| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US07956763B2 |
Faulted circuit indicator device having an improved clamping mechanism
A faulted circuit indicator device for mounting on an overhead conductor cable for electrical power distribution systems to detect an abnormally high electric current therein includes a housing having an enclosure formed therein and current sensing circuitry for detecting the presence of the abnormally high electric current in the cable. An indication unit is responsive to the current sensing circuitry to produce a visual indication in the presence of the abnormally high electrical current. A clamping mechanism formed of a yoke and a pair of opposed pressure plates is disposed above the housing for securely mounting the cable therein to detect the abnormally high electric current. Compression springs are provided for resiliently urging the pair of opposed pressure plates upwardly for automatically trapping the cable in a fixed central position between the yoke and the pair of opposed pressure plates. |
| US07956762B2 |
Method and apparatus for power generation failure diagnostics
A controller (500) in an electric drive system is used to develop power generation failure diagnostics. During operation, the controller (500) receives a set of generator inputs, a set of machine parameters, and a set of diagnostic values. Next, the controller (500) determines a set of expected operating values corresponding to the set of diagnostic values. The controller (500) then compares the obtained diagnostic values to one or more corresponding expected operating values. If the difference is greater than a threshold, the controller (500) provides an appropriate fault indication. |
| US07956757B2 |
System and method for monitoring an alertness of an operator of a powered system
A system is provided for monitoring an alertness of an operator of a powered system. The system includes a controller configured to initiate an alert countdown upon determining a lack of input received from the operator during an operation of the powered system. The controller is configured to communicate an alert to the operator during the alert countdown. Additionally, the controller is configured to measure a response time of the operator to the alert. A method is also provided for monitoring an alertness of an operator of a powered system. |
| US07956749B2 |
Wireless association
A system for determining compatibility between various items is disclosed. A wireless communication device is used to scan a machine-readable tag which includes a plurality of information fields. The information fields include at least identification information of the primary object to which the tag is affixed, list of compatible items, characteristic information of the primary object or other objects, etc. The scanned information from the tag is compared to information in other tags. If the at least some of the information in the tag affixed to the primary object matches the information in one or more other tags, a notification event is triggered to inform the user of the match. |
| US07956744B2 |
Digital ID tag for lost or stolen electronics devices
In some embodiments, a method of retrieving an electronics device may include one or more of the following steps: (a) accepting a purchase order for a DID from a user, (b) linking a tracking number to a tracking element to create the DID, (c) sending the DID to the electronics device, d) writing a jump copy to a database, (e) sending an instructional message to the user instructing the user how to place the DID on their electronics device, (f) saving the DID to the database, (g) requesting details regarding the electronics device, (h) storing the electronics device details in the database, (i) saving a user selected image to the database, (j) accessing available DID for use with the electronics device, (k) accessing dimensions of a display for the electronics device from the database, (l) downloading an image to a computer, and (m) transferring the image from the computer to the electronics device. |
| US07956743B2 |
Dual communication fob assembly comprising an insert within a base
A dual communication fob assembly provided with an attachment area for a ring or a chain and including in combination: an insert including a first contactless communication device; and a base with a pocket in the base for holding at least a part of the insert when inserted therein and being provided with a second contactless communication device which is electrically separate from the first contactless communication device. |
| US07956742B2 |
Method and system for storing, retrieving, and managing data for tags
This invention relates generally to a method and system for storing, retrieving, and managing data for tags that are associated in some manner to any type of object. More particularly, the present invention writes data to these tags, reads data from these tags, and manages data that is written to and/or read from these tags.In addition, the invention accesses and/or stores data associated with tags from or into repositories, constructs and maintains data structures from these repositories and responds to queries using the data structures. |
| US07956737B2 |
Method and apparatus for network service assurance
Trouble ticket management automates existing institutional operational processes by engaging various external trouble ticketing systems. These systems feed correlated alarm events, trouble analysis results, and trouble ticket information to a particular institutional network. Correlated alarm feeds, including trouble ticket information, are correlated and sent to institutional trouble ticket management systems. The alarms are processed and remedy tickets are created. The remedy tickets interact with remedy tickets at the institutional trouble ticket management systems. These remedy tickets are bonded with maintenance platform tickets. |
| US07956735B2 |
Automated, remotely-verified alarm system with intrusion and video surveillance and digital video recording
An automated self-monitored alarm verification solution including at least a premises portion, a server portion, and an end user device portion. Alarm verification includes capturing by an image capture device at least one image in response to a detection event, and transmitting a first data signal including the image to a local signal processing device. The signal processing device transmits a second signal including at least a portion of the image to a remote hosted server according to at least a first set of predetermined parameters. After receiving the second signal, the server transmits a third signal including at least a portion of the image from the hosted server to a user device. Using the user device, a user views the image and indicates a validity status of the alarm based at least in part on the content of the image. Based at least upon either the validation status indicated by the user, or upon a failure to receive a message including a validation status from the user within a predetermined duration of time, the server portion may send an alarm signal to an emergency response service. |
| US07956734B2 |
Wireless tag reader/writer apparatus
A wireless tag reader/writer apparatus includes a receiving/transmitting antenna configured to transmit an interrogation signal to wireless tags, each having a storage unit with at least a reserved area and an EPC area for storing a group ID unique to the wireless tag, and configured to receive response signals from the wireless tags; a tag-data storing unit configured to store interrogation data and response data, the interrogation data being contained in the interrogation signal to be transmitted to the wireless tags, and the response data being contained in the response signals transmitted from the wireless tags; and a main control unit configured to detect the group ID stored in the reserve area of each wireless tag, from the response data stored in the tag-data storing unit, and configured to determine that at least one of the wireless tags has dropped out, from the number of group IDs stored in the reserved area of each wireless tag. |
| US07956732B2 |
Vehicle hazard flasher control system
A vehicle flasher hazard function is implemented on an electrical controller having control over vehicle exterior lights. The flasher hazard function features an optimized duty cycle and operational frequency, consistent with legal requirements for the flasher rate. The point in time that individual bulbs are turned on is staggered in time to avoid all bulbs being simultaneously activated. This distributes the current surges associated with bulb activation being distributed in time. When a vehicle battery can no longer sustain the legally mandated flasher rate an optional path for flasher operation at a reduced rate is provided. |
| US07956731B2 |
Hydrostatic-pressure-sensitive actuator
An actuator, designed to be used in a pressurized enclosure, creates a relative movement between two parts, in response to a variation of hydrostatic pressure. The actuator includes a closed-cell foam block fixed to the two parts. The actuator may be used in the deployment of wheel units and antennas inside a cavity formed by a tire and a wheel rim. |
| US07956729B2 |
Electronic device
An electronic device, which for example includes a sensor element such as a rotational speed sensor, comprises a first network (4) having a first microcontroller (8) and a first supply voltage source (10). It also comprises a second network (4) having a second microcontroller (8) and a second supply voltage source (30). The electronic device is also provided with decoupling elements (42-50) which are adapted to decouple the networks (4, 6) form interferences. |
| US07956728B2 |
Sound production controller
A sound production controller can include a horn device that performs a vibrating operation at a predetermined resonance frequency in response to a predetermined operation to produce a warning sound, an input section which receives a sound production command signal outputted in response to execution of a function that requires sound production in the vehicle other than the predetermined operation, and a sound production controller which, if the input section receives the sound production command, provides a high-frequency signal having a frequency higher than the predetermined resonance frequency to the horn device to cause the horn device to produce a sound. |
| US07956726B2 |
Radio operating system and method for operating a radio system
A radio operating system, in particular for a medical device, comprises: a radio base station, provided for control of a device, an operating unit, for establishment of a radio connection with the radio base station, whereby the operating unit comprises a controller with a first threshold value (S1) relating to a reception parameter (K), depending on which a switching between various operational modes (B0, B1) for the operating unit is provided. On dropping below the threshold value (S1), a safety-oriented operating mode (B0) and, on exceeding the threshold value (S1), a standard operating mode for the operating element (3), are provided. A first non-safety-critical command set (BS1) may be activated by the operating unit and equally used in the various operating modes (B0, B1), a second safety-critical command set (BS2), activated by means of the operating unit, may be used in the safety-oriented operating mode (B0) in a limited manner in comparison to the standard operating mode (B1). |
| US07956719B2 |
Building control system communication system timing measurement arrangement and method
An arrangement for handling communication messages in a building control system includes a communication circuit and a control device. The communication circuit is operable to provide a first message on a communication network to a remote building control system device and to receive a responsive message generated by a remote building control system device responsive to the first message. The communication circuit is further operable to perform a first operation if the responsive message is received within a first time-out period and to perform a second operation if the responsive message is received after a first time-out period has expired. The control device is operable to generate a plurality of different time-out period values corresponding to a plurality of building control system devices and to provide information identifying the plurality of different time-out period values and their corresponding building control system devices to the communication circuit. |
| US07956717B2 |
Power-measured pulses for thermal trimming
A circuit for trimming a thermally-trimmable resistor, measuring a temperature coefficient of resistance of the thermally-trimmable resistor, and annealing a thermally-trimmable resistor post-trimming, the circuit comprising: a thermally-isolated area on a substrate housing the thermally-trimmable resistor; heating circuitry for applying a signal to a heating resistor; and a constant-power module adapted to maintain power dissipated in the heating resistor substantially constant over a duration of the signal by varying at least one parameter of the signal as a result of a change in resistance of the heating resistor during the signal. |
| US07956713B2 |
Forming a helical inductor
In one embodiment, the present invention includes an apparatus having a substrate with vias extending between first and second surfaces thereof, and at least one helical inductor adapted within a via, which may be formed of a conductive material. Other embodiments are described and claimed. |
| US07956712B2 |
Correlated magnetic assemblies for securing objects in a vehicle
A correlated magnetic assembly for securing objects in a vehicle includes an object that incorporates a first field emission structure and a surface within the vehicle that incorporates a second field emission structure. The first and second field emission structures each include an array of field emission sources each having positions and polarities relating to a desired spatial force function that corresponds to a complementary alignment of the first and second field emission structures within a field domain. The object is attached to the surface of the vehicle when the first and second field emission structures are located next to one another and have a complementary alignment with respect to one another. |
| US07956711B2 |
Apparatuses and methods relating to tool attachments that may be removably connected to an extension handle
Tool attachments and extensions handles may be removably connected to each other. In an example embodiment, a tool attachment is capable of being connected to an extension handle having an extension handle connector, which includes a first field emission structure. The tool attachment has a tool implement and a tool attachment connector, which includes a second field emission structure. The tool attachment connector is adapted to be mated to the extension handle connector with the second field emission structure in proximity to the first field emission structure such that the first and second field emission structures have a predetermined alignment with respect to one another. Each of the first and second field emission structures include multiple Field emission sources having positions and polarities relating to a predefined spatial force function that corresponds to the predetermined alignment of the first and second field emission structures within a field domain. |
| US07956710B2 |
Electromagnetic relay
An electromagnetic relay is structured such that a base includes a movable contact piece and a fixed contact piece. A movable contact point included in the movable contact piece is connected to and disconnected from a fixed contact point included in the fixed contact piece by operating the movable contact piece via a card. At least any one of the base and the card includes a guide portion for guiding the card in a freely reciprocating manner with respect to the base. The card includes a guide protruding portion and a pressing portion for pressing the movable contact piece to elastically deform the movable contact piece. The movable contact piece includes a guide portion in a side portion of the movable contact point. The guide portion includes a guide hole into which the guide protruding portion is inserted, a pressure receiving portion positioned at an opposite side to the movable contact point with respect to the guide hole and pressed by the pressing portion, and a reinforcing portion for preventing plastic deformation at a time of being pressed by the pressing portion. The guide hole maintains a non-contact state of the card during the reciprocating motion. |
| US07956707B2 |
Angled metallic ridge for coupling combline and ceramic resonators
An apparatus for coupling a combline resonator and a ceramic resonator, including one or more of the following: a housing; a combline resonator in the housing; a ceramic resonator in the housing, the ceramic resonator having a stem portion and a mushroom portion; a ridge extending between the combline resonator and the ceramic resonator, the ridge passing between the mushroom portion of the ceramic resonator and the housing, wherein a coupling is obtained between an electrical field of the combline resonator and an electrical field of the ceramic resonator. |
| US07956706B2 |
Multiband filter having comb-line and ceramic resonators with different pass-bands propagating in different modes
A multiband filtering apparatus (40) for use in a communications system, said apparatus including a housing (21); a plurality of cavities (22.1, 22.2) disposed within said housing wherein each cavity includes a resonant structure, the resonant structure having at least one ceramic element (23.1, 23.2); at least one input port (27) coupled to a first resonator of said plurality of resonators; at least one output port (28) coupled to a second resonator of said plurality of resonators; and a closure member (25) adapted to engage said housing (21) and cap said cavities. |
| US07956705B2 |
Circuit working with acoustic volume waves and component connected to the circuit
The invention relates to a circuit operating with bulk acoustic waves with at least electroacoustic systems, each arranged in a branch (Z1, Z2, Z3, Z4), wherein each electroacoustic system comprises at least two series-connected resonators (R11, R12; R21, R22; R31, R32; R41, R42) in the respective branch, which are galvanically separated from one another and acoustically coupled to one another by means of a coupling system (K1, K2, K3, K4) arranged therebetween. The electroacoustic systems are acoustically coupled via their coupling system (K1, K2) and/or electrically coupled to one another. |
| US07956704B1 |
Loaded parallel stub common mode filter for differential lines carrying high rate digital signals
The present invention provides a novel structure that can be used to filter certain selected frequencies of common mode signals. The structure comprises a stub connected in parallel to a transmission line with termination at the end. It is suitable for implementation on printed circuit boards or backplanes, but it can be also used within the chip, either on die or package substrate. The structure can be also used as an equalizer, and can be used in designing an analog equalizer for high-speed circuits. |
| US07956700B2 |
Waveguide junction
A junction (100) for connecting two waveguides (102, 104) having a first angular offset (α) between longitudinal symmetry axes of their cross-sections, said junction (100) comprising a first interface and a second interlace for connecting said waveguides (102, 104). The junction further comprises at least a first transformer section (106) and a second transformer section (108), both having cross-sections of substantially rectangular shape, and both having said first angular offset (α) between longitudinal symmetry axes of their cross-sections. Each of said transformer sections (106, 108) has two protruded ridges (202, 204, 206, 208) on its opposite walls. |
| US07956697B2 |
Atomic oscillator
An atomic oscillator that controls an oscillation frequency by using an optical absorption property derived from a quantum interference effect occurring when two kinds of resonance light are made incident as coherent light having different wavelengths from each other, includes an optical system that includes: a gas cell sealing metal atoms in a gas state therein; a coherent light source for supplying the resonance light to the metal atoms being in the gas cell; and a light detector for detecting light transmitted through the gas cell. In the atomic oscillator, a first refraction unit is formed at a light incident side, on which coherent light is made incident, of the gas cell. |
| US07956696B2 |
Techniques for generating fractional clock signals
A circuit includes phase detection circuitry, a clock signal generation circuit, a first frequency divider, and a second frequency divider. The phase detection circuitry compares an input clock signal to a feedback signal to generate a control signal. The clock signal generation circuit generates a periodic output signal in response to the control signal. The first frequency divider divides a frequency of the periodic output signal by a first value to generate a first frequency divided signal. The second frequency divider divides the frequency of the periodic output signal by a second value to generate a second frequency divided signal. The first and the second frequency divided signals are routed to the phase detection circuitry as the feedback signal during different time intervals. |
| US07956693B1 |
Method and apparatus for adjusting PLL and/or DLL timing offsets
A method and apparatus for adjusting PLL and/or DLL timing offsets have been disclosed. |
| US07956686B2 |
Differential amplifier with symmetric circuit topology
A differential amplifier circuit is provided with a first input stage including a transistor pair of a first conductivity type, of which transistor pair receives differential input signals; a first output stage connected to the first input stage; a second input stage including a transistor pair of a second conductivity type different from the first conductivity type, of which transistor pair receives the differential input signals; a second output stage connected to the second input stage; and an output terminal. The second output stage is structured with a circuit topology in which transistors of the first conductivity type in the first output stage are replaced with transistors of the second conductivity type, transistors of the second conductivity type in the first output stage are replaced with transistors of the first conductivity type, ground terminals in the first output stage are replaced with power supply terminals, and power supply terminals in the first output stage are replaced with ground terminals. The output terminal is commonly connected to outputs of the first and second output stages. |
| US07956683B2 |
High efficiency linear power amplifiers with load compensation
The present invention addresses the problem to extend the dynamic power range where the amplifier operates linearly for a full input amplitude swing with improved efficiency. According to the present invention, the above presented problem is solved by changing the delivered power to the load by changing the value of the load and still keeping the amplifier in its linear condition. The invention enables the amplifier to maintain high efficiency over a wider power range. |
| US07956678B2 |
Power off controlling circuit and power-off controlling method
A power-off controlling circuit and a power-off controlling method that control power-off of an integrated circuit based on the size of leakage currents. The power-off controlling circuit includes a model circuit section that includes a model circuit made by modeling a basic circuit of an integrated circuit, a voltage comparing circuit section that compares an output voltage charged by a leakage current occurred at the model circuit and a preset reference voltage, a decision circuit section that measures an arrival time until the output voltage reaches the reference voltage from the compared result and decides a size of the leakage current from the measured result, and a power-off controlling circuit section that controls power-off of the integrated circuit on the basis of the decided size of the leakage current. |
| US07956675B2 |
Control circuit and control method for charge pump circuit
A charge pump circuit is provided. A voltage/current conversion circuit compares a feedback voltage that corresponds to the output voltage of the charge pump circuit with a predetermined reference voltage, and generates a bias current that corresponds to the difference therebetween. An oscillator oscillates at a frequency that corresponds to the bias current. A buffer is biased by the bias current, and supplies a gate clock to the charge pump circuit based upon a clock signal output from the oscillator, thereby driving the charge pump circuit. |
| US07956672B2 |
Reference voltage generating circuit
A reference voltage generating circuit includes a resistance dividing circuit formed with resistors connected in series. This circuit includes: a first power supply circuit that is formed with field effect transistors, and outputs voltage having a negative temperature coefficient with respect to a change in environmental temperature; a source follower circuit that includes a first field effect transistor connected to the gate of the first power supply circuit, and the resistance dividing circuit formed with the resistors that are connected in series between the drain and ground of the first field effect transistor and between the source of the first field effect transistor and power supply voltage, and adjusts the deviation in the negative temperature coefficient of the voltage that is output from the first power supply circuit; and a second power supply circuit that is connected to the source follower circuit, is formed with field effect transistors, generates voltage having a positive temperature coefficient with respect to a change in environmental temperature, and outputs voltage having the deviation in temperature coefficient compensated for. |
| US07956667B2 |
Power supply voltage forming device and polar modulation transmission device
Provided is a power voltage forming device which can correct an offset voltage of a high-frequency power amplifier without degrading distortion characteristic of a high-frequency power amplifier. The power voltage forming device (100) includes: a level adjusting unit (103) which adjusts the level of input data subjected to analog conversion, according to an output level control value for controlling the output level of the high-frequency power amplifier (200); an analog adder (104) which performs analog addition of the offset data subjected to the analog conversion, to the signal after the level adjustment; a digital adder (101) which performs digital addition of the offset data to the input data before the analog conversion; and a selection unit (106) which selects whether to perform addition by the analog adder (104) or addition by the digital adder (101) according to the output level control value. |
| US07956657B2 |
Time delay apparatus
A time delay apparatus for generating a plurality of phase shifted signals is described comprising a phase tuner generating a phase control signal and a phase interpolator receiving at least one digital signal and generating the plurality of phase shifted signals by phase shifting the digital signal according to the phase control signal. |
| US07956649B1 |
Frequency pattern detector
A window sampling system and method are provided for comparing a signal with an unknown frequency to a reference clock. A pattern modulator accepts a compClk signal and supplies a test window with a period equal to n compClk periods, where n is an integer greater than 1. A pattern detector accepts the test window and a reference clock, and contrasts the test window with the reference clock. In response to failing to fit n reference clock periods inside the test window, the pattern detector supplies a frequency pattern detector output signal (fpdOut) indicating that the frequency of the compClk is greater than the reference clock frequency. |
| US07956646B2 |
Buffer circuit and control method thereof
The present disclosure has been worked out to provide a buffer circuit and a control method thereof capable of controlling the timing at which the output switching element is changed from an OFF state to an ON state, and preventing the output characteristic from becoming unstable. The buffer circuit includes: a driving portion 20 driving output switching elements M1 and M2; a detecting portion 30 detecting that the voltage values of control terminals of the output switching elements M1 and M2 have exceeded the threshold voltage value; an auxiliary driving portion 40 being connected to the driving portion 20 and changing driving capability of the output switching elements M1 and M2 in accordance with the result of detection by the detecting portion 30. |
| US07956644B2 |
Peak power reduction using fixed bit inversion
A semiconductor device includes a first circuit block, a second circuit block, and a data bus. The data bus is coupled between the first and second circuit blocks. A first data inverter on the data bus inverts a selected segment of data that is transferred onto the data bus. A second data inverter at an end of the data bus re-inverts the selected segment of data before the data is transferred off the data bus. The data that is transferred onto the data is not analyzed in order to determine the selected segment of data that is inverted. |
| US07956642B2 |
Level shifter having low duty cycle distortion
A level shifter includes an inverting circuit, a cross-coupled level shifting latch, and a SR logic gate latch. The first and second outputs of the level shifting latch are coupled to the set (S) and reset (R) inputs of the SR latch. The inverting circuit, that is powered by a first supply voltage VDDL, supplies a noninverted version of an input signal onto a first input of the level shifting latch and supplies an inverted version of the input signal onto a second input of the level shifting latch. A low-to-high transition of the input signal resets the SR latch, whereas a high-to-low transition sets the SR latch. Duty cycle distortion skew of the level shifter is less than fifty picoseconds over voltage, process and temperature corners, and the level shifter has a supply voltage margin of more than one quarter of a nominal value of VDDL. |
| US07956639B2 |
Intelligent cellular electronic structures
An apparatus and method controlling cellular automata containing a plurality of cascaded circuit cells having logic units. The cells are interleaved in groups toward supporting multiple directions, for example quad cells in which each cells of the quad is directed in a different directions separated by a fixed angle, such as 90 degrees (i.e., north, east, south, and west). These cells are triggered asynchronously as each cell is stabilized in preparation for receiving the trigger. The cells process data selectively based on the configuration of the cell and in response to receipt of data and trigger (or combined data and trigger) conditions from neighboring cells. The array can be utilized within a wide range of digital logic. As there is no need for distributing a global clock across the array of cells, the size of the array can be extended to any desired dimension. |
| US07956638B2 |
Impedance adjusting circuit
An impedance adjusting circuit that includes an external terminal to which an external resistor is connected, a first transistor array of a first conductivity type that is connected in parallel between the external terminal and a first power supply terminal and changes a voltage of the external terminal by adjusting an impedance in response to a first control signal, a second transistor array of a second conductivity type that is connected in parallel between the external terminal and a second power supply terminal and changes the voltage of the external terminal by adjusting the impedance in response to a second control signal, and a control circuit that specifies the first control signal according to a comparison result between the voltage of the external terminal and a reference voltage and specifies the second control signal in a different period from a period to specify the first control signal. |
| US07956637B2 |
System and method to determine electric motor efficiency using an equivalent circuit
A system and method for determining electric motor efficiency includes a monitoring system having a processor programmed to determine efficiency of an electric motor under load while the electric motor is online. The determination of motor efficiency is independent of a rotor speed measurement. Further, the efficiency is based on a determination of stator winding resistance, an input voltage, and an input current. The determination of the stator winding resistance occurs while the electric motor under load is online. |
| US07956636B2 |
Generating test benches for pre-silicon validation of retimed complex IC designs against a reference design
This invention (900) describes a method that generates and uses a test bench for verifying an electrical design module in semiconductor manufacturing against an electrical reference model containing a sub-circuit that matches the electrical design module. The invention includes providing (902) a description of an electrical design module that includes a plurality of ports. In addition, the invention includes providing (904) a description of an electrical reference model. The invention further includes providing and or creating (92) one or more implicit defines for the reference modules that appear in hierarchy of the electrical reference model. And, the invention includes providing (906) a description file that includes one or more instance definitions. The invention parses (91) the hierarchy of the electrical design model and then processes (96) the description file. The invention then writes (97) the test bench. |
| US07956633B2 |
Stacked guard structures
Systems and methods for providing a stack with a guard plane embedded in the stack are disclosed. An electrical apparatus can be made by forming a stack comprising an electrically conductive signal structure, an electrical guard structure, and an electrically insulating structure disposed between the signal structure and the guard structure. The signal structure, insulating structure, and guard structure can be aligned one with another in the stack. |
| US07956630B1 |
Real-time effective-wavelength error correction for HDVSI
An error correction for effective-wavelength variations is implemented by adjusting the filter parameters of the quadrature demodulation algorithm of a high definition vertical scanning process using a phase step that accounts for phase-step changes associated with variations in the effective wavelength irradiating the sample when the surface is curved. The nominal phase step is replaced in the filter with an actual phase step size that includes a phase parameter generated for each pixel by calibration or modeling of a specific type of surface. This substitution eliminates all errors produced by surface-dependent variations in the effective wavelength of the irradiating light. |
| US07956629B2 |
Probe tile for probing semiconductor wafer
A tile used to hold one or more probes for testing a semiconductor wafer is disclosed. The tile has one or more sites for inserting one or more probes to test the semiconductor wafer. Each site has one or more holes. Each hole is coupled with a slot forming an angle. A probe is inserted into the tile from a top of the tile through the hole and seated on the slot. The probe has a probe tip. The probe top is in contact with the semiconductor wafer at one end of the slot at a bottom of the tile. The probe tip is aligned with an X and Y coordinate of a bond pad on the semiconductor wafer. |
| US07956621B2 |
Anti-capture method and apparatus for micromachined devices
A MEMS device has a movable beam, a differential capacitor with a movable electrode that moves in response to the displacement of the movable beam and that is disposed between two stationary electrodes, and a voltage circuit for applying a first voltage to the first stationary electrode, second voltage to the second stationary electrode, and a third voltage to the movable electrode. The MEMS device also has a monitor operably coupled with the movable beam to monitor the displacement of the movable beam. In some embodiments, the monitor may monitor the distance between the movable electrode and at least one of the stationary electrodes. The MEMS device further has a voltage reducing circuit operatively coupled with the monitor, the movable electrode, and the stationary electrodes. The voltage reducing circuit reduces the differential between the third voltage and the voltages on the stationary electrodes when the monitor detects that the displacement of the movable beam is greater than or equal to a threshold value. |
| US07956620B2 |
System and method for augmented impedance sensing
An impedance monitoring circuit for an electrosurgical generator is disclosed. The monitoring circuit includes an isolation transformer coupled to at least one of an active terminal and a return terminal of an electrosurgical generator, wherein the isolation transformer includes a primary winding coupled to a reference resistor and a secondary winding coupled to a load. The monitoring circuit also includes a driver configured to transmit a sensor signal to the reference resistor and the load, a primary converter coupled to the reference resistor and the load and configured to detect a primary converted signal as a function of the sensor signal passing through the reference resistor and the load. The monitoring circuit further includes a secondary converter coupled to the driver and configured to detect a secondary converted signal as a function of the sensor signal prior to passing through the reference resistor and the load and a controller configured to determine a fault condition based on the primary and secondary converted signals. |
| US07956618B2 |
Additional pins on a USB connector
An electronic device includes a receptacle for communicating information via a first communication circuit and a second communication circuit different from the first communication circuit, the receptacle including a plurality of electrically conductive contacts having a predefined arrangement. The electronic device further includes a detection circuit and a configuration circuit. The detection circuit is operatively coupled to at least one of the plurality of contacts, and the detection circuit is operative to detect an electrical state of the at least one contact. The configuration circuit is operatively coupled to a first group of contacts of the plurality of contacts, and the configuration circuit is operative to communicatively couple the first group of contacts to the first communication circuit or the second communication circuit based on the detected state of the at least one contact. |
| US07956617B1 |
Testing circuits for degradation without removal from host equipment
A system (S) for testing of electronic circuits (14) includes at least one input signal (18) influenced by the tested circuit (14) for generating a resultant signal (22) conveying characteristics of selected critical performance parameters from the tested circuit (14). A reference circuit (80) receives comparable test signals (19) and produces a reference resultant signal (23). A comparator block circuit (82) further generates an output signal (52) that results from an application of selected comparison criteria to the signals (22 and 23). The output signal (52) is reflective of desired performance of the electronic circuit (14) that is tested and deterioration with time is detected by analysis and comparison with the results of previous tests. |
| US07956616B2 |
System and method for measuring a cable resistance in a power over Ethernet application
A system and method for measuring a cable resistance in a power over Ethernet (PoE) application. A short circuit module in a powered device is designed to produce a short circuit effect upon receipt of a cable resistance detection voltage. The cable resistance detection voltage can be designed to be greater than a voltage for detection or classification and less than a voltage for powering of the powered device. The measurement of the current at a time when a short circuit effect is produced at the powered device enables a calculation of the actual resistance of the cable on a given PoE port. |
| US07956615B1 |
Utilizing computed battery resistance as a battery-life indicator in a mobile terminal
An over-voltage detection and correction system for a transmitter of a mobile terminal that accounts for battery droop during a transmit burst is provided. In general, prior to ramp-up for a first transmit burst, a voltage of the battery of the mobile terminal at a no-load condition is measured. After ramp-up for the transmit burst, the voltage of the battery is measured at full-load, and a current provided to a power amplifier of the transmitter at full-load is detected. Based on the measured voltage of the battery at no-load, the measured voltage of the battery at full-load, and the detected current provided to the power amplifier at full-load, a resistance of the battery is determined. The battery resistance is thereafter updated as desired and used as an indicator of remaining battery-life or power of the battery of the mobile terminal. |
| US07956614B2 |
Flux plane locating in an underground drilling system
A portable locator and method for establishing the location of the cable line in a region which includes at least one generally straight electrically conductive cable line extending across the region from which cable line a locating signal includes a first arrangement for measuring a local flux intensity of the locating signal at a first above ground point within the region with the portable locator in a particular orientation at the first above ground point. A second arrangement uses the local flux intensity to establish a cable line angular orientation which limits the possible directions to the cable line relative to the particular orientation of the portable locator at the above ground point. A third arrangement uses the measured local flux intensity to establish an actual direction of the cable line that is selected from the possible directions based on certain characteristics of the locating signal. |
| US07956607B2 |
Digital ferromagnetic part inspection
Digital ferromagnetic part inspection system and method use a magnetizer for magnetizing a ferromagnetic part to be inspected, wherein a defect in or near a surface of the ferromagnetic part causes an external magnetic field. A magnetic field sensing element is positioned near the ferromagnetic part for sensing the external magnetic field. An inspection module identifies the defect in or near the surface of the ferromagnetic part by interpreting data collected by the magnetic field sensing element in response to the magnetic field sensing element being placed near the ferromagnetic part. |
| US07956605B2 |
Apparatus detecting relative body movement
The invention relates to a measuring device for detecting a body moving in relation to an, in particular, tubular container. Said device comprises at least one magnet unit which generates a magnetic field, measures this magnetic field and which is assigned to the container and/or to the magnetic body. The device also comprises at least one evaluation device connected to the magnet units and provided for receiving measurement signals of the magnet units. The aim of the invention is to improve a measuring device of this type in order to be able to easily determine, in addition to the position of the body in relation to the container in a longitudinal direction, the position of the body in relation to the container in the transverse direction with a relatively high level of accuracy. To this end, the magnet units comprise a maximum magnetic flux that is essentially perpendicular to the direction of the relative motion of the body and container. |
| US07956603B2 |
Sensor inductors, sensors for monitoring movements and positioning, apparatus, systems and methods therefore
A generally planar shaped inductor is disclosed that is particularly adaptable for use in motion or position sensors. One inductor can function as a signal input unit and another as a pick up unit in an arrangement wherein both inductors are placed in a generally parallel juxtaposition for flux flow there between. A movable armature is located between the inductors to control the amount of flux transmission between inductors. The position of the armature relative to the inductors controls the output signal generated by the pickup inductor that are adapted to be converted into indications of displacements. |
| US07956601B2 |
Device and process for detecting particles in a flowing liquid
A process and device for detecting electrically conductive particles in a liquid flowing in a pipe section, the liquid being exposed to periodic alternating electromagnetic fields by a transmitter coil which induces eddy currents in the particles, a probe made as a coil arrangement and which has an effective width producing a periodic electrical signal based on the eddy currents. The signal ha a carrier oscillation with an amplitude and/or phase which is modulated by particles passing across the effective width of the coil arrangement, the probe signal being filtered by a frequency-selective first filter unit, the filtered signal being sampled by a triggerable A/D converter stage to obtain a demodulated digital measurement signal, the digital measurement signal being filtered by a digital, frequency-selective adjustable second filter unit to obtain a useful signal, and the useful signal being evaluated to detect passage of electrically conductive particles in the pipe section. |
| US07956597B2 |
Reference buffer circuits for providing reference voltages
A reference buffer circuit provides a reference voltage at an output node and comprises a closed-loop branch comprising an amplifier and first and second MOS transistors and an open-loop branch comprising a third MOS transistor. A positive input terminal of the amplifier receives an input voltage. A gate of the first MOS transistor is coupled to the output terminal of the amplifier, and a source is coupled to a negative input terminal of the amplifier. A gate of the second MOS transistor is coupled to the drain of the first MOS transistor, a source is coupled to a first voltage source, and a drain is coupled to the source of the first MOS transistor. A gate of the third MOS transistor is coupled to the output terminal of the amplifier, and a source is coupled to the output node. |
| US07956596B2 |
Voltage control for electric power systems
A limitation of the interaction between cascaded tap changers and/or between a tap changer and a shunt compensator independently of any real-time communication between the respective controllers is disclosed. Coordinated voltage control in distribution networks can be achieved by an adaptive updating or tuning of control parameters DB4, TD4 of a voltage control unit controlling a second voltage control device, depending on instantaneous or actual operating conditions evaluated by the voltage control unit itself. Instead of using constant control parameters initially set by a commissioning engineer, the parameters are updated based on a voltage level UP4, which in turn is responsive to or affected by any control action performed by a first voltage control device neighboring the second voltage control device. The voltage control unit calculates a deviation of an instantaneous value of the voltage level from a reference value, and translates or maps this deviation to an update of its dead bands and/or time delay characteristics. Hence, the voltage control unit can anticipate, or determine a likelihood of, a control action of the first voltage control device, without the need for a real-time transmission of this information to the voltage control unit. |
| US07956594B2 |
Device and method for compensating for voltage drops
A device that includes a voltage supply unit and an integrated circuit, the device is characterized by including a voltage sampling circuit adapted to sample voltage levels at multiple sampling points within the integrated circuit, to provide multiple sampled voltages, wherein the multiple sampled voltages reflect the voltage drops; and wherein the voltage supply unit is adapted to adjust a supply voltage provided to the integrated circuit in response to at least one sampled voltage. A method for voltage drop compensation; the method includes providing a supply voltage to an integrated circuit; the method is characterized by sampling voltage levels at multiple sampling points within the integrated circuit, to provide multiple sampled voltages, wherein the multiple sampled voltages reflect the voltage drops; and adjusting a supply voltage provided to the integrated circuit in response to at least one sampled voltage. |
| US07956593B2 |
Power generation circuit using electromagnetic wave
A power generation circuit generates and stores electric power utilizing electromagnetic wave energy. The power generation circuit has one of an antenna or a coil that receives an electromagnetic wave. A rectifying circuit is formed on a silicon substrate and rectifies a signal from the antenna or the coil. A storage circuit stores an output power obtained from the rectifying circuit for driving a load. A MOS transistor has a source and a drain connected to an output of the storage circuit and the load, respectively, so that the load is connected to the storage circuit in accordance with a threshold voltage of the MOS transistor. |
| US07956589B1 |
Compensation network for error amplifier of a low dropout regulator
An error amplifier of a low dropout regulator includes a compensation network configured to adapt the error amplifier to varying load currents. The compensation network may be coupled to an amplifier stage of the error amplifier. For example, the compensation network may be coupled across an input and an output of the amplifier stage in a Miller connection. As another example, one end of compensation network may be coupled to an input of the amplifier stage with another end coupled to ground. The compensation network may have several resistors and capacitors that have corresponding parameter switches for switching the resistors and capacitors in and out of the compensation network to change a parameter of the compensation network based on load current. |
| US07956588B2 |
Voltage regulator
A voltage regulator has an error amplifier circuit, and a phase compensation circuit having a capacitor connected in parallel to first and second series-connected resistors. A control transistor has its source-drain path connected between input and output terminals of the phase compensation circuit and its gate connected to a junction point between the first and second resistors. In a transient stage in which the output voltage of the error amplifier circuit changes, the resistance of the phase compensation circuit decreases thereby improving the transient response characteristics of the voltage regulator. |
| US07956584B2 |
Electric power generation system with multiple alternators driven by a common prime mover
An apparatus includes a vehicular electric power generation system comprising a variable speed internal combustion engine, a first variable speed electric power generator driven by the engine, a second variable speed electric power generator driven by the engine, a first inverter to receive electric power from the first generator a provide a first controlled electric output, a second inverter to receive electric power from the second generator and provide a second controlled electric output, and a controller coupled to the engine. The controller is responsive to variation in electrical loading of the first inverter and the second inverter and a degree of electrical load imbalance between the first inverter and second inverter to provide one or more engine control signals. The engine is responsive to the one more engine control signals to change rotational operating speed to adjust for the variation in electrical loading and the degree of electrical load imbalance. |
| US07956580B2 |
Cell set capacity controlling system and method
A cell control unit (20) individually controls cell capacities (SOC) of a first subset (Cf) of a set of cells (Cj) in a heat dissipating manner by using discharge resistors (Rj), a set of estimation elements (21, 31-33, S1-S6, S11-S16, S18-S19) estimates a degree of heat dissipation of the set of cells (Cj) in terms of a temperature rise (To(n)-To(0)) of a substrate (25) of the cell control unit (20), and a set of interruption elements (SWj, S17) interrupts controlling cell capacities (SOC) of a second subset (Cs) of the first subset of cells (Cf) determined in dependence on the estimated temperature rise (To(n)-To(0)). |
| US07956578B2 |
Power supply having a reduced number of switching elements
There is provided a power supply capable of reducing switching elements. In a power supply, an AC/DC adapter 121 supplies electric power to a load 125 and a battery charger 122. The battery charger comprises a high side FET 102 and a low side FET 103 which operate according to a synchronous rectification method, and charges batteries 108 and 109. When a commercial power supply fails, a power outage detection circuit provided in the battery charger detects the power outage, and outputs a power outage signal. The battery charger which has received the power outage signal sets the high side FET to be ON KEEP. A discharge current from the battery flows via a discharge path 119. This enables a reduction in the number of FETs in comparison with other power supplies. |
| US07956570B2 |
Network-controlled charging system for electric vehicles
A system for network-controlled charging of electric vehicles comprises charge transfer devices networked as follows: charge transfer devices and electric vehicle operators communicate via wireless communication links; charge transfer devices are connected by a local area network to a data control unit, which is connected to a server via a wide area network. The server stores consumer profiles and utility company power grid load data. A charge transfer devices comprises: an electrical receptacle for receiving an electrical connector for recharging an electric vehicle; an electric power line connecting the receptacle to a local power grid; a control device on the electric power line, for switching the receptacle on and off; a current measuring device on the electric power line, for measuring current flowing through the receptacle; a controller for operating the control device and monitoring the output from the current measuring device; a local area network transceiver connected to the controller, for connecting the controller to the data control unit; and a communication device connected to the controller, for wireless communication between the operator of the electric vehicle and the controller. |
| US07956569B2 |
Double ended inverter system with an impedance source inverter subsystem
A double ended inverter system suitable for use with an AC electric traction motor of a vehicle is provided. The double ended inverter system cooperates with a first DC energy source and a second DC energy source, which may have different nominal voltages. The double ended inverter system includes an impedance source inverter subsystem configured to drive the AC electric traction motor using the first energy source, and an inverter subsystem configured to drive the AC electric traction motor using the second energy source. The double ended inverter system also utilizes a controller coupled to the impedance source inverter subsystem and to the inverter subsystem. The controller is configured to control the impedance source inverter subsystem and the inverter subsystem in accordance with a boost operating mode, a traditional inverter operating mode, and a recharge operating mode of the double ended inverter system. |
| US07956564B2 |
Valve timing adjusting apparatus capable of reliably preventing heat damage of switching elements
A valve timing adjusting apparatus adjusts valve timing of at least one of intake and exhaust valves of an engine that are opened and closed by a camshaft driven by torque transmitted from a crankshaft. The apparatus includes an electric motor, a plurality of switching elements, a motor driver, and a phase adjusting mechanism. When a target rotational direction of a motor shaft of the electric motor is coincident with the actual rotational direction of the same, the motor driver continuously turns on a selected one of the switching elements for the whole of a predetermined rotation angle range of the motor shaft. When the target rotational direction is opposite to the actual rotational direction, the motor driver continuously turns on the selected switching element only for part of the rotation angle range, and continuously turns off the selected switching element for the remaining part of the rotation angle range. |
| US07956560B2 |
Control apparatus for rotational electric machine and driving apparatus for vehicle
A control apparatus for controlling a rotational electric machine and a driving apparatus for a vehicle that includes an AC motor that rotates wheels and is driven by a power supplied from a battery, an instant variation detecting unit provided in a motor controller that detects a instantaneous variation of a current or voltage of the battery, and a current command operating unit that changes a current command signal for current to be sent to the AC motor, such that an internal loss of the AC motor is increased, by using an internal-loss-increase-use Id·Iq table. |
| US07956559B2 |
Motor driving device
The invention discloses a motor driving device for generating at least one driving signal according to a clock signal corresponding to the output signal of a hall sensor. The motor driving device also controls rotation of a motor via at least one driving signal, wherein the at least one driving signal includes a first driving signal and a second driving signal and the motor driving device controls the rotation of the motor according to the first driving signal and the second driving signal. |
| US07956556B1 |
Apparatus and method for compensating for reduced light output of a solid-state light source having a lumen depreciation characteristic over its operational life
A method, apparatus, and system for compensating for lamp lumen depreciation. The method includes operating the lamp under rated wattage for a period towards the first part of operating life of the lamp. Operating wattage is increased at one or more later times. Energy savings are realized. The increases also restore at least some light lost by lamp lumen depreciation. The apparatus uses a timer to track operating time of the lamp. A few wattage changes made at spaced apart times can be made in a number of ways, including changing capacitance to the lamp, or using different taps on the lamp ballast. In one aspect the invention pertains to solid state sources. The invention can pertain to a variety of applications including wide area lighting, indoor lighting, pathway lighting, parking lot lighting, street lighting, under-counter or -cabinet lighting, and others. |
| US07956552B2 |
Apparatus, system, and method for device group identification
An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for identifying and differentiating among multiple groups of devices, comprising at least two LEDs, a controller, and a blending medium. The at least two LEDs emit a wavelength of light that is different from a wavelength of each other LED. The controller drives the at least two LEDs to each emit light at specified intensities in response to a color identifying value. The blending medium combines the light emitted by the at least two LEDs into an identifying color that identifies a group of devices. |
| US07956550B2 |
Complementary application specific integrated circuit for compact fluorescent lamps
In a lighting ballast there are typically several discrete components that combine to take an external AC signal and convert it to a DC signal, and back to an AC signal for powering a lamp. Several of these components can be housed on an application specific integrated circuit. By placing switching transistors (20, 22) their companion diodes (34, 36), and a rectifying circuit (52) on a monolithic integrated circuit (60), the ballast circuit as a whole is made more reliable and robust and can be manufactured at a lower cost than if discrete components had been used. |
| US07956548B2 |
Electronic ballast protection
An electronic ballast powers at least one fluorescent tube or lamp which has a power source; a DC power supply having an input connected to the power source; an oscillator connected to an output of said DC power supply so as to be driven therefrom; a driver means; and a protection means that deactivates the oscillator when the output reaches a predetermined abnormally high voltage. The protection means includes a transformer; a plurality of windings disposed on the transformer, a delegated winding disposed on the transformer. The protection means includes a sample point for sampling voltage. The protection means deactivates the delegated winding disposed on the transformer for the magnetizing the transformer and stopping oscillation when the sample point reaches a predetermined abnormally high voltage. |
| US07956547B2 |
Dielectric barrier discharge lamp lighting device
A dielectric barrier discharge lamp (14) has an inside electrode (142) in a tube axis direction within the airtight container (141), which has ultraviolet transmission properties and a long tube shape, and an outside electrode (143) having a semicircular shape arranged outside of the airtight container (141) in close contact with it. Besides, an excimer-forming gas is sealed in the airtight container (141). AC voltage supplied from the power source (11) is converted into DC voltage through a converter (12) and outputted. A high-frequency wave is generated by an inverter (13) based on the DC voltage supplied from the converter (12), and a dielectric barrier discharge is induced in the dielectric barrier discharge lamp (14) to irradiate ultraviolet rays. The converter (12) is configured by connecting in series the outputs of DC power sources (121), (122). Optimum luminous efficiency of a dielectric barrier discharge lamp having different specifications is also realized by adjusting the number of DC power sources. |
| US07956543B2 |
Optimization of the excitation frequency of a resonator
A radio frequency plasma generator power supply, including: an interface that receives a request to determine an optimal control frequency; an output interface configured to be connected to a plasma generation resonator; a power supply module configured to apply a voltage at a set point frequency to the output interface, the voltage, depending on its frequency, selectively unable to allow generation of plasma of the resonator on receipt of a request during a phase optimizing power supply frequency of the generator and able to allow generation of plasma of the resonator during an operating phase; an interface that receives an electrical measurement of power supply of the resonator; a module that determines optimal control frequency, successively provides various set point frequencies to the power supply module on receipt of a request, and determines an optimal control frequency depending on electrical measurements received by the reception interface. |
| US07956542B2 |
External electrode fluorescent lamp and manufacturing method of the same
An external electrode fluorescent lamp includes a glass tube made of soft glass, and external electrodes affixed to outer surfaces of both ends of the glass tube. The fluorescent lamp further includes a joining material applied between at least the glass tube and the external electrodes for affixing the external electrodes, which are made up of a material having a thermal expansion coefficient that is larger than that of the glass tube. According to the manufacturing method of the fluorescent lamp, first, the external electrodes are attached to the outer surface of each end of the glass tube, the external electrodes are then immersed in fused solder, and finally, the glass tube is cooled to room temperature. In this manner, the external electrodes are affixed to the outer surface of the glass tube via soldering. |
| US07956540B2 |
Plasma display panel
A PDP (101) with a reduced discharge inception voltage and discharge sustaining voltage for improving luminous efficiency has at least a pair of substrates (110 and 111) that are disposed in opposition to sandwich a discharge space therebetween. At least a portion of at least one of the substrates has two or more display electrode pairs (104) that include narrow bus electrodes (159 and 169), a dielectric layer (107) formed so as to cover the display electrode pairs (104), and a protective layer (108) formed so as to cover the dielectric layer (107). The dielectric layer (107) has a dense film structure with a dielectric breakdown voltage of 1.0×106 [V/cm] to 1.0×107 [V/cm]. |
| US07956536B2 |
Light emitting device and method for producing same
A light emitting device 10 includes: a lead frame 12a serving as a mounting portion having a cup 13; a light emitting element 14, mounted on the bottom face 13a of the cup, for emitting light having a predetermined peak wavelength; a layer of first phosphor particles 16, absorbed and formed on the light emitting element, for absorbing light emitted from the light emitting element and for emitting light having a longer peak wavelength than that of the light emitted from the light emitting element; second phosphor particles 18 for absorbing at least one of light emitted from the first phosphor particles and light emitted from the light emitting element and for emitting light having a longer peak wavelength than that of the at least one of the light emitted from the first phosphor particles and the light emitted from the light emitting element; and a sealing member 20, in which the second phosphor particles are dispersed, for sealing the light emitting element and the layer of first phosphor particles in the cup. |
| US07956534B2 |
Light emitting device
A light emitting device comprises a first pixel portion that includes a light emitting portion arranged between two electrodes on a first substrate, a transistor portion formed on a second substrate arranged to be opposed to the first substrate, a connection electrode extended from one of the two electrodes, and an electrical contact portion in surface contact with both the connection electrode and a drain of the transistor portion. |
| US07956532B2 |
Display panel, electronic device, and method of making display panel
A display panel has a display area with a matrix of individual display pixels. The display panel also includes an electrode that is arranged to cover at least substantially the entirety of the display area. A common electrode is generally frame-shaped and is arranged exclusively around the perimeter of the display area. The common electrode has a notched portion that is located at a power supply lead pattern having a potential that is different from the potential that is applied to the common electrode. The notched portion advantageously substantially reduces the surface area of the common electrode overlapping the power supply lead. |
| US07956528B2 |
Organic electroluminescent device comprising ceramic sheet and graphite sheet
An organic electroluminescent device is provided and includes: electrodes containing a back electrode and a transparent electrode; and a light-emitting layer disposed between the electrodes. On a side of the back electrode opposite to the light-emitting layer, a ceramic sheet having a thermal emissivity of 0.8 or more and a thickness of from 50 to 1,000 μm or a graphite sheet having a thermal conductivity of 200 W/m·K or more is provided, or the graphite sheet and the ceramic sheet adjacent thereto are provided. |
| US07956526B2 |
Organic electro-luminescence device with organic light emitting layer having particular ratio of contents
An organic electro-luminescence device including an anode, a cathode, an organic light emitting layer and a hole-transporting layer is provided. The cathode has a calcium electrode and an aluminum electrode adjacent thereto. The organic light emitting layer is disposed between the anode and the calcium electrode, and has a polymer, a phosphorescence dopant and an organic electron-transporting material, wherein a ratio of contents of the organic electron-transporting material to contents of the polymer in the organic light emitting layer is substantially between 0.1 and 1. The organic electron-transporting material is 1,3-bis(N,Nt-butyl-phenyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazole. The hole-transporting layer is disposed between the light emitting layer and the anode. |
| US07956525B2 |
Flexible nanostructure electronic devices
A flexible electronic device is made up of nanostructures. Specifically, the device includes a flexible substrate, a film of nanostructures in contact with the flexible substrate, a first conducting element in contact with the film of nanostructures, and a second conducting element in contact with the film of nanostructures. The nanostructures may comprise nanotubes, such as carbon nanotubes disposed along the flexible substrate, such as an organic or polymer substrate. The first and second conductive elements may serve as electrical terminals, or as a source and drain. In addition, the electronic device may include a gate electrode that is in proximity to the nanotubes and not in electrical contact with the nanotubes. In this configuration, the device can operate as a transistor or a FET. The device may also be operated in a resistive mode as a chemical sensor (e.g., for sensing NH3). |
| US07956522B2 |
Ignition anode, in particular for reignitable rocket combustion chambers
An ignition anode for an ignition device of a reignitable rocket combustion chamber. The anode includes an ignition anode body having an ignition anode frontal area. The ignition anode frontal area has a plurality of edges. |
| US07956521B2 |
Electrical connection of a substrate within a vacuum device via electrically conductive epoxy/paste
An image intensifier includes a microchannel plate (MCP) having an output surface, and a ceramic substrate having an outer surface. The output surface of the MCP and the outer surface of the ceramic substrate are oriented facing each other. An imager is substantially buried within the ceramic substrate, and an input surface of the imager is exposed to receive electrons from the output surface of the MCP. The input surface of the imager and the outer surface of the ceramic substrate are oriented in substantially the same plane. The input surface of the imager and the outer surface of the ceramic substrate are disposed at a very close distance from the output surface of the MCP. The imager includes input/output pads, and the ceramic substrate includes input/output pads. A conductive epoxy connects a respective input/output pad of the imager to a respective input/output pad of the ceramic substrate. |
| US07956520B2 |
Electroactive nanostructured polymers as tunable organic actuators
An actuator element formed from an actuator composition is described, along with transducers including the same. The composition comprises: (i) a thermoplastic elastomer copolymer, the copolymer comprising at least one flexible midblock, and at least two glassy or semicrystalline endblocks; and (ii) a liquid modifier that selectively solvates the at least one flexible midblock. |
| US07956513B2 |
Method of driving a driving device
A driving device includes an electro-mechanical transducer having first and second end portions opposite to each other in an expansion/contraction direction, a stationary member coupled to the first end portion of the electro-mechanical transducer, a vibration friction portion mounted to the second end portion of the electro-mechanical transducer, and a moving portion frictionally coupled to the vibration friction portion, whereby moving the moving portion in the expansion/contraction direction of the electro-mechanical transducer. The moving portion is driven by equalizing a constant expanding speed of the electro-mechanical transducer with a constant contracting speed of the electro-mechanical transducer and by setting a constant rest time interval after one of contraction of the electro-mechanical transducer and expansion of the electro-mechanical transducer. |
| US07956510B2 |
Modulation in micromachined ultrasonic transducers
A capacitive micromachined ultrasonic transducer (cMUT) system uses a modulation technique to increase cMUT sensitivity. An AC carrier signal is applied to the cMUT through a modulation signal port to modulate the signal. The higher frequency of the AC carrier signal carries the real signal to a high frequency range to increase the output current signal level. The real signal is later recovered by demodulation. The technique is applicable in both the reception mode and the transmission mode. |
| US07956508B2 |
Generator, in particular for motor vehicles
The invention relates to a generator, especially for motor vehicles, which comprises a generator stator (36) having winding slots and subcoils (10 21) lying in said winding slots (35). The subcoils (10 21) are connected to each other via a bridge circuit (3) in order to produce a DC voltage from a multiphase AC voltage produced by a rotary field. The generator is configured as a multiphase generator (30), preferably a three-phase or six-phase generator (30). The aim of the invention is to reduce magnetic nose and torque ripple merely by modifying the subcoil wiring. For this purpose, the subcoils (10 21) are connected to an angular ring and the bridge circuit (3) connected to the ring has a lower phase number than corners of the angular ring circuit (1). |
| US07956507B2 |
Rotor for rotating electrical machine and method of manufacturing same
In a rotor for a rotating electrical machine, a flange of an insulating bobbin is formed with a first hook portion and a second hook portion. The first hook portion directs a lead of a field coil both against the winding direction of the field coil and radially inward. The first hook portion has a first groove in which is hooked a proximal portion of the lead. The second hook portion directs the lead axially outward. The second hook portion has a second groove which has an open end on a radially inner periphery of the second hook portion, a closed end positioned radially outward of the open end, and a neck between the open and closed ends. The second hook portion has an intermediate portion of the lead hooked in the second groove between the neck and closed end of the second groove. |
| US07956504B2 |
Composite electromechanical machines with gear mechanism
Embodiments of the present invention include a composite electromechanical machine which can operate as a motor or a generator (including dynamo or alternator). In an aspect, the present composite electromechanical machine consists of at least two rotating elements (rotor) and one stationary element (stator) where the two rotating elements are coupled through a gear mechanism. The gear mechanism can combine the torque of the inner and the outer rotor, preferably using helical gears which have lower noise level and higher contact area. The gear mechanism can also act as a locking mechanism to keep the outer rotor in place. The gear mechanism can have a first gear coupled to the inner rotor and a second gear coupled to the outer rotor. In an embodiment, the first and second gears are coupled together to connect the inner and the outer rotors. The gear mechanism can further include a third gear coupled to the double-sided stator. In an embodiment, the first and third gears and the second and third gears are coupled to each other, respectively. Other embodiments can also be included. |
| US07956491B2 |
Integrated multi-transformer
Methods, systems, and devices are described for integrating multiple transformers on a shared core, while avoiding interference between the transformers and other potentially undesirable effects of the integration. In one embodiment, multiple transformers are wound on a shared core. Each transformer is wound on the core, so that its primary and secondary windings are magnetically coupled to each other through the core without being coupled to the windings of other transformers sharing the core. The multiple integrated transformers may then be provided in a circuit arrangement by placing only a single core element in the arrangement. |
| US07956490B2 |
Battery backup for vehicle emergency communicator
The battery backup for vehicle emergency communicator includes mechanisms for applying backup battery power to an emergency communicator. Electrically operated relays may be employed to switch the backup battery in order to power the emergency communicator of a telematics device. When relays are used in the system, failure of the car battery causes normally open relay contacts to close, applying backup battery power to the emergency communications device. Normally closed relay contacts open to remove connection of the failed battery to the emergency communications device. Additional features of the battery backup for vehicle emergency communicator may include a battery charger, an uninterruptible power system (UPS), transistor switches, an emergency contact dialer, and a timer that limits application time of the backup battery. |
| US07956487B2 |
Compost updraft tower
A system and method for converting heat energy released by compostable matter into electricity through the use of a compost updraft tower. A compost updraft tower comprises a collector region that contains compostable matter, one or more towers that rise up through the collector region, and one or more turbines. The air within the collector region is heated by the energy released during the composting process, and the heated air flows through the collector region toward the open first end of one or more of the towers. The heated air then rises up through one or more of the towers to the open second end of the tower. The heated air flowing through the system drives turbines that generate electricity. In one embodiment the roof of the collector region is transparent to allow solar radiation to penetrate the collector region and heat air within. |
| US07956482B2 |
Speed controlled pitch system
The present patent application concerns wind turbine having a rotor with a first rotor blade and a pitch control system with a controller and a first drive system for adjusting a pitch angle of the first rotor blade, wherein the drive system is adapted to transform rotational energy of the rotor blade rotating about its longitudinal axis into another form of energy such that a counter torque against the rotating direction is induced. Further, it concerns a method for controlling a pitch velocity of a rotor blade of a wind turbine, the wind turbine comprising at least one drive system for adjusting a pitch angle of said rotor blade, the drive system being adapted to operate in a active mode, wherein the drive system rotates the rotor blade, and in a passive mode, wherein the drive system exerts a counter force against the rotating direction, when the rotor blade being rotated by another force than the force of the drive system, wherein the pitch velocity is controlled by operating the drive system in said passive mode when the pitch of the rotor blade is changed from a first position to a second position. |
| US07956479B1 |
Electrical power generation from reciprocating motion of floats caused by waves
An apparatus, system and method for generating electricity by using the reciprocating motion of floats caused by waves includes a plurality of cylindrical floats each traveling on a cylinder push rod. The wave motion through the floats forces hydraulic fluid in a closed loop hydraulic system into a hydraulic motor, and converts the kinetic energy of the linear float motion to rotary motion to drive electrical generators. |
| US07956478B2 |
Installation comprising a wave power apparatus and a support structure therefor
A wave power apparatus at least a part of which is permanently fixed to the sea floor or to ground, i.e. such as to a breakwater, a mole, a pier, a jetty, a cliff or an oil rig. The wave power apparatus (302) includes a plurality of rotationally supported arms (322), each of which carries a float (324) at its free end, so that a translational movement of the float caused by a wave results in rotation of the arm. The apparatus comprises power conversion means for converting power transmitted from the wave to the arms into electric power, e.g. a hydraulic system, in which a hydraulic fluid is displaced by the movement of the arms (322) to drive one or more hydraulic motors. The plurality of apparatus is arranged in a row such that a wave passing the row of arms causes the arms to successively pivot with a mutual phase shift. Thereby, an even power output may be achieved, and the need for frequency converters may be reduced or eliminated. Preferably, each arm is connected to a hydraulic cylinder (328) of the hydraulic system, whereby a plurality of arms feed hydraulic medium into the hydraulic motor or motors through common hydraulic conduits. |
| US07956473B2 |
Semiconductor device
Method of manufacturing semiconductor device including forming inter-layer insulating film on semiconductor substrate. First metal film is formed on inter-layer insulating film. First resist is formed on first metal film and patterned. Anisotropic etching performed on first metal film using first resist as mask. First resist is removed and second metal film is formed on inter-layer insulating film to cover remaining first metal film. Second resist is formed on second metal film in area where first metal film exists on inter-layer insulating film and part of area where first metal film does not exist. Anisotropic etching is performed on second metal film using second resist as mask and bonding pad having first metal film and second metal film, and upper layer wiring having second metal film and not first metal film. Second resist is removed. Surface protection film covering bonding pad is formed. Pad opening is formed on bonding pad. |
| US07956472B2 |
Packaging substrate having electrical connection structure and method for fabricating the same
A packaging substrate having an electrical connection structure and a method for fabricating the same are provided. The packaging substrate have a substrate body with a plurality of conductive pads on a surface thereof; a solder mask layer disposed on the substrate body with a plurality of openings corresponding to the conductive pads, the size of each of the openings being larger than each of the conductive pads; and electroplated solder bumps for covering the conductive pads to provide better bond strength and reliability. |
| US07956470B2 |
Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device has a semiconductor chip which is usable as any one of 4-bit, 8-bit, and 16-bit structure devices, and a package for packaging the semiconductor chip. The semiconductor chip has first and second DQ pad groups of DQ system pads for said 16-bit structure device. The first DQ pad group is arranged in a first area at a vicinity of a middle part of a surface of the semiconductor chip while the second DQ pad group is arranged in a second area at an outer side of the first area on the surface. An additional pad necessary as one of DQ system pads for the 8-bit structure device except for pads included in the second DQ pad group is formed in the second area. |
| US07956467B2 |
Semiconductor device and method of manufacturing the same
A method includes burying a conductive pattern in an insulating film made of SiOH, SiCOH or organic polymer, treating surfaces of the insulating film and the conductive pattern with plasma which includes a hydrocarbon gas as a treatment gas, and forming a diffusion barrier film, which is formed of an SiCH film, an SiCHN film, an SiCHO film or an SiCHON film, over the insulating film and the conductive pattern with performing a plasma CVD by adding an Si-containing gas to the treatment gas while increasing an addition amount gradually or in a step by step manner. |
| US07956464B2 |
Sputtering target and semiconductor device manufactured using the same
A sputtering target includes a tungsten (W)-nickel (Ni) alloy, wherein the nickel (Ni) is present in an amount of between about 0.01 weight % and about 1 weight %. |
| US07956458B2 |
Metal clad fiber optics for enhanced heat dissipation
An integrated optical I/O and semiconductor chip with a direct liquid jet impingement cooling assembly are disclosed. Contrary to other solutions for packaging an optical I/O with a semiconductor die, this assembly makes use of a metal clad fiber, e.g. copper, which will actually enhance cooling performance rather than create a design restriction that has the potential to limit cooling capability. |
| US07956451B2 |
Packages for encapsulated semiconductor devices and method of making same
A semiconductor device package comprises a container having a base and side walls of an electrically insulating material. A semiconductor device chip is disposed on the base, and a lead frame extends through the side walls. At least one electrical conductor couples the lead frame to the chip. A first layer of an electrically insulating cured gel covers the chip and the lead frame, and a second layer of an electrically insulating cured gel covers at least the portion of the first layer that covers the chip, but does not extend to the side walls. In one embodiment, the second layer has the shape of a dome. In a preferred embodiment the gel comprises silicone. In another embodiment a third layer of conformal insulating material is disposed on the second layer and essentially fills the container. Also is described is a method of making the package for use with RFLDMOS chips. |
| US07956449B2 |
Stacked integrated circuit package system
A stacked integrated circuit package system includes: forming a recessed integrated circuit package system having a first encapsulation over a first integrated circuit and an interior cavity in the first encapsulation; forming a mountable integrated circuit package system having a second integrated circuit over a carrier; and mounting the recessed integrated circuit package system over the mountable integrated circuit package system with the second integrated circuit within the interior cavity and the first integrated circuit coupled with the carrier. |
| US07956447B2 |
Wafer scale die handling
A waffle pack device including a member having recesses in a surface of the member to accommodate die from at least one semiconductor wafer. The member is compatible with semiconductor wafer handling equipment and/or semiconductor wafer processing. Preferably, the member accommodates at least a majority of die from a semiconductor wafer. Further, one semiconductor device assembly method is provided which removes die from a singular waffle pack device, places die from the single waffle pack device on a semiconductor package to assemble from the placed die all die components required for an integrated circuit, and electrically interconnects the placed die in the semiconductor package to form the integrated circuit. Another semiconductor device assembly method is provided which removes die from at least one waffle pack device, places die from the at least one waffle pack device on a semiconductor package to assemble from the placed die device components required for an integrated circuit, and electrically interconnects the placed die in the semiconductor package to form the integrated circuit. |
| US07956445B2 |
Packaged integrated circuit having gold removed from a lead frame
A method of packaging an integrated circuit, including providing a lead frame having lead fingers, where the lead frame has a gold layer thereon on a top surface and a bottom surface. An integrated circuit die is attached to the lead frame. The gold layer is substantially removed from portions of the top surface of the lead frame. The integrated circuit die is wire bonded to the lead fingers with a plurality of wire stitches subsequent to substantially removing the gold. The die is encapsulated in a mold compound to form a packaged integrated circuit. |
| US07956441B2 |
Method of increasing the area of a useful layer of material transferred onto a support
A composite structure that includes front faces of the first and second substrates that are molecularly bonded to each other. The dimensions of the second substrate outline are larger than the first substrate outline, and a peripheral side of the second substrate substantially borders the second front face and is oriented generally perpendicularly with respect thereto. The front faces are molecularly bonded such that the outline of the first front face is disposed at least partially within the outline of the second front face. A peripheral ring extending around the first front face and facing the first substrate, in which bonding between the front faces is weak or absent, has a maximum width of less than about 0.5 mm. |
| US07956439B2 |
Void boundary structures, semiconductor devices having the void boundary structures and methods of forming the same
Void boundary structures, semiconductor devices having the void boundary structures, and methods of forming the same are provided. The structures, semiconductor devices and methods present a way for reducing parasitic capacitance between interconnections by forming a void between the interconnections. The interconnections may be formed on a semiconductor substrate. An upper width of each of the interconnections may be wider than a lower width thereof. A molding layer encompassing the interconnections may be formed. A void boundary layer covering the molding layer may be formed to define the void between the interconnections. |
| US07956438B2 |
Integrated capacitor with interlinked lateral fins
A capacitor in an integrated circuit (“IC”) has a first node conductor formed in a first metal layer of the IC with a first spine extending along a first direction, a first vertical element extending from the first spine along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. A first capital element extends along the first direction, and a first serif element extends from the capital element. The capacitor also has a second node conductor having a second spine, a second vertical element extending from the second spine toward the first spine, a second capital element, and a second serif element extending from the second capital between the first vertical element and the first serif element. |
| US07956437B2 |
Isolation structures for integrated circuits
A variety of isolation structures for semiconductor substrates include a trench formed in the substrate that is filled with a dielectric material or filled with a conductive material and lined with a dielectric layer along the walls of the trench. The trench may be used in combination with doped sidewall isolation regions. Both the trench and the sidewall isolation regions may be annular and enclose an isolated pocket of the substrate. The isolation structures are formed by modular implant and etch processes that do not include significant thermal processing or diffusion of dopants so that the resulting structures are compact and may be tightly packed in the surface of the substrate. |
| US07956436B2 |
Method of forming a device wafer with recyclable support
A method for forming a device wafer with a recyclable support by providing a wafer having first and second surfaces, with at least the first surface of the wafer comprising a semiconductor material that is suitable for receiving or forming electronic devices thereon, providing a supporting substrate having upper and lower surfaces, and providing the second surface of the wafer or the upper surface of the supporting substrate with void features in an amount sufficient to enable a connecting bond therebetween to form a construct wherein the bond is formed at an interface between the wafer and the substrate and is suitable to maintain the wafer and supporting substrate in association while forming or applying electronic devices to the first surface of the wafer, but which connecting bond is severable at the interface due to the void features to separate the substrate from the wafer so that the substrate can be reused. |
| US07956435B2 |
Semiconductor device
In recent years, as electronic equipment becomes thinner, an area for mounting a semiconductor device used in the electronic equipment is required to be smaller, and a thickness of an encapsulating resin for encapsulating a semiconductor substrate having a circuit formed thereon and the like also becomes smaller. The encapsulating resin is marked with a product number, a manufacturer name, or the like. There arises a problem in that, in the marking, an infrared laser beam applied to the encapsulating resin passes through the encapsulating resin, generates heat in the semiconductor substrate, and destructs the formed circuit. By providing a thin film for refracting the infrared laser beam on a rear surface of the semiconductor substrate, the optical path of the infrared laser beam is made longer to reduce heat generated in the semiconductor substrate. |
| US07956434B2 |
Image sensor and method for manufacturing the same
Embodiments relate to an image sensor and a method of manufacturing the same. According to embodiments, an image sensor may include a first substrate having circuitry formed thereon. It may further include a photodiode bonded to the first substrate and electrically connected to the circuitry, and a contact plug at a pixel border that may be electrically connected with the circuitry and the photodiode. According to embodiments, the photodiode may include a first conductive type ion implantation region selectively provided in a crystalline semiconductor layer, and a second conductive type ion implantation region in contact with one side surface of the first conductive type ion implantation region. |
| US07956433B2 |
Image detector and radiation detecting system with separation of metal layers for bias, scan and data lines
The invention provides an image detector capable of improving the quality of detected images by reducing electronic noise, the image detector comprising, a plurality of scan lines disposed in parallel, a plurality of data lines provided so as to cross with the scan lines, thin film transistors connected with the scan and data lines and provided in matrix, sensor sections connected to the thin film transistor and provided in a matrix and a plurality of common lines disposed so as to apply bias voltage commonly to the sensor sections provided in matrix. Each of the scan lines, data lines and common lines are formed by metal layers different from each other and provided with insulating film(s) disposed therebetween. |
| US07956429B1 |
Insulator layer based MEMS devices
The present invention relates to using an insulator layer between two metal layers of a semiconductor die to provide a micro-electromechanicalsystems (MEMS) device, such as an ohmic MEMS switch or a capacitive MEMS switch. In an ohmic MEMS switch, the insulator layer may be used to reduce metal undercutting during fabrication, to prevent electrical shorting of a MEMS actuator to a MEMS cantilever, or both. In a capacitive MEMS switch, the insulator layer may be used as a capacitive dielectric between capacitive plates, which are provided by the two metal layers. A fixed capacitive element may be provided by the insulator layer between the two metal layers. In one embodiment of the present invention, an ohmic MEMS switch, a capacitive MEMS switch, a fixed capacitive element, or any combination thereof may be integrated into a single semiconductor die. |
| US07956428B2 |
Microelectromechanical devices and fabrication methods
There are many inventions described and illustrated herein. In one aspect, the present invention is directed to a MEMS device, and technique of fabricating or manufacturing a MEMS device, having mechanical structures encapsulated in a chamber prior to final packaging. An embodiment further includes a buried polysilicon layer and a “protective layer” deposited over the buried polysilicon layer to prevent possible erosion of, or damage to the buried polysilicon layer during processing steps. The material that encapsulates the mechanical structures, when deposited, includes one or more of the following attributes: low tensile stress, good step coverage, maintains its integrity when subjected to subsequent processing, does not significantly and/or adversely impact the performance characteristics of the mechanical structures in the chamber (if coated with the material during deposition), and/or facilitates integration with high-performance integrated circuits. In one embodiment, the material that encapsulates the mechanical structures is, for example, silicon (polycrystalline, amorphous or porous, whether doped or undoped), silicon carbide, silicon-germanium, germanium, or gallium-arsenide. |
| US07956426B2 |
Lanthanide dielectric with controlled interfaces
Methods and devices for a dielectric are provided. One method embodiment includes forming a passivation layer on a substrate, wherein the passivation layer contains a composition of silicon, oxygen, and nitrogen. The method also includes forming a lanthanide dielectric film on the passivation layer, and forming an encapsulation layer on the lanthanide dielectric film. |
| US07956424B2 |
Mirror bit memory device applying a gate voltage alternately to gate
A semiconductor device and a method for manufacturing thereof are provided. The semiconductor device includes: an ONO film including a charge storage layer on a semiconductor substrate; a plurality of bit lines each extending inside the semiconductor substrate; a plurality of interspaces each interposed between the adjacent bit lines; a plurality of gates each provided along the bit line on the ONO film above the interspaces; and a plurality of word lines electrically coupled with the corresponding gates formed on one of the interspaces, each extending to intersect with the bit lines. The two gates adjacent with each other in a width direction of the bit line are connected to different word lines. |
| US07956421B2 |
Cross-coupled transistor layouts in restricted gate level layout architecture
A first P channel transistor and a first N channel transistor are defined by first and second gate electrodes, respectively. The second gate electrode is electrically connected to the first gate electrode. A second P channel transistor and a second N channel transistor are defined by third and fourth gate electrodes, respectively. The fourth gate electrode is electrically connected to the third gate electrode. Each of the first P channel transistor, first N channel transistor, second P channel transistor, and second N channel transistor has a respective diffusion terminal electrically connected to a common node. Each of the first, second, third, and fourth gate electrodes is defined to extend along any of a number of parallel oriented gate electrode tracks without physically contacting a gate level feature defined within any gate level feature layout channel associated with a gate electrode track adjacent thereto. |
| US07956418B2 |
ESD protection devices
An ESD protection device is provided. The ESD protection device comprises an SCR and an ESD detection circuit. The SCR is coupled between a high voltage and a ground and has a special semiconductor structure which saves area. When the ESD detection circuit detects an ESD event, the ESD detection circuit drives the SCR to provide a discharging path. |
| US07956416B2 |
Integrated circuitry
Some embodiments include formation of at least one cavity in a first semiconductor material, followed by epitaxially growing a second semiconductor material over the first semiconductor material and bridging across the at least one cavity. The cavity may be left open, or material may be provided within the cavity. The material provided within the cavity may be suitable for forming, for example, one or more of electromagnetic radiation interaction components, transistor gates, insulative structures, and coolant structures. Some embodiments include one or more of transistor devices, electromagnetic radiation interaction components, transistor devices, coolant structures, insulative structures and gas reservoirs. |
| US07956415B2 |
SOI transistor having a carrier recombination structure in a body
A top semiconductor layer is formed with two different thicknesses such that a step is formed underneath a body region of a semiconductor-on-insulator (SOI) field effect transistor at the interface between a top semiconductor layer and an underlying buried insulator layer. The interface and the accompanying interfacial defects in the body region provide recombination centers, which increase the recombination rate between the holes and electrons in the body region. Optionally, a spacer portion, comprising a material that functions as recombination centers, is formed on sidewalls of the step to provide an enhanced recombination rate between holes and electrons in the body region, which increases the bipolar breakdown voltage of a SOI field effect transistor. |
| US07956412B2 |
Lateral diffusion field effect transistor with a trench field plate
A dielectric material layer is formed on a bottom surface and sidewalls of a trench in a semiconductor substrate. The silicon oxide layer forms a drift region dielectric on which a field plate is formed. Shallow trench isolation may be formed prior to formation of the drift region dielectric, or may be formed utilizing the same processing steps as the formation of the drift region dielectric. A gate dielectric layer is formed on exposed semiconductor surfaces and a gate conductor layer is formed on the gate dielectric layer and the drift region dielectric. The field plate may be electrically tied to the gate electrode, may be an independent electrode having an external bias, or may be a floating electrode. The field plate biases the drift region to enhance performance and extend allowable operating voltage of a lateral diffusion field effect transistor during operation. |
| US07956411B2 |
High aspect ratio trench structures with void-free fill material
A field effect transistor (FET) includes a trench extending into a semiconductor region. A conductive electrode is disposed in the trench, and the conductive electrode is insulated from the semiconductor region by a dielectric layer. The conductive electrode includes a conductive liner lining the dielectric layer along opposite sidewalls of the trench. The conductive liner has tapered edges such that a thickness of the conductive liner gradually increases from a top surface of the conductive electrode to a point in lower half of the conductive electrode. The conductive electrode further includes a conductive fill material sandwiched by the conductive liner. The FET further includes a drift region of a first conductivity type in the semiconductor region, and a body region of a second conductivity type extending over the drift region. Source regions of the first conductivity type extend in the body region adjacent the trench. |
| US07956406B2 |
Nonvolatile semiconductor memory device
A nonvolatile semiconductor memory device includes a charge storage layer on a first insulating film, a second insulating film which is provided on the charge storage layer, formed of layers, and a control gate electrode on the second insulating film. The second insulating film includes a bottom layer (A) provided just above the charge storage layer, a top layer (C) provided just below the control gate electrode, and a middle layer (B) provided between the bottom layer (A) and the top layer (C). The middle layer (B) has higher barrier height and lower dielectric constant than both the bottom layer (A) and the top layer (C). The average coordination number of the middle layer (B) is smaller than both the average coordination number of the top layer (C) and the average coordination number of the bottom layer (A). |
| US07956404B2 |
Non-volatile two-transistor programmable logic cell and array layout
A two-transistor non-volatile memory cell is formed in a semiconductor body. A memory-transistor well is disposed within the semiconductor body. A switch-transistor well is disposed within the semiconductor body and is electrically isolated from the memory transistor well. A memory transistor including spaced-apart source and drain regions is formed within the memory-transistor well. A switch transistor including spaced-apart source and drain regions is formed within the switch-transistor well region. A floating gate is insulated from and self aligned with the source and drain regions of the memory transistor and switch transistor. A control gate is disposed above and aligned to the floating gate and with the source and drain regions of the memory transistor and the switch transistor. |
| US07956401B2 |
Bi-axial texturing of high-K dielectric films to reduce leakage currents
The present invention is directed to methods of fabricating a high-K dielectric films having a high degree of crystallographic alignment at grain boundaries of the film. A disclosed method involves providing a substrate and then depositing a high-K dielectric material assisted with an ion beam to enable the preferential formation of crystal lattices having a selected crystallographic orientation. The resultant dielectric films have a high degree of crystallographic alignment at grain boundaries. Another disclosed method involves providing a substrate and then angularly depositing a material onto the substrate in order to assist in the preferential formation of crystal lattices having a selected crystallographic orientation. The result is a dielectric film having a high degree of crystallographic alignment at grain boundaries of the film. |
| US07956396B2 |
Memory array having floating gate semiconductor device
A method for forming a floating gate semiconductor device such as an electrically erasable programmable read only memory is provided. The device includes a silicon substrate having an electrically isolated active area. A gate oxide, as well as other components of a FET (e.g., source, drain) are formed in the active area. A self aligned floating gate is formed by depositing a conductive layer (e.g., polysilicon) into the recess and over the gate oxide. The conductive layer is then chemically mechanically planarized to an endpoint of the isolation layer so that all of the conductive layer except material in the recess and on the gate oxide is removed. Following formation of the floating gate an insulating layer is formed on the floating gate and a control gate is formed on the insulating layer. |
| US07956393B2 |
Composition for photoresist stripper and method of fabricating thin film transistor array substrate
A composition for a photoresist stripper and a method of fabricating a thin film transistor array substrate are provided according to one or more embodiments. In one or more embodiments, the composition includes about 5-30 weight % of a chain amine compound, about 0.5-10 weight % of a cyclic amine compound, about 10-80 weight % of a glycol ether compound, about 5-30 weight % of distilled water, and about 0.1-5 weight % of a corrosion inhibitor. |
| US07956392B2 |
Imaging element and imaging device
An imaging element comprises: an optical element substrate part in which the imaging element generates a signal charge by photo-electrically converting an incident light applied from one surface side of the optical element substrate part to read the signal charge from the other surface side of the optical element substrate part and picks up an image; and a CMOS circuit substrate part connected to the other surface side of the optical element substrate part so as to transfer the signal charge generated in the photoelectric conversion layer, wherein the optical element substrate part comprises: a photoelectric conversion layer to generate the signal charge by photo-electrically converting the incident light; a charge storage part that stores the signal charge; and a reading transistor that reads the signal charge stored in the charge storage part. |
| US07956389B2 |
Solid-state imaging device, imaging apparatus, and method of manufacturing solid-state imaging device
A solid-state imaging device includes: a semiconductor substrate; photoelectric conversion elements; vertical charge transfer paths that transfer charges generated in photoelectric conversion elements, in a vertical direction; a horizontal charge transfer path that transfers the charges transferred in vertical charge transfer paths, in a horizontal direction orthogonal to the vertical direction; a plurality of charge accumulating sections between the vertical charge transfer paths and the horizontal charge transfer path; a plurality of electrodes disposed above the respective charge accumulating sections, the plurality of electrodes being classified into a plurality of kinds of electrodes; wirings corresponding to the respective kinds of electrodes and extending in the horizontal direction above the plurality of electrodes; and a planarizing layer disposed between the wirings and an uneven surface caused by the plurality of electrodes that are present in areas overlapping the wirings, so as to planarize the uneven surface. |
| US07956388B2 |
Solid-state image pickup element and solid-state image pickup device
It is intended to provide a solid-state image pickup element capable of reducing an area of a read channel to increase a light-receiving area. The solid-state image pickup element comprises a p-type planar semiconductor, a hole formed in the p-type planar semiconductor, a p+-type region formed in a bottom of the hole, a p+-type isolation region formed in a part of a sidewall of the hole and connected to the p+-type region, an n-type photoelectric conversion region formed beneath the p+-type region, a transfer electrode formed on the entire sidewall of the hole through a gate dielectric film, a CCD channel region formed in a top of the p-type planar semiconductor, and a read channel formed in a region of the p-type planar semiconductor between the n-type photoelectric conversion region and the CCD channel region. |
| US07956386B2 |
Wiring structure in a semiconductor device, method of forming the wiring structure, semiconductor device including the wiring structure and method of manufacturing the semiconductor device
A wiring structure in a semiconductor device may include a first insulation layer formed on a substrate, a first contact plug, a capping layer pattern, a second insulation layer and a second contact plug. The first insulation layer has a first opening that exposes a contact region of the substrate. The first contact plug is formed on the contact region to partially fill up the first opening. The capping layer pattern is formed on the first contact plug to fill up the first opening. The second insulation layer is formed on the capping layer pattern and the first insulation layer. The second insulation layer has a second opening passing through the capping layer pattern to expose the first contact plug. The second contact plug is formed on the first contact plug in the second opening. Since the wiring structure includes the capping layer pattern, the wiring structure may prevent a contact failure by preventing chemicals from permeating into the first contact plug. |
| US07956381B1 |
Multi-layered integrated circuit and apparatus with thermal management and method
A multi-layered semiconductor apparatus capable of producing at least 500 W of continuous power includes at least two device substrates arranged in a stack. Each of the at least two device substrates has a first side and a second side opposite to the first side, and each of the at least two device substrates is configured to produce an average power density higher than 100 W/cm2. A plurality of active devices are provided on the first side of each of the at least two device substrates. The plurality of active devices are radiatively coupled among the at least two device substrates. At least one of the at least two device substrates is structured to provide a plurality of cavities on its second side to receive corresponding ones of the plurality of active devices on the first side of an adjacent one of the at least two device substrates. |
| US07956380B2 |
Semiconductor light-emitting device
A semiconductor light-emitting device is provided. In an InGaN-based semiconductor light-emitting device including an Ag electrode, a semiconductor layer on the contact side of at least the Ag electrode is a dislocation semiconductor layer of which dislocation density is selected to be less than 1×107 (1/cm2) and thereby short-circuit caused by Ag migration generated along this dislocation can be avoided. Thus, this semiconductor light-emitting device is able to solve a problem of a shortened life and a problem with the fraction of defective devices encountered with the InGaN-based semiconductor light-emitting device. |
| US07956378B2 |
Light emitting diode package and method of manufacturing the same
Provided is a light emitting diode package and a method of manufacturing the same. The light emitting diode package includes a package main body with a cavity, a plurality of light emitting diode chips, a wire, and a plurality of lead frames. The plurality of light emitting diode chips are mounted in the cavity. The wire is connected to an electrode of at least one light emitting diode chip. The plurality of lead frames are formed in the cavity, and at least one lead frame is electrically connected to the light emitting diode chip or a plurality of wires. |
| US07956377B2 |
Semiconductor light-emitting device and its manufacturing method
In a light-emitting device and its manufacturing method, mounting by batch process with surface-mount technology, high light extraction efficiency, and low manufacturing cost are realized. The light-emitting device 1 comprises semiconductor layers (2, 3) of p-type and n-type nitride semiconductor, semiconductor-surface-electrodes (21, 31) to apply currents into each of the semiconductor layers (2, 3), an insulating layer 4 which holds the semiconductor layers (2, 3), and mount-surface-electrodes (5). The semiconductor layers (2) has a non-deposited area 20 where the other semiconductor layer (3) is not deposited. The insulating layer (4) has VIA 10 which electrically connect the mount-surface-electrodes 5 and the semiconductor-surface-electrodes (21, 31). In the manufacturing process, firstly. semiconductor layers (2, 3) and semiconductor-surface-electrodes (21, 31) are deposited on the transparent crystal substrate, and by using build-up process, insulating layer (4) and the mount-surface-electrodes (5) are formed, and secondly, VIA 10 are formed. and finally, the transparent crystal substrate is separated to get light-emitting device (1). Light can be extracted directly and efficiently from the semiconductor layers (2, 3). With the mount-surface-electrodes (21, 31), light-emitting device (1) can be mounted by using surface mount technology. |
| US07956373B2 |
Semiconductor light-emitting device with high light-extraction efficiency
The invention discloses a semiconductor light-emitting device and a fabricating method thereof. The semiconductor light-emitting device according to the invention includes a substrate, a multi-layer structure, a top-most layer, and at least one electrode. The multi-layer structure is formed on the substrate and includes a light-emitting region. The top-most layer is formed on the multi-layer structure, and the lower part of the sidewall of the top-most layer exhibits a first surface morphology relative to a first pattern. In addition, the upper part of the sidewall of the top-most layer exhibits a second surface morphology relative to a second pattern. The first pattern is different from the second pattern. The at least one electrode is formed on the top-most layer. Therefore, the sidewall of the semiconductor light-emitting device according to the invention exhibits a surface morphology, which increases the light extraction area of the sidewall, and consequently enhances the light extraction efficiency of the semiconductor light-emitting device. |
| US07956364B2 |
Thin film light emitting diode
Light emitting LEDs devices comprised of LED chips that emit light at a first wavelength, and a thin film layer over the LED chip that changes the color of the emitted light. For example, a blue LED chip can be used to produce white light. The thin film layer beneficially consists of a florescent material, such as a phosphor, and/or includes tin. The thin film layer is beneficially deposited using chemical vapor deposition. |
| US07956362B2 |
Semiconductor device and wiring structure of triple-layer
A multi-layered gate electrode of a crystalline TFT is constructed as a clad structure formed by deposition of a first gate electrode, a second gate electrode and a third gate electrode, to thereby to enhance the thermal resistance of the gate electrode. Additionally, an n-channel TFT is formed by selective doping to form a low-concentration impunty region which adjoins a channel forming region, and a sub-region overlapped by the gate electrode and a sub-region not overlapped by the gate electrode, to also mitigate a high electric field near the drain of the TFT and to simultaneously prevent the OFF current of the TFT from increasing. |
| US07956360B2 |
Growth of planar reduced dislocation density M-plane gallium nitride by hydride vapor phase epitaxy
A method of growing highly planar, fully transparent and specular m-plane gallium nitride (GaN) films. The method provides for a significant reduction in structural defect densities via a lateral overgrowth technique. High quality, uniform, thick m-plane GaN films are produced for use as substrates for polarization-free device growth. |
| US07956355B2 |
Method of manufacturing organic electroluminescent device and organic electroluminescent device
An organic electroluminescent device, which, on a substrate, has a plurality of first electrodes, and a second electrode opposing the plurality of first electrodes. The organic electroluminescent device also including a light-emitting functional layer between the second electrode and one of the first electrodes and a buffering layer that covers the second electrode. The buffering layer having a side end portion with an angle equal to or less than 30°. The organic electroluminescent device further including a gas barrier layer that covers the buffering layer. |
| US07956349B2 |
Organic semiconductor element
By introducing new concepts into a structure of a conventional organic semiconductor element and without using a conventional ultra thin film, an organic semiconductor element is provided which is more reliable and has higher yield. Further, efficiency is improved particularly in a photoelectronic device using an organic semiconductor. Between an anode and a cathode, there is provided an organic structure including alternately laminated organic thin film layer (functional organic thin film layer) realizing various functions by making an SCLC flow, and a conductive thin film layer (ohmic conductive thin film layer) imbued with a dark conductivity by doping it with an acceptor and a donor, or by the like method. |
| US07956345B2 |
CNT devices, low-temperature fabrication of CNT and CNT photo-resists
A method is provided for growth of carbon nanotube (CNT) synthesis at a low temperature. The method includes preparing a catalyst by placing the catalyst between two metal layers of high chemical potential on a substrate, depositing such placed catalyst on a surface of a wafer, and reactivating the catalyst in a high vacuum at a room temperature in a catalyst preparation chamber to prevent a deactivation of the catalyst. The method also includes growing carbon nanotubes on the substrate in the high vacuum in a CNT growth chamber after preparing the catalyst. |
| US07956343B2 |
Nonvolatile memory devices and method of manufacturing the same
Example embodiments provide a nonvolatile memory device using resistive elements. The nonvolatile memory device may include a semiconductor substrate, a plurality of variable resistance patterns on the semiconductor substrate, and a plurality of heat sink patterns that are level with the variable resistance patterns and coupled to a ground voltage. |
| US07956338B2 |
Optoelectronic apparatus for transmitting digital and/or analog signals between galvanically separated circuits
The apparatus includes: At least one light-emitting, optoelectronic, functional element, which, during operation, activated by an electrical signal, emits light, at least at times; at least one light-sensitive, optoelectronic, functional element, which, during operation, activated by light falling thereon, delivers, at least at times, an electrical signal; and at least a third, light-conducting, functional element composed at least partially of transmissive material, especially translucent plastic or glass. The third functional element conveys, during operation, light coupled thereinto, and has at least one essentially planar boundary surface, which deflects light conveyed in the apparatus. The at least one, essentially planar, light-deflecting, boundary surface has a surface normal, which is inclined at least with respect to the principal ray axis at least of one of the two optoelectronic, functional elements, with an imaginary principal ray axis of the functional element representing a direction of maximum intensity of the light emitted therefrom during operation and an imaginary principal ray axis of the second functional element representing a direction of its maximum sensitivity to light incoming during operation. The apparatus of the invention is distinguished by a very simple construction, with a relatively high light coupling factor, and is especially suited for use as an optocoupler for field devices of industrial measurements and automation technology. |
| US07956337B2 |
Scribe process monitoring methodology
One embodiment of the present invention sets forth a computer-implemented method for tuning laser scribe parameters during the fabrication of a solar module. The method includes analyzing the visual appearance of a laser scribe to extract various morphological parameters related to the quality of a laser scribe process used to produce the scribe. Based on the morphological parameters, the laser scribe parameters may be modified in-situ to achieve settings that are optimal for performing laser scribing in each layer of the solar module. As a result, laser scribe process cycle time may be minimized while providing better indication of the laser scribe process stability and quality relative to the prior art approaches. |
| US07956335B2 |
Wafer holding tool for ion implanting apparatus
A wafer holding assembly is provided that is capable of preventing the temperature difference generated between a wafer and a holding pin through beam irradiation.In one embodiment, the wafer holding assembly has a plurality of holding pins for holding a wafer in the ion implanting apparatus, the holding pin comprises a head contacting with an end face of the wafer to control motion of the wafer and a flange projecting from the head to place the wafer, and the head is provided with a canopy portion extending in a direction different from a side placing the wafer. |
| US07956334B2 |
Radiation dosimeter for fluid very small substances, and method of measuring radiation dose
Provided are a radiation dosimeter for fluid very small substances, which, in a radiation irradiation device for applying a radiation to a fluid very small substance in a fluid in a treatment chamber, can easily and accurately determine a dose distribution and/or minimum dose of a radiation applied to individual fluid very small substances, and a method of measuring a dose of a radiation applied to fluid very small substances using the dosimeter. In the radiation dosimeter for fluid very small substances, a microcapsule includes a radiation transmitting shell body and a radiation color development tautomeric photochromic solution contained within the shell. The microcapsule undergoes a change in color upon a change in color of the photochromic solution upon exposure to a radiation. The dose of the radiation and the color change level of the microcapsule have a quantitative relationship. Further, the particle diameter, which has a peak value in the particle diameter distribution of the microcapsule, is set to substantially the same diameter as the fluid very small substance as a dose measurement object. In the method of measuring the dose of a radiation applied to fluid very small substances, the radiation dosimeter for fluid very small substances is used. |
| US07956333B2 |
Moving module of a wafer ion-implanting machine
A moving module of a wafer ion-implanting machine includes a wafer carrier, a moving shaft, a base, a pair of first magnets, a fixture body, and a plurality of second magnets. One end of the wafer carrier is pivotally connected to a wafer tray; and the other end is fixed onto one end of the moving shaft. The base is fixed to the other end of the moving shaft. The moving shaft drives the wafer carrier and the base to move lengthwise. The pair of first magnets is fixed to the base. The fixture body is located between the pair of first magnets. The second magnets are fixed onto the fixture body and one of them forms compelling magnetic force between one of the first magnets. Thereby, the friction generated by contacting any of the first magnets with the fixture body can be prevented, thus increasing the production yield. |
| US07956332B2 |
Multi-layer radiation detector assembly
A technique is provided for forming a multi-layer radiation detector. The technique includes a charge-integrating photodetector layer provided in conjunction with a photon-counting photodetector layer. In one embodiment, a plurality of photon-counting photosensor elements are disposed adjacent to a plurality of charge-integrating photosensor elements of the respective layers. Both sets of elements are connected to readout circuitry and a data acquisition system. The detector arrangement may be used for energy discriminating computed tomography imaging and similar computed tomography systems. |
| US07956321B2 |
Method of measuring target object in a sample using mass spectrometry
In-plane distribution of a target object contained in a sample is measured. The sample dispersedly placed on a substrate is treated to promote ionization of the target object. Then, the mass and flying amount of an ion containing the target object or a component thereof is determined by irradiating an ion beam to the sample and performing time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry of the ion that flies from a portion in the sample where the ion beam is irradiated, and the in-plane distribution of the target object is determined from the mass and flying amount data obtained at plural portions by scanning the beam on the sample plane. The step of treating the sample to promote ionization of the target object includes contacting an aqueous solution of an acid that does not crystallize at ordinary temperature with the sample. A high spatial resolution two-dimensional image can be obtained. |
| US07956319B2 |
Deformable mirror device with oscillating states for providing smaller controllable adjustment of light intensity
A mirror device including: a mirror arranged on a substrate, supported by a hinge, and arranged substantially parallel to the substrate; a plurality of address electrodes for deflecting the mirror to an ON state, an OFF state, or an oscillating state; and a drive circuit for applying a voltage to the plurality of address electrodes. The mirror device is controlled such that a voltage can be applied to a corresponding address electrode to deflect the mirror, and oscillation in the oscillating state can be started from a state of the deflected mirror. |
| US07956312B2 |
Optical disc device
An optical disc device comprising: first and second laser diodes to radiate first and second laser beams with different first and second wavelengths, respectively; a first objective lens to irradiate the first laser beam to reflection area to read out image recording control data for controlling record of image recorded in the reflection area on label side of optical disc; a second objective lens to irradiate the second laser beam to image recording area to record image in the image recording area on the label side after reading out the data; a lens holder that the lenses are fixed thereon to be arranged side by side in radial direction, to be displaced in direction toward signal side and the radial direction; and a control unit to obtain distance between the lenses in the radial direction to calibrate recording position of image signal recorded in the image recording area. |
| US07956308B2 |
Weld gun control system
A system and method for controlling a piston-cylinder assembly of a welding apparatus, the piston-cylinder assembly including a plurality of pressure chambers, wherein the piston-cylinder assembly is operatively coupled to at least one welding electrode of the welding apparatus so as to effect movement of the electrode in a pre-stroke and weld motion, comprises: connecting to a first port of the piston-cylinder assembly a first fluid pressure, the first port in communication with a first pressure chamber so as to effect the pre-stroke motion of the electrode; and connecting to a second port of the piston-cylinder assembly a second fluid pressure, the second port in communication with a second pressure chamber so as to effect the weld stroke motion of the electrode, wherein the second fluid pressure is different from the first fluid pressure. |
| US07956306B2 |
High-voltage switch with a metal container filled with insulating gas
A high-voltage switch has a metal container filled with insulating gas, and a quenching chamber installed in the container. The quenching chamber contains a housing which is aligned along an axis, an arcing contact arrangement which is held in the housing, an exhaust volume which is bounded by the housing, and an outlet channel which is passed through the wall of the housing for exhaust gases. The outlet channel opens with a mouth section which is aligned predominantly axially into the container. The mouth section is bounded on the inside by a tubular section of the housing and on the outside by a tubular housing attachment which surrounds the housing section at a distance from it. An electrically shielded edge which is passed in an annular shape around the axis is arranged on one end face of the housing attachment on which edge a flow, which emerges from the outlet channel of the exhaust gases is detached from the housing attachment. |
| US07956305B2 |
Housing with a sliding switch
A housing with a sliding switch with at least three positions and a sliding element that partially projects through an opening in the housing as provided. In order to protect the sliding element against accidental activation, on both sides of the opening, parallel to the direction of movement of the sliding switch, there are flanks. |
| US07956303B2 |
Mat system and method therefor
An apparatus includes a protective covering. An electronics module and a pair of electrodes are disposed within the protective covering. The pair of electrodes is electrically connected to the electronics module. The electrodes are separated by a distance in an open position when unloaded and are configured to contact each other in a closed position when loaded. In one example, a plurality of resilient spacing structures is disposed between the electrodes. The electronics module is configured to obtain electrode position data by determining whether the electrodes are in the open or closed position. In one example, the electronics module is configured to remotely communicate the electrode position data. The electrodes and electronics module are embedded within the protective covering, which is integrally molded therearound. |
| US07956302B1 |
Hermetically packaged MEMS G-switch
A hermetically packaged G-switch includes a MEMS structure having a bottom substrate layer, a top device layer and an intermediate oxide layer. A mass disposed in the top device layer is connected to one, two or three anchor portions using spring arms. One end of a spring arm is connected to the mass and another end to an anchor portion. The connection to the anchor portion includes a T shaped arrangement, which has a torsional spring cross piece connected to the spring arm. A cap containing a conductive pad is hermetically sealed to the MEMS structure. When a predetermined acceleration is attained, the mass makes electrical contact with the conductive pad to close the G-switch. |
| US07956296B2 |
Transport system
A transport system for transporting articles along a transport path having a plurality of pusher members coupled to a control mechanism for moving the pusher members along the transport path. A support for supporting articles as they are pushed by the pusher members extends along the transport path, and a weighing system includes a weighing member supported on a weight detection device. The weighing member is adapted to transfer an article from the support to the weighing member and out of contact with the pusher members. |
| US07956289B2 |
Conduit and control cable
An outer casing of a control cable has a small stroke loss and a small variation of freeplay length, even when the degree of bending varies. An outer casing is formed so that an armor layer of two threads configuration is formed, in which a trapezoidal wire made of metal and a round wire 17 or an oval wire are respectively aligned and wound spirally, and on the surface of the armor layer, a coating made of synthetic resin is provided. A control cable is formed so that an inner cable is inserted into the outer casing. The ratio of width in the axis direction of the round wire 17 or the oval wire to the width of the bottom of the trapezoidal wire 16 is 0.3 to 2, the ratio of the thickness of the round wire 17 or the oval wire to the thickness of the trapezoidal wire is 0.5 to 1, the ratio of the winding pitch P of the spiral to the outer diameter D2 of the armor layer 13 is 0.25 to 0.8. |
| US07956286B2 |
Cable handling structure for linear axis, and substrate transfer device equipped with the same
A cable handling structure for a linear axis includes a base member, a slide member capable of linearly sliding in parallel with the base member, and a cable guide configured to guide a cable extended from the base member to the slide member with the cable accommodated in the cable guide. The cable guide is curved into a U-shape with one end thereof fixed to the base member and the other end thereof fixed to the slide member, and disposed so as to extend in a moving direction of the slide member and incline with respect to the base member as seen from the moving direction of the slide member. |
| US07956283B2 |
Low-cost solar cells and methods for their production
Methods for fabricating solar cells without the need to perform gasification of metallurgical-grade silicon are disclosed. Consequently, the costs and health and environmental hazards involved in fabricating the solar or silicon grade silicon are being avoided. A solar cell structure comprises a metallurgical grade doped silicon substrate and a thin-film structure formed over the substrate to form a p-i-n junction with the substrate. The substrate may be doped p-type, and the thin film structure may be an intrinsic amorphous layer formed over the substrate and an n-type amorphous layer formed over the intrinsic layer. |
| US07956282B2 |
Photoelectric conversion element
A photoelectric conversion element comprises a solar-energy epitaxial layer, a bond layer and a LED epitaxial layer, which are stacked sequentially. The bond layer has a plurality of holes allowing light to pass. The solar-energy epitaxial layer receives light via the holes and generates electric energy, and an external secondary battery stores the electric energy. When environmental illumination disappears, the LED epitaxial layer is powered by the external secondary battery to emit light. When the photoelectric conversion element of the present invention applies to outdoor traffic signs, advertisement signboards and indicators, they can operate without external power supply. |
| US07956281B2 |
Flexible wind deflector for photovoltaic array perimeter assembly
A photovoltaic (“PV”) array includes a plurality of interconnected PV modules. A PV array perimeter assembly may be positioned along the perimeter of the PV array to restrain horizontal movement of the array. For improved wind performance, the PV array perimeter assembly may include curbs that come with pre-attached flexible wind deflectors configured to prevent wind from penetrating underneath the PV array. The flexible wind deflectors may be made of a flexible membrane and may include water drainage holes to allow water to flow out of the PV array. The curbs do not necessarily have to be fixedly attached to a rooftop, and may include ballasts to prevent array movement. Embodiments of the invention may be employed on PV arrays installed on flat rooftops, and are especially advantageous when used on uneven roof surfaces. |
| US07956280B2 |
Solar cell module retaining structure, frame for solar cell module, and holding member for solar cell module
To provide the solar cell module retaining structure, the frame for the solar cell module, and the holding member for the solar cell module, which reduces the number of members relating to the solar cell module retaining structure, standardizes the installation process thereof, and reduces the cost of manufacturing and installing. The solar cell module retaining structure is to fix the solar cell module which comprises the solar cell panel body with the modular glass (6) and the frame (1) to be fixed to the solar panel body to the supporting member (42) via the holding member (2), wherein the frame (1) and the holding member (2) are for the retaining structure of the solar cell module; the holding member (2) can slide relative to the frame (1); the holding member (2) can keep two adjacent frames of two adjacent solar cell modules contacted and restrict one solar cell module from moving in the right angle direction relative to the extending direction of the frame (1); and the holding member (2) is fixed to the supporting member (42) at the lower side of the other solar cell module. |
| US07956276B2 |
Method of distributing mashup data, mashup method, server apparatus for mashup data, and mashup apparatus
A method of distributing mashup data for mashing up at least a first content and a second content. The method includes the step of distributing to a user, through a network, a data file having first data for dividing the first content and the second content into a plurality of blocks in accordance with individual contents, respectively, and second data indicating a disposition sequence for disposing the plurality of blocks in a predetermined sequence to create a new content. |
| US07956274B2 |
Performance apparatus and storage medium therefor
A performance apparatus capable of reproducing music pieces while making changeover between the music pieces without disturbing the rhythm of exercise, dance, or the like performed by a user to the rhythm of music. A beat position is acquired that will appear in a preceding performance data for the first time after a preparatory time required for changing the reproduction of the preceding music piece to the reproduction of a subsequent music piece elapses from when a music selection instruction is given. The reproduction of the subsequent music piece is started at the same time when the music is reproduced up to the acquired beat position. |
| US07956273B2 |
Apparatus and method for visualizing music and other sounds
The present disclosure relates to a system and method for visualization of music and other sounds. In one embodiment, the twelve notes of an octave are labeled. When notes are played, the intervals between the notes are visualized by displaying a line between the labels corresponding to the note labels. In some embodiments, the lines representing the intervals are color coded with a different color for each of the six intervals. |
| US07956269B1 |
Pedal assembly for percussion instrument
The pedal assembly of the present invention has a base plate, two rack poles, a pedal, an axle member and a transmission member. The axle member includes a first sleeve, an axial unit and two first bearings. A first axial bore is defined in the first sleeve. The axial unit has a first connecting section and an extending section. The first connecting section is received in the first axial bore. The first bearings are disposed between the first sleeve and the axial unit. The axial unit is rotatable independent from the first sleeve. The first sleeve is rotatably supported by one of the rack poles, and the axial unit is rotatably supported by the other one of the rack poles. |
| US07956268B1 |
Foot pedal striking adjustment apparatus
A foot pedal striking adjustment apparatus is installed on an axle of a foot pedal percussion instrument. The axle is hinged on an upper side of a pair of bracing posts. The bracing posts have a lower side fastened to a foot pedal holder. The foot pedal holder has a rear side hinged on a pedal. The foot pedal striking adjustment apparatus comprises a flywheel holder run through by the axle to turn synchronously, a flywheel having a lower side hinged on a clamping element to form a clamping space to clamp the flywheel holder. The flywheel and clamping element are movable forwards and rearwards to change pendent range of a drawing element suspended from the flywheel. Thereby the gradient of the pedal can be adjusted to alter the striking force on a drum. |
| US07956267B2 |
Hi-hat system
A hi-hat system of the present invention includes a support element, a connecting shank, a fixation element and a transmission element. The support element has a pedal and a rotatable axle. The axle inserts through the connecting shank and the fixation element in a rotational operative relationship. The transmission element connects between the pedal and the connecting shank. The fixation element is adapted to control a movement of an upper cymbal. The connecting shank has a longitudinal slot. The axle is movable between both ends of the longitudinal slot so that the distance between the axle and the transmission element is adjustable, further changing the drive ratio of the axle and the transmission element. As such, the percussion sensitivity of the cymbals is adjustable for the player to achieve better performance effect. |
| US07956266B2 |
Snare mechanism for a snare drum
An internal mechanism for a musical instrument snare drum that supports the snares and allows adjustment of the snare strands in tension as well as relative position to the vibrating member or head of the drum is provided. The mechanism has a support beam that gives a stiffer and more stable base for increased accuracy of all adjustment. The support beam also provides increased guiding for the snare holders during the tension adjustment of the snares. The adjustment of the position of the snares in relation to the vibrating member or drum head is accomplished by deflecting the strands with a bridge like arrangement providing precise placement of the strands for optimum performance. |
| US07956265B1 |
Positioning device for a hoop of a drum
A positioning device of the present invention is for fixing a relative position of a hoop of a drum and a pedal base, and it includes a main body, a clamping body, a first screw and an adjusting means. The main body is pivotably disposed on the pedal base, and the main body includes a front end and a rear end. The main body further has a threaded bore disposed at the front end along its longitudinal direction. The clamping body is disposed on the front end of the main body. The clamping body has a through hole corresponding to the threaded bore. The first screw inserts through the through hole to mate with the threaded bore. The clamping body is rotatable about the first screw. The adjusting means is for adjusting a height of the rear end of the main body. |
| US07956262B1 |
Locking post system for a guitar bridge
An apparatus for a guitar comprising a first compressible member, one or more spacers and a second compressible member. The second compressible member may be configured to receive the one or more spacers and engage the first compressible member when a force is applied to the first compressible member. |
| US07956259B2 |
Guzmania hybrid named ‘TECHNO’
A new and distinct Guzmania hybrid named ‘TECHNO’ characterized by solid growth habit; funnel-form rosette plant, measuring about 44 cm in height (above the pot when flowering); numerous, yellow-green color foliage, measuring about 30 cm to 42 cm in length and about 3.0 cm to 3.5 cm in width; superior floral bract production; bracts have a unique, compound pinkish red inflorescence (closest to RHS 53B) which distinguishes this cultivar from typical Guzmania; compound inflorescence, measuring about 15 cm in height and about 20 cm in diameter; and long-lasting habit. |
| US07956254B2 |
Plants and seeds of hybrid corn variety CH651588
According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the hybrid corn variety designated CH651588. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CH651588, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CH651588 with itself or with another corn plant, such as a plant of another variety. The invention further relates to genetic complements of plants of variety CH651588. |
| US07956252B2 |
Plants and seeds of hybrid corn variety CH482178
According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the hybrid corn variety designated CH482178. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CH482178, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CH482178 with itself or with another corn plant, such as a plant of another variety. The invention further relates to genetic complements of plants of variety CH482178. |
| US07956251B2 |
Plants and seeds of hybrid corn variety CH347605
According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the hybrid corn variety designated CH347605. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CH347605, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CH347605 with itself or with another corn plant, such as a plant of another variety. The invention further relates to genetic complements of plants of variety CH347605. |
| US07956250B2 |
Plants and seeds of hybrid corn variety CH038350
According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the hybrid corn variety designated CH038350. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CH038350, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CH038350 with itself or with another corn plant, such as a plant of another variety. The invention further relates to genetic complements of plants of variety CH038350. |
| US07956247B2 |
Plants and seeds of hybrid corn variety CH421690
According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the hybrid corn variety designated CH421690. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CH421690, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CH421690 with itself or with another corn plant, such as a plant of another variety. The invention further relates to genetic complements of plants of variety CH421690. |
| US07956245B1 |
Soybean variety RJS53001
According to the invention, there is provided a novel soybean variety designated RJS53001. This invention thus relates to the seeds of soybean variety RJS53001, to the plants of soybean RJS53001 to plant parts of soybean variety RJS53001 and to methods for producing a soybean plant produced by crossing plants of the soybean variety RJS53001 with another soybean plant, using RJS53001 as either the male or the female parent. |
| US07956242B2 |
Plant quality traits
The invention relates to plant transcription factor polypeptides, polynucleotides that encode them, homologs from a variety of plant species, and methods of using the polynucleotides and polypeptides to produce transgenic plants having advantageous properties, including increased soluble solids, lycopene, and improved plant volume or yield, as compared to wild-type or control plants. The invention also pertains to expression systems that may be used to regulate these transcription factor polynucleotides, providing constitutive, transient, inducible and tissue-specific regulation. |
| US07956239B2 |
QTL controlling Sclerotinia stem ROT resistance in soybean
Markers associated with Sclerotinia stem rot resistance are provided. Methods of identifying resistant, and susceptible plants, using the markers are provided. Methods for identifying and isolating QTL are a feature of the invention, as are QTL associated with Sclerotinia stem rot resistance. |
| US07956238B2 |
Porcine pancreatic amylase gene promoter and transgenic pigs expressing heterologous digestive enzymes
The present invention relates to a novel promoter and its use in driving expression of foreign genes in transgenic animals (especially pigs). Accordingly, the present invention provides a method for producing transgenic animals harboring heterologous genes regulated by the promoter of the present invention. |
| US07956235B2 |
Absorbent article featuring a temperature change member
In some forms of the invention, an absorbent article (e.g., training pants) includes an impermeable cover, an absorbent body and a temperature change member disposed with the absorbent body. The absorbent article further includes a liquid retarding member that is disposed with the temperature change member to temporarily maintain liquid in the temperature change member. The liquid retarding member is formed of a liquid dispersible material such that the liquid retarding member eventually dissolves in the liquid and flows into the absorbent body. In other forms, the absorbent article includes a liquid retarding member that is adjacent to a temperature change member which is formed of a matrix of fibers. The liquid retarding member has a hydrohead that is less than about 0.13 pounds per inch squared such that the liquid retarding member temporarily maintains at least some of the liquid in proximity to the temperature change member. |
| US07956230B2 |
Reduction of organic halide contamination in hydrocarbon products
A method for reducing halide concentration in a hydrocarbon product made by a hydrocarbon conversion process using an ionic liquid catalyst comprising a halogen-containing an acidic ionic liquid comprising: (i) separating at least a portion of the hydrocarbon product from the ionic liquid catalyst used in the hydrocarbon conversion process from the hydrocarbon product; (ii) contacting at least a portion of the separated hydrocarbon product with an ionic liquid catalyst having the same formula as the ionic liquid catalyst used in the hydrocarbon conversion process; (iii) separating at least a portion of the hydrocarbon product from the ionic liquid catalyst of step (ii); and (iv) recovering at least a portion of the separated hydrocarbon product of step (iii) having a halide concentration less than the halide concentration of the hydrocarbon product of step (i) is disclosed. |
| US07956227B2 |
Oligomerization of hydrocarbons
Methods of oligomerizing hydrocarbons are disclosed. These methods include contacting olefins with an oligomerization catalyst in an oligomerization zone under oligomerization reaction conditions. |
| US07956226B2 |
Traction drive fluid compositions
A traction drive fluid composition which comprises component (A) a base oil for traction drives bearing at least one selected from a quaternary carbon atom or an alicyclic structure in the molecule and component (B) at least one polymer having a weight average molecular weight in the range of 8,000 to 40,000 and which is selected from among (a) hydrocarbon polymers each containing as a constituent at least 10 mole % of a monomer bearing a cyclic structure, (b) hydrocarbon polymers each containing at least 25% of quaternary carbon atoms in the backbone chain, and (c) hydrogenated products from the polymers (a) and (b). The traction drive fluid composition is improved in viscosity index without lowering the traction coefficient to a level lower than that of the base oil and is excellent in shear stability. |
| US07956225B2 |
Polyfluoro-1-alkene and method for producing the same
A polyfluoro-1-alkene represented by the general formula: CF3(CF2)nCH2(CF2)mCH═CH2 [I], wherein n is an integer of 0 to 5, and m is an integer of 1 to 7, is produced by reacting a polyfluoroalkyl iodide represented by the general formula: CF3(CF2)nCH2(CF2)m(CH2CH2)I [II], wherein n is an integer of 0 to 5, and m is an integer of 1 to 7, with an inorganic basic compound in the presence of a phase transfer catalyst. Alternatively, the polyfluoro-1-alkene is produced by reacting the polyfluoroalkyl iodide [II] with a nitrogen-containing organic basic compound, and is obtained product [I] as one fraction thereof. By the copolymerization of the polyfluoro-1-alkene with other fluorinated olefin monomers, a fluorine-containing copolymer having excellent light transmittance in the visible light range is formed. |
| US07956220B2 |
MAO-B inhibitors useful for treating obesity
The invention provides novel compounds of formulae I and II: that are monoamine oxidase-B inhibitors, which can be useful in treating obesity, diabetes, and/or cardiometabolic disorders (e.g., hypertension, dyslipidemias, high blood pressure, and insulin resistance). |
| US07956217B2 |
Hydrolyzed nitrilotriacetonitrile compositions, nitrilotriacetonitrile hydrolysis formulations and methods for making and using same
Hydrolyzed nitrilotriacetonitrile compositions are disclosed prepared by a method characterized by a one-shot addition of an amount of nitrilotriacetonitrile to a solution containing an acid catalyst, where the reaction is complete in a time period of less than an hour. The method is also characterized by adjusting the pH of the reaction mixture to a pH of at least 8. The method is also characterized by oxidatively removing free cyanide to a desired low level through the addition of an oxidizing agent the produces environmentally benign by-products to the crude hydrolyzed NTAN to form hydrolyzed NTAN compositions having minimized, negligible, or substantially no free cyanide levels. |
| US07956214B2 |
Process for the preparation of aniline-derived thyroid receptor ligands
Provided are processes for the synthesis of aniline derivatives, specifically certain aniline derivatives which have activity as thyroid receptor ligands. |
| US07956209B2 |
Polyisocyanates containing allophanate and silane groups
The invention relates to polyisocyanates containing allophanate groups and silane groups, to a process for preparing them and to their use as a starting component in the production of polyurethane polymers, more particularly as a crosslinker component in polyurethane paints and coatings. |
| US07956207B2 |
Heteroleptic organometallic compounds
This invention relates to organometallic compounds represented by the formula (L1)xM(L2)y wherein M is a metal or metalloid, L1 and L2 are different and are each a hydrocarbon group or a heteroatom-containing group; x is a value of at least 1; y is a value of at least 1; x+y is equal to the oxidation state of M; and wherein (i) L1 has a steric bulk sufficiently large such that, due to steric hinderance, x cannot be a value equal to the oxidation state of M, (ii) L2 has a steric bulk sufficiently small such that, due to lack of steric hinderance, y can be a value equal to the oxidation state of M only in the event that x is not a value of at least 1, and (iii) L1 and L2 have a steric bulk sufficient to maintain a heteroleptic structure in which x+y is equal to the oxidation state of M; a process for producing the organometallic compounds, and a method for producing a film or coating from organometallic precursor compounds. |
| US07956205B2 |
Peroxide reduction in functionalized vegetable oils
Disclosed is a method for the reduction of residual peroxides in vegetable oils, preferably epoxidized vegetable oils using a phosphorous compound preferably alkyl/aryl substituted phosphite compounds or hypophosphorous acid and its derivatives. |
| US07956204B2 |
Process for the oxidation of hydrocarbons utilizing shaped binderless TS-1 zeolite catalyst
A process for oxidation of hydrocarbon, comprising contacting said hydrocarbon with hydrogen peroxide in the presence of a catalytically effective amount of crystalline, titanosilicate zeolite TS-1 catalyst for a time and at a temperature effective to oxidize said hydrocarbon, wherein the catalyst is in the form of binderless, shaped particles comprising titanosilicate, TS-1 and titanosilicate TS-1 precursors and having a defined cross sectional diameter. Also, a process for epoxidation of olefins using crystalline, titanosilicate zeolite TS-1 catalyst. Also a process for oxidation of hydrocarbon using crystalline, titanosilicate TS-1 catalyst, wherein the catalyst is in the form of binderless, shaped particles having a crystallite size of less than 0.2 micron and a defined cross sectional diameter. |
| US07956198B2 |
Pharmaceutical compositions
This invention relates to a combination product or medicament comprising at least one novel substituted pyrrole derivative and one or more dyslipidemic agents, antiobesity agents, antihyperglycaemic agents, anti-inflammatory agents or mixture thereof. Also provided herein are the pharmaceutical compositions comprising at least one novel substituted pyrrole derivative and one or more dyslipidemic agents, antiobesity agents, antihyperglycaemic agents, anti-inflammatory agents or mixture thereof and optionally together with at least one pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, and methods for the treatment or prophylaxis of cardiovascular diseases, Alzheimer's disease, obesity, diabetes or inflammatory diseases comprising administering to a mammal in need thereof therapeutically effective amounts of combination pharmaceutical composition comprising at least one novel substituted pyrrole derivative and one or more dyslipidemic agents, antiobesity agents, antihyperglycaemic agents, anti-inflammatory agents or mixtures thereof. |
| US07956193B2 |
Intramolecular C-H amination with sulfonyl azides
Cobalt (II) complexes of porphyrins are effective catalysts for intramolecular nitrene insertion of C—H bonds with arylsulfonyl azides. The cobalt-catalyzed process can proceed efficiently under mild and neutral conditions in low catalyst loading without the need of other reagents or additives, generating nitrogen gas as the only byproduct. Using the simple tetraphenylporphyrin (TPP) as the ligand, the cobalt-catalyzed intramolecular amidation can be applied to primary, secondary, and tertiary C—H bonds and suitable for a broad range of arylsulfonyl azides, leading to the syntheses of various benzosultam derivatives in excellent yields |
| US07956191B2 |
3-arylamino pyridine derivatives
The invention provides novel, substituted 3-arylamino pyridine compounds (I) pharmaceutically acceptable salts, solvates and prodrug compounds thereof, wherein W, R1, R2, R9, R10, R11, R12, R13, R14 are as defined in the specification. Such compounds are MEK inhibitors and useful in the treatment of hyperproliferative diseases, such as cancer, restenosis and inflammation. Also disclosed is the use of such compounds in the treatment of hyperproliferative diseases in mammals, especially humans, and pharmaceutical compositions containing such compounds. |
| US07956189B2 |
Maleate, tosylate, fumarate and oxalate salts of 5-(1-(S)-amino-2-hydroxyethyl)-N-[(2,4-difluorophenyl)-methy]-2-[8-methoxy-2-(triflouromethy)-5-quinoline]-4-oxazolecarboxamide and preparation process therefore
Disclosed are maleate, tosylate, fumarate, and oxalate salts of the compound 5-(1(S)-Amino-2-Hydroxyethyl)-N-[(2,4-Difluorophenyl)-Methyl]-2-[8-Methoxy-2-(Trifluoromethyl)-5-Quinoline]-4-Oxazolecarboxamide, represented by Formula I, and methods of preparing the same. |
| US07956182B2 |
Process for preparing optically active alcohols
This invention relates to a process for producing optically active alcohols using asymmetric reduction of aromatic ketones. This process gives optically active alcohols in high enantioselectivity in a large scale production. |
| US07956181B2 |
Trehalose fatty acid ester composition
Provided is a pigment dispersant having excellent pigment dispersibility thus allowing a larger amount of pigments to be blended in various cosmetics, and capability of imparting good sense of use, make-up lasting, odor, and stability over time to the cosmetic. A trehalose fatty acid ester composition prepared by esterifying trehalose with a fatty acid having 8 to 22 carbon atoms, which has a hydroxyl value of 20 to 500, and the total amount of a diester, a triester, a tetraester and a pentaester in the trehalose fatty acid esters of 10 to 100% by area; and a cosmetic including the trehalose fatty acid ester composition. |
| US07956180B2 |
Dried and agglomerated hyaluronic acid product
The present invention relates to products comprising hyaluronic acid or a salt thereof, which product is dried and agglomerated as defined herein, various compositions and articles comprising the product or compositions of the invention, methods of producing the product of the invention, and uses thereof. |
| US07956177B2 |
dsRNA compositions and methods for treating HPV infection
The invention relates to a double-stranded ribonucleic acid (dsRNA) for treating human papilloma virus (HPV) infection. The dsRNA comprises an antisense strand having a nucleotide sequence which is less that 30 nucleotides in length, generally 19-25 nucleotides in length, and which is substantially complementary to at least a part of an HPV Target gene selected from among HPV E1, HPV E6 and the human E6AP gene. The invention also relates to a pharmaceutical composition comprising the dsRNA together with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier; methods for treating diseases caused by HPV infection and the expression of the E6AP gene using the pharmaceutical composition; and methods for inhibiting the expression of the HPV Target genes in a cell. |
| US07956170B2 |
Aromatic-aliphatic azo derivatives particularly as markers for petroleum products, method for synthesizing them, use thereof and derived compositions
Products having the general formula A, particularly useful as non-coloring markers in a process for tagging mineral oils, petroleum derivatives in general and solvents. A method is also described for synthesizing the products by resorting to a classical diazocoupling reaction between a derivative of an aromatic amine and a coupling agent, preferably a functionalized ester. The invention also relates to the use of these tagging and dyeing molecules and mixtures which comprise them. In particular, the mixtures comprise the markers according to the invention and the markers and/or dyes classically used in the petroleum sector. |
| US07956168B2 |
Organometallic compounds having sterically hindered amides
This invention relates to organometallic compounds represented by the formula M(NR1R2)x wherein M is a metal or metalloid, R1 is the same or different and is a hydrocarbon group or a heteroatom-containing group, R2 is the same or different and is a hydrocarbon group or a heteroatom-containing group; R1 and R2 can be combined to form a substituted or unsubstituted, saturated or unsaturated cyclic group; R1 or R2 of one (NR1R2) group can be combined with R1 or R2 of another (NR1R2) group to form a substituted or unsubstituted, saturated or unsaturated cyclic group; x is equal to the oxidation state of M; and wherein said organometallic compound has (i) a steric bulk sufficient to maintain a monomeric structure and a coordination number equal to the oxidation state of M with respect to anionic ligands, and (ii) a molecular weight sufficient to possess a volatility suitable for vapor deposition; a process for producing the organometallic compounds, and a method for producing a film or coating from organometallic precursor compounds. |
| US07956165B2 |
Compositions and methods for purifying and crystallizing molecules of interest
A composition-of-matter is provided. The composition comprising at least one antibody binding moiety capable of binding an antibody-labeled target molecule, cell or virus of interest, said at least one antibody binding moiety being attached to at least one coordinating moiety selected capable of directing the composition-of-matter to form a non-covalent complex when co-incubated with a coordinator ion or molecule. |
| US07956164B2 |
Device for enhancing immunostimulatory capabilities of T-cells
T-cells are generated with enhanced immunostimulatory capabilities for use in self therapy treatment protocols, by utilizing a biodegradable device with a biodegradable support that has one or more agents that are reactive to T-cell surface moieties. The biodegradable devices are mixed with the T-cells sufficiently so that the one or more agents cross-link with the T-cells' surface moieties and deliver a signal to the T-cells to enhance immunostimulatory capabilities. |
| US07956158B2 |
Fusion proteins with cleavable spacers and uses thereof
A polypeptide comprising a first protein domain, a second protein domain, and a dithiocyclopeptide spacer containing at least one protease cleavage site, wherein the dithiocyclopeptide is exogenous relative to the first or second protein domain, and wherein the first and second protein domains are operably linked by the dithiocyclopeptide. Also disclosed are methods of producing the polypeptide and delivering the protein domains into a cell. |
| US07956153B2 |
Macromolecular antioxidants based on sterically hindered phenols and phosphites
Sterically hindered phenol and phosphite based compounds represented by structural formula II: and their use as antioxidants in a wide range of materials including, but not limited to, food, plastics, elastomers, composites and petroleum based products is disclosed herein. |
| US07956151B2 |
Universal primer compositions and methods
A composition for and method for bonding a substrate. In general, applied to a substrate will be a primer composition that includes an adhesion promoter, which is an adduct prepared by the reaction of at least one aromatic polyisocyanate compound, with an active hydrogen containing moiety of an organofunctional silane, and a prepolymer derived from the reaction of at least one aliphatic polyisocyanate and a polyol, and is at least partially reacted with an active hydrogen containing moiety of an organofunctional silane. |
| US07956149B1 |
Polysiliconated phosphoramide fire retardant
Polysiloxane phosphoramide fire retardants are provided having the basic structural unit: wherein, Y is O or S; R′ is selected from a saturated or unsaturated alkyl, an aryl, a heterocyclic, and a cycloaliphatic; R is selected from H, a saturated or unsaturated alkyl, an aryl, a heterocyclic, and a cycloaliphatic; X is selected from H, a saturated or unsaturated alkyl, an aryl, a heterocyclic, and a cycloaliphatic; n is selected from 0 to 500; and χ is selected from 1-500. |
| US07956144B2 |
Acrylic resin for use in fluorocarbon coating compositions and method of forming the same
An acrylic resin and method of forming the acrylic resin for use in fluorocarbon coating compositions are disclosed. The fluorocarbon coating composition generally comprises a fluorocarbon resin, a cross-linking agent, and the acrylic resin. The acrylic resin comprises the reaction product of (1) at least one non-functional acrylic monomer, (2) at least one epoxy functional acrylic monomer having an epoxy group, and (3) at least one functional acrylic monomer different than (2). At least one amino compound having a cyclic, heterocyclic, alkyl, or heteroalkyl structure substituted with a primary or secondary amine group is reacted with the epoxy functional acrylic monomer (2) such that the primary or secondary amine opens the epoxy group to obtain the acrylic resin having amine functionality and hydroxyl functionality. |
| US07956143B1 |
Toughened two-part adhesive compositions demonstrating improved impact and/or peel strengths when cured
Compositions for bonding substrate surfaces, particularly steel, aluminum, and urethane-primed galvanized steel, are disclosed. Desirably, the compositions include a stable emulsion including: (a) at least one curable (meth)acrylate component; (b) at least three different elastomeric polymers that are soluble and/or partially soluble in the (meth)acrylate component; and (c) optionally at least one elastomeric polymer that is not soluble in the (meth)acrylate component. Methods for preparing and methods for using these compositions also are disclosed. |
| US07956141B2 |
Metal complex containing tridentate ligand, and polymerization catalyst comprising the same
The present invention provides 1) a complex comprising a mono-anionictridentate ligand, represented by the following general formula (I); 2) a polymerization catalyst composition, comprising the complex; and 3) a cis-1,4-isoprene polymer, a cis-1,4-butadiene polymer, a cis-1,4-isoprene-styrene copolymer, a cis-1,4-butadiene-styrene copolymer, a cis-1,4-butadiene-cis-1,4-isoprene copolymer, and a cis-1,4-butadiene-cis-1,4-isoprene-styrene copolymer, each of which has high-cis-1,4 content in a micro structure and a sharp molecular-weight distribution. |
| US07956133B2 |
Gas-barrier material and a method of producing the same
A gas-barrier material in which carboxyl groups are ionically crosslinked in an amount corresponding to an acid value of at least 330 mgKOH/g of a resin that has the carboxyl groups in an amount corresponding to an acid value of not smaller than 580 mgKOH/g. The gas-barrier material exhibits excellent gas-barrier property, retort resistance and flexibility under highly humid conditions, enables the film to be cured at a low temperature in a short period of time, and can be favorably produced. |
| US07956130B2 |
Rubber composition for tire and tire using the same
A rubber composition for a tire superior in grip performance and abrasion resistance and a tire prepared by using the same are provided. The rubber composition for a tire comprises 3 to 200 parts by weight of an aromatic vinyl polymer having an end modified with —OH, —SH, —COOH, —CSSH, —SO3H, —(COO)xM, —(SO3)xM or —CO—R (M is a cation, x is an integer of 1 to 3 depending on the valency of M and R is an alkyl group) and having a weight average molecular weight of 300 to 10,000, based on 100 parts by weight of a diene rubber, and the tire is prepared by using the rubber composition. |
| US07956124B2 |
Polyfluoroether based polymers
A composition which provides surface effects to substrates comprising a polymer containing at least one urea linkage prepared by (i) reacting (1) at least one organic diioscyanate, polyisocyanate, or mixture thereof, and (2) at least one fluorochemical compound of Formula I Rf—O(CF2CF2)r(CH2CH2)q(R1)sXH Formula (I) wherein Rf is a linear or branched C1 to C7 perfluoroalkyl optionally interrupted by one to three oxygen atoms, r is 1 to 3, q is 1 to 3, s is 0 or 1, X is O, S, or NR2 wherein R2 is H, or C1 to C6 alkyl, and R1 is a divalent radical selected from —S(CH2)n—, p is 1 to 50, and R3, R4 and R5 are each independently H or C1 to C6 alkyl; (ii) and then reacting with (3) water, a linking agent, or a mixture thereof. |
| US07956119B2 |
Coating composition for a soft feel coating on portable terminals and electronic instruments
A coating composition for a soft feel coating on portable terminals and electronic instruments having excellent discoloration resistance, heat resistance, yellowing resistance and anti-fouling properties is disclosed. The coating composition includes an oligomer composition obtained by blending polybutadiene polyol and polyolefinic acid, and various additives added to the oligomer composition. The coating composition is coated onto surfaces of portable terminals and electronic instruments. |
| US07956118B2 |
Method and preparation of chemically prepared toners
A method of making polymeric particles having a controlled size and size distribution, and in particular a method for the preparation of chemically prepared toners, via evaporative limited coalescence process, wherein basic silicate salts are employed to remove particulate stabilizer from precipitated polymer particles. The process includes the steps of dispersing polymeric binder materials and optional additives in an organic solvent to form an organic phase. The organic phase is dispersed by high shear agitation in an aqueous phase containing a particulate stabilizer, e.g. colloidal silica, to form a dispersion of small droplets of the organic phase in the aqueous phase. The dispersion is homogenized and the organic solvent is removed from the dispersed particles in the dispersion by evaporation, and polymeric particles are precipitated with particulate stabilizer on the surface thereof, which are then recovered, treated with a basic silicate salt to remove particulate stabilizer, and washed and dried. |
| US07956117B2 |
Directly paintable polypropylene-based composite composition
The present invention relates to a polypropylene-based composite composition which is directly paintable without treatment of a primer comprised of chlorinated polyolefins. According to the present invention, the polypropylene-based composite composition comprises 30 to 70 weight percent, based on total weight of said polypropylene-based composite composition, of a polypropylene-based resin; 10 to 20 weight percent, based on total weight of said polypropylene-based composite composition, of a polyolefin based thermoplastic elastomer; 10 to 30 weight percent, based on total weight of said polypropylene-based composite composition, of a mineral filler; and 10 to 20 weight percent, based on total weight of said polypropylene-based composite composition, of an acrylate functional polymer additive.The composition does not need treatment of primer upon painting and thus has advantageous in terms of improvement of productivity resulting from reduction in production cost and production time and environment protection resulting from elimination of use of a primer comprised of chlorinated polyolefins. |
| US07956116B2 |
Electronic device containing a thermally conductive sheet
Provided is an electronic device comprising a thermally conductive sheet including a methacrylic polymer, a thermally conductive filler containing aluminum hydroxide in an amount of at least 10% by volume of the thermally conductive sheet, a combination of a phenolic antioxidant and a sulfur based antioxidant in an amount sufficient to impart thermal stability to the thermally conductive sheet, and a heat radiator. |
| US07956107B2 |
Biodegradable polymeric compositions comprising starch and a thermoplastic polymer
The present invention provides polymeric compositions containing thermoplastic starch and a thermoplastic polymer incompatible with starch, in which the starch constitutes the dispersed phase and the thermoplastic polymer constitutes the continuous phase, selected: A) from compositions comprising an agent with an interfacial effect selected from esters of polyols with mono- or polycarboxylic acids with dissociation constants within certain limits, the esters having specific values of the hydrophilic/lipophilic balance index HLB or being amongst the non-ionic surfactants which are soluble in water but cannot significantly be extracted by water from the compositions which contain them; B) from compositions wherein the thermoplastic polymer is an aliphatic or aliphatic-aromatic copolyester wherein the ratio (R) between the average viscometric molecular weight and the melt index is greater than 25,000 and C) from compositions wherein the thermoplastic polymer is selected from aliphatic-aromatic copolyesters, polyester-amides, polyester-esters, polyester-ether-amides, polyester-urethanes and polyester-ureas and wherein the compositions are obtained by extrusion of the component maintaining a water content during the mixing stage from 1 to 5% by weight. |
| US07956106B2 |
Organic siloxane composite material containing polyaniline/carbon black and preparation method thereof
An organic siloxane composite material containing polyaniline/carbon black and a preparation method thereof are disclosed. The organic siloxane composite material containing polyaniline/carbon black consists of a plurality of polyaniline/carbon black composites distributed in organic siloxane precursor while the organic siloxane composite material containing polyaniline/carbon black includes from 10 to 30 weight percent of polyaniline/carbon black composites. The preparation method of organic siloxane composite material containing polyaniline/carbon black includes the steps of: distributing a plurality of polyaniline/carbon black composites in organic siloxane precursor to produce a first solution; and adding a cross-linking agent into the first solution, after reaction with each other, an organic siloxane composite material containing polyaniline/carbon black is produced. |
| US07956105B2 |
Silicone impact modifier with high refractive index and method for preparing the same
Disclosed is a silicone impact modifier with a high refractive index. The silicone impact modifier can include (A) a rubber core including (a1) an organosiloxane cross-linked (co)polymer with a particle size of about 50 to about 400 nm and (a2) an alkylacrylate-styrenic aromatic compound cross-linked copolymer; and (B) a plastic shell including a vinyl (co)polymer. The refractive index of the silicone impact modifier of the present invention can be about 1.49 to about 1.59. |
| US07956101B2 |
Anaerobically compostable polymeric compositions, articles and landfill biodegradation
Compostable hydrocarbon polymers, composites, and articles anaerobically biodegrade in landfills in a relatively short time. Composite polymeric articles and sheets such as indoor or outdoor signs, billboards, banners, images, protective barriers, backdrops and wall coverings have very useful service durations and yet are landfill biodegradable. |
| US07956093B2 |
Substituted amides, their preparation and use
An amide of the formula I and its tautomeric forms, possible enantiomeric and diastereomeric forms, E and Z forms, and possible physiologically tolerated salts. |
| US07956090B2 |
Composition and method for increasing the anabolic state of muscle cells
A nutritional supplement comprising at least a therapeutically effective amount of ethyl pyruvate and a therapeutically effective amount of at least one α-hydroxy branched-chain amino acid metabolite is provided by the present invention. The ingredients of the present nutritional supplement substantially simultaneously act to induce a anabolically-favorable state for muscle by substantially simultaneously maintaining blood and muscle physiological pH levels as well as increasing cellular concentrations of branched-chain amino acids. Both a composition and a method are provided by the present disclosure. |
| US07956089B2 |
Cyclopropanecarboxylate and pest controlling composition containing the same
There is provided a novel cyclopropanecarboxylate compound having an excellent pest controlling effect represented by the formula (1): |
| US07956086B2 |
Methods for the formulation and manufacture of artesunic acid for injection
A method for the manufacture of a sterile intravenous or intramuscular formulation of artesunic acid and the formulation are the subject of this invention. First the artesunic acid powder is sterilized with ethylene oxide and placed into a sterile container. The contained sterilized powder is then dissolved in sterile sodium phosphate buffered solution to produce an injectable intravenous or intramuscular formulation. The sodium phosphate dissolves and dilutes the artesunic acid powder without caking or frothing resulting in an improved drug product. The invention also relates to the formulation and a method of treating a patient with either uncomplicated or severe and complicated malaria. |
| US07956085B2 |
1,4-benzothiepine 1,1-dioxide derivatives substituted by benzyl radicals, method for their preparation, pharmaceuticals comprising these compounds, and the use thereof
This invention relates to Novel 1,4-benzothiepine 1,1-dioxide derivatives substituted by benzyl radicals, method for their preparation, pharmaceuticals comprising these compounds, and the use thereof. |
| US07956081B2 |
Process for controlling protein to salt ratio in animal muscle protein composition and protein composition
A low salt protein solution not capable of forming a gel is obtained from animal muscle tissue by forming an aqueous acidic protein solution which is filtered to remove salt and acid. The low salt protein solution can be formed into a gel by adding a physiologically acceptable salt to the low salt protein solution and heating the resultant protein solution with added salt. |
| US07956080B2 |
Deuterium-enriched SDX-101
The present application describes deuterium-enriched SDX-101, pharmaceutically acceptable salt forms thereof, and methods of treating using the same. |
| US07956079B2 |
Antihepatitis C virus agent and anti-HIV agent
An anti-hepatitis C virus agent or anti-HIV agent comprising, as an active ingredient, a fullerene derivative which has a nitrogen atom forming a ring together with adjacent bonded carbon atom pairs constituting the carbon cluster skeleton of the fullerene or a quaternary amine salt thereof is provided. |
| US07956078B2 |
Crystal structure of human coronavirus 229E main proteinase and uses for developing SARS inhibitors
The invention relates to a method of developing a main proteinase SARS inhibitor. Human coronaviruses are major causes of upper respiratory tract illnesses in humans, in particular, the common cold. Recent investigations have shown that a novel coronavirus causes the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), a disease that is characterized by high fever, malaise, rigor, headache, non-productive cough or dyspnea, which is rapidly spreading. Within the scope of the invention, based on the structural analysis of the binding mode of the SARS Mpro enzyme, a group of prototype inhibitors is provided that acts as suitable drugs targeting a majority of viral infections of the respiratory tract, including SARS. |
| US07956076B2 |
Ribonucleotide reductase inhibitors and methods of use
Provided herein are novel compounds that inhibit ribonucleotide reductase (RR) by binding to RRM2 and interfering with the activity of the RRM1/RRM2 holoenzyme. These inhibitors may be used to inhibit RR activity and to treat various conditions associated with RRM2 expression, such as for example certain cancer types, mitochondrial diseases, or degenerative diseases. |
| US07956073B2 |
Mitotic kinesin inhibitors and methods of use thereof
This invention relates to inhibitors of mitotic kinesins, particularly KSP, and methods for producing these inhibitors. The invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising the inhibitors of the invention and methods of utilizing the inhibitors and pharmaceutical compositions in the treatment and prevention of various disorders. |
| US07956070B2 |
Piperidines as chemokine modulators (CCR)
Compounds of formula (I): are modulators of chemokine (for example CCR3) activity (for use in, for example, treating asthma). |
| US07956068B2 |
Inhibitors of human immunodeficiency virus replication
The present invention relates to compounds of formula (I) wherein c, X, Y, R2, R3, R4 and R6 are as defined herein, compositions and uses thereof for treating human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. In particular, the present invention provides novel inhibitors of HIV integrase, pharmaceutical compositions containing such compounds and methods for using these compounds in the treatment of HIV infection. |
| US07956065B2 |
Pharmaceutical compounds
This application describes method of treating dementia and cognitive deficits associated with dementia that involve administration of dihydrotetrabenazine, and isomers and/or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. |
| US07956063B2 |
Salt of 4-[[4-[[4-(2-cyanoethenyl)-2,6-dimethylphenyl]amino]-2-pyrimidinyl]amino]benzonitrile
The present invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition comprising as active ingredient the hydrochloric acid salt of 4-[[4-[[4-(2-cyanoethenyl)-2,6-dimethyl-phenyl]amino]-2-pyrimidinyl]amino]benzonitrile and to processes for their preparation. |
| US07956062B2 |
Reactive oxygen generating enzyme inhibitor with nitric oxide bioactivity and uses thereof
A reactive oxygen generating enzyme inhibitor with NO donor bioactivity, e.g., nitrated allopurinol, is useful to treat heart failure, stable angina, ischemic disorder, ischemic reperfusion injury, atherosclerosis, sickle cell disease, diabetes, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, ALS and asthma and to obtain proper contraction of heart, skeletal and smooth muscle. |
| US07956061B2 |
Bicyclic pyrimidines as dipeptidyl peptidase-IV inhibitors for the treatment or prevention of diabetes
The present invention is directed to novel substituted bicyclic pyrimidines which are inhibitors of the dipeptidyl peptidase-IV enzyme (“DPP-IV inhibitors”) and which are useful in the treatment or prevention of diseases in which the dipeptidyl peptidase-IV enzyme is involved, such as diabetes and particularly Type 2 diabetes. The invention is also directed to pharmaceutical compositions comprising these compounds and the use of these compounds and compositions in the prevention or treatment of such diseases in which the dipeptidyl peptidase-IV enzyme is involved. |
| US07956060B2 |
Pyrimidine derivative compound
The present invention provides an antitumor agent and the like, which comprises as an active ingredient, a pyrimidine derivative represented by Formula (I): [wherein —X—Y—Z— represents —O—CR3═N— (wherein R3 represents a hydrogen atom, a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic heterocyclic group and the like) and the like, R1 represents —NR10R11 (wherein R10 and R11 may be the same or different, and each represents a hydrogen atom, substituted or unsubstituted lower alkyl and the like) and the like, R2 represents —NR13R14 (wherein R13 and R14 may be the same or different, and each represents a hydrogen atom, substituted or unsubstituted lower alkyl and the like)] or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. |
| US07956056B2 |
Certain 1H-imidazo[4,5-B]pyrazin-2(3H)-ones and 1H-imidazo[4,5-B]pyrazin-2-ols, compositions thereof, and methods for their use
Provided is at least one chemical entity chosen from compounds of Formula I and Formula II: and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, compositions thereof, and methods for their use in modulating one or more of skeletal myosin, skeletal actin, skeletal tropomyosin, skeletal troponin C, skeletal troponin I, skeletal troponin T, skeletal muscle, and skeletal sarcomere. |
| US07956054B2 |
Dual-acting pyrazole antihypertensive agents
In one aspect, the invention relates to compounds having the formula: wherein: Ar, Z, R3, R4 and R5 are as defined in the specification, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. These compounds have AT1 receptor antagonist activity and neprilysin inhibition activity. In another aspect, the invention relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising such compounds; methods of using such compounds; and process and intermediates for preparing such compounds. |
| US07956047B2 |
Use of chondroitin sulphate E (CS-E) for the treatment of diseases or conditions related to collagen fibril formation
The present invention comprises the use of chondroitin sulphate (CS-E) or an active fragment thereof for the treatment of diseases or conditions related to collagen fibril formation. Said compounds can be administrated either by oral, topical, injectable or by any other suitable route. |
| US07956044B1 |
Compositions comprising inhibitors of RNA binding proteins and methods of producing and using same
Compositions for inhibiting RNA binding proteins, as well as methods of producing and using same, are disclosed herein. |
| US07956040B2 |
Combination of catechin and quercetin for pharmaceutical or dietary use
The invention relates to a composition for pharmaceutical or dietary use that possesses antioxidant activity and characterized in that it contains as active principle a combination of catechin quercetin, which exert a synergistic action when combined in mutual molar ratios selected within a critical range, from 6:1 to 3:1 mol of catechin:quercetin. |
| US07956038B2 |
GASP1: a follistatin domain containing protein
The present invention relates to the use of a protein, GASP1, comprising at least one follistatin domain to modulate the level or activity of growth and differentiation factor-8 (GDF-8). More particularly, the invention relates to the use of GASP1 for treating disorders that are related to modulation of the level or activity of GDF-8. The invention is useful for treating muscular diseases and disorders, particularly those in which an increase in muscle tissue would be therapeutically beneficial. The invention is also useful for treating diseases and disorders related to metabolism, adipose tissue, and bone degeneration. |
| US07956037B2 |
Cytoprotective therapeutic agents for the prevention of reperfusion injury following ischemic stroke
The present invention relates generally to the use of γ-glutamyl antioxidants, particularly γ-glutamyl-cysteine, as cytoprotective agents to prevent reperfusion injury (i.e., hemorrhagic transformation) of the blood-brain barrier during reperfusion following an ischemic stroke. The γ-glutamyl antioxidants can be used alone or used in combination with an agent which inhibits the reverse movement of Na/Ca exchange in the blood-brain barrier such as 2-[2-[4-(4-nitrobenzyloxy)phenyl]ethyl]isothiourea methanesulphonate (KB-R7943). |
| US07956035B2 |
Treatment of endothelial dysfunction in diabetic patients
A method for the treatment of endothelial dysfunction in a diabetic patient, including both diabetes induced macrovascular disorders and diabetes induced microvascular disorders, comprises administration, preferably parenteral administration, to the patient of an effective amount of high density lipoprotein (HDL). |
| US07956034B2 |
FSH glycosylation variant D3N
FSH mutant with increased glycosylation and longer half-life is described. The use of this FSH mutant for inducing folliculogenesis in human patients is also described. |
| US07956031B2 |
Metallo-lactoferrin-coenzyme compositions for trigger and release of bioenergy
Formulations are provided for the trigger and release of bioenergy. The formulations generally include a trigger complex, an elemental complex and a coenzyme-vitamin B complex. The trigger complex is high in fiber and includes at least one metal-binding protein in an alkaline buffer system. The elemental complex includes one or more trace element as a suitable salt. The coenzyme-vitamin B complex includes one or more coenzyme, coenzyme precursor and/or B-vitamin. The compositions can be administered orally in a variety of forms. |
| US07956023B2 |
Lubricant solution for magnetic recording media, containing fluorinated polyether compound as lubricant
Provided is a lubricant solution for a magnetic recording media, wherein the lubricant solution includes a lubricant that is excellent in chemical stability and capable of imparting excellent lubricity to the lubricant solution, and a solvent having a suitable dissolving power for the lubricant, being excellent in drying properties and not influential over the ozone layer. Also provided is a lubricant solution including a lubricant and a fluorinated alkyl ether. Further provided is a lubricant solution including a compound of the formula (HO—CH2—CF2(OCF2CF2)dO—)3Y, wherein Y is a trivalent perfluorohydrocarbon group, as the lubricant and 1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethyl-2,2,2-trifluoroethyl ether as the fluorinated alkyl ether. |
| US07956022B2 |
Low sulfur metal detergent-dispersants
A process for preparing alkylhydroxybenzoate detergent-dispersant additives having low sulfur content and high TBN is described. The alkali metal alkylhydroxylbenzoate, alkaline earth metal alkylhydroxybenzoate and overbased alkaline earth metal alkylhydroxybenzoate reaction products described have a sulfur content in the range of from about 0.1 to 1.2 wt % are effective anti-corrosive detergent-dispersant additives in lubricating oil compositions. |
| US07956020B2 |
Lubricant composition, mechanical element, and method for producing triazine derivatives
A lubricant composition comprising following ingredients (a) and (b) is disclosed. (a) at least one compound represented by formula (1) (b) at least one compound represented by formula (2) (R—X—)m-D (1) (b) at least one compound represented by formula (2) |
| US07956015B2 |
Equivalent circulating density control in deep water drilling
A method of providing a substantially constant rheological profile of a drilling fluid over a temperature range of about 120° F. to about 40° F. includes adding a drilling fluid additive to the drilling fluid, wherein the drilling fluid additive includes the reaction product of a carboxylic acid with at least two carboxylic moieties; and a polyamine having an amine functionality of two or more. A composition, such as an oil based drilling fluid, includes the reaction product of a carboxylic acid with at least two carboxylic moieties and a polyamine having an amine functionality of two or more. |
| US07956013B2 |
Compositions having pH-dependent viscosity, thickener systems containing the same, and uses therefor
Compositions comprising: (A) at least one surfactant of the general formula (I) (R1—[(O—(CH2)2)x1(O—CH(CH3)CH2)x2]O)kP(═O)(OH)3-k (I) wherein the sequence of the alkyleneoxy units is arbitrary, each R1 independently represents a moiety selected from the group consisting of linear and branched C12-C22-alkyl, C12-C22-alkenyl, C12-C22-alkynyl, (C11-C21-alkyl)carbonyl, (C11-C21-alkenyl)carbonyl and (C11-C21-alkynyl)carbonyl, k represents 1 or 2 and x1 and x2 each independently represent an integer of 0 to 20, the sum of x1 and x2 being a number of 1 to 20; and (B) at least one thickener comprising at least two hydrophobic groups R2 which are linked to one another via a bridging hydrophilic group (α), wherein each R2, independently represents a moiety selected from the group consisting of C8-C32-alkyl, C8-C32-alkenyl, C8-C32-alkynyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, and aryl-C1-C32-alkyl, which in each case may have up to 3 hydroxyl substituents; wherein the composition has a pH which is viscosity-dependent. |
| US07956011B2 |
Materials and methods for the photodirected synthesis of oligonucleotide arrays
Materials and methods for photodirected synthesis of oligonucleotide arrays on a solid substrate by photodirected synthesis are disclosed which employ a film formed from (i) a photoacid generator that on photolysis generates acid that is capable of directly removing the protecting group of the linker molecules or oligonucleotides and (ii) a polymer substantially lacking electronegative heteroatoms that are capable of hydrogen bonding with photogenerated acid. Methods of synthesizing an oligomer arrays are also described that use a film that restricts diffusion of reactants and products on the substrate during synthesis of the array and which includes a precursor of a deprotecting reagent. The method involves removing one or more of the non-required products of the deprotection reaction from the reactive array elements at which they are produced during the reaction, in order to displace the deprotection reaction towards completion. |
| US07956010B2 |
Amide compound and use thereof for controlling plant diseases
Disclosed is an amide compound represented by the formula (1) below, which has excellent plant disease controlling activity. In the formula, X1 represents a fluorine atom or a methoxy group; X2 represents a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, a C1-C4 alkyl group or the like; X3 represents a halogen atom, a C1-C4 alkyl group or the like; Z represents an oxygen atom or a sulfur atom; and A represents an A1-CR11R12R13 group, an A2-Cy1 group or an A3-Cy2 group, wherein A1 represents a CH2 group or the like, A2 represents a single bond, a CH2 group or the like, A3 represents a C1-C3 haloalkyl group, a C2-C4 alkenyl group or the like, Cy1 represents a C3-C6 cycloalkyl group substituted with a C1-C6 alkoxy group or the like, Cy2 represents a C3-C6 cycloalkyl group which may be substituted with a halogen atom or the like, R11 and R12 independently represent a C1-C4 alkyl group, and R13 represents a halogen atom, a hydroxyl group or the like. |
| US07956008B2 |
Donor substrate and method of manufacturing display
The present invention provides a donor substrate used in forming a light emitting layer by forming a transfer layer containing light emission material, irradiating a radiation ray to the transfer layer while the transfer layer and a substrate to be transferred face each other, and sublimating or vaporizing the transfer layer so that the transfer layer is transferred to the substrate to be transferred. The donor substrate includes: a base; a photothermal conversion layer arranged on the base; and a heat interfering layer arranged between the base and the photothermal conversion layer, and including two or more layers with refraction index different from each other. |
| US07956003B2 |
Catalyst components based on ferricinium complexes used for olefin polymerisation
The present invention discloses catalyst components based on ferricinium ligands, their method of preparation and their use in the polymerisation of olefins. |
| US07955998B2 |
Optical glass, precision press-molding and process for the production thereof, and optical element and process for the production thereof
A high-refractivity optical glass which has both a low-temperature softening property suitable for precision press-molding and glass stability suitable for hot-shaping of a preform, which contains, by mass %, 13 to 30% of B2O3, 0.1 to 4% of Li2O, 17 to 35% of ZnO, 15 to 45% of La2O3, 4 to 15% of Ta2O5 exclusive of 15%, 0 to 10% of ZrO2, 0 to 10% of Nb2O5 provided that Ta2O5/(Ta2O5+ZrO2+Nb2O5)>0.3, 0 to 20% of WO3 and 0 to 1% of Sb2O3 and which has a refractive index (nd) of 1.80 to 1.84 and an Abbe's number (νd) of 40.0 to 45.0. |
| US07955992B2 |
Method of passivating and encapsulating CdTe and CZT segmented detectors
A method of forming a passivation layer comprises contacting at least one surface of a wide band-gap semiconductor material with a passivating agent comprising an alkali hypochloride to form the passivation layer on said at least one surface. The passivation layer may be encapsulated with a layer of encapsulation material. |
| US07955991B2 |
Producing method of a semiconductor device using CVD processing
Disclosed is a producing method of a semiconductor device, comprising: loading a substrate into a reaction furnace; forming a film on the substrate in the reaction furnace; unloading the substrate from the reaction furnace after the film has been formed; and forcibly cooling an interior of the reaction furnace in a state where the substrate does not exist in the reaction furnace after the substrate has been unloaded. |
| US07955986B2 |
Capacitively coupled plasma reactor with magnetic plasma control
A plasma reactor includes a vacuum enclosure including a side wall and a ceiling defining a vacuum chamber, and a workpiece support within the chamber and facing the ceiling for supporting a planar workpiece, the workpiece support and the ceiling together defining a processing region between the workpiece support and the ceiling. Process gas inlets furnish a process gas into the chamber. A plasma source power electrode is connected to an RF power generator for capacitively coupling plasma source power into the chamber for maintaining a plasma within the chamber. The reactor further includes at least a first overhead solenoidal electromagnet adjacent the ceiling, the overhead solenoidal electromagnet, the ceiling, the side wall and the workpiece support being located along a common axis of symmetry. A current source is connected to the first solenoidal electromagnet and furnishes a first electric current in the first solenoidal electromagnet whereby to generate within the chamber a magnetic field which is a function of the first electric current, the first electric current having a value such that the magnetic field increases uniformity of plasma ion density radial distribution about the axis of symmetry near a surface of the workpiece support. |
| US07955979B2 |
Method of growing electrical conductors
A method for forming a conductive thin film includes depositing a metal oxide thin film on a substrate by an atomic layer deposition (ALD) process. The method further includes at least partially reducing the metal oxide thin film by exposing the metal oxide thin film to a reducing agent, thereby forming a seed layer. In one arrangement, the reducing agent comprises one or more organic compounds that contain at least one functional group selected from the group consisting of —OH, —CHO, and —COOH. In another arrangement, the reducing agent comprises an electric current. |
| US07955976B2 |
Methods of forming semiconductor structures
The present invention relates to methods of forming semiconductor structures. The methods may include disposing electrically conductive material within an opening in a first dielectric material, passivating an upper surface of the electrically conductive material and introducing materials to form an interlayer dielectric upon the passivated upper surface. The present invention also includes methods of passivating surfaces of a semiconductor structure with a nitrogen-containing species. |
| US07955974B2 |
Formation of a through-electrode by inkjet deposition of resin pastes
When forming a resin material in a through hole, an electrode pad is formed in the bottom portion of the through hole, an insulating material is formed about the periphery of the through hole and a conductive material is formed in the central portion by an inkjet method, inkjet-ejected resins being ejected in such a manner that concavo-convex indentations and projections are formed in the surface thereof, whereby the adhesiveness between the insulating material and the conductive material and the adhesiveness between the insulating material and the inner walls of the through hole can be improved. Therefore, it is possible to suppress mechanical defects such as detachment of conductive material at the interfaces between the inner surface of the through hole and the resin or conductor layer, or electrical defects such as insulation defects, conduction defects, or the like. |
| US07955973B2 |
Method and apparatus for improvements in chip manufacture and design
A method of securing a bond pad in to a semiconductor chip having an upper top metal surface which includes one or more holes, the method comprising the steps of forming a passivation layer over the upper metal surface, which passivation layer has holes therein substantially corresponding to the or each hole in the upper metal layer and being substantially the same size or smaller than the holes in the upper metal layer; forming the bond pad over the passivation layer; characterised in that the step of forming the bond pad comprises introducing some of the material from the bond pad into the holes in the passivation layer and upper metal layer when forming the bond pad, securing the bond pad to the passivation layer by allowing said material to flow under the surface thereof and attach thereto without attaching to the upper metal layer to thereby form a securing means. |
| US07955969B2 |
Ultra thin FET
Processes are described for forming very thin semiconductor die (1 to 10 microns thick) in which a thin layer of the upper surface of the wafer is processed with junction patterns and contacts while the wafer bulk is intact. The top surface is then contacted by a rigid wafer carrier and the bulk wafer is then ground/etched to an etch stop layer at the bottom of the thin wafer. A thick bottom contact is then applied to the bottom surface and the top wafer carrier is removed. All three contacts of a MOSFET may be formed on the top surface in one embodiment or defined by the patterning of the bottom metal contact. |
| US07955968B2 |
Pseudo hybrid structure for low K interconnect integration
A method and apparatus are described for fabricating an ultra low-k interconnect structure by depositing and curing a first via layer (43) of ultra low dielectric constant (ULK) material, depositing a second uncured trench layer (51) of the same ULK material, selectively etching a via opening (62) and trench opening (72) with a dual damascene etch process which uses a trench etch end point signal from the chemical differences between uncured trench layer (51) and the underlying cured via layer (43), and then curing the second trench layer (83) before forming an interconnect structure (91) by filling the trench opening (72) and via opening (62) with an interconnection material so that there is no additional interface or higher dielectric constant material left behind. |
| US07955966B2 |
Injection molded solder ball method
Methods for making solder balls, which can be used to bump semiconductor wafers are disclosed. Methods for bumping semiconductor wafers with the solder balls are also disclosed. The solder balls can be made using an injection molded soldering (IMS) process. |
| US07955963B2 |
Dry etching method for semiconductor device
The present invention provides a device having an N type polysilicon gate and a P type polysilicon gate disposed therein, wherein when both gates are simultaneously etched, they are disposed in such a manner that the area of a non-doped polysilicon gate corresponding to a dummy electrode becomes larger than the total area of the N type and P type doped polysilicon gates, thereby causing non-doped polysilicon to become dominant over doped polysilicon, whereby the polysilicon gates are dry-etched. |
| US07955959B2 |
Method for manufacturing GaN-based film LED
A method for manufacturing GaN-based film LED based on masklessly transferring photonic crystal structure is disclosed. Two dimensional photonic crystals are formed on a sapphire substrate. Lattice quality of GaN-based epitaxy on the sapphire substrate is improved, and the internal quantum efficiency of GaN-based LED epitaxy is increased. After the GaN-based film is transferred onto heat sink substrate, the two dimensional photonic crystals structure is masklessly transferred onto the light exiting surface of the GaN-based film by using different etching rates between the GaN material and the SiO2 mask, so that light extraction efficiency of the GaN-based LED is improved. That is, the GaN-based film LED according to the invention has a relatively high illumination efficiency and heat sink. |
| US07955957B2 |
Group III-nitride semiconductor thin film, method for fabricating the same, and group III-nitride semiconductor light emitting device
Disclosed herein is a high-quality group III-nitride semiconductor thin film and group III-nitride semiconductor light emitting device using the same. To obtain the group III-nitride semiconductor thin film, an AlInN buffer layer is formed on a (1-102)-plane (so called r-plane) sapphire substrate by use of a MOCVD apparatus under atmospheric pressure while controlling a temperature of the substrate within a range from 850 to 950 degrees Celsius, and then, GaN-based compound, such as GaN, AlGaN or the like, is epitaxially grown on the buffer layer at a high temperature. The group III-nitride semiconductor light emitting device is fabricated by using the group III-nitride semiconductor thin film as a base layer. |
| US07955956B2 |
Method for recycling/reclaiming a monitor wafer
The invention provides a method for recycling/reclaiming a monitor or test wafer and a method for testing an integrated circuit manufacturing process. After a monitor wafer has been used for testing one or more semiconductor wafer processing steps to determine adequacy for use with production wafers, deposited materials and other residues from the tested processing steps are removed, and the stripped wafer is subjected to a thermal anneal to repair defects in its surface and return it to a reusable condition. |
| US07955946B2 |
Methods of determining x-y spatial orientation of a semiconductor substrate comprising an integrated circuit, methods of positioning a semiconductor substrate comprising an integrated circuit, methods of processing a semiconductor substrate, and semiconductor devices
The invention includes methods of determining x-y spatial orientation of a semiconductor substrate comprising an integrated circuit, methods of positioning a semiconductor substrate comprising an integrated circuit, methods of processing a semiconductor substrate, and semiconductor devices. In one implementation, a method of determining x-y spatial orientation of a semiconductor substrate comprising an integrated circuit includes providing a semiconductor substrate comprising at least one integrated circuit die. The semiconductor substrate comprises a circuit side, a backside, and a plurality of conductive vias extending from the circuit side to the backside. The plurality of conductive vias on the semiconductor substrate backside is examined to determine location of portions of at least two of the plurality of conductive vias on the semiconductor substrate backside. From the determined location, x-y spatial orientation of the semiconductor substrate is determined. Other aspects and implementations are contemplated. |
| US07955944B2 |
Method of manufacturing semiconductor device
A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes forming a wiring layer in a first insulating layer, forming a second insulating layer over the first insulating layer, forming a first conductive layer over the second insulating layer, forming a dielectric layer on the first conductive layer, forming a second conductive layer on the dielectric layer, selectively removing the second conductive layer to form an upper electrode on the dielectric layer, forming a first layer over the upper electrode and the dielectric layer, selectively removing the first layer, the dielectric layer, and the first conductive layer to form a lower electrode over which the dielectric layer and the first layer is entirely left, the upper electrode remaining partially over the lower electrode. |
| US07955943B2 |
High voltage sensor device and method therefor
In one embodiment, a high voltage element is formed overlying a doped semiconductor region that can be depleted during the operation of the high voltage element includes a conductor overlying a space in a resistor. |
| US07955941B2 |
Method of forming an integrated semiconductor device and structure therefor
In one embodiment, a plurality of ESD devices are used to form an integrated semiconductor filter circuit. Additional diodes are formed in parallel with the ESD structures in order to increase the input capacitance. |
| US07955939B1 |
Method for producing a high capacitance cathode by annealing a metallic foil in a nitrogen environment
The present invention is a method for the production of a high capacitance foil for use as a cathode in an electrolytic capacitor by forming a nitride layer on at least one surface of the foil by annealing the foil at an elevated temperature in the presence of nitrogen gas (N2). By this method, an enhanced foil surface area can be achieved. Since the double layer capacitance of a cathode is proportional to the effective surface area of the cathode, the annealing process increases the cathode capacitance such that it can be effectively used in a high-gain multiple stacked anode electrolytic capacitor. After production of the foil by said method, the foil is cut into a shape that is suitable for assembly in such an electrolytic capacitor, which is commonly used in an implantable cardiac defibrillator (ICD). |
| US07955936B2 |
Semiconductor fabrication process including an SiGe rework method
A method for fabricating a semiconductor device includes forming an SiGe region. The SiGe region can be an embedded source and drain region, or a compressive SiGe channel layer, or other SiGe regions within a semiconductor device. The SiGe region is exposed to an SC1 solution and excess surface portions of the SiGe region are selectively removed. The SC1 etching process can be part of a rework method in which overgrowth regions of SiGe are selectively removed by exposing the SiGe to and SC1 solution maintained at an elevated temperature. The etching process is carried out for a period of time sufficient to remove excess surface portions of SiGe. The SC1 etching process can be carried out at elevated temperatures ranging from about 25° C. to about 65° C. |
| US07955932B2 |
Single electron transistor and method of manufacturing the same
A single electron transistor includes source/drain layers disposed apart on a substrate, at least one nanowire channel connecting the source/drain layers, a plurality of oxide channel areas in the nanowire channel, the oxide channel areas insulating at least one portion of the nanowire channel, a quantum dot in the portion of the nanowire channel insulated by the plurality of oxide channel areas, and a gate electrode surrounding the quantum dot. |
| US07955931B2 |
Method and apparatus for fabricating a carbon nanotube transistor
A method of fabricating a nanotube field-effect transistor having unipolar characteristics and a small inverse sub-threshold slope includes forming a local gate electrode beneath the nanotube between drain and source electrodes of the transistor and doping portions of the nanotube. In a further embodiment, the method includes forming at least one trench in the gate dielectric (e.g., a back gate dielectric) and back gate adjacent to the local gate electrode. Another aspect of the invention is a nanotube field-effect transistor fabricated using such a method. |
| US07955930B2 |
Semiconductor device and manufacturing method thereof
A semiconductor substrate has a trench in a first main surface. An insulated gate field effect part includes a gate electrode formed in the first main surface. A potential fixing electrode fills the trench and has an expanding part expanding on the first main surface so that a width thereof is larger than the width of the trench. An emitter electrode is formed on the first main surface and insulated from the gate electrode electrically and connected to a whole upper surface of the expanding part of the potential fixing electrode. Thus, a semiconductor device capable of enhancing reliability in order to prevent an aluminum spike from generating and a manufacturing method thereof can be provided. |
| US07955929B2 |
Method of forming a semiconductor device having an active area and a termination area
A method of forming a semiconductor device having an active area and a termination area surrounding the active area comprises providing a semiconductor substrate, providing a semiconductor layer of a first conductivity type over the semiconductor substrate and forming a mask layer over the semiconductor layer. The mask layer outlines at least two portions of a surface of the semiconductor layer: a first outlined portion outlining a floating region in the active area and a second outlined portion outlining a termination region in the termination area. Semiconductor material of a second conductivity type is provided to the first and second outlined portions so as to provide a floating region of the second conductivity type buried in the semiconductor layer in the active area and a first termination region of the second conductivity type buried in the semiconductor layer in the termination area of the semiconductor device. |
| US07955928B2 |
Structure and method of fabricating FinFET
A CMOS FinFET device and a method of manufacturing the same using a three dimensional doping process is provided. The method of forming the CMOS FinFET includes forming fins on a first side and a second side of a structure and forming spacers of a dopant material having a first dopant type on the fins on the first side of the structure. The method further includes annealing the dopant material such that the first dopant type diffuses into the fins on the first side of the structure. The method further includes protecting the first dopant type from diffusing into the fins on the second side of the structure during the annealing. |
| US07955926B2 |
Structure and method to control oxidation in high-k gate structures
In one embodiment, the present invention provides a method of fabricating a semiconducting device that includes providing a substrate including at least one semiconducting region and at least one oxygen source region; forming an oxygen barrier material atop portions of an upper surface of the at least one oxygen region; forming a high-k gate dielectric on the substrate including the at least one semiconducting region, wherein oxygen barrier material separates the high-k gate dielectric from the at least one oxygen source material; and forming a gate conductor atop the high-k gate dielectric. |
| US07955907B2 |
Semiconductor device, television set, and method for manufacturing the same
An object of the invention is to provide a method for manufacturing a substrate having a film pattern such as an insulating film, a semiconductor film, or a conductive film with an easy process, and further, a semiconductor device and a television set having a high throughput or a high yield at low cost and a manufacturing method thereof. One feature of the invention is that a first film pattern is formed by a droplet discharge method, a photosensitive material is discharged or applied to the first film pattern, a mask pattern is formed by irradiating a region where the first film pattern and the photosensitive material are overlapped with a laser beam and by developing, and a second film pattern having a desired shape is formed by etching the first film pattern using the mask pattern as a mask. |
| US07955905B2 |
Methods and systems for thermal-based laser processing a multi-material device
A method and system for locally processing a predetermined microstructure formed on a substrate without causing undesirable changes in electrical or physical characteristics of the substrate or other structures formed on the substrate are provided. The method includes providing information based on a model of laser pulse interactions with the predetermined microstructure, the substrate and the other structures. At least one characteristic of at least one pulse is determined based on the information. A pulsed laser beam is generated including the at least one pulse. The method further includes irradiating the at least one pulse having the at least one determined characteristic into a spot on the predetermined microstructure. The at least one determined characteristic and other characteristics of the at least one pulse are sufficient to locally process the predetermined microstructure without causing the undesirable changes. |
| US07955904B2 |
Lens support and wirebond protector
A wirebond protector has an elongated shape that corresponds to the elongated array of wirebonds along the edge of a microelectronic device that connect a semiconductor die to electrical conductors on a substrate. In making the microelectronic device with wirebond protection, wirebonds are first formed in the conventional manner The wirebond protector is then attached to the device in an orientation in which it extends along the array of wirebonds to at least partially cover the wirebonds. |
| US07955903B2 |
Method of suppressing overflowing of an encapsulation resin in a semiconductor module
A semiconductor module includes a semiconductor chip sealed with an encapsulation resin prevented from overflowing from an inside of the outer edge by a wiring pattern extended portion extending from the wiring pattern along an outer edge of a solder resist pattern at an outside of the outer edge of the solder resist pattern. |
| US07955900B2 |
Coated thermal interface in integrated circuit die
Some embodiments of the invention include a coated thermal interface to bond a die with a heat spreader. The coated thermal interface may be used to bond the die with the heat spreader without flux. Other embodiments are described and claimed. |
| US07955897B2 |
Chip structure and stacked chip package as well as method for manufacturing chip structures
A chip structure according to the present invention is provided. A plurality of pedestals extends from the back surface of the chip structure. Each of the pedestals is located at a position away from the edge of the back surface for a non-zero distance so that the pedestals of an upper chip structure will not damage the bonding pads positioned on the edge of the active surface of a lower chip structure when the upper chip structure is stacked on the active surface of the lower chip structure with the pedestals. |
| US07955893B2 |
Wafer level chip scale package and process of manufacture
Power wafer level chip scale package (CSP) and process of manufacture are enclosed. The power wafer level chip scale package includes all source, gate and drain electrodes located on one side of the device, which is convenient for mounting to a printed circuit board (PCB) with solder paste. |
| US07955890B2 |
Methods for forming an amorphous silicon film in display devices
Embodiments of the present invention relate to methods for depositing an amorphous film that may be suitable for using in a NIP photodiode in display applications. In one embodiment, the method includes providing a substrate into a deposition chamber, supplying a gas mixture having a hydrogen gas to silane gas ratio by volume greater than 4 into the deposition chamber, maintaining a pressure of the gas mixture at greater than about 1 Torr in the deposition chamber, and forming an amorphous silicon film on the substrate in the presence of the gas mixture, wherein the amorphous silicon film is configured to be an intrinsic-type layer in a photodiode sensor. |
| US07955888B2 |
Method of fabricating image sensor having reduced dark current
An image sensor includes a light receiving device, a field effect transistor, a stress layer pattern, and a surface passivation material. The light receiving device is formed in a first region of a substrate. The field effect transistor is formed in a second region of the substrate. The stress layer pattern is formed over the field effect transistor for creating stress therein to improve transistor performance. The surface passivation material is formed on the first region of the substrate for passivating dangling bonds at the surface of the light receiving device. |
| US07955887B2 |
Techniques for three-dimensional circuit integration
Integrated circuits having complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) and photonics circuitry and techniques for three-dimensional integration thereof are provided. In one aspect, a three-dimensional integrated circuit comprises a bottom device layer and a top device layer. The bottom device layer comprises a digital CMOS circuitry layer; and a first bonding oxide layer adjacent to the digital CMOS circuitry layer. The top device layer comprises a substrate; an analog CMOS and photonics circuitry layer formed in a silicon-on-insulator (SOI) layer adjacent to the substrate, the SOI layer having a buried oxide (BOX) with a thickness of greater than or equal to about one micrometer; and a second bonding oxide layer adjacent to a side of the analog CMOS and photonics circuitry layer opposite the substrate. The bottom device layer is bonded to the top device layer by an oxide-to-oxide bond between the first bonding oxide layer and the second bonding oxide layer. |
| US07955886B2 |
Apparatus and method for reducing interference
A method and apparatus is provided for use in an integrated circuit or printed circuit board for reducing or minimizing interference. An inductance is formed using two or more inductors coupled together and configured such that current flows through the inductors in different directions, thus at least partially canceling magnetic fields. When designing a circuit, the configuration of the inductors, as well as the relative positions of portions of the circuit, can be tweaked to provide optimal interference or noise control. |
| US07955884B2 |
Semiconductor packages
A semiconductor package includes a semiconductor chip including a semiconductor substrate and a plurality of cell transistors arranged on the semiconductor substrate. Channel regions of the cell transistors have channel lengths that extend in a first direction, and the package further includes a supporting substrate having an upper surface on which the semiconductor chip is affixed. The supporting substrate is configured to bend in response to a temperature increase in a manner that applies a tensile stress to the channel regions of the semiconductor chip in the first direction. Related methods are also disclosed. |
| US07955882B2 |
Method of radiation generation and manipulation
A method of managing radiation having a frequency in the terahertz and/or microwave regions. The method comprises providing a semiconducting device having a two-dimensional carrier gas. Plasma waves are generated in the carrier gas using a laser pulse. The frequency of the plasma waves, and as a result, the generated radiation are adjusted using a voltage applied to the semiconducting device. |
| US07955881B2 |
Method of fabricating quantum well structure
In the method of fabricating a quantum well structure which includes a well layer and a barrier layer, the well layer is grown at a first temperature on a sapphire substrate. The well layer comprises a group III nitride semiconductor which contains indium as a constituent. An intermediate layer is grown on the InGaN well layer while monotonically increasing the sapphire substrate temperature from the first temperature. The group III nitride semiconductor of the intermediate layer has a band gap energy larger than the band gap energy of the InGaN well layer, and a thickness of the intermediate layer is greater than 1 nm and less than 3 nm in thickness. The barrier layer is grown on the intermediate layer at a second temperature higher than the first temperature. The barrier layer comprising a group III nitride semiconductor and the group III nitride semiconductor of the barrier layer has a band gap energy larger than the band gap energy of the well layer. |
| US07955879B2 |
Method of forming LED semiconductor device having annealed encapsulant layer and annealed luminescence conversion material layer
In a method of forming an LED semiconductor device, and in an LED semiconductor device, an LED is provided on a substrate. A first encapsulant material layer is provided on the LED, and the first encapsulant material layer is firstly annealed. A luminescence conversion material layer is provided on the firstly annealed first encapsulant material layer, and the first encapsulant material layer and the luminescence conversion material layer and secondly annealed. |
| US07955874B2 |
Method of producing bonded silicon wafer
A bonded silicon wafer is produced by a method comprising a step of implanting oxygen ions from one surface of a silicon wafer for active layer to form an oxygen ion implanted layer, a step of bonding the one surface of the silicon wafer for active layer to one surface of a silicon wafer for support layer and then conducting a heat treatment for strengthening the bonding to form a silicon wafer composite, a step of polishing a silicon portion at a side of the silicon wafer for active layer in the silicon wafer composite on a rotating platen having a polishing means and stopping the polishing at a time of detecting change of physical properties on the rotating platen resulting from the exposure of at least a part of the oxygen ion implanted layer and a step of removing the oxygen ion implanted layer. |
| US07955871B2 |
Method of using a switchable resistive perovskite microelectronic device with multi-layer thin film structure
A switchable resistive device has a multi-layer thin film structure interposed between an upper conductive electrode and a lower conductive electrode. The multi-layer thin film structure comprises a perovskite layer with one buffer layer on one side of the perovskite layer, or a perovskite layer with buffer layers on both sides of the perovskite layer. Reversible resistance changes are induced in the device under applied electrical pulses. The resistance changes of the device are retained after applied electric pulses. The functions of the buffer layer(s) added to the device include magnification of the resistance switching region, reduction of the pulse voltage needed to switch the device, protection of the device from being damaged by a large pulse shock, improvement of the temperature and radiation properties, and increased stability of the device allowing for multivalued memory applications. |
| US07955870B2 |
Dry etch stop process for eliminating electrical shorting in MRAM device structures
The present invention relates generally to semiconductor fabrication and particularly to fabricating magnetic tunnel junction devices. In particular, this invention relates to a method for using the dielectric layer in tunnel junctions as an etch stop layer to eliminate electrical shorting that can result from the patterning process. |
| US07955867B2 |
High throughput cell-based assays, methods of use and kits
In the present invention cells are placed in a multiwell plate and grown. When the assay is to be performed, one uses gravity to wash away any unbound ligands rather than vacuum or centrifugation. The cells are then examined to detect the bound ligand. To perform the washing step(s) the plate is placed into a carrier plate having open wells in register with the wells of the filter plate or one may use a wicking device or an underdrain attached to the bottom of the filter plate. Sufficient wash liquid is added to allow for filtration by the effect of gravity to occur. Cells are retained within the wells at a rate of 4 times that of other rapid methods. |
| US07955862B2 |
Method and device for the qualitative and/or quantitative determination of a protein and/or peptide pattern of a fluid sample, which has been taken from a human or animal body
Provided are a process and a device for the qualitative and/or quantitative determination of a protein and/or peptide pattern of a liquid sample taken from a human or animal body for checking its state. The peptides and proteins of the liquid sample are processed and then subjected to analysis, wherein reference and sample values describing states of a human or animal body as well as deviations and correspondences derived therefrom are established, automatically stored in a data base, and when the protein and/or peptide pattern is again determined, a search for optimum correspondence is automatically performed. In this process, mass components or structural components of the proteins and/or peptides are established and stored. Subsequently, real masses or real structures are calculated from a common evaluation of the stored mass components or structural components, and an assignment to the proteins and/or peptides contained in the liquid sample is performed from a combination of the calculated real masses or real structures. |
| US07955860B2 |
Method of detecting residual detergent and device for detecting residual detergent
It is intended to provide a method whereby residual detergent (surfactant) can be conveniently and accurately detected in the step of washing or rinsing dishes or clothes, and a test device usable in examining the rinsed conditions. Namely, a method characterized by comprising bringing a test substance with a composition (test agent) comprising an oxalic acid ester, a fluorescent substance, hydrogen peroxide and a strong acid and thus easily detecting the residual detergent sticking to the surface of the test subject from the chemiluminescence thus caused; and a test device which is most suitable for storing the test agent as described above. |
| US07955859B2 |
Fluorescent labeling compound
A rare-earth fluorescent complex which forms a fluorescent complex with two or more rare-earth metals such as europium and terbium and can effectively be excited at a wavelength of 340 nm or longer; a fluorescent labeling agent comprising the rare-earth fluorescent complex; a method of fluorescent labeling in which the rare-earth fluorescent complex is used as a labeling agent; and a method of fluorometric analysis in which the fluorescent labeling agent is used. The rare-earth fluorescent complex is characterized by having a cyclic ligand comprising a 4-biphenyl-2,2′:6′,2″-terpyridine skeleton and a 2,6-bis(3′-aminomethyl-1′-pyrazolyl)pyrazine skeleton bonded thereto. |
| US07955855B2 |
Detection of materials via nitrogen oxide
Methods and devices for detecting the presence of a NO forming material (e.g., a material that can form, or is, a nitrogen monoxide molecule) are disclosed based on detection of fluorescence exhibited by NO molecules in a first vibrationally excited state of a ground electronic state. Such excited NO molecules can be formed, for example, when small amounts of explosives are photodissociated. By inducing fluorescence of the material, a distinct signature of the explosive can be detected. Such techniques can be performed quickly and with a significant standoff distance, which can add to the invention's utility. In another aspection of the invention, methods and apparatus for generating electromagnetic radiation are disclosed. Such methods and apparatus can be used in conjunction with any detection method disclosed herein. |
| US07955853B2 |
Method and device for creating and analyzing an at temerature and pressure oxidation-reduction potential signature in hot water systems for preventing corrosion
Disclosed is a method of creating a real-time oxidation-reduction potential signature in a hot water system to detect REDOX stress and inhibit corrosion in the hot water system. The method includes defining one or more operational protective zones in the hot water system. One or more of the operational protective zones includes an oxidation-reduction potential probe that is operable to measure a real-time oxidation-reduction potential in the hot water system at operating temperature and pressure. The probe transmits the measured real-time potential to the controller, which analyzes and interprets the transmitted potential to create an oxidation-reduction potential signature for the hot water system. If the signature does not conform to an oxidation-reduction potential setting, the controller is operable to feed one or more active chemical species into the hot water system. |
| US07955852B2 |
Expansion of renewable stem cell populations
Ex vivo and in vivo methods of expansion of renewable stem cells, expanded populations of renewable stem cells and their uses. |
| US07955851B2 |
Culture of human embryonic stem cells on a matrix with TGFB1 and bFGF
The present invention is of methods of establishing and propagating human embryonic stem cell lines using feeder cells-free, xeno-free culture systems and stem cells which are capable of being maintained in an undifferentiated, pluripotent and proliferative state in culture which is free of xeno contaminants and feeder cells. |
| US07955844B2 |
Multimodality imaging of reporter gene expression using a novel fusion vector in living cells and animals
Novel double and triple fusion reporter gene constructs harboring distinct imagable reporter genes are provided, as well as applications for the use of such double and triple fusion constructs in living cells and in living animals using distinct imaging technologies. |
| US07955840B2 |
Thermal cycler for PCR including temperature control bladder
Methods and devices for performing chemical reactions under controlled temperatures are described. In one embodiment, the devices provided by the invention comprise a housing dimensioned to hold a reaction chamber disposed within an interior volume of the housing. The reaction chamber has thermally conductive interior and exterior surfaces defining an internal volume therein at a first temperature. The device also includes at least one thermally conductive temperature-control bladder disposed therein, which bladder is configured to receive a temperature-control substance at a second temperature into said bladder and expel said temperature-control substance from said bladder. The bladder is further configured such that upon receiving the temperature-control substance, the bladder expands to abut substantially at least a portion of said exterior surfaces of said reaction chamber to enable thermal exchange between said temperature-control substance the said internal volume of reaction chamber. |
| US07955836B2 |
Microfluidic mixing and analytical apparatus
Disclosed herein is a device comprising a pair of bellows pumps configured for efficient mixing at a microfluidic scale. By moving a fluid sample and particles in suspension through an aperture between the paired bellows pump mixing chambers, molecular collisions leading to binding between the particles and ligands in the sample are enhanced. Such devices provide an alternative for mixing that does not use a vent and can be used with a variety of particles in suspension such as magnetic beads to capture or purify useful cells and molecules. |
| US07955835B2 |
Stereoselective process for the production of dioxolane nucleoside analogues
The present invention relates to a process for producing compounds of formula (I) and (VII); said process comprising the steps of: a) subjecting a compound of formula (II) to an enzymatic diastereomeric resolution in the presence of a suitable amount of enzyme chosen from Pig Liver Esterase or Porcine Pancreatic Lipase b) recovering said compounds of formula (I) and (VII). The invention also provides a process for producing compounds of formula (III) and (X); said process comprising the steps of: a) subjecting a compound of formula (IV) to an enzymatic diastereomeric resolution in the presence of a suitable amount of enzyme chosen from Candida Antarctica “A” lipase, Candida Antarctica “B” lipase, Candida Lypolitica Lipase or Rhizomucor Miehei Lipase b) recovering said compound of formula (III) and (X). |
| US07955832B2 |
Composition useful for protein fragment complementation assays (PCA) using fragments of E. coli/TEM-1 β-lactamase
The present invention describes an assay method comprising: (A) generating (1) at least a first fragment of a reporter molecule linked to a first interacting domain and at least a second fragment of a reporter molecule linked to a second interacting domain, or (2) nucleic acid molecules that code for (A)(1) and subsequently allowing said nucleic acid molecules to produce their coded products; then, (B) allowing interaction of said domains; and (C) detecting reconstituted reporter molecule activity, where said reporter molecule can react with a penicillin- or a cephalosporin-class substrate. |
| US07955831B2 |
Purified lactase
The present invention relates to a lactase solution comprising a lactase solution comprising less than 10 g/kg of poly and oligosaccharides, a process for the production of such a lactase solution from an untreated lactase solution, a sterilized lactase solution and to a process for the production of milk containing sterilized lactase, whereby such lactose is filter sterilized in-line with the milk production process. |
| US07955829B2 |
Method for the inactivation of amylase in the presence of protease
The invention relates to a method for the inactivation of amylase in a solution comprising Rhizomucor miehei aspartic protease by keeping the solution at a pH between 2.1 and 2.8 and at a temperature between 20° C. and 40° C. for a period of time sufficient to inactivate amylase for at least 95%. With this method the level of residual Rhizomucor miehei aspartic protease activity in the solution at the end of the heating time is at least 90%, preferably at least 95%, and the residual amylase activity is 0.05 RAU/g or lower, more preferably 0.001 RAU/g or lower, i.e. more than 99% of the amylase activity has been inactivated. |
| US07955828B2 |
Use of methionine synthase inhibitors for the treatment of fungal diseases of crops
The invention relates to the use of methionine synthase inhibitors for the treatment of fungal diseases of crops. The invention further relates to methods for treatment of crops against fungal diseases comprising the application of a methionine synthase inhibitor also methods for the identification of novel fungicidal compounds comprising a step for identification of methionine synthase inhibitors. |
| US07955826B2 |
Composition and methods for improving the production of fermentation operations
Methods and compositions for improving the production of ethanol by a Saccharomyces spp. yeast in a fermentation medium are provided, where the method comprises adding to the fermentation medium an emulsion comprising a monoterpene and a surfactant in an amount sufficient to improve the production of ethanol. |
| US07955823B2 |
Microorganism producing glutamic acid in high yield and a process of producing glutamic acid using the same
Disclosed herein are mutant strains, KCCM-10784P and KCCM-10785P, which are obtained through gene manipulation of Corynebacterium glutamicum KFCC-11074, and a process of producing L-glutamic acid using the mutant strains. The mutant strains are capable of producing L-Glutamic acid at high yield. |
| US07955818B2 |
Method for detecting the formation of biofilms
A process allowing measuring of viscosity of a culture medium of microorganisms including a) immersing at least one particle that is charged electrically, is magnetic or can be magnetized or covered with at least one magnetic or magnetizable layer in the culture, b) subjecting the culture to an electrical, magnetic or electromagnetic field in such a manner as to put the particle in motion, and c) optically detecting the degree of freedom of motion of the particle in the culture without a scanning microscope. |
| US07955814B2 |
Method
A method for the in situ production of an emulsifier in a foodstuff, wherein a lipid acyltransferase is added to the foodstuff. Preferably the emulsifier is produced without an increase or without a substantial increase in the free fatty acid content of the foodstuff. Preferably, the lipid acyltransferase is one which is capable of transferring an acyl group from a lipid to one or more of the following acyl acceptors: a sterol, a stanol, a carbohydrate, a protein or a sub-unit thereof, glycerol. Preferably, in addition to an emulsifier one or more of a stanol ester or a stanol ester or a protein ester or a carbohydrate ester or a diglyceride or a monoglyceride may be produced. One or more of these may function as an additional emulsifier. |
| US07955813B2 |
Method of using lipid acyltransferase
A method for the in situ production of an emulsifier in a foodstuff, wherein a lipid acyltransferase is added to the foodstuff. Preferably the emulsifier is produced without an increase or without a substantial increase in the free fatty acid content of the foodstuff. Preferably, the lipid acyltransferase is one which is capable of transferring an acyl group from a lipid to one or more of the following acyl acceptors: a sterol, a stanol, a carbohydrate, a protein or a sub-unit thereof, glycerol. Preferably, in addition to an emulsifier one or more of a stanol ester or a stanol ester or a protein ester or a carbohydrate ester or a diglyceride or a monoglyceride may be produced. One or more of these may function as an additional emulsifier. |
| US07955803B2 |
Urotensin 2 and its receptor as candidate genes for beef marbling score, ribeye area and fatty acid composition
The present invention relates to the identification of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in urotensin II (UTS2) and urotensin 2 receptor (UTS2R) genes and their associations with beef marbling score (BMS), ribeye area (REA), amounts of saturated (rSFA) and monounsaturated (rMUFA), and Δ9 desaturase activity R2=16:1 to 16:0. The invention further encompasses methods and systems, including network-based processes, to manage the SNP data, haplotype data and other data relating to specific animals and herds of animals, veterinarian care, diagnostic and quality control data and management of livestock which, based on genotyping, have predictable meat quality traits, husbandry conditions, animal welfare, food safety information, audit of existing processes and data from field locations. |
| US07955801B2 |
Method and apparatus for disrupting cells and purifying nucleic acid using a single chip
Provided herein is a method and apparatus for disrupting cells and purifying nucleic acids in a single chip. The method comprises irradiating a chip with a laser beam, wherein the chip comprises a solid support on which a cell lysis enhancing metal oxide layer, and a cell binding metal oxide layer have been deposited. |
| US07955800B2 |
Metastasis-associated gene profiling for identification of tumor tissue, subtyping, and prediction of prognosis of patients
Methods for determining a tumor in a human is disclosed. Also disclosed are methods for identifying adenocarcinoma, and methods for identifying squamous cell carcinoma in a human tumor sample. In addition, methods for predicting prognosis of metastasis and survival in a human having a tumor is disclosed. |
| US07955798B2 |
Reusable substrate for DNA microarray production
The invention relates to a method for producing biopolymer arrays comprising a porous membrane and bound biopolymers. In particular, said production of biopolymer arrays comprises electrochemical production cycles. |
| US07955797B2 |
Fluid storage and dispensing system including dynamic fluid monitoring of fluid storage and dispensing vessel
A monitoring system for monitoring fluid in a fluid supply vessel during operation including dispensing of fluid from the fluid supply vessel. The monitoring system includes (i) one or more sensors for monitoring a characteristic of the fluid supply vessel or the fluid dispensed therefrom, (ii) a data acquisition module operatively coupled to the one or more sensors to receive monitoring data therefrom and responsively generate an output correlative to the characteristic monitored by the one or more sensors, and (iii) a processor and display operatively coupled with the data acquisition module and arranged to process the output from the data acquisition module and responsively output a graphical representation of fluid in the fluid supply vessel. |
| US07955794B2 |
Multiplex nucleic acid reactions
The invention is directed to a variety of multiplexing methods used to amplify and/or genotype a variety of samples simultaneously. |
| US07955788B2 |
Bioprosthetic tissue preparation with synthetic hydrogels
Methods for treating xenogenic tissue for implantation into a human body including in-situ polymerization of a hydrogel polymer in tissue, and tissue treated according to those methods, where the polymerization takes place in tissue that has not been fixed with glutaraldehyde. The polymerization may only fill the tissue, bind the polymer to the tissue, or cross-link the tissue through the polymer, depending on the embodiment. One method includes free radical polymerization of a first vinylic compound, and can include cross-linking through use of a second compound having at least two vinyl groups. Another method utilizes nucleophilic addition polymerization of two compounds, one of which can include PEG and can further include hydrolytically degradable regions. In one embodiment, applicants believe the in-situ polymerization inhibits calcification, and that the polymerization of tissue un-fixed by glutaraldehyde allows for improved penetration of the polymer. The methods find one use in the treatment of porcine heart valve tissue, intended to extend the useful life of the valves by inhibiting calcification. The incorporation of degradable hydrogel regions may initially fill the tissue and reduce any initial inflammatory response, but allow for later infiltration by cells to remodel the tissue. |
| US07955787B2 |
Plasma display panel manufacturing method
The present invention provides a method of manufacturing a PDP that prevents defects due to dust adhering to a photomask, for example, from occurring in a structure of the PDP. In photolithography, exposure is performed twice in a same process, and photomask (22) is moved within an allowable range of displacement in an exposure pattern, between a first and a second exposures. Photomask (22) is exposed twice in total before and after moving photomask (22). Region (21a), an unexposed region due to interruption of dust (22b) attached to photomask (22), can be suppressed, enabling pattern exposure on photosensitive Ag paste film (21) to be favorably performed. |
| US07955776B2 |
Photopolymer composition suitable for lithographic printing plates
Radiation-sensitive element comprising (a) a substrate and (b) a radiation-sensitive coating comprising (i) at least one component selected from photoinitiators and sensitizer/coinitiator systems which absorbs radiation of a wavelength in the range of 250 to 1,200 nm; (ii) at least one oligomer A of formula (I) wherein X1, X2 and X3 are independently selected from straight-chain or cyclic C4-C12 alkylene and C6-C10 arylene, a heterocyclic group, a heteroaromatic group and combinations of two or more of the above, R1, R2 and R3 are independently selected from (II) and (III) with the proviso that (1) n=0 in at least one of the groups R1, R2 and R3, and (2) n>2 in at least one of the groups R1, R2 and R3, and (3) at least one group R6 is different from H in formula (III). |
| US07955775B2 |
Image-forming method using heat-sensitive transfer system
An image-forming method: by superposing a heat-sensitive transfer sheet on a heat-sensitive transfer image-receiving sheet so that a receptor layer can be contacted with a thermal transfer layer; and providing thermal energy in accordance with image signals; in which the heat-sensitive transfer image-receiving sheet comprises the receptor layer containing one of polyester and/or polycarbonate polymers, vinyl chloride polymers and/or a polymer latex; and in which the heat-sensitive transfer sheet comprises the thermal transfer layer containing a dye represented by formula (1) or (2): wherein, X141 represents an oxygen atom, a sulfur atom, or NR146; X142 represents a hydroxyl group, a mercapto group, or NHR147; R141 to R154 each represent a hydrogen atom or a substituent; A151 represents a group of atoms necessary to form a hetero ring together with the two carbon atoms; and n153 represents an integer of 0 to 4. |
| US07955773B2 |
Toner for developing electrostatic image, developer for developing electrostatic image, toner cartridge, process cartridge, and image forming apparatus
A toner for developing an electrostatic image includes a toner particle to which particles of an external additive A having a number average particle diameter of from 7 nm to 200 nm and particles of an external additive B having a number average particle diameter of from 30 nm to 4000 nm have been externally added. The ratio of the number average particle diameter of the particles of the external additive B to the number average particle diameter of the particles of the external additive A is in a range of from 2 to 20. The particles of one of the external additive A or the external additive B are particles having a core material covered with an organic material containing hydrogen and nitrogen. The particles of the other one of the external additive A or the external additive B are SiO2 particles. |
| US07955763B2 |
Mask blank glass substrate manufacturing method, mask blank manufacturing method, mask manufacturing method, mask blank glass substrate, mask blank, and mask
A method of manufacturing a mask blank glass substrate or mask blank that includes a mark forming step, and a mask blank glass substrate or mask blank that includes a mark. The mark is a pit formed by irradiating laser light onto a mirror-like surface in an area, having no influence on transfer, on a surface of the mask blank glass substrate. The pit is used as a marker for individually identifying or managing the mask blank glass substrate. The marker may be correlated with information including at least one of substrate information about the mask blank glass substrate, thin film information about the mask pattern thin film, and resist film information about the resist film. A mask blank glass substrate with marker correlated to at least one of the resist film information and thin film information may be used to manufacture a new mask blank. |
| US07955762B2 |
Optically semitransmissive film, photomask blank and photomask, and method for designing optically semitransmissive film
The present invention provides an optically semitransmissive film that has a near-zero phase shift, has a desired transmissivity, and is relatively thin; a novel phase-shift mask that uses the optically semitransmissive film; a photomask blank that can [be used to] manufacture the phase-shift mask; and a method for designing the optically semitransmissive film. The film is formed on a translucent substrate and transmits a portion of light having a desired wavelength λ, wherein the film has at least one phase-difference reduction layer that fulfills the following functions. Specifically, the phase-difference reduction layer is a layer that has a refractive index n and a thickness d that satisfy the expression 0 |
| US07955758B2 |
Membrane electrode assembly prepared by direct spray of catalyst to membrane
A technique for fabricating an MEA. The technique includes providing a polymer electrolyte proton conducting membrane, and then spraying a catalyst ink directly on the membrane to form a catalyst layer. In one embodiment, the catalyst ink includes the proper ionomer to carbon ratio, such as 0.8/1, for the desired fuel cell performance. In another embodiment, the catalyst ink includes too little ionomer for the proper ionomer to carbon ratio for the desired fuel cell performance. An ionomer layer is sprayed on the membrane before the catalyst layer to provide the proper final ionomer to carbon ratio. |
| US07955756B2 |
Catalyst for a fuel cell, a method of preparing the same, and a membrane-electrode assembly for a fuel cell and a fuel cell system including the same
The cathode catalyst for a fuel cell of the present invention includes A-S—B, where A is selected from the group consisting of Ru, Rh, and combinations thereof, and B is selected from the group consisting of Se, Te, and combinations thereof. |
| US07955754B2 |
Enhanced stability bipolar plate
An enhanced stability and inexpensive bipolar plate for a fuel cell is disclosed. The enhanced stability bipolar plate includes a bipolar plate substrate and a corrosion-resistant coating provided on the bipolar plate substrate. A method for enhancing corrosion resistance of a bipolar plate is also disclosed. |
| US07955753B2 |
Bipolar unit for fuel cell provided with porous current collectors
A bipolar unit comprising a pair of metal plates, at least one of which is corrugated, fixed by continuous and hydraulically impervious connections, and provided on the external surfaces thereof with porous electric current collectors suitable for the distribution of the gaseous reactants, the collector facing the plate corrugations is interpenetrated therein, thereby achieving a continuous contact and two bipolar units of the invention and one interposed MEA element being assembled to form an elementary fuel cell with an improved electric current distribution and the channels formed between the mutually contacting surfaces of the plate pair by the corrugations of at least one of the plates of each bipolar unit, are crossed by a coolant allowing to optimally adjust the cell operative temperature. |
| US07955751B2 |
Hardware system for high pressure electrochemical cell
An electrochemical cell has an anode cavity and a cathode cavity. The anode cavity and the cathode cavity sandwich an electrochemically conductive medium. The anode cavity and/or the cathode cavity have electrically conductive plates assembled using a solid bonding material. Each plate has nesting volumes and protrusions provided in the perimeter seal area. The protrusions of one plate fit into the volumes of an adjacent plate to eliminate the offset introduced by the bonding material thickness. |
| US07955748B2 |
Cell or stack for evaluating performance of fuel cell and method of evaluating performance of fuel cell using the same
The present invention provides a cell or stack for evaluating the performance of a fuel cell and a method of evaluating the performance of the fuel cell using the cell or stack, in which a semiconductor thermoelectric device, attached to the side surface of the unit cell or stack of the fuel cell, is provided maintain the cell or stack at a uniform temperature. The temperatures of an anode and a cathode of the fuel cell can be precisely changed or maintained such that the performance of the fuel cell can also be measured in sub-zero temperature conditions without requiring a separate environmental chamber. A rate of temperature decrease, at which the temperature decreases to a certain sub-zero temperature, or a rate of temperature increase can be precisely controlled. |
| US07955747B2 |
Electronic device and electronic device operating control method
Described is an electronic device and an electronic device control method. If voltage generated by the fuel cell, acquired from the voltage detection part, is greater than a specified voltage reference value (VRV), a display part displays the fuel cell as normal. However, if the generated voltage is smaller than the VRV, the residual fuel amount (RFA) detection part detects the RFA. If the RFA is smaller than a specified fuel reference value (FRV), the display part displays that the fuel is insufficient. However, if the RFA is greater than the FRV, the oxidizing agent concentration (OAC) detection part detects the OAC of the fuel cell. If the OAC is smaller than a specified OAC reference value, the display part displays that the oxidizing agent is insufficient. However, if the OAC is greater than the OAC reference value, the display part displays that the fuel cell is abnormal. |
| US07955746B2 |
Storage of fuel cell energy during startup and shutdown or other power transitions
During fuel cell startup and shutdown or other power reduction transitions of a fuel cell power plant, the excess electric energy generated by consumption of reactants is extracted by a storage control (200) in response to a controller (185) as current applied to an energy storage system 201 (a battery). In a boost embodiment, an inductor (205) and a diode (209) connect one terminal (156) of the stack (151) of the battery. An electronic switch connects the juncture of the inductor and the diode to both the other terminal (155) of the stack and the battery. The switch is alternately gated on and off by a signal (212) from a controller (185) until sufficient energy is transferred from the stack to the battery. In a buck environment, the switch and the inductor (205) connect one terminal (156) of the stack to the battery. A diode connects the juncture of the switch with the inductor to the other terminal (155) of the fuel cell stack and the battery. |
| US07955740B2 |
Fuel cell stack and hydrogen supply including a positive temperature coefficient ceramic heater
A fuel cell system that employs one or more PTC ceramic heaters that do not need to be self-regulated, and thus will not require various control components, such as temperature sensors. The PTC ceramic heaters include a ceramic material that is designed for a particular temperature depending on the particular application. An electrical current is applied to the ceramic heater that generates heat as long as the temperature of the ceramic heater is below the designed temperature. If the ceramic heater reaches the designed temperature, then the resistance of the ceramic material goes up, and the current through the ceramic material goes down, so that the heater does not provide significant heating. Therefore, it does not need to be regulated. |
| US07955739B2 |
Shutdown methods and designs for fuel cell stacks
Improved water distribution can be obtained within the cells of a fuel cell series stack by maintaining a suitable temperature difference between the cathode and anode sides of each cell in the stack during shutdown. This can be accomplished by thermally insulating the “hot” end and sides of the stack and by providing a thermal mass adjacent to the “hot” end. |
| US07955738B2 |
Polymer ionic electrolytes
Polymeric ionic gels of ionic liquids having melting points below about 100° C. that are formed by the reaction of a heterocyclic amine with about 2.8 and about 3.2 moles of anhydrous hydrogen fluoride per mole of amine nitrogen. Electrochemical devices having non-aqueous electrolytes containing the ionic liquids and polymeric ionic gels are also disclosed. |
| US07955733B2 |
Cathode materials for secondary (rechargeable) lithium batteries
The invention relates to materials for use as electrodes in an alkali-ion secondary (rechargeable) battery, particularly a lithium-ion battery. The invention provides transition-metal compounds having the ordered-olivineor the rhombohedral NASICON structure and the polyanion (PO4)3− as at least one constituent for use as electrode material for alkali-ion rechargeable batteries. |
| US07955730B2 |
Secondary battery
Disclosed is a cylindrical lithium secondary battery capable of improving the stability thereof against the external pressure, The cylindrical lithium secondary battery includes an electrode assembly and a core. The electrode assembly includes a first electrode sheet, a second electrode sheet and a separator interposed between the first and second electrode sheets, which are rolled together about an axis. The electrode assembly defines a space. The core has a tubular shape provided with a gap. The core includes at least one reinforcing structure extending in a direction extending along the axis. The core is inserted into the space of the electrode assembly. A housing receives the electrode assembly and core. |
| US07955729B2 |
Vibration resistant secondary battery module
The present invention provides a secondary battery module which is excellent in vibration resistance. A battery module 20 has assembled battery blocks 11 each constituted by screw-fixing the assembled batteries 2 to the block bases 3, 4 supporting a lower portion thereof and the two block reinforcing plates 5 supporting an upper portion thereof, the six assembled batteries 2 are sandwiched by and fixed firmly to the block bases 3, 4 and the block reinforcing plates 5. The assembled batteries 2 do not move freely even if vibration is added to the battery module 20. Because the elastic sheet 9 is laid between the block bases 3, 4 and the assembled batteries 2, since a space derived due to variance in size accuracy of frames 12 which hold and fix the unit cells 11 and derived due to variance in size accuracy of the block bases 3, 4 can be removed, and vibration resistance can be enhanced. To thermal stress change caused due to combination of different materials, influence thereof can be reduced by laying the elastic sheet 9. |
| US07955728B2 |
Electrical storage device
An electrical storage device has a solid electrolyte layer; and electrode assemblies stacked with the solid electrolyte layer interposed therebetween and each having a current collector on which a plurality of electrode parts are formed. A part of the solid electrolyte layer is located between successive electrode parts in a direction perpendicular to the stacking direction on at least one of successive electrode assemblies in the stacking direction. |
| US07955726B2 |
Battery module of high cooling efficiency
Disclosed herein is a battery module including a plurality of unit cells stacked one on another. The battery module has a cooling system that accomplishes contact type cooling by a coolant flowing through gaps (flow channels) defined between the unit cells, and the flow channels defined between the unit cells are at a predetermined angle to the flowing direction of the coolant at inlet ports of the flow channels. The contact rate of the coolant to the unit cells in the battery module is increased and a large number of turbulent flows are created by the changing the flow channel through which the coolant flows. Consequently, the occurrence of the velocity gradient of the coolant in the flow channel defined between the unit cells is prevented, and therefore, the cooling efficiency of the battery module is improved. |
| US07955724B2 |
Secondary battery having a film including expandable graphite and polyurethane
Disclosed herein is a secondary battery which comprises a film (“safety film”) including expansible graphite that generates inflammable gas at a high temperature and polyurethane that causes an endothermic reaction and generates char at a high temperature. The safety film is a thin member, and therefore, the secondary battery according to the present invention has effects in that the safety film can be easily attached to a region of the secondary battery where the operating components of the secondary battery are not affected. In addition, the graphite component and the polyurethane component included in the safety film provide effective and perfect inflammability by virtue of the inflammable gas and char generated from the graphite component and the polyurethane component, respectively. |
| US07955723B2 |
Magnetic recording medium substrate and perpendicular magnetic recording medium
A perpendicular magnetic recording medium comprising a pair of soft magnetic layers that are laminated via a non-magnetic layer and antiparallel-coupled to each other and that are provided between a non-magnetic substrate and a magnetic recording layer, wherein spike noise and medium noise can be positively suppressed when information recording and reproduction are carried out at high recording surface density. At least one pair of soft magnetic layers are laid and formed via a non-magnetic layer on a substrate of a non-magnetic material so that magnetic characteristics obtained by integrating the pair of soft magnetic layers have a magnetic hysteresis to thereby prevent the formation of a magnetic domain wall. |
| US07955721B2 |
Article having cobalt-phosphorous coating and method for heat treating
A method of processing an article having a substrate and a cobalt-phosphorous coating disposed on the substrate includes heat treating the article. At least one physical characteristic of the cobalt-phosphorous coating is altered using the heat treating to thereby change a performance characteristic of the article. For example, the article may be an actuator component having a bore or a shaft that is movably disposed at least partially within the bore. |
| US07955716B2 |
Metal coordination compound, polymer composition, and organic electroluminescent device employing same
It is an object of the present invention to provide a phosphorescence-emitting material that emits light in a wide visible light range from blue to red and has excellent color purity and reliability, etc. The present invention relates to a metal coordination compound represented by any one of Formulae (1) to (6), B: >NR, >O, >S, >C═O, >SO2, >CR2 (in the formulae, M is Ir, Rh, Ru, Os, Pd, or Pt, and n is 2 or 3; when M is Ir, Rh, Ru, or Os and n is 2, another bidentate ligand further bonds to M; ring A is a cyclic compound containing a nitrogen atom bonded to M. |
| US07955711B2 |
Wood treatment solution and process
The present invention features a single aqueous solution that imparts acceptable levels of water resistance, fire resistance, mold resistance and pest resistance to wood, and which may be used in standard wood treatment techniques commonly utilized in the wood treatment industry. The aqueous solution contains a fire retardant, an insect and termite repellant, a mold inhibitor and a pH buffer. |
| US07955708B2 |
Optimized high temperature thermal barrier
The invention is directed to high purity zirconia-based and/or hafnia-based materials and coatings for high temperature cycling applications. Thermal barrier coatings made from the invention high purity material was found to have significantly improved sintering resistance relative to coatings made from current materials of lower purity. The invention materials are high purity zirconia and/or hafnia partially or fully stabilized by one or any combinations of the following stabilizers: yttria, ytterbia, scandia, lanthanide oxide and actinide oxide. Limits for impurity oxide, oxides other than the intended ingredients, that lead to significantly improved sintering resistance were discovered. High purity coating structures suitable for high temperature cycling applications and for application onto a substrate were provided. In one structure, the coating comprises a ceramic matrix, porosity and micro cracks. In another structure, the coating comprises a ceramic matrix, porosity, macro cracks and micro cracks. In another structure, the coating comprises ceramic columns and gaps between the columns. In another structure, the coating comprises ceramic columns, gaps between the columns and nodules distributing randomly in the gaps and columns. |
| US07955704B2 |
Controlled vapor deposition of biocompatible coatings for medical devices
An intraocular lens with a hydrophilic polymer coating composition and method of preparing same are provided. Specifically, a composition suitable for reducing tackiness in intraocular lenses is provided wherein an acrylic intraocular lens is treated by vapor deposition with an alkoxy silyl terminated polyethylene glycol polymer composition. |
| US07955699B2 |
Composite material
An composite material is disclosed, which includes carbon fibrous structures which are capable of being included in a relatively large amount in the composite material, and which are capable of improving the physical properties, such as electric, mechanical, or thermal properties.The carbon fibrous structure comprises (a) carbon fibrous structures each of which comprises a three dimensional network of carbon fibers, each of the carbon fibers having an outside diameter of 15-100 nm, wherein the carbon fibrous structure further comprises a granular part, at which the carbon fibers are bound in a state that the carbon fibers are extended outwardly therefrom, and wherein the granular part is produced in a growth process of the carbon fibers, and (b) an material other than the carbon fibrous structures, wherein the amount of carbon fibrous structures added is more than 30% and not more than 100% by weight of the total weight of the composite. |
| US07955698B2 |
Fiber-based acoustic treatment material and methods of making the same
A fiber-based acoustic treatment material is provided. The material includes between about 3% and about 25% by weight of fibrillated microfibers, between about 20% and about 75% by weight of reinforcement microfibers, and between about 15% and about 60% by weight of a binder. Methods of making the material are also provided. |
| US07955697B2 |
Adhesive bond and method for the production thereof
The invention relates to an adhesive bond of a substrate material (1), whose surface and surface-near solid area contain polymer compounds with low active surface energy, and another material (4) and a method for the production of a corresponding adhesive bond. The invention more particularly relates to an adhesive metallized fluoropolymer, such as polytetrafluorethylene (PTFE), as a base material for printed circuit boards having a very high structural density (fine and very fine printed circuit boards) used in the GHz range and to a method for adhesive metallization of a corresponding fluoropolymer. According to the invention, the adhesive bond is formed by a nanostructured transition area (6), containing nanocomposites, between the substrate material (1) and the other material (4), inside which the substrate material (4) which is nanostructured changes into the other material (4). The nanocomposites are composed of substrate material (1) and the other material (4). The material parts of the nanocomposites change from the substrate material (1) in the direction of the other material (1), starting with predominantly substrate material which becomes predominantly the other material (4). According to the invention, the adhesive bond is produced by physically and/or chemically exciting a nano-indented surface of the substrate material (1) and by applying the other material (4) in the form of particles during the excited state until the surface of the other substrate material (1) is fully coated with the other material (4). |
| US07955696B2 |
Composites and methods for conductive transparent substrates
The present invention is directed to a conductive article and method of making the same that includes a substrate; a conductive composite including a conductive material in a matrix that includes one or more film forming resins having at least one functional group capable of polymerization; one or more adhesion promoters; and one or more compounds, which are reactive with the film forming resin and which also contain at least one acidic moiety. |
| US07955685B2 |
Cellulose acylate film and method for producing same
Disclosed is a cellulose acylate film produced according to a melt casting process and having an Re unevenness of from 0 to 10%. When built in a liquid-crystal display device, the film significantly solves the problem of display unevenness and humidity-dependent visibility change. |
| US07955680B2 |
Tessellating elements
The tessellating elements are in sets and comprise (a) at least one curve element comprising a semi-circle of diameter x; (b) at least one wave element having a perimeter which is three-sided, including a first side which is straight and of length x, a second side which comprises a concave curve forming a semi-circle of diameter x, and a third side which comprises a convex curve forming a quarter circle of radius x; (c) at least one corner element having a perimeter which is three-sided, including two sides of length x at right angles to one another and a third side which is concave and comprises a quarter circle of radius x; and, optionally, (d) one or more lozenge elements having at least one shaped face with a perimeter comprising two arcuate edges, each said arcuate edge having a radius of curvature x. The elements have a wide range of applications, from building tiles and children's toys, to screen-filling of computer screens or the like. In use, the elements are laid on a surface in a space-filling manner with straight edges abutting straight edges of adjacent elements, and convex curved edges abutting concave curved edges of adjacent elements. |
| US07955673B2 |
PVD cylindrical target
The present invention provides a PVD cylindrical target comprising an evaporation material covering the outer circumferential surface of a cylindrical substrate, the PVD cylindrical target includes a meshing part having at least either of a protruding shape and a recessed shape formed with rounded angular parts at the interface between the substrate and the evaporation material. According to such a structure, peeling or cracking of the evaporation material by a residual stress caused at the interface between the substrate and the evaporation material by a thermal expansion difference between the both can be suppressed, and sufficient adhesiveness between the both can also be ensured. |
| US07955670B2 |
Paperboard containers having improved bulk insulation properties
A method of making a texture-coated and/or insulation coated container from a flat paperboard blank in which a heat-hardenable liquid polymeric binder texturizing and/or insulating agent coating mixture is applied to one surface of the blank in a pattern of covered and open areas. This coating mixture is subjected to heat to cure the polymeric binder and expand the texturizing and/or insulating agent, optionally treated with moisture, and optionally heated to form the blank into the shape of a container, and the container produced by this method. The containers such as cups, plates, etc., are useful in food service. These containers have a coefficient of static friction which is about 0.2 to 2.0 and over and a kinetic coefficient of friction which is about 0.22 to 1.5. |
| US07955659B2 |
Silane functionalized fluoropolymers
A method includes admixing a plurality of fluoropolymer chains, a plurality of basic metal oxide polymers, and a plurality of organic grafts. Each of the plurality of organic grafts includes a phenol end group, a linking group, and at least one silane end group. The phenol end groups of the organic grafts are reacted with the plurality of fluoropolymer chains to form a silane functionalized fluoropolymer. |
| US07955655B2 |
Coating compositions and method of forming coating film
The present invention provides a thermosetting and photocurable coating composition comprising: (A) at least one compound selected from the group consisting of radical-polymerizable unsaturated monomers, resins containing radical-polymerizable unsaturated groups, and resins containing radical-polymerizable unsaturated groups and thermosetting functional groups; (B) a hydroxyl-containing polyester resin produced by esterifying a polybasic acid (a) and a polyhydric alcohol (b), wherein an alicyclic polybasic acid (a1) and/or an alicyclic polyhydric alcohol (b1) are included in a ratio of 20% or more based on the total weight of polybasic acid (a) and polyhydric alcohol (b); (C) a crosslinking agent; and (D) a photopolymerization initiator; and a method of forming a coating film using the coating composition. |
| US07955653B2 |
Inkjet-recording medium and method of producing the same
An inkjet-recording medium comprising a support and an ink-receiving layer formed thereon containing inorganic fine particles, a water-soluble aluminum compound, a zirconium compound, a cationic modified self-emulsifying polymer, a polyvinyl alcohol having a saponification value of 92 to 98 mol %, and a crosslinking agent, and a method of producing the same. |
| US07955651B2 |
Enhanced alumina layer with texture
A refined method to produce textured α-Al2O3 layers in a temperature range of 750-1000° C. with a controlled texture and substantially enhanced wear resistance and toughness than the prior art is disclosed. The α-Al2O3 layer is formed on a bonding layer of (Ti,Al)(C,O,N) with increasing aluminum content towards the outer surface. Nucleation of α-Al2O3 is obtained through a nucleation step composed of short pulses and purges of Ti-containing and oxidizing steps. The α-Al2O3 layer has a thickness ranging from 1 to 20 μm and is composed of columnar grains. The length/width ratio of the alumina grains is from 2 to 15, preferably 6 to 10. The layer is characterized by a strong (110) growth texture, measured using XRD, and by the low intensity of (012), (104), (113), (024) and (116) diffraction peaks. |
| US07955650B2 |
Method for forming dielectric film using porogen gas
A method for reducing a dielectric constant of a cured film, includes: introducing a source gas at a flow rate of A, a porogen gas at a flow rate of B, an oxidizing gas at a flow rate of C, and an inert gas into a reaction space in which a substrate is place; increasing a ratio of B/(A+B) used as a parameter for controlling a dielectric constant of a cured film, by a degree substantially or nearly in proportion to a target decrease of dielectric constant of a cured film; applying RF power to the reaction space, thereby depositing a film on the substrate by plasma CVD; and curing the film to remove the porogen material, thereby forming pores in the cured film. |
| US07955642B2 |
Layered lenses and method of layering lenses
A method for layering lenses includes: plasma treating a lens surface; applying a removable ink layer onto the lens surface; applying a base ink layer over the removable ink layer; applying at least one colored ink layer over the base ink layer; and removing the removable ink layer. Additional steps may include drying the lens, sealing the sides of the lens, and applying liquid to the lens before removing the removable ink layer. |
| US07955639B2 |
System and method for loading a beneficial agent into a medical device
A system for delivery of a beneficial agent in the form of a viscous liquid or paste allows holes in a medical device to be loaded in a single step process. The loading of a beneficial agent in a paste form also provides the ability to deliver large and potentially sensitive molecules including proteins, enzymes, antibodies, antisense, ribozymes, gene/vector constructs, and cells including endothelial cells. |
| US07955638B2 |
Surface for the immobilization of ligands
The present invention relates to binding surfaces for the immobilization of ligands, ligand surfaces and structured surface arrays which present a plurality of identical or different ligands. The invention further relates to a process for the production and the use of such surfaces and to specific binder molecules which can be used for the preparation thereof. |
| US07955636B2 |
Antimicrobial coating
Described herein are coatings containing water-soluble oligodynamic metal salts that are formulated and applied from hydrophobic solvents. In particular, articles of manufacture comprising polymer coatings containing oligodynamic metal salts can include hydrophobic polymer coatings made from water-reactive monomers and hydrophilic polymers compounded in hydrophobic solvents which contain a small amount of water that aids in the solubilization and suspension of the oligodynamic metal salts. Methods of preparing these antimicrobial polymer coatings, and methods of coating a substrate to produce an article of manufacture having an antimicrobial polymer coating are also described. |
| US07955634B2 |
Method and system of preventing rancidity in whole grain corn products
Stabilized whole grain corn products and a method and system of preventing rancidity in whole grain corn products are provided. Whole kernels of corn are fractured into a plurality of pieces and heat treated to inactivate rancidity causing enzymes to produce whole grain corn products of which more than about 40% by weight passes through a size 8 screen. The stabilized whole grain corn products can be milled to produce whole grain grits, meal and flour. |
| US07955633B2 |
Edible oil composition, particularly for use in frying and cooking foods
There is disclosed an edible oil composition, particularly for use in frying and cooking foods, which has a high stability under thermal stress, with less development of degradation products during frying and cooking and less absorption of these degradation products on the surface of the food. The composition consists of a mixture of vegetable oils characterized by a ratio by weight (R) of monounsaturated fatty acids to polyunsaturated fatty acids in the range from 5 to 8, a percentage by weight of saturated fatty acids (S) in the range from 18 to 22%, and a content of antioxidants in the range from 50 to 500 ppm. Advantageously, these antioxidants are produced by molecular distillation from natural lipid starting materials. |
| US07955631B2 |
Process for washing and sterilizing food products, particularly vegetables, and relevant apparatus
The present invention relates to a process for washing and sterilizing food products, particularly vegetables. The process comprises the following steps: (a) treatment of the food products by ultrasounds, ultraviolet rays and micro filtering; (b) treatment of the food products under ozone atmosphere, ultraviolet rays and micro filtering; (c) treatment of the food products by ultraviolet rays; and (d) dewatering and drying the food products under controlled atmosphere. The present invention further relates to an apparatus for carrying out the above process. |
| US07955630B2 |
Thermally stable, high tensile strength encapsulated actives
In some embodiments there is a composition including a thermally stabilized active composition and a high molecular weight polymer. The thermally stabilized active composition is resistance to degradation at higher temperatures such as those used for conducting extrusion with high molecular weight polyvinyl aceate. |
| US07955629B2 |
Method of feeding milk replacer with carnitine
A method of the present invention includes feeding a calf a milk replacer at an enhanced rate with L-carnitine. The method of the present invention enhances weight gain, starter intake and reduces weaning time. |
| US07955622B2 |
Controlled-release galantamine formulations
Controlled-release galantamine formulations, including controlled-release particles, pellets, granules, and spheres are described. Controlled-release particles, pellets, granules, and spheres with immediate release top-coat are also described. Method of preparing such formulations and method of treating a variety of disorders are also disclosed. |
| US07955621B2 |
Pharmaceutical formulation comprising levothyroxine sodium
There is provided a stable pharmaceutical formulation comprising (a) an effective amount of levothyroxine sodium, (b) microcrystalline cellulose which has a mean particle size of less than 125 μm and is present in an amount of 60 to 85% w/w based upon the total weight of the formulation, and (c) pregelatinised starch present in an amount of 5 to 30% w/w based upon total weight of the formulation. There is also provided a process for the preparation of such a formulation. |
| US07955620B2 |
Stable oral composition
The present invention provides a stable oral composition comprising a therapeutically effective amount of desloratadine and a stabilizer selected from the group comprising an antioxidant, a pharmaceutically acceptable organic compound that provides an alkaline pH, an alkali metal salt, or mixtures thereof, and pharmaceutically acceptable excipients. |
| US07955619B2 |
Abuse resistant drugs, method of use and method of making
An abuse resistant oral pharmaceutical composition, comprising: a barrier layer, comprising a first polymer; a diffusion layer, comprising a second polymer, substantially covering the barrier layer, wherein the diffusion layer is bonded to the barrier layer and comprises a drug that is substantially homogeneously distributed within the second polymer and diffuses from the diffusion layer within the gastrointestinal (GI) tract; and optionally an expansion layer comprising an expandable polymer, wherein the expansion layer is substantially covered by the barrier layer. Methods of making the same and methods of using the same are also provided. |
| US07955616B2 |
Absorbable implants and methods for their use in hemostasis and in the treatment of osseous defects
The present application is directed to compositions and methods for mechanically controlling the bleeding of bone. The compositions comprise in intimate admixture the following Components 1, 2 and 3: (1) a finely powdered, carboxylic acid salt comprising a carboxylate anion and a metallic cation, (2) a composition comprising pyrrolidone or an N-alkyl pyrrolidone wherein alkyl is a C1-C12 alkyl radical and an optional, biocompatible liquefying agent if the composition is in solid form at room temperature, and (3) an optional analgesic, wherein the analgesic is present in a free base and salt form. |
| US07955615B2 |
Polycationic peptide coatings and methods of coating implantable medical devices
Coatings for medical devices which include polycationic peptides such as L-arginine and methods for fabricating the coatings are disclosed. |
| US07955613B2 |
Bioartificial implant and its use and method of reducing the risk for formation of connective tissue after implantation
A bioartificial implant comprises a semipermeable barrier designed from one side to allow diffusion or prevent diffusion of predetermined substances/materials/molecules/cells/cell lines produced in the human body to the other opposite side of the barrier, and from said other opposite side to allow diffusion or prevent diffusion of predetermined substances which are the same as or different from the first mentioned substances/materials/molecules/cells/cell lines. The semipermeable barrier has a surface coating at least on said one side a bioactive metal, such as titanium, which surface coating is permeable to allow said diffusions. In a method for reducing the risk of formation/growth of connective tissue in connection with an implant which comprises a semipermeable barrier, the barrier is provided at least on one side with a permeable coating of bioactive metal. An example of the use of the implant is bioartificial pancreas. |
| US07955610B2 |
Antimicrobial composition for topical application and a method thereof
The present invention provides an antimicrobial composition for topical application, preferably for treating acne, and a method for using the composition. The composition comprises a photocatalyst mixture comprising a photocatalyst, such as titanium dioxide, and sodium perborate, magnesium silicate, and citric acid. The photocatalyst mixture is in an amount effective as an antimicrobial under visible light. The method comprises applying the composition to a target area of the skin and exposing the area to visible light. |
| US07955609B2 |
Active agent combinations
The invention relates to novel active compound combinations of extracts from seeds of the neem tree and the active compounds of groups (B) to (F) listed in the disclosure that have very good insecticidal and acaricidal properties. |
| US07955608B2 |
Silicone copolymer and cosmetics comprising the same
An aqueous composition used for cosmetics, characterized in that the composition comprises 0.5 to 50 wt %, based on weight of the composition, of a copolymer having main chains comprising the repeating units represented by the following formula (1), the repeating units represented by the following formula (2), and the repeating units represented by the following formula (3), said main chains being crosslinked by a compound or oligomer having 2 to 6 (meth)acryl groups wherein R1 is a hydrogen atom or a hydrocarbon group having 1 to 3 carbon atoms, R2 is a hydrocarbon group having 1 to 24 carbon atoms, R3 is a divalent hydrocarbon group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, R4 is an aliphatic hydrocarbon group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms or a phenyl group, X is a hydrogen atom, an alkaline metal ion, ammonium ion, or an organic ammonium ion, m is an integer of from 0 to 500 on average, and n is an integer of from 1 to 3. |
| US07955605B2 |
Multivalent pneumococcal polysaccharide-protein conjugate composition
An immunogenic composition having 13 distinct polysaccharide-protein conjugates and optionally, an aluminum-based adjuvant, is described. Each conjugate contains a capsular polysaccharide prepared from a different serotype of Streptococcus pneumoniae (1, 3, 4, 5, 6A, 6B, 7F, 9V, 14, 18C, 19A, 19F and 23F) conjugated to a carrier protein. The immunogenic composition, formulated as a vaccine, increases coverage against pneumococcal disease in infants and young children globally, and provides coverage for serotypes 6A and 19A that is not dependent on the limitations of serogroup cross-protection. Methods for making an immunogenic conjugate comprising Streptococcus pneumoniae serotype 19A polysaccharide are also provided in which the serotype 19A polysaccharide is co-lyophilized with a carrier protein and conjugation is carried out in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) via a reductive amination mechanism. |
| US07955602B2 |
Annexin proteins and autoantibodies as serum markers for cancer
The present invention relates to screening methods for diagnosis, prognosis, or susceptibility to cancer in a subject by means of detecting the presence of serum autoantibodies to specific annexin protein antigens in sera from subjects. The present invention also provides screening methods for diagnosis and prognosis of cancer in a subject by means of detecting increased expression levels of annexin proteins in biological samples of the subject. The method of the invention can also be used to identify subjects at risk for developing cancer. The method of the invention involves the use of subject derived biological samples to determine the occurrence and level of expression of annexin proteins or expression of annexin derived peptides or antigens, and/or the occurrence and level of circulating autoantibodies to specific annexin protein antigens. The present invention further provides for kits for carrying out the above described screening methods. Such kits can be used to screen subjects for increased levels of annexin proteins, or for the detection of autoantibodies to annexin proteins, as a diagnostic, predictive or prognostic indicator of cancer. |
| US07955600B2 |
Attenuated salmonella SP12 mutants as antigen carriers
The present invention relates to vaccines, in particular, to an attenuated gram-negative cell comprising the SPI2 gene locus, wherein at least one gene of the SPI2 locus is inactivated, wherein said inactivation results in an attenuation/reduction of virulence compared to the wild type of said cell, and to a carrier for the presentation of an antigen to a host, which carrier is said attenuated gram-negative cell, wherein said cell comprises at least one heterologous nucleic acid molecule comprising a nucleic acid sequence coding for said antigen, wherein said cell is capable of expressing said nucleic acid molecule or capable of causing the expression of said nucleic acid molecule in a target cell. |
| US07955597B2 |
Anti-IL-6 antibodies, compositions, methods and uses
The present invention relates to at least one novel chimeric, humanized or CDR-grafted anti-IL-6 antibodies derived from the murine CLB-8 antibody, including isolated nucleic acids that encode at least one such anti-IL-6 antibody, vectors, host cells, transgenic animals or plants, and methods of making and using thereof, including therapeutic compositions, methods and devices. |
| US07955596B2 |
B. anthracis prevention and treatment: mutant B. anthracis lacking luxs activity and furanone inhibition of growth, AI-2 quorum sensing, and toxin production
The present invention pertains to the discovery that B. anthracis possesses a luxS gene that encodes a functional LuxS polypeptide, and that B. anthracis synthesizes a functional AI-2 quorum-sensing molecule. The invention provides mutant B. anthracis bacteria lacking the function of the luxS gene, which do not produce a functional AI-2 molecule and have growth defects compared to wild-type B. anthracis. The invention also concerns methods for inhibiting the growth of B. anthracis, or for preventing or treating B. anthracis infection, by inhibiting the activity of the B. anthracis LuxS polypeptide, or by exposure of the B. anthracis to furanone. In particular, the invention concerns the use of furanone, a compound that inhibits AI-2-mediated quorum-sensing, to inhibit the growth of B. anthracis, to inhibit B. anthracis toxin production, particularly that of protective antigen, and to prevent or treat B. anthracis infection. The invention also provides methods to prevent B. anthracis infection, or enhance an immune response to B. anthracis infection, by administering a vaccine comprising a B. anthracis cell in which the luxS gene is mutated. |
| US07955591B1 |
Oral fluid absorbing compositions and system for application thereof in a method of dental arch treatment and teeth recalcification
Disclosed is a method of promoting oral hygiene and teeth re-calcification involving increasing crevicular fluid flow in a subject in the presence of hydroxide containing material such that OH− ions are formed and caused to contact the teeth. The method further involves causing calcium Ca++ ion containing material to simultaneously, or subsequently, contact the teeth. |
| US07955588B2 |
Metal sulfide catalysts and methods of making same
Methods and apparatus relate to catalysts and preparation of the catalysts, which are defined by sulfides of a transition metal, such as one of molybdenum, tungsten, and vanadium. Precursors for the catalysts include a metal ion source compound, such as molybdenum trioxide, and a sulfide ion source compound, such as thioacetamide. Once the precursors are dissolved if solid and combined in a mixture, homogenous precipitation from the mixture forms the catalysts. Exemplary uses of the catalysts include packing for a methanation reactor that converts carbon monoxide and hydrogen into methane. |
| US07955585B2 |
Complexes of carbon nanotubes and fullerenes with molecular-clips and use thereof
Separation of carbon nanotubes or fullerenes according to diameter through non-covalent pi-pi interaction with molecular clips is provided. Molecular clips are prepared by Diels-Alder reaction of polyacenes with a variety of dienophiles. The pi-pi complexes of carbon nanotubes with molecular clips are also used for selective placement of carbon nanotubes and fullerenes on substrates. |
| US07955582B2 |
Method for producing crystallized silicon as well as crystallized silicon
A method for producing crystallized silicon according to the EFG process by using a shaping part, between which part and a silicon melt, crystallized silicon grows in a growth zone. Inert gas and at least water vapor are fed into the silicon melt and/or growth zone, by means of which the oxygen content of the crystallized silicon is increased. From 50 to 250 ppm of vapor water is added to the inert gas, and the inert gas has an oxygen, CO and/or CO2 content of less than 20 ppm total. |
| US07955581B2 |
Method of producing silicon oxide, negative electrode active material for lithium ion secondary battery and lithium ion secondary battery using the same
A method for producing a silicon oxide including the steps of supplying silicon atoms onto a substrate through an oxygen atmosphere to form a silicon oxide layer on the substrate, and separating the silicon oxide layer from the substrate and pulverizing the separated silicon oxide layer to obtain silicon oxide containing silicon and oxygen in predetermined proportions, and a negative electrode active material obtained by the production method. |
| US07955576B2 |
Process for the removal of heavy metals from gases
A composition, containing vanadium and a support, wherein at least a portion of the vanadium has crystallite sizes of less than about 100 Å as determined by an analytical method such as X-Ray Diffraction, is disclosed. A method of preparing such composition is also disclosed. The composition is employed in a process to remove a heavy metal from a gaseous feed stream which can optionally include a separate mercury adsorption stage. |
| US07955568B2 |
Chemical reaction-based thermal management system and method
The disclosure provides for a chemical reaction-based thermal management system and method. The system comprises a heat source for heating a first flow element, a heat exchanger for transferring heat from the first flow element to a reaction mixture flow, and a heat sink comprising one or more endothermic chemical reactions to absorb heat from the heat exchanger. The system further comprises a reactor element for approaching chemical equilibrium of the reaction mixture flow, a product removal element for removing one or more products from the one or more endothermic chemical reactions, and a plurality of driver elements for moving the first flow element and for moving the reaction mixture flow. |
| US07955566B2 |
Fluid bed granulator
In order to produce granules granulometrically polidispersed in a very little range, a fluid bed granulation process of the type comprising the steps of preparing a fluid bed of seeds (S1) of the substance to be granulated, having a free surface (P) substantially horizontal; and feeding a continuous flow (L) of a fluid comprising a growth liquid, provides in the fluid bed for a continuous vortex (V) with a substantially horizontal axis, in which an upper zone (Z1) of seeds wetting and evaporation of possible solvent contained in the flow (L) and a lower zone (Z2) of solidification/consolidation of the growth liquid are identified. |
| US07955565B2 |
Gas-phase fluidized-bed reactor, multivessel polymerization reactor and process for producing olefin polymer
The gas-phase fluidized-bed reactor conducting reaction by feeding a gas, through a gas-distribution plate located at the lower part of a reaction vessel, into a fluidized bed formed on the gas-distribution plate, wherein the reaction vessel is made up so as to have a narrowed part at a specified position of the gas flow passage above the gas-distribution plate, and the fluidized bed is formed in the area from below the narrowed part to above the narrowed part. The gas-phase fluidized bed rector of the present invention allows manufacturing polymers having excellent homogeneity of polymer structure in gas-phase polymerization. |
| US07955564B2 |
Micro reactor
The present invention discloses the substrate and the micro reactor for mixing two kinds of fluids. The micro reactor of the present invention comprises a housing having first and second inlet ports and an outlet port formed thereon; and a plurality of substrates stacked in the housing, wherein the substrate has a space formed at a central portion thereof in one direction; a plurality of first channels extended from one side thereof to the space and corresponding to the first inlet port; and a plurality of second channels extended from the other side thereof to the space and corresponding to the second inlet port; wherein a portion between two neighboring first channels corresponds to the second channel and a portion between two neighboring second channels corresponds to the first channel to form sequentially reaction interfaces of the first and second fluids in the space. |
| US07955563B2 |
Methods for applying reactive films containing solids to microporous membranes and membranes produced therefrom
A method for applying reactive films containing solids to microporous membranes is provided wherein the membrane is firstly moistened and the reactive film containing solids is applied to the membrane while it is still moist. Membranes produced in this manner can contain reactive films having a high proportion of film openers and can be used advantageously in diagnostic elements for detecting constituents and, in particular, large hydrophobic analytes in body fluid. |
| US07955561B2 |
Colloidal particles used in sensing array
Chemical sensors for detecting analytes in fluids comprising a plurality of alternating nonconductive regions (comprising a nonconductive material) and conductive regions (comprising a conductive material). In preferred embodiments, the conducting region comprises a nanoparticle. Variability in chemical sensitivity from sensor to sensor is provided by qualitatively or quantitatively varying the composition of the conductive and/or nonconductive regions. An electronic nose for detecting an analyte in a fluid may be constructed by using such arrays in conjunction with an electrical measuring device electrically connected to the conductive elements of each sensor. |
| US07955560B2 |
Apparatus for determining the concentration of chemical components in a liquid or gaseous system using multiple sensors
The present invention provides a sensor system for determining a concentration of a chemical component in a fluid having a first sensor that senses a first physico-chemical property of the chemical component and, a second sensor that senses a second, different physico-chemical property of the chemical component and a processing system. |
| US07955554B2 |
Analytical tool
The present invention relates to an analytical tool (1) comprising a substrate (10), a capillary (13) which is formed on the substrate (10) and into which a sample liquid is to be loaded by movement of the sample liquid in the capillary. The substrate (10) is provided with a liquid movement preventer for preventing the sample liquid loaded into the capillary (13) from moving further. Preferably, the liquid movement preventer includes a stepped portion (18B) projecting from the substrate or a recess provided at the substrate. |
| US07955549B2 |
Method of manufacturing multilayer nonwoven fabric
A method of manufacturing a multilayer nonwoven fabric includes a supporting step of arranging on a predetermined surface of a permeable supporting member a multilayer fiber aggregate, a moving step of moving the multilayer fiber aggregate supported on the permeable supporting member in a prescribed direction by a predetermined moving device, and a spraying step of spraying a fluid onto the multilayer fiber aggregate moved in the prescribed direction in the moving step from the second surface by a predetermined spraying device. |
| US07955545B2 |
Nano-imprinting process
A nano-imprinting process is described, comprising: providing a substrate including an imprinting material layer covering a surface of the substrate; providing a mold including protruding features set on a surface of the mold covered with an anti-adhesion layer; forming a transferring material layer on a top surface of each protruding feature; embedding the transferring material layer into a first portion of the imprinting material layer; removing the mold and separating the mold and the transferring material layer simultaneously to transfer the transferring material layer into the first portion of the imprinting material layer and to expose a second portion of the imprinting material layer; using the transferring material layer as a mask to remove the second portion of the imprinting material layer and a portion of the substrate; and removing the first portion of the imprinting material layer and the transferring material layer. |
| US07955537B2 |
Method for constructing patterns in a layered manner
A process to produce models in layers is described, whereby a first material and then selectively a second material is applied in layers on a building platform and these two application stages are repeated until a desired pattern is achieved. The two materials form a solid if a suitable mixture ratio is used and the first material is a material mixture. The material mixture is at least partially prepared prior to each application stage. |
| US07955535B2 |
Method for fabricating macroscale films comprising multiple-walled nanotubes
A technique is provided for the fabrication of multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWNT) and carbon nanofiber (CNF) film materials. The method includes mixing a relatively small amount of single-walled nanotubes (SWNTs) with larger amounts of MWNTs and CNFs, which enables one to produce highly flexible SWNT materials—advantageously without the need for bonding agents and at significantly lower costs compared to flexible SWNT materials. The method exploits SWNTs tendency to entangle together to form flexible films, using a small amount of SWNTs to wrap around and entangle the larger diameter MWNTs and CNFs together to form flexible films with highly beneficial mechanical, electrical, and thermal properties at a fraction of the cost of SWNT materials. |
| US07955528B2 |
Conductive inks and manufacturing method thereof
The present invention relates to a variety of conductive ink compositions comprising a metal complex compound having a special structure and an additive and a method for preparing the same, more particularly to conductive ink compositions comprising a metal complex compound obtained by reacting a metal or metal compound with an ammonium carbamate- or ammonium carbonate-based compound and an additive and a method for preparing the same. |
| US07955527B2 |
Biasable transfer composition and member
The invention provides a conductivity control agent comprised of a polymeric material containing diphosphonium bis(sulfoarylcarbonyloxy) glycol salts as conductivity control agent. The conductivity control agents can be used with semi-conductive rolls, belts and other biasable members. The inclusion of the conductivity control agent in the polymeric or polyurethane elastomers extends the electrical life of the polymeric biasable member in low humidity environments. Additionally, the resistivity of the elastomeric polymer on the biasable member is controlled to a desirable value by adjusting the conductivity control agent level in the elastomers. |
| US07955524B2 |
Phosphor, its preparation method and light emitting devices using the same
A phosphor can be excited by UV, purple or blue light LED, its preparation method, and light emitting devices incorporating the same. The phosphor contains rare earth, silicon, alkaline-earth metal, halogen, and oxygen, as well as aluminum or gallium. Its General formula of is aLn2O3.MO.bM′2O3.fSiO2.cAXe:dR, wherein Ln is at least one metal element selected from a group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Pr, Nd, Gd, Ho, Yb and Sm; M is at least one metal element selected from a group consisting of Ca, Sr and Ba; M′ is at least one metal element selected from Al and Ga; A is at least one metal element selected from a group consisting of Li, Na, K, Mg, Ca, Sr and Ba; X is at least one element selected from F and Cl; R is at least one metal element selected from a group consisting of Ce, Eu, Tb and Mn; 0.01≦a≦2, 0.35≦b≦4, 0.01≦c≦1, 0.01≦d≦0.3, 0.01≦f≦3, 0.6≦e≦2.4. The phosphor has broad emitting range, high efficiency, better uniformity and stability. A light emitting device is obtained by incorporating the phosphor into a UV, purple or blue light emitting device. |
| US07955522B2 |
Synergistic acid blend extraction aid and method for its use
An extraction aid has been found which provides for enhanced contaminate removal, such as metals and amines, from crude oils that uses components that are desirable in desalting processes as the components are water soluble, have low toxicity, are highly biodegradeable and exhibit high thermal stability. According to one embodiment of the invention, an extraction aid that provides enhanced extraction properties is comprised of a blend of acids, particularly water soluble acids. More specifically, a combination of two acids chosen from the group consisting of acetic acid, sulfuric acid, glycolic acid, citric acid and methanesulfonic acid. |
| US07955518B2 |
Method for hydrophobing textile materials
The process for finishing textile materials by treatment with at least one aqueous liquor which comprises at least one organic polymer and at least one organic or inorganic solid in particulate form, wherein the organic or inorganic solid or solids are present in the liquor in a fraction of at least 5.5 g/l. |
| US07955517B2 |
Polishing fluid composition
To provide a polishing composition capable of increasing polishing rate and reducing surface roughness, without causing surface defects on a surface of an object to be polished; and a polishing process for a substrate to be polished. [1] a polishing composition comprising water, an abrasive, an intermediate alumina, and a polycarboxylic acid having 4 or more carbon atoms with no OH groups or a salt thereof, wherein a content of the intermediate alumina is from 1 to 90 parts by weight, based on 100 parts by weight of the abrasive; and [2] a polishing process for a substrate to be polished, comprising polishing a substrate to be polished under conditions that a composition of a polishing liquid during polishing is the composition as defined in item [1] above. |
| US07955514B2 |
Plasma processing apparatus and plasma processing method
A plasma processing apparatus having a processing chamber and a sample base, and processing a sample by using plasma generated inside the processing chamber, the processing chamber being located inside a vacuum container, the sample base being located inside the processing chamber, the sample being mounted on the sample base, the plasma processing apparatus including a component member configuring inner-side wall surface of the processing chamber, and having a dielectric portion on the inner-side wall surface, an exhaustion unit for exhausting the inside of the processing chamber, and an electric-field supply unit for supplying an electric field to the component member in a state where the plasma will not be generated inside the processing chamber, wherein magnitude of the electric field supplied from the electric-field supply unit is changed rapidly while exhausting the inside of the processing chamber by the exhaustion unit. |
| US07955512B2 |
Medical devices having textured surfaces
Disclosed are medical devices having textured surfaces and related methods for texturing. Methods of surface texturing using gas-phase plasma provide medical devices with myriad complex surface morphologies. |
| US07955510B2 |
Oxide etch with NH4-NF3 chemistry
The present invention generally provides apparatus and methods for selectively removing various oxides on a semiconductor substrate. One embodiment of the invention provides a method for selectively removing an oxide on a substrate at a desired removal rate using an etching gas mixture. The etching gas mixture comprises a first gas and a second gas, and a ratio of the first gas and a second gas is determined by the desired removal rate. |
| US07955506B2 |
Process for dewatering an aqueous organic solution
An energy-efficient process for dewatering an aqueous organic solution includes using freely available solar energy to concentrate a draw solution within a reservoir. The draw solution is used in conjunction with a membrane to remove water from the organic solution in a forward osmosis process. The draw solution is diluted by the osmosis process, and returned to the reservoir to be re-concentrated and reused in the osmosis process. |
| US07955505B2 |
Method for removing pollutants from produced water
A method which improves the quality of effluent from the process of the industrial production of petroleum, usually referred to as produced water. This method makes it possible to reduce the concentration of pollutants in produced water requiring treatment by removing these pollutants through the use of cultures of microalgae that have passed through a process of natural selection and are naturally adapted to the hostile environment offered by produced water. |
| US07955501B2 |
Floating filter holder
A system and method are disclosed for filtering liquid using a filter platform that is not rigidly affixed to a container containing the liquid to be filtered. The platform may be buoyant so that as liquid flows from one side of the platform, through a filter, and then to the other side of the platform, the platform may move, thus reducing the volume of a container or portion of a container that holds the unfiltered liquid. Alternatively, the platform may be heavier than the liquid to be filtered, may be either set in place on a support structure or else set on top of unfiltered liquid and allowed to sink downward as liquid is filtered. The system may further comprise a flexible membrane that allows two sections of liquid to be separated, even while the platform is moveable. |
| US07955499B2 |
Systems, methods, and catalysts for producing a crude product
Contact of a crude feed with one or more catalysts produces a total product that includes a crude product. The crude product is a liquid mixture at 25° C. and 0.101 MPa. The one or more catalysts may include a catalyst that has a median pore diameter of at least 90 Å. One or more properties of the crude product may be changed by at least 10% relative to the respective properties of the crude feed. |
| US07955497B2 |
Process for recovering ultrafine solids from a hydrocarbon liquid
A method for separating and recovering ultrafine particulate solid material from a suspension or slurry of the solid material and a hydrocarbon liquid by precipitation or flocculation of a heavy fraction of the hydrocarbon liquid with an effective amount of a precipitation or flocculation agent such that the precipitated heavy fraction encapsulates the particulate solid material. The method further comprises coking the precipitated heavy fraction and grinding the coked product to an ultrafine size. |
| US07955496B2 |
Systems and methods for upgrading hydrocarbons
Systems and methods for upgrading hydrocarbons are provided. A portion of a hydrocarbon can be vaporized in the presence of gasified hydrocarbons, combustion gas, and solids to provide a vaporized gas. A portion of the hydrocarbon can be cracked in the presence of the gasified hydrocarbons, the combustion gas, and the solids to provide a cracked gas. A portion of the hydrocarbon can be deposited onto the solids to provide hydrocarbon containing solids. At least a portion of the hydrocarbon containing solids can be selectively separated to provide separated hydrocarbon containing solids and a hot gas product. The hot gas product can be at a temperature of from about 400° C. to about 1,650° C. A portion of the hydrocarbon containing solids can be combusted in the presence of an oxidant to provide the combustion gas. A portion of the hydrocarbon containing solids can be gasified to provide the gasified hydrocarbon. |
| US07955494B2 |
Gas sensor control apparatus
The gas sensor control apparatus is for controlling a gas sensor including a sensor element having a solid electrolyte layer, and first and second electrodes located on opposite sides of the solid electrolyte layer, the first electrode serving as a gas detecting electrode, the second electrode serving as a reference electrode, the sensor element generating, as a sensor output, a current flowing between the first and second electrodes having a value depending on concentration of a specific gas component contained in a gas under measurement. The gas sensor control apparatus includes a determination function of determining whether or not it is time for the gas sensor to start operation, and a control function of forcibly supplying oxygen from a side of the second electrode to a side of the first electrode on a temporary basis when a determination result of the first function becomes affirmative. |
| US07955489B2 |
Methods for the electrolytic production of erythrose or erythritol
Methods for the production of erythrose and/or erythritol are provided herein. Preferably, the methods include the step of electrolytic decarboxylation of a ribonic acid or arabinonic acid reactant to produce erythrose. Optionally, the reactant can be obtained from a suitable hexose sugar, such as allose, altrose, glucose, fructose or mannose. The erythrose product can be hydrogenated to produce erythritol. |
| US07955486B2 |
Electrochemical deposition platform for nanostructure fabrication
Probe-based methods are provided for formation of one or more nano-sized or micro-sized elongated structures such as wires or tubes. The structures extend at least partially upwards from the surface of a substrate, and may extend fully upward from the substrate surface. The structures are formed via a localized electrodeposition technique. The electrodeposition technique of the invention can also be used to make modified scanning probe microscopy probes having an elongated nanostructure at the tip or conductive nanoprobes. Apparatus suitable for use with the electrodeposition technique are also provided. |
| US07955485B2 |
Planar laminate substrate and method for fabricating organic laminate substrate PCBS, semiconductors, semiconductor wafers and semiconductor devices having miniaturized electrical pathways
The present invention is a method of manufacturing miniaturized organic laminate substrate PCB, semiconductors, semiconductor wafers and semiconductor devices that have a 50% reduction in physical dimensions with respect to prior art existing organic laminate substrate PCB, semiconductors, semiconductor wafers and semiconductor devices. The base planar substrate has a vapor deposited 0.02 mil thick copper cladding thereon its first planar surface that has been affixed atop a hydrophillic layer, and an adhesive layer on its second planar surface. The copper cladding has sufficient peel strength and a low enough etch factor so as to allow 10 micron (or smaller) electrical trace pathways to be formed thereon when the steps of a specifically designed manufacturing methodology are followed. |
| US07955483B2 |
Carbon nanotube-based glucose sensor
The present invention provides a sensor, such as a biosensor, comprising at least one self-assembled monolayer (SAM) comprising analyte-sensitive groups, such as glucose-sensitive groups, attached to the surface of the outer wall of a carbon nanotube (CNT), such as a single-walled carbon nanotube (SWNT), by terminal groups, which bind to a thin layer of a metal or metal oxide, which has been deposited on the surface of the outer wall of the nanotube. |
| US07955480B2 |
Sputtering apparatus and film deposition method
The present invention provides a sputtering apparatus and a film deposition method capable of forming a magnetic film with reduced variations in the direction of magnetic anisotropy. The sputtering apparatus of the present invention is provided with a rotatable cathode (802), a rotatable stage (801) and a rotatable shielding plate (805). The sputtering apparatus controls the rotation of at least one of the cathode (802), stage (801) and shielding plate (805) so that sputtered particles impinging at an angle formed with respect to a normal line of the substrate (804) of 0° or more and 50° or less out of sputtered particles generated from the target (803a) during sputtering are made to impinge on the substrate (804). |
| US07955477B2 |
Systems and methods for solar distillation
The present invention is directed to distillation systems and methods. The still may have an impermeable nonporous membrane that may be extruded, molded, vacuum formed or sprayed-on. The membrane may be installed in a lightweight basin as a liner. The distillation system may also include a unique sealing system that may include a gasket with a cross-section shaped like the lowercase letter “e” and may include a trim piece that hold a basin casing and casing cover together. The distillation system may be designed in such a manner so as to make shipping and assembly easy and cost effective. For example, the distillation system may be constructed as a kit that all needed components and all the components are placed inside of a standard dimension box for shipping. In various embodiments, the distillation system may be a solar distillation system. |
| US07955470B2 |
Method of decorating laminated glass
A method of decorating laminated glass is disclosed. A pigment package composition comprising a cross-linkable thermoset resin, a crosslinker capable of crosslinking the thermoset resin, and a pigment is applied to a glass substrate. The crosslinker and thermoset resin are cured at a relatively low temperature (ca. 400° F.). The use of an organic based pigment composition allows use of thinner glass sheets than with traditional ceramic enamel pigment compositions. |
| US07955466B2 |
Method of and apparatus for manufacturing polarization plate
When a polarization plate is manufactured by laminating and laminating at least two types of retarder films onto a polarizer film by a laminating apparatus, with the two films of at least the two types of retarder films and at least the polarizer films being laminated such that the difference in the angle between the feeding directions of the two films is within the range of 40° to 80°. With this arrangement, a good handling property can be obtained, improvement in yield ratio can be expected, and the installation area of the laminating apparatus can be reduced due to a reduction in size of the laminating apparatus. |
| US07955462B2 |
Method for accommodating the use of chemicals that contain low amounts of VOC in an existing device where chemicals that contained high levels of VOC had previously been used and resultant product
This method to allow the use of low VOC (volatile organic compounds) solvents in blanket cleaning operations and the resultant product that is produced by this method involves the retrofitting of currently existing seals on printing press so that operators can use low VOC solvents in place of high VOC solvents. High VOC solvents are harmful to the atmosphere and humans alike. As VOC are lighter than the surrounding air, humans are subjected to inhalation of these harmful vapors which cause respiratory and other health ailments. The VOC continue to rise, mixing with nitrogen oxides, until they reach the troposphere forming thick layers of ozone or smog. The current movement of municipalities to limit the use of high VOC solvents have lead printers and others to use low VOC solvents which are inherently less evaporative than high VOC solvents. This lack of evaporation causes problems with having to handle greater volumes of waste to handle and dispose properly. Catch pans and basins designed to work in high VOC applications are insufficiently engineered to handle this increased waste and seals that are sized to fit the catch pans and basins are designed to be permeable to allow for the evaporation of the VOC. This method creates an impermeable seal with similar sizing to retrofit the existing seal allowing the user to simply change the seal versus changing the entire catch pan. |
| US07955457B2 |
Elastic laminates and methods of manufacturing same
A method for forming an elastic laminate comprising: bonding a first nonwoven to an elastic film to form a laminate; activating the laminate to form an activated laminate; and bonding a consolidated nonwoven to the elastic film of the activated laminate to form the elastic laminate. |
| US07955456B2 |
Method for printing a blister film web in a packaging machine
A method is disclosed for printing a blister film web in a packaging machine, in which molded blister shells are closed with blister film. In the method, a blister film web is supplied to a sealing apparatus via a first transport system, and molded blister shells are supplied to the sealing apparatus via a second transport system. The position of one of the molded blister shells is detected, and at least one detection signal is generated in one or more time intervals between the action time intervals of the sealing apparatus for closing the molded blister shells. A trigger signal for a printing device is generated in dependence on a detection, and optical information is applied to the blister film web by the printing device at a position along the blister film web which is arranged upstream of the sealing apparatus. |
| US07955453B1 |
Gradient thermosetting plastic-bonded explosive composition, and method thereof
A process for manufacturing gradient structures uses multiple jet-spraying mechanisms to form layers of distinct precursors into a gradient composition. |
| US07955452B1 |
Process for crystalline explosives containing halogenated wax binders
A process for manufacture of explosive formulations containing a halogenated wax binder, involving dilution of the halogenated wax in a non-aqueous lacquer, slurring the explosive in an aqueous solution and applying heat and vacuum to yield a granular explosive which provides complete coating to avoid hot spots and is quickly pressable at lower temperature and pressure. |
| US07955447B2 |
Glassy metal composite material
A glassy metal composite material includes: a Mg-based amorphous metal matrix; and a plurality of porous metal particles dispersed in the Mg-based amorphous metal matrix. The Mg-based amorphous metal matrix penetrates into pores in the porous metal particles. The porous metal particles have a hardness less than that of the Mg-based amorphous metal matrix. |
| US07955444B2 |
High strength steel sheet and method for manufacturing the same
A high tensile steel sheet having 980 MPa or higher tensile strength with excellent elongation and stretch-flange formability, suitable for the press-forming of complex cross sectional shape such as automobile parts, is manufactured by adjusting the steel to consist essential of a ferrite single phase structure, to precipitate carbide containing Ti, Mo, and V, of smaller than 10 nm of average particle size, in dispersed state, and to have an average composition of the carbide containing Ti, Mo, and V satisfying [V/(Ti+Mo+V)≧0.3 (atomic ratio]. |
| US07955443B2 |
Method for preparing rare earth permanent magnet material
A permanent magnet material is prepared by covering an anisotropic sintered magnet body of formula: R1x(Fe1-yCoy)100-x-z-aBzMa wherein R1 is a rare earth element, M is Al, Cu or the like, with a powder comprising an oxide of R2, a fluoride of R3 or an oxyfluoride of R4 wherein R2, R3, and R4 are rare earth elements, and having an average particle size up to 100 μm, heat treating the powder-covered magnet body in a hydrogen gas-containing atmosphere for inducing disproportionation reaction on R12Fe14B compound, and continuing heat treatment at a reduced hydrogen gas partial pressure for inducing recombination reaction to said compound, thereby finely dividing said compound phase to a crystal grain size up to 1 μm, and for effecting absorption treatment, thereby causing R2, R3 or R4 to be absorbed in the magnet body. |
| US07955440B2 |
Method for cleaning silicon wafer and apparatus for cleaning the silicon wafer
After a water film is formed on a wafer front surface in a chamber, the water film is supplied sequentially with an oxidizing component of an oxidation gas, an organic acid component of an organic acid mist, an HF component of an HF gas, the organic acid mist, and the oxidizing component of the oxidation gas. As a result, the HF component and the organic acid component provide cleaning effect on the wafer surface, and a concentration of the cleaning components in the water film within a wafer surface can be even. |
| US07955437B2 |
Apparatus for fabricating a III-V nitride film
An apparatus for fabricating a III-V nitride film by a MOCVD method, including a reactor prepared horizontally, a susceptor to hold a substrate thereon installed in the reactor, a heater to heat the substrate to a predetermined temperature via the susceptor, and a cooling mechanism to directly cool down at least the portion of the inner wall of the reactor opposite to the substrate. |
| US07955426B2 |
Ink set, and recording method and recorded matter using the same
The present invention provides an ink set comprising at least two or more pigment inks different in color, wherein differences in average particle size between the inks different in color are 30 nm or less, the inks each have a sedimentation rate, as indicated by equation (I), of 15% or less, and differences in the sedimentation rate between the inks different in color are 4% or less: Sedimentation rate (%)=(S0−S1)/S0×100 (I) wherein S0 represents an “initial ink concentration”, which is an absorbance at a wavelength of λmax (or at 500 nm when λmax is not detected) at the time when UV spectral characteristics are measured for a 1000-fold diluted solution of the ink; and S1 represents an “ink concentration after sedimentation”, which is an absorbance at a wavelength of λmax (or at 500 nm when λmax is not detected) at the time when UV spectral characteristics are measured for a 1000-fold diluted solution of a supernatant obtained by centrifuging the ink at 16500 G at 1.60×107 g·sec. |
| US07955418B2 |
Systems for removing dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) or related compounds or odors associated with same
Preferred embodiments of the invention relate to systems for removing dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) or related compounds, or odors associated with same. The systems include adsorbents, odor adsorbing fabrics, masks, clean air members and clean air supply assemblies. |
| US07955417B2 |
Method for reducing organic chlorine compounds in cement production facility, and cement production facility
The method for reducing organic chlorine compounds in the cement production facility of the present invention is a method for reducing organic chlorine compounds in cement production facility by which a quantity of organic chlorine compounds contained in cement raw materials is reduced in the cement production facility, which is provided with an organic matter adsorbing step in which an adsorbing powder is supplied into exhaust gas generated on calcination of cement clinker from the cement raw materials, thereby the organic chlorine compounds are adsorbed on the adsorbing powder and an adsorbing-powder removing step in which the adsorbing powder, which has adsorbed the organic chlorine compounds, is collected, thereby removing the adsorbing powder from the exhaust gas. |
| US07955412B2 |
Method for producing agglomerated material
A method is provided for producing an agglomerated material that is used for producing metallic iron by heat reduction in a moving hearth-type reducing furnace, wherein the agglomerated material can have a high mechanical strength without increases in the binder content and the moisture content of the material mixture. The method for producing an agglomerated material used for producing metallic iron, wherein the agglomerated material is produced by agglomerating a material mixture containing an iron-oxide-containing material, a carbonaceous reducing agent, a binder, and moisture; drying the material mixture; and charging and heating the material mixture in a moving hearth-type reducing furnace to reduce the iron oxide contained in the material mixture with the carbonaceous reducing agent, wherein a carbohydrate is used as the binder and the material mixture is left to stand prior to the agglomeration. |
| US07955407B2 |
Filtration element having a variable density sidewall
A filter made of specifically arranged filaments. The filter has an upstream side where fluid enters and a downstream side where fluid exits. The filaments are greatest in diameter near the upstream side wherein the filaments continuously and gradually decrease in thickness toward the downstream side. The pores or spaces between the filaments are largest near the upstream side and decrease gradually toward the downstream side. This allows various size particles to become entrained in the filter in an evenly distributed manner. |
| US07955405B2 |
Cyclonic separation apparatus
A cyclonic vacuum cleaner comprises a first stage 10 comprising a single cyclone separator for separating heavier dirt and dust particles and a second stage 11 comprising a plurality of cyclone separators 25 arranged in parallel in a plurality of groups, each group of cyclone separators 25 comprising a respective inlet duct 24, each inlet duct 24 being connected at its upstream end to the first stage 10 and at its downstream end to the cyclone separators 25 of its respective group. |
| US07955400B2 |
Two-part hair dye composition
A two-part hair dye composition, including a first part containing an alkali agent, a second part containing hydrogen peroxide, and a non-aerosol type foamer container for discharging a liquid mixture of the first part and the second part as a foam, wherein the liquid mixture contains the following components (A) to (D): (A) 0.1 to 5% by mass of an alkyl sulfate or polyoxyalkylene alkyl sulfate; (B) 0.1 to 10% by mass of an alkyl polyglucoside; (C) 0.01 to 3% by mass of a dimethyldiallyl ammonium chloride-acrylamide copolymer or a dimethyldiallyl ammonium chloride-acrylamide-acrylic acid copolymer; and (D) 0.01 to 0.8% by mass of a higher alcohol. |
| US07955399B2 |
Prosthetic foot with tunable performance
A prosthetic foot (100) incorporates a foot keel (101) and a resilient calf shank (105) with its lower end connection to the foot keel to form an ankle joint of the prosthetic foot. The foot keel has forefoot and hindfoot portions and a midfoot portion extending between the forefoot and hindfoot portions. The calf shank extends upward from the foot keel by way of an anterior facing convexly curved portion (106) of the shank, and is secured to the foot keel by way of a coupling element (107) which is monolithically formed with the forefoot portion of the foot. The lower end of the shank is reversely curved (110) and housed by a reversely curved portion (112) of the coupling element. |
| US07955398B2 |
Instrumented prosthetic foot
An instrumented prosthetic foot for use with an actuated leg prosthesis controlled by a controller, the instrumented prosthetic foot comprising a connector to connect the instrumented prosthetic foot to the leg prosthesis, an ankle structure connected to the connector, a ground engaging member connected to the ankle, at least one sensor for detecting changes in weight distribution along the foot, and an interface for transmitting signals from the sensor to the controller. |
| US07955396B2 |
Prosthesis including a mechanism for attaching a first component to a second component
In one embodiment of the present invention a prosthesis including a mechanism for attaching a first component to a second component is provided. In one example (which example is intended to be illustrative and not restrictive), the first component may be a femoral head component and the second component may be a femoral stem component. In another example (which example is intended to be illustrative and not restrictive), the femoral head component may comprise a ceramic material and the femoral stem component may comprise a metallic material (e.g., any desired orthopedic alloy, such as Cobalt Chromium). |
| US07955394B2 |
Artificial knee joint
The artificial knee joint includes a femoral component, a tibial tray and an insert plate fixed onto the top surface of the tibial tray. The femoral component includes a femoral articular surface and a cam that is provided on the rear end of the femoral articular surface and protrudes from the femoral articular surface, the insert plate includes a tibial articular surface that makes contact with the femoral articular surface and a cam-receiving slide surface that makes contact with the cam. When the knee is extended, the joint takes a first sliding state in which the femoral articular surface slides against the tibial articular surface. When the knee is bent at an angle in a range from 90 to 160 degrees, the joint shifts from the first sliding state to a second sliding state in which the cam slides on the cam-receiving slide surface. When the knee is bent deeply with a bending angle of 180 degrees, the second sliding state is assumed in which a resection surface of the femoral component and the rear end of the insert plate are offset. |
| US07955393B2 |
Multipart component for an orthopaedic implant
In one aspect of the invention, an implant includes first and second components to replace a portion of each of a pair of opposed articulating bone ends. The second component has means for low friction articulation with the first component and means for engaging the first component to constrain the motion between the components. The means for low friction articulation includes a first material exhibiting low wear and having a predetermined toughness value. The means for engaging includes a second material having a predetermined toughness value higher than the means for low friction articulation. |
| US07955391B2 |
Methods for limiting the movement of material introduced between layers of spinal tissue
Methods for limiting the movement of flowable material introduced into or between tissue layers of the human spine. The method can include inserting a member between tissue layers of the human spine. The member has a first configuration for insertion of the elongated member between tissue layers. The shape of the member is changed into a second configuration that defines a barrier that limits or directs the movement of flowable material. Flowable material is introduced to a selected location between the tissue layers and the barrier acts to limit or direct the movement of the flowable material. |
| US07955390B2 |
Method and apparatus for spine joint replacement
A prosthesis for the replacement of the cartilaginous structures of a spine motion segment is described. The prosthesis comprises an intervertebral disc prosthesis in combination with a facet joint prosthesis. |
| US07955386B2 |
Middle ear prosthesis
A middle ear prosthesis comprises a body of deformable material capable of retaining different shapes. The body comprises a slotted wall defining a cavity for receiving a bone of the middle ear. The wall is deformable proximate slots in the wall between an open position for receiving the bone and a closed position wherein the body is reshaped to grasp the bone. |
| US07955385B2 |
Device, system, and method for aiding valve annuloplasty
A device comprising a reference ring that may be temporarily disposed in abutment with the inferior perimeter surface of a heart valve to aid non-optical visualization of the valve annulus. The reference ring is elastically transformable between a straight delivery configuration and a generally circular or helical deployment configuration. The reference ring may include an inflatable portion that can be temporarily expanded on the inferior side of the valve annulus to deform the valve annulus into a temporary ledge or shelf for apposition with an annuloplasty ring. A system comprising a delivery catheter including a lumen with an exit port, the reference ring being slidably positionable within the lumen and being extendable from the exit port. |
| US07955381B1 |
Polymer-bioceramic composite implantable medical device with different types of bioceramic particles
Implantable medical devices fabricated from polymer/bioceramic composites with different types of bioceramic particles are disclosed. The plurality of bioceramic particles can include acidic particles and basic particles, the acidic particles and basic particles having different particle size distributions. The degradation of a selected type of particle can be reduced or prevented during a selected time frame by encapsulating some or all of the selected type of particles with a bioabsorbable polymer. |
| US07955380B2 |
Prosthesis fixation apparatus and methods
A method of securing a prosthesis placed at a desired site in a passageway of a human body comprises delivering a fastener having a proximal piercing end portion and a distal piercing end portion to a site where a prosthesis having a tubular wall has been placed in the passageway, which has a wall, advancing the proximal piercing end portion beyond the prosthesis, penetrating the proximal piercing end portion into the wall of the passageway without passing the proximal piercing end portion through the tubular wall of the prosthesis, and passing the distal piercing end portion through the tubular wall of the prosthesis and into the wall of the passageway. One surgical fastener delivery apparatus for delivering a surgical fastener to a target site comprises a support having a first end, a second end, and a longitudinal axis and being adapted for placement in a passageway in a human body. A surgical fastener having a first piercing end portion, a second piercing end portion and a central portion extending therebetween and having a longitudinal axis is releasably mounted to the support with the central portion longitudinal axis generally parallel to the support longitudinal axis. |
| US07955377B2 |
Valve frame
The disclosure relates to frames suitable for prosthetic implantable valves, and methods of treatment with such frames, to regulate blood flow and to be compliant in percutaneous delivery and, upon implantation, configured to conform to the changing shape of the body vessel or vein. The frames include at least one anchoring member attached to a support member at one or more attachments, and a valve member, preferably a monocuspid valve leaflet, attached to the support member. Preferred frames include two anchoring members with the support member in between the anchoring members. The support member preferably has a semielliptical shape and extends diagonally to sealingly contact the wall of the body vessel. |
| US07955374B2 |
Modular branch vessel stent-graft assembly
Modular branch vessel stent-graft assemblies for the treatment arterial or vascular disease at the branch of two or more arteries or blood flow passageways, including, for example, abdominal aortic aneurysms are assembled in a patient's trunk/parent artery, from at least two components; a first component and a second component. The first and second components each include a first and second window, or fenestration. The second component couples with the first component by fitting at least partially in the first component to form the modular branch vessel stent-graft assembly with two selectively locatable branch openings. As the first and second components are deployed, the second component is selectively position able relative to first component so that the first and second component first and second windows overlap to form two branch openings whose longitudinal and angular positions are selectable within a range. |
| US07955366B2 |
Biostimulative illumination apparatus
A biostimulative illumination apparatus for treating patient tissues includes at least one light emitting diode which can generate at least one narrow-pulse focused wave band suitable to be used as low-power and non-parallel focused light beams for biostimulative illumination. The wave length of the focused light beam is from 600 nm to 850 nm, the energy density of the focused light beams is from 2 Joule/cm2 to 16 Joule/cm2 and the divergence angle of the light beams is lower than 16°. In addition, the invention also provides a biostimulative illumination treatment method. |
| US07955363B2 |
Screw and rod fixation assembly and device
The present invention provides for a screw and rod fixation assembly for fixing a screw and, optionally, a rod. The screw and rod fixation assembly includes a screw, fixing mechanism, a substantially annular ring, rod seating mechanism, and locking mechanism. The present invention also provides for a fixing mechanism for fixing a screw, wherein the fixing mechanism further includes an inner surface wall having a gripping portion and a non-gripping portion. Further, the present invention provides for a substantially annular ring for guiding and providing mechanical and frictional force to a screw head. Additionally, the present invention provides for a rod seating mechanism operatively engaged to the screw head and including at least one flexible portion capable of being compressed against a portion of a rod therein. Finally, the present invention provides for a locking mechanism for engaging the rod and the rod seating mechanism. The locking mechanism includes a deflecting mechanism for deflecting the at least one flexible portion of the rod seating mechanism against and around the rod as the locking mechanism further engages the at least one flexible portion of the rod seating mechanism. |
| US07955362B2 |
Apparatus and method for body tissue fixation
A body tissue fixation apparatus includes a plate having oppositely disposed outer and tissue-contacting surfaces, and at least one fixation hole extending between the outer and tissue-contacting surfaces along a longitudinal axis. The fixation hole is defined in part by an inner hole surface having at least one serration. At least one fixation device of the body tissue fixation apparatus has a shank and a head portion, the shank being insertable through the fixation hole in the plate to affix the plate to the body tissue member upon rotation of the head portion. At least one deformable member is connected to the head portion, the deformable member extending laterally in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and being adapted to deflect to engage with at least one serration formed on the inner hole surface. A method for using the body tissue fixation apparatus is also described. |
| US07955359B2 |
Bone anchoring device
A bone anchoring device includes an anchoring element having a head, a receiving portion having a first region adjacent to a second end for receiving the head and a recess which is open towards a first end to form two free legs for receiving a rod. The anchoring device further includes a pressure element configured to couple to the head, a first closure element and a second closure element. The first closure element cooperates with the legs to simultaneously fix the rod in the recess and fix the head in the receiving portion, and the second closure element cooperates with the legs, the second closure element acts on the pressure element and on the rod to independently fix the head in the receiving portion and fix the rod in the recess. The first closure element and the second closure element are interchangeable. |
| US07955356B2 |
Laterally insertable interspinous process implant
A laterally insertable spine distraction implant alleviates pain associated with spinal stenosis and facet arthropathy and other spinal ailments by expanding the volume in the spine canal and/or neural foramen. The implant provides a deployable second arm that converts between a first position for insertion and a second position for retention of the implant between adjacent spinous processes. |
| US07955355B2 |
Methods and devices for improving percutaneous access in minimally invasive surgeries
A device for use as a portal in percutaneous minimally invasive surgery performed within a patient's body cavity includes a first elongated hollow tube having a length adjusted with a self-contained mechanism. The first elongated tube includes an inner hollow tube and an outer hollow tube and the inner tube is adapted to slide within the outer tube thereby providing the self-contained length adjusting mechanism. This length-adjustment feature is advantageous for percutaneous access surgery in any body cavity. Two or more elongated tubes with adjustable lengths can be placed into two or more adjacent body cavities, respectively. Paths are opened within the tissue areas between the two or more body cavities, and are used to transfer devices and tools between the adjacent body cavities. This system of two or more elongated tubes with adjustable lengths is particularly advantageous in percutaneous minimally invasive spinal surgeries, and provides the benefits of minimizing long incisions, recovery time and post-operative complications. |
| US07955354B2 |
Occlusion device and surgical instrument and method for its implantation/explantation
An occlusion device includes a braiding of thin wires or threads tapering to the diameter of a catheter used for an intravascular implantation/explantation procedure and having a proximal retention area, a distal retention area at which ends of the wires or threads converge into a holder, and a cylindrical crosspiece interposed between the proximal retention area and the distal retention area, whereby the two retention areas are positioned on two sides of a shunt to be occluded in a septum following implantation while the crosspiece transverses the shunt. The holder exhibits a head section at its free end having an eyelet as a cross-hole which can be gripped and held in form-fit fashion by an implantation/explantation instrument. A surgical instrument having such a holder includes gripper tongs with gripping jaws which open and close by a push/pull system, and which force-fit grips the head section of the holder. |
| US07955353B1 |
Dissolvable closure device
The present invention provides for a method and apparatus to provide hemostasis at a puncture site having a communication tube with a lumen, a top and a bottom; a hemostatic material positioned around the communication tube bottom, the hemostatic material having a first end and a second end; and a hemostatic material cover positioned around the hemostatic material and the communication tube bottom, wherein the hemostatic material cover forms a hollow distal tip cavity at the hemostatic material first end. |
| US07955350B2 |
Apparatus and methods for treating hardened vascular lesions
An angioplasty catheter comprises a catheter body having a balloon or other radially expansible shell at its distal end. A non-axial external structure is carried over the shell and scores a stenosed region in a blood vessel when the balloon is inflated therein. The catheter has an attachment structure disposed between the catheter body and the balloon to accommodate foreshortening and rotation of the external structure as the balloon is expanded. The external structure may be part of a helical cage structure which floats over the balloon. |
| US07955349B2 |
Body piercing instrument
Apparatuses and methods for a ornamental piercing of body parts are disclosed. An exemplary a piercing instrument includes a post carrier disposed to translate in a first channel within the body piercing instrument, a nut carrier disposed to translate in second channel within the body piercing instrument in opposition to translation of the post carrier and a synchronizing mechanism between the post carrier and the nut carrier to coordinate opposing motion relative to the body piercing instrument of both the post carrier and the nut carrier simultaneously. The synchronizing mechanism can be a gear, where the post and nut carriers include racks that engage the gear. The body piercing instrument can be hand-operated and also include a stabilizing surface to support the body part to be pierced during operation. |
| US07955347B2 |
Low cost safety lancet
A lancing device has a housing, an activation/retraction control assembly, and a lancet. The control assembly and the housing have cooperating engagement structures such as detents that disengage after a predetermined launch force is applied to the control assembly. In this way, the lancet is driven to its puncturing position without the use of a drive spring. In addition, the control assembly and the lancet have cooperating releasable engagement structures such as notched sections and tamped protrusions that disengage when the lancet reaches its puncturing position, thereby freeing the lancet from the control assembly. And the control assembly has angled retraction structures that engage the freed lancet to bias it back safely into the housing. |
| US07955345B2 |
Thrombus removal system and process
A device capable of capturing and facilitating the removal of a thrombus in blood vessels (or stones in biliary or urinary ducts, or foreign bodies) uses a soft coil mesh with the aid of a pull wire or string to engage the surface of a thrombus, and remove the captured thrombus. The soft coil mesh is formed by an elongated microcoil element that forms the helical elements of a macrocoil element. The microcoil element provides a relatively elastic effect to the helical elements forming the macrocoil and allows for control of gripping forces on the thrombus while reducing non-rigid contact of the device with arterial walls. The use of multiple coil mesh elements, delivered through a single lumen or multiple lumens, preferably with separate control of at least one end of each coil, provides a firm grasp on a distal side of a thrombus, assisting in non-disruptive or minimally disrupted removal of the thrombus upon withdrawal of the device. |
| US07955337B2 |
Facial bone contouring device using hollowed rasp provided with non-plugging holes formed through cutting plane
Disclosed is a facial bone contouring device for use in facial bone contouring surgery and bone tumor and/or osteophyte removal. The facial bone contouring device comprises: a rasp (10), having a double tube structure, including a rod (11), and a cutter (13) provided with plural grooves (13c) for exhausting cut bone fragments, a saline solution feeding passage (15) and a bone fragment exhausting passage (14); a powered surgical handpiece (40) connected to the rasp (10) for providing linear reciprocating motion to the rasp (10); a saline solution feeding unit (30) for feeding saline solution to the saline solution feeding passage; and a suction unit (20) for sucking and exhausting the cut bone fragments, wherein bone cutting is performed under the condition that the saline solution is fed into the rasp, and the cut bone fragments are exhausted together with the saline solution so that the bone cutting is continuously performed. |
| US07955333B2 |
Method of preparing a patient's leg in need of treatment, for ambulation
A method of preparing a patient's one leg, that is in need of treatment, for ambulation. The method includes the steps of: applying an external fixation assembly, having at least one external frame component, by pinning the at least one external frame component to at least one of the patient's bones in the patient's one leg so as to prepare the patient's one leg for healing; providing a foot assembly with a sole assembly defining a bearing surface and a connecting assembly; and operatively joining the foot assembly to the patient's one leg, whereby the patient can walk in a manner whereupon weight of the patient's body is applied by a patient's one foot, that is part of the user's one leg, to the sole assembly and therethrough to and against an underlying surface during ambulation. |
| US07955330B2 |
Multi-port side-fire coagulator
An electrosurgical apparatus for coagulating tissue used in combination with an endoscope which includes an elongated flexible tube having a plurality of side-ports located therethrough. The tube extends through a working channel of the endoscope and an ionizable gas is supplied to the tube at or near the proximal end of the tube. A diffusing member directs the ionizable gas from the proximal end of the tube through each of the side-ports towards the tissue. An electrode is used for ionizing the gas prior to the gas exiting the side-ports. |
| US07955322B2 |
Wireless communication in a robotic surgical system
In one embodiment, an insertion axis of a robotic manipulator is provided, the insertion axis including a base link operably coupled to a distal end of a manipulator arm, and a carriage link movably coupled to the base link along a lengthwise axis, the carriage link including a remote printed circuit assembly and transceiver for wirelessly communicating with a main printed circuit assembly external to the insertion axis. A robotic surgical system including such an insertion axis and a method for wireless communication in the system are also provided. |
| US07955319B2 |
Pressure sensing in implantable medical devices
An implantable medical device for delivering a therapeutic substance to a delivery site in a patient. A reservoir holds a supply of the fluid therapeutic substance. A catheter has a proximal end, a delivery region and a lumen extending from the proximal end to the delivery region. The proximal end of the catheter is operatively coupled to the reservoir. The delivery region of the catheter is adapted to be placed proximate the delivery site in the patient. The therapeutic substance is adapted to be delivered through the lumen to the patient. A sensing device is operatively coupled with the lumen of the catheter being capable of detecting a pressure of the therapeutic substance in the lumen. A controller is operatively coupled to the sensing device, the controller being capable of taking an action in response to the pressure in the lumen. |
| US07955318B1 |
Multipurpose large bore medical suction systems
A multipurpose large bore medical suction system relating to medical instruments comprising suction devices that are used to remove material from body cavities during medical procedures, such as, for example, during cardiopulmonary resuscitation or trauma stabilization. The system is designed to adapt to large-bore medical vacuum sources such as the large-bore port of a collection canister. The system comprises a series of interchangeable tips including a means for endotracheal-catheter suctioning. |
| US07955313B2 |
Composite catheter braid
Composite catheter braids can be formed from a plurality of filaments, some of which can include significant amounts of molybdenum. Filaments including stainless steel and other materials can be used in combination with filaments including molybdenum. Individual filaments can be composed of single metals, or can represent alloys. Composite catheter braids can be employed in intravascular catheters. |
| US07955312B2 |
Spinal diagnostic methods and apparatus
Methods, devices and systems facilitate diagnosis, and in some cases treatment, of back pain originating in intervertebral discs. Methods generally involve introducing one or more substances into one or more discs using a catheter device. In one embodiment, a patient assumes a position that causes back pain, and a substance such as an anesthetic or analgesic is introduced into the disc to determine whether the substance relieves the pain. Injections into multiple discs may optionally be performed, to help pinpoint a disc as a source of the patient's pain. In some embodiments, the catheter device is left in place, and possibly coupled with another implantable device, to provide treatment of one or more discs. A catheter device includes at least one anchoring member for maintaining a distal portion of the catheter within a disc. |
| US07955310B2 |
Medical needle
To provide a syringe in which a covering member whose engagement has been released automatically moves to a projection movement terminal where it can be prevented from returning, and returning of a projection positioned at the projection movement terminal can be limited.A covering member 6 is formed so as to be guided by a guide portion 4e to a stopper portion 4h from its housed posture within a holding portion main body 4c so that a projection 6a engages with an engagement portion 4f while being urged by a spring 7 to a covering posture so that the engagement is released and the covering member covers a needle exposed portion 2a, a return preventive portion 4j is joined from a stopper portion 4h toward the base end, and furthermore, a returning movement limiting portion 4m is formed at a holding portion main body 4c so as to be positioned closer to the base end side than the stopper portion 4h and closer to the tip end side than the returning movement terminal 4w of the return preventive portion 4j while being spaced to the base end side from the projection 6a positioned at the stopper portion 4h so as to face the projection while leaving a space S, and comes into contact with the projection 6a lifted from the stopper portion 4h within the range of the space S. |