosed.
US08444538B2	Impression roller and use of the same An impression roller for gravure printing for use with an electrostatic printing aid, including an axis member or a shaft, joined axially to a steel core, an electrical inner insulating layer extending radially around the core, an electrically semi-conductive outer layer adjoining the outside of the impression layer, and an electrically highly conductive conductor layer arranged between the two. The conductor layer is encapsulated in an electrically insulated exterior. The impression roller is provided with an electric or electronic encapsulated circuit electrically insulated from the outside and having two poles, which is of low resistance in normal operation when the electric current flows from its positive pole to its negative pole and is of high resistance when the flow direction is opposite. The inner pole and outer pole of the circuit are connected to the conductor layer by an inner and outer connection of the impression roller respectively.
US08444537B1	Cable and pulley weightlifting system apparatus A cable and pulley weightlifting apparatus for preventing injury to a weightlifter that includes a pair of bases, a pair of vertical tubular posts, a pair of upper support brackets, a pair of cables, a pair of counterweights, and safety detent pins. Each vertical tubular post has an upper support bracket attached at the upper end and the lower end is attached to the respective pair of bases. Each cable with a counterweight attached to one end is inserted into the channels of the respective vertical tubular posts. The other cable ends with snap hook connectors attached are inserted into the upper support brackets and connected to a dumbbell cable harness or a barbell. The vertical tubular posts include apertures to receive safety detent pins for the weightbearing bar to be suspended at any desired elevation and providing safety to the user not available with other free weight systems.
US08444535B2	Exercise training apparatus An exercise training apparatus of the present invention includes two bases and an inflatable body. The bases respectively include a filling hole, a lid, a storage space and a water absorber. The filling hole communicates with the storage space. The lid detachably covers the filling hole, and the water absorber is located in the storage space. The inflatable body has a first and a second target portion connecting to each other. The first and the second target portion respectively connect to one of the bases. Thereby, inflatable body is formed as the crotch of a human body for users to kick or attack upwards. The bases can be filled with liquid so as to increase weight to the inflatable body, and the water absorber can hold the liquid to keep the gravity at the bottom of the bases. Consequently, the invention has a well balanced structure.
US08444534B2	Rotatable handgrip for a cardiovascular exercise machine A rotatable handgrip for a cardiovascular exercise machine allowing a user to rotate the handgrip relative exercise arms of the machine about an axis which intersects the handle and is generally in line with their forearm.
US08444531B1	Vault box safety collar A safety collar for a vault box reduces the risk of catastrophic injury if the pole vaulter lands directly onto the vault box, but does not make it more difficult for the pole vaulter to plant the pole into the vault box. The safety collar overlies the vault box and an area to the rear and the sides of the vault box. The collar has a front, a rear, a left side, a right side, and an opening extending from the front to the rear that overlies the recess of the vault box. The collar also has a left wing extending downwardly against the left wall of the vault box part way to the bottom surface and part way to the rear wall and a right wing extending downwardly against the right wall of the vault box part way to the bottom surface and part way to the rear wall.
US08444525B2	Multi-ratio transmission A transmission comprising four planetary gear sets, eight shafts and six shift elements. The sun gear of gear set (P1) is fixed via brake (04), the carrier of gear set (P1) is fixed via brake (03) and the drive via clutch (13), and shaft (6) via clutch (36). Sixth shaft (6) is connected to the ring gear of gear set (P2) and the sun gear of gear set (P4), the drive is connected to the sun gear of gear set (P2) and is connectable to the carrier of gear set (P3). Seventh shaft (7) is connected to the ring gear of gear set (P1) and the carrier of gear set (P2), and is connectable to the sun gear of gear set (P3). The ring gear of the fourth gear set (P4) is connectable to the housing via brake (05). The output is connected to the ring gear of third gear set (P3) and the carrier of fourth gear set (P4).
US08444524B2	Multi-ratio transmission A multi step transmission comprises planetary gearsets (P1, P2, P3, P4), shafts and shift elements. The sun gear of gearset (P1) couples housing (G). The carrier of gearset (P1) couples shaft (3), which couples housing (G) via brake (03), drive shaft (01) via clutch (13), and shaft (5) via clutch (35). Shaft (5) operatively couples the sun gear of gearset (P3) and couples the ring gear of gearset (P2) and the sun gear of set (P4). Shaft (1) couples, via clutch (17), shaft (7), which couples the sun gear of gearset (P2), and operatively couples the carrier of gearset (P3). Shaft (6) couples the ring gear of gearset (P1) and the carrier of gearset (P2) The ring gear of gearset (P4) couples shaft (4), which couples housing (G) via brake (04), and output shaft (2) couples the ring gear of gearset (P3) and the carrier of set (P4).
US08444522B2	Flow-formed differential case assembly A differential case assembly includes a differential case having an open end and a side wall with an interior surface. A plurality of major internal splines is formed on the interior surface of the side wall. The differential case assembly further includes a gear assembly with a retainer insert and a cross pin. The retainer insert is disposed adjacent the interior surface of the side wall between a pair of the major internal splines. The retainer insert has a hole formed therein. The cross pin has an end received in the hole of the retainer insert. The gear assembly is thereby aligned within the differential case.
US08444518B2	Drive device A drive device includes: an input shaft connected to an engine; a first motor-generator; a second motor-generator; a planetary gear unit including three rotating elements; an output gear connected to the planetary gear unit; an output shaft that transmits rotation of the output gear to a driving wheel; and a control device that controls at least one of the first and second motor-generator. The output gear, the planetary gear unit, and the first motor-generator are coaxial with the input shaft. The planetary gear unit is provided radially inside the first motor-generator and is provided at the same position as the first motor-generator in the axial direction. The second motor-generator is provided on an axis different from the input shaft and the output shaft axes. The control device is provided on the side of the output gear, the planetary gear unit, and the first motor-generator that is opposite the input shaft.
US08444516B2	Multi-speed drive unit A compound-input is provided for an electrically variable transmission for a motor vehicle. The compound-input electrically variable transmission has improved input gear ratios that allow the vehicle engine to be operated in its desired efficiency and/or performance range during both city and highway vehicle operation. Further, the multi-speed input electrically variable transmission provides an input brake without the need for a dedicated input brake clutch or braking mechanism and incorporates a reverse gear for reverse operation.
US08444515B2	Elevator belt assembly with noise and vibration reducing grooveless jacket arrangement An elevator load bearing assembly includes a plurality of cords within a jacket. The cords are spaced from an exterior surface on the jacket such that the spacing remains generally constant along the length of the belt. The jacket has a smooth, uninterrupted exterior surface for contacting sheaves as the belt moves in the elevator system. A method of making the inventive belt assembly is disclosed. The inventive belt assembly minimizes the possibility for generating an annoying, audible sound and vibration during elevator operation.
US08444514B2	Front derailleur chain detachment prevention member A front derailleur chain detachment prevention member is provided that can be easily removed from a front derailleur. The front derailleur chain detachment prevention member is removably mounted on a front derailleur, and has elasticity. The front derailleur chain detachment prevention member is provided with a mounting part, a connecting part, and a regulating part. The mounting part is removably attached to an inner plate of a chain guide. The connecting part extends forward from the mounting part along the inner plate. The regulating part is disposed at a tip of the connecting part, and projects from the inner plate toward an outer plate of the front derailleur.
US08444513B2	Underwater frisbee golf disc locator A device for a Frisbee golf disc that indicate position when submerged underwater. The present invention is attached to the center of bottom of a Frisbee golf disc and comprises of a compartment with holes. The compartment holds an effervescent tablet that reacts with water to produce bubbles. The water is able to reach the effervescent tablet through the holes. The bubbles from the reaction of the effervescent tablet escape from the holes and rise to the surface of the water to indicate position for easy retrieval.
US08444510B2	Method for designing a golf club The present invention relates to a method for determining club parameters for at least one golf club, belonging to a set of golf clubs for a specific golfer, having arbitrary club length Lk,n. The method comprises: selecting club length of a first reference golf club and a second reference club; varying at least one club parameter belong to the group: club weight, club head weight, CG position and weight distribution of the first reference golf club and the second reference golf club; selecting a club parameter value for each selected club parameter. At least one torsional moment PCF, ICF, HCF, GCF is calculated and a relationship is determined as a function of club length. A club length for a first golf club belonging to the set of golf clubs is selected and club parameters for the first golf club is determined based on each determined relationship.
US08444507B2	Multi-layer golf ball Golf balls consisting of a dual core and a dual cover are disclosed. The dual core consists of an inner core layer formed from a rubber composition and an outer core layer formed from a highly neutralized polymer composition.
US08444506B2	Golf club head with composite weight port A golf club head having a face component, a crown, and a composite sole with one or more weight ports for receiving one or more weight inserts is disclosed herein. At least part of each of the weight ports is integrally formed in the composite sole, and each of the weight ports include a weight receiving region for receiving a weight and a screw receiving region for receiving a screw that secures the weight in the weight port.
US08444505B2	Golf club head with repositionable weight A golf club head comprises a body, a track formed in or attached to the body and having a length and a weight and weight retainer. The weight is continuously repositionable such that it can be positioned at any selected point along the track between its ends. The weight has a major dimension, and the weight retainer comprises a fastening member having a diameter not greater than about one half of the major dimension of the weight.
US08444504B2	Golf club head A golf club head with a club head body having an external surface with a heel portion, a toe portion, a crown portion, a sole portion, and a front opening is described. A face insert support structure is located at the front opening. The support structure includes a peripheral member and a rear support member. The rear support member has a front surface and a rear surface. A face insert is attached at the front opening and closes the front opening of the body. An undercut fill structure is attached to a portion of the rear surface of the rear support member.
US08444498B2	Seesaw A seesaw having a plurality of illumination means provided on both sides of a pivotable elongate member. The illumination means are controlled by control means dependent upon the inclination of the elongate member.
US08444492B2	Inter-game interactive hybrid asynchronous computer game infrastructure with social networking In embodiments of the present invention improved capabilities are described for an online gaming method, where an initiating live participant can invite a friend to join a game as an additional participant. Following the invitation, a wait period is provided for receiving acceptance, and if acceptance is received within the wait period, then they will play as live participants in the game play. If acceptance of the friend is not received within the wait period, then a simulated additional participant based on prior game play data of the friend will be presented in game play with the initiating live participant such that the simulated additional participant appears to be a live participant due at least in part to an inter-game interaction between the initiating live participant and the simulated additional participant.
US08444489B2	Virtual card gaming system A virtual card system provides a card game which is presented in a three-dimensional representation on monitor screens. The system allows human players to play the card game through the monitor screens. The monitor screen may be touch screens which allow the human players to input commands directly. The card game displayed on the touch screen is adapted for graphical manipulation in response to commands from a human player in real time, for instance to bend a card back at the corner to look on the underside.
US08444480B2	Gaming system having multiple gaming machines which provide bonus awards A gaming system including a central server linked to a plurality of gaming machines and a plurality of bonus awards. The central server monitors wagers on the gaming machines. Based at least in part on the wagers the central server determines when bonus events will occur and which gaming machine(s) will provide the bonus awards. In one embodiment, the central server determines which gaming machine will provide a primary bonus award and any secondary bonus awards. In one embodiment, the number of secondary bonus awards is determined based on the number of active gaming machines. The selected gaming machine then determines a component of or the amount of the bonus award to be provided to the gaming machine selected by the central server.
US08444478B2	Gaming system and a method of gaming A gaming system is disclosed which comprises a symbol selector arranged to select at least one player symbol at each level of a multilevel game from a set of symbols, an outcome generator arranged to determine at each level of the multilevel game a successful or unsuccessful game level outcome based on a comparison of the at least one selected player symbol with at least one reference symbol such that the player proceeds to a succeeding game level if the game outcome is successful and the player does not proceed to a succeeding game level if the game outcome is not successful. The gaming system also comprises a prize allocator arranged to allocate a prize to a player based on the game level the player has successfully completed. A corresponding method is also disclosed.
US08444470B2	Multi-ball video-roulette gaming systems, methods and processor-readable media A video-based multi-ball super-roulette gaming system, method and processor-readable media includes a main/primary roulette wheel having a number of ball pockets with betting marks and a circular runway for rotating multiple graphical game balls within the primary roulette wheel. The system permits a player to pay and play multiple balls in order to maximize the action and winning chances with respect to a player. Multiple balls of the game provide increased action for the player while enticing the player to wager more creating increased gaming volume for an operator. Optionally, a secondary multiplier bonus wheel rotates within the vicinity of the primary roulette wheel in order to provide multiplied potential win for the player when configured with, for example, a bonus-wheel super-roulette gaming system and/or method.
US08444468B2	Voucher gaming system A gaming system and related methods comprising a gaming device and a voucher mechanism in communication with the gaming device. The voucher mechanism is configured to present various types of vouchers to the player depending on a game outcome. The types of vouchers include, without limitation, a jackpot voucher, a merchandise voucher, a free play voucher, a mystery voucher, a competition entry voucher, and a restricted machine play voucher.
US08444467B2	Gaming machine having an enhanced game play scheme A gaming machine having an enhanced game play scheme is provided where, in response to receipt of a second wager to select an option, a player is provided with enhanced game play. Enhanced game play may include (1) providing more frequent bonus game play, (2) providing a larger bonus game value payout, (3) providing more frequent bonus game play and providing a larger bonus game value payout, (4) providing a larger or multiplied game value payout, (5) providing a guaranteed value payout for a non-winning outcome, (6) providing game features (7) providing a larger game value payout based on a partial game outcome, (8) providing an extra wild symbol capable of repositioning, and (9) providing a possibility of an additional reel movement to reposition an extra reel symbol or (10) providing a possibility of an extra pay line to include an extra reel symbol to increase a value payout.
US08444466B2	Wagering game with game-play interruption feature A method for conducting a wagering game includes receiving a wager from a player to play a basic wagering game. The method further includes displaying the basic wagering game on a video display. The method further includes interrupting the basic wagering game. A secondary game is initiated once the basic game is interrupted. The method further includes displaying an outcome for the basic wagering game after the secondary game has been completed.
US08444464B2	Prompting a player of a dance game Presented herein are methods, apparatuses, programs, and systems for prompting a player to perform a series of dance moves. A player is prompted to perform a series of dance moves by providing a timeline comprising at least a first time interval associated with a first dance move, and a second time interval associated with a second dance move; displaying an icon representing the first dance move at a first location on the display for the duration of the first time interval; and displaying an icon representing the second dance move at the first location on the display for the duration of the second time interval, wherein the icon representing the first dance move includes one or more representations of a body and indicates on the one or more representations of the body at least one body part whose position is important during the performance of the first dance move.
US08444463B2	Game device, method for controlling game device, program, and information storage medium A game device is provided. The game device includes a pass target selector, an operated target switcher, a first player controller, and a second player controller. The pass target selector selects a player character to be a pass target in a case where a first player character is in possession of a moving object. The switcher switches the user operated target from the first player character to a second player character. The first player controller moves the first player character and the moving object after switching, based on a position of an opponent player character, determines whether positions of the first player character or the moving object and the second character satisfy a condition, and causes, if the condition is satisfied, the first player character to make a pass to the second player character. The second player controller moves the second player character after switching.
US08444461B2	Systems and methods for the detection of anatomical structures and positions thereof The various embodiments of the present disclosure relate generally to systems and methods for the detection of anatomical structures and anatomical positions. More particularly, the various embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to the detection of musculoskeletal elements, such as bones, tendons, ligaments, cartilage, and the like, which could be useful for example in poultry processing for bone screening as well as for guidance of machines for processing. For example, a system for detecting a bone in a carcass comprises: a device for supporting a carcass comprising a base and a frame attached to the base, wherein the frame is configured to contact at least a portion of a cavity of a carcass; and an electromagnetic radiation source, wherein the electromagnetic radiation source is configured to irradiate at least a portion of a cavity of a carcass.
US08444460B1	Livestock organ processing apparatus An organ processing apparatus has an input and an output, and comprises an intake conveyor having a longitudinal extent extending from the input toward the output, with the intake conveyor including a plurality of cradles movable along the longitudinal extent of the conveyor. The apparatus may include a positioning wall with a guide surface located adjacent to a lateral side the intake conveyor. The apparatus may also include a cutter configured to sever a portion of an organ positioned in one of the cradles from a remainder of the organ. The apparatus may further include a peeling assembly configured to remove an outer membrane from the organ.
US08444448B2	Manufacturing methods of touch panel, display device, and electronic apparatus A manufacturing method of a touch panel having a plurality of first electrodes and a plurality of second electrodes which are formed on one surface of a substrate and extend in directions crossing each other, includes: forming the second electrodes so as to be separated at intersections between the first and second electrodes on the substrate; forming the first electrodes at the intersections on the substrate; forming an insulating film at least on the first electrodes at the intersections using a printing method; and forming bridge wirings that connect the second electrodes separated at the intersections to each other over the insulating film using the printing method, wherein forming partition walls for partitioning at least a part of a profile shape of the insulating film is performed prior to the forming of the insulating film.
US08444442B2	Air conditioning wiring system A wiring system for use in an air conditioning system comprising a printed circuit board having wiring receptacles and wiring connectors. In one aspect, at least some of the wiring receptacles comprise two or more wiring sub-receptacles, and each of the wiring sub-receptacles includes a slotted sub-receptacle connection pattern. Furthermore, the slotted sub-receptacle connection pattern of each of the wiring sub-receptacles is different from every other sub-receptacle connection pattern. Each of the wiring connectors includes a ridged connection pattern that is different from every other ridged connection pattern of the wiring connectors, such that a given wiring connector is receivable within only one of the wiring sub-receptacles. An air conditioning system and a method of manufacturing is also provided.
US08444439B2	Connector mounting apparatus having a bracket with recesses abutting resisting tabs of a member received therein A connector mounting apparatus includes a mounting bracket and a receiving member. A receiving space is defined in the mounting bracket. The receiving member includes a main body, a first resilient resisting tab extending outward from a base panel of the main body, and a first resilient contacting tab extending inward from the base panel to resiliently abut a connector interface received inside the main body. The main body is received in the receiving space and the first resisting tab resiliently abuts an inner surface of the receiving space.
US08444436B1	Midplane especially applicable to an orthogonal architecture electronic system A midplane has a first side to which contact ends of a first differential connector are connected and a second side opposite the first side to which contact ends of a second differential connector are connected. The midplane includes a plurality of vias extending from the first side to the second side, with the vias providing first signal launches on the first side and second signal launches on the second side. The first signal launches are provided in a plurality of rows, with each row having first signal launches along a first line and first signal launches along a second line substantially parallel to the first line. The second signal launches are provided in a plurality of columns, with each column having second signal launches along a third line and second signal launches along a fourth line substantially parallel to the third line.
US08444434B2	Grounding structures for header and receptacle assemblies A receptacle assembly includes a front housing configured for mating with a header assembly. A contact module is coupled to the front housing. The contact module includes a conductive holder that has a first side and an opposite second side. The conductive holder has a front coupled to the front housing. The conductive holder holds a frame assembly. The frame assembly includes a plurality of contacts and a dielectric frame supporting the contacts. The dielectric frame is received in the conductive holder. The contacts extend from the conductive holder for electrical termination. A ground shield is coupled to the first side. The ground shield is electrically connected to the conductive holder. The ground shield has grounding beams that extend therefrom. The grounding beams extend forward of the front of the conductive holder for electrical connection to a corresponding header shield of the header assembly. First and second side shields are coupled to the first and second sides, respectively. The first and second side shields are electrically connected to the conductive holder. The first and second side shields have grounding fingers that extend therefrom. The grounding fingers extend forward of the front of the conductive holder for electrical connection to a corresponding header shield of the header assembly.
US08444432B2	Power and data adapter assembly A power and data adapter assembly includes an electrical receptacle assembly having a receptacle housing, removable side tabs and a simplex receptacle. The assembly also includes a data port assembly having the receptacle housing, data port adapter and data port connector. The data port assembly and simplex receptacle assembly are receivable within a channel support through ends of the channel support and are positionable in desired positions along the length of the channel support.
US08444429B2	Unlocking device, connector device, and connector [Problem]To prevent a receptacle connector and a plug connector from being erroneously released from a state locked to each other by hand, and to make it possible to easily remove the plug connector from the receptacle connector by an operator alone.[Solution]A receptacle housing 4 of a receptacle connector 3 is provided with through holes 411. A plug housing 7 of a plug connector 6 is provided with protrusions 92 which can be engaged in the though holes 411, and leaf springs 711 which urge the protrusions 92 toward the through holes 411. An unlocking jig 9 is formed by a jig main body 91 which can be mounted and removed to and from the receptacle housing 4 of the receptacle connector 3 in a direction D2 perpendicular to a fitting and removing direction D1, and the protrusions 92 which are provided on the jig main body 91 and press lugs 712 against an urging force of the leaf springs 711 when the jig main body 91 is mounted to the receptacle connector 3 to thereby disengage the lugs 712 and the through holes 411.
US08444424B2	Card edge connector having improved ejector A card edge connector (100) includes a longitudinal insulative housing (1), a set of contacts (2), and an ejector (3) rotatablely attached the insulative housing. The insulative housing has a longitudinal direction and a thickness direction, the insulative housing has a central slot (114). The contacts have contacting portions (21) arranged at two sides of the central slot (114) in the thickness direction. The ejector (3) includes a main portion (30), an ejecting portion (35) extending from a first end of the main portion and along the longitudinal direction, a locking portion (31) extending from a second end of the main portion opposite to the first end and along the longitudinal direction, and a lever portion (32) extending from the second end and along the thickness direction.
US08444423B2	Dual-personality extended USB plugs and receptacles using with PCBA and cable assembly A USB plug receptacle includes a connector substrate having a tongue portion having a first set of electrical contact pins disposed on a top surface of the tongue portion, a second set of a plurality of electrical pins disposed on a bottom surface of the tongue portion, a third set of electrical contact pins disposed on an opposite end of the tongue portion. The USB plug receptacle further includes a metal case made of a sheet of electrically conductive metal plate by blanking the sheet into a generally tubular shape to receive and enclose the connector substrate. When the connector substrate is inserted into the metal case, the third set of electrical contact pins are exposed outside of the metal case and the third set of electrical contact pins can be mounted on first and second sets of electrical contact pads of a printed circuit board assembly.
US08444421B1	Unity circle A single piece or rope, twine, yarn, having at one end a loop, either secure or adjustable. The section in the middle of the unity circle can be any length. The other end of the rope has a knot. More than one of the same type sections is used to create the unity circle.
US08444417B2	Methods for treating dental diseases, disorders, and injuries Methods for preventing, reversing, ameliorating or treating dental diseases, disorders or injuries are provided. In particular, methods for preventing, reversing, ameliorating or treating dental diseases of the gingival (gums) and bone are provided. Such methods utilize novel compositions including, but not limited to, extraembryonic cytokine-secreting cells (herein referred to as ECS cells), including, but not limited to, Amnion-derived Multipotent Progenitor cells (herein referred to as AMP cells) and conditioned media derived therefrom (herein referred to as Amnion-derived Cellular Cytokine Solution or ACCS), and Physiologic Cytokine Solution (herein referred to as PCS), each alone or in combination with each other and/or other agents.
US08444413B2	Non-custom dental treatment trays having improved anatomical features A non-custom, dental tray device includes a moisture-resistant barrier layer having a labial-buccal wall, a lingual wall, and a bottom wall. The dental tray device includes at least one of the following structural features to enhance the fit of the device; (1) the bottom wall includes an abrupt reduction of width at a location corresponding to where the first bicuspid meets the canine; (2) a bottom wall in the posterior region having a width that is equal to or less than the width of the bottom wall in the anterior region, with no lingual wall in the posterior region; or (3) a transition portion between the bottom wall and either the labial-buccal wall or the lingual wall has a larger radius of curvature as compared to a radius of curvature at a transition portion between the bottom wall the other of the labial-buccal wall and the lingual wall.
US08444410B2	Mould for a blow-moulding machine and method of manufacturing such a mould Mold (10) for a blow-molding machine, for molding thermoplastic containers, the mold (10) comprising several mold parts having centering features (36, 38, 50) and complementarily-shaped centering features (40, 42, 44), said centering features (36, 38, 50) and complementarily-shaped centering features (40, 42, 44) being capable of cooperating with one another, characterized in that at least a portion of at least one of the centering features (36, 38, 50) and complementarily-shaped centering features (40, 42, 44) is made or tin anti-friction composite material so as to avoid lubrication thereof.
US08444408B2	Method of the manufacture of an implantable intraocular planar/convex, biconvex, planar/convex or convex/concave lens, an open mold used for the execution of this method, and a lens made using this method The invention is related to a method of the manufacture of an implantable lens from a liquid polymer precursor in an open mold, during which the liquid polymer precursor in metered into the open mold in a such measured amount, that comes into contact with a functional shaping inner surface of the open mold, which is located under a peripheral circular sharp edge of the stationary open mold or which reaches up to this peripheral circular sharp edge, at which point the open mold, which contains the liquid polymer precursor, is rotated around it's vertical axis at a speed, at which the edge of the surface of the liquid polymer precursor reaches the peripheral circular sharp edge of the open mold, after which the liquid polymer precursor is exposed to conditions, under which it transforms itself into a state of a clear solid polymer by polymerization and/or cross-linking, until such time, at which the stated transition is attained, and then the implantable intraocular lens is removed from the open mold. The invention also includes the open mold used for the implementation of the stated method and the lens produced in this way.
US08444406B2	Gear pump with reduced pressure pulsations on the pumping side The invention relates to a gear pump in which the amplitudes of the pressure impulses in a pressure chamber can be significantly reduced by a suitable embodiment of a first groove and/or a second groove. The circumferential walls of a pump chamber containing the pressure chamber, in an angular range extending toward the pressure chamber, each have a respective groove communicating with the pressure chamber, by which grooves a radial spacing between the outer circumference of two gear wheels disposed in the pump chamber and the circumferential walls is increased.
US08444403B2	Self-sealing mechanism for scroll compressor A self-sealing mechanism for a scroll compressor is disposed inside a frame of the scroll compressor at a position between a back-pressure chamber and a fixed scroll, including an accommodating space; a groove communicating the space with the chamber; a one-way valve disposed at one end of the space adjacent to the groove to maintain communication between the space and the groove in a normally closed state; and a suction port penetrating from the space to an entrance of the fixed scroll. When the pressure of the chamber is increased in an instant, the valve is opened in real time for allowing the lubricating oil inside the chamber to flow into the space, thereby regulating the pressure of the chamber. Moreover, the lubricating oil in the space can be sucked under the suction force from the fixed scroll and fill in positions between the fixed scroll and an orbiting scroll.
US08444399B2	Pump system for conveying a first fluid using a second fluid A pump system for conveying a first fluid using a second fluid. The system includes at least a first pump having at least a first rigid outer casing defining a first interior space and a first flexible tube structure accommodated in the first interior space. The interior of the first flexible tube structure is arranged for receiving one of the first or second fluids. The region of the first interior space surrounding the first flexible tube structure is arranged for receiving the other of the first and second fluids. The first flexible tube structure is movable between laterally expanded and collapsed conditions for varying the volume of the interior of the first flexible tube structure, thereby imparting sequential discharge and intake strokes on the first fluid.
US08444397B2	Manual selective attenuator An attenuating apparatus for use with a positive displacement compressor. The device includes a bore formed in a housing of the compressor, the bore being positioned at an angle to a discharge chamber of the compressor and in fluid communication with the compressor discharge chamber. A plug is positioned within the bore, the plug movable within the bore to a preselected position. The plug has a first end in contact with a gas from the compressor discharge chamber and a second, opposite end being accessible from an exterior of the housing. A seal is positioned between the plug and the bore to seal an interface between the plug and the bore to prevent leakage of a gas from the compressor discharge chamber along the interface. The plug is lockable within the bore at the preselected position. The preselected position of the plug within the bore determines a bore length in fluid communication with the compressor discharge chamber, which attenuates sound from gas pulsations resulting from discharge of compressed gas from the operation of the compressor. The bore and plug are threaded to facilitate the adjustment of the plug within the bore.
US08444395B2	Variable displacement variable pressure vane pump system A variable displacement variable pressure vane pump system provides lubrication oil to a mechanical system. The pump system includes a first control mechanism to apply a force to a control slider to counter a biasing force of a biasing spring and urge the control slider away from a position corresponding to a maximum displacement position of the pump. A second control mechanism applies a force to the control slider to alter the displacement of the pump. A control varies the supply of lubrication oil to the second control mechanism to alter the output of the pump to closely correspond to the lubrication requirements of the mechanical system.
US08444394B2	Pump controller system and method A method and apparatus for a pump control system. One or more embodiments of the invention include a pump controller that can perform a self-calibrating procedure, can provide precise motor speed control, can provide a limp mode before shutting down the motor when system parameters are exceeded and/or fault conditions occur, can detect fault conditions, and can store fault conditions for later retrieval.
US08444392B2	Pressure control A method and apparatus is disclosed for determining pressure provided by a pump of a topical negative pressure (TNP) system. The method includes the steps of determining a value associated with a measured pressure, determining a difference between the measured pressure value and a predetermined desired value and increasing or decreasing a speed of pumping of the pump responsive the to difference.
US08444386B1	Turbine blade with multiple near wall serpentine flow cooling An air cooled turbine blade with a number of multiple pass serpentine flow cooling circuits extending around the airfoil surface in which a first leg of each serpentine flow circuit is located against a hot wall surface and the second legs and even the third legs of the serpentine flow circuits being located inward from the first legs. The circuits include two-pass serpentine circuits in the leading edge and trailing edge region that discharge into collection cavities, and the mid-chord section of the airfoil is cooled with three-pass serpentine circuits that discharge into long slots that open onto the blade tip.
US08444381B2	Gas turbine bucket with serpentine cooled platform and related method A cooling circuit for a turbine bucket having a shank, a platform and an airfoil. The cooling circuit includes a first cooling passage extending from an inlet located at a radially inward end of the shank and adapted to communicate with a turbine wheel-space, the first cooling passage, in use, supplying cooling air to a serpentine cooling circuit extending within and across at least one region of the platform. The serpentine cooling circuit connects with a separate internal cooling circuit in the airfoil, such that the cooling air used to cool the platform is re-used in the airfoil cooling circuit.
US08444380B2	Engine case system for a gas turbine engine The present invention provides engine case systems for gas turbine engines. Embodiments of the engine case systems include a plurality of ring cases and a tie-bolt case. The ring cases may house blades and vanes for the compressor and/or for the turbine. The ring cases may be stacked in series, and may be clamped together by a tie-bolt case.
US08444377B2	Method for attaching a connector to deposited material A method for attaching a connector to deposited material includes the steps of depositing material on a substrate using a thin- or thick-film deposition process and attaching at least one connector to the deposited material using a high energy beam welding process.
US08444375B2	Cooled blade for a gas turbine, method for producing such a blade, and gas turbine having such a blade A blade for a gas turbine includes an airfoil extending in radial direction of the turbine or longitudinal direction of the blade, respectively, between a platform and a blade tip. The airfoil is bordered across the airfoil by a leading edge and a trailing edge and has a suction side and a pressure side. At the trailing edge a first cooling passage runs parallel to the trailing edge from the platform to the blade tip in the interior of the airfoil. The cooling passage is supplied with a cooling air flow from the platform side, and from which cooling air is discharged through a plurality of cooling holes arranged all over the blade. For such a blade the cooling is optimized by providing a first cooling passage, the passage area of which is tapered in radial direction by between 35% and 59%.
US08444374B2	Impulse hydro electric turbine comprising rotating nozzles The invention relates to a hydroelectric machine. According to the invention, the machine includes: at least two pipes (10, 11) connected to a ballast (8) and to a horizontal bar (14), bearing a vertical axis (15) driving a first gear manipulation box (25) and then the rotor of a first generator (27); blades (16) opposite the openings (12, 13) of the pipes (10, 11), carried by bearings (17) and beams (18), and by a second structure (24) via rolling bearings (22), the beams (18) leading to a hollow cylinder (31) driving, via two sprockets (28, 29) and an axis (30), a second gear manipulation box (31) and then the rotor of a second generator (33); cylindrical steel frames (38, 40, 42, 44, 47, 49) bearing shoulders and rolling bearings (39, 41, 43, 45, 46, 48, 50); a power supply for powering two needle latches (59, 60) via two concentric metal hoops (55, 56) and two brushes (57, 58).
US08444370B2	Impeller for pumps A rotary wheel for radial pumps includes an intermediate wall at which one or more vanes are provided on both sides. Passage openings are formed in the intermediate wall in order to distribute a desired pump flow onto the vanes on both sides of the intermediate wall.
US08444364B2	Auto-sequencing multi-directional inline processing apparatus An apparatus and method for concurrent processing of several substrates. The system employs a novel architecture which, while being linear, may autonomously sequence processing and move substrates in different directions as necessary. The system moves several substrates concurrently; however, unlike the prior art it does not utilize trays.
US08444359B2	Seat track and monument attach fastener A blind fastener employs a split bolt element having two symmetrical half sections split at mating separation faces and cooperatively displaceable between a first collapsed position and a second expanded position. A capture portion split bolt has a substantially circular plan form in the first collapsed position with a diameter which is received through an attachment hole in a structural member. A bearing section and a threaded portion both have a substantially circular plan form in the second expanded position while the capture portion has compression surfaces extending with an elliptical major axis greater than the hole diameter in the extended second position to engage a bottom surface surrounding the attachment hole. The bearing section closely engages the attachment hole in the expanded position. A wedge separator element is insertable between the half sections to expand them from the first collapsed position to the second expanded position. A nut is threadably received on the threaded portion and engages a lip on a mounting aperture in a monument to be attached to the supporting structure.
US08444356B2	Blind stud insert An insert for blind installation in a workpiece, and method of manufacture of an insert, the insert (2) comprising a body (4) and anchor stud (6); wherein the stud is inserted into a through bore (22) in the body, part of the stud extending beyond the end of the through bore, and a part of the stud provided with opposed areas of knurling (14, 16) such as threading, being enveloped by a reduced diameter section (24) of the body, such that crimping the stud onto the body causes material to enter the knurling, thereby firmly attaching body and stud, allowing the insert to withstand high torque.
US08444353B2	Cutting tool A cutting tool includes a tool body having a first end engageable with a workpiece and a second end engageable with a spindle of a power tool. A blade extends outwardly from the first end of the tool body and including a cutting edge, the cutting edge being engageable with a workpiece to cut the workpiece. A bit, including a drive shaft and a cutting end extends along an axis of the tool body. The drive shaft extends axially outwardly beyond the first end of the tool body and terminates at the cutting end. The cutting end has a maximum cross-sectional width greater than a maximum cross-sectional width of the drive shaft, and an axial distance from the first end of the tool body to the cutting end is greater than a maximum cutting depth of the cutting tool.
US08444352B2	Cutting insert for high feed face milling A cutting insert for milling operations, such as, face milling, slot milling, plunge milling, and ramping operations. The cutting insert exhibits a combination of favorable cutting edge strength, and unique cutting edge geometry, allowing milling operations at relatively high feed rates. The cutting insert includes at least four cutting edges, wherein at least one of the cutting edges is a convex cutting edge.
US08444333B2	Developer, process for treating developing solution, process for producing printing plate, and filter apparatus A developer efficiently removes photosensitive resin components dispersing in a developing solution. The developer includes a feeder that feeds a developing solution to a printing raw plate, a dispersed-material filter, wherein the developing solution in which a photosensitive resin composition separated from a photosensitive resin composition layer of the printing raw plate is dispersed, is passed through the dispersed-material filter to flocculate the photosensitive resin composition dispersing in the developing solution and a flocculated-material-filter removes the flocculated photosensitive resin composition from the developing solution passed through the dispersed-material filter.
US08444332B1	Lens barrier device and image pickup apparatus thereof A lens barrier device and an image pickup apparatus, comprising a moving barrel, a fixed barrel, a base plate, two vanes and a rotating plate. The base plate has a central window. Two vanes are inserted into the base plate and have a pivot and a control protrusion respectively. The rotating plate has a hollow part and two first grooves. A linking-up body is axially extended from the rotating plate, and has a first guiding protrusion. The moving barrel has a second guiding convex dot. The fixed barrel has a second groove and a third groove. The first guiding protrusion, the second guiding protrusion and the control convex dot are inserted into the first groove, the second groove and the third groove respectively. After the first guiding protrusion is driven, the rotating plate is linked to rotate to open or close the two vanes.
US08444331B2	Camera module Certain embodiments provide a camera module comprising a sensor substrate, a lens holder, a lens, and an infrared light cut filter unit. The sensor substrate has a solid-state imaging device and a light receiving unit receiving infrared light. The lens holder is mounted on the sensor substrate so as to cover the solid-state imaging device and the light receiving unit. The lens is arranged in the lens holder. The infrared light cut filter unit is arranged in the lens holder.
US08444327B2	Optical connector adapter An optical connector adapter includes: a first connection member; a second connection member; a sleeve member coaxially disposed in the first and second connection members; an outer shell defining an internal cavity for receiving the first and second connection members, an engagement section being formed on an inner wall face of the internal cavity and inward protruding from the inner wall face for restricting and locating the first connection member, the outer shell being formed with at least one slot in communication with the cavity; and at least one U-shaped clamp member. The U-shaped clamp member can be inserted into the outer shell through the slot to restrict the second connection member so as to securely locate the first and second connection members in the outer shell.
US08444322B2	Face spline for a driven wheel hub A face spline of a toothed rim running in a circumferential direction around a rotation axis on a wheel-bearing arrangement for a driven wheel hub. The face spline is provided for play-free engagement with the counter-spline, facing the face spline and the teeth of the face spline have a wedge-like embodiment such that the geometrical lines of the face spline meet centrally at a common point on the rotation axis and the teeth thus run in the radial direction on the rotation axis.
US08444318B2	Temperature sensor for a process engineering industrial installation A temperature sensor is disclosed having a measuring resistor which is accommodated inside a protective tube and a proximal end of which is connected to a sensor head. The sensor head includes a measurement insert for electrically connecting the measuring resistor and a measuring transducer which is connected downstream thereof to, for example, condition measurement signals. The sensor head is formed by a cylindrical housing having an intermediate base, the measurement insert being accommodated in a lower housing section which is adjacent to the measuring resistor and is sectioned off by the intermediate base, and the measuring transducer being accommodated in an opposite, upper housing section.
US08444317B2	Multiposition temperature measuring cable Disclosed herein is a multiposition temperature cable, including: a measuring unit that includes a plurality of connectors, each being composed of a plus (+) terminal and a minus (−) terminal, in which each of the connectors measures a thermoelectromotive force; and a plurality of wire couples (thermocouples) that are connected to the plurality of connectors, wherein each of the wire couples includes a plus (+) junction wire, one end of which is connected to the plus (+) terminal, and a minus (−) junction wire, one end of which is connected to the minus (−) terminal, and the other end of the plus (+) junction wire and the other end of the minus (−) junction wire are connected to each other to form a hot junction with respect to each connector to form a closed circuit. The multiposition temperature cable can simultaneously measure temperatures at several positions in real time.
US08444313B2	Attachable timepiece One embodiment of the present invention provides an attachable timepiece, comprising: an upper chamber forming a housing for timepiece elements, the upper chamber including a front face having a time display; a lower chamber that is detachable from the upper chamber by way of a locking system; and a means for attaching the timepiece to an object.
US08444312B2	Methods and systems for integral blending and storage of materials Methods and systems for integral storage and blending of the materials used in oilfield operations are disclosed. An integrated material blending and storage system is disclosed with a storage unit, a blender located under the storage unit, a liquid additive storage module having a pump to maintain constant pressure at an outlet of the liquid additive storage module and a pre gel blender. Gravity directs a first input from the storage unit, a second input from the liquid additive storage module and a third input from the pre-gel blender to the blender.
US08444308B2	Vehicular lamp A vehicular lamp has a semiconductor light emitting element as a light source. The vehicular lamp includes a heat dissipation member that dissipates heat generated by the semiconductor light emitting element; a power supply member that supplies power to the semiconductor light emitting element; a light emitting element holding portion that holds the semiconductor light emitting element in a state of contact with the heat dissipation member; and a housing portion that is secured to a lamp body. The light emitting element holding portion electrically connects the semiconductor light emitting element and the power supply member, the housing accommodates the power supply member and the heat dissipation member, and the light emitting element holding portion is detachably secured to the heat dissipation member.
US08444306B2	Vocational truck headlight assembly The present disclosure sets forth a composite headlight assembly which increases the visibility and sight afforded to the driver of a vocational truck using such a composite lighting assembly. A composite lighting assembly includes a low beam light and a high beam light, as well as a turn signal and a parking light within one composite housing. As the overall size of the housing is limited by the size of the grill of the vehicle, the present disclosure increases the visibility and sight afforded to the driver by taking advantage of the untapped space within known composite headlight assemblies. More specifically, the turn signal and parking light may include a downwardly depending trapezoidal appendage increasing the overall area of the turn signal and parking light by at least ten percent.
US08444302B1	Pivoting recessed light fixture A pivoting recessed light fixture has a can and junction box mounted on a frame structure. The frame structure is pivotally supported near one of its ends between a pair of telescoping support rails mounted between a pair of support members. The other end of the frame structure is removably attached to each of the support rails so that the frame structure, with its can and junction box, can be pivoted below the rails to allow access for wiring during installation.
US08444298B2	LED lighting device A light emitting diode (LED) lighting device includes a light case, a plurality of heatsinks, a plurality of LED modules and a plurality of power supplies. Each of the heatsinks is connected with one of the LED modules and one of the power supplies correspondingly to form one LED light unit. The LED light units are assembled with the light case to form the LED lighting device.
US08444294B1	Illuminated doormat An apparatus for providing illumination includes a lower underlying layer that is attached to an upper surface layer. The upper surface layer includes any desired material that can be stepped on and used as the upper surface of a doormat. The underlying layer includes circuitry and wiring for conveying electrical energy from a battery to at least one light attached to the apparatus upon the activation of a sensor sufficient to illuminate the light, a portion of the upper surface layer, and a portion of the area disposed above the upper surface layer. A plurality of light emitting diodes are the preferred type of the light. An optional timer and other optional components and features are discussed. Various types of construction are described depending on whether the underlying layer is opaque or transparent or if a prior art type of doormat is to be included as a component of the apparatus.
US08444293B2	Method and kit for retrofitting fluorescent light fixtures Retrofit lighting kits allow for the reuse of fluorescent lighting fixture housings, already in place, while retrofitting new assemblies that increase efficiency, reduce energy consumption and demand, and reduce ongoing maintenance costs. The advantage of one retrofit kit is to quickly replace inefficient T-12 and T-8 ceiling mount 2 bulb fixtures, with a higher quality, and more efficient lighting source, while concurrently lowering the cost of operation, and maintenance. The advantage of another retrofit kit allows the installation of compact fluorescent lamps, of several sizes and configurations, to quickly replace the inefficient T8 and T12 lamps and service equipment, used in troffer style fixtures. Deployment of these kits, reduces electrical usage, eases servicing of the fixture, and reduces heat buildup in the fixture.
US08444291B2	LED illuminating device for use during tactical operations, and method An illuminating device has a transparent body including an electronic components section with at least one circuit board, at least one light emitting diode electrically connected to the at least one circuit board, and one or more switching mechanisms electrically connected to the at least one circuit board. The illuminating device is capable of activation, deactivation, and subsequent reactivation by manipulating the one or more switching mechanisms. A method of using the illuminating device, including activating, deactivating, and reactivating the illuminating device by manipulating one or more switching mechanisms.
US08444284B2	Tied shoe lace lights A shoe lace-shaped light may be attached to a user's shoes, bedroom slippers, shoelaces, or similar footwear, for example. The shoe lace-shaped light may be pre-folded and pre-tied and may not become unfolded or untied. The shoe lace-shaped light may be powered by, for example, one or more batteries and/or solar power. The lights may be LED lights and may be made as part of the pre-folded, pre-tied shoe laces.
US08444277B2	Projector having light blocking members supported by corresponding supporting sections A projector includes: first and second light blocking members adapted to partially block a light beam from a light source, and a drive section adapted to make the first and second light blocking members perform an opening and closing operation. When the corresponding first and second light blocking members are located at a maximum blocking state, with respect to an opening and closing direction of the first and second light blocking members perpendicular to a system optical axis, a first and second support sections support the first and second light blocking members at predetermined positions on the system optical axis side from intermediate positions corresponding to midpoints of areas between edge portions of the first and second light blocking members on the system optical axis side and parts, to which outer edges of the light beam to be blocked are input.
US08444276B2	Light source device, projection apparatus including the light source device, and projection method A light source device includes: a light source section which comprises plural laser diodes; a pulse driving section which divides the laser diodes of the light source section into plural groups, each group having the same number of the laser diodes, and drives the laser diodes of the each group by a pulse having a predetermined period and a predetermined duty ratio; and a light source driving section which controls a phase of the pulse for the each group so that the same number of the laser diodes are emitted in succession when the laser diodes of the each group are driven by the pulse driving section.
US08444273B2	Light source device, projection apparatus, and projection method A light source device includes a first light source configured to emit light in a first wavelength band, a light-source light generation section configured to generate light of each of a plurality of colors by time division by using the first light source, a second light source configured to generate light of a second wavelength band different from the first wavelength band, and a light source control section. The light source control section is configured to cause each of the light-source light generation section and the second light source to generate light in one period, and to control a drive timing of each of the first and second light sources to adjust a light-emission timing and a light-emission period of light generated by each of the light-source light generation section and the second light source.
US08444272B2	Multi-projector system using multiplexed illumination An apparatus for forming a color image has at least a first, a second, and a third illumination source, each illumination source energizable to provide continuous illumination of a first, a second, or a third wavelength band, respectively, to an optical multiplexer. The optical multiplexer is actuable to cyclically switch received light from each one of the illumination sources, in turn, to each one of at least a first, a second, and a third projector channel in a repeated sequence. The first projector channel connects to a first projector apparatus, the second projector channel connects to a second projector apparatus, and the third projector channel connects to a third projector apparatus. Each projector apparatus has a light modulator that is energizable to form an image from the light of the first, second, or third wavelength band that is cyclically switched onto its projector channel from the optical multiplexer.
US08444268B2	Stabilized retinal imaging with adaptive optics A system provides an optical image of an object. A first module tracks a reference feature of the object. A second module includes a source for an imaging beam, a scanning device to move the imaging beam along a portion of the object and a detection device receives a signal associated with an image of the portion of the object. The first module controls the position of the imaging beam relative to the reference feature to correct for the motion of the object. A third module detects a distortion of the object and compensates for the distortion.
US08444264B1	Upconverting device for enhanced recogntion of certain wavelengths of light An upconverting device for enhanced recognition of selected wavelengths is provided. The device comprises a transparent light transmitter in combination with a plurality of upconverting nanoparticles. The device may a lens in eyewear or alternatively a transparent panel such as a window in an instrument or machine. In use the upconverting device is positioned between a light source and the eye(s) of the user of the upconverting device.
US08444262B2	Inkjet printing system An inkjet printer includes a platen, a printing head, a feeding device, a pre-heater and a print heater. The printing head is configured to move in a right-left direction above the platen and to eject solvent ink from nozzles of the printing head on a printing surface of a medium at a printing position. The feeding device is configured to feed the medium on the platen in a forward direction substantially perpendicular to the right-left direction. The temperature controller is configured to control a pre-heater heating temperature of the pre-heater and a print heater heating temperature of the print heater such that a surface temperature of the printing surface of the medium at the printing position becomes within a range of from 30° C. to 70° C.
US08444261B2	Inkjet recording liquid, inkjet recording device using inkjet recording liquid, and method of using inkjet recording liquid in inkjet recording device An inkjet recording liquid contains water, an organic solvent, a pigment, and a pigment dispersing resin. An weight-average molecular weight of the pigment dispersing resin exceeds 30000 and is 150000 or less. A mass ratio of the pigment dispersing resin to the pigment in the recording liquid (resin content/pigment content) is 0.1 or more and 1.0 or less. An acid value of the pigment dispersing resin is 160 or more and 240 or less. The inkjet recording liquid is discharged from a recording head of the inkjet recording device. Even when nozzles of the recording head become clogged due to drying or thickening of the inkjet recording liquid, the nozzle clogging can be easily resolved with a purge operation and wiping operation of the recording head by a wipe unit. Thus, it is possible to reduce an overconsumption of the recording liquid due to the foregoing purge operation.
US08444260B2	Liquid film moving over solid catcher surface A printhead includes a jetting module that forms liquid drops travelling along a first path. A deflection mechanism causes selected liquid drops formed by the jetting module to deviate from the first path and begin travelling along a second path. A catcher includes a liquid outlet, a stationary surface, and a liquid source that causes a liquid film to exit the liquid outlet and flow over the stationary surface of the catcher. The catcher is positioned relative to the first path such that the liquid drops travelling along one of the first path and the second path contact the liquid film.
US08444256B2	Piezoelectric actuator and liquid ejecting head There is provided a piezoelectric actuator including: a substrate that is supported by a support portion; a piezoelectric element that includes a lower electrode formed on the substrate, a piezoelectric layer formed on the lower substrate, and an upper electrode formed on the piezoelectric layer; and a driving circuit that applies a voltage to the piezoelectric element. The upper electrode has a first upper electrode that is positioned on an outer peripheral side of the piezoelectric layer and at least one second upper electrode that is positioned on a center side of the piezoelectric layer, and a voltage applied to the first upper electrode is lower than a voltage applied to the second upper electrode.
US08444249B2	Droplet discharge device and droplet discharge method A droplet discharge device includes: a discharge unit discharging a droplet and being moved relatively to a discharged object, on which the droplet is discharged, so as to form a predetermined pattern on the discharged object; a discharge amount measurement unit measuring a discharge amount of the droplet discharged from the discharge unit; a temperature acquisition unit acquiring a temperature of the droplet in the formation of the predetermined pattern; a temperature adjustment unit adjusting the temperature of the discharge unit; and a discharge amount adjustment unit adjusting the discharge amount of the discharge unit. In the device, the temperature adjustment unit adjusts a temperature of the droplet in the measurement of the discharge amount by the discharge amount measurement unit to the temperature in the formation of the predetermined pattern.
US08444245B2	Image recording apparatus and controlling method thereof An image recording range setting unit is provided on a conveyance path of a recording medium, and estimates a width of the recording medium on the basis of a detection result of a medium side end detecting unit for detecting a position of one side end of the recording medium. A recording range, on which image recording is to be performed, is set on the basis of the estimated width, and an image recording process is executed on the recording range.
US08444244B2	Print control apparatus A print control apparatus includes: an operation state storing section that stores operation information relating to operation states of a plurality of printing elements arranged in a printing head; and a drawing controlling section that causes the plurality of printing elements to draw a test image for checking the operation states of the plurality of printing elements, wherein the test image includes a set of a predetermined number of lines that are drawn in parallel with one another in a predetermined direction, and the drawing controlling section causes a printing element placed in the vicinity of a printing element determined as a malfunction on the basis of the operation information, to draw a check line having a predetermined length and thickness in the test image.
US08444243B2	Printing device and printing method Provided is a printing device which prints an image using a metallic ink and a color ink, the device including: an input unit which inputs image data; a metallic dot formation unit which forms dot concentration dots on a printing medium using the metallic ink; and a color print unit which prints the image indicated by the image data using the color ink on the printing medium on which the dots using the metallic ink are formed.
US08444241B2	Inkjet printer A print head includes an ink chamber for storing ink therein, an ink propelling mechanism for propelling ink out of the ink chamber, and a temperature sensor for measuring an ink temperature in the ink chamber, an ink circulation route has a route including the ink chamber, and a print controller works at least along deactivation of an energy saving mode or upon power-on, in response to the temperature sensor having a measure of ink temperature lower than a prescribed value, for a pre-treatment to have the ink propelling mechanism make ink vibrating actions within degrees not to cause ink to be propelled out of the ink chamber, until the ink temperature becomes the prescribed value or more.
US08444238B2	Refrigerator A refrigerator is provided. The refrigerator includes a body, a door, a support bracket, a door bracket, a fixing part, and an adjustment part. The body defines a storage chamber. The door opens and closes the storage chamber. The door is rotatably coupled to the body by a hinge. The support bracket supports a load of the door. The door bracket is coupled to a lower side of the door. The fixing part is disposed between the support bracket and the door bracket. The adjustment part is coupled to the fixing part and supports the door bracket to adjust a vertical movement of the door.
US08444234B2	Washing machine A washing machine of the present invention comprises a top cover where a laundry entrance hole is formed through which laundry is put in from above; a lid assembly coupled to the top cover in a rotatable manner and opening and closing the laundry entrance hole; and a stopper being formed at least in one of the top cover and the lid assembly and preventing the lid assembly from being rotated more than a maximum opening angle. The stopper prevents a lid assembly from being rotated more than a maximum opening angle.
US08444225B2	Deployable legrest A legrest assembly including a calf support hinged to a forward end of a seat frame and moveable between a stowed configuration generally vertically disposed below the forward end of the frame and a deployed configuration inclined above the stowed configuration, a foot support movable with and telescopically connected to the calf support, and a foot rest pivotally connected to the foot support and pivotable between a stowed configuration substantially parallel to the foot support and a deployed configuration extending outward from the foot support.
US08444219B2	Vehicle seat with cushion plate A vehicle seat comprises a rectangular-shaped seat back frame having right and left side frames; a headrest for supporting a head of a seat occupant that is installed within the vehicle seat; a rear-end collision detector mounted to the seat back frame at a position behind the seat occupant, wherein the rear-end collision detector detects rearward movement of the seat occupant and moves rearward; a link member that supports the rear-end collision detector with the seat back frame therethrough; and a biasing member that biases the link member; wherein: the rear-end collision detector acts such that the rearward movement of the rear-end collision detector reduces a distance between a head of the seat occupant and the headrest, and a lower end portion of the biasing member is coupled to a rear portion of the side frame and disposed posterior to the rear-end collision detector.
US08444217B2	Open roof construction for a vehicle An open roof construction for a vehicle comprises a stationary roof part, a roof opening provided therein, and a roof assembly mounted to the stationary roof part, having a panel which is movable between closed and open positions for closing and opening, respectively, said roof opening. A moving mechanism is provided for connecting the movable panel to the stationary roof and moving it with respect thereto, wherein the moving mechanism at least comprises two longitudinal curved parts attached to the movable panel, two stationary guides extending along opposite longitudinal edges of the roof opening and two linking mechanisms for movably linking the stationary guides with the respective curved parts. The stationary guides extend in a curved manner in such a way that, as seen in a top plan view of the vehicle, the distance between the stationary guides varies at different lengthwise positions of the vehicle, wherein each curved part is attached to a pivot arm which is attached to the movable panel and which is configured to pivot with respect to the panel around a vertically extending pivot axis.
US08444214B2	Baffle with self-closing flap assembly Exemplary baffles for inhibiting noise transmission through a pillar structure, and exemplary methods of making the same, are disclosed. An exemplary baffle may include a body configured to be secured in a cavity, the body defining a passage for selectively receiving a line extending through the body. The baffle may further include an expandable material extending substantially about a perimeter of the passage. The expandable material may be configured to expand to seal the cavity about the body. The body may include a flap configured to open to allow the line to extend through the passage. The body may further include a biasing element urging the flap toward a closed position, substantially obstructing the passageway.
US08444213B2	Cab mounting assembly for a crop sprayer The crop sprayer includes a cab mounting assembly that includes a pair of support plates attached to the main frame of the crop sprayer. The support plates are cantilevered outwardly from the main frame with each support plate including a pair of cab support structures. The frame includes four frame attachment structures. The cab support structures and frame attachment structures have vibration-isolation members positioned therebetween. The cab support structures and frame attachment structures are angled so that the axes of the vibration-isolation members intersect at a vertical and center position within the cab.
US08444211B2	Front pillar for automobile A front pillar (18) for an automobile includes a hollow member (25), an outer panel (28), and an inner panel (29). The hollow member has a curved shape, the entirety of which projects to the outside of a vehicle body. The outer panel is provided to the wall section of the hollow member which is on the vehicle exterior side. The inner panel is formed so as to lie along the wall section of the hollow member on the vehicle interior (34) side, and is provided to the wall section (27) on the vehicle exterior side.
US08444204B2	Vehicle window molding and method for molding the same A long vehicle window molding which is disposed along a windowpane attached to a window frame of a car body and is fixed to the window pane by a double-sided tape, the vehicle window molding comprising: a window molding main body; a lip portion that protrudes from an end portion of the window molding main body toward a circumference wall portion of the window frame; and the double-sided tape, wherein the double-sided tape is attached to a tape attaching surface of the window molding main body, and wherein a position of a side edge of the double-sided tape and a position of an edge of the tape attaching surface at an opposite side of the end portion of the window molding main body from which the lip portion protrudes coincide with each other along a longitudinal direction of the window molding main body.
US08444201B1	Pull out, fold down tailgate step having fold up handle A tail gate step for mounting on a tailgate of a pickup truck comprising: i) a base having a downwardly folded rear side portion adapted seat on, the tailgate on the pickup truck; ii) spaced apart parallel slides positioned within a track mounted on the base; iii) step carrying side fold down members each having a top end portion pivoted adjacent to an inner side portion of a rear end portion of a parallel slide; iv) a fold down foot step member having an inner end portion pivoted to bottom end portions of the fold down members; v) folding step stops; and, vi) slide stops limiting forward and rearward movement of the slide within the track, so that the rear position defines an operative position wherein the step side fold down members rotate into a downwardly extending position adjacent to the folded rear side portion of the base.
US08444197B2	Cargo net device A pair of parallel pins abutting against the inner peripheral surface of a hollow shaft are provided to a first arm part of a shank at a predetermined spacing in the longitudinal direction. This prevents the shank from tilting or rattling. Further, an insertion hole of the retaining cap and the cross section of the first arm part each have an elliptical shape, and thus the rotation of the shank with respect to the hollow shaft is restricted and the position of the shank is kept such that the interlocking part points upward.
US08444193B2	Suction-based lifting device A lifting device has an elongate lifting arm provided with a suction mount enabling securing of the device to a body to be lifted. The suction mount has suction devices spaced apart in the longitudinal direction of the lifting arm sufficiently for a user to grip the lifting arm in between the suction mount devices. The device extends away from the suction mount, in the longitudinal direction of the lifting arm, to a handle spaced from the suction mount, and which extends upwardly above the lifting arm on the opposite side of the lifting arm to the suction mount devices.
US08444188B2	Adapter A system includes an adapter configured to provide an interface between a first fluid conduit and a second fluid conduit. The adapter has an inner wall and an outer wall. The adapter has a first end configured to fit against a first inside wall of the first fluid conduit. The adapter also has a second end configured to fit against a second inside wall of the second fluid conduit. The inner wall of the adapter has a first curvilinear transition from a first inside diameter at a first opening of the first end to an intermediate diameter between the first and second ends. The inner wall of the adapter has a second curvilinear transition from a second inside diameter at a second opening of the second end to the intermediate diameter.
US08444187B2	Separation prevention device for pipe joint A separation prevention device for a pipe joint has disengagement prevention members and a press member. The disengagement prevention members are disposed at a plurality of locations in a circumferential direction of the pipe, on an inner peripheral surface of an engaging tool or of a receiving opening itself and which are formed with claws. The press member presses the disengagement prevention member radially inward of the pipe and which engages the claw with the outer peripheral surface of an inserting opening. The claw of the disengagement prevention member and the claw of the disengagement prevention member which is adjacent to the former disengagement prevention member in the circumferential direction of the pipe are arranged so as to overlap on each other in the axial direction of the pipe in a state where the claws are engaged with the outer peripheral surface of the inserting opening.
US08444184B2	Conduit structure for a hot water tap, as well as such tap A conduit structure provided with a rotation coupling comprises a first hose part (1) with a first coupling part (4) at an end thereof, and furthermore a second coupling part (5) at an end of a further part (6, 15; 2, 4, 19). The first coupling part can be inserted into the second coupling part and the coupling parts are provided with a separate sealing element (9) as well as with locking means (17, 18), such that the first and the second coupling part are rotatably but non-slidably coupled. The first hose part (1) extends through and some distance beyond the first coupling part (4) and in the coupled condition the sealing element (9) seals the space between the portion of the first hose part that extends beyond the first coupling part and the second coupling part (5).
US08444177B2	Assembly with an instrument panel for a motor vehicle and a knee airbag An airbag housing is carried on a formed part extending from a lower section of an instrument panel for a motor vehicle. The formed part forms at least a front section of an upper wall of a footwell assigned to the vehicle occupants. A knee airbag is disposed in the airbag housing.
US08444167B1	Hitch lock device for trailers A hitch lock device for preventing theft of a trailer featuring a hitch ball with a threaded bolt and a nut adapted to be threaded onto the bolt. Locking pin slots are disposed in the threaded bolt. A lock can be inserted into a slot in the threaded bolt. Locking pins are slidably disposed in each locking pin slot. The locking pins are connected by a spring and can move between an in position in the threaded bolt and an out position protruding from the bolt. The pins are biased in the out position by the spring. When the locking pins are squeezed to the in position the nut can be threaded past the locking pins to sandwich a trailer hitch with the hitch ball. When the lock is inserted into the slot the lock blocks movement of the locking pins and locking the lock prevents removal of the lock.
US08444166B1	Transport system The apparatuses and methods disclosed herein may be pushed by hand or pulled by a motor vehicle. Thus, implementations of the transport device disclosed herein may have functions akin to a wheelbarrow or a dumping trailer yet may provide easier and/or more efficient transportation and dumping functions over prior art wheelbarrows and dumping trailers. Implementation of the transport device disclosed herein also may be easier to push over an elevation or up a hill. Furthermore, in some implementations, the transport device disclosed herein includes four wheels and therefore can function like a cart. Still further, in some implementations, the transport device disclosed herein can have the functions of a wagon. In some implementations, the transport device includes a work bench.
US08444164B2	Wheel speed sensor mounting structure A pulsar ring includes a portion to be detected and a pulsar ring mounting portions that project in a radially outward direction from an outer peripheral portion of the portion to be detected. The portion to be detected and a pulsar ring mounting portion are arranged so as to form continuous planar surfaces. The pulsar ring is rigidly mounted on a mounting boss of a wheel using a bolt by fastening a brake disc wherein the pulsar ring overlaps with the brake disc mounting portion. Even when the brake disc thermally deforms at the time of braking so that the pulsar ring mounting portion is pulled radially outwardly, the portion to be detected and the pulsar ring mounting portion are arranged on the same plane thus forming the continuous planar surfaces. Thus, the portion to be detected is hardly twisted with hardly any deformation of the portion to be detected.
US08444161B2	Vehicle suspension and pneumatic systems A vehicle has a frame, at least one front wheel, at least one front suspension assembly, at least one rear wheel, and at least one rear suspension assembly, a seat, a steering assembly, an engine, and an air intake system fluidly communicating with the engine. At least one of the front and rear suspension assemblies includes an air spring. An air compressor selectively supplies air to the at least one air spring. An inlet of the air compressor fluidly communicates with the air intake system. During operation of the air compressor to supply air to the at least one air spring, the air compressor draws air from the air intake system and simultaneously supplies the air to the at least one air spring. A control unit is electrically connected to the air compressor for controlling an operation of the air compressor.
US08444155B2	Sealing ring for wheels The present invention is a system which improves the installation and provides a seal between tubeless tires and the rims of the wheels upon which they are mounted. A pliant sealing member or ring (10) is placed over the base (21) or rim of the wheel The ring has an opening to match the valve opening (27) of the rim. A special valve stem sleeve (15) may be provided to enhance the sealing of the valve stem. The invention features a stretch zone (19) which allows universal fit for a range of wheel sizes and also accommodates the drop center (24) of wheels. A method of casting the ring (10) is disclosed which includes the design of a mold (40) and the production of twin rings which are cut when completed to form two separate rings (10). The sealing ring (10) may be made of vinyl having a durometer rating of between 50-75 and a thickness of 0.5-1.0 mm.
US08444154B2	Metal cylinder head gasket without a spacing layer One aspect of the invention relates to a cylinder head gasket provided with at least one opening corresponding to a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine. The gasket has a function layer with a full bead and an annular support with a bead. The bead of the annular support is arranged on the side of the full bead which is oriented away from the combustion chamber. Another aspect of the invention relates to a cylinder head gasket having an upper functional layer, an annular support and a lower functional layer. The annular support is arranged between the upper and lower functional layers and is adjacent to the lower functional layer. The upper functional layer comprises one full bead, and the lower functional layer has a bead arranged on the side of the full bead which is oriented away from the combustion chamber.
US08444151B2	Launch and target game An apparatus for playing a game is provided. The apparatus may include a base, a plurality of projectiles and a first target platform moveable with respect to the base. The first target platform may include a collecting position, in which the plurality of projectiles are collected at the first target platform, and a dispersing position, in which the plurality of projectiles are dispersed from the first target platform. The apparatus may further include an actuator mechanism configured to actuate movement of the first target platform from the collecting position to the dispersing position and a first launcher attached to the base and configured to project the plurality of projectiles toward the first target platform.
US08444150B1	Rotatable target for a bag toss game A rotatable target for use in a projectile toss game using a projectile such as a bean bag. The rotatable target has a semi-circular main body portion having a base, a rim, and a substantially flat outer surface. A hub is located substantially at the axis of the main body portion. A plurality of shelves project outwardly from the outer surface of the main body portion, preferably at an angle of about 90 degrees. Preferably the shelves extend radially from the hub to the rim. A pendulum extends vertically downwardly below the hub. The pendulum has a vertically adjustable weight associated therewith. A target stand having a pivot pin that extends outwardly therefrom and through the hub of the main body portion in a manner adapted to allow the main body portion to rotate about the pivot pin.
US08444149B2	Topography linked golf aid A method, apparatus, and program for computing a path, starting velocity, aim angle, and aim points for directing a putted golf ball from a point on a golf course to another point and incorporating such data into easily read charts or electronic media is provided. The invention also provides a means of determining the initial launch conditions and actual path a putted golf ball traveled on given its starting and ending ball positions.
US08444148B1	Automatic poker machine An automatic poker machine includes a mechanical arm using a suction disk for picking up a poker card, a video recognition device adapted for recognizing the card suit and card value of the poker card carried by the mechanical arm, a display screen for displaying the card suit and card value of each recognized poker card and two card shufflers alternatively used for shuffling poker cards.
US08444146B2	Automatic card shuffler An apparatus for randomly arranging and dealing a plurality of playing cards includes a device for moving cards and randomly ejecting playing cards from an initial set of playing cards located in a card input unit for an initial delivery of randomly arranged playing cards to a card delivery unit. The card delivery unit includes upper powered rollers and lower powered belts for receiving and transporting the playing cards through the card delivery unit and into a card collection unit. A playing card limiter is adjustable to allow a greater number or a lesser number of cards to pass from the card delivery unit to the card collection unit. Methods of randomly arranging and dealing a plurality of playing cards may include related apparatus.
US08444145B2	Wrist support and hand grip A gaming machine comprising a user interface and a wrist support and hand grip. The wrist support and hand grip are useable in a first position while griping the hand grip, and in a second position while gripping the wrist support, while facilitating manipulation of one or more input devices at either position.
US08444140B2	Sheet size setting device, sheet feeder and image forming apparatus A sheet size setting device includes a first member and a second member. The first member includes a tubular holing portion having a first area and a second area in an axial direction. The second member is assembled with the first member movably in the axial direction of the tubular holding portion and includes a second indicator and a second detectable portion. A movement of the second member in the axial direction is restricted by a restricting portion. The restricting portion restricts the movement of the second member in the axial direction when the tubular holding portion is located at a first rotational position and permits the movement of the second member in the axis direction, thereby causing the second indicator to reach the first area and the second detectable portion to reach the second area, when the tubular holding portion is located at a second rotational position.
US08444139B2	Recording medium supply device and recording apparatus A recording medium supply device includes a cassette attachable to and detachable from a main body and capable of stacking recording medium thereon, a feeding roller which feeds the uppermost recording medium to the main body from a leading end of the recording medium, a regulating member which is arranged forward in the direction in which the cassette is removed from the main body as seen from the feeding roller, and a projection preventing member attached adjacent to the tip portion of the cassette facing the leading end of the recording medium. The position of the lower end of the regulating member is higher than the cassette attached to the main body, and lower than the lower end of the feeding roller, and the position of the upper end of the projection preventing member is higher than the position of the lower end of the regulating member.
US08444136B2	Image forming apparatus and sheet supply apparatus having plurality of sheet supply units An image forming apparatus which can prevent decrease in useful lives of components for air sheet feeding without bringing about throughput degradation when performing an image forming operation using a plurality of sheet supply units. When a sheet is fed from a first sheet supply unit having a fan that is driven so as to supply sheets, then a sheet is supplied from a second sheet supply unit, and then a sheet is supplied form the first sheet supply unit again, and in a case where a suspension time period over which no sheet is supplied from the first sheet supply unit is longer than a preparation time period from when driving of the fan is started to when the fan is brought into a driving state required to supply a sheet, driving of the fan is temporarily stopped.
US08444134B1	Automatic document feeding device, multi-function peripheral and operating method and automatic document feeding method of the same An automatic document feeding device (ADF) suited for being configured in a body of an apparatus is provided. The apparatus has a first and second power sources to drive the ADF to transmit a paper in or out of the body. The ADF includes a limiting structure with a limiting space, a swinging member and a blocking member. The first and second power sources drive the limiting structure and the swinging member to swing respectively. The blocking member has a first end connected to the swinging member and a second end extending toward the limiting structure. When the limiting structure is at a second position and the swinging member swings toward a third position, the second end is trapped into the limiting space. When the limiting structure moves toward a first position and the swinging member swings toward the third position, the second end escapes from the limiting space.
US08444122B2	Gas spring with guide In at least one embodiment, a gas spring includes a casing having an inner surface defining in part a gas chamber, a piston rod and a seal. The piston rod is received at least partially in the casing for reciprocation along an axis between extended and retracted positions. The piston rod has an internal cavity defining a hollow space, a stop and a rod guide disposed adjacent to the inner surface of the casing to guide the reciprocation of the piston rod at least in part. The seal generally is provided between the piston rod and the casing to prevent gas leakage from the gas chamber.
US08444121B2	Systems for damping vibrations from a payload Systems are provided for damping vibrations from a payload. In an embodiment, and by way of example only, the system includes an isolation strut and a gas line. The isolation strut includes a bellows and a piston. The bellows has a first end and a second end, the first end being enclosed, and the second end attached to the piston to define a chamber. The piston includes a damping annulus therethrough having a gas inlet and a gas outlet. The gas inlet provides flow communication to the chamber of the bellows. The gas line is coupled to the isolation strut and is in fluid communication with the gas outlet thereof. The system is hermetically sealed to contain a gas therein.
US08444118B1	Cooling tower system with chemical feed responsive to actual load An apparatus for use in a cooling tower system may include a circulating fluid system. The apparatus may include a mechanism to receive an electrical signal representative of load on the cooling tower system. The apparatus also may include a mechanism to control fluid communication of at least one chemical into the circulating fluid system in response to the electrical signal.
US08444117B2	Quick release coupling for connecting stabilizer jacks to a vehicle The invention relates to stabilizers for use with a vehicle. The quick release coupling system entails a pair of grooved plates that can easily attach and detach with respect to one another. The top plate of the coupling system is mechanically attached to the frame of the vehicle and a bottom plate is mechanically attached to a conventional stabilizer. These grooved plates create a quick release coupling joint that facilitates attachment and removal of the stabilizers from the vehicle.
US08444116B2	Lift assembly A lift system is provided. The lift system includes a lift mechanism with a jamming cleat and a guide bracket that urges a tensile member toward the jamming cleat.
US08444115B2	Cable manipulator A cable manipulator includes a base and a plurality of plates attached to the base, each of the plurality of plates including a pair of cams attached to each plate. Each cam of the pair of cams is spaced from each other such that a length of cable can be inserted therebetween. At least one of the plurality of plates is a rotatable plate such that rotation of the rotatable plate causes an end of the cable to be moved closer to the cable manipulator.
US08444102B2	Apparatus for holding handheld devices An apparatus for holding handheld devices is provided, including a receiving base, an upper cover, a locking unit, at least a resilient unit and at least a weight allocation unit. The receiving base has a shell forming an accommodation space with an upward opening, and at least a concealing space inside. One side of the upper cover is coupled to the receiving base. The locking unit is responsible for affixing the closing, opening or holding positions between the upper cover and the receiving base. When the locking unit is in unlocked state, the resilient unit provides a force to lift the upper cover to the maximum opening position. The weight allocation unit is housed inside the concealing space. The electronic device can be held between the upper cover and the receiving base with a tilt angle.
US08444101B2	Apparatus, device, and system for adjustable storage An apparatus for hanging a storage device comprising a mounting strap, a frontal strap, a lower strap and a connector. The frontal strap is oriented to support the storage device and at least partially wrap around the storage device. The lower strap is configured to at least partially wrap around a bottom portion of the storage device. The connector has multiple connection points and is configured to connect the mounting strap, frontal strap, and lower strap.
US08444097B2	Support stand Generally a collapsible structure adapted to support a container. Specifically, a collapsible tripod which operates between a folded condition for transport and a support condition adapted to support a container.
US08444094B2	High lift system for an aircraft A high-lift system for an aircraft includes a main wing, a lift flap arranged on the main wing of the aircraft, which lift flap is adjustable, between a retracted position and several extended positions relative to the main wing of the aircraft, by means of a flap adjustment mechanism for coupling the lift flap to the main wing and by means of a drive device, wherein the flap adjustment mechanism comprises at least two adjustment devices arranged so as to be spaced apart from each other in the wingspan direction, with each adjustment device including a first lever and a second lever, where the first end piece of the second lever is pivotally and slidably held on the main wing, while the second end piece of said second lever is pivotally held on the lift flap.
US08444093B1	Airplane leading edge de-icing apparatus An airplane leading edge de-icing apparatus having a heat diffuser for heating the leading edges of an airplane is provided. The heat diffuser has a first heat diffuser side having a concave shape and a second heat diffuser side having a convex shape. The heat diffuser is joined to the leading edge of an airplane. A counter current heat exchanger is provided and heats a heat transfer fluid with heat energy absorbed from hot gases. The heat transfer fluid is pumped in and out of a reservoir tank with a first pump. A second pump pumps the heat transfer fluid in and out of the heat diffuser. The heat energy in the heat transfer fluid housed in the heat diffuser is transferred to the convex surface of the second heat diffuser side and prevents and/or melts ice build-up.
US08444092B2	Metal sheets and plates having friction-reducing textured surfaces and methods of manufacturing same Metal sheets and plates having friction-reducing textured surfaces and methods of manufacturing these metal sheets and plates are disclosed herein. In an embodiment, there is provided a transportation vessel that includes at least one metal product having at least one surface that is substantially grooved, wherein the substantially grooved surface forms a riblet topography, the riblet topography including a multiplicity of adjacent permanently rolled longitudinal riblets running along at least a part of the surface, and wherein the riblet topography is coated with at least one coating sufficiently designed and applied to preserve the riblet topography. In an embodiment, the multiplicity of adjacent permanently rolled longitudinal riblets results in a friction-reducing textured surface. In an embodiment, metal product is used in fabricating at least a portion of an aircraft. In an embodiment, metal product is used in fabricating at least a portion of a rotor blade.
US08444090B2	Transverse butt connection between two fuselage sections A transverse butt connection between two fuselage sections, more particularly for creating a fuselage cell for an aircraft, can have a number of stringers arranged spaced out uniformly parallel to one another inside on an outer skin. In order to enable a universal tolerance compensation with standardised compensating means within a predetermined tolerance band between two fuselage sections which are to be joined together, both end areas of the fuselage sections can have on the inside oppositely inclined skin wedge surfaces and the connection of the two end areas is carried out by a circumferential transverse butt strap which is provided with two oppositely inclined transverse butt strap wedge surfaces in the underneath area wherein a wedge can be pushed in between each one transverse butt strap wedge surface and a skin wedge surface for tolerance compensation between the fuselage sections.
US08444089B2	Pressure bulkhead and method for subdivision of an aircraft or spacecraft The present invention provides a pressure bulkhead for subdivision of an aircraft or spacecraft into an internal and an external pressure region. The pressure bulkhead comprises a pressure plate having an edge shaped so as to correspond to an inner contour of the aircraft or spacecraft, a supporting means which tiltably supports the edge on the inner contour, and a seal which seals the edge with the inner contour. A further aspect of the invention provides a method for subdivision of an aircraft or spacecraft into an internal and an external pressure region. Firstly, a pressure plate is provided that has an edge shaped so as to correspond to an inner contour of the aircraft or spacecraft. In further steps, the edge is tiltably supported on the inner contour and sealed with the inner contour.
US08444084B2	Aeroengine mounting A mounting arrangement of a gas turbine engine comprising a core engine, surrounded by a nacelle having a bypass duct, the mounting arrangement comprising a front mount, a rear mount and characterized by the mounting arrangement further comprising a fail-safe mount axially spaced from the front and rear mounts. The fail-safe mount comprises a number of A-frames connecting the core engine and the bypass duct. In normal operation the fail-safe mount does not transmit loads between the engine and a pylon, except in the event of damage to either the front or rear mounts.
US08444079B2	Adjustable bed mat roller An bed roller machine for use in rolling a rug having a leading edge, comprising a main body having a main bed, a plurality of belts configured to move the leading edge of the rug into the cavity and up, a first set of fingers, each finger of the first set having a surface having a first concave cylindrical curvature, wherein the surfaces of the first set are aligned, and wherein the first set of fingers are movable as a set, and a second set of fingers, each finger of the second set having a surface having a second concave cylindrical curvature looser that that of the first surface, wherein the surfaces of the second set are aligned, and wherein the second set of fingers are movable as a set.
US08444078B1	Cable reel The invention involves a novel configuration for a cable reel and two discs. The discs are disposed on opposite sides of the spool and the two discs are able to spin independently from the spool.
US08444077B2	Integral blender An integral blender includes a hollow shell having a horizontal conical plate integrally formed in the interior to divide the interior of the hollow shell into a container portion and a base portion. The conical plate has a through hole. The base portion is employed to accommodate a transmitting mechanism provided with a shaft extending out of the through hole to be fixedly connected with a cutter in the container. The shaft is closely wrapped with a waterproof annular seal having the bottom combined together with the conical plate. Therefore, with the container portion and the base portion integrally formed together, manufacturing cost can be lowered and convenience in practice can be advanced.
US08444074B2	Pepper mill A pepper mill includes a driving member coupled rotatably to a container body and cooperating with the container body to define a receiving space, a grinding unit, a planetary gear mechanism, and an adjusting component. The grinding unit includes a coupling shaft extending rotatably and being movable in the receiving space, a stationary first grinding seat, and a second grinding seat co-rotatable with the coupling shaft. The size of a grinding space between the first and second grinding seats is adjusted when the coupling shaft and the second grinding seat move axially relative to the first grinding seat. The planetary gear mechanism includes a driving gear unit and a driven gear unit driven rotatably by the driving gear unit to drive rotation of the coupling shaft. The adjusting component is connected threadedly to the coupling shaft and is operable to drive the axial movement of the coupling shaft and the second grinding seat.
US08444071B2	Process for dry grinding of one or more mineral materials including at least one calcium carbonate The present invention provides a process for dry grinding one or more mineral materials which include at least calcium carbonate. The process includes a) crushing the mineral material or materials in at least one crushing unit until a crushed material is obtained with a d95 of less than 10 cm, and dry grinding the material in at least one grinding unit (i) in the presence of at least one comb-type hydrophilic polymer containing at least polyalkylene oxide function grafted on to at least one unsaturated ethylene monomer, and (ii) in such a manner that the quantity of liquid in the grinding unit is less than 15% by dry weight of the material crushed in the crushing unit, wherein recovered material has a d50 of 0.5 to 500 microns.
US08444068B2	Dual flow pressure washer A pressure washer is provided. The pressure washer includes a fluid inlet and a pump disposed to receive fluid from the fluid inlet. A spray gun is provided that includes a first outlet and a separate second outlet. A first conduit fluidly connects the fluid inlet and the pump with the first outlet and a second conduit fluidly connects the fluid inlet with the second outlet.
US08444063B2	Sprinkler assembly The present invention includes an improved sprinkler design having a magnetic sensing system for determining the position of the riser nozzle, a waterproofed motor housing and related cables, configurable sprinkler body compartments, and a pilot valve with a check valve assembly, both of which are located within the sprinkler body.
US08444061B2	Spray nozzle manifold A spray nozzle manifold comprising a first co-axial passage for supply of an atomization gas, a second co-axial passage present in said first passage for supply of a liquid, more than one laterally spaced nozzle for atomization and spraying liquid in a direction away from the longitudinal axis of the manifold attached to the first passage, said nozzles having an inlet for liquid fluidly connected to said second passage, an inlet for atomization gas fluidly connected to the first passage, a mixing chamber wherein atomization gas and liquid mix and an outlet for a mixture of atomization gas and liquid, wherein the nozzle has an opening for discharge of atomization gas which opening is in fluid communication with the first passage at a position upstream of the mixing chamber and wherein a shield is fixed to the first passage surrounding the nozzle.
US08444059B1	System and method of tagging an ordnance A method and system for attaching a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag to an ordnance is provided. By tailoring the packaged tag and electronics to accommodate existing ordnance body cavities the integrity of the bomb casing is maintained. Likewise, fin assemblies also remain intact and are mounted in a conventional manner to the tagged ordnance. Numerous ordnance types, to include the mark (MK) 80 series general purpose bombs and equivalents are compatible with the tagging method and system described herein. Set screw mounted tail assemblies of various fin configurations are readily assembled onto the metal body casings of tagged ordnances. A curved dipole antenna provides access to external query signals and transmission of tag locating signals. As described herein, tag antennas can mount between ordnance assembly parts, adding to the ease of retrofitting existing ordnance inventory for a RFID tag localizing system.

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