Document | Document Title |
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US08138581B2 |
Semiconductor device with channel stop trench and method
A semiconductor device is provided which includes a semiconductor substrate having a first surface, an active area and a peripheral area. The semiconductor device further includes least one channel stop trench formed in the semiconductor substrate, wherein the channel stop trench extends from the first surface at least partially into the semiconductor substrate and is arranged between the active area and the peripheral area. At least one electrode is arranged in the channel stop trench. The semiconductor substrate includes at least a peripheral contact region, which is arranged in the peripheral area at the first surface of the semiconductor substrate. A conductive layer is provided and in electrical contact with the electrode arranged in the channel stop trench and in electrical contact with the peripheral contact region. The conductive layer is electrically connected to the semiconductor substrate merely in the peripheral area and electrically insulated from the semiconductor substrate in the active area. |
US08138580B2 |
Adhesive composition for electronic components, and adhesive sheet for electronic components using the same
In order to provide an adhesive composition for electronic components that is excellent in adhesion durability under long-term high temperature conditions, thermal cyclability, and insulation reliability, designed is an adhesive composition for electronic components containing a thermoplastic resin (a), an epoxy resin (b), a hardener (c), and an organopolysiloxane (d), wherein the glass transition temperature (Tg) after curing is −10° C. to 50° C. and the rate of change of Tg after heat-treating the composition at 175° C. for 1000 hours is 15% or less. |
US08138577B2 |
Pulse-laser bonding method for through-silicon-via based stacking of electronic components
There is described a method of forming a through-silicon-via to form an interconnect between two stacked semiconductor components using pulsed laser energy. A hole is formed in each component, and each hole is filled with a plug formed of a first metal. One component is then stacked on another component such that the holes are in alignment, and a pulse of laser energy is applied to form a bond between the metal plugs. |
US08138574B2 |
PCM with poly-emitter BJT access devices
A phase change memory (PCM) includes an array comprising a plurality of memory cells, a memory cell comprising a phase change element (PCE); and a PCE access device comprising a bipolar junction transistor (BJT), the BJT comprising an emitter region comprising a polycrystalline semiconductor. A memory cell for a phase change memory (PCM) includes a phase change element (PCE); and a PCE access device comprising a bipolar junction transistor (BJT), the BJT comprising an emitter region comprising a polycrystalline semiconductor. |
US08138573B2 |
On-chip heater and methods for fabrication thereof and use thereof
An on-chip heater and methods for fabrication thereof and use thereof provide that the heater is located within an isolation region that in turn is located within a semiconductor substrate. The heater has a thermal output capable or raising the semiconductor substrate to a temperature of at least about 200° C. The heater may be used for thermally annealing trapped charges within dielectric layers within the semiconductor structure. |
US08138572B2 |
Semiconductor device and method for fabricating the same
The present invention relates to a semiconductor and manufacturing method thereof, in which a nano tube structure is vertically grown to form a lower electrode of a cell region and a via contact of peripheral circuit region. Therefore, capacitance of the lower electrode is secured without an etching process for high aspect ratio. Also, the via contact can be formed for corresponding to the height of the lower electrode. |
US08138571B2 |
Semiconductor device comprising isolation trenches inducing different types of strain
By forming isolation trenches of different types of intrinsic stress on the basis of separate process sequences, the strain characteristics of adjacent active semiconductor regions may be adjusted so as to obtain overall device performance. For example, highly stressed dielectric fill material including compressive and tensile stress may be appropriately provided in the respective isolation trenches in order to correspondingly adapt the charge carrier mobility of respective channel regions. |
US08138570B2 |
Isolated junction field-effect transistor
An isolation structure for a semiconductor device comprises a floor isolation region, a dielectric filled trench above the floor isolation region and a sidewall isolation region extending downward from the bottom of the trench to the floor isolation region. This structure provides a relatively deep isolated pocket in a semiconductor substrate while limiting the depth of the trench that must be etched in the substrate. An isolated junction field-effect transistor is formed in the isolated pocket. |
US08138569B2 |
Guard ring structures and method of fabricating thereof
A guard ring structure for use in a semiconductor device. The guard ring structure includes a semiconductor layer stack having a first layer and a second layer on top of the first layer, gates structures formed in the first layer; and guard rings formed in the first layer. The second layer has a dopant concentration that is higher than the dopant concentration of the first layer. The gates and the guard rings are formed simultaneously using a single mask. |
US08138567B2 |
Materials, fabrication equipment, and methods for stable, sensitive photodetectors and image sensors made therefrom
Optically sensitive devices include a device comprising a first contact and a second contact, each having a work function, and an optically sensitive material between the first contact and the second contact. The optically sensitive material comprises an n-type semiconductor, and the optically sensitive material has a work function. Circuitry applies a bias voltage between the first contact and the second contact. The optically sensitive material has an electron lifetime that is greater than the electron transit time from the first contact to the second contact when the bias is applied between the first contact and the second contact. The first contact provides injection of electrons and blocking the extraction of holes. The interface between the first contact and the optically sensitive material provides a surface recombination velocity less than 1 cm/s. |
US08138563B2 |
Circuit structures and methods with BEOL layers configured to block electromagnetic edge interference
Back-end-of-line (BEOL) circuit structures and methods are provided for blocking externally-originating or internally-originating electromagnetic edge interference. One such BEOL circuit structure includes a semiconductor substrate supporting one or more integrated circuits, and multiple BEOL layers disposed over the semiconductor substrate. The multiple BEOL layers extend to an edge of the circuit structure and include at least one vertically-extending conductive pattern disposed adjacent to the edge of the circuit structure. The vertically-extending conductive pattern is defined, at least partially, by a plurality of elements disposed in the multiple BEOL layers. The plurality of elements are uniformly arrayed at the edge of the circuit structure in a first direction or a second direction throughout at least a portion thereof. The plurality of elements are sized and positioned in the first direction or the second direction to block electromagnetic interference of a particular wavelength from passing therethrough. |
US08138559B2 |
Recessed drift region for HVMOS breakdown improvement
A high-voltage metal-oxide-semiconductor (HVMOS) device having increased breakdown voltage and methods for forming the same are provided. The HVMOS device includes a semiconductor substrate; a gate dielectric on a surface of the semiconductor substrate; a gate electrode on the gate dielectric; a source/drain region adjacent and horizontally spaced apart from the gate electrode; and a recess in the semiconductor substrate and filled with a dielectric material. The recess is between the gate electrode and the source/drain region, and is horizontally spaced apart from the gate electrode. |
US08138557B2 |
Layout structure of MOSFET and layout method thereof
A layout structure of a MOSFET is provided. The layout structure of the MOSFET includes a plurality of MOSFET cells, a first source/drain metal bus structure and a second source/drain metal bus structure. The first source/drain metal bus structure is electrically connected to first sources/drains of the MOSFET cells, and a width thereof is gradually decreased in a predetermined direction. The second source/drain metal bus structure is electrically connected to second sources/drains of the MOSFET cells, and a width thereof is gradually increased in the predetermined direction. |
US08138554B2 |
Semiconductor device with local interconnects
A semiconductor device with local interconnects is provided. The semiconductor device comprises a first gate line structure and a second gate line structure disposed on a substrate and substantially collinear. A first pair of source/drain regions is formed in the substrate on both sides of the first gate line structure and a second pair of source/drain regions is formed in the substrate on both sides of the second gate line structure. A pair of conductive lines is disposed on the substrate on both sides of the first gate line structure and the second gate line structure, such that each conductive line is connected to one of the first pair of source/drain regions and one of the second pair of source/drain regions. |
US08138552B2 |
Semiconductor device and method of manufacturing the same
A semiconductor device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a substrate, a gate insulation film formed on the substrate, a gate electrode formed on the gate insulation film, sidewall insulation films provided on side surfaces of the gate electrode, and stress application layers embedded in source and drain regions located, on a surface of the substrate, at a position which sandwiches the gate electrode, and applying stress to a channel region located under the gate insulation film in the substrate, a height of upper ends of interfaces between the substrate and the stress application layers being higher than a height of a lower end of an interface between the substrate and the gate insulation film. |
US08138539B2 |
Semiconductor devices and methods of manufacture thereof
Semiconductor devices and methods of manufacture thereof are disclosed. In one embodiment, a capacitor plate includes a plurality of first parallel conductive members, and a plurality of second parallel conductive members disposed over the plurality of first parallel conductive members. A first base member is coupled to an end of the plurality of first parallel conductive members, and a second base member is coupled to an end of the plurality of second parallel conductive members. A connecting member is disposed between the plurality of first parallel conductive members and the plurality of second parallel conductive members, wherein the connecting member includes at least one elongated via. |
US08138538B2 |
Interconnect structure for semiconductor devices
One embodiment relates to an integrated circuit formed on a semiconductor body having interconnect between source/drain regions of a first and second transistor. The interconnect includes a metal body arranged underneath the surface of the semiconductor body. A contact element establishes electrical contact between the metal body and the source/drain regions of the first and second transistor. The contact element extends along a connecting path between the source/drain regions of the first and second transistors. Other methods, devices, and systems are also disclosed. |
US08138533B2 |
Semiconductor device with an electrode as an alignment mark, and method of manufacturing the same
A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate, a back side drawn electrode formed by embedding a first conductive material in a contact hole penetrating the semiconductor substrate through an insulating film formed to include a uniform thickness, used also as an alignment mark, and configured to draw out an electrode to the back side of the semiconductor substrate. The device further includes a pad provided on the back side of the semiconductor substrate, and connected to the back side drawn electrode. |
US08138530B2 |
CMOS image sensor having a crosstalk prevention structure
In a method of manufacturing a CMOS image sensor, a P type epitaxial layer is formed on an N type substrate. A deep P+ type well layer is formed in the P type epitaxial layer. An N type deep guardring well is formed in a photodiode guardring region. The N type deep guardring region makes contact with the N type substrate and also be connected with an operational voltage terminal. A triple well is formed in a photodiode region and a peripheral circuit region. The triple well is used for forming a PMOS and an NMOS having different operational voltages. An isolation region is formed in the photodiode region. The isolation region in the photodiode region has a depth different from a depth of an isolation region in the peripheral circuit region. |
US08138526B2 |
Semiconductor structures including dual fins
Fin-FET (fin field effect transistor) devices and methods of fabrication are disclosed. The Fin-FET devices include dual fin structures that may form a channel region between a source region and a drain region. In some embodiments, the dual fin structures are formed by thinning shallow trench isolation structures, using a pair of shallow trench isolation (STI) structures as a mask to define a recess in a portion of the substrate between the pair of STI structures, and recessing the pair of STI structures so that the resulting dual fin structure protrudes from an active surface of the substrate. The dual fin structure may be used to form single-gate, double-gate or triple-gate fin-FET devices. Electronic systems including such fin-FET devices are also disclosed. |
US08138525B2 |
Integrated circuit including at least three linear-shaped conductive structures of different length each forming gate of different transistor
A cell of a semiconductor device includes a substrate portion formed to include at least one p-type diffusion region and at least one n-type diffusion region separated by non-active regions. The cell includes a gate electrode level including a number of conductive features defined to extend in only a first parallel direction. Each of the conductive features within the gate electrode level is fabricated from a respective originating rectangular-shaped layout feature. A width size of the conductive features within a five wavelength photolithographic interaction radius within the gate electrode level is less than a wavelength of light of 193 nanometers. Some of the conductive features form respective PMOS and/or NMOS transistor devices. A total number of the PMOS and NMOS transistor devices in the cell is greater than or equal to eight. The cell also includes a number of interconnect levels formed above the gate electrode level. |
US08138522B2 |
Gate controlled atomic switch
The invention relates to a method for producing a switch element. The invention is characterized in that the switch element comprises three electrodes that are located in an electrolyte, two of which (source electrode and drain electrode) are interconnected by a bridge consisting of one or more atoms that can be reversibly opened and closed. The opening and closing of said contact between the source and drain electrodes can be controlled by the potential that is applied to the third electrode (gate electrode). The switch element is produced by the repeated application of potential cycles between the gate electrode and the source or drain electrode. The potential is increased and reduced during the potential cycles until the conductance between the source and drain electrode can be switched back and forth between two conductances, as a result of said change in potential in the gate electrode, as a reproducible function of the voltage of the gate electrode. |
US08138520B2 |
Bi-directional diode structure
In one embodiment, a bi-directional diode structure is formed to have a substantially symmetrical current-voltage characteristic. |
US08138516B2 |
Light emitting diode
A light emitting diode is provided, comprising: a substrate; a metal wiring layer disposed on the substrate; alight emitting element provided on the metal wiring layer; wherein the light emitting element comprises: a semiconductor light emitting layer having a first semiconductor layer, an active layer, and a second semiconductor layer formed from the substrate side sequentially; a transparent insulating layer provided on the substrate side of the semiconductor light emitting layer; a first electrode part and a second electrode part provided on the substrate side of the transparent insulating layer in such a manner as being separated from each other, and joined to the metal wiring layer; a first contact part provided so as to pass through the transparent insulating layer and electrically connecting the first electrode part and the first semiconductor layer; and a second contact part provided so as to pass through the transparent insulating layer, the first semiconductor layer, and the active layer, and electrically connecting the second electrode part and the second semiconductor layer. |
US08138511B2 |
Radiation-emitting semiconductor component and method for producing the semiconductor component
A radiation-emitting semiconductor component has an improved radiation efficiency. The semiconductor component has a multilayer structure with an active layer for generating radiation within the multilayer structure and also a window having a first and a second main surface. The multi-layer structure adjoins the first main surface of the window. At least one recess, such as a trench or a pit, is formed in the window from the second main surface for the purpose of increasing the radiation efficiency. The recess preferably has a trapezoidal cross section tapering toward the first main surface and can be produced for example by sawing into the window. |
US08138509B2 |
Light emitting device having luminescent layer with opening to exposed bond pad on light emitting die for wire bonding pad to substrate
Light emitting devices conformally covered by a luminescent material layer are presented. A light emitting device includes a semiconductor light emitting die attached to a substrate. At least one bond pad is disposed on the semiconductor light emitting die. A luminescent material layer conformally covers the semiconductor light emitting die, wherein the luminescent material layer has at least one opening corresponding to and exposing the at least one bond pad. At least one wirebond is electrically connected to the at least one bond pad and a contact pad on the substrate. |
US08138507B2 |
Package for light emitting device
A semiconductor light emitting package is discussed, which includes a base having a top surface with a flat portion; a semiconductor light emitting device on the base; an electrical circuit layer electrically connected to the semiconductor light emitting device; a screen member having an opening and disposed on the base around the semiconductor light emitting device, the screen member shaped into a substantially circle; and an optical member formed of a light transmissive material such that light emitted from the semiconductor light emitting device passes therethrough, wherein a bottom surface of the screen member is positioned higher than the semiconductor light emitting device, an edge portion of the optical member is in contact with the screen member, a top surface of the optical member is substantially parallel to the flat portion of the base. |
US08138506B2 |
Group III nitride-based compound semiconductor light-emitting device
In the Group III nitride-based compound semiconductor light-emitting device of the invention, an non-light-emitting area is formed in a light-emitting layer. In a light-emitting diode where light is extracted on the side of an n-layer, an outer wiring trace portion and an inner wiring trace portion of an n-contact electrode impedes light emission from the light-emitting layer. Therefore, there are provided, at the interface between a p-layer and a p-contact electrode, high-resistance faces having a width wider than the orthogonal projections of contact areas between the outer and inner wiring trace portions and the n-layer on the interface between the p-contact electrode and the p-layer. Through this configuration, current flow is limited, and portions having a total area equivalent to that of the high-resistance faces of the light-emitting layer serve as non-light-emitting areas. Thus, current can be supplied preferentially to an area of the light-emitting area where the outer wiring trace portion and the inner wiring trace portion are difficult to shade light, whereby light extraction efficiency with respect to supplied current can be enhanced. |
US08138505B2 |
Light-emitting device, display apparatus, and electronic system
A light-emitting device includes a cathode, an anode, a first light-emitting layer that is disposed between the cathode and the anode and that emits light of a first color, a second light-emitting layer that is disposed between the first light-emitting layer and the cathode and that emits light of a second color different from the first color, and an intermediate layer that is disposed between and in contact with the first light-emitting layer and the second light-emitting layer and that contains a first material and a second material different from the first material. The light-emitting device satisfies inequality (1): LLA−LLB≧0.4 [eV] (1) wherein LLA [eV] is the energy level of the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital of the first material, and LLB [eV] is the energy level of the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital of the second material. |
US08138504B2 |
Silicon carbide semiconductor device and method of manufacturing the same
A silicon carbide semiconductor device having excellent performance characteristics and a method of manufacturing the same are obtained. A coating film made of Si is formed on an initial growth layer on a 4H—SiC substrate, and an extended terrace surface is formed in a region covered with the coating film. Next, the coating film is removed, and a new growth layer is epitaxially grown on the initial growth layer. A 3C—SiC portion made of 3C—SiC crystals having a polytype stable at a low temperature is grown on the extended terrace surface of the initial growth layer. A channel region of a MOSFET or the like is provided in the 3C—SiC portion having a narrow band gap. As a result, the channel mobility is improved because of a reduction in an interface state, and a silicon carbide semiconductor device having excellent performance characteristics is obtained. |
US08138502B2 |
Light-emitting device and manufacturing method thereof
To prevent a point defect and a line defect in forming a light-emitting device, thereby improving the yield. A light-emitting element and a driver circuit of the light-emitting element, which are provided over different substrates, are electrically connected. That is, a light-emitting element and a driver circuit of the light-emitting element are formed over different substrates first, and then electrically connected. By providing a light-emitting element and a driver circuit of the light-emitting element over different substrates, the step of forming the light-emitting element and the step of forming the driver circuit of the light-emitting element can be performed separately. Therefore, degrees of freedom of each step can be increased, and the process can be flexibly changed. Further, steps (irregularities) on the surface for forming the light-emitting element can be reduced than in the conventional technique. |
US08138500B2 |
Display device
In a pixel portion, a scan signal line and an auxiliary capacitor line are formed using a second conductive film, and a data signal line is formed using a first conductive film. In a TFT portion, a gate electrode is formed using the first conductive film and electrically connected to the scan signal line formed using the second conductive film through an opening in a gate insulating film. Further, a source electrode and a drain electrode are formed using the second conductive film. In the auxiliary capacitor portion, the auxiliary capacitor line formed using the second conductive film serves as a lower electrode, the pixel electrode serves as an upper electrode, and the passivation film used as a dielectric film is interposed between the capacitor electrodes. |
US08138497B2 |
Test structure for detecting via contact shorting in shallow trench isolation regions
A test structure for detecting void formation in semiconductor device layers includes a plurality of active device areas formed in a substrate, a plurality of shallow trench isolation (STI) regions separating the active device areas, a plurality of gate electrode structures formed across the active device areas and the STI regions, and a matrix of vias formed over the active device areas and between the gate electrode structures. At least one edge of each of a pair of vias at opposite ends of a given one of the STI regions extends at least out to an edge of the associated active device area. |
US08138496B2 |
Addressable transistor chip for conducting assays
A bioelectronic microchip formed on a substrate (16) includes a plurality of field effect transistors (10), each including first (12) and second (14) electrodes on the substrate; and a channel (18) extending between the first and second electrodes. An organic semiconducting material fills the channel (18); and a dielectric layer (20) formed atop the first and second electrodes and the channel. An electrolyte (22) to hold a probe molecule may be formed on the dielectric. A third electrode (24) in proximity with the first and second electrodes and isolated therefrom contacts the dielectric. Capture of target molecules may be detected at each transistor through changes in source to drain characteristics. The method provides high density and low cost sensors, particularly in diagonistic and drug discovery applications. |
US08138495B2 |
Film stress management for MEMS through selective relaxation
An apparatus comprising a microelectromechanical system. The microelectromechanical system includes a crystalline structural element having dislocations therein. For at least about 60 percent of adjacent pairs of the dislocations, direction vectors of the dislocations form acute angles of less than about 45 degrees. |
US08138493B2 |
Optoelectronic semiconductor device
The present invention provides an optoelectronic semiconductor device comprising at least one semiconductor nanowire, wherein the nanowire comprises a nanowire core and at least one shell layer arranged around at least a portion of the nanowire core. The nanowire core and the shell layer form a pn or pin junction that in operation provides an active region for carrier generation or carrier recombination. Quantum dots adapted to act as carrier recombination centres or carrier generation centres are arranged in the active region. By using the nanowire core as template for formation of the quantum dots and the shell layer, quantum dots of homogeneous size and uniform distribution can be obtained. Basically, the optoelectronic semiconductor device can be used for light generation or light absorption. In the former case the optoelectronic semiconductor device is a light emitting diode or a laser diode and in the latter case the optoelectronic semiconductor device is a photoelectric device, such as a photo diode, a photo detector or a solar cell. |
US08138492B2 |
Formation of carbon and semiconductor nanomaterials using molecular assemblies
The invention is directed to a method of forming carbon nanomaterials or semiconductor nanomaterials. The method comprises providing a substrate and attaching a molecular precursor to the substrate. The molecular precursor includes a surface binding group for attachment to the substrate and a binding group for attachment of metal-containing species. The metal-containing species is selected from a metal cation, metal compound, or metal or metal-oxide nanoparticle to form a metallized molecular precursor. The metallized molecular precursor is then subjected to a heat treatment to provide a catalytic site from which the carbon nanomaterials or semiconductor nanomaterials form. The heating of the metallized molecular precursor is conducted under conditions suitable for chemical vapor deposition of the carbon nanomaterials or semiconductor nanomaterials. |
US08138489B2 |
Non-volatile semiconductor storage device and method of manufacturing the same
A non-volatile semiconductor storage device includes a plurality of memory element groups, each of the memory element groups having a plurality of memory elements, each of the memory elements having a resistance-change element and a Schottky diode connected in series. Each of the memory element groups includes: a first columnar layer extending in a lamination direction; a first insulation layer formed on a side surface of the first columnar layer and functioning as the resistance-change element; and a first conductive layer formed to surround the first columnar layer via the first insulation layer. The first conductive layer is formed of metal. The first columnar layer is formed of a semiconductor having such a impurity concentration that the first conductive layer and the semiconductor configure the Schottky diode. |
US08138488B2 |
System and method for performing optical navigation using scattered light
A system and method for performing optical navigation uses scattered light to produce frames of image data to estimate displacement with respect to a target surface. The scattered light is produced from an illumination beam of light emitted along a first optical axis onto the target surface. The illumination beam of light also produces a specularly reflected beam of light along a second optical axis. The scattered light about a third optical axis, which is offset by a predefined angle with respect to the second optical axis, is received at an image sensor array to produce the frames of image. |
US08138482B2 |
Evaluating a cleaning solution using UV absorbance
A process for evaluating a cleaning solution is described. The process includes: (i) subjecting a solution, including a solute and a solvent, to sonic energy to create a sonicated solution; (ii) measuring UV absorption of the sonicated solution to produce a sample UV absorbance spectra; (iii) obtaining a reference solution, which includes a solute concentration that is similar to that of solute concentration in the sonicated solution; (iv) measuring UV absorption of the reference solution to produce a reference UV absorbance spectra; (v) scaling the reference UV absorbance spectra to the sample UV absorbance spectra at a lower range of the UV spectrum; (vi) subtracting from the reference UV absorbance spectra the sample UV absorbance spectra to produce a differential UV spectra; and (vii) evaluating at or near a peak of the sample UV absorbance spectra the differential UV absorbance spectra to determine whether the sonicated solution is activated. |
US08138481B2 |
Determination of a spatial gain distribution of a scintillator
A method for providing information about a spatial gain distribution of a scintillator for a primary radiation is provided which does not require the irradiation of the scintillator with the primary radiation. The method comprises the step of irradiating the scintillator with a secondary radiation for generating an image of a spatial secondary gain distribution of the scintillator for said second radiation. The spatial secondary gain distribution image corresponds to an image of the spatial primary gain distribution for the primary radiation. In an embodiment of the invention, i.e. in an X-ray imaging device where the primary radiation is X-ray radiation, the invention provides for an accurate calibration of the X-ray detector without irradiating the X-ray detector with X-ray radiation. Rather, irradiation with UV radiation as the secondary radiation provides the desired spatial secondary gain distribution image which can be used for calibration. |
US08138476B2 |
Refraction assisted illumination for imaging
Various embodiments are directed to systems and methods of imaging subsurface features of objects. An illumination source may be directed towards a surface of an object comprising subsurface features at a first angle relative to the normal of the surface. The object may have a portion between the subsurface features and the surface that has an index of refraction that is greater than the index of refraction of a surrounding medium. An imaging device may be placed with an objective lens oriented substantially normal to the surface. The first angle may be larger than an acceptance angle of the objective lens. |
US08138471B1 |
X-ray backscatter device for wellbore casing and pipeline inspection
An apparatus for inspection in situ of a wellbore casing and a pipeline from inside the wellbore or pipeline. The apparatus includes a penetrating radiation source such as x-rays, a rotatable beam collimator adapted to collimate the penetrating radiation source and produce at least one pencil radiation beam rotatable about the radiation source, an arcuate radiation detector suitable for detecting radiation scattered off a target, and a housing containing the radiation source, the rotatable beam collimator, and the radiation detector. The housing is provided with at least one exit point for exiting of the at least one pencil radiation beam from the housing. |
US08138470B2 |
Calibration standards for electron microscopes and electron column tools
A calibration standard structured to obtain both morphology and chemistry information with respect to particles analyzed simultaneously. The standard is structured to verify the accuracy of the data obtained in the particle analysis. Related methods of manufacture and use are provided. |
US08138469B2 |
Universal projector interface having at least one arm assembly including an elongate arm member and a shiftable coupling portion with sustainable alignment
A universal projector interface including a mount interface portion with a plurality of elongate arm assemblies coupled thereto. Each arm assembly is selectively rotatable and translatable relative to the mount interface, and includes a coupling portion. The coupling portion of each arm assembly is selectively shiftable between a first position in which the coupling portion is securely engaged with a projector attachment member on the projector and a second position in which the coupling portion is freely disengageable from the projector attachment member. |
US08138468B2 |
Rotary disk eccentricity measurement method, rotary encoder, and image forming apparatus including the rotary encoder
An eccentricity measurement method of measuring the eccentricity of a rotary disk of a rotary encoder includes forming, on the rotary disk, at least one first straight-line pattern group in a different radial direction including a plurality of straight-line patterns that are equally spaced in the radial direction and extend in a normal line direction from a base point a predetermined distance away from a center of a radial scale of the rotary disk; placing the rotary disk on a table including at least one second straight-line pattern group including straight-line patterns; and measuring the amount and the direction of the eccentricity of the rotary disk in accordance with the position of the straight-line pattern of the first straight-line pattern group that coincides with the position of the straight line pattern of the second straight-line pattern group in the radial direction. |
US08138464B2 |
Optical receiving circuit
An optical-receiving circuit includes a first photodiode converting an optical signal into a current signal, a first trans-impedance amplifier to which a first power supply voltage of Vreg is supplied and which has a negative feedback resistor and to which the current signal is input and which outputs a voltage signal, and an output circuit to which the voltage signal output from the first trans-impedance amplifier is input and which outputs a voltage signal to the outside. A temperature coefficient of a voltage of (Vreg−MVbe) is positive, in which Vbe is a base-emitter voltage of a transistor contained in the first trans-impedance amplifier and M is a coefficient that does not depend on the temperature. |
US08138462B2 |
Resetting a row driven imager pixel
An imaging system includes a pixel that does not require a row select transistor. Instead, an operating voltage is selectively provided to the pixel's readout circuitry, and the readout circuitry provides output signals based on charge or voltage of a storage node. The operating voltage can be selectively provided to each row of a pixel array by a row driver. Each pixel includes a source follower transistor that provides an output signal on a column output line for readout. An anti-blooming transistor may be linked to each pixel's photosensor to provide an overflow path for electrons during charge integration, prior to transfer of charge to the pixel's storage node by a transfer transistor. Electrons not produced by an image are introduced to the photosensor prior to image acquisition, filling traps in the photosensor to reduce image degradation. |
US08138461B2 |
Integrated circuit device and imaging apparatus using integrated circuit device
An integrated circuit device of the present invention includes a plurality of signal processing circuits classified into a plurality of groups, each signal processing circuit including an amplifier circuit for amplifying an input electric signal and a bias circuit having an input terminal connected electrically to a bias source and supplying a bias input terminal of the amplifier circuit with an operation bias for an amplifying operation of the amplifier circuit; and a plurality of connection wirings arranged each for each of the groups separately, such that the input terminals of the bias circuits of the signal processing circuits in one of the groups are commonly connected through the connection wirings. This provides an integrated circuit device suppressing the lowering of an image quality in consideration of enabling lower power consumption, a low noise characteristic, and high integration, and an imaging apparatus using the integrated circuit. |
US08138459B2 |
Large kitchen professional oven with improved lighting
A dual-heating oven includes a cavity heated by both microwaves and at least one of convection or steam, a source for lighting the cavity and a door for closing the cavity. The door includes a first internal sealing glazing, a second intermediate internal glazing, a metal screen sandwiched between the first internal sealing glazing and the second intermediate internal glazing and a third external glazing for general protection. The lighting source is mounted on the door substantially in the plane of the second intermediate glazing. |
US08138458B2 |
Microwave chemical reaction device
The invention performs uniform chemical reactions with high efficiency by action of microwave onto reaction targets placed within a flow path along a center axis of a waveguide for transmission of microwave. The microwave chemical reaction device includes a circular waveguide for transmission of TM or TE mode microwave or a square waveguide for transmission of TE mode microwave and a flow path shielded from a space within the waveguide by a bulkhead of low microwave loss and coaxially extending along the center axis of the waveguide. Reaction targets to be subjected to chemical reactions are accommodated in the flow path and the microwave acts on the reaction targets within the flow path. |
US08138456B2 |
Heat processing method, computer-readable storage medium, and heat processing apparatus
In the present invention, a plurality of suction ports are provided in a heating plate of a heat processing apparatus. The suction ports are provided at a central portion, an intermediate portion, and a peripheral portion of a substrate mounting surface of the heating plate, respectively. The warped state of the substrate before heat-processed is measured, so that when the substrate warps protruding downward, the suction start timing via a suction port corresponding to the outer peripheral portion of the substrate is set to be relatively early as compared to the suction start timings via the other suction ports, and when the substrate warps protruding upward, the suction start timing via the suction port corresponding to the central portion of the substrate is set to be relatively early as compared to the suction start timings via the other suction ports. This allows a portion of the substrate bending upward to be sucked first when the substrate is mounted on the heating plate, thereby quickly performing correction of the warpage of the substrate to uniformly heat the substrate. |
US08138454B2 |
Liquid warming device with basin detection
A liquid warming device for heating sterile fluids in a removable basin is described with emphasis on the properties of the basin interaction with the liquid warming device and with a drape that works with the basin to maintain a sterile field above the drape and the top of the basin. Also disclosed are various desirable aspects for a control system for a liquid warming device. |
US08138453B2 |
Electric oven with multiple broil heaters and method for preheating the electric oven
A electric oven is provided that includes a body, a cooking chamber located within the body for receiving food, the cooking chamber having an upper surface, a lower surface, and a rear surface joining the upper surface to the lower surface, at least one of a convection heater located at the rear surface of the cooking chamber and a bake heater located at the lower surface of the cooking chamber, and at least two broil heaters located at the upper surface of the cooking chamber, each of the at least two broil heaters being individually operable. Methods for preheating the electric oven are also provided. |
US08138450B2 |
Method for cutting workpiece
A method of cutting an object to be processed is provided, which can accurately cut an object to be processed comprising a substrate and a multilayer part provided on the front face of the substrate while having a plurality of functional devices into the functional devices along a line to cut in a short time even when the substrate is thick. A substrate 4 is irradiated with laser light L from the multilayer part 16 side while locating a converging point P within the substrate 4, so as to form a first modified region 71 shifted from the center position CL in the thickness direction of the substrate 4 to the rear face 21 side of the substrate 4 and a second modified region 72 shifted from the center position CL in the thickness direction of the substrate 4 to the front face 3 side of the substrate 4 within the substrate 4 along a line to cut, and generate a fracture 24 from the second modified region 72 to the front face 3 of the substrate 4. Thereafter, while in a state where an expandable tape 23 attached to the rear face 21 of the substrate 4 is expanded, a stress is generated in an object to be processed 1 such as to open the fracture 24. |
US08138449B2 |
Method of joining sheet members together
A method of joining sheet members together, which enables two sheets to be joined while conveying these sheets and reducing a cause of inferior products as much as possible. The method of joining sheet members includes: bonding an end of a new sheet member to a surface of a preceding sheet member through an adhesive material to form a joined part; and cutting the preceding sheet member at a position rearward of the joined part to join the preceding sheet member with a new sheet member, wherein the preceding sheet member is secured to the new sheet at a position rearward of the joined part. In addition, in the method of joining sheet members, the securing is carried out by welding using laser beam. |
US08138444B2 |
Plasma processing apparatus
Provided is a plasma processing apparatus including a chamber, a lower electrode, an upper electrode, and a substrate sensor. The chamber is configured to provide a reaction space. The lower electrode is disposed at a lower region in the chamber to mount a substrate thereon. The upper electrode is disposed at an upper region in the chamber to be opposite to the lower electrode. The substrate sensor is provided on the chamber to sense the substrate. Herein, the upper electrode includes an electrode plate and an insulating plate attached on the bottom of the electrode plate, and at least one guide hole is formed in the upper electrode to guide light output from the substrate sensor toward the substrate. |
US08138442B2 |
Wire electric discharge machining method, semiconductor wafer manufacturing method, and solar battery cell manufacturing method
Provided are a wire electric discharge machining method for poorly conductive materials, such as solar cell silicon, and a semiconductor wafer manufacturing method and a solar battery cell manufacturing method based on the wire electric discharge machining method. Electrical discharge machining of a high volume resistivity, hard and brittle materials, having a volume resistivity that is equal to or higher than 0.5 Ω·cm and equal to or lower than 5 Ω·cm is performed by applying a pulse voltage having a pulse width that is equal to or higher than 1 μsec and equal to or lower than 4 μsec and having a peak current at the time of machining a wire electrode that is equal to or higher than 10A and equal to or lower than 50A to a wire electrode and generating a discharge pulse between the wire electrode and a subject to be machined. |
US08138440B2 |
Medium-voltage circuit-breaker
A fast acting switching mechanism for a circuit breaker includes a drive rod articulated to a drive module and supporting at an end thereof a contact bridge having at opposite ends thereof respective moveable contacts for switchably engaging a pair of fixed contacts of the circuit breaker. A contact spring unit is operatively coupled to the drive module for applying closing pressure in the order of 200 Kg; and a latch latches the drive rod in an open or closed position after operation of the circuit breaker and prevents rebounds. The contact bridge includes a pair of side conductors supporting on upper edges thereof an armature having an exposed upper surface that supports the moveable contacts at opposite ends of the armature; and a reinforcing element inserted between the side conductors. |
US08138433B2 |
Sequenced separately-derived transfer switch capable of switching a load between a pair of power supplies without introducing open neutral switching transients
An interlock arrangement operatively associated with utility and generator side switches of an electrical panel including a first main switch associated with the first power supply and a second main switch associated with the second power supply. The interlock arrangement includes a first neutral switch associated with the first power supply, and a second neutral switch associated with the second power supply. A lockout sequencer arrangement has a first lockout that restricts simultaneous switching of the first and the second neutral switch, a second lockout configured to engage the first lockout to restrict movement of the first lockout when the first main switch is a conductive position, and a third lockout configured to engage the first lockout to restrict movement of the first lockout when the second main switch is in a conductive position. |
US08138432B2 |
Electrical switch assembly
A switch assembly operating an electrical circuit using an elastomeric pad is provided. The elastomeric pad comprises one or more collapsible domes that are positioned such that a plunger element supported by the switch assembly collapses the domes when an actuation button is tilted. The plunger element may have a limiting mechanism to limit downward movement of the plunger element such that the collapsible domes are not overloaded. The body and plunger may also be formed with complementary profiled portions that restrict any one or more of fore/aft, side-to-side and up/down movements of the plunger with respect to the body to prevent abnormal loading on the collapsible domes to increase the lifecycle of the elastomeric portion. The elastomeric portion may also be adapted to provide both single and dual double detent feedback by using passive collapsible domes that provide tactile feedback without operating on the electrical circuit. |
US08138429B2 |
Electromagnetic shielding article
A shielding article includes a polymeric conductive layer and a protective layer disposed adjacent the polymeric conductive layer. The polymeric conductive layer provides electromagnetic shielding characteristics so as to prevent receipt of data from a radio frequency information component by an external device when the component is located between the external device on one side and the polymeric conductive and protective layers on the other side. The shielding article may be shaped to substantially surround the radio frequency information component. |
US08138424B2 |
Wiring substrate including a reinforcing structural body
A wiring substrate includes (i) a wiring forming region in which wiring layers and an insulating layer are alternately stacked, (ii) an outer periphery region around the wiring forming region, and (iii) a reinforcing structural body having (a) a first reinforcing member continuously extending along said outer periphery region, and (b) a second reinforcing member extending in a thickness direction and being engaged with the first reinforcing member. |
US08138423B2 |
Printed wiring board and method for manufacturing printed wiring board
A printed wiring board and a method for manufacturing the printed wiring board in which widths of a first and a second circuit are close to each other and substantial miniaturization can be achieved. In order to achieve this object, a first circuit and a second circuit having different thicknesses are formed in the same reference plane by etching a metal-clad laminate including a conductive layer and an insulating layer. The thicker of the circuits has a clad-like configuration in which three layers, a first copper layer/a different kind of metal layer/a second copper layer, are sequentially stacked. The manufacture of the printed wiring board includes a clad composite material in which three layers of a first copper layer/a different kind of metal layer/a second copper layer are sequentially stacked as a start material, and selective etching characteristics between the layers are utilized. |
US08138420B2 |
Semi-bonded shielding in a coaxial cable
Semi-bonded shielding in a coaxial cable. In one example embodiment, a coaxial cable includes a center conductor surrounded by a dielectric, an inner conductive tape surrounding the dielectric, a conductive braid surrounding the inner conductive tape, an outer conductive tape surrounding the conductive braid, and a jacket surrounding the outer conductive tape such that the strip of bonding agent semi-bonds the outer conductive tape to the jacket. The outer conductive tape includes an aluminum layer, a polymer layer adjacent to the aluminum layer, and a strip of bonding agent adjacent to the aluminum layer. The strip of bonding agent covers between about 10% and about 33% of a surface of the aluminum layer. |
US08138416B2 |
Solar cell and method for manufacturing the same
Disclosed are a relatively high-efficiency solar cell and a method for fabricating the same using a micro-heater array. The solar cell may include first and second micro-heaters intersecting each other or being parallel to each other on a substrate, and a plurality of InxGa1-xN p-n junction layers formed using the first and second micro-heaters. The solar cell has improved efficiency because sunlight with various wavelengths may be effectively absorbed by the plurality of InxGa1-xN p-n junction layers. Furthermore, relatively large-sized solar cells may be fabricated, because the plurality of InxGa1-xN p-n junction layers may be formed on a glass substrate using a micro-heater array. |
US08138409B2 |
Interactive music training and entertainment system
Embodiments of a music training and entertainment system are described that allows a user to input a selection of source music in a native format, and isolates a desired vocal or instrument component within the source music. The user selects the component of the source music against which he or she will be compared. The system suppresses the non-selected components of the source content to isolate the user-selected component. The system receives user input corresponding to the isolated component, such as a vocal track, and matches the receiver's performance to the original performance. The system then provides meaningful and entertaining feedback to allow the user to practice and improve his or her performance. In a multi-user configuration a number of users, such as a band or ensemble can provide a performance, or individual users can compete against each other to see who can obtain the highest score. |
US08138402B2 |
Keyboard musical instrument and solenoid drive mechanism
A keyboard musical instrument has a solenoid including a plunger and a coil into which the plunger is inserted, a drive unit for applying voltage to the solenoid, and a key which moves together with the plunger, and on which a force generated by the solenoid is exerted. The drive unit includes a position detector for detecting position of the key in the direction in which the key is depressed or released. By varying voltage which is to be applied to the solenoid in accordance with the position of the key detected by the position detector while the key is in motion, the drive unit varies the force which is to be generated by the solenoid. |
US08138400B2 |
Plants and seeds of hybrid corn variety CH848055
According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the hybrid corn variety designated CH848055. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CH848055, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CH848055 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 CH848055. |
US08138397B2 |
Cotton cultivar L-403
A cotton cultivar, designated L-403, is disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds of cotton cultivar L-403, to the plants of cotton L-403 and to methods for producing a cotton plant produced by crossing the cultivar L-403 with itself or another cotton variety. The invention further relates to hybrid cotton seeds and plants produced by crossing the cultivar L-403 with another cotton cultivar. |
US08138394B2 |
Plants and seeds of spring canola variety SCV431158
The invention relates to a novel canola line designated as SCV431158. The invention also relates to the seeds, the plants, and the plant parts of canola line SCV431158 as well as to methods for producing a canola plant produced by crossing canola line SCV431158 with itself or with another canola line. The invention also relates to methods for producing a canola plant containing in its genetic material one or more transgenes and to the transgenic canola plants and plant parts produced by those methods. The invention further relates to canola lines or breeding lines and plant parts derived from canola line SCV431158, to methods for producing other canola lines or plant parts derived from canola line SCV431158 and to the canola plants, varieties, and their parts derived from use of those methods. The invention additionally relates to hybrid canola seeds, plants, and plant parts produced by crossing the line SCV431158 with another canola line. |
US08138392B2 |
Disease resistant plants
The invention provides transgenic plants with resistance to infection by a root-infecting fungal plant pathogen such as Phymatotrichopsis omnivora. Also provided are methods of making such plants. Further provided are nucleic acid vectors for producing such a plant. Additionally, methods are provided for growing a dicotyledonous plant that is resistant to root rot disease in soil that comprises Phymatotrichopsis omnivora, or another pathogen. |
US08138390B2 |
Biological control agent for plants
A biological control agent for plants and a method of inoculating the plants with the biological control agent in order protect against plant disease are provided. The treatment method consists of inoculating the plant with a strain of cucumber mosaic virus (CMV), referred to as the KU1 strain, having an associated viral satellite RNA of SEQ ID NO: 1. Particularly, the KU1 strain may be used to protect plants against a particular viral strain of CMV, referred to as the KU2 strain, characterized by the associated viral satellite RNA of SEQ ID NO: 2, which causes tomato necrosis. Additionally, the KU1 strain may be used to protect against potato spindle tuber viroid (PSTV), which causes tomato stunting, fusarium wilt disease in the tomato (caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. Lycopersicae), and leaf spotting disease in the tomato (caused by Alternaria alternate). |
US08138389B2 |
Method for modifying plant morphology, biochemistry and physiology
The present invention provides nucleotide sequences and corresponding amino acid sequences for plant cytokinin oxidase proteins. In addition, vectors, host cells, and transgenic plants comprising such sequences as well as methods for stimulating root growth and/or enhancing the formation of lateral or adventitious roots and/or altering root geotropism using such sequences are provided by the present invention. Also provided by the present invention are methods for altering various plant phenotypes including delaying onset to flowering, increasing leaf thickness, reducing vessel size, inducing parthenocarpy, increasing branching, increasing seed size and/or weight, embryo size and/or weight, and cotyledon size and/or weight using cytokinin oxidase proteins and/or nucleic acid molecules encoding cytokinin oxidase. |
US08138388B2 |
Absorbent article and method for maintaining or improving skin health
Disclosed is a method for maintaining and/or improving skin health in the area of a wearer covered by an absorbent article. The absorbent article includes a vapor permeable backsheet, a liquid pervious topsheet positioned in facing relation with the backsheet, an absorbent core located between the backsheet and the topsheet. The absorbent article also includes skin care compositions thereon for maintaining and/or improving skin health. |
US08138387B2 |
Absorbent article with colored lotioned sheet
An absorbent article to be worn by a wearer having a skin-contacting sheet such as a topsheet, a backsheet, an absorbent core and a colored hydrophilic lotion, that not only helps to reduce the adherence of the menses or feces to the skin, thereby improving the ease of menses or bowl movement (BM) clean up, but that also may serve as a wetness indicator. The absorbent articles may be infant (baby) diapers, including training pants, adult incontinence articles and the like. |
US08138386B2 |
Method for converting hydrocarbons with zeolite shaped catalyst
The invention provides methods for converting hydrocarbons as starting material by industrial fixed-bed reaction processes with a zeolite shaped catalyst which has a low content of inorganic binder and a high pore volume and which shows high catalytic activity, long catalyst life and high crushing strength. A zeolite shaped catalyst used in the methods of the invention includes zeolite and an inorganic binder and is obtained by kneading zeolite, a starting material of an inorganic binder, shaping auxiliary(ies), organic polymer particles having an average diameter of 0.1 to 6 μm and water into a kneaded product, and extruding, drying and calcining the kneaded product; and the zeolite shaped catalyst has a zeolite component content of not less than 60 wt % relative to the total weight, a pore volume of 0.4 to 1.0 ml/g, a half-volume pore diameter of 80 to 500 nm and a crushing strength of not less than 0.9 kg. |
US08138385B2 |
Process for xylene and ethylbenzene isomerization using UZM-35HS
Xylene and ethylbenzene isomerization process is catalyzed by the UZM-35 family of crystalline aluminosilicate zeolites represented by the empirical formula: Mmn+Rr+Al(1-x)ExSiyOz where M represents a combination of potassium and sodium exchangeable cations, R is a singly charged organoammonium cation such as the dimethyldipropylammonium cation and E is a framework element such as gallium. These UZM-35 zeolites are active and selective in the isomerization of xylenes and ethylbenzene. |
US08138384B2 |
Production of alkylated aromatic hydrocarbons from methane
In a process for converting methane to alkylated aromatic hydrocarbons, a feed containing methane is contacted with a dehydrocyclization catalyst under conditions effective to convert said methane to aromatic hydrocarbons and produce a first effluent stream comprising aromatic hydrocarbons and hydrogen. At least a portion of said aromatic hydrocarbon from said first effluent stream is then contacted with an alkylating agent under conditions effective to alkylate said aromatic hydrocarbon and produce an alkylated aromatic hydrocarbon having more alkyl side chains than said aromatic hydrocarbon prior to the alkylating. |
US08138382B2 |
Process for producing mixed gas hydrate
The composition of raw mixed gas and the gas composition of produced mixed gas hydrate are uniformed as rapidly as possible. The process for producing a mixed gas hydrate comprises the gas hydrate forming step of reacting a mixed gas (g) with water (w) to thereby obtain a gas hydrate in slurry form; the dewatering step of removing the water (w) from the gas hydrate slurry (s); the palletizing step of forming the gas hydrate after water removal into pellets; the freezing step of chilling the gas hydrate pellets (p) to the freezing point or below to thereby freeze the same; and the pressure reduction step of depressurizing the frozen gas hydrate to storage pressure, wherein the mixed gas (g) fed to the gas hydrate forming step is diluted by diluent gas (m) as a constituent of the principal components of the mixed gas (g). |
US08138380B2 |
Electrolysis of carbon dioxide in aqueous media to carbon monoxide and hydrogen for production of methanol
An environmentally beneficial method of producing methanol from varied sources of carbon dioxide including flue gases of fossil fuel burning power plants, industrial exhaust gases or the atmosphere itself. Converting carbon dioxide by an electrochemical reduction of carbon dioxide in a divided electrochemical cell that includes an anode in one compartment and a metal cathode electrode in a compartment that also contains an aqueous solution comprising methanol and an electrolyte. An anion-conducting membrane can be provided between the anode and cathode to produce at the cathode therein a reaction mixture containing carbon monoxide and hydrogen, which can be subsequently used to produce methanol while also producing oxygen in the cell at the anode. The oxygen produced at the anode can be recycled for efficient combustion of fossil fuels in power plants to exclusively produce CO2 exhausts for capture and recycling as the source of CO2 for the cell. |
US08138378B2 |
Reactive amine catalysts for polyurethane foam
A process for the separation of a first amine having a tertiary amine group and a secondary amine group such as N,N,N′-trimethylbis(aminoethyl)ether from a di-tertiary amine such as N,N,N′,N′-tetramethylbis(aminoethyl)ether, comprising: contacting a mixture of the first amine and the di-tertiary amine with a carbonyl compound capable of forming an enamine such that the carbonyl compound reacts with the first amine to form an enamine; separating the enamine from the di-tertiary amine; and subsequently converting the enamine to the first amine. |
US08138374B2 |
Composition for external application to skin
The present invention provides a composition for external application to skin containing one type or two or more types of compounds selected from the group consisting of aminoacetoamide compounds represented by the following general formula (1) and salts thereof. |
US08138373B2 |
Process for the manufacture of dihydropteridinones
Disclosed are processes for preparing dihydropteridinones of general formula (I) wherein the groups L and R1-R5 have the meanings given in the claims and in the specification. |
US08138369B2 |
Removal of branched dibenzothiophenes from hydrocarbon mixtures via charge transfer complexes with a TAPA-functionalized adsorbent
A process for producing an adsorbent where a metal oxide is reacted with an alkoxy silane to produce an epoxy-functionalized metal oxide. This product is reacted with an amino-substituted propionic acid and a nitro-substituted fluorenone, and this product is grafted to the epoxy-functionalized metal oxide. This grafted product is the adsorbent, which may be contacted with a hydrocarbon mixture having at least one sulfur containing compound in order to remove this sulfur containing compound. Also disclosed is a process for adding polymerization groups to an adsorbent. |
US08138364B2 |
Transparent conducting oxide thin films and related devices
Transparent conducting oxide thin films having a reduced indium content and/or an increased tin content are provided. In addition, processes for producing the same, precursors for producing the same, and transparent electroconductive substrate for display panels and organic electroluminescence devices, both including the transparent conducting oxide thin films, are provided. |
US08138358B2 |
Synthesis of polycyclic procyanidins
The invention provides compounds that are A-type procyanidins. The compounds can be prepared by reacting flavylium salts with catechins or analogs thereof, for example, under anhydrous conditions in alcohol. |
US08138357B2 |
Compounds and their salts specific to the PPAR receptors and the EGF receptors and their use in the medical field
Therefore the present invention relates specifically to the compounds of general formula (I), in which R1 and R2, which may be identical or different, are selected from the group comprising H, —CnH2n-1, a linear or branched alkyl group having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, or together form an aromatic or aliphatic ring with 5 or 6 atoms; R3 is selected from —CO—CH3, —NHOH, —OH, —OR6 in which R6 is a linear or branched alkyl group having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms; R4 is selected from H, a linear or branched alkyl group having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, phenyl, benzyl, —CF3 or —CF2CF3, vinyl or allyl; R5, R7, R8 are hydrogen atoms; or R3 and R4, R4 and R5, or R7 and R8 together form a ring, fused to the benzene, aromatic or aliphatic ring with 5 or 6 atoms comprising from 1 to 2 heteroatoms selected independently from the group comprising N, O. and use thereof in the medical field. |
US08138354B2 |
N-substituted pyrrolidonium ionic liquids
This invention relates to compounds useful as ionic liquids that are based on an N-substituted pyrrolidinone and incorporate a pendant ammonium cation that is spaced from the pyrrolidone ring by a variable length linker, which compounds may be represented by the structure of the following Formula I: wherein: (a) Z is —(CH2)n—, wherein n is an integer from 2 to 12; (b) R2. R3 and R4 are each independently H or a C1 to C6 straight-chain or branched alkyl group; and (c) A− is levulinate, [CF3—O—CFHCF2SO3]−, [CF3CF2OCFHCF2SO3]−, or [CF3CF2CF2OCFHCF2SO3]−. |
US08138350B2 |
N′-cyano-N-halogenalkylimidamide derivatives
The present application relates to novel substituted N′-cyano-N-halogenalkylimidamide derivatives, to processes for their preparation and to their use for controlling animal pests, especially arthropods, in particular insects. |
US08138347B2 |
Quinoline derivatives as PI3 kinase inhibitors
Invented is a method of inhibiting the activity/function of PI3 kinases using quinoline derivatives. Also invented is a method of treating one or more disease states selected from: autoimmune disorders, inflammatory diseases, cardiovascular diseases, neurodegenerative diseases, allergy, asthma, pancreatitis, multiorgan failure, kidney diseases, platelet aggregation, cancer, sperm motility, transplantation rejection, graft rejection and lung injuries by the administration of quinoline derivatives. |
US08138337B2 |
Reverse-turn mimetics and method relating thereto
Conformationally constrained compounds that mimic the secondary structure of reverse-turn regions of biologically active peptides and proteins as well as their prodrugs are disclosed. Such reverse-turn mimetic structures and prodrugs have utility over a wide range of fields, including use as diagnostic and therapeutic agents. Libraries containing the reverse-turn mimetic structures of this invention are also disclosed as well as methods for screening the same to identify biologically active members. The invention also relates to the use of such compounds and prodrugs for inhibiting or treating disorders modulated by Wnt-signaling pathway, such as cancer, especially colorectal cancer, restenosis associated with angioplasty, polycystic kidney disease, aberrant angiogenesis disease, rheumatoid arthritis disease, tuberous sclerosis complex, Alzheimer's disease, excess hair growth or loss, or ulcerative colitis. |
US08138333B2 |
Sulfonyl-indole derivatives
The present invention relates to novel compounds of formula (I): wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, and R5 are as described herein, to pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compounds, to processes for their preparation, as well as to the use of the compounds for the preparation of a medicament against 5-HT6 receptor-related disorders. |
US08138331B2 |
Water-dispersible polysaccharide derivatives of reduced glyoxal content, and a process for decreasing the glyoxal content in glyoxal-crosslinked polysaccharide derivatives
A description is given of glyoxal-treated polysaccharide derivatives which, to decrease the unbound glyoxal, are treated with an aqueous solution of one or more water-soluble aluminium salts, or one or more water-soluble borates, or a combination of one or more water-soluble aluminium salts and one or more water-soluble borates, and, if appropriate, with suitable buffer substances to set the pH, and then dried.A description is likewise given of a process for decreasing the content of unbound glyoxal in glyoxal-treated polysaccharide derivatives. |
US08138330B2 |
Process for the synthesis of oligonucleotides
The present invention discloses novel methods for the synthesis of oligonucleotides with nucleoside phosphoramidites on solid supports. The methods comprise the stepwise chain assembly of oligonucleotides on supports with 5′-acyl phosphoramidites. The synthesis cycles consist of a front end deprotection step which is conducted with a solution of a primary amine or a phenolate, a phosphoramidite coupling step with a 5′-acyl nucleoside phosphoramidite in the presence of an activator, a phosphite oxidation step and an optional capping step. The novel methods improve the quality of synthetic oligonucleotides due to the irreversibility of the front end deprotection step, which prevents the formation of deletion sequences, and due to the avoidance of acidic reagents in the synthesis cycles, which prevent the formation of depurination side products. The invention further discloses novel nucleoside phosphoramidite compositions wherein the phosphoramidites carry acyl front end protective groups which are cleavable with primary amines or phenolates. The invention is applicable to the synthesis of oligodeoxyribonucleotides, oligoribonucleotides and oligonucleotides with modifications in their sugar or phosphate groups. |
US08138329B2 |
siRNA targeting connective tissue growth factor (CTGF)
Efficient sequence specific gene silencing is possible through the use of siRNA technology. By selecting particular siRNAs by rational design, one can maximize the generation of an effective gene silencing reagent, as well as methods for silencing genes. Methods, compositions, and kits generated through rational design of siRNAs are disclosed including those directed to CTGF. |
US08138328B2 |
Modulation of apolipoprotein (A) expression
Compounds, compositions and methods are provided for modulating the expression of apolipoprotein(a). The compositions comprise oligonucleotides, targeted to nucleic acid encoding apolipoprotein(a). Methods of using these compounds for modulation of apolipoprotein(a) expression and for diagnosis and treatment of disease associated with expression of apolipoprotein(a) are provided. |
US08138327B2 |
Inducible systems and methods for controlling siRNA expression
An inducible system and methods for controlling expression of siRNA are provided. An inducible system for producing siRNA only in the presence of HIV TAT, and methods for inhibiting HIV-1 gene expression in cells comprising such inducible system also are provided. |
US08138324B2 |
Expression system for proteins
The invention provides a novel system for the tunable expression of nucleic acids encoding e.g., polypeptides such as recombinant proteins in prokaryotic systems. The system is based on the ability of T7 lysozyme (T7Lys) to inhibit the activity of T7RNAP. Expression of T7Lys can be continuously adjusted as its expression is under the control of a promoter whose activity can be titrated. The invention provides a host cell capable of expressing T7 RNA polymerase, the host cell comprising a first nucleic acid having a T7 lysozyme gene or a T7 lysozyme variant gene and a tunable promoter for controlling the expression of the T7 lysozyme gene. It also provides a host cell further comprising a second nucleic acid having a T7 promoter operably linked to a nucleic acid sequence encoding a target polypeptide, whereby expression of the target polypeptide is tuned via controlling the expression of the T7 lysozyme gene. |
US08138321B2 |
Acetolactate synthase (ALS) selectable marker from Trichoderma reesei
A nucleic acid encoding an acetolactate synthase (ALS) protein that provides resistance to ALS inhibitors, e.g., sulphonylurea and imidazolinone compounds, is provided. The nucleic acid may be used as a selectable marker for expression of a protein of interest in host cells. |
US08138320B2 |
Fluorescent proteins and methods for using same
The present invention provides nucleic acid molecules encoding novel red fluorescent proteins from Entacmaea quadricolor and mutants thereof. Also of interest are proteins that are substantially similar to the novel red fluorescent proteins. In addition, host cells, stable cell lines and transgenic organisms comprising the nucleic acid molecules encoding the novel red fluorescent proteins are provided. The subject proteins and nucleic acid compositions find use in a variety of different applications and methods, particularly for labeling of biomolecules, cells, or cell organelles. Finally, kits for use in such methods and applications are provided. |
US08138316B2 |
Feline pancreatic lipase
Isolated nucleic acid molecules having a nucleotide sequence encoding feline pancreatic lipase polypeptides, splice variants, allelic variants, and fragments thereof. Isolated feline pancreatic lipase polypeptides, splice variants, allelic variants, and fragments thereof. Host cells comprising a vector containing the polynucleotide sequences and methods for expressing the polypeptides. The generation of monoclonal antibodies that specifically binds to the feline pancreatic lipase polypeptides, and cell lines secreting the monoclonal antibodies. Methods for determining the presence or amount of feline pancreatic lipase in a biological sample. The methods include using standards or calibrators of recombinant feline pancreatic lipase to quantify the lipase in a sample. Devices and kits for performing methods for detecting feline pancreatic lipase in biological samples. |
US08138310B2 |
Chimeric CD154 polypeptides
The present invention provides for an isolated polynucleotide sequence encoding a chimeric CD154, comprising a first nucleotide sequence encoding an extracellular subdomain of non-human CD154, preferably murine CD154, that replaces a cleavage site of human CD154, and a second nucleotide sequence encoding an extracellular subdomain of human CD154 that binds to a human CD154 receptor. The present invention also provides for the chimeric CD154 that is encoded by the above-described polynucleotide sequence, an expression vector and a genetic vector comprising the polynucleotide sequence, a host cell comprising the expression vector or the genetic vector, a process for producing the chimeric CD154, and methods for utilizing the expression vectors and genetic constructs containing the chimeric CD154 polynucleotide sequences. |
US08138309B2 |
Modified rubisco large subunit n-methyltransferase useful for targeting molecules to the active-site vicinity of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate
The present invention generally relates to a modified Rubisco large subunit εN-Methyltransferase (Rubisco LSMT, or RLSMT). The present invention also relates to a modified RLSMT-carbonic anhydrase (RLSMT-CA). This modified RLSMT-CA improves the efficiency of the reduction of CO2 during photosynthesis, which may increase plant growth rates. The present invention also relates to nucleic acids encoding the modified RLSMT-CA or modified RLSMT. Also, the present invention relates to cells including the modified RLSMT-CA or modified RLSMT, plants containing the modified RLSMT-CA or modified RLSMT, and methods using compositions of the present invention. In addition, the present invention relates to antibodies conjugated to CA which may bind to Rubisco, and antibodies which bind a modified RLSMT-CA. The invention also relates to modified forms of the LS and SS of Rubisco where the modified forms are fusions with CA or biologically active fragments thereof. The present invention provides methods of altering Rubisco carboxylase activity and altering plant growth. |
US08138306B2 |
Separation method
The present invention relates to a method of separating a compound from a liquid, which method comprises providing a separation matrix comprising at least one uncharged ligand; providing a liquid wherein the compound to be separated is present in a positively charged state; contacting said matrix with said liquid to adsorb the compound; and removing the liquid. The uncharged ligands possess a quadrupole or dipole moment, allowing for a cation-π interaction between the compound and the ligand. The present invention also encompasses the use of a separation matrix, which comprises an uncharged group that possesses a quadrupole or dipole moment, in said method. |
US08138300B1 |
Intermediate transfer member
There is disclosed an intermediate transfer member that includes a layer of a poly(imide-carbonate) copolymer having dispersed therein conductive particles. The layer can be a surface layer. |
US08138296B2 |
Epoxy compounds and process for their production
Novel epoxy compounds represented by the general formula: (wherein R1 and R2 each represent hydrogen, a C1-6 alkyl group or a C1-4 trialkylsilyl group, each R3 may be the same or different and each independently represents hydrogen, alkyl, aryl, aralkyl, alkenyl or fluoroalkyl, and n is 0 or a positive integer), and the general formula: (wherein R3 represents the same groups specified above, R4 represents hydrogen, a C1-6 alkyl group or a C1-4 trialkylsilyl group, and n is 0 or a positive integer), and a process for their production. |
US08138293B2 |
Process for preparing polymers from 3-methylbut-1-ene
The present invention relates to a copolymer which contains 3-methylbut-1-ene as a comonomer and which contains ethene or propene as a further monomer, the proportion of the incorporated 3-methylbut-1-ene being 0.1 to 40 mol %, and to a process for preparing such copolymers, the polymerization being performed in the presence of a catalyst which comprises at least one cyclopentadienyl group. |
US08138286B2 |
Cycloolefin copolymers, a process for their preparation and the use thereof and catalysts
Cycloolefin copolymers which are distinguished by the presence of racemic diads of repeating polycyclic units and additionally by racemic triads of repeating polycyclic units are described. These copolymers can be prepared by copolymerization of polycyclic olefins with linear olefins in the presence of metallocene catalysts which have no Cs symmetry in relation to the centroid-M-centroid plane. The novel copolymers can be used for the production of shaped articles, in particular of films. |
US08138285B2 |
Fluorinated impregnated catalyst systems and methods of forming the same
Methods of forming supported catalyst systems, supported catalyst systems and polymerization processes utilizing the supported catalyst systems are described herein. The methods generally include providing an inorganic support material and contacting the inorganic support material with a support solvent to form a support solution. The methods further include contacting the support solution with a fluorine containing compound represented by the formula AlFpX3-pBq to impregnate the fluorine containing compound within the inorganic support material and form an intermediate, wherein X is selected from Cl, Br and OH−, B is H2O, p is selected from 1 to 3 and q is selected from 0 to 6. In addition, the methods include drying the intermediate to remove the solvent therefrom and heating the intermediate at a temperature of at least about 300° C. to form an impregnated support and contacting the impregnated support with a transition metal compound to form a supported catalyst system, wherein the transition metal compound is represented by the formula [L]mM[A]n; wherein L is a bulky ligand, A is a leaving group, M is a transition metal and m and n are such that a total ligand valency corresponds to the transition metal valency. |
US08138283B2 |
Method for changing the predefined mean molecular weight Mn during the continuous production of polytetrahydrofuranes or THF copolymers
The present invention provides a process for changing the given mean molecular weight Mn in the continuous preparation of polytetrahydrofuran or tetrahydrofuran copolymers, the mono- or diesters of polytetrahydrofuran or of tetrahydrofuran copolymers by polymerizing tetrahydrofuran in the presence of a telogen and/or of a comonomer over an acidic catalyst, wherein a) the molar ratio of telogen to tetrahydrofuran or to tetrahydrofuran and comonomer is changed, b) then the mean molecular weight of at least one sample is determined, c) until the mean molecular weight thus determined differs from the molecular weight to be achieved by the change, the already formed polytetrahydrofuran or the tetrahydrofuran copolymers, the mono- or diesters of polytetrahydrofuran or tetrahydrofuran copolymer is at least partly depolymerized over an acidic catalyst and d) the tetrahydrofuran recovered by depolymerization is recycled at least partly into the polymerization. |
US08138280B2 |
Production of superabsorbent polymers on a continuous belt reactor
The invention relates to a process for production of superabsorbent polymers on a continuous belt reactor, wherein a continuous polymerization belt rests at least partly upon the upper surface of at least one continuous support belt and the at least one continuous support belt slides at least partly on a fixed surface. |
US08138277B2 |
Silane-modified urea derivatives, method for the production thereof, and use thereof as auxiliary rheological agents
Disclosed are silane-modified urea derivatives which can be produced by reacting diisocyanates with aminosilanes, hydroxysilanes, or mercaptosilanes. The inventive silane-modified urea derivatives are suitable especially for use as auxiliary rheological agents, preferably as thixotropic agents for silane-crosslinking systems, particularly for single-component and two-component adhesives and sealants, paint, lacquers, and coating while causing substantially no increase in viscosity, not being subject to discoloring, being reactive, and positively influencing mechanics. |
US08138273B2 |
Compositions including a polythioether
Compositions, such as aerospace sealant, coating, and/or potting compositions are disclosed. The compositions include a polythioether and, in at least some cases, can be sprayable and fuel resistant even when substantially free of volatile organic compounds. |
US08138271B2 |
Crosslinkable composition and molded article made of same
The present invention provides a crosslinkable composition being capable of providing a molded article and a sealing material for an oxygen sensor which have excellent long-term heat resistance and satisfactory compression set. Also there is provided a molded article and a sealing material for an oxygen sensor which have excellent long-term heat resistance and satisfactory compression set. The crosslinkable composition comprises (A) a compound having at least one specific crosslinkable reaction group and (B) a nonperfluoro fluorine-containing elastomer being crosslinkable with the compound (A). |
US08138270B2 |
Process for producing block copolymer, and block copolymer or hydrogenated product thereof
The present invention provides a process for producing a block copolymer in high productivity, by anionic polymerization by use of a lithium initiator, and also to provide the block copolymer and a hydrogenated product thereof, the block copolymer having a conjugated diene block portion with a high vinyl bond content and a vinyl aromatic block portion with a narrow molecular weight distribution and exhibiting a narrow molecular weight distribution and high strength. A conjugated diene monomer and a vinyl aromatic monomer by use of a lithium initiator, are block copolymerized by making a tertiary amine compound and (2) sodium alkoxide coexist, wherein (2)/(1) (a molar ratio)=from 0.01 or more to less than 0.1. |
US08138268B2 |
Adhesive composition, circuit connecting material, connecting structure for circuit member, and semiconductor device
The adhesive composition of the invention comprises a thermoplastic resin, a radical polymerizing compound, a radical polymerization initiator and a radical polymerization regulator. According to the present invention it is possible to provide an adhesive composition, a circuit connecting material, a connection structure for a circuit member and a semiconductor device whereby curing treatment can be carried out with sufficient speed at low temperature, curing treatment can be carried out with a wide process margin, and adequately stable adhesive strength can be obtained. |
US08138267B2 |
Polyolefin compositions and drawn tapes, fibres and filaments produced therefrom
The invention relates to a novel polyolefin composition which is suitable for producing drawn tapes, fibres and filaments which have improved mechanical properties. The composition comprises A) 2 30 wt % of a propylene copolymer which comprises a a) random propylene copolymer having a content of ethylene and/or C 4-C 8a-olefin of 0.5 to 12 wt % and optionally an b) ethylene-a-olefin rubber, B) 70 98 wt % of a high density polyethylene having a density of 930 to 965 kg/m3 and a MFR (190° C./2.16 kg) of 0.3 to 20 g/10 min. |
US08138260B2 |
Rubber composition for side wall and pneumatic tire using the same
By a rubber composition for a side wall, including a rubber component containing a natural rubber component consisting of a natural rubber and a modified natural rubber, 20 to 60 parts by mass of silica, and 0.5 to 15 parts by mass of at least any one of a terpene-based resin and a rosin-based resin based on 100 parts by mass of the rubber component, and a pneumatic tire provided with a side wall rubber using the same, a rubber composition for a side wall in which both of maintenance of properties desired in a rubber composition for a side wall such as durability and improvement in processibility can be realized while a use amount of a raw material derived from a petroleum source is reduced, and a pneumatic tire in which running safety is improved by providing with a side wall rubber using the same, are provided. |
US08138258B2 |
Clear coating composition for an automobile and method of forming a multi-layer coating film using the same
An automotive clear coating composition includes a hydroxyl group-containing acrylic resin obtained using hydroxyalkyl(meth)acrylate having a hydroxyalkyl group having 4-9 carbon atoms as at least a part of its monomer; and a polyfunctional isocyanate compound in which at least a part thereof is an isocyanurate type isocyanate compound. The prepared composition has 25 to 50 mass % of a soft segment part with respect to a total solid content of such acrylic resin and the polyfunctional isocyanate compound, and a ratio of a soft segment part derived from a lactone-containing monomer with respect to the total solid content of such acrylic resin and the polyfunctional isocyanate compound of not more than 4.5 mass %. A cured coating film has a dynamic glass transition temperature within a range of 30 to 60° C. The soft segment part is represented by —CH2)n— wherein n represents an integer of 4 or more. |
US08138256B2 |
Flame-retardant resin composition
Disclosed is a flame-retardant resin composition which comprises inorganic particles, preferably a fly ash, containing a complex of silicon dioxide and aluminum oxide and having D50 of 1 to 10 μm. |
US08138253B2 |
Filler for powder coating material and powder coating composition containing the same
A filler for powder coating materials is provided, which comprises inorganic parties having a Mohs hardness of 1 to 4 and satisfying the following particle size distribution of the following relationships (1) to (5): 2≦A≦30 (1); Cumulative 50 vol. % diameter (median diameter) determined by Microtrac FRA [μm]; 0≦B≦35 (2); Cumulative undersize for one-half the cumulative 50 vol. % diameter (median diameter) determined by Microtrac FRA [vol. %]; 1≦C≦25 (3); Value obtained by dividing cumulative 90 vol. % diameter determined by Microtrac FRA by cumulative 10 vol. % diameter [-]; 1≦D≦6 (4); Value obtained by dividing cumulative 75 vol. % diameter determined by Microtrac FRA by cumulative 25 vol. % diameter [-]; and E≦100 (5); Maximum particle diameter in particle-diameter fraction frequency distribution determined by Microtrac FRA [μm]. The filler for powder coating materials of the present invention can provide a powder coating composition for forming a coating film having excellent matte property, a smooth surface with reduced irregularities, satisfactory appearance and excellent in processability and impact resistance. |
US08138249B2 |
Phosphonate-containing two-component coating system and the production and use thereof
The invention relates to two-component coating systems comprising as component (a) one or more polyisocyanates, as component (b) one or more oligomeric and/or polymeric compounds that are reactive with component (a), and as component (c) one or more phosphonates selected from the group of phosphonic diesters and diphosphonic diesters, where (i) component (b) comprises all oligomeric and/or polymeric compounds that are present in the two-component coating system and are reactive with component (a) and (ii) component (b) contains not more than 15% by weight, based on the total weight of component (b), of oligomeric and/or polymeric compounds which carry isocyanate-reactive amino groups. Additionally provided by the invention are a process for preparing the two-component coating systems, and the use of these coating systems as a clearcoat, more particularly for multicoat automobile finishing. |
US08138246B2 |
Polymer electrolyte, electrochemical device, and actuator element
A polymer electrolyte which comprises an ionic liquid (A) and a block copolymer (B) as essential ingredients, which block copolymer (B) comprises one or more of polymer block(s) (P) being compatible with (A) and one or more of polymer block(s) (Q) being incompatible with (A). (A) and (P) mutually dissolve each other to form one phase (X), and (Q) forms a phase (Y) being incompatible with phase (X), and phase (X) and phase (Y) are mutually micro phase separated. The polymer electrolyte of the present invention shows practical ion conductivity, is excellent in retention of ionic liquid, and moreover, is also excellent in heat resistance and mechanical strength. Furthermore, the electrochemical device and actuator element of the invention are swiftly displaced in accordance with application of a voltage, and can be actuated stably for a long period due to the liquid-retaining property and mechanical strength of the polymer electrolyte used, and, therefore, can suitably be used in the fields of medical instruments, micro-machines, industrial robot, personal robot, etc. |
US08138241B2 |
Shapable resin compositions
The present invention provides processes for the extrusion of a shapable resin-containing composition as a foam, wherein said composition comprises at least one extrudable resin and at least one saccharide ester of Formula I: Also disclosed are foams produced by said processes. |
US08138240B2 |
Composition suitable for a powder coating composition comprising at least one resin and at least one dispersant
Composition suitable for a powder coating composition comprising at least one resin and at least one dispersant wherein the dispersant is added during the resin synthesis or while the resin leaves the reactor. |
US08138239B2 |
Polymer thermal interface materials
In some embodiments, polymer thermal interface materials are presented. In this regard, a thermal interface material is introduced comprising a polymer matrix, a matrix additive, wherein the matrix additive comprises a fluxing agent, and a spherical filler material, wherein the spherical filler material comprises a metallic core with an organic solderability preservative coating. Other embodiments are also disclosed and claimed. |
US08138236B2 |
Solvent-free moisture activated latent curing surgical adhesive or sealant
The invention relates to a novel moisture activated solvent-free latent curing adhesive or sealant mixture comprising (1) a selected poly(alkylene oxide)imine, and (2) a selected amine reactive moiety. |
US08138235B2 |
Polyurethane foam and method for manufacturing the same
A polyurethane foam is obtained by reacting, foaming, and curing raw material that includes a polyol, a polyisocyanate, a blowing agent, a catalyst, and an inorganic compound hydrate. The raw material includes, as the polyol, a polymeric polyol obtained by graft polymerization of a vinyl monomer onto a polyether polyol and a polyether polyol obtained by addition polymerization of an alkylene oxide to a polyhydric alcohol and having a mass average molecular weight of 400 to 1,000. The blending quantity of the inorganic compound hydrate is 10 to 80 parts by mass per 100 parts by mass of the polyol. Preferably, the raw material further includes, as the polyol, a polyether polyol obtained by addition polymerization of an alkylene oxide to a polyhydric alcohol and has a molecular weight of 2,000 to 4,000. |
US08138234B2 |
Polyurethane composite materials
Polymeric composite materials, particularly highly filled polyurethane composite materials are described herein. Such highly filled polyurethane composite materials may be formed by reaction and extrusion of one or more polyols, one or more di- or poly-isocyanates, and from about 45 to about 85 weight percent of inorganic filler such as fly ash. Certain polyols, including plant-based polyols can be used. Certain composite materials also contain chain extenders and/or crosslinkers. The polyurethane composite material may also contain fibers such as chopped or axial fibers which further provide good mechanical properties to the composite material. Shaped articles containing the polyurethane composite material have been found to have good mechanical properties, such that the shaped articles are suitable for building applications. |
US08138229B2 |
Compositions and methods of delivery of pharmacological agents
The present invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition comprising a pharmaceutical agent and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, which carrier comprises a protein, for example, human serum albumin and/or deferoxamine. He human serum albumin is present in an amount effective to reduce one or more side effects associated with administration of the pharmaceutical composition. The inventor also provides methods for reducing on or more side effects of administration of the pharmaceutical composition, and methods for enhancing transport and binding of a pharmaceutical agent to a cell. |
US08138225B2 |
Histone deacetylase inhibitors based on alpha-ketoepoxide compounds
Histone deacetylase is a metallo-enzyme with zinc at the active site. Compounds having a zinc-binding moiety, for example, an alpha-ketoepoxide group, such as an alpha-ketothio group, can inhibit histone deacetylase. Histone deacetylase inhibition can repress gene expression, including expression of genes related to tumor suppression. Accordingly, inhibition of histone deacetylase can provide an alternate route for treating cancer, hematological disorders, e.g., hemoglobinopathies, autosomal dominant disorders, e.g. spinal muscular atrophy and Huntington's disease, genetic related metabolic disorders, e.g., cystic fibrosis and adrenoleukodystrophy, or to stimulate hematopoietic cells ex vivo. |
US08138222B2 |
Whitening agents for cellulosic substrates
This invention relates to novel whitening agents for cellulosic substrates. The whitening agents are comprised of at least two components: at least one chromophore component and at least one polymeric component. Suitable chromophore components generally fluoresce blue, red, violet, or purple color when exposed to ultraviolet light, or they may absorb light to reflect these same shades. The whitening agents are further characterized by having a dispersion component value of the Hansen Solubility Parameter of less than or equal to about 17 MPa0.5. This invention also relates to laundry care compositions including but not limited to liquid and/or powder laundry detergent formulations and rinse added fabric softening (RAFS) compositions that comprise such whitening agents. |
US08138221B2 |
Pharmaceutically acceptable salts of thymodepressin and processes for their manufacture
The present invention relates to pharmaceutically acceptable crystalline and amorphous salts of D-isoglutamyl-D-tryptophan as well as processes for their manufacture, pharmaceutical compositions comprising them, and their uses in the preparation of pharmaceutical compositions for the treatment of various conditions and/or diseases. In particular, the present invention relates to D-isoglutamyl-D-tryptophan potassium salt (1:1), D-isoglutamyl-D-tryptophan lithium salt (1:1), D-isoglutamyl-D-tryptophan calcium salt (2:1), D-isoglutamyl-D-tryptophan magnesium salt (2:1), and D-isoglutamyl-D-tryptophan organic ammonium salts (1:1). |
US08138216B2 |
Cannabinoid receptor antagonists/inverse agonists useful for treating metabolic disorders, including obesity and diabetes
The present invention provides novel pyrazoles that are useful as cannabinoid receptor antagonists and pharmaceutical compositions thereof and methods of using the same for treating obesity, diabetes, hepatic disorders, and/or cardiometabolic disorders. |
US08138213B2 |
Isoxazoline-substituted benzamide compound and pesticide
A 3,5-Bis (substituted aryl) substituted isoxazoline compound of formula (2) or a salt thereof: wherein A1 is a carbon atom or nitrogen atom; X1 is selected from the group consisting of a halogen atom, —SF5, C1-C6haloalkyl, hydroxy C1-C6haloalkyl, C1-C6alkoxy C1-C6haloalkyl, C1-C6haloalkoxy C1-C6haloalkyl, C3-C8halocycloalkyl, C1-C6haloalkoxy, C1-C3haloalkoxy C1-C3haloalkoxy, C1-C6haloalkylthio, C1-C6haloalkylsulfinyl and C1-C6haloalkylsulfonyl; X2 is selected from the group consisting of a halogen atom, cyano, nitro, C1-C6alkyl, C1-C6haloalkyl, —OR5, —OSO2R5 and —S(O)rR5; Y is selected from the group consisting of a halogen atom, cyano, nitro, C1-C4alkyl, C1-C4haloalkyl, C1-C4alkoxy, C1-C4haloalkoxy, C1-C6alkylthio, C1-C6haloalkylthio, C1-C6alkylsulfonyl, C1-C6haloalkylsulfonyl, —NHR7 and —N(R7)R6; R is selected from the group consisting of a halogen atom, cyano, nitro, —NH2, halosulfonyloxy, C1-C6alkylsulfonyloxy, C1-C6haloalkylsulfonyloxy, phenylsulfonyloxy, phenylsulfonyloxy substituted with (Z)p1 and —C(O)Ra; m1 is an integer of 0 to 2; n is an integer of 0 or 1; p1 is an integer of 1 to 5; and r is an integer of 0 to 2. |
US08138208B2 |
Aminotetrahydroindazoloacetic acids
The invention is concerned with the compounds of formula I: and pharmaceutically acceptable salts and esters thereof, wherein Q, W, X, R1-R5 and n are defined in the detailed description and claims. In addition, the present invention relates to methods of manufacturing and using the compounds of formula I as well as pharmaceutical compositions containing such compounds. The compounds of formula I are antagonists at the CRTH2 receptor and may be useful in treating diseases and disorders associated with that receptor such as asthma. |
US08138204B2 |
Stereoisomeric compounds and methods for the treatment of gastrointestinal and central nervous system disorders
The subject invention provides stereoisomeric compounds of formula (X): wherein the variables are as defined herein, and compositions for the safe and effective treatment of various gastrointestinal disorders including, but not limited to, gastroparesis, gastroesophageal reflux and related conditions. The compounds of the subject invention are also useful in treating a variety of conditions involving the central nervous system. |
US08138202B2 |
Stable SNS-595 compositions and methods of preparation
Methods of preparing substantially pure SNS-595 substance are disclosed. Also provided are compositions comprising SNS-595 substance that are substantially pure and essentially free of visible particles. |
US08138199B2 |
Use of bi-aryl meta-pyrimidine inhibitors of kinases
The invention provides biaryl meta-pyrimidine compounds having the general structure (A). The pyrimidine compounds of the invention are capable of inhibiting kinases, such as members of the Jak kinase family, and various other specific receptor and non-receptor kinases. |
US08138189B2 |
Substituted benzene compounds as modulators of the glucocorticoid receptor
The present invention relates to compounds of formula I wherein R.sup.1a to R.sup.1e and R.sup.2 to R.sup.5 are as defined in the description and claims, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. The compounds are glucocorticoid receptor antagonists useful for the treatment and/or prevention of diseases such as diabetes, dyslipidemia, obesity, hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, adrenal imbalance or depression. |
US08138183B2 |
Morpholino pyrimidine derivatives used in diseases linked to mTOR kinase and/or PI3K
A compound of formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, processes for their preparation, pharmaceutical compositions containing them and their use in therapy, for example in the treatment of proliferative disease such as cancer and particularly in disease mediated by an mTOR kinase and/or one or more PI3K enzyme. |
US08138182B2 |
Diketohydrazine derivative compounds and drugs containing the compounds as the active ingredient
The present invention relates to a diketohydrazine derivative of formula (I) and a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof (the symbols in the formula have the same meaning as described in the specification). The compound of formula (I) has an inhibitory activity against cysteine protease, and it is useful for the treatment of inflammatory diseases, immune diseases, ischemic diseases, respiratory diseases, circulatory diseases, blood diseases, neuronal diseases, hepatic or biliary diseases, osseous or articular diseases, metabolic diseases, etc. And the compound has inhibitory activity against elastase and it is also useful for the treatment of COPD (chronic obstacle pulmonary diseases). |
US08138176B2 |
Imidazo compounds
Heterocyclic compounds of the formula (I) and salts, preferably pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, are provided in which R, R1, R2, Q, m and n have the meanings explained in detail in the description. Also provided are a process for their preparation and the use of these compounds as medicaments, in particular as aldosterone synthase inhibitors. |
US08138175B2 |
Heterocyclyl compounds
The invention is concerned with novel heterocyclyl compounds of formula (I): wherein A, X, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7, R8, R9, R10, m, n and p are as defined in the description and in the claims, as well as physiologically acceptable salts thereof. These compounds are antagonists of CCR2 receptor, CCR5 receptor and/or CCR3 receptor and may be used as medicaments. |
US08138174B2 |
Compounds with a combination of cannabinoid CB1 antagonism and serotonin reuptake inhibition
Compounds with a combination of cannabinoid CB1 antagonism and serotonin reuptake inhibition, pharmaceutical compositions containing these compounds, methods for preparing these compounds, methods for preparing novel intermediates useful for their synthesis, and methods for preparing these compositions are disclosed. Uses of such compounds and compositions, particularly their use in administering them to patients to achieve a therapeutic effect in psychosis, anxiety, depression, attention deficits, cognitive disorders, obesity, drug dependence, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, pain disorders, neuropathic pain disorders and sexual disorders are disclosed.In at least one embodiment, the invention relates to compounds of the general formula (1): wherein the substitutents have the definitions given in the specification. |
US08138172B2 |
8-oxoadenine derivatives acting as modulators of TLR7
The present invention provides 8-oxoadenine derivatives, processes for their preparation, pharmaceutical compositions containing them and their use in therapy. The 8-oxoadenine derivatives act as modulators of Toll-like Receptor (TLR) 7 and thus may be used in the treatment of asthma, hepatitis, allergic diseases, viral and bacterial infection as well as cancer. |
US08138170B2 |
Immunosuppressive Ningalin compounds
The present invention provides compositions and methods comprising ningalins for use in modulating immune responses to infection, injury, allergy and/or transplantation. |
US08138165B2 |
Chromones and chromone derivatives and uses thereof
Certain 2- and/or 3-substituted 5,6,7 substituted chromones are of use in treatment of treating diseases associated with overproduction of TNF-α, diseases associated with overproduction of superoxide anion radical And the treatment of organ damage. Some of the compounds are novel. |
US08138163B2 |
Aldehyde conjugated flavonoid preparations
There is provided a method of conjugating a polymer containing a free aldehyde group with a flavonoid in the presence of an acid catalyst, such that the polymer is conjugated to the C6 or C8 position of the flavonoid A ring. The resulting conjugates may be used to form delivery vehicles to deliver high doses of flavonoids, and may also be used as delivery vehicles to deliver an additional bioactive agent. |
US08138162B2 |
Natural sweetener
The invention relates to extracts, in particular non-nutrient phytochemicals, form sugar cane or sugar beet waste products, such as molasses, sugar mud and bagasse, which have Glycemic Index (GI) lowering properties and their use as sweeteners and in foods containing sugar. |
US08138159B2 |
Composition for inhibiting function of human Flt3
To provide a means of controlling the function of Flt3. A composition for inhibiting the function of human Flt3, a method of inducing apoptosis by using the composition, and a kit for the method. |
US08138152B2 |
Methods of treatment using WISP polypeptides
The present invention relates to methods for the treatment and repair of cartilage, including cartilage damaged by injury or degenerative cartilagenous disorders, including arthritis, comprising the administration of WISP polypeptide. Optionally, the administration may be in combination with one or more cartilage agents (e.g., peptide growth factor, catabolism antagonist, osteo-, synovial, anti-inflammatory factor). Alternatively, the method provides for the treatment and repair of cartilage damaged by injury or degenerative cartilagenous disorders comprising the administration of WISP polypeptide in combination with standard surgical techniques. Alternatively, the method provides for the treatment and repair of cartilage damaged by injury or degenerative cartilagenous disorders comprising the administration of chondrocytes previously treated with an effective amount of WISP polypeptide. |
US08138151B2 |
Peptides
This invention relates to novel peptides, discovered by using phage display technique, that bind to VAP-1 (Vascular Adhesion Protein-1). The invention concerns also peptides useful as VAP-1 ligands. Such peptides constitute a portion of natural proteins that are present in the individual. The invention relates particularly to a peptide chain in the leukocyte surface protein, where said peptide chain is useful as a ligand for the VAP-1 molecule and thus facilitates the binding of leukocytes to the vascular endothelium. Furthermore, the invention relates to pharmaceutical and diagnostic compositions for targeting VAP-1 in vivo. |
US08138150B2 |
Method for removing endotoxin from proteins
Disclosed is a method for removing endotoxin from proteins. Also disclosed are products made by using the method. The method may be used, for example, to produce endotoxin-free lactoferrin. Bovine milk-derived lactoferrin may be produced in commercial quantities by the method, and endotoxin-free bovine lactoferrin may be used for a variety of therapeutic uses, including improving wound healing. |
US08138148B2 |
GDNF derived peptides
The present invention relates to peptide fragments derived from the proteins belonging to the TGFbeta superfamily, pharmaceutical compositions comprising these peptide fragments and uses thereof for treatment of a disease or condition wherein the effects of stimulating neuronal cell differentiation, neuronal cell survival, stimulating neural plasticity associated with learning and memory and/or inhibiting inflammatory response are beneficial for treatment. |
US08138146B2 |
Antiviral peptide and antiviral agent
Disclosed is an antiviral agent comprising a non-naturally occurring, artificially synthesized peptide as the main ingredient. The antiviral agent comprises an antiviral peptide, wherein the antiviral peptide has at least one unit of an amino acid sequence constituted by at least five contiguous amino acid residues (which is known as a nuclear localization sequence (NLS)) or an amino acid sequence having a partial modification in the NLS and also having at least one unit of an amino acid sequence constituted by at least five contiguous amino acid residues (which is known as a nuclear export sequence (NES)) or an amino acid sequence having a partial modification in the NES. |
US08138137B2 |
Extended delivery of ingredients from a fabric softener composition
A controlled delivery system for active ingredients, like a fragrance, for use in fabric softener products, such as tumble dryer sheets, rinse added liquids, and similar products, is disclosed. The delivery system enhances performance of an active ingredient, such as a fragrance. The controlled delivery system contains polymeric micro-particles highly loaded with the active ingredient. Other active ingredients that can be incorporated into a fabric softener composition using the delivery system include ironing aides, silicone fluids, antiwrinkle agents, antistatic agents, optical brighteners, fabric crisping agents, bleaching agents, germicides, fungicides, flow agents, and surfactants. |
US08138136B2 |
Process for production of alkylene oxide adducts
The present invention relates to a process for producing an alkyleneoxide adduct, including the steps of reacting an aliphatic alcohol containing a hydrocarbon group having 6 to 22 carbon atoms with an alkyleneoxide in the presence of a catalyst to obtain a reaction product containing an alkyleneoxide adduct; and subjecting the reaction product successively to acid treatment and reduction treatment, and an alkyleneoxide adduct having a carbonyl value of 5 μmol/g or less. The alkyleneoxide adduct is useful as a raw material of various anionic surfactants, and the anionic surfactants derived from the alkyleneoxide adduct are free from undesirable coloration. |
US08138135B2 |
Powder cleaning composition
This invention relates to improved powder cleaning compositions and methods for cleaning textile substrates, especially carpet and upholstery fabrics. More particularly, this invention relates to powder cleaning compositions that contain absorbent particulate materials in a flowable form, which dries to a soil ladened powder, that can be removed by vacuum, brushing, and/or laundering methods. The improvement lies in the ability of the composition to remain a flowable powder, while containing a higher water content than previous powder cleaning compositions. The composition comprises an absorbent particulate material, a super absorbent polymer, and other ingredients. |
US08138133B2 |
Gear oil composition
The present invention provides a gear oil composition for vehicle driving systems, more specifically a gear oil composition for vehicle final reduction gears, which can improve a fuel-saving effect by reducing its viscosity and, at the same time, secure bearing fatigue life characteristics.The gear oil composition comprises a base oil (A) and another base oil (B), described below, and at least one species of additive for gear oil, and has a kinematic viscosity of 80 mm2/s or less at 40° C.: (A): a mineral-based oil and/or hydrocarbon-based synthetic oil having a kinematic viscosity of 3.5 to 7 mm2/s at 100° C., and (B): a mineral-based oil and/or hydrocarbon-based synthetic oil having a kinematic viscosity of 20 to 52 mm2/s at 100° C. |
US08138130B2 |
Fused-ring aromatic amine based wear and oxidation inhibitors for lubricants
A multifunctional product is prepared by the reaction of an alkyl or alkenyl succinic acid derivative with a Fused-Ring Aromatic diamine, with a charge mole ratio of the diamine moiety in stoichiometric excess, under reactive conditions to thereby yield a multifunctional lubricant additive. |
US08138129B2 |
Scale inhibiting particulates and methods of using scale inhibiting particulates
Scale-inhibiting particulates formed from a mixture of fly ash and a phosphonic acid curing agent wherein the fly ash is cured into a solid material by the contact with the phosphonic acid curing agent. Methods of using scale-inhibiting particulates to inhibit scale formation in a subterranean formation. |
US08138126B2 |
Compositions and methods for water control and strengthening unconsolidated formations
The present invention relates, in general, to subterranean fluids, and more particularly, to subterranean drilling fluids that may be useful for reducing the production of water from a portion of a subterranean formation and/or stabilizing an unconsolidated portion of a subterranean formation while drilling. In some embodiments, the present invention provides methods of reducing the flow of water from a portion of a subterranean formation that comprise contacting the portion of the subterranean formation with an organoaluminum compound, the organoaluminum compound being capable of forming a reaction product in the presence of water. The present invention also includes methods of drilling a well bore in a subterranean formation, methods of enhancing the stability of an unconsolidated portion of a subterranean formation, methods of stabilizing an unconsolidated portion of a subterranean formation, and drilling fluids. |
US08138124B2 |
Drilling fluid with circulation loss reducing additive package
A drilling fluid includes a base fluid and a circulation loss reducing additive package having a polysaccharide, a cellulose derivative and a pH controlling component. |
US08138122B2 |
Herbicidal composition
A herbicidal composition which comprises 1-(2-chloroimidazo[1,2-a]pyridin-3-ylsulfonyl)-3-(4,6-dimethoxypyrimidin-2-yl)urea (imazosulfuron) and a compound represented by the formula (I): (Compound [I]) as active ingredients, wherein the weight ratio of imazosulfuron: Compound [I] is 1:0.1-1:10, has an excellent herbicidal activity for controlling weeds in crop fields or paddy fields, and causes no phytotoxicity against useful plants. |
US08138121B2 |
Use of piperonyl butoxide to protect plants
The present invention is directed to the use of piperonyl butoxide, alone or with S-(+)-abscisic acid or its salts to minimize stress to plants. |
US08138119B2 |
Alkoxyalkyl spirocyclic tetramic acids and tetronic acids
The invention relates to novel alkoxyalkyl spirocyclic tetramic and tetronic acids of the formula (I), in which A, B, D, Q1, Q2, Q3, Q4, G, W, X, Y and Z are as defined above, to a plurality of processes and intermediates for their preparation and to their use as pesticides and/or herbicides and/or microbicides, and also to selective herbicidal compositions comprising, firstly, the alkoxyalkyl spirocyclic tetramic and tetronic acids and, secondly, at least one crop plant compatibility-improving compound. |
US08138118B2 |
Use of hydroxyaromatics as safeners
Compounds of the formula (I) or salts thereof in which R1 is carboxyl or a derivative of a carboxyl group, preferably a radical of the formula —CN, —C(═X)—Y—R or —C(═X)-Het, in which X is O, S or NRa or N—NRaRb, Y is O, S, NRc or NRc—NRdRe, R is H, a (subst.) hydrocarbon radical (HR) or acyl, and Het is an aliphatic nitrogen heterocycle, where each of the radicals Ra, Rb, Rc, Rd and Re is as defined for R or a radical of the formula —OR*, where R* is as defined for R, R2 is H or (subst.) HR or a heterocyclic radical, or, if Z═O or S, also an acyl radical, (R3)n are n radicals R3, as defined in claim 1, Z is a group of the formula O or S(O)x, where x=0, 1 or 2, and n is an integer 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4, as safeners for crop plants or useful plants against phytotoxic actions of agrochemicals, preferably as safeners against the action of pesticides, such as herbicides, in these plants. |
US08138116B2 |
Titanium oxide composition and the application thereof on poly-esterification
The application discloses a Titanium oxide composition and the application thereof. The mentioned Titanium oxide composition comprises Titanium co-precipitate(s), organic acid, diol, and water. According to this application, a catalyzed poly-esterification with said Titanium oxide composition is also disclosed. The mentioned polyesterification comprises a step of adding said Titanium oxide composition into at least one stage selected from slurry stage, esterification stage, and polycondensation stage. |
US08138108B2 |
Aluminum titanate-containing ceramic-forming batch materials and methods using the same
The present disclosure relates to aluminum titanate-containing ceramic-forming batch materials and methods using the same. |
US08138107B2 |
Lightweight spun-bonded non-woven with particular mechanical properties
Disclosed is a spunbonded non-woven made of polyolefin filaments having a titer <1.6 dtex, the spunbonded non-woven having a surface weight ≦20 g/m2, a density ≧0.06 g/cm3, a maximum tensile force of between 9.5 and 62 N in the direction of the machine and of between 4.5 and 35 N perpendicular to the direction of the machine. |
US08138105B2 |
Rapid thermal processing using energy transfer layers
A method that is performed for heat treating a semiconductor wafer in a process chamber, as an intermediate part of an overall multi-step technique for processing the wafer, includes applying an energy transfer layer to at least a portion of the wafer, and exposing the wafer to an energy source in the process chamber in a way which subjects the wafer to a thermal profile such that the energy transfer layer influences at least one part of the thermal profile. The thermal profile has at least a first elevated temperature event. The method further includes, in time relation to the thermal profile, removing the energy transfer layer in the process chamber at least sufficiently for subjecting the wafer to a subsequent step. An associated intermediate condition of the wafer is described. |
US08138104B2 |
Method to increase silicon nitride tensile stress using nitrogen plasma in-situ treatment and ex-situ UV cure
Stress of a silicon nitride layer may be enhanced by deposition at higher temperatures. Employing an apparatus that allows heating of a substrate to substantially greater than 400° C. (for example a heater made from ceramic rather than aluminum), the silicon nitride film as-deposited may exhibit enhanced stress allowing for improved performance of the underlying MOS transistor device. In accordance with alternative embodiments, a deposited silicon nitride film is exposed to curing with ultraviolet (UV) radiation at an elevated temperature, thereby helping remove hydrogen from the film and increasing film stress. In accordance with still other embodiments, a silicon nitride film is formed utilizing an integrated process employing a number of deposition/curing cycles to preserve integrity of the film at the sharp corner of the underlying raised feature. Adhesion between successive layers may be promoted by inclusion of a post-UV cure plasma treatment in each cycle. |
US08138095B2 |
Method of substrate treatment, process for producing semiconductor device, substrate treating apparatus, and recording medium
Substrate processing apparatus 100 includes supporting table 103 for not only supporting a target substrate W but also heating the target substrate W; processing chamber 101 having the supporting table disposed therein; and gas supply unit 102 for supplying a processing gas into the processing chamber 101. The processing gas includes organic acid metal complex or organic acid metal salt. |
US08138092B2 |
Spacer formation for array double patterning
A method for forming an array area with a surrounding periphery area, wherein a substrate is disposed under an etch layer, which is disposed under a patterned organic mask defining the array area and covers the entire periphery area is provided. The patterned organic mask is trimmed. An inorganic layer is deposited over the patterned organic mask where a thickness of the inorganic layer over the covered periphery area of the organic mask is greater than a thickness of the inorganic layer over the array area of the organic mask. The inorganic layer is etched back to expose the organic mask and form inorganic spacers in the array area, while leaving the organic mask in the periphery area unexposed. The organic mask exposed in the array area is stripped, while leaving the inorganic spacers in place and protecting the organic mask in the periphery area. |
US08138091B2 |
Polishing composition and method for high silicon nitride to silicon oxide removal rate ratios
The invention provides a chemical-mechanical polishing composition comprising a cationic abrasive, a cationic polymer, an inorganic halide salt, and an aqueous carrier. The invention further provides a method of chemically-mechanically polishing a substrate with the aforementioned polishing composition. The polishing composition exhibits selectivity for removal of silicon nitride over removal of silicon oxide and polysilicon. |
US08138088B2 |
Manufacturing method of structure by imprint
A manufacturing method of a structure by an imprint process includes a first imprint step of forming a first resin material layer by applying a first resin material onto a substrate and then transferring an imprint pattern of a mold onto the first resin material layer, a second imprint step of forming a second resin material layer by applying a second resin material onto the first resin material layer formed in the first imprint step and onto an area of the substrate adjacent to the first resin material layer and then transferring the imprint pattern of the mold onto the second resin material layer, and a step of forming a pattern by etching the first and second resin material layers. |
US08138087B2 |
Method of manufacturing an integrated circuit
An integrated circuit is provided that comprises a substrate of silicon and an interconnect in a through-hole extending from the first to the second side of the substrate. The interconnect is coupled to a metallization layer on the first side of the substrate and is provided on an amorphous silicon layer that is present at a side wall of the through-hole, and particularly at an edge thereof adjacent to the first side of the substrate. The interconnect comprises a metal stack of nickel and silver. A preferred way of forming the amorphous silicon layer is a sputter etching technique. |
US08138081B2 |
Aluminum bump bonding for fine aluminum wire
The invention includes a packaged semiconductor device in which the bond wires are bonded to the leads with an aluminum bump bond. The semiconductor device is mounted on a leadframe having leads with a nickel plating. To form the bump bond between a fine aluminum wire, such as a 2 mil diameter wire, and the lead, an aluminum bump is bonded to the nickel plating and the wire is bonded to the bump. The bump is aluminum doped with nickel and is formed from a large diameter wire, such as a 6 mil diameter wire. |
US08138077B2 |
Flash memory device and method of fabricating the same
A flash memory device includes an isolation layer formed on an isolation region of a semiconductor substrate, a tunnel insulating layer formed on an active region of the semiconductor substrate, a first conductive layer formed over the tunnel insulating layer, a dielectric layer formed on the first conductive layer and the isolation layer, a first trench penetrating the dielectric layer on the isolation layer to separate parts of the dielectric layer, a second trench formed on the isolation layer and expanded from the first trench, and a second conductive layer formed over the dielectric layer to fill the first and second trenches. |
US08138069B2 |
Substrate pretreatment for subsequent high temperature group III depositions
Embodiments of the present invention relate to apparatus and method for pretreatment of substrates for manufacturing devices such as light emitting diodes (LEDs) or laser diodes (LDs). One embodiment of the present invention comprises pre-treating the aluminum oxide containing substrate by exposing a surface of the aluminum oxide containing substrate to a pretreatment gas mixture, wherein the pretreatment gas mixture comprises ammonia (NH3) and a halogen gas. |
US08138065B2 |
Solid-state imaging device and method for manufacturing the same
A solid-state imaging device having a high sensitivity and a structure in which a miniaturized pixel is obtained, and a method for manufacturing the solid-state imaging device in which an interface is stable, a spectroscopic characteristic is excellent and which can be manufactured with a high yield ratio are provided. The solid-state imaging device includes at least a silicon layer formed with a photo sensor portion and a wiring layer formed on the front-surface side of the silicon layer, and in which light L is made to enter from the rear-surface side opposite to the front-surface side of the silicon layer and the thickness of the silicon layer 4 is 10 μm or less. Also, the method for manufacturing the solid-state imaging device at least includes the steps of: forming a semiconductor region of a photo sensor portion in a silicon layer of a layered substrate in which a silicon substrate, an intermediate layer and a silicon layer are laminated; bonding a first supporting substrate onto the silicon layer; removing the silicon substrate and the intermediate layer; forming thereafter a wiring portion above the silicon layer; bonding a second supporting substrate onto the wiring portion, and removing the first supporting substrate to make the silicon layer exposed. |
US08138064B2 |
Method for producing silicon film-transferred insulator wafer
A method for producing a silicon film-transferred insulator wafer is disclosed. The method includes a surface activation step of performing a surface activation treatment on at least one of a surface of an insulator wafer and a hydrogen ion-implanted surface of a single crystal silicon wafer into which a hydrogen ion has been implanted to form a hydrogen ion-implanted layer; a bonding step that bonds the hydrogen ion-implanted surface to the surface of the insulator wafer to obtain bonded wafers; a first heating step that heats the bonded wafers; a grinding and/or etching step of grinding and/or etching a surface of a single crystal silicon wafer side of the bonded wafers; a second heating step that heats the bonded wafers; and a detachment step to detach the hydrogen ion-implanted layer by applying a mechanical impact to the hydrogen ion-implanted layer of the bonded wafers thus heated at the second temperature. |
US08138063B2 |
Manufacturing method of a semiconductor device including a single crystal semiconductor film, and a semiconductor film including impurity
An object of the present invention is to provide a semiconductor device having a structure which can realize not only suppressing a punch-through current but also reusing a silicon wafer which is used for bonding, in manufacturing a semiconductor device using an SOI technique, and a manufacturing method thereof. The semiconductor device can suppress the punch-through current by forming a semiconductor film in which an impurity imparting a conductivity type opposite to that of a source region and a drain region is implanted over a substrate having an insulating surface, and forming a channel formation region using a semiconductor film of stacked layers obtained by bonding a single crystal semiconductor film to the semiconductor film by an SOI technique. |
US08138062B2 |
Electrical coupling of wafer structures
A method for electrically coupling a first wafer with a second wafer is provided. The method includes bonding the first wafer with the second wafer using a bonding material. The method further includes forming an opening in the first wafer in a scribe area of the second wafer to expose a surface of a conductive structure of the second wafer. The method further includes forming a conductive layer overlying the first wafer and the opening in the first wafer such that the conductive layer forms an electrical contact with the conductive structure of the second wafer thereby electrically coupling the first wafer with the second wafer. |
US08138060B2 |
Wafer
A wafer has a rare earth oxide layer disposed, typically sprayed, on a substrate. It is useful as a dummy wafer in a plasma etching or deposition system. |
US08138058B2 |
Substrate with marker, manufacturing method thereof, laser irradiation apparatus, laser irradiation method, light exposure apparatus, and manufacturing method of semiconductor device
To provide a laser irradiation apparatus which performs alignment of an irradiated object and emits a laser beam precisely, a laser irradiation method, and a manufacturing method of a TFT with high reliability with the use of a method for precisely targeting a desired irradiation position of the laser beam. A substrate with marker is mounted on a stage formed using a material which transmits infrared light; a marker, which is provided in the substrate with marker mounted on the stage, is detected using a camera capable of sensing infrared light, and a position of the stage is controlled; a laser beam is emitted from a laser oscillator; the laser beam emitted from the laser oscillator is processed into a linear shape by an optical system, and the substrate with marker mounted on the stage is irradiated with the laser beam. |
US08138057B2 |
Metal oxide alloy layer, method of forming the metal oxide alloy layer, and methods of manufacturing a gate structure and a capacitor including the metal oxide alloy layer
A metal oxide alloy layer comprises a first layer including a first metal oxide and having a first thickness, and a second layer formed on the first layer, the second layer including a second metal oxide and having a second thickness, wherein a value of the first thickness is such that the first metal oxide is allowed to move into the second layer and a value of the second thickness is such that the second metal oxide is allowed to move into the first layer to form a single-layered structure in which the first and second metal oxides are mixed. |
US08138056B2 |
Thermally insulated phase change material memory cells with pillar structure
A memory cell structure and method for forming the same. The method includes forming a pore within a dielectric layer. The pore is formed over the center of an electrically conducting bottom electrode. The method includes depositing a thermally insulating layer along at least one sidewall of the pore. The thermally insulating layer isolates heat from phase change current to the volume of the pore. In one embodiment phase change material is deposited within the pore and the volume of the thermally insulating layer. In another embodiment a pore electrode is formed within the pore and the volume of the thermally insulating layer, with the phase change material being deposited above the pore electrode. The method also includes forming an electrically conducting top electrode above the phase change material. |
US08138047B2 |
Super junction semiconductor device
In the specification and drawing a super junction semiconductor device is disclosed. The super junction semiconductor device comprises a P-type layer, a N+ substrate, a N-type layer, a silicon dioxide layer and a P+ layer. The N+ substrate is disposed under the P-type layer. The N-type layer is disposed on the N+ substrate. The silicon dioxide layer is disposed between the N-type layer and the P-type layer. The P+ layer is disposed on the P-type layer and the N-type layer. |
US08138046B2 |
Process for fabricating a nanowire-based vertical transistor structure
The invention relates to a process for fabricating a vertical transistor structure. On a substrate (10), is a first conductive layer (11), providing the source or drain electrode function, and an upper conductive layer (17), providing the drain or source electrode function. The production of a membrane includes a stack of porous layers including a first insulating layer (20), a second conductive layer (12), providing the gate electrode function, and an upper insulating layer (13′) on the surface of the substrate covered with the first conductive layer (11) providing the drain or source electrode function. The porous layers having substantially stacked pores. The production of filaments made of a semiconductor material is inside some of the stacked pores of the porous layers. The production of the upper conductive layer provides the source or drain electrode function on the surface of the stack of porous layers filled with filaments made of semiconductor material. |
US08138045B2 |
Method of forming sidewall spacers to reduce formation of recesses in the substrate and increase dopant retention in a semiconductor device
A method of forming sidewall spacers for a gate in a semiconductor device includes depositing a gate oxide layer over a gate and source/drain regions, and using a thermal anneal to oxidize silicon of the substrate and silicon of the gate after formation of the deposited oxide layer. A sidewall layer is deposited over the oxide layer following the oxidation, and the sidewall layer and oxide layer are patterned to form the sidewall spacers. |
US08138044B2 |
Method for manufacturing semiconductor flash memory and flash memory cell
A semiconductor flash memory includes a tunnel oxide film formed over a semiconductor substrate, a first spacer composed of polysilicon formed over the semiconductor substrate including the tunnel oxide film, a second spacer composed of an insulating material formed at sidewalls of the first spacer, a dielectric film formed at the uppermost surface of the first spacer and the second spacer, a control gate formed at the uppermost surface of the dielectric film, and a third spacer composed of an insulating material formed at and contacting sidewalls of the second spacer, the dielectric film and the control gate. A first source/drain region formed may be formed in the semiconductor substrate and self-aligned with the first spacer and a second source/drain region may be formed in the semiconductor substrate and self-aligned with the second spacer. |
US08138040B2 |
Method of manufacturing semiconductor device
The invention provides a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device having a MOS transistor, a resistor element, etc on one semiconductor substrate, in which the number of masks and the number of manufacturing steps are decreased. In an NMOS formation region, a channel stopper layer is formed in a P type well by a first ion implantation process. Then a punch-through prevention layer is formed in the P type well by a second ion implantation process. On the other hand, in a first high resistor element formation region and a second high resistor element formation region, utilizing the first and second ion implantation processes, a resistor layer is formed in an N type well. |
US08138037B2 |
Method and structure for gate height scaling with high-k/metal gate technology
A method and structure to scale metal gate height in high-k/metal gate transistors. A method includes forming a dummy gate and at least one polysilicon feature, all of which are formed from a same polysilicon layer and wherein the dummy gate is formed over a gate metal layer associated with a transistor. The method also includes selectively removing the dummy gate while protecting the at least one polysilicon feature. The method further includes forming a gate contact on the gate metal layer to thereby form a metal gate having a height that is less than half a height of the at least one polysilicon feature. |
US08138034B2 |
Flexible electret transducer assembly, speaker, and method for fabricating flexible electret transducer assembly
A flexible electret transducer assembly including an electrical backplate and a membrane made of an electret material is disclosed. A plurality of spacers is formed on a surface of the electrical backplate in a longitudinal or latitudinal direction, and the spacers are used for supporting a vibrating room of the membrane. A working area of the membrane is formed between adjacent spacers, and in each of the working area, the space between the electrical backplate and the membrane is smaller than that in a conventional electrostatic speaker. The spacers between the electrical backplate and the membrane are mass produced through a stamping process. Thereby, an accurate space between the electrical backplate and the membrane can be maintained and accordingly the audio quality can be improved. In addition, a speaker including the flexible electret transducer assembly and a method for fabricating the flexible electret transducer assembly are also disclosed. |
US08138031B2 |
Semiconductor device and method of manufacturing semiconductor device
A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes forming a plurality of Fins including a semiconductor material on an insulation layer; forming gate insulation films on sidewalls of the Fins; forming a gate electrode which extends in a direction of arrangement of the Fins and which is electrically insulated from the Fins, the gate electrode is common in the Fins on the gate insulation film; implanting an impurity into portions of the Fins by using the gate electrode as a mask to form a source-drain diffusion layer, the portions of the Fins extending on both sides of the gate electrodes; and depositing a conductive material on both sides of the Fins to connect the Fins to each other. |
US08138029B2 |
Structure and method having asymmetrical junction or reverse halo profile for semiconductor on insulator (SOI) metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor (MOSFET)
A device and method is provided that in one embodiment provides a first semiconductor device including a first gate structure on a first channel region, in which a first source region and a first drain region are present on opposing sides of the first channel region, in which a metal nitride spacer is present on only one side of the first channel region. The device further includes a second semiconductor device including a second gate structure on a second channel region, in which a second source region and a second drain region are present on opposing sides of the second channel region. Interconnects may be present providing electrical communication between the first semiconductor device and the second semiconductor device, in which at least one of the first semiconductor device and the second semiconductor device is inverted. A structure having a reverse halo dopant profile is also provided. |
US08138028B2 |
Method for manufacturing a phase change memory device with pillar bottom electrode
A method for manufacturing a mushroom-cell type phase change memory is based upon manufacturing a pillar of bottom electrode material upon a substrate including an array of conductive contacts in electrical communication with access circuitry. A layer of electrode material is deposited making reliable electrical contact with the array of conductive contacts. Electrode material is etched to form a pattern of electrode pillars on corresponding conductive contacts. Next, a dielectric material is deposited over the pattern and planarized to provide an electrode surface exposing top surfaces of the electrode pillars. Next, a layer of programmable resistive material, such as a chalcogenide or other phase change material, is deposited, followed by deposition of a layer of a top electrode material. A device including bottom electrode pillars with larger bottom surfaces than top surfaces is described. |
US08138027B2 |
Optical semiconductor device having pre-molded leadframe with window and method therefor
A semiconductor device is made by providing a semiconductor die having an optically active area, providing a leadframe or pre-molded laminated substrate having a plurality of contact pads and a light transmitting material disposed between the contact pads, attaching the semiconductor die to the leadframe so that the optically active area is aligned with the light transmitting material to provide a light transmission path to the optically active area, and disposing an underfill material between the semiconductor die and leadframe. The light transmitting material includes an elevated area to prevent the underfill material from blocking the light transmission path. The elevated area includes a dam surrounding the light transmission path, an adhesive ring, or the light transmission path itself can be the elevated area. An adhesive ring can be disposed on the dam. A filler material can be disposed between the light transmitting material and contact pads. |
US08138017B2 |
Integrated circuit package system with through semiconductor vias and method of manufacture thereof
A method of manufacture of an integrated circuit package system includes: providing a package substrate; mounting a first integrated circuit die, having through silicon vias, on the package substrate; coupling cylindrical studs to the package substrate adjacent to the first integrated circuit die; and mounting a second integrated circuit die, having through silicon vias, on the first integrated circuit die and the cylindrical studs for forming an electrical connection among the second integrated circuit die, the first integrated circuit die, the package substrate, or a combination thereof. |
US08138016B2 |
Large area integration of quartz resonators with electronics
Methods for integrating quartz-based resonators with electronics on a large area wafer through direct pick-and-place and flip-chip bonding or wafer-to-wafer bonding using handle wafers are described. The resulting combination of quartz-based resonators and large area electronics wafer solves the problem of the quartz-electronics substrate diameter mismatch and enables the integration of arrays of quartz devices of different frequencies with the same electronics. |
US08138015B2 |
Interconnection in multi-chip with interposers and bridges
A structure formation method. The method may include: attaching a substrate, a first interposer, a second interposer, and a first bridge together such that the first interposer is on and electrically connected to the substrate, the second interposer is on and electrically connected to the substrate, the first interposer comprises at least a first transistor, and the second interposer comprises at least a second transistor. The method may alternatively include: disposing both a first and second interposer on a substrate, wherein the first and second interposer are each electrically connected to the substrate; and electrically connecting a first bridge to the first and second interposers, wherein (i) the first bridge is in direct physical contact with the substrate or (ii) a bottom surface of the first bridge is within the substrate and below a top surface of the substrate. |
US08138009B2 |
Method of fabricating thin film solar cell and apparatus for fabricating thin film solar cell
Disclosed is a method of fabricating a thin film solar cell including introducing a reaction solution into a reaction chamber, fixing a supporter onto a loader, disposing the loader in the reaction chamber to immerse the supporter into the reaction solution, and heating the supporter and coating a buffer layer. In addition, an apparatus of fabricating a thin film solar cell including a reaction chamber mounted with an inlet of a reaction solution and an outlet of waste water, and a loader disposed in the reaction chamber and being capable of moving up and down, is disclosed. |
US08138006B2 |
Method for producing a micromechanical component having a trench structure for backside contact
A method for manufacturing a micromechanical component is proposed. In this context, at least one trench structure having a depth less than the substrate thickness is to be produced in a substrate. In addition, an insulating layer and a filler layer are produced or applied on a first side of the substrate. The filler layer comprises a filler material that substantially fills up the trench structure. A planar first side of the substrate is produced by way of a subsequent planarization within a plane of the filler layer or of the insulating layer or of the substrate. A further planarization of the second side of the substrate is then accomplished. A micromechanical component that is manufactured in accordance with the method is also described. |
US08138005B2 |
Method for fabricating novel high-performance field-effect transistor biosensor based on conductive polymer nanomaterials functionalized with anti-VEGF adapter
Disclosed is a method for fabricating a high-performance field-effect transistor biosensor for diagnosing cancers using micro conductive polymer nanomaterials funtionalized with anti-VEGF aptamer. Disclosed is a high-sensitivity field-effect transistor biosensor for diagnosing cancers using a micro conductive polymer nanomaterial transistor array including a micro polymer nanomaterial transistor array including a channel region provided with a metal source electrode, a metal drain electrode, a gate and micro polymer nanomaterials, and an anti-VEGF aptamer covalently bound to the surface of the micro polymer nanomaterials constituting the channel region of the micro polymer nanomaterials transistor array, to target VEGF (Vascular endothelial growth factor). |
US08138001B2 |
Semiconductor light-emitting device and method for producing semiconductor light-emitting device
The present invention provides a semiconductor light-emitting device that includes a compound semiconductor layer formed by laminating a first clad layer, a light-emitting layer and a second clad layer, a plurality of first ohmic electrodes formed on the first clad layer, a plurality of second ohmic electrodes formed on the second clad layer, a transparent conductive film that is formed on the first clad layer of the compound semiconductor layer and is conductively connected to the first ohmic electrodes, a bonding electrode formed on the transparent conducting film, and a support plate that is positioned on the second clad layer side of the compound semiconductor layer and is conductively connected to the second ohmic electrodes. |
US08138000B2 |
Methods for forming semiconductor light emitting devices and submounts
A submount for a semiconductor light emitting device includes a semiconductor substrate having a cavity therein configured to receive the light emitting device. A first bond pad is positioned in the cavity to couple to a first node of a light emitting device received in the cavity. A second bond pad is positioned in the cavity to couple to a second node of a light emitting device positioned therein. Light emitting devices including a solid wavelength conversion member and methods for forming the same are also provided. |
US08137996B2 |
Method and system for tone inverting of residual layer tolerant imprint lithography
A method (and apparatus) of imprint lithography, includes imprinting, via a patterned mask, a pattern into a resist layer on a substrate, and overlaying a cladding layer over the imprinted resist layer. A portion of the cladding layer is used as a hard mask for a subsequent processing. |
US08137994B2 |
Methods of identifying responders to dopamine agonist therapy and treating metabolic conditions thereof
The present invention is directed to a method of identifying patients to be treated by dopamine agonist therapy comprising the step of analyzing a plasma or urine sample from said patient for concentrations of norepinephrine (NE), norepinephrine metabolites (NE metabolites), dopamine, dopamine metabolites, serotonin, serotonin metabolites, or fasting triglycerides, wherein one or more of: (a) NE metabolites, (b) NE/NE metabolites: dopamine/dopamine metabolites, (c) NE and serotonin, (d) NE/NE metabolites and serotonin, (e) NE and serotonin metabolites, (f) NE/NE metabolites and serotonin metabolites, or (g) NE is/are greater than about 30% over normal level; or dopamine/dopamine metabolites are less than about 30% below normal; or said patient has hypertriglyceridemai and/or hypertension . The present invention is also directed to treating identified patients with dopamine agonist therapy. |
US08137990B2 |
Compositions for chemiluminescent detection of hydrogen peroxide
Methods and compound useful for detecting a source of hydrogen peroxide are disclosed wherein a signalling compound of the formula: is reacted with peroxide. Sig is a non-polymeric organic group, B is a boron atom, and each R is independently selected from hydrogen, alkyl and aryl groups and can be joined together as a straight or branched alkylene chain forming a ring or as an aromatic ring. A detectable product compound of the formula Sig-OH or Sig-O−is produced and detected by measuring color, absorbance, fluorescence, chemiluminescence, or bioluminescence. The signalling compound itself does not possess the detectable property or does so only to a very weak degree. The methods can be used as a detectable signal in assays for peroxide or peroxide-producing enzymes and in assays employing enzyme-labeled specific binding pairs. |
US08137989B2 |
Method for delivering a cytokine using a colloidal metal
In accordance with the present invention, a composition and method is provided that allows for the administration of a biologically-active factors to a human or animal. The present invention can be used to treat a disease with a biologically-active factor or combination of biologically-active factors, or can be used to safely vaccinate a human or animal against a biologically-active factor. It can also be used as a method for the delivery of biologically-active factors for the treatment of disease. Additionally, the present invention also includes a method of targeted drug delivery for the treatment of disease through the administration of custom complexes containing of one or more biologically active factors bound to a colloidal metal where at least one of the biologically-active factors is capable of binding a high affinity receptor on a cell surface. |
US08137987B2 |
Simultaneous assay for determining drugs
Bodily fluid is analyzed for the presence of drugs of a selected panel of drugs in a simultaneous assay in which sample of the fluid is incubated with additional amounts of all drugs of the panel, antibodies specific to each of the drugs of the panel, and microparticles, the microparticles being divided into subsets, one subset for each drug in the panel and each subset distinguishable from the others. The incubation is performed in a liquid medium in which competitive binding occurs, the drugs in the sample competing with those added to the assay medium for binding to the antibodies. In one procedure, the added drugs are pre-coupled to the microparticles while the antibodies are not, and the incubation is followed by further incubating the microparticles with labeled ligands that have affinity for the antibodies. In an alternative procedure, the added drugs are not coupled to the microparticles but are pre-labeled, while the antibodies are pre-coupled to the microparticles, and the assay proceeds without further incubation. In both alternatives, the microparticles are ultimately recovered from the assay medium and from any unbound species, and the recovered microparticles are analyzed by flow cytometry to obtain indications of the presence of the various drugs in the sample in an inverse manner by detection of the label, each drug differentiable from the others by the distinguishing features of the microparticles. |
US08137985B2 |
Polyelectrolytic internal calibration system of a flow-through assay
A flow-through assay for detecting the quantity of an analyte residing in a test sample is provided. The flow-through assay contains a porous membrane that is in fluid communication with probe conjugates that contain a specific binding member and a detectable probe. The porous membrane also defines a detection zone and a calibration zone. The calibration zone contains a polyelectrolyte substantially non-diffusively immobilized on the porous membrane. The polyelectrolyte is capable of generating a detectable calibration signal that can be readily compared (visually, quantitatively, and the like) to a detection signal to determine the amount of analyte in the test sample. |
US08137982B2 |
Mass spectrometry precursor ion selection
The present invention is concerned with methods for the selection of precursor ions of a sample polypeptide for fragmentation in mass spectrometry, together with methods for determining at least one putative amino acid sequence for a sample polypeptide, apparatus and computer programs for same. |
US08137976B2 |
Dual angle radiation scanning of objects
In one example, a method of examining contents of an object is disclosed comprising scanning an object by first and second radiation beams at at least first and second angles, detecting radiation at the first and second angles, and determining whether the object at least potentially comprises high atomic number material, which may be nuclear material or shielding material, based, at least in part, on the detected radiation. In one example, the detected radiation at both angles must be indicative of a region of high atomic number material by the presence of corresponding high density regions, in order for it to be concluded that high atomic number material that may be nuclear material may be present. The determination may be further based on the size of a high density region in one of the images. Systems are also disclosed. |
US08137971B2 |
Preparing a population of human late stage motor neuron progenitor cells
Motor neuron progenitor (MNP) cells and populations of MNP cells, are provided, in particular, populations of human late stage MNP cells having a purity of greater than about 65% late stage MNP cells and high-purity populations of MNP cells having greater than 95% viable cells, as well as method of making and using the same, including deriving late stage MNP cells from pluripotent embryonic stem cells, producing high-purity populations of late stage MNP cells, producing populations of viable MNP cells, transporting viable MNP cells, and transplanting MNP cells. |
US08137969B2 |
Neural progenitor cells derived from embryonic stem cells
The present invention relates to undifferentiated human embryonic stem cells, methods of cultivation and propagation and production of differentiated cells. In particular it relates to the production of human ES cells capable of yielding somatic differentiated cells in vitro, as well as committed progenitor cells such as neural progenitor cells capable of giving rise to mature somatic cells including neural cells and/or glial cells and uses thereof. |
US08137959B2 |
Method of cell cultures and device for implementing it
The invention generally provides a cell culture vessel having at least one first zone and at least one second zone, wherein the first zone is a transfer zone for a culture medium which essentially contains no cells and the second zone is a cell culture zone. The invention further includes methods utilizing the cell culture vessel. |
US08137955B2 |
Method for heat recovery from pre-treated biomass
According to one embodiment, a method for heat treatment of a biomass includes allowing biomass in a pretreatment reactor to undergo a pre-treatment reaction process. The pre-treatment reaction process yields pretreated biomass along with soluble components. A first liquid having a first temperature is transported into the pretreatment reactor and the pretreated biomass elevates the first temperature to a second temperature. At least a portion of the soluble components are captured in the first liquid, and the at least a portion of the soluble components in the first liquid and the first liquid are removed from the pretreatment reactor. A second liquid having a third temperature is transported into the pretreatment reactor and the pretreated biomass elevates the third temperature to a fourth temperature, the fourth temperature being less than second temperature. |
US08137954B2 |
Erythropoietin compositions
Methods and materials are provided for the production of compositions of erythropoietin protein, wherein said compositions comprise a pre-selected N-linked glycosylation pattern as the predominant N-glycoform. |
US08137953B2 |
Lactic acid-producing yeast cells having nonfunctional L- or D-lactate:ferricytochrome C oxidoreductase cells
Yeast cells having an exogenous lactate dehydrogenase gene ae modified by reducing L- or D-lactate:ferricytochrome c oxidoreductase activity in the cell. This leads to reduced consumption of lactate by the cell and can increase overall lactate yields in a fermentation process. Cells having the reduced L- or D-lactate:ferricytochrome c oxidoreductase activity can be screened for by resistance to organic acids such as lactic or glycolic acid. |
US08137952B2 |
Thermostable lactobacillus strains
The present invention relates to the Lactobacillus genus that have the ability to survive in high temperature environments. These thermostable microorganisms have the ability to produce viable antibacterial agents in different food products after heat 5 treatment. The thermostable microorganisms of the Lactobacillus genus may be included in food products that demand high temperature. A further object of the present invention is the ability of a food product comprising the thermostable microorganisms of the Lactobacillus genus for promoting immunotolerance in autoimmune diseases such as coeliac disease. Furthermore, two novel strains of lactobacillus 10 genus are disclosed, Lactobacillus plantarum LB3e and Lactobacillus plantarum LB7c deposited at Deutsche Sammlung von Mikroorganismen und Zeelkulturen, which have been assigned accession number 17852 and 17853 respectively. |
US08137951B2 |
Methods for producing hyaluronan in a recombinant host cell
The present invention relates to methods for producing a hyaluronic acid, comprising: (a) cultivating a Bacillus host cell under conditions suitable for production of the hyaluronic acid, wherein the Bacillus host cell comprises a nucleic acid construct comprising a hyaluronan synthase encoding sequence operably linked to a promoter sequence foreign to the hyaluronan synthase encoding sequence; and (b) recovering the hyaluronic acid from the cultivation medium. The present invention also relates to an isolated nucleic acid sequence encoding a hyaluronan synthase operon comprising a hyaluronan synthase gene and a UDP-glucose 6-dehydrogenase gene, and optionally one or more genes selected from the group consisting of a UDP-glucose pyrophosphorylase gene, UDP-N-acetylglucosamine pyrophosphorylase gene, and glucose-6-phosphate isomerase gene. The present invention also relates to isolated nucleic acid sequences encoding a UDP-glucose 6-dehydrogenase, UDP-glucose pyrophosphorylase, and UDP-N-acetylglucosamine pyrophosphorylase. |
US08137946B2 |
Recombinant GRAS strains expressing thermophilic arabinose isomerase as an active form and method of preparing food grade tagatose by using the same
The present invention relates to a recombinant GRAS (Generally Recognized As Safe) strains expressing thermophilic arabinose isomerase as an active form and method of food grade tagatose by using the same, and more precisely, a gene encoding arabinose isomerase originating from the thermophilic Geobacillus stearothermophilus DSM22 and Geobacillus thermodenitrificans, a recombinant expression vector containing the gene, a recombinant GRAS strains expressing the thermophilic arabinose isomerase as an active form by transformed with the expression vector, and a method of preparing food grade tagatose from galactose by using the same. |
US08137945B1 |
Thermostable cellulase having increased enzyme activity
A thermostable cellulase having increased enzyme activity is disclosed. The cellulase comprises a modified amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2, wherein the tyrosine at position 61 is substituted with an amino acid selected from the group consisting of phenylalanine, alanine and glycine. |
US08137944B2 |
Modified amylases from pseudomonas species, methods of making and uses thereof
Variant polypeptides derivable from a parent polypeptide having non-maltogenic exoamylase activity, in which the variant polypeptides comprise an amino acid mutation at one or more positions selected from the group consisting of: 121, 161, 223, 146, 157, 158, 198, 229, 303, 306, 309, 316, 353, 26, 70, 145, 188, 272, 339, with reference to the position numbering of a Pseudomonas saccharophila exoamylase sequence shown as SEQ ID NO: 1. |
US08137936B2 |
Selected amplification of polynucleotides
The invention provides methods and compositions for selectively amplifying one or more target polynucleotides in a sample. In one aspect, a plurality of selection oligonucleotides are provided that are capable of simultaneously annealing to separate regions of a target polynucleotide to form a complex that is enzymatically converted into a closed double stranded DNA circle that incorporates the sequence region between the two separate regions. Sequences that fail to form such complexes may be removed by nuclease digestion and the sequences of the remaining DNA circles may be amplified by a variety of techniques, such as rolling circle replication after nicking, PCR amplification after linearization, or the like. |
US08137932B2 |
Method for the stabilization of chimeric immunoglobulins or immunoglobulin fragments, and stabilized anti-EGP-2 scFv fragment
The present invention relates to a method for stabilizing chimeric immunoglobulins or immunoglobulin fragments. Furthermore, the invention also provides a stabilized anti-EGP-2 scFv fragment. |
US08137931B2 |
Fusion proteins of HIV regulatory/accessory proteins
The invention relates to fusion proteins comprising the amino acid sequence of at least three HIV proteins selected from Vif, Vpr, Vpu, Rev, and Tat or derivatives of the amino acid sequence of one or more of said proteins, wherein the fusion protein is not processed to individual HIV proteins having the natural N and C termini. The invention further concerns nucleic acids encoding said proteins, vectors comprising said nucleic acids, and methods for producing said proteins. The fusion protein, nucleic acids and vectors are usable as vaccines for the at least partial prophylaxis against HIV infections. |
US08137930B2 |
Attenuated Salmonella enterica serovar paratyphi A and uses thereof
The present invention is drawn to a live, attenuated S. Paratyphi A strain, a live, attenuated S. Paratyphi A strain comprising a stabilized plasmid expression system, an S. Paratyphi conjugate vaccine, and methods of using these strains and conjugate vaccine. |
US08137925B2 |
Methods and compositions for protein labeling using lipoic acid ligases
The invention provides compositions and methods of use thereof for labeling peptide and proteins in vitro or in vivo. The methods described herein employ lipoic acid ligase or mutants thereof, and lipoic acid analogs recognized by lipoic acid ligase and lipoic acid ligase mutants. |
US08137924B2 |
Method and compositions for detecting botulinum neurotoxin
A molecular construct capable of fluorescent resonance energy transfer (FRET), comprising a linker peptide, a donor fluorophore moiety and an acceptor fluorophore moiety, wherein the linker peptide is a substrate of a botulinum neurotoxin selected from the group consisting of synaptobrevin, syntaxin and SNAP-25, or a fragment thereof capable being cleaved by the botulinum neurotoxin, and separates the donor and acceptor fluorophores by a distance of not more than 10 nm, and wherein emission spectrum of the donor fluorophore moiety overlaps with the excitation spectrum of the acceptor fluorophore moiety; or wherein the emission spectra of the fluorophores are detectably different. Also provided are isolated nucleic acid expressing the construct, kits comprising said construct and cell lines comprising said nucleic acid. Further provided are methods of detecting a BoNT using the above described construct via FRET, and methods for detecting a BoNT using surface plasmon resonance imaging. |
US08137923B2 |
Glycoprotein VI and uses thereof
The invention provides isolated nucleic acid molecules and polypeptide molecules that encode glycoprotein VI, a platelet membrane glycoprotein that is involved platelet-collagen interactions. The invention also provides antisense nucleic acid molecules, expression vectors containing the nucleic acid molecules of the invention, host cells into which the expression vectors have been introduced, and non-human transgenic animals in which a nucleic acid molecule of the invention has been introduced or disrupted. The invention still further provides isolated polypeptides, fusion polypeptides, antigenic peptides and antibodies. Diagnostic, screening and therapeutic methods utilizing compositions of the invention are also provided. |
US08137922B2 |
Method for diagnosing the metabolic syndrome (MS)
The present invention discloses a method for diagnosing the metabolic syndrome by determination of the afamin content in a sample of a body fluid or a tissue sample, wherein the metabolic syndrome is diagnosed if the afamin content in the sample is increased compared to the afamin content in a sample from a person not having the metabolic syndrome. |
US08137921B2 |
Homogeneous time resolved fluorescence based test system for Paramyxoviridae
The present invention concerns a fluorescence resonance energy transfer based high throughput test system to measure the formation of the RSV F1 six-helix bundle. In a first embodiment the current invention relates to a homogeneous time resolved fluorescence-based test system comprising a first helical polypeptide consisting essentially of the sequence of IQN57 (SEQ ID NO: 1); a second helical polypeptide consisting essentially of the sequence of C45 (SEQ ID NO: 2) wherein said IQN57 is labeled with a light emitting fluorophore and said C45 is labeled with an ultra-violet excitable fluorophore. |
US08137919B2 |
Method of determining the sensitivity of cancer cells to EGFR inhibitors including cetuximab, panitumumab and erlotinib
A method of determining if a cancer patient is amenable to treatment with EGFR inhibitors including but not limited to cetuximab, panitumumab or erlotinib by the following steps: (a) Obtaining cells from a cancer patient's tumor; (b) Determining if said cells contain a biomarker that is predictive of a therapeutic response to response to treatment with cetuximab or panitumumab. The biomarker is the mutation status of the PIK3CA gene and the expression status of the PTEN gene. Tumors that harbor activating mutations in Exon 9 and 20 of the PIK3CA gene or which show loss of PTEN protein expression will be considered not likely to benefit from EGFR targeting therapies. |
US08137918B2 |
Sperm-specific cation channel, CatSper4, and uses therefor
Nucleic acid and protein sequences relating to a cation channel which is sperm-specific (CatSper4) are disclosed. The CatSper4 protein is shown to be specifically expressed in sperm. Nucleic acids, vectors, transformed cells, transgenic animals, polypeptides, and antibodies relating to the CatSper4 gene and protein are disclosed. Also provided are methods of in vitro fertilization and contraception, methods of identifying modulators of CatSper4 activity, methods of genotyping subjects with respect to CatSper4, and methods of diagnosing and treating CatSper4-mediated disorders, including infertility. Related business methods are also disclosed. |
US08137917B2 |
Droplet actuator devices, systems, and methods
The invention relates to certain novel approaches to reducing or eliminating the movement of contaminants from one droplet to another on a droplet actuator via liquid filler fluid. In one application, droplet actuators are used to conduct genetic analysis using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) techniques. The invention addresses the need for improved methods of performing PCR on a droplet actuator that provide for optimum amplification and detection of a sample target. |
US08137914B2 |
Variants of alpha-fetoprotein coding and expression sequences
The invention discloses the sequences of variant forms of alpha-fetoprotein transcripts that have been identified in human hemopoietic progenitors but not in differentiated mature cells. The variant forms of AFP (vAFP) cDNA sequences isolated from a multipotent hemopoietic cell line, K562, differ from the authentic AFP transcript, consisting of 15 exons, by lacking only exon 1. Instead of exon 1, vAFP transcripts use an additional one or two exons located in the 5′-untranslated region of the AFP gene. K562 expressed selectively vAFP, whereas a hepatocellular carcinoma cell line, HepG2, showed no detectable expression of vAFP. In normal adult tissues, vAFP transcripts is detected in the bone marrow, thymus and brain, but not the spleen, suggesting the expression occurs in normal hemopoietic progenitors. Moreover, CD34+Lin− hemopoietic stem/progenitor cells purified by flow cytometric sorting also express the variant transcripts. |
US08137913B2 |
Methods for nucleic acid manipulation
A method for replicating and amplifying a target nucleic acid sequence is described. A method of the invention involves the formation of a recombination intermediate without the prior denaturing of a nucleic acid duplex through the use of a recombination factor. The recombination intermediate is treated with a high fidelity polymerase to permit the replication and amplification of the target nucleic acid sequence. In preferred embodiments, the polymerase comprises a polymerase holoenzyme. In further preferred embodiments, the recombination factor is bacteriophage T4 UvsX protein or homologs from other species, and the polymerase holoenzyme comprises a polymerase enzyme, a clamp protein and a clamp loader protein, derived from viral, bacteriophage, prokaryotic, archaebacterial, or eukaryotic systems. |
US08137911B2 |
Preparation and use of single-stranded transcription substrates for synthesis of transcription products corresponding to target sequences
The present invention provides methods, compositions and kits for using an RNA polymerase for making transcription products corresponding to a target sequence by obtaining single-stranded DNA transcription substrates that comprise a single-stranded promoter that is operably joined to a single-stranded target sequence. The invention has broad applicability for research, diagnostic and therapeutic applications, such as preparing cDNA corresponding to full-length mRNA, making sense or anti-sense probes, detecting gene- or organism-specific sequences, cloning, cell signaling or making RNA for use in RNAi. |
US08137910B2 |
Method of regulating gene expression
The present invention relates, in general, to gene expression and, in particular, to a method of inhibiting the expression of a target gene and to constructs suitable for use in such a method. |
US08137902B2 |
Method of manufacturing mechanical and micromechanical parts
A method of manufacturing parts of a first material able to be etched from a substrate including at least one superficial layer of the first material, includes (a) forming a substantially uniform superficial layer of a second material at the surface of the superficial layer of the first material, wherein the second material resists a selective etch of the first material, (b) forming a bead of second material at the periphery of the superficial layer of second material, (c) structuring the layer of second material and the bead by a photolithographic process including an etch step of sufficient duration to etch the superficial layer of second material over the entire thickness thereof, but insufficient to etch the bead over the entire thickness thereof, so as to obtain a mask, and (d) cutting out parts made of the first material through the mask of the second material, by directional etching. |
US08137901B2 |
Method for fabricating an image sensor
A method for fabricating an image sensor is disclosed. First, a semiconductor substrate is provided, in which a photosensitive region is defined on the semiconductor substrate. At least one photosensitive material is then formed on the semiconductor substrate, and a first exposure process is performed to form a tapered pattern in the photosensitive material. A second exposure process is performed to form a straight foot pattern in the photosensitive material, and a developing process is performed to remove the tapered pattern and straight foot pattern to form the photosensitive material into a plurality of photosensitive blocks. A reflow process is conducted thereafter to form the photosensitive blocks into a plurality of microlenses. |
US08137900B2 |
Electrophoretic display device
An electrophoretic display device includes a multiplicity of individual reservoirs containing a display medium between conductive substrates, at least one of which is transparent, wherein the display medium includes one or more set of colored particles in a dielectric fluid, and wherein the multiplicity of individual reservoirs are defined by a unitary grid whose walls segregate the reservoirs. The gird may be formed via photolithography or from a master stamp derived from a mold of the grid pattern. |
US08137899B1 |
Data support with an opticallly variable element
The invention relates to a data carrier with an optically variable structure having an embossed structure and a coating contrasting with the surface of the data carrier. The embossed structure and the coating are so combined that at least parts of the coating are completely visible upon perpendicular viewing but concealed upon oblique viewing so that a tilt effect arises upon alternate perpendicular and oblique viewing. The coating is executed uniformly and the embossed structure is divided into partial areas where different partial embossed structures are provided. |
US08137897B2 |
Processless development of printing plate
On-press development of an imaged printing plate on a plate cylinder, in which ink is applied by an ink form roll, a blanket roll is in contact with the plate, a rubber roll is opposed to the blanket roll, and printable media passes between the blanket roll and the rubber roll. The plate comprises a substrate carrying an imaged coating, in which nonimage areas have cohesion C1, adhesion to the substrate A1, and adhesion to the applied ink A3 and image areas have cohesion C2, adhesion to the substrate A2, and adhesion to the applied ink A4. The ink has cohesion C3 and adhesion A5 to the blanket roll. The nonimage areas have adhesion A6 to the printable medium and the ink has adhesion A7 to the medium. The adhesions and cohesions are such that the blanket roll pulls the ink from the plate and the ink pulls the nonimage areas from the substrate as undissolved particles that are transferred by the blanket with the ink to the printable media. |
US08137896B2 |
Method of preparing lithographic printing plates
A negative-working lithographic printing plate precursor can be imaged with infrared radiation and processed in a single step using a single processing solution having a pH of from about 3 to 11. The precursor has a primary polymeric binder that comprises recurring units derived from one or more N-alkoxymethyl(meth)acrylamides, provided that such recurring units are present in the primary polymeric binder in an amount of at least 10% based on the total dry primary polymeric binder weight. In addition, the primary polymeric binder is present in an amount of from about 12 to about 70% based on total imageable layer dry weight. The imaged precursor can be processed off-press or on-press. |
US08137889B2 |
Solvent for printing, pattern composition for printing comprising the solvent, and patterning method using the composition
Disclosed is a solvent for printing which comprises a first solvent selected from the group consisting of acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, methyl acetate, ethyl acetate, methanol and mixtures thereof, and a second solvent selected from the group consisting of propylene glycol monomethyl ether acetate (PGMEA), propylene glycol monomethyl ether (PGME), isopropanol, butyl acetate, ethyl-3-ethoxypropionate and mixtures thereof. Further disclosed are a pattern composition for printing comprising the solvent for printing, and a patterning method using the composition. The use of the solvent for printing enables formation of an accurate pattern. |
US08137888B2 |
Method of preparing toner having controlled morphology
A method for the preparation of shaped polymeric particles, and in a particular embodiment shaped electrostatographic toner particles, of controlled morphology including the following steps. A selected solvent or solvent mixture is used to dissolve a polyester polymer material to form an organic phase, wherein the polyester material is formed from at least one diol and at least one multicarboxylic aromatic acid and has a solubility parameter of greater than 9.0 (cal/cm3)1/2, the selected solvent or solvent mixture includes at least a first solvent having a solubility parameter of less than 9.0 (cal/cm3)1/2, and the difference in solubility parameters for the polyester material and the at least first solvent is between 1.0 and 3.0 (cal/cm3)1/2. The organic phase is dispersed in an aqueous phase containing a particulate stabilizer to form a dispersion, which is then homogenized. The organic solvent is evaporated from the dispersion to form shaped polymeric particles, and the resultant product is recovered, washed and dried. |
US08137886B2 |
Magnetic carrier, two-component developer and image forming method
A magnetic carrier is provided which uses a toner having high coloring power and enables development to be performed at low electric field intensity and can form high quality images while keeping gradation characteristics. The magnetic carrier includes magnetic carrier particles including at least porous magnetic core particles and a resin. The electric field intensity just before the break-down of the magnetic carrier is 1,300 V/cm or more and 5,000 V/cm or less. |
US08137881B2 |
Electrophotographic toner
The disclosure provides an electrophotographic toner including a binder resin; and a light absorber, wherein the light absorber includes a metal nanorod and a surfactant covering a surface of the metal nanorod. |
US08137880B2 |
Colored toners
The present disclosure provides blue toners and methods for their production. In embodiments, methods of the present disclosure include systems which may be utilized to predict the color properties of a blue toner, thereby permitting adjustment of the pigment loading and/or toner mass per unit area. |
US08137879B2 |
Ferromagnetic nanoparticles with high magnetocrystalline anisotropy for MICR toner applications
A toner including stabilized magnetic single-crystal nanoparticles, wherein the value of the magnetic anisotropy of the magnetic nanoparticles is greater than or equal to 2×104 J/m3. The magnetic nanoparticle may be a ferromagnetic nanoparticle, such as FePt. The toner includes a magnetic material that minimizes the size of the particle, resulting in excellent magnetic pigment dispersion and dispersion stability, particularly in emulsion/aggregation toner processes. The smaller sized magnetic particles of the toner also maintains excellent magnetic properties, thereby reducing the amount of magnetic particle loading required in the toner. |
US08137875B2 |
Method and apparatus for overlay compensation between subsequently patterned layers on workpiece
Methods and apparatuses for patterning workpieces are provided. The methods and apparatuses described herein improve overlay between subsequently patterned layers on a workpiece by introducing an improved alignment method that compensates for workpiece distortions. |
US08137874B2 |
Organic graded spin on BARC compositions for high NA lithography
An antireflective coating that contains at least two polymer components and comprises chromophore moieties and transparent moieties is provided. The antireflective coating is useful for providing a single-layer composite graded antireflective coating formed beneath a photoresist layer. |
US08137873B2 |
Color filter and method for manufacturing thereof
The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a color filter and a color filter manufactured by using the same. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a color filter that includes a) applying a light blocking part material on a substrate; b) prebaking the light blocking part material to form a light blocking layer; c) selectively exposing and developing the light blocking layer to form a light blocking part pattern; d) precuring the light blocking part pattern; e) applying a solution on the substrate on which the light blocking part pattern is formed; f) postbaking the light blocking part and the solution; and g) filling ink in a pixel unit that is defined by the light blocking part pattern, and a color filter manufactured by using the same. |
US08137867B2 |
Photomask blank, photomask, and methods of manufacturing the same
A photomask blank has a light-shielding film composed of at least two layers on a transparent substrate. The light-shielding film includes a light-shielding layer made of a material mainly containing tantalum nitride and further containing xenon and a front-surface antireflection layer formed on the light-shielding layer and made of a material mainly containing tantalum oxide and further containing argon. |
US08137862B2 |
Fuel cell
A fuel cell includes a joint portion A in which a first conductive separator, an electrolyte-strengthening substrate and a second conductive separator are jointed in order with a brazing material. The electrolyte-strengthening substrate is formed so as to be larger than a joint area of the first conductive separator and a joint area of the second conductive separator in the joint portion. The electrolyte-strengthening substrate has an insulating property at least at an area where the electrolyte-strengthening substrate contacts with the brazing material. |
US08137861B2 |
Diaphragm for direct-liquid fuel cell and process for producing the same
The present invention discloses a membrane for direct-liquid fuel cell, comprised of a layered cation-exchange membrane whose one side is constituted by A) a cation-exchange membrane layer of low water content type having a water content of 1 to 15% by mass at a relative humidity of 50% RH (25° C.) and whose other side is constituted by B) a cation-exchange membrane layer of high water content type having, at a relative humidity of 100% RH (25° C.), a water content which is higher, by 3% by mass ore more, than the water content of the cation-exchange membrane layer of low water content type at a relative humidity of 100% RH (25° C.), the layered cation-exchange membrane having an electrical resistance of 0.5 to 0.01 Ω·cm2 in a 1 mol/L aqueous sulfuric acid solution at 25° C. |
US08137858B2 |
Method of fabricating electrode catalyst layers with directionally oriented carbon support for proton exchange membrane fuel cell
A membrane electrode assembly (MEA) of the invention comprises an anode and a cathode and a proton conductive membrane therebetween, the anode and the cathode each comprising a patterned sheet of longitudinally aligned transition metal-containing carbon nanotubes, wherein the carbon nanotubes are in contact with and are aligned generally perpendicular to the membrane, wherein a catalytically active transition metal is incorporated throughout the nanotubes. |
US08137856B2 |
Fuel cell
Excellent gas sealing properties were difficult to achieve with a structure that uses a meal material to control material cost and does not increase the number of components. A cell is configured by using a metal separator having at least one protruding structure between a manifold and an electrode channel, and having a communicating channel structure that forms a fluid circulating space by being folded back at the side containing a connection so that the tip of the protruding structure is in contact with a surface of the separator. Accordingly, a gas channel from the manifold to an electrode surface can be easily formed integrally. This can be applied to a metal material easily. Further, the present invention can provide excellent gas sealing properties. |
US08137855B2 |
Hot box design with a multi-stream heat exchanger and single air control
A fuel cell stack module includes a plurality of fuel cell stacks, an anode tail gas oxidizer (ATO) which is located in a heat transfer relationship with the plurality of fuel cell stacks, a base supporting the plurality of fuel cell stacks and the ATO, and at least one heat exchanger located in the base. An ATO exhaust stream and an anode exhaust stream from the fuel cell stacks heat the stack fuel and air inlet streams in a multi-stream heat exchanger. |
US08137850B2 |
Gas-liquid separator and fuel cell system having the same
Disclosed is a gas-liquid separator capable of allowing carbon dioxide to be exhausted to the atmosphere so as to recover and recycle only unreacted fuel discharged from an electric generator, and a fuel cell system having the same. The fuel cell system includes an electric generator to generate electricity by electrochemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen, a fuel feeder to supply hydrogen containing fuel to the electric generator, an oxidant feeder to supply oxygen to the electric generator, and a recovering unit to recover unreacted fuel generated during the electrochemical reaction in the electric generator and supply the unreacted fuel to the fuel feeder. The recovering unit comprises a frame structure, and a gas-liquid separation film partially surrounding the frame structure. The gas-liquid separator forms a flow space inside the frame structure. Accordingly, the unreacted fuel, which is not participated in the oxidation-reduction reaction between the hydrogen containing fuel and the oxidant, is recovered and recycled while excluding carbon dioxide, so that power generation efficiency of the fuel cell system is enhanced. |
US08137847B2 |
Active material for non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery and manufacturing method therefore
An active material for a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery including a lithium-containing transition metal oxide containing nickel and manganese and having a closest-packed structure of oxygen, wherein an atomic ratio MLi/MT between the number of moles of lithium MLi and the number of moles of transition metal Mt contained in the lithium-containing transition metal oxide is greater than 1.0; the lithium-containing transition metal oxide has a crystal structure attributed to a hexagonal system, and the X-ray diffraction image of the crystal structure has a peak P003 attributed to the (003) plane and a peak P104 attributed to the (104) plane; an integrated intensity ratio I003/I104 between the peak P003 and the peak P104 varies reversibly within a range from 0.7 to 1.5 in association with absorption and desorption of lithium by the lithium-containing transition metal oxide; and the integrated intensity ratio varies linearly and continuously. |
US08137843B2 |
Negative electrode active material for nonaqueous electrolyte battery, nonaqueous electrolyte battery, battery pack, and vehicle
A negative electrode active material contains a metal-displaced lithium-titanium oxide of a ramsdellite structure expressed by the formula Li(16/7)-xTi(24/7)-yMyO8 (where M is at least one metal element selected from the group consisting of Nb, Ta, Mo, and W, and x and y are respectively numbers in the range of 0 |
US08137841B2 |
Cathode compositions for lithium-ion electrochemical cells
Compositions useful for cathodes in lithium-ion batteries are described. In some examples, an electrochemical cell includes an electrode, the electrode comprising a composition including the elements of Li, Fe, and F, where the composition includes a first phase including a disordered trirutile structure. Cathodes including such a composition may exhibit reversible reactivity with lithium. In some examples, this reaction takes place via an intercalation mechanism. |
US08137838B2 |
Battery electrode paste composition containing modified maleimides
A battery electrode paste composition containing modified maleimide(s) is provided, which has an electrode active material, a conductive additive, a binder and modified maleimide(s) as dispersant. The modified maleimide as the dispersant in the battery electrode paste composition has dendrimer-like hyperbranched structures, which can form a stable complex with the electrode active material. Therefore, owing to the excellent compatibility of the modified maleimide with the solvent in the electrode paste, the storage stability of the paste is increased. Furthermore, through formation of stable bonding between the modified maleimide and the current-collecting metal substrate, the adhesive force between the electrode film and the current-collecting metal substrate is enhanced and the cycling life of the battery product is extended. |
US08137836B2 |
Lithium rechargeable battery with resin molding part and outer covers
The present invention relates to a lithium rechargeable battery having outer covers, each having a rib formed on the inner surface thereof, coupled to both sides of a core pack, which makes it possible to prevent resin from flowing into the outer covers when resin molding parting is performed on an upper part of the core pack and thus to reduce defects occurring in the outer covers due to the flow of resin.A lithium rechargeable battery according to an embodiment of the invention includes a core pack having a bare cell and a protective circuit module which is arranged on the top side of the bare cell so as to be electrically connected to the bare cell through lead plates; outer covers covering two short lateral sides of the core pack on which the lead plates are provided; and a resin molding part formed at an upper part of the core pack, the upper part of the core pack includes a portion of each of the outer covers and the protective circuit module. In the lithium rechargeable battery, ribs are formed on the inner surfaces of the outer covers to isolate gaps formed between the outer covers and the two short lateral sides of the core pack due to the lead plates from the resin molding part. |
US08137835B2 |
Plated steel plate for cell can, battery, alkaline dry battery
The plated steel plate for a cell can provides stable and good electrical contact on an outer surface of the cell can, and the evolution of gas within a battery can be suppressed by reducing damage to a plated surface of the steel plate when the cell can is formed by drawing press. In this manner, it is possible to provide a battery and an alkaline dry battery that can realize stable electrical contact with devices and reduce the evolution of gas. In a plated steel plate for a cell can both of whose surfaces are plated mainly with nickel, one surface of a steel plate that is a plated substrate is a dull finished surface, and another surface thereof is a bright finished surface. |
US08137833B1 |
Condensation-induced corrosion resistant cell mounting well
A battery mounting structure for use within a battery pack housing is provided that prevents condensation-induced corrosion from occurring between the terminals of a battery. |
US08137830B2 |
High voltage battery composed of anode limited electrochemical cells
An electrochemical storage device including a plurality of electrochemical cells connected electrically in series. Each cell includes an anode electrode, a cathode electrode and an aqueous electrolyte. The charge storage capacity of the anode electrode is less than the charge storage capacity of the cathode. |
US08137826B2 |
Composite material part with a silicon-containing ceramic matrix protected against corrosion
An environmental barrier for a substrate of ceramic matrix composite material containing silicon, in particular containing SiC, is formed by an anticorrosion protection layer containing an aluminosilicate type compound of an alkali or alkaline-earth or rare earth element, e.g. BSAS, with a chemical barrier forming layer of aluminum nitride being interposed between the substrate and the anticorrosion protection layer. |
US08137825B2 |
Aluminum nitride single crystal film, aluminum nitride single crystal multi-layer substrate and manufacturing processes thereof
In a method of manufacturing an aluminum nitride single crystal film on a substrate by heating a sapphire substrate in the presence of carbon, nitrogen and carbon monoxide, an aluminum compound which differs from the raw material sapphire substrate and the formed aluminum nitride single crystal and can control the concentration of aluminum in the heating atmosphere, such as aluminum nitride or alumina, is made existent in a reaction system to promote a reduction nitriding reaction.An aluminum nitride single crystal multi-layer substrate having an aluminum nitride single crystal film on the surface of a sapphire substrate, wherein the aluminum nitride single crystal has improved crystallinity and a low density of defects, is provided. |
US08137822B2 |
Synthesis of phenyl-substituted polyfluoroanthenes and the use thereof
The invention relates to a method for producing polyfluoroanthenes containing repeat units of general formula (I), said method consisting of the following steps: a) a monomer fluoroanthene derivative of formula IIa is produced; b) optionally the monomer fluoroanthene derivative of formula IIa is converted into another monomer fluoroanthene derivative of formula IIb; and c) the monomer fluoroanthene derivative of formula IIa or IIb is polymerised, optionally together with at least one other comonomer. The invention also relates to polyfluoroanthenes that can be produced according to the inventive method, films, a light-emitting layer containing or consisting of at least one inventive polyfluoroanthene, OLEDs containing at least one inventive polyfluoroanthene, OLEDs containing an inventive light-emitting layer, a device containing an inventive OLED, and the use of the inventive polyfluoroanthene emitter substances in OLEDs. |
US08137818B2 |
Poly(lactic acid)-containing compositions for use in imparting oil, grease, or water resistance to paper
Herein disclosed is a composition containing from about 5 weight parts to about 50 weight parts of a branched polylactic acid; from about 50 weight parts to about 95 weight parts of water; and from about 0.1 weight parts to about 1 weight part of a first surfactant. The composition can be coated onto a substrate containing paper or paperboard and having a first surface and a second surface, to form a paper product having oil, grease, and moisture resistance. |
US08137797B2 |
Polymeric structures comprising a hydrophile
Hydroxyl polymer-containing compositions, especially hydroxyl polymer-containing compositions that can be processed into polymeric structures, especially polymeric structures in the form of fibers are provided. |
US08137795B2 |
Indexable insert
An indexable insert (1) includes a substrate (8) and a coating layer formed on the substrate. The coating layer includes an inner layer and an outer layer. The inner layer is constituted by a layer containing at least one element selected from the group consisting of Group IVa elements, Group Va elements, and Group VIa elements in the periodic table, and Al and Si. The uppermost layer of the inner layer in contact with the outer layer is composed of a compound at least containing Ti and at least one of nitrogen and boron. The outer layer is constituted by an alumina layer or an alumina-containing layer. In a region involved in cutting, the outer layer satisfies B/A≦0.9 where A μm is the average thickness at the flank face (3) side and B μm is the average thickness at the rake face (2) side. |
US08137792B2 |
Water resistant adhesive and methods of use
The invention provides the art with an adhesive that may advantageously be used in the manufacture of water resistant paperboard products, such as laminated board and corrugated board. The adhesive has the required tack, water resistance and viscosity that allows its use at commercial speeds in a cold corrugating process. |
US08137790B2 |
Nonwoven medical fabric
A method of manufacturing a nonwoven fabric including at least one nonwoven web material layer having thermoplastic polymer filaments and an initial thickness Ts, wherein the method includes embossing the nonwoven web material layer to form in the layer an embossed portion having a compressed thickness Tc that is less than Ts and an expanded portion of the layer having a thickness Te that is greater than Ts. |
US08137789B2 |
Composition for matte layer formation, release sheet using the same, and synthetic leather produced using said release sheet
There are provided a composition for matte layer formation suitable for the production of a matte synthetic leather having a matte surface with a high level of jet-blackness even without the practice of embossing, raising, etc., and a release sheet for the production of a matte synthetic leather by using the composition. The composition for matte layer formation suitable for the production of a matte synthetic leather comprises a thermosetting resin and a matting agent as indispensable components. The matting agent comprises one or at least two types of organic or/and inorganic porous fine particles. The porous fine particles have a mean particle diameter in the range of 0.5 to 20 μm and a specific surface area in the range of 1 to 1000 m2/g. The release sheet is produced by using the composition. |
US08137787B1 |
Metal material having formed thereon chromium oxide passive film and method for producing the same, and parts contacting with fluid and system for supplying fluid and exhausting gas
The object of the present invention is to form a chromium-oxide film, excellent in corrosion resistance, without containing an oxide film of other metal onto the metallic material. The chromium-oxide passivation film, excellent in corrosion resistance, without containing the oxide film of other metal can be formed inexpensively and in a short time, and a fluid supplying system for safely supplying fluid with hard corrosivity is able to be provided. One step of forming the passivation film consisting of a chromium oxide layer by giving heat treatment, in an oxidizing atmosphere, after coating chromium on the metallic material having a surface roughness (Ra) not more than 1.5 μm. |
US08137781B2 |
Information sheet
An information sheet is held between an adhesive sheet and an adherend, and is partitioned into a first and second sheet portion by a first perforated-line. When the second sheet portion is folded at the first perforated-line position and overlapped on the first sheet portion, the edge portion side of the first sheet portion is protruded a predetermined amount out of the edge border of the second sheet portion to form an adhesive margin. The adhesive margin and a contra mating surface of the second sheet portion are stuck to an adhesive layer of the adhesive sheet. Respective surfaces on the mating side of the first and second sheet portions are printed with confidential information capable of being cut off along the first and second perforated-lines. |
US08137778B2 |
Weight for vibration motor
A weight for a vibration motor, the weight including: a resin part including: a semi-cylindrical portion having a shaft hole in which a rotary shaft is fitted and expanding radially from the shaft hole at a given center angle so as to be eccentrically weighted with respect to the shaft hole; and a pair of locking projections respectively disposed at both axial end areas of an outer circumferential surface of the semi-cylindrical portion so as to extend radially outwardly therefrom; and a metal part attached to the resin part so as to sit on the outer circumferential surface of the semi-cylindrical portion, the metal part including: a pair of locking recesses positioned and configured to correspond respectively to the locking projections of the resin portion, wherein an elevated portion formed between the pair of locking recesses makes contact with the pair of locking projections of the resin portion. |
US08137776B2 |
Lamination adhesion of foil to thermoplastic polymers
Disclosed is a multilayer structure, which comprises or is produced from a foil laminated to thermoplastic compositions using ethylene/butyl acrylate copolymer compositions as a tie layer. The multilayer structures can be useful as packaging films and industrial films. Also disclosed is a lamination process for producing the structure. Further disclosed are packages comprising the structures. |
US08137774B2 |
Compositions of ethylene/vinyl acetate copolymers for heat-sealable easy opening packaging
Disclosed are compositions comprising ethylene/vinyl acetate copolymers, tackifying resins and optionally polyolefins (for example, polyethylene and polypropylene) that provide strong, tight hermetic heat seals with an easily peelable opening feature to fluoropolymers such as polychlorotrifluoroethylene. Also disclosed are multilayer structures and packages comprising these compositions. |
US08137773B2 |
Polyolefin series heat-shrinkable film, molded product and heat-shrinkable laminated label employing the film, and container
The present invention provides a polyolefin series heat-shrinkable film comprising a mixed resin mainly containing a polyolefin series resin (A), polylactic acid series resin (B), and a resin (C) facilitating compatibility with the resin (A) and the resin (B), or comprising at least one layer made of the mixed resin, wherein mass ratio of the resin (A) to the resin (B) is (A)/(B)=99/1 to 70/30; heat shrinkage ratio of the film at least in one direction when dipped in hot water at 80° C. for 10 seconds is 20% or more; and natural shrinkage ratio of the film when stored at 40° C. under 50% RH environment for 7 days is less than 10%. This polyolefin series heat-shrinkable film exhibits excellent heat-shrinkable property and shrink finishing quality, and inhibits natural shrinkage. This invention also provides a polyolefin series heat-shrinkable label and container on which the heat-shrinkable label is fitted. |
US08137771B2 |
Gas generating composition
A gas generating composition that can suppress the generation of mist is provided. The above gas generating composition comprises (a) a fuel, (b) an oxidizer, and (c) a compound selected from a group comprising a phosphoric acid compound or a salt thereof. The content ratio of (c) in the above composition is preferably 0.1 to 5 mass %. |
US08137765B2 |
Method of producing alloyed iron article
Liquid aluminum is sprayed as a fine mist onto an alloyed iron article to produce a thin tenacious non-corrodible layer. In some embodiments, air is heated and delivered through insulated tubing to a container having solid aluminum therein. In some embodiments the air is heated by an electric induction coil. In some embodiments, the container is heated independently of the heated air. In some embodiments, the container is heated by an electric induction coil. |
US08137763B2 |
Method of producing a layer of material on a support
Processes for preparing catalyst structures, include forming a layer of a catalytic material on a substrate, and separating the layer of the catalytic material into droplet-shaped bodies of the catalytic material adhered to the substrate. |
US08137758B2 |
Dip coating system with stepped apron recovery
A coating apparatus and method of using for use in dip coating an article may have a container with opposing sides and a volume capable of holding a liquid coating material and at least one article to be coated by the material, and a stepped apron adjacent at least one of the opposing sides of the container, the stepped apron capable of holding the liquid coating material to a depth sufficient to maintain the material in the liquid state and receiving the liquid coating material dripping from at least one coated article positioned above the stepped apron; and at least one support member above the container capable of holding at least one article to be coated by dipping in the container. The apparatus may include localized heating of the article, such as by spot welding, and air cooling of the article using a cooling system having at least one fan and a conveyor before the article is dipped in the container containing the liquid coating material and subsequently dried. |
US08137756B2 |
Liquid application method, liquid application apparatus and image forming apparatus
A liquid application method includes: an application liquid supplying step of supplying an application liquid to an outer circumferential surface of a roller member which is driven to rotate; a blade abutting step of abutting a blade member against the outer circumferential surface of the roller member so as to remove the application liquid supplied in the application liquid supplying step; and a blade abutment and separation control step of controlling an operation of abutting and an operation of separating the blade member in the blade abutting step. |
US08137755B2 |
Method for preparing pre-coated, ultra-fine, submicron grain high-temperature aluminum and aluminum-alloy components and components prepared thereby
The invention is a high-strength, pre-coated, aluminum or aluminum-alloy component comprising an aluminum or aluminum-alloy article having ultra-fine, submicron grain microstructure and an organic coating of phenolic resin applied to the surface of the article. The article is prepared from a coarse grain aluminum or aluminum-alloy material that is cryomilled into an ultra-fine, submicron grain material, degassed, and densified. The densified material is formed into an article, and coated with an organic coating containing phenolic resin prior to installation or assembly. |
US08137754B2 |
Hydroxyl-terminated thiocarbonate containing compounds, polymers, and copolymers, and polyurethanes and urethane acrylics made therefrom
Thiocarbonate compounds are reacted with various polyols to introduce hydroxyl end groups thereto which can be subsequently reacted with urethane forming compounds to form various polyurethanes including block copolymers thereof. |
US08137752B2 |
Method and apparatus for the treatment of individual filaments of a multifilament yarn
A method and apparatus for treating the surfaces of individual filaments in multifilament yarn. The method includes the steps of immersing the yarn into a liquid treatment solution and coating all exposed surface areas of each individual filament with the treatment solution, disrupting the orientation of the individual filaments and coating all newly exposed surface areas of each individual filament with the treatment solution, and repeating the previous steps until a predetermined treatment level is achieved. A filament orientation disruption assembly may include at least one roller having a roller profile such that for a given transverse section of the roller, a roller surface perimeter has a plurality of points located a plurality of distinct distances from a central axis of the roller, i.e., a non-cylindrical roller. The method is particularly effective in plating highly anisotropic uniaxially oriented polymer fibers, such as PBO. |
US08137749B2 |
Method of aluminization in the vapor phase on hollow metal parts of a turbomachine
A method of aluminization by deposit in the vapor phase for protection against oxidation at high temperature of a metal part of a turbomachine. The part includes a cavity with an opening that can be accessed from the outside. A halide is formed by reaction between a halogen and a metal donor containing aluminum, then the halide is transported by a carrier gas to come into contact with the metal part, the metal donor being placed at least partly in the cavity. The metal donor is in the form of a pellet obtained by hot sintering under pressure of a mixture of metal powder. |
US08137748B2 |
Fiber including silica and metal oxide
Techniques for coating a fiber with metal oxide include forming silica in the fiber to fix the metal oxide to the fiber. The coated fiber can be used to facilitate photocatalysis. |
US08137747B2 |
Components, turbochargers, and methods of forming the components
Components, turbochargers, and methods of forming components are provided. In an embodiment, by way of example only, a method of forming a component is provided. The method includes applying a plurality of coated particles to a substrate, wherein each coated particle comprises a solid film lubricant particle and a layer surrounding an entire surface of the solid film lubricant particle, each solid film lubricant particle comprises at least one compound, and the layer comprises a coating material having a greater resistance to oxidation than the compound when subjected to a predetermined processing temperature and heating the substrate to the predetermined processing temperature to form a portion of a coating over the substrate. |
US08137743B2 |
Method for forming zirconia film
[Object] To provide a method for forming a zirconia film, which is capable of obtaining favorable film quality by an aerosol gas deposition method.[Solving Means] The method for forming a zirconia film by an aerosol gas deposition method, the method including: placing zirconia fine particles P having a mean particle diameter of 0.7 μm or more and 11 μm or less and a specific surface area of 1 m2/g or more and 7 m2/g or less in a closed container 2; generating aerosol A of the zirconia fine particles P by introduction of a gas into the closed container 2; conveying the aerosol A through a transfer pipe 6 connected to the closed container 2 into a deposition chamber 3 kept at a pressure lower than that of the closed container 2; and depositing the zirconia fine particles P on a substrate S placed in the deposition chamber 3. It is possible to form a zirconia thin film that is dense and highly adhesive to the substrate by zirconia fine particles satisfying the above-mentioned conditions. |
US08137740B2 |
Method of forming electronic material layer and method of manufacturing electronic device using the method of forming electronic material layer
A method of transferring an electronic material and a method of manufacturing an electronic device using the method of transferring the electronic material. The method of transferring the electronic material includes dipping a template, on which an electronic material layer is formed, into a liquid medium, separating the electronic material layer from the template, and floating the electronic material layer on a surface of the liquid medium; raising up the electronic material layer floated on the surface of the liquid medium by using a target substrate and transferring the electronic material layer on the target substrate; and fixing the electronic material layer to the target substrate. |
US08137734B2 |
Preparation of controlled release skeletal muscle relaxant dosage forms
The present invention is directed to a method of preparing an extended release pharmaceutical composition comprising cyclobenzaprine, comprising coating inert particles with a cyclobenzaprine-containing a drug layering composition to form IR beads, then coating the IR beads with an extended-release coating to form ER beads. |
US08137733B2 |
Process for producing a carrier
A complex, which has been formed by at least two pieces of a ligand and a first metal ion, is bound with a carrier. A second metal ion is then added onto the carrier, a new complex being thereby formed. A substance that contains a Group-15 or Group-16 atom, which has metal coordinating capability, is then fixed to the first metal ion and the second metal ion. |
US08137730B2 |
Power spraying of agricultural products with wrinkled skins
Raisins that have been formed by field drying of grapes and that have been exposed to rain during the drying process that has caused solids, particularly sand, to become embedded in the surface folds of the raisins, are cleaned of such embedded solids by spraying with a mixture of pressurized air and water applied through an atomizing nozzle, which achieves both washing and drying of the raisins. The same process is applicable to other agricultural products with wrinkled skins, and produces unusually effective results. |
US08137729B2 |
Method of making complexed fat compositions
A process of preparing a complexed fat composition in a continuous process is provided. The process comprises mixing a cyclodextrin with a solvent in an in-line mixing system at a temperature of from about 180 to about 200° F. (82.2 to about 93.3° C.), thereby solubilizing the cyclodextrin; mixing fat and the solubilized cyclodextrin in a static mixer mixing system at a temperature of from about 80 to about 120° F. (26.7 to about 48.9° C.) to form a fat/cyclodextrin composition comprising a fat/cyclodextrin complex; and cooling the fat/cyclodextrin composition in an in-line mixing system. The described continuous process is a very efficient manner of complexing fat with cyclodextrin, and provides compositions that exhibit excellent uniformity and homogeneity. |
US08137727B2 |
Bread suitable for heating in microwave oven
Disclosed is bread suited for heating in a microwave oven, containing: 1 to 67 parts by weight of (A) fat and oil, 0.001 to 2 parts by weight of (B) a humectant, and 0.1 to 7 parts by weight of (C) an emulsifier, incorporated into 100 parts by weight of cereal flour containing primarily wheat flour containing crude protein in an amount of 9% by weight or more and less than 11.5% by weight. |
US08137725B2 |
Organoleptically enhanced white chocolate
This invention is directed to an enhanced white chocolate to which has been added isovaleric acid in an amount effective to provide enhanced organoleptic attributes compared to a conventional white chocolate. The invention is also directed to the preparation of the enhanced white chocolate. |
US08137722B2 |
Method for separation of fatty materials to produce lean meat products
A method and apparatus for separating lean meat and/or fat from lean meat-containing material. The material is introduced into a vessel and is separated into low density and high density fractions. The material from the low density fraction is removed via an outlet and has a higher percentage of fat than the material introduced into the vessel. The material from the high density fraction is removed via an outlet and has a higher percentage of lean meat than the material introduced into the vessel. The vessel can include a centrifuge bowl or an inclined vessel. Separation is achieved via gravity or the application of an artificial force field, such as centrifugal force, to separate particulates high in density from those low in density. |
US08137721B2 |
Ink jetting inks for food application
Edible ink formulations for printing onto edible substrates and snack pieces. Methods are provided showing how to print on edible substrates and on snack pieces at high line speeds. |
US08137720B2 |
Low sugar presweetened coated cereals and method of preparation
A ready to eat breakfast cereal is prepared by coating dried cereal base pieces with a low sugar sweetener such as a high conversion maltodextrin or low conversion corn syrup that includes a high potency sweetener. The low sugar coating has a sugars content of less than 10% yet provides taste, texture, appearance and bowl life that mimics presweetened RTE cereals having a sucrose based coating. |
US08137714B2 |
Compositions comprising docynia delavajy extract and/or Elaeagnus lancelotus extract
Disclosed are compositions that include Docynia delavajy extract, Elaeagnus lanceolatus extract, or a combination of such extracts. |
US08137710B2 |
Treating idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura with comprising extracts of Astragalus membranaceus
The teachings provided herein generally relate to the preparation and uses of compositions comprising extracts of Astragalus membranaceus. The extracts are prepared from Astragalus membranaceus and can comprise, for example, an acid-modified arabinogalactan protein composition having an arabinose:galactose ratio ranging from about 3.5:1 to about 5.0:1, from about 5% to about 10% rhamnose, from about 15% to about 20% galactose, and from about 10% to about 15% glucose. The compositions can be used in the treatment of idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura and the formulation of medicaments for such treatments. |
US08137708B2 |
Herbal composition and process for its preparation
A herbal composition comprising a therapeutically effective amount of the extract of Piper betle leaves as an active ingredient either alone, or with a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient. A process for the preparation of the herbal composition is provided. The herbal composition is adapted for the treatment of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML; chronic myelogenous leukemia) showing resistance to treatment with imatinib (Gleevec® or Glivec®). |
US08137706B2 |
Prebiotic
Carbohydrates, in particular mannose containing carbohydrates, are used as a promotor of cell growth. Specifically, polysaccharide hydrolysates are shown to have superior efficacy in promoting the growth of cells, synbiotic foods, prebiotics and pharmaceutical compositions containing mannose containing carbohydrates and polysaccharide hydrolysates described. |
US08137705B2 |
Control of enterohemorrhagic E. coli in farm animal drinking water
The present invention relates to a new composition and methods for preventing the transmission of enterohemorrhagic E. coli and other foodborne pathogens to farm animals. In accordance with one embodiment, a composition comprising lactic acid and acidic calcium sulfate, and a compound selected from the group consisting of caprylic acid, sodium benzoate, butyric acid and chlorine dioxide is provided as an inhibitor of the growth of enterohemorrhagic E. coli and other foodborne pathogens. |
US08137703B2 |
Ozone water and production method therefor
The present invention relates to an ozone water that has the potential to find useful applications in a wide variety of technical fields and is capable of maintaining the effects of wiping out microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses and the like and inhibiting the growth thereof over long periods.The present invention provides ozone nano-bubbles capable of staying in a solution for an extended period of time and a method for producing the ozone nano-bubbles by instantaneously shrinking the diameters of ozone microbubbles contained in an aqueous solution by the application of a physical irritation to the ozone microbubbles in an aqueous solution. |
US08137700B2 |
Main chain acid-degradable polymers for the delivery of bioactive materials
Novel main chain acid degradable polymer backbones and drug delivery systems comprised of materials capable of delivering bioactive materials to cells for use as vaccines or other therapeutic agents are described. The polymers are synthesized using monomers that contain acid-degradable linkages cleavable under mild acidic conditions. The main chain of the resulting polymers readily degrade into many small molecules at low pH, but remain relatively stable and intact at physiological pH. The new materials have the common characteristic of being able to degrade by acid hydrolysis under conditions commonly found within the endosomal or lysosomal compartments of cells thereby releasing their payload within the cell. The materials can also be used for the delivery of therapeutics to the acidic regions of tumors and other sites of inflammation. |
US08137695B2 |
Polyconjugates for in vivo delivery of polynucleotides
The present invention is directed to compounds, compositions, and methods useful for delivering polynucleotides or other cell-impermeable molecules to mammalian cells. Described are polyconjugates systems that incorporate targeting, anti-opsonization, anti-aggregation, and transfection activities into small biocompatible in vivo delivery vehicles. The use of multiple reversible linkages connecting component parts provides for physiologically responsive activity modulation. |
US08137689B1 |
Transplant/implant device and method for its production
A transplant/implant device for delivering at least one predetermined biologically active compound to a human or animal host system or for another biological function in the host system is produced by genetically engineering vital chondrocytes or mixing chondrocytes with another type of native or genetically engineered cells or mixing chondrocytes with artificial particles having a size comparable to the size of cells or combining at least two of the named steps of engineering or mixing and by subjecting the chondrocytes or the mixture comprising the chondrocytes to three dimensional culture conditions for in vitro production of cartilaginous tissue whereby the cells and/or the artificial particles are immobilized in the cartilaginous tissue. The chondrocytes produce and maintain the cartilaginous tissue and the chondrocytes themselves or cells of another cell type immobilized in the cartilaginous tissue are able to produce and secrete the at least one predetermined compound. |
US08137685B2 |
Hyaluronic acid compound, hydrogel thereof and joint treating material
A hyaluronic acid compound which is a reaction product between hyaluronic acid and a phosphatidyl ethanolamine. This compound has biocompatibility and bio-safety, and can be formed into a hydrogel or molded form having a certain shape. Making use of these properties, it is used to treat a knee joint, prevent the accretion of a tissue after an operation and keep a skin wet. |
US08137684B2 |
Formulations of pharmacological agents, methods for the preparation thereof and methods for the use thereof
In accordance with the present invention, there are provided compositions and methods useful for the in vivo delivery of substantially water insoluble pharmacologically active agents (such as the anticancer drug paclitaxel) in which the pharmacologically active agent is delivered in the form of suspended particles coated with protein (which acts as a stabilizing agent). In particular, protein and pharmacologically active agent in a biocompatible dispersing medium are subjected to high shear, in the absence of any conventional surfactants, and also in the absence of any polymeric core material for the particles. The procedure yields particles with a diameter of less than about 1 micron. The use of specific composition and preparation conditions (e.g., addition of a polar solvent to the organic phase), and careful selection of the proper organic phase and phase fraction, enables the reproducible production of unusually small nanoparticles of less than 200 nm diameter, which can be sterile-filtered. The particulate system produced according to the invention can be converted into a redispersible dry powder comprising nanoparticles of water-insoluble drug coated with a protein, and free protein to which molecules of the pharmacological agent are bound. This results in a unique delivery system, in which part of the pharmacologically active agent is readily bioavailable (in the form of molecules bound to the protein), and part of the agent is present within particles without any polymeric matrix therein. |
US08137680B2 |
Analysis of saccharide vaccines without interference
The invention is based on methods that allow analysis of mixed meningococcal saccharides from multiple serogroups even though they share monosaccharide units. With a combination of saccharides from serogroups C, W135 and Y, the invention analyses sialic acid, glucose and galactose content. The glucose and galactose results are used to directly quantify saccharides from serogroups Y and W135, respectively, and the combined glucose and galactose content is subtracted from the sialic acid content to quantify saccharides from serogroup C. The three serogroups can thus be resolved even though their monosaccharide contents overlap. The three different monosaccharide analyses can be performed on the same material, without interference between the monosaccharides and without interference from any other saccharide materials in the composition (e.g. lyophilisation stabilisers). The method can be used to analyse total and free saccharide in conjugate vaccines and simplifies quality control of vaccines containing capsular saccharides from multiple serogroups. |
US08137674B2 |
Compositions comprising HPV polypeptides and immunoenhancement peptides for the treatment and prevention of cervical cancer
The present invention relates to a fusion protein comprising a fusion polypeptide of E6 and E7 of a human papilloma virus, a signal peptide for secreting the polypeptide out of the cell, and an immune enhancing peptide for a subject; a polynucleotide encoding the fusion protein; and a vector containing the polynucleotide. The present invention further relates to a pharmaceutical composition comprising the fusion protein or the vector; and a method for treating a disease caused by a human papilloma virus using the pharmaceutical composition. |
US08137672B2 |
Immunostimulatory regimen comprising administering type 1 interferon and agonistic anti-CD40 antibody
A synergistic adjuvant is provided comprising synergistically effective amounts of at least one type 1 interferon and at least one CD40 agonist, wherein these moieties may be in the same or separate compositions. In addition, fusion proteins and DNA conjugates which contain a type 1 interferon/CD40 agonist/antigen combination are provided. The use of these compositions, protein and DNA conjugates as immune adjuvants for treatment of various chronic diseases such as HIV infection and for enhancing the efficacy of vaccines (prophylactic and therapeutic) is also provided. |
US08137664B2 |
Method and kit for repairing a defect in bone
Methods and devices are provided for the repair of bone defects. The bone defect repair may be accomplished by minimally invasive means. The bone defect repair may utilize a bone growth promoting substance. The bone growth promoting substance may comprise a carrier material and at least one osteoinductive formulation. |
US08137648B2 |
Diesel engine exhaust treatment system and method including a platinum group metal trapping device
A diesel engine exhaust treatment system and method is provided which includes a platinum group metal trapping device (16) comprising cerium oxide or a perovskite material positioned between a diesel oxidation catalyst and an SCR catalyst. The platinum group metal trapping device traps trace amounts of platinum group metals which may be released from the diesel oxidation catalyst during engine operation and prevents them from accumulating on the SCR catalyst, preventing potential contamination of the SCR catalyst as well as ensuring that the performance of the SCR catalyst is uninhibited. |
US08137628B2 |
System for making renewable fuels
Multiple catalytic processing stations couple with a system which produces volatile gas streams from biomass decomposition at discrete increasing temperatures. These catalytic processing stations can be programmed to maximize conversion of biomass to useful renewable fuel components based on input feedstock and desired outputs. |
US08137626B2 |
Fluorescence detector, filter device and related methods
Microfluidic assay detectors and microfluidic assay detection methods are disclosed. A microfluidic chip is coupled to a light emitting device, emission filters and excitation filters. Excited fluorescent light is detected by a camera and a lens. The correspondent reading allows parallel detection of features such as antigens and biomarkers. A microfluidic filter and related methods are also disclosed. The filter can be used with on-chip fluid filtration such as whole blood filtration for microfluidic blood analysis. The filter is able to filter the necessary volume of fluid and in particular blood in an acceptable time frame. |
US08137625B2 |
Urea sensor
A urea sensor includes a detecting portion which, in use, is immersed in a liquid accommodated in a urea solution tank for detecting the thermal conductivity of the liquid to detect whether the liquid accommodated in the urea solution tank is an aqueous urea solution; and an enclosing member enclosing a periphery of the detecting portion and including one or more vents penetrating the enclosing member. At least one of the vents is a lower vent being of a configuration and size such that a first hypothetical circle having a diameter of not less than 3.5 mm can be wholly contained within the lower vent. At least a portion of the lower vent is positioned below the detecting portion when the urea sensor is positioned for installation in the urea solution tank. |
US08137624B2 |
Method and apparatus for attaching a fluid cell to a planar substrate
Provided is a method and apparatus for attaching a fluid cell to a planar substrate. The planar substrate may have on it sensors or devices for detecting components within the fluid, and/or be treated to selectively bind or react with components within the fluid. Substrates might include solid-state IC integrated circuit sensor microchips, glass slides, genomic and proteomic arrays, and or other suitable substrates that can make conformal contact with the fluid cell. The fluid cell can be mounted directly on top of the substrate to easily create a fluidic system in a wide variety of implementations. The assembly does not require modification of the substrate; all the fluidic connections are inherent in the apparatus. The present device can be made using low-cost materials and simple methods. |
US08137620B2 |
Temperature-controlled incubator having an arcuate closure panel
An automated analyzer for performing multiple diagnostic assays simultaneously includes multiple stations, or modules, in which discrete aspects of the assay are performed on fluid samples contained in reaction receptacles. The analyzer includes stations for automatically preparing a specimen sample, incubating the sample at prescribed temperatures for prescribed periods, performing an analyte isolation procedure, and ascertaining the presence of a target analyte. An automated receptacle transporting system moves the reaction receptacles from one station to the next. The analyzer further includes devices for carrying a plurality of specimen tubes and disposable pipette tips in a machine-accessible manner, a device for agitating containers of target capture reagents comprising suspensions of solid support material and for presenting the containers for machine access thereto, and a device for holding containers of reagents in a temperature controlled environment and presenting the containers for machine access thereto. A method for performing an automated diagnostic assay includes an automated process for isolating and amplifying a target analyte. The process is performed by automatically moving each of a plurality of reaction receptacles containing a solid support material and a fluid sample between stations for incubating the contents of the reaction receptacle and for separating the target analyte bound to the solid support from the fluid sample. An amplification reagent is added to the separated analyte after the analyte separation step and before a final incubation step. |
US08137619B2 |
Memory management method and apparatus for automated biological reaction system
A reagent management system for an automated biological reaction apparatus including an automated biological reaction apparatus including at least one reagent dispenser for applying a reagent to a sample, a memory device containing data for a reagent device selected from the group consisting of a reagent dispenser or a reagent kit used in the automated biological reaction apparatus, a host device comprising a processor and a host device memory connected to the processor, the host memory device including a reagent table, and a scanner for transferring the memory device data to the host device memory. |
US08137618B2 |
Blood glucose monitoring kit
A blood glucose monitoring kit includes a case constructed in the form of a bi-fold wallet which comprises an upper flap and a lower flap that are connected together through a fold. The case includes an outer layer constructed out of a water resistant and soft fabric and an inner layer constructed out of a water resistant material, the outer and inner layers being sewn together about their peripheries. A layer of cushioned material is preferably disposed between the inner and outer layers to provide the case with a soft feel. Blood glucose monitoring electronics are preferably integrated directly into the upper flap of the case, the electronics including a printed circuit board (PCB), a test port mounted on the PCB and a display mounted on the PCB. Preferably, the upper flap is provided with an opening through which the test port is externally accessible. Additionally, the upper flap is provided with a window through which the display is externally visible. A pouch is secured onto the inner surface of the lower flap and is sized and shaped to retain a plurality of disposable test components. |
US08137616B2 |
System for multi color real time PCR
The invention is directed to a system for performing multi-color real time PCT, comprising a flexible real time PCT instrument and a specific composition or reaction mixture for performing multiplex PCR: In particular, the present invention is directed to a composition or reaction mixture which comprises at least 3, preferably 4-5 and most preferably exactly 4 pairs of FRET hybridization probes. Each pair of said hybridization probes consists of a FRET donor probe carrying a FRET donor moiety and a FRET acceptor probe carrying a FRET acceptor moiety having an emission maximum between 550 and 710 nm. |
US08137615B2 |
Automated workstation for disinfecting objects and methods of use thereof
An automated workstation or apparatus for disinfecting an object in a controlled environment is provided. A method for disinfecting an object in a controlled environment is provided. |
US08137611B2 |
Processing method for solid core ceramic matrix composite airfoil
A method of processing solid core ceramic matrix composite articles. The method improves the physical characteristics of the article by forming the airfoil using a co-processing method wherein a refractory ceramic is cast against a preformed ceramic matrix composite (CMC) shell. In one aspect, the shell is continuous to help prevent delaminations. In another aspect, the shell is open. In one embodiment, the article includes a split line. The split line helps the article to be less susceptible to damage caused from internal strain. |
US08137610B2 |
Molding compound for producing a fireproof lining
Disclosed is a molding compound for producing a fireproof lining, especially for a combustion chamber of a stationary gas turbine. The molding compound is characterized particularly by the fact that the molding compound is formed from more than about 50 percent by weight of silicon carbide and less than about 50 percent by weight of aluminum silicate. |
US08137608B2 |
Crosslinked polymeric material with enhanced strength and process for manufacturing
A radiation crosslinked (50 kGy), pressure-treated UHMWPE material has been developed by applying compressive force on a crosslinked polymer in a direction orthogonal to an axial direction. The deformed material is then cooled while held in a deformed state. The resulting material is anisotropic, with enhanced strength oriented along the axial direction. The directionally engineered material is oxidatively stable even after four weeks of accelerated aging in a pressure vessel containing five atmospheres of oxygen (ASTM F2003). Because of its oxidative stability, the deformation processed material is a suitable candidate for air-permeable packaging and gas sterilization, which has thus far been reserved for remelted highly crosslinked UHMWPEs. |
US08137606B2 |
Lightweight thin flexible polymer coated glove and a method therefor
A lightweight thin flexible latex glove article having a polymeric latex coating that penetrates the front portion of a knitted liner half way or more through the liner thickness and for at least a portion of the knitted liner, not penetrating the entire thickness. For example, the liner can be knitted using an 18-gauge needle with 70 to 221 denier nylon 66 multi-filament yarn. The polymer latex coating can be 0.75 to 1.25 times the thickness of the knitted liner. Over 30% reduction of glove thickness is achieved resulting in three times greater flexibility. The polymer latex coating may be foamed with 5 to 50 vol % air content. Open celled foamed latex coating may be coated with a dispersion of fluorochemical dispersion to prevent liquid permeation into the glove. The process can include steps to gel the latex emulsion at interstices of the yarn to prevent further penetration of the emulsion into the liner. |
US08137605B2 |
Methods for making an encapsulated stent
A method for making an encapsulated stent includes providing a first seamless unsintered ePTFE tube, providing a second seamless sintered ePTFE tube, positioning a self-expanding stent between the first and second ePTFE tubes to form an assembly, disposing an ePTFE interlayer member between the first and second ePTFE tubes, and joining the first ePTFE tube to the second ePTFE tube through openings in a wall of the stent by applying first pressure, and then heat, to the assembly. |
US08137604B2 |
Methods of creating soft formed hoses and molds
A method of forming hoses is provided. The method includes generating a virtual design for at least one of a solid durable core and a hollow sacrificial core. At least one of the solid durable core and the hollow sacrificial core is formed using rapid prototyping. A mold cavity is formed using the solid durable core. The hose is formed about the hollow sacrificial core with the hollow sacrificial core in the mold cavity. |
US08137602B2 |
Method for manufacturing composite components
A method of fabricating a composite component comprising the steps of: loading a preform into a component forming environment, filling the environment with a solvent carrying a catalyst material in solution or suspension, draining this liquid from the mould thereby leaving a residue of the catalyst material on the perform and/or the interior surface of the forming environment, heating the forming environment and subsequently or concurrently introducing a carbonaceous gas under such conditions as to grow a carbon nanotube structure on the preform and/or the forming environment surfaces, removing the carbonaceous gas, and introducing a liquid resin material into the forming environment whereby the resin disperses through the preform and carbon nanotube structure thereby forming the finished composite component once the resin is cured or set. |
US08137597B1 |
One-part, pressure activated chemiluminescent material
A one-part, pressure activated chemiluminescent material is disclosed. The free-flowing powder is made by coating microcapsules, filled with a solvent and dye, with a powdered oxalate and a solid source for hydrogen peroxide. The reaction begins when the capsules are crushed, releasing the solvent, which dissolves the oxalate and the source for hydrogen peroxide. The resulting reaction transfers energy to the dye, which produces light. |
US08137593B2 |
Composition of matter tailoring: system I
The present invention relates to new compositions of matter, particularly metals and alloys, and methods of making such compositions. The new compositions of matter exhibit long-range ordering and unique electronic character. |
US08137591B2 |
Catalyst for preparing carbon nanotube comprising multi-component support materials containing amorphous silicon particles and the bulk scale preparation of carbon nanotube using the same
The present invention relates to a catalyst composition for preparing carbon nanotube containing multi-component support materials of amorphous Si, Mg and Al as well as a bulk scale preparation process for preparing carbon nanotube using said catalyst composition. More specifically, this invention relates to a process for preparing carbon nanotube using the catalyst composition comprising a transition metal catalyst and support materials of amorphous Si, Mg and Al. |
US08137587B2 |
Method of manufacturing phosphor translucent ceramics and light emitting devices
Disclosed herein is a method of increasing the luminescence efficiency of a translucent phosphor ceramic. Other embodiments are methods of manufacturing a phosphor translucent ceramic having increased luminescence. Another embodiment is a light emitting device comprising a phosphor translucent ceramic made by one of these methods. |
US08137585B2 |
Phosphor composition and display device including the same
The phosphor composition including a first phosphor represented by Formula 1: Y3−x−kCekM′xAla−yM″yO(1.5a+4.5) (1). In Formula 1, M′ includes at least one of Sc, In, and La, M″ includes at least one of Ga, Sc, and In, and x, y, k, and a satisfy the relations: 0.0≦x<3.0, 0.0 |
US08137584B2 |
Luminescent composition, light source device, display device and process for preparing luminescent composition
Disclosed is a luminescent composition containing a fluorescent body having Eu2+ as a luminescent center. The luminescent composition is obtained by a process including the steps of mixing a raw material of the fluorescent body with an organic compound having elements other than oxygen, and sintering the mixture to form the fluorescent body from the raw material. |
US08137583B2 |
Liquid crystal four-ring compound having fluorine, liquid crystal composition, and liquid crystal display device
The invention provides a liquid crystal compound having stability to heat, light and so forth, a wide temperature range of the nematic phase, a small viscosity, a suitable optical anisotropy, a suitable dielectric anisotropy and an excellent compatibility with other liquid crystal compounds. The invention also provides a liquid crystal composition containing this liquid crystal compound and a liquid crystal display device containing this liquid crystal composition.The compound is represented by formula (a). Ra is, for example, alkyl having 1 to 10 carbons, and Rb is, for example, alkenyl having 2 to 10 carbons; La is, for example, hydrogen; and Z1, Z2 and Z3 are, for example, a single bond. The liquid crystal composition comprises this compound. The liquid crystal display device comprises this liquid crystal composition. |
US08137576B2 |
Substrate developing method and developing apparatus
A method for developing a substrate includes a developing step for supplying a developer to the substrate, and a neutralizing and removing step for supplying a treating solution containing a neutralizing material to the substrate to neutralize the developer, and neutralizing the developer and removing the developer from the substrate. In the neutralizing and removing step, the developer is neutralized by the treating solution. This neutralization reaction forms a product (salt) which easily melts into the treating solution and does not precipitate. Thus, the product is removable from the substrate along with the treating solution. Therefore, the developer is inhibited from remaining on the substrate. As a result, it is possible to prevent post-develop defects due to “residues of the developer” or the developer remaining on the substrate. |
US08137574B2 |
Processing method of glass substrate, and highly flat and highly smooth glass substrate
The present invention is to provide a processing method for manufacturing a highly flat and highly smooth glass substrate with good productivity. A highly flat and highly smooth glass substrate is obtained with good productivity by processing of a glass substrate, which comprises a step of measuring the surface shape of the glass substrate prior to processing, a step of processing the surface of the substrate by changing a processing condition for each site (first processing step), and a step of finish-polishing the surface of the glass substrate that has been subjected to the first processing step (second processing step). At that time, the processing condition for each site within the surface of the substrate in the first processing step is determined from a processing amount that is determined from the concave-convex shape of the surface of the glass substrate prior to processing and the in-plane distribution of a processing amount by the second processing step separately measured by using a similar substrate. |
US08137573B2 |
Liquid ejection head, method for manufacturing liquid ejection head, and method for manufacturing structure
A method for manufacturing a liquid ejection head including a substrate and a member, disposed above the substrate, having passages communicatively connected to discharge ports through which a liquid is ejected includes providing first solid layers made of a positive photosensitive resin above the substrate such that outer side surfaces of the first solid layers form an obtuse angle with the substrate; providing a second solid layer above the substrate such that the second solid layer abuts the outer side surfaces of the first solid layers, the second solid layer being processed into at least one portion of a mold for the passages; exposing portions of the outer side surfaces of the first solid layers through the second solid layer; removing the exposed portions from the first solid layers; and providing a cover layer over the second solid layer, the cover layer being processed into the member. |
US08137572B2 |
Reflective planar lightwave circuit waveguide
A method of making a planar lightwave circuit (PLC) waveguide capable of being integrated with a surface-mounted component is presented. The method entails etching a silicon substrate to form a slanted wall, forming a nonreflective waveguide portion on the silicon substrate, and depositing a reflective layer on the slanted wall. Light travels through the nonreflective waveguide portion in substantially a first direction, and the light from the nonreflective waveguide portion strikes the reflective layer to be redirected in a second direction. The second direction may be the direction toward the surface-mounted component. A PLC waveguide device made with the above method is also presented. |
US08137570B2 |
Additive write pole process for wrap around shield
A method for manufacturing a magnetic write head having a wrap around magnetic trailing shield and a very narrow track width. A magnetic write pole is formed by forming a mask over a magnetic write pole material and performing a first ion milling to define the write pole. The mask includes a hard mask layer such as diamond like carbon (DLC) and further mask layers formed over the hard mask layer. In order to facilitate manufacture at very narrow track widths processes are employed to remove re-deposited material and the remaining portions of the mask structure (except the hard mask). Further processing can then be employed without the risk of a very narrow mask structure and redep bending or breaking during later manufacturing steps. |
US08137569B2 |
Method of fabricating a membrane having a tapered pore
A method of fabricating a membrane having a tapered pore, a polymeric membrane having a tapered pore, and uses of such polymeric membrane are disclosed. The membrane includes apertures of increasing diameter which are aligned with each other to form the tapered pore. |
US08137567B1 |
Method for fluid remediation and removing particulates from an aqueous stream
A method for fluid remediation and removing particulates from an aqueous stream is described herein. The method can use a separation component and a clarifier component. A slurry can flow to a scalping shaker which can separate the slurry, forming a first effluent. The first effluent can flow from the scalping shaker to a first section and can be agitated. The first effluent can be pumped to a mud cleaner and cleaned, forming a second effluent. The second effluent can flow into a second section and can be agitated. The second effluent can be pumped to a desilter and can be desilted, forming a third effluent. The third effluent can flow to a third section. The third effluent can be pumped to a second tank of the clarifier component. The third effluent can be decelerated within the second tank, forming a clean effluent. |
US08137566B2 |
Recovery of tailings ponds
A method of treating tailings comprising a solids fraction and a hydrocarbon fraction is disclosed. A primary flow is supplied to a jet pump, the primary flow comprising water and less than 20% solids by mass. A secondary flow is supplied to a mixing chamber of the jet pump, the secondary flow comprising a slurry of water and tailings, the slurry comprising more solids by mass than the primary flow. The jet pump is operated using the primary flow such that the tailings are agitated to effect at least a partial phase separation of the hydrocarbon fraction from the tailings. The methods disclosed herein may also be applied to treat tailings ponds. |
US08137562B2 |
Use of a colloidal suspension of a cationic polymer to treat a support for medical use
The invention concerns a composite support comprising a base support for the treatment of a biological fluid, in which: “the base support is essentially-constituted by a first polymer carrying anionic or anionizable groups;” at least a part of the surface of the base support is coated with a second polymer ionically bonded to the first polymer, the second polymer carrying the cationic or cationizable groups which are capable of forming an ionic bond with the anionic or anionizable groups of the first polymer; in which the second polymer is in the colloidal form and in mixture with a polyacid during application to the support, allowing the composite membrane to adsorb at least one entity containing anionic or anionizable groups by bonding with cationic or cationizable groups of the second polymer. |
US08137560B2 |
Separation process
The present invention relates to a process for separating a target radiolabelled compound from an impurity, apparatus for performing such a process and a removable cassette for use in such apparatus. Also provided are methods for using the target radiolabelled compound obtained by a method comprising the separating process of the invention. |
US08137559B2 |
Liquid clarification
The present invention relates to liquid clarification. More closely, the invention relates to beverage clarification, such as reduction of colloidal (not microbial) haze-causing substances in beer or related beverages such as wine, juices, flavorings etc. The method of the invention uses a hydrophilic surface for adsorption of haze-forming substances by hydrogen bonding interaction properties between the surface and the haze-forming substances. |
US08137550B1 |
Fluid remediation system for removing particulates from an aqueous stream
A fluid remediation system for removing particulates from an aqueous stream having a separation component and a clarifier component is described herein. The separation component can include a frame, a scalping shaker for receiving a primary slurry and forming a first effluent, a mud cleaner for receiving the first effluent and forming a second effluent, a desilter for receiving the second effluent and forming a third effluent, a tank for containing the effluents, agitators in the tank, and pumps for pumping the effluents. The clarifier component can include a second frame and a second tank for receiving the third effluent from the separation component, which forms a sludge and a clean effluent. The system can include a controller for controlling the system. |
US08137548B2 |
Chelator-modified inorganic oxide particles
The present invention is directed to inorganic oxide particles that have been modified with a chelator group. In an embodiment, the chelator group is covalently bonded to a polymer. In an embodiment, the chelator group is covalently bonded to a chiral selector ligand. The present invention is also directed to methods of modifying inorganic oxide particles with a chelator group. |
US08137545B2 |
Pool filter
A pool filter for use in pool piping or other fluid conveyance system. The pool filter may include a housing defining a fluid chamber for receiving one or more filters. Multiple openings may be defined in the housing for receiving and removing fluid from the fluid chamber. The openings may be approximately the same size and may be located on the housing at similar elevations and/or radial sectors. One or more footings may be joined to the housing. Each footing may include a base portion for receiving anchor members to anchor the housing to a support surface. The footings may be designed to transfer to the support surface predetermined lateral or other forces imposed upon the pool filter by events such as earthquakes and hurricanes. The footings may be separate components joined to the housing by tabs and/or mechanical fasteners. |
US08137542B2 |
Water treatment system
Disclosed is a water treatment system including a raw water tank, a module which includes a filtration membrane, a feed pump, a filtered water tank, a backwash pump which flows filtered water backward from the filtered water tank to the module, a valve and a channel which switch the direction of the water flow between the forward and reverse directions, a controller which suspends the supply of raw water from the raw water tank to the module, switches the valve and channel to the reverse direction, makes the backwash pump to supply filtered water from the filtered water tank to the module thereby backwashing the filtration membrane, and washing drainage treatment line including which treats backwashing drainage generated by backwashing of the filtration membrane, and returns the water to the raw water tank. |
US08137541B2 |
Sewage effluent distribution means
A septic system can include an improved and more reliable apparatus for distributing effluent uniformly to a plurality of portions or fingers of a drain field. In such apparatus, an effluent container, or collection tank, is connected with the outlet of a septic tank, and an effluent-operated valve controls effluent flow from an outlet of the effluent container, or collection tank, to an effluent distribution tank which is connected to a plurality of portions, or fingers, of a sewage drain field to uniformly distribute the effluent from the septic tank to the drain field. |
US08137540B2 |
Methods and apparatus for continuous large-scale radiolabeling
Disclosed are improved methods and apparatus for radiolabeling, particularly methods and apparatus for large scale in-line radiolabeling of products, such as proteins and antibodies. |
US08137534B2 |
Catalyst compositions for improved fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) processes targeting propylene production
Catalyst compositions comprising a siliceous zeolite component, either in separately formed catalyst particles or dispersed in the same binder or matrix as other zeolites of the compositions, are described. The catalyst compositions, for example as blends of three different bound zeolite catalysts, are particularly useful in fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) processes due to the reductions in coke and dry gas yields that allow FCC throughput, which is normally constrained by gas handling and/or catalyst regeneration capacity, to be increased. |
US08137532B2 |
Process for producing middle distillates by hydroisomerizing and hydrocracking feeds from the fischer-tropsch process
The invention concerns a process for producing middle distillates from a paraffinic feed produced by Fischer-Tropsch synthesis, using a hydrocracking/hydroisomerization catalyst which comprises 0.2% to 2.5% by weight of an oxide of a doping element selected from boron, phosphorus, silicon, at least one hydrodehydrogenating element selected from the group formed by noble elements from group VIII of the periodic table, a non-zeolitic support based on silica-alumina containing more than 5% by weight and 95% by weight or less of silica (SiO2), specifically defined pore characteristics, a BET specific surface area in the range 100 to 550 m2/g, and with an X ray diffraction diagram which contains at least the characteristic principal peaks of at least one of the transition aluminas included in the group composed of alpha, rho, khi, eta, gamma, kappa, theta and delta aluminas. |
US08137522B2 |
Method for desalinating saltwater using concentration difference energy
A method and apparatus for desalinating saltwater using concentration difference energy is disclosed. In order to desalinate saltwater that is contained within a product chamber, a drive cell is used to generate a drive voltage. The product chamber has a desalination voltage such that when a sufficient voltage is applied to the product chamber, anions and cations migrate out of the product chamber, thereby desalinating the water. The sufficient voltage, which includes the drive voltage and which is equal to or greater than the desalination voltage, is applied to the product chamber, consequently effecting desalination. Beneficially, concentration difference energy can be generated using a concentrated solution, which can be generated using, for example, solar energy. |
US08137521B2 |
Carbon nanotube sheet
An apparatus for forming a carbon nanotube sheet is provided. The apparatus includes a bath and a driving unit wherein the bath has a bottom surface and is configured to contain a carbon nanotube colloidal solution. The bottom surface is capable of having an array of capillary tubes. The driving unit is configured to drive at least a part of the carbon nanotube colloidal solution out of the bath through the array of capillary tubes. |
US08137520B1 |
Chloride ion-selective electrode
A chloride ion-selective electrode comprises: a reference electrode in contact with a reference solution; and a chloride ion-selective membrane as the interface of a sample and the reference solution, wherein the chloride-ion selective membrane comprises a chloride ion ionophore, a chloride ion-exchange resin, a plasticizer, and a polymer matrix. |
US08137519B2 |
Sputtering cathode, sputtering apparatus provided with sputtering cathode, film-forming method, and method for manufacturing electronic device
The present invention provides a sputtering cathode whereby it is possible to increase the degree of freedom to adjust a distance between a target and a magnet unit. A sputtering cathode in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of magnet units arranged at positions opposite to the rear surface of the target and a distance adjusting mechanism for separately adjusting a distance between the target and a magnet unit for each magnet unit. In addition, the sputtering cathode includes a reciprocating movement mechanism for reciprocating a plurality of magnet units in parallel to the rear surface of the target. The plurality of magnet units, the distance adjusting mechanism and the reciprocating movement mechanism may be housed in a magnet chamber that can be evacuated. |
US08137518B2 |
Magnetic shunts in tubular targets
A sputter target has a carrier body and a target material arranged on the carrier body, wherein the carrier body has a rear surface facing away from the target material and the target material has a front surface facing away from the carrier body. A ferromagnetic material is arranged between the front surface and the rear surface. |
US08137517B1 |
Dual position DC magnetron assembly
A sputtering system includes a first sputtering assembly configured to sputter material onto a first disk and a second sputtering assembly configured to sputter material onto a second disk, the second sputtering assembly positioned proximate the first sputtering assembly. The first sputtering assembly includes a first magnetic ring, and the second sputtering assembly includes a second magnetic ring. The first magnetic ring includes a first region of lower relative magnetic strength positioned near the second magnetic ring, and the second magnetic ring includes a second region of lower relative magnetic strength positioned near the first magnetic ring. |
US08137515B2 |
Method for the production of a diamond electrode, and diamond electrode
A method for producing a diamond electrode comprising synthetically produced and electrically conductive (doped) diamond particles, which are embedded into a support layer of electrically non-conductive material. The doped diamond particles are introduced as a single layer between two films that form the support layer, the films then being permanently connected to each other and the diamond particles being exposed on both sides of the support layer. |
US08137509B2 |
Asymmetric synthesis of rocaglamides via enantioselective photocycloaddition mediated by chiral brønsted acids
The present invention provides a new strategies for the synthesis of compounds of the rocaglamide family and related natural products. The synthetic approach generally involves photochemical generation of an oxidopyrylium species from a 3-hydroxychromone derivative followed by an enantioselective 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of the oxidopyrylium species to a dipolarophile in the presence of a TADDOL derivative. This approach can be used for the formation of adducts containing an aglain core structure. Methods of the conversion of aglain core structures to aglain, rocaglamide and forbaglin ring systems are also provided. The present invention also relates to the use of rocaglamide/aglain/forbaglin derivatives for the manufacture of medicaments for use in the treatment of cancer or cancerous conditions, disorders associated with cellular hyperproliferation, or NF-κB-dependent conditions. |
US08137507B2 |
Shoe press belt for paper-making machine and process for producing the same
A shoe press belt for paper-making machine that reduces belt damages attributed to the friction between belt and shoe. The shoe press belt for paper-making machine having a wet paper contact surface and a shoe contact surface, is characterized in that the shoe press belt for paper-making machine has a base member and at least a polymer elastic part constituting the shoe contact surface and that the shoe contact surface of the polymer elastic part has a surface roughness (Ra) of 1.0 to 3.5 μm. |
US08137505B2 |
System and process for throughdrying tissue products
A system and process for producing tissue webs is disclosed. The tissue webs are formed from an aqueous suspension of fibers and dried using a through-air dryer. During formation of the web, the web is transferred from a transfer fabric to a throughdrying fabric and then conveyed around a drying cylinder of a through-air dryer. In accordance with the present invention, a pressurized roll emits a gaseous stream through a pressurized zone that pushes and transfers a wet web from a transfer fabric to the throughdrying fabric. The amount of pressure used during the transfer can vary depending upon the particular application and may be used to control the bulk of the web. By using a pressurized transfer roll, the amount the throughdrying fabric is wrapped around the drying cylinder of the through-air dryer can be maximized for increasing the efficiency of the system and the process. |
US08137504B1 |
Systems for preparing at least one flavorant having an aroma and taste of a predetermined form of grilling
A system and method for preparation of meat flavorants, and flavorants, having increased flavor and aromatic intensity and which more closely resemble the natural flavor and aroma of cooked meat. Preheated edible, food grade oils and fats are exposed to temperatures between 290° C. and 475° C. under vacuum, in the presence of oxygen. The developing flavor vapors are immediately and completely removed from the heated oils and fats. The mixture of air-purge/flavor-vapor is immediately carried away from the heat transfer surface of the edible oil or fat. An evaporator, preferably a spinning disc, spinning band or thin film evaporator, without a condenser is used as process equipment. The air-purged flavor-vapors are diffused and absorbed in an absorption device into suitable food-grade liquids. |
US08137503B2 |
Stripping liquid for use in separating paper from plaster/paper laminate
A stripping liquid of the present invention is used for separating the paper from a plaster/paper laminate such as waste plasterboard, and comprises an aqueous solution of an alkali metal salt or an ammonium salt of carboxylic acid. The stripping liquid is fed onto the surface (paper surface) of the plaster/paper laminate so as to infiltrate into the bonding surface between the plaster and the paper, so that the carboxylate is made present on the bonding surface. Upon stripping off the paper in the presence of the carboxylate, it is allowed to entirely separate the paper from the plaster. Upon mixing the stripping liquid and a nonionic surfactant or a water-soluble organic solvent together, further, the stripping liquid can be quickly and reliably infiltrated into the bonding surface between the plaster and the paper. |
US08137502B2 |
Striping apparatus and striping method
The present invention relates to a striping apparatus and a striping method. The apparatus for stripping a film from a product comprising a transfer device for transferring the product; a film stripping device disposed above a stripping operation area of the transfer device for stripping the film from the product; and a plurality of guiding devices disposed on both sides of the transfer device in the stripping operation area for guiding the transfer direction of the product. |
US08137501B2 |
Bevel clean device
An apparatus for removing material on a bevel of a wafer is provided. A wafer support with a diameter that is less than the diameter of the wafer, wherein the wafer support is on a first side of the wafer, and wherein an outer edge of the wafer extends beyond the wafer support around the wafer is provided. An RF power source is electrically connected to the wafer. A central cover is spaced apart from the wafer support. A first electrically conductive ring is on the first side of and spaced apart from the wafer. A second electrically conductive ring is spaced apart from the wafer. An electrically conductive liner surrounds the outer edge of the wafer. A switch is between the liner and ground, allowing the liner to be switched from being grounded to floating. |
US08137498B2 |
System and method for completing lamination of rigid-to-rigid substrates by the controlled application of pressure
The present invention is a process for performing rigid-to-rigid substrate lamination implementing pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA). The process may include pressurizing a first sealed cavity to a first pressure. The process may further include creating a vacuum within a second sealed cavity, the second sealed cavity being sealed from the first sealed cavity by a flexible membrane. The process may further include applying the first pressure to a laminate assembly stack via the flexible membrane, the laminate assembly stack including a first substrate, a second substrate, and a PSA layer, the PSA layer being positioned between the first substrate and the second substrate. The process may further include applying the vacuum created within the second sealed cavity to the laminate assembly stack. The applied first pressure and the applied vacuum promote intimate contact between the first substrate and the second substrate of the laminate assembly stack via the PSA layer. |
US08137495B2 |
Method of producing a pneumatic tire
A method of producing a pneumatic tire in which, a cord material of a secondary belt layer has a larger thermal shrinkage rate than that of the primary belt layer to effectively suppress the radial expansion of a tire and advantageously improve cutting-resistance of a tread as in the conventional tire. In the method, a ribbon-shaped strip 22 is folded in a region R, in a developed plan view of a material 21 forming the secondary belt layer, between a side end e of the forming material 21 and a position distanced from the side end toward the tire equatorial side by ¼ of the overall width of the forming material, such that the thus bent ribbon-shaped strip 22 extends in a curved manner to build a green tire. |
US08137491B2 |
Composite material insert and method for the production thereof, and method for creating a sandwich structure comprising said insert
A reinforcement insert includes superposed laps of fiber which are coupled to each other by a coupling fiber which passes through the laps in order to form fiber sections wherein at least certain sections thereof are rectilinear. The fiber sections and laps are immersed in a cured resin. The total density of the fibers that make up the insert ranges from 50% to 60% of the volume of the insert and the fiber sections take up 3%-10% of the volume of the insert. A method for creating a sandwich structure includes at least one such insert. |
US08137489B2 |
Copper alloy material and a method for fabricating the same
A copper alloy material has a rolled surface having a plurality of crystal faces parallel to the rolled surface. The crystal faces includes at least one crystal face selected from a group consisted of {011}, {1nn} (n is an integer, n≧1), {11m} (m is an integer, m≧1), {023}, {012}, and {135}. Diffraction intensities of the crystal faces in an inverse pole figure obtained by crystal diffraction measurement of the rolled surface as a reference satisfy the relationships of: {011}>{155}>{133}, {011}>{023}>{012}, and {011}>{135}>{112}. |
US08137485B2 |
Process and device for producing strips of silicon steel or multiphase steel
The invention relates to a method for producing strips (1) of steel, preferably of silicon steel, in particular of grain-oriented silicon steel or of multiphase steel in which a slab (3) is initially cast in a casting machine (2), wherein this is then rolled in at least one roll train (4, 5) to form strip (1) and wherein before and/or after the at least one roll train (4, 5), the slab is heated in at least one furnace (6, 7). In order to improve the quality and the scope for producing grain-oriented silicon steel or multiphase steel, the invention provides that the slab (3) is heated to a pre-rolling temperature (T1) after the casting machine (2) and before a pre-roll train (4) in a first furnace (6), or the slab (3) enters into the pre-roll train (4) using the casting heat without the presence of the first furnace (6), the slab (3) is then rolled in the pre-roll train (4), the slab is then heated after the pre-roll train (4) in a second furnace (7) to a defined temperature (T2) that is higher than the pre-rolling temperature (T1), and then the slab (3) is rolled to the final strip thickness in a finish roll train (5). |
US08137479B2 |
Multiple wash zone dishwasher
A dishwasher having a tub defining a wash chamber for washing dishes and a dish rack located within the wash chamber. The dishwasher also has a spray arm assembly configured to spray a first flow of wash liquid toward the dish rack, thereby providing a first wash zone. A spray manifold provided within the wash chamber is configured to provide a second flow of wash liquid toward the dish rack, thereby providing a second wash zone. |
US08137477B2 |
Method of cleaning a surface attached with at least one chewing gum lump
The invention relates to a method of cleaning a surface (1) attached with at least one chewing gum lump (2) whereby said cleaning is at least partly based on an enzymatic degradation of at least one biodegradable polymer in said chewing gum lump (2) and whereby said enzymatic degradation is initiated by the application of at least one enzyme to which said at least one polymer forms substrate and whereby said at least one enzyme is added to said chewing gum lump (2) subsequent to chewing and attachment of said chewing gum lump (2) to said surface (1). |
US08137475B2 |
Anti-graffiti treatment
The invention relates to the use, in anti-graffiti treatments, and preferably in graffiti-suppressing treatments, of a particular dicarboxylic acid diester having improved treatment efficiency. |
US08137474B2 |
Cleaning compound and method and system for using the cleaning compound
A cleaning compound is provided. The cleaning compound includes about 0.1 weight percent to about 10 weight percent of a fatty acid dispersed in water. The cleaning compound includes an amount of a base sufficient to bring a pH of the fatty acid water solution to about a level where above about 50% of the dispersed fatty acid is ionized. A method for cleaning a substrate, a system for cleaning a substrate, and a cleaning solution prepared by a process are also provided. |
US08137471B2 |
Plasma processing apparatus and method
An apparatus includes an upper electrode and a lower electrode for supporting a wafer disposed opposite each other within a process chamber. A first RF power supply configured to apply a first RF power having a relatively higher frequency is connected to the upper electrode. A second RF power supply configured to apply a second RF power having a relatively lower frequency is connected to the lower electrode. A variable DC power supply is connected to the upper electrode. A process gas is supplied into the process chamber while any one of application voltage, application current, and application power from the variable DC power supply to the upper electrode is controlled, to generate plasma of the process gas so as to perform plasma etching. |
US08137470B2 |
Inner plate and crucible assembly for deposition having the same
A crucible assembly for deposition and an inner plate used in the crucible assembly. The crucible assembly includes a main body having an inner space accommodating a deposition material and an opening arranged at an upper portion of the inner space, a cap having an aperture arranged at a top of the main body and combined with the main body and an inner plate arranged between the main body and the cap, the inner plate covering the opening of the main body, the crucible assembly including inner channels arranged to allow vapor of the deposition material from the inner space of the main body to be expelled to an outside of the aperture in the cap via a space arranged between an outer side surface of the inner plate and an inner side surface of the cap. |
US08137469B2 |
Method and apparatus for making fused silica
Disclosed are process and apparatus for making high purity fused silica glass materials. The process involves depositing soot particles onto an essentially planar deposition supporting surface and modulation of motion of the soot-generating device relative to the deposition supporting surface to result in a low local soot density variation. The apparatus is designed to implement the planar deposition process. The invention makes it possible to produce fused silica glass without the use of potentially contaminating refractory bricks. |
US08137468B2 |
Heated valve manifold for ampoule
Embodiments of the invention provide an apparatus and a method for generating a gaseous chemical precursor that may be used in a vapor deposition processing system. In one embodiment, the apparatus contains a valve manifold assembly, which includes a valve assembly body having at least one embedded electric heater, an inlet channel passing through the valve assembly body, a first pneumatic valve and a first manual valve coupled to the valve assembly body and positioned to control fluid flow within the inlet channel, an outlet channel passing through the valve assembly body, and a second pneumatic valve and a second manual valve coupled to the valve assembly body and positioned to control fluid flow within the outlet channel. The valve manifold assembly further contains a bypass channel connected to and between the inlet and outlet channels, and containing a bypass valve positioned to control fluid flow within the bypass channel. |
US08137466B2 |
Thin film deposition apparatus and method of manufacturing organic light-emitting display device by using the same
A thin film deposition apparatus and an organic light-emitting display device by using the same. The thin film deposition apparatus includes an electrostatic chuck, an a plurality of chambers; at least one thin film deposition assembly; a carrier; a first power source plug; and a second power source plug. The electrostatic chuck includes a body having a supporting surface that contacts a substrate to support the substrate, wherein the substrate is a deposition target; an electrode embedded into the body and applying an electrostatic force to the supporting surface; and a plurality of power source holes formed to expose the electrode and formed at different locations on the body. The plurality of chambers are maintained in a vacuum state. The at least one thin film deposition assembly is located in at least one of the plurality of chambers, is separated from the substrate by a predetermined distance, and is used to form a thin film on the substrate supported by the electrostatic chuck. The carrier is used to move the electrostatic chuck to pass through the plurality of chambers. The first power source plug is installed to be attachable to and detachable from one of the power source holes in order to supply power to the electrode. The first power source plug is installed at an upstream of a path in which the electrostatic chuck is moved by the carrier. The second power source plug is installed to be attachable to and detachable from another of the power source holes in order to supply power to the electrode. The second power source plug is installed in the path to be downstream to the first power source plug with respect to the path. |
US08137465B1 |
Single-chamber sequential curing of semiconductor wafers
The present invention relates to curing of semiconductor wafers. More particularly, the invention relates to cure chambers containing multiple cure stations, each featuring one or more UV light sources. The wafers are cured by sequential exposure to the light sources in each station. In some embodiments, the wafers remain stationary with respect to the light source during exposure. In other embodiments, there is relative movement between the light source and the wafer during exposure. The invention also provides chambers that may be used to independently modulate the cross-linking, density and increase in stress of a cured material by providing independent control of the wafer temperature and UV intensity. |
US08137464B2 |
Atomic layer deposition system for coating flexible substrates
Systems and methods for atomic layer deposition (ALD) on a flexible substrate involve guiding the substrate back and forth between spaced-apart first and second precursor zones, so that the substrate transits through each of the precursor zones multiple times. Systems may include a series of turning guides, such as rollers, spaced apart along the precursor zones for supporting the substrate along an undulating transport path. As the substrate traverses back and forth between precursor zones, it passes through a series of flow-restricting passageways of an isolation zone into which an inert gas is injected to inhibit migration of precursor gases out of the precursor zones. Also disclosed are systems and methods for utilizing more than two precursor chemicals and for recycling precursor gases exhausted from the precursor zones. |
US08137460B2 |
Manufacturing method of GaN thin film template substrate, GaN thin film template substrate and GaN thick film single crystal
Provided are a manufacturing method of a GaN single crystal in which the film thickness of the GaN single crystal can be controlled accurately, even when a hydride vapor phase epitaxy is applied; a GaN thin film template substrate which is suitable for growing a GaN thick film with a fine property; and a GaN single crystal growing apparatus. Provided is a manufacturing method of a GaN single crystal by a hydride vapor phase epitaxy, wherein the hydride vapor phase epitaxy comprises: spraying HCl (hydrogen chloride) onto Ga (gallium) which is heated and fused in a predetermined temperature to generate GaCl (gallium chloride); and forming a GaN thin film by a reaction of the generated GaCl (gallium chloride) with NH3 (ammonia) gas which is hydroxide gas on a substrate, the manufacturing method comprising supplying the NH3 gas in a vicinity of the substrate (for example, at a position which is separated from the substrate by a distance of 0.7-4.0 times as longer than a diameter of the substrate) through a nozzle. Further, as the substrate, an NGO(011) substrate in which the lattice constant thereof is similar to that of GaN is used. |
US08137459B2 |
Method for producing nanoparticles for magnetic fluids by electron-beam evaporation and condensation in vacuum, a magnetic fluid producing method and magnetic fluid produced according to said method
The inventive method for producing nanoparticles for ferrofluids by electron-beam evaporation and condensation in vacuum, consists in evaporating an initial solid material and in fixing nanoparticles to a cooled substrate by means of a solidifiable carrier during vapour condensation, wherein a solid inorganic material, which is selected from a group containing metals, alloys or oxides thereof, is used as an initial material and a solid liquid-soluble material is used as a magnetic carrier material for fixing nanoparticles. The method also consists in simultaneously evaporating the initial material and the carrier composition by electron-beam heating. The vapour is deposited on the substrate, the temperature which is lower than the melting point of the carrier material, and the condensate of the magnetic material nanoparticles, which have a size and are fixed in the carrier, is produced. The particle size is adjusted by setting the specified temperature of the substrate during vapour deposition. |
US08137458B2 |
Epitaxial growth of ZnO with controlled atmosphere
A ZnO crystal growth method has the steps of (a) preparing a substrate having a surface capable of growing ZnO crystal exposing a Zn polarity plane; (b) supplying Zn and O above the surface of the substrate by alternately repeating a Zn-rich condition period and an O-rich condition period; and (c) supplying conductivity type determining impurities above the surface of the substrate while Zn and O are supplied at the step (b). |
US08137452B2 |
Easy-to-clean, mechanically stable coating composition for metallic surfaces and process for coating a substrate using said composition
The present invention is directed to an optically clear coating made from a composition comprising an epoxy-melamine resin. The coating is obtained on a metallic substrate and has a very rigid structure and a unique combination of properties that includes hydrophobicity/easy-to-clean, adhesion to bright chrome, abrasion resistance and chemical resistance. The coating composition comprises (A) a mixture of at least one hydrolysable silane and one hydrolysable metal compound, the compounds of said mixture being partly or fully hydrolyzed and partly or fully condensed, (B) at least one melamine derivative selected from derivatives having formula (C3N3)(NR4R5)3, and derivatives having formula (C3N3)(NR4R5)3-p(NR4R6)p, wherein R4 and R5 are independently selected from H, hydroxymethylene and alkoxymethylene, with the proviso that at least one of the R4 groups is a hydroxymethylene or alkoxymethylene group, and R6 is —CH2—NR4(C3N3)(NR4R5)2 or —CH2—O—CH2-NR4(C3N3)(NR4R5)2, and p is 1 or 2, and either at least one partially or fully fluorinated, at least partly hydrolyzed and condensed silane compound, this compound being part of the said mixture (A) of hydrolysable silanes, or (C) at least one partially or fully fluorinated organic compound containing at least one group which may bind to hydroxy groups. |
US08137451B2 |
Bituminous glue
A bituminous glue for cold gluing of construction material and comprising an amount of non-polymerized oil, said glue comprises at least 35% by weight of bitumen, said glue further comprising clay and a dispersing agent, said amount of non-polymerized oil forming between 5 and 30% by weight of said glue and being not mixed with polymerized oil. |
US08137447B2 |
Electroless plating solution, method for electroless plating using the same and method for manufacturing circuit board
Disclosed is an electroless plating solution exhibiting a good plating metal filling performance even for larger trenches or vias of several to one hundred and tens of μm, in a manner free from voids or seams, and allowing maintenance of stabilized performance for prolonged time. The electroless plating solution contains at least a water-soluble metal salt, a reducing agent for reducing metal ions derived from the water-soluble metal salt, and a chelating agent. In addition, the electroless plating solution contains a sulfur-based organic compound as a leveler having at least one aliphatic cyclic group or aromatic cyclic group to which may be linked at least one optional substituent. The aliphatic cyclic group or the aromatic cyclic group contains optional numbers of carbon atoms, oxygen atoms, phosphorus atoms, sulfur atoms and nitrogen atoms. |
US08137446B2 |
Particle concentrator
Concentrating particles in a turbulent gas flow may include receiving, in a receptacle, a turbulent gas flow that includes particles. The concentration of particles in a gas flow exiting the receptacle at a first port is increased as compared with a concentration of the particles in the gas flow received by the receptacle. The increased concentration of particles is accomplished by removing a portion of the gas flow by using a second port, and fluidly communicating the gas flow through a tube in the receptacle. The tube has a smaller diameter at the end of the tube at which the gas flow exits the tube than diameter at the end of the tube at which the gas flow is received. |
US08137445B2 |
Gas treating method and apparatus
A method and apparatus for treating natural gas comprises a contactor having a manifold for spreading gas in the contactor vessel, a plurality of perforated plates above the manifold, a spray system for spraying a treating liquid into an upwardly rising column of gas and a liquid level controller for maintaining the treating liquid above the perforated plates. Gas and liquid from the contactor pass through a cooler and are then separated. A treating liquid regeneration system receives the treating liquid and flashes the liquid at low pressure to separate hydrocarbon gases, hydrocarbon liquid and treating liquid. The treating liquid is regenerated by heating and flashing off contaminant gases and is ultimately redelivered to the contactor. |
US08137441B2 |
CO2 recovery system and waste-product removing method
A CO2 recovery system includes an absorption tower and a regeneration tower. CO2 rich solution is produced in the absorption tower by absorbing CO2 from CO2-containing gas. The CO2 rich solution is conveyed to the regeneration tower where lean solution is produced from the rich solution by removing CO2. A reclaimer heats the lean solution that is produced in the regeneration tower to produce a condensed waste-product from the lean solution by condensing a depleted material contained in the lean solution, and removes the condensed waste-product. A cooler cools the condensed waste-product. |
US08137439B2 |
Process and apparatus for CO2 recovery from flue gas with thermocompression
A process for the recovery of CO2 from a flue gas is provided. This process includes compressing a flue gas to a first pressure, cooling the flue gas to a first temperature, and drying flue gas by a drying means. This process includes adsorbing CO2 in a first adsorbent bed, wherein the first adsorbent bed is isothermally maintained by a first cooling means. The process includes pressurizing the first adsorbent bed to a second pressure with CO2 at a second temperature, wherein the second pressure is greater than the initial pressure, wherein the second temperature is greater than the initial temperature. |
US08137434B2 |
Exhaust gas purification device of internal combustion engine
A first intake air control mode of setting an intake throttle valve to (or close to) a fully-opened state and setting an EGR valve to (or close to) a fully-closed state is performed when DPF temperature and a particulate matter deposition quantity are greater than corresponding predetermined values respectively, a no-injection operation state exists, and engine rotation speed is higher than a corresponding predetermined value. A second intake air control mode of setting the intake throttle valve to (or close to) a fully-closed state and setting the EGR valve to (or close to) a fully-opened state is performed when the DPF temperature and the particulate matter deposition quantity are greater than the corresponding predetermined values respectively, the no-injection operation state exists, and the engine rotation speed is lower than the corresponding predetermined value. |
US08137428B2 |
Exhaust gas purification apparatus for internal combustion engine
An exhaust gas control apparatus (2) for an engine includes a filter case (3) that has an internal space; a filter (4) that is arranged in the filter case (3) and that purifies exhaust gas; and a mat (5) that is arranged, in a compressed state, between the filter case (3) and the filter (4). The filter (4) is arranged in the filter case (3) with a first flange (45) of the filter (4) engaged with the mat (5) and with a second flange (46) engaged with a retainer (6). |
US08137425B2 |
Intake system for vehicle internal combustion engine
An intake system (10, 20) for a vehicle internal combustion engine is provided in which a first air intake duct (16), having an air intake inlet (16a) to inhale external air, is connected to an air cleaner box (14). A second air intake duct (17, 27) is also connected to the air cleaner box. The air intake inlet is closer to the air cleaner box than the second air intake duct is. The cross section area of a second air intake duct is greater than the cross section area of the first air intake duct. The center axis of the second air intake duct at an end on the side of a second air intake opening (12, 22) intersects with the center axis of the first air intake duct at an end on the side of a first air intake opening (11). |
US08137418B2 |
Vegetable lipid-based composition and candle
The present invention is a candle composition containing a vegetable lipid base component and a candle formed from the composition. The candle composition may contain up to 100 percent by weight of a vegetable lipid base component. The candle composition may further contain a plant derived crystal modifier. |
US08137417B2 |
Peeling apparatus and manufacturing apparatus of semiconductor device
An object is to eliminate electric discharge due to static electricity generated by peeling when an element formation layer including a semiconductor element is peeled from a substrate used for manufacturing the semiconductor element. A substrate over which an element formation layer and a peeling layer are formed and a film are made to go through a gap between pressurization rollers. The film is attached to the element formation layer between the pressurization rollers. The film is bent along a curved surface of the pressurization roller on a side of the pressurization rollers, where the film is collected, and accordingly, peeling is generated between the element formation layer and the peeling layer and the element formation layer is transferred to the film. Liquid such as pure water is sequentially supplied by a nozzle to a gap between the element formation layer and the peeling layer, which is generated by peeling, so that electric charge generated on surfaces of the element formation layer and the peeling layer is diffused by the liquid. |
US08137416B2 |
Acid dyes
Compounds of the general formula (I) a process for their preparation and their use for dyeing and/or printing organic substrates are described. |
US08137412B2 |
Bleaching with concomitant hair tonicizing
Bleaching method for keratin fibers, using an agent comprising a bleach activator system comprising at least one cationic acylpyridinium derivative of formula (I), and hydrogen peroxide and use of agents for bleaching keratin fibers, in particular human hair, comprising at least one cationic acylpyridinium derivative, for reinforcing the bleaching capacity with concomitant improvement in the condition of the fibers. |
US08137411B2 |
Thin collagen tissue for medical device applications
This invention relates to processes of preparing heterogeneous graft material from animal tissue. Specifically, the invention relates to the preparation of animal tissue, in which the tissue is cleaned and chemically cross-linked using both vaporized and liquid cross-linking agents, resulting in improved physical properties such as thin tissue and lowered antigenicity, thereby increasing the ease of delivering the tissue during surgery and decreasing the risk of post-surgical complication, respectively. |
US08137409B2 |
Method of installing a transcutaneous prosthesis
A method of installing a transcutaneous prosthesis which includes a first component, a second component adapted for location between the bone and the skin, the second component having a surface treatment for stimulation of fibroblastic cell proliferation and attachment of epithelial cells and a third component adapted for location to extend from the skin surface and the third component having an outer surface. The outer surface of the third component has a surface energy that is lower than a surface energy of at least the first component and which is low enough to deter bacterial adhesion. The method includes attaching the first component to a bone such that a transition from the second component to the third component is essentially at the surface of the skin and the third component extends from the skin surface when the first component is attached to a bone. |
US08137408B2 |
Autologous bone graft material
This invention relates to a musculoskeletogenic MSG graft composite made from whole bone marrow aspirate BMA having native levels of musculoskeletal progenitor cells MSPCs, comprising: a) a suspension of fractionated BMA comprising: i) MSPCs present at a level greater than their native level in whole BMA, and ii) red blood cells RBCs present at a level less than their native level in whole BMA, and b) a porous sterile matrix having an average pore size of at least 20 μm. |
US08137406B2 |
Method and apparatus for performing an open wedge, high tibial osteotomy
An osteotomy plate for maintaining the spacing of a wedge-like opening in bone, the osteotomy plate comprising: a body having a front side and a back side; a protrusion extending out of the back side of the body for disposition in the wedge-like opening; and a plurality of mounting holes for receiving fixation screws therein, the mounting holes being formed in the body such that when the protrusion is disposed in the wedge-like opening, the mounting holes direct the fixation screws into bone on either side of the wedge-like opening. |
US08137404B2 |
Artificial disc replacement using posterior approach
Methods and devices are provided for replacing a spinal disc. In an exemplary embodiment, artificial disc replacements and methods are provided wherein at least a portion of a disc replacement can be implanted using a posterolateral approach. With a posterolateral approach, the spine is accessed more from the side of the spinal canal through an incision formed in the patient's back. A pathway is created from the incision to the disc space between adjacent vertebrae. Portions of the posterolateral annulus, and posterior lip of the vertebral body may be removed to access the disc space, leaving the remaining annulus and the anterior and posterior longitudinal ligaments in tact. The disc implant can be at least partially introduced using a posterolateral approach, yet it has a size that is sufficient to restore height to the adjacent vertebrae, and that is sufficient to maximize contact with the endplates of the adjacent vertebrae. |
US08137401B2 |
Intervertebral device having expandable endplates
An intervertebral implant having an endplate that can be slidably expanded following its placement in the intervertebral space. |
US08137399B2 |
Implantable prismatic device, and related methods and systems
An intraocular device including a prism and shift amplifier is provided. Also provided is a system containing the intraocular device, and a method for improving vision of a person with central vision loss. The method involves implanting the intraocular device in the person so that the prism and shift amplifier cumulatively shift a retinal image away from the fovea of an eye to a functional retinal portion of the eye. Also provided is a method for correcting a binocular misalignment of a person using the intraocular device. |
US08137396B2 |
Medical implant
Disclosed is a self-expanding medical implant for placement within a lumen of a patient. The implant comprises a woven or non-woven structure having a substantially tubular configuration, and is designed to be low-profile such that it is deliverable with a small diameter catheter. The implant has a high recoverability and desired mechanical properties. |
US08137393B2 |
Stent graft indwelling device and fixed chip
A stent graft indwelling device (1) comprising a dilator (10) and a sheath (30) in which the dilator (10) and a stent graft (60) are to be loaded, the stent graft indwelling device (1) having a wire (40) or a fixed chip (20) as means for adjusting the insertion angle and/or indwelling site of the stent graft (60) when the stent graft (60) is released from the sheath (30) in a diseased part by this indwelling device, so that the insertion angle and indwelling site can be finely adjusted in a blood vessel in a semi-expansion state where the stent graft is not completely expanded. |
US08137390B2 |
System for providing heat treatment and heat loss reduction for treating meibomian gland dysfunction
A system for treating meibomian gland dysfunction. A controller controls heat applied to the tissue proximate the patient's meibomian glands to provide conductive heat transfer to the meibomian glands. The application of heat assists in the expression of obstructions or occlusions in the meibomian glands to restore sufficient sebum flow to the lipid layer to treat dry eye. A force is also applied to tissue proximate the patient's meibomian glands during the application of heat to improve conductive heat transfer and reduce blood flow in tissue that causes convective heat loss. Thus, the application of force can further increase the temperature level and/or reduce the time to reach desired temperature levels for removing obstructions. Reaching increased temperature levels may improve the melting, loosening, or softening of obstructions or occlusions in the meibomian glands. Reducing the amount of time to reached desired temperature levels an aid in reducing discomfort to the patient during treatment. |
US08137389B2 |
Bone screw
A bone screw is created, with a thread section with a tip at a first end and a head for engaging with a screwdriver at the opposite second end, which serves as traction element to connect shattered or split off parts of bones to one another. So that fusion of the screw with the bones can take place, the thread section is constructed as tubular and its wall has a plurality of recesses. |
US08137380B2 |
Closure device, deployment apparatus, and method of deploying a closure device
The present invention relates generally to medical devices and methods for sealing and closing passages formed through tissue. More specifically, the present invention relates to devices for sealing or closing an opening formed through biological tissue comprising a distal or outside margin or surface, and a proximal or inside margin or surface (i.e., a wall thickness), and to apparatuses and methods for delivering such devices, to control (or prevent or stop) bleeding (or the flow of other biological fluid or tissue). The openings comprise percutaneously formed punctures, incisions, or other openings formed through biological tissue, such as in blood vessels, organs, and the like. |
US08137378B2 |
Low-cost disposable tourniquet cuff apparatus and method
Low-cost tourniquet cuff apparatus includes: an inflatable bladder formed of flexible material having a bladder width dimension when the bladder is uninflated and a having a bladder length dimension sufficient for encircling a limb of a surgical patient at a desired location on the limb and for overlapping upon itself, wherein the bladder includes a bladder first inner surface facing a bladder second inner surface along the bladder length dimension and across the bladder width dimension when the bladder is uninflated; securing means for securing the overlapping bladder around the limb at the desired location; port means communicating pneumatically with the inflatable bladder and releasably connectable to a tourniquet instrument for supplying the bladder with pressurized gas; and stiffener means having a predetermined stiffness and having a stiffener width dimension less than the bladder width dimension, wherein the stiffener means is non-releasably attached to the bladder first inner surface within the inflatable bladder. The stiffener means may have a stiffener length dimension that is at least equal to the limb circumference. A method of making the low-cost tourniquet cuff allows the cuff elements to be simply assembled and then sealed in one operation using radio-frequency welding or a similar process. |
US08137377B2 |
Embolic basket
An intravascular basket device for use in capturing either naturally occurring or foreign debris found in blood vessels or other regions of the body. The basket device is fabricated from a tube and includes a mid-section having at least one ring configured in an alternating V-pattern. The basket device specifically embodies structure that provides enhanced radial opening and angular resistance to collapse. |
US08137376B2 |
Embolic filters having multiple layers and controlled pore size
The invention provides a device for filtering emboli from blood flowing through a lumen defined by the walls of a vessel in a patient's body including a filter element. The filter element is expandable from a collapsed configuration to an expanded configuration. When the filter element is in the expanded configuration, the average pore size is from 30 to 300 microns and the standard deviation of the pore size is less than 20 percent of the average pore size. The filter element has two or more filtering layers, each filtering layer having pores, and each filtering layer being adjacent to at least one other filtering layer. |
US08137373B2 |
Medical devices comprising nanomaterials and therapeutic methods utilizing the same
The present invention provides medical devices comprising nanomaterials. By utilizing nanomaterials in the production thereof, the inventive medical devices can be provided with various advantageous properties and/or capabilities. Methods of producing the inventive medical devices are also provided. Inasmuch as the inventive devices are expected to provide certain advantages in their use, there is also provided a method of medical care, including methods of treatment or diagnosis, wherein the inventive devices are brought into therapeutic contact with a body to be treated or diagnosed thereby. |
US08137372B2 |
Tissue shredding device and tissue shredding method
A tissue shredding device is provided which includes a shredding pipe which is inserted into a patient body in which a plurality of opening portions is formed in a longitudinal direction; and a plurality of wires which is withdrawn from the opening portion, bent back outside the shredding pipe, and drawn into the shredding pipe. Here, the tissue shredding device may be changed to one of a first arrangement in which the wires are withdrawn from the shredding pipe so that a tissue can be introduced toward top portions corresponding to bent-back parts of the plurality of wires, a second arrangement in which the top portions are arranged opposite to the shredding pipe, and a third arrangement in which the wires are drawn into the opening portion. |
US08137369B2 |
Rotational atherectomy device with fluid inflatable support elements supported by fluid bearings
A rotational atherectomy device for removing a stenotic tissue from a vessel of a patient is disclosed. The device comprises a rotatable, flexible, hollow drive shaft having an open distal end. The drive shaft comprising a fluid impermeable wall, an abrasive element mounted to the drive shaft proximal to and spaced away from its distal end, the fluid impermeable wall being formed from a torque transmitting coil and at least one fluid impermeable membrane which define a lumen for the antegrade flow of pressurized fluid through the drive shaft and into a distal fluid inflatable support element to inflate said fluid inflatable support element. The distal fluid inflatable support element is located at the distal end of the drive shaft and has an outer wall comprising an outflow opening located such that said outflow opening faces an inner surface of a treated vessel during rotation of the drive shaft so that a flow of fluid out of said opening forms a layer of fluid between the outer wall of the fluid inflatable distal support element and a wall of the treated vessel. The layer of fluid forming a fluid bearing between the outer wall of the rotating fluid inflated distal support element and the wall of the treated vessel. |
US08137368B2 |
Method for blood vessel clip application
A blood vessel clip applicator includes two twist pins at one end, between which a blood vessel is placed before occlusion. A magazine in the blood vessel clip applicator holds a plurality of blood vessel clips and can be rotated independently from a grip assembly, whereby the twist pins can be rotated to compress a blood vessel held between them. The blood vessel clip is placed on the blood vessel after it has been flattened. The blood vessel clip includes spring quality material, and has a head connected to a first leg and a second leg. The magazine has a constricted region adjacent to an exit aperture. As the head enters the constricted region, the compressive force exerted on the head by the constricted region opens the blood vessel clip to an open position. |
US08137341B2 |
Methods and apparatus for plasma incision of tissue
A method with apparatus for performing surgery using plasma is described. In one exemplary embodiment, the apparatus includes a radiofrequency signal generator, a conditioning network coupled to the radiofrequency signal generator, and a catheter coupled to the conditioning network, the catheter including at least one electrode, such that the conditioning network conditions radiofrequency energy produced by the radiofrequency signal generator to create plasma at the at least one electrode of the catheter. Such novel plasma ablation system provides the capability to create high precision ablation with minimal damage to adjacent structures in numerous types of matter while employing multiple operation platforms including catheter based plasma application. |
US08137336B2 |
Steerable medical device
A steerable medical device is used to controllably introduce a guidewire or other medical instrument into a body of a patient and direct placement of the guidewire or other medical instrument in the body of the patient. The steerable medical device can include an elongated member, a steering mechanism, and an attachment member. The elongated member extends along a longitudinal axis and comprises a deflectable distal portion that is deflectable off of the longitudinal axis. The steering mechanism is adapted to control longitudinal and rotational movement of the elongated member and to control off-axis deflection of its deflectable portion. The attachment member is removably couplable to another medical device. The attachment member is moveably coupled to the steering mechanism and the elongated member. |
US08137335B2 |
Treatment and control device
A treatment or controlling device that is capable of being inserted into a teat orifice. The device is also capable of being held in position in the teat streak canal once it is inserted in a teat orifice. The device is configured to act as a substrate for natural keratin deposition. |
US08137332B2 |
Container for introducing at least one non-sterile vessel in a sterile region
The invention relates to a container (5) for receiving at least one non-sterile vessel (1, 1′), in particular a pierceable ampoule with a pierceable rubber stopper (3), containing a removable substance (2, 2′), and for introducing the at least one vessel (1, 1′) into a sterile region (I), said container comprising at least two interconnectable parts (6, 7) which, in their interconnected state, are designed to receive the at least one vessel (1, 1′), one container part (7) including at least one means (11, 11′) for removing the respective substance (2, 2′) from the at least one vessel (1, 1′). To create such a container (5) which can be produced at low costs and is easy to handle, said container parts (6, 7) are surrounded by a removable envelope (10) which consists of at least two parts (8, 9). |
US08137327B2 |
Vaginal drug delivery system and method
A vaginal drug delivery system includes a device formed of porous material that holds a flowable therapeutic formulation. The device, preferably in a soft, prewetted state, is inserted into the vagina to reside typically at or near the cervix where it continuously releases the flowable therapeutic formulation through its outer surface which is in contact with the vaginal surfaces. In operation, the flowable therapeutic formulation migrates via capillary forces from a reservoir that is centrally located in the device and through a covering that envelopes the reservoir. |
US08137326B2 |
Hub for triple lumen catheter assembly
A hub (14) for a triple lumen catheter (12) especially for use with a catheter assembly (10) such as for hemodialysis. The hub (14) has a body (40) with one distal opening (58) for insertion thereinto of a proximal end portion (26) of the catheter (12), and three proximal openings (52,54,56) for insertion thereinto of distal end portions (74,76,78) of three extension tubes (16,18,20) each associated with one of the catheter's three lumens (30,32,34). The hub provides three passageways (68,70,72) extending from respective proximal openings to respective interior openings (60,62,64) in communication with the one distal opening (58), for establishing fluid communication between each extension tube (16,18,20) and its associated catheter lumen (30,32,34). Preferably, the hub is insert molded to respective end portions of the catheter (12) and the extension tubes (16,18,20). |
US08137316B2 |
Sheathless insertion stylet system for catheter placement
A stylet instrument is positionable within a catheter to facilitate placement of the catheter during a surgical procedure. The stylet instrument has application in a hemodialysis procedure where the catheter is positioned via a subcutaneous tunneling technique. The stylet instrument includes a hub, first and second stylet members extending from the hub and operatively connected to permit positioning within corresponding lumens of a catheter, and securing means associated with the hub to releasably secure the catheter to the hub. The securing means includes at least one locking detent. |
US08137312B2 |
Detection apparatus and method
A detection apparatus for, and a method of, detecting the location of the tip of a tubular element, in particular a needle, within a region, in particular one of the epidural space and the peritoneal cavity. |
US08137311B2 |
Test method and apparatus for verification of medical device functionality
This invention relates to methods, apparatuses and systems for testing the functionality of the pumping mechanism of a medical device, e.g., an implantable infusion pump, while the medical device is contained within a shipping package. The test apparatus enables such functional verification, without opening the shipping package, when the medical device is still contained within the package that has been appropriately sealed to maintain sterility of the medical device. |
US08137308B2 |
Catheter with adjustable deflection sensitivity
A catheter that provides bi-directional steering and allows for deflection sensitivity adjustment includes a catheter body, a deflectable tip section and a control handle, wherein the control handle has a deflection member adapted for user manipulation, a deflection assembly responsive to the deflection member to draw on a tensile puller member for deflecting the tip section, and an adjustment mechanism adapted to adjust sensitivity of the deflection member. The adjustment mechanism also correspondingly adjusts a maximum degree of deflection of the tip section. The deflection assembly includes a rotatable pulley arm and two pulleys, and a deflection sensitivity adjustment mechanism with a cam device that varies a separation distance between the pulleys. The cam device is internally located in the pulley arm and is rotatable via deflection sensitivity knob by the user to increase the separation distance for greater deflection sensitivity in a deflection member user interface, or to decrease the separation distance for greater maximum degree of tip deflection. |
US08137304B2 |
Medication delivery device
The medication delivery device is designed to receive a replaceable medication container and to determine an adjusted medication dose AD before each delivery of the medication contained in the medication container if the current content of the medication container is not a multiple of a prescribed dose D and is greater than the prescribed dose D. The adjusted medication dose AD is the dose to be delivered instead of the prescribed dose D during said medication delivery. The adjusted medication dose AD is determined by selecting one of a first dose, to that is higher than the prescribed dose D, and of a second dose, that is lower than the prescribed dose D, as a function of a variable B that cumulates the values (AD−D). |
US08137287B2 |
Biopsy device
Medical instruments and methods of using medical instruments are claimed. |
US08137286B2 |
Monitoring electrode for monitoring dorsal cochlear nucleus action potentials and monitoring device for monitoring dorsal cochlear nucleus action potentials
A novel monitoring electrode for monitoring dorsal cochlear nucleus action potentials is provided, which has a superior performance in accuracy, adherent property, comprehensiveness, recording sensitivity, and recording specificity. The monitoring electrode is easily inserted through a foramen of Luschka, stably held on a region of the dorsal cochlear nucleus, and clearly records the dorsal cochlear nucleus action potentials. Additionally, a novel monitoring device for monitoring the dorsal cochlear nucleus action potentials using the monitoring electrode thereof is provided. |
US08137284B2 |
Surgical access system and related methods
A system for accessing a surgical target site and related methods, involving an initial distraction system for creating an initial distraction corridor, and an assembly capable of distracting from the initial distraction corridor to a secondary distraction corridor and thereafter sequentially receiving a plurality of retractor blades for retracting from the secondary distraction corridor to thereby create an operative corridor to the surgical target site, both of which may be equipped with one or more electrodes for use in detecting the existence of (and optionally the distance and/or direction to) neural structures before, during, and after the establishment of an operative corridor to a surgical target site. |
US08137283B2 |
Method and apparatus for retrieval of similar heart sounds from a database
The present invention exploits a visual rendering of heart sounds and models the morphological variations of audio envelopes through a constrained non-rigid translation transform. Similar heart sounds are then retrieved by recovering the corresponding alignment transform using a variant of shape-based dynamic time warping. |
US08137282B2 |
Method and system for determining a period of interest using multiple inputs
One or more techniques are provided for identifying a period of minimal motion for an organ of interest, such as the heart or lungs. Motion data is acquired for the organ of interest and for one or more proximate organs using sensor-based and/or image-based techniques. The sensor-based techniques may include electrical and non-electrical techniques. The image-based techniques may include both pre-acquisition and acquisition image data. The motion data for the organ of interest and proximate organs may be used to generate a set of multi-input motion data that may be processed to identify desired periods, such as periods of minimal motion, within the overall motion of the organ of interest. |
US08137274B2 |
Methods to deliver high intensity focused ultrasound to target regions proximate blood vessels
Methods for applying heat to a region proximate a blood vessel are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method can include generating an imaging ultrasound beam adapted to image a blood vessel target and receiving a reflection of the imaging ultrasound beam. The method can also include producing an output signal in response to the reflection of the imaging ultrasonic beam and processing the output signal to identify a location of a treatment zone proximate an outer wall of the blood vessel. Therapeutic energy can be applied to the treatment zone. In some embodiments, the therapeutic ultrasound energy beam can be moved to over-scan the treatment zone. Other methods are also disclosed. |
US08137271B2 |
System and method for assessing risk of glaucoma onset
A system and method for predicting the onset of glaucoma uses a Finite Element Model (FEM) to obtain a response profile of the Optical Nerve Head (ONH) inside an eye. To do this, the FEM is programmed with data from first and second images of the ONH that are respectively taken at the beginning and the end of an imposed pressure differential (e.g. over a range of about 8 kPa). The FEM is then subjected to a sequence of pressure increments and the resultant profile is compared with empirical data to predict an onset of glaucoma. |
US08137267B2 |
Retractor with flexible sleeve
Devices and methods are disclosed for accessing a body cavity or other surgical site while providing optimal device length and improved tissue retraction, device retention and stability, and seal integrity. A surgical access device is disclosed that generally comprises an external seal housing having at least one working channel and that is coupled to a flexible and/or resilient retractor. The retractor can include a resilient ring at its distal circumference configured to be deformed to facilitate insertion through an incision and then to return to an undeformed state having a diameter greater than a diameter of the incision once within a body cavity. Various means of coupling the retractor to the housing are disclosed, as are various types of seals that can be included within the housing. “Low-profile”and “peel-away cannula” embodiments of the surgical access device are disclosed, along with methods of accessing a body cavity using such devices. |
US08137266B2 |
Surgical portal apparatus with armature assembly
A surgical portal apparatus includes a portal housing, an elongated portal member connected to the portal housing and an armature assembly. The portal housing and the portal member have an axial bore for reception and passage of a surgical object. The armature assembly includes at least two arms disposed within the portal housing and an outer mount. The at least two arms extend at least radially inwardly and are adapted to move relative to the longitudinal axis from a rest position to an activated position during passage of the surgical object. The at least two arms are operatively connected whereby movement of a first arm causes corresponding movement of a second arm. The outer mount comprises a resilient material and is mounted to the at least two arms, and imparts a biasing force thereto toward the rest position. |
US08137265B2 |
Endoscope, endoscope system, and switching circuit member for endoscope
The present invention relates to an endoscope to perform observation using a plurality of image pick up units and an endoscope system including such an endoscope, and its object is to provide an endoscope and an endoscope system having a simplified structure and a reduced cost. There is provided an endoscope including a plurality of image pick up units (24a, 24b) to pick up an observation image, a connector (28) to be connected with an external device (46) to perform signal processing, and a switching circuit portion (26) electrically connected with each image pick up unit (24a, 24b) and the connector (28) and configured to switch the plurality of image pick up units (24a, 24b) so that one of the image pick up units (24a, 24b) transmits/receives a signal to/from the connector (28). |
US08137262B2 |
Kit, system and method to treat erectile dysfunction
Embodiments of the present invention advantageously provide kits, systems, and methods for treating a patient's erectile dysfunction. An embodiment of a kit, for example, includes a pressure pump, a plurality of elongated vacuum chambers, and a plurality of penile tension devices positioned in a container. An embodiment of a system, for example, includes a pressure pump, an elongated vacuum chamber selected from a plurality of elongated vacuum chambers positioned in a kit, and a penile tension device selected from a plurality of penile tension devices positioned in a kit. An embodiment of a method, for example, includes examining a patient, selecting an elongated vacuum chamber from a plurality of vacuum chambers positioned in a kit based upon the examination, and selecting a penile tension device from a plurality of penile tension devices positioned in the kit responsive to the examination. |
US08137259B1 |
Magnetic method for treatment of an animal
A magnetic method for therapeutic treatment of an animal with a tissue dysfunction using a pair of very low power electromagnetic coils connected to a pulse generator, a kit using the pulse generator connected to a pair of very low power electromagnetic coils, and a pet bed containing the pair of very low power electromagnetic coils and pulse generator. The pulse generator can include a power supply, a bi-directional communication and power port, a microcontroller, a processor, a data storage, computer instructions, transistors, a voltage multiplier, and power supply conduits. |
US08137258B1 |
Magnetic method for treatment of human tissue
A method for treating a human having a condition which can include disposing a first electromagnetic coil opposite a second electromagnetic coil, forming a very low power electromagnetic coil pair and energizing the electromagnetic coils to produce electromagnetic pulses. A plurality of pulse blasts are generated using a connected pulse generator with a power supply. The plurality of pulse blasts use a variety of wave shapes to therapeutically treat tissue of the human. |
US08137255B2 |
Centrifugal separator devices, systems and related methods
Centrifugal separator devices, systems and related methods are described. More particularly, fluid transfer connections for a centrifugal separator system having support assemblies with a movable member coupled to a connection tube and coupled to a fixed member, such that the movable member is constrained to movement along a fixed path relative to the fixed member are described. Also, centrifugal separator systems including such fluid transfer connections are described. Additionally, methods of installing, removing and/or replacing centrifugal separators from centrifugal separator systems are described. |
US08137254B2 |
Method of making bag with interrupted side gussets
A method of forming a bag with at least one gusset on one side including the steps of (a) forming a bag blank having a front panel and a back panel connectable along opposite sides, (b) forming a gusset along one side of one of the front and back panels, the gusset comprising first and second gusset panels inwardly V-folded, which gusset panels have a removable gusset portion at a selected position on the one side, (c) adhesively adhering one side of a patch to one of the gusset panels to a location adjacent the removable gusset portion, the patch having a second adhesive on portions extending beyond the one gusset panel location to the removable gusset portion and beyond the V-fold, and (d) removing the removable gusset portion from the gusset. |
US08137252B2 |
Packaging bag supply device and bagging device having the same
A bag supply device receives large bags are retained in a stacked state on its mounting portions that are provided on chains. In addition, this bag supply device includes a horizontal support mechanism that supports the rear portion of the stacked large bags so that they can be raised and lowered in order to retain an uppermost surface of an uppermost large bag in a horizontal posture at a discharge position. The chains and the mounting portions are disposed such that the rear portion of the large bags hangs down. The horizontal support mechanism includes a roller that moves along the transport direction, and the uppermost large bag will be retained in a horizontal posture by moving the roller to support the rear portion of the large bags from below. |
US08137248B1 |
Exercise resistance apparatus
A vertical stack of weights is disposed beneath a base member, and at least one selector rod is mounted on the base member and selectively engaged with a desired number of the vertically stacked weights. A horizontal stack of weights is disposed on opposite sides of a base member, and at least one selector rod is movably mounted on the base member selectively moved into engagement with the desired number of horizontally stacked weights. Various combinations of these arrangements may be used to provide adjustable resistance to exercise. |
US08137247B2 |
Exercise apparatus with resilient foot support
An exerciser including a movable body support mounted on an exerciser flame for movement along tracks provided by the frame. A movable foot support extends from the exerciser frame. The movable foot support is adapted to be engaged by the user's feet to absorb the energy of movement in a first direction and to provide the user with a bouncing movement, which the user may translate into a movement of the movable body support in the opposite direction. The movable foot support may be provided as an attachment and retrofitted to existing exercisers. The exerciser may include a resilient resistance system coupled to the movable body support and a set of pull lines with user grips trained over pulleys carried by the exerciser frame. Also disclosed are methods for enabling users to exercise. |
US08137246B2 |
Drop foot device
The invention relates to assembly of an accessory and a shoe for providing support to a foot-drop affected foot relative to a lower leg belonging to the foot such that the loot is prevented from dropping downwards relative to the lower leg when the foot is raised by the lower from a supporting surface, the accessory being provided with a first attachment member for attachment of the accessory to the lower leg, a second attachment member for attachment of the accessory to an upper side of the shoe and a connecting body joining together the first attachment member and the second attachment member, wherein the second attachment member is provided with an attachment plate which, in use, is positioned under an upper part of the shoe. The invention also relates to the accessory of the assembly. |
US08137245B2 |
Non-electrical exercise apparatus
A non-electric low impact exercise apparatus comprising a base, a first footpad having a first end and a second end and a second footpad having a first end and a second end, and at least one cross member pivotally attached to the base with the cross member swivelable with respect to the base and pivotally connecting the first footpad to the second footpad with the first footpad and the second footpad swingable in a clockwise and arcing and a counterclockwise and arcing direction along a single plane with respect to the base by virtue of the pivotal attachment to the cross member. |
US08137240B2 |
Clutch engagement process in which the target angle is controlled
A method for engaging a drive shaft of a turbo engine with an output shaft by means of a clutch is provided. The turbo engine is run up to a rotational speed that is subsynchronous to the speed of the output shaft and is maintained at the steady speed before a signal is set or before starting the engagement process. |
US08137239B2 |
Transmission temperature sensing and control
As one example approach, temperature indications from transmission actuators are used to control the actuators and transmission shifting. For example, temperature differences among the different actuators can be used to provide improved relative timing and actuation levels and thus improved shifting control. |
US08137238B2 |
Gearshift controller for industrial vehicle
A gearshift controller for an industrial vehicle, includes: a speed ratio detection unit that detects a speed ratio of speeds of an input axis and of an output axis of a torque converter; a gearshift control unit that shifts up a speed stage when the detected speed ratio is equal to or more than a first predetermined value and shifts down the speed stage when the detected speed ratio is equal to or less than a second predetermined value, which is smaller than the first predetermined value; and an operation member with which a downshift to the first speed is instructed by operation thereof by an operator. When the downshift is instructed by the operation member, the gearshift control unit controls the speed stage to be kept at the first speed for a predetermined time period regardless of the speed ratio detected by the speed ratio detection unit. |
US08137234B2 |
Gearbox for a wind turbine, a method of converting wind energy and use of a gearbox
A gearbox for a wind turbine. The gearbox includes at least one first epicyclical gear stage, at least one second gear stage, and a torque transferring shaft including a shaft part and a connection part, wherein the torque transferring shaft is adapted for connecting a first gear of the first epicyclical gear stage with a second gear of the second gear stage and wherein the torque transferring shaft is connected to the second gear stage via the connection part to form a torque-transferring connection area between the connection part and the second gear stage and wherein the outer diameter of the shaft part of the torque transferring shaft is smaller than an inner diameter of the connection area between said torque transferring shaft and said second gear stage. |
US08137232B2 |
Transmission having at least eight speeds
A transmission of the present invention has an input member, an output member, four planetary gear sets, a plurality of coupling members and a plurality of torque transmitting devices. Each of the planetary gear sets includes first, second and third members. The torque transmitting devices may include clutches and brakes. The torque transmitting devices are selectively engageable in combinations of at least two to establish at least eight forward speed ratios and at least one reverse speed ratio. |
US08137230B2 |
Reduction gear
A reduction gear having a planetary gear set for reducing the output rotation speed of a motor, a counter gear set for reducing the output rotation speed of the planetary gear set, and a planetary gear set for reducing the output rotation speed of the counter gear set. The output shaft and input shaft that are on the same axis and belong to the planetary gear set are arranged in parallel with the output shaft and input shaft that are on the same axis and belong to the planetary gear set. The input shaft of the counter gear set is common to the output shaft of the planetary gear set. The output shaft of the counter gear set acts commonly as the input shaft of the planetary gear set. |
US08137229B2 |
Modular transmission assembly and a method of assembly
A modular transmission assembly includes a transmission housing that defines a hollow interior. The transmission housing extends along a central axis between a front end and a rear end. A rear motor module is disposed in, and is operatively connected to, the transmission housing. An inner module is disposed in, and is operatively connected to, the transmission housing. A main shaft is disposed along the central axis such that each of the rear and inner modules radially surround the main shaft. A front motor is disposed in the transmission housing and radially surrounds the main shaft. The inner module is axially disposed between the rear motor module and the front motor. An input module is connected to the front end of the transmission housing. The front motor is axially disposed between the inner module and the input module. |
US08137219B2 |
Training bat with visual feedback of proper swing
A training baseball bat has an internal movable magnet that accelerates to the end of the bat when swung at a fast enough speed. As the magnet moves it passes through a coil that is connected to one or more LEDs so that the LEDs momentarily flash as the magnet moves through the coil. An axially positionable stationary magnet can be used to hold the movable magnet until sufficient centrifugal force is imparted by the swing to overcome the magnetic holding force. |
US08137212B2 |
Treatment for facilitating bonding between golf ball layers and resultant golf balls
The present invention is directed towards a multilayer golf ball which comprises a core having a treated surface and a cover layer having a plurality of dimples, wherein the cover layer is disposed concentrically about the core and bonded to the core preferably without an adhesive. The multilayer golf balls may alternatively or additionally be formed such that at least one layer of the core has a treated surface and is bonded, preferably without an adhesive, to an adjacent layer. The golf balls may be prepared by forming a first portion of a golf ball, wherein the first portion has a surface, treating the surface of the first portion to increase the adhesion thereof, and bonding at least a portion of a second portion concentrically about the surface of the portion. |
US08137204B2 |
Torque limiter
A torque limiter includes a driving bushing, a clutch spring wound around an outer circumference of the driving bushing, and a housing receiving a driving force via the clutch spring. The housing includes a first catch portion engaged with a first end portion of the clutch spring, and a second catch portion engaged with a second end portion of the clutch spring. The second catch portion is movable with respect to the first catch portion to change an angle between the first and second end portions of the clutch spring. |
US08137203B2 |
System and method for virtual space-hazard assessment
A virtual-space hazard assessment system, for use in a virtual space, having target identifying information that identifies a target that appears in the virtual space. The system includes: a hazard-rating-request receiver for receiving a hazard rating request to rate the degree of hazard of the target; hazard storage for storing a table in which the degree of hazard of the target and the target identifying information are associated with each other; a hazard-degree increasing mechanism for increasing the degree of hazard of the target stored in the table in the hazard storage according to the degree of hazard received by the hazard-rating-request receiver; a hazard-degree decreasing mechanism for decreasing the degree of hazard stored in the table in the hazard storage with the elapse of time; and hazard-information-output instructing mechanism for issuing an instruction to output hazard information stored in the hazard storage. |
US08137202B2 |
Integrated electronic game system with player-end games corresponding to server-end games
An integrated electronic game system includes multiple game controllers for executing different games, multiple game consoles disposed in communication with one another and having carried therein different games, a central control server connected between the game controllers and the game consoles for linking the game controllers and the game consoles that execute one same game, a driver connected with the game consoles for receiving a card-opening signal from each game console and outputting a respective operation instruction, and a physical card-opening device connected to the driver and controllable by the operation instruction outputted by the driver to execute the card-opening operation of the game of one game console. Thus, different games share one common physical card-opening device, and the player can operate one game controller to switch among different games, thereby improving game system utilization, raising the player's overall interest and reducing equipment costs. |
US08137198B2 |
Game system, method for controlling game system, game device therefor, and program therefor
A CPU (511) of game device (50) generates bullet trajectory information when a bullet is fired at an opponent character by a player by operating a gun unit (56), and it transmits the bullet trajectory information to an echo server. The CPU (511), upon receiving the bullet trajectory information from the echo server, generates information showing a result of a determination as to whether the bullet has hit the opponent character based on the position information of a player character and the received bullet trajectory information. In a case in which a game device (50) is specified as the echo server, a game information set generated at game device (50) and a game information set received from an opponent game device are sent to opponent game devices (50) in an order in which game information sets are received. |
US08137191B2 |
Game device, message display method, information recording medium and program
A message acquiring unit (230) acquires a message from data received by a communication unit (210), i.e., acquires a message sent from another character. A decay rate calculating unit (260) senses the gap between the player character and another character and calculates the decay rate of the message sent from another character. A message display control unit (270) displays the message sent from another character by converting a part of the message to one or more masking characters based on the decay rate. That is, the message display control unit (270) determines the number of masking characters in accordance with the decay rate calculated by the decay rate calculating unit (260) and the number of letters in the message, and appropriately selects the determined number of letters from the message and substitutes masking characters for the selected letters. |
US08137190B2 |
Game server device, game terminal device, secondary game management system, and secondary game management method
A game server device communicably connected to a plurality of client terminal devices includes: a multiple-choice question communication control unit that obtains player capability information in information on a player who plays at a terminal device; a multiple-choice question related information storage unit that stores secondary games classified according to a player capability respectively; a multiple-choice question communication control unit that distributes to the terminal device in play a secondary game in a classification according to a capability of a player, who is in play, obtained from the terminal device; a multiple-choice question communication control unit that receives play results in regard to play of the distributed secondary game from the plurality of terminal devices; a multiple-choice question management unit that tabulates the play results received from the terminal devices respectively; and a multiple-choice question communication control unit that returns tabulated results to terminal devices that have transmitted play results. By allowing a player to play a secondary game that matches a capability of the player in the middle of playing a primary game, a more interesting game environment can be provided. |
US08137188B2 |
Server based gaming system having multiple progressive awards
A gaming system including a central server linked to a plurality of gaming machines. The central server includes a plurality of progressive modules. Each progressive module maintains one or more progressive awards and is associated with zero, one or more of the gaming machines in the gaming system. Upon a determination that a designated one of the progressive awards will be provided, one of the gaming machines associated with the progressive module which maintains the designated progressive award provides the designated progressive award to the player of such gaming machine. |
US08137181B2 |
Gaming machine having a player time-selectable bonus award scheme and an intelligent button
The present invention is a gaming machine having a player time-selectable bonus award scheme whereby the player may redeem, at a time of the player's choosing winning outcomes accrued during base game play. Redemption of each of the accrued winning outcomes is accomplished when a player selects an option to display a winning symbol combination associated with the winning outcome. Selection of the option to display the winning symbol combination associated with the winning outcome always yields an award and sometimes yields another winning outcome, again redeemable at a time of the player's choosing. A counter display on an intelligent button of the gaming machine increments a number as each winning outcome is accrued, and decrements the number as each winning outcome is redeemed. Thus, a second game may be initiated before a first game is complete. |
US08137178B2 |
Gaming system and apparatus with player selected gaming modes
Gaming systems, apparatuses, and methods are disclosed with player selectable gaming modes for players to participate in wagering games. The disclosed gaming systems and apparatuses provides for players to manually select between multiple playing modes, such as automatic game play operation or player participatory game play operation. |
US08137173B2 |
Multi session gaming
Example methods and devices are set forth for playing a game. In some embodiments, an inventory of game indicia is arranged in a random but established, serial order. In some embodiments, for each hand of play the player makes a wager and game indicia are displayed in order from the inventory to define a winning or losing outcome. In some embodiments, a display, as hands are played, displays the remaining constituency of the inventory and the player, before any game, can order re-shuffling and re-constitute of the inventory. Other embodiments are described. |
US08137172B2 |
System and method for programming tournaments
This invention relates to a method and apparatus for providing a coding competition. In one embodiment, a method for providing a coding competition includes transmitting a coding problem to contestants, receiving computer code created by a contestant, determining a response of the computer code to test data, and evaluating the response of the computer code to the test data. In another embodiment, a method for evaluating a skill level of a contestant includes electronically communicating a coding problem to contestants, electronically receiving a software program in response to the coding problem from one of the contestants, evaluating the received software program, awarding points to the contestant based on the received software program, and determining a rating for the contestant for the competition based on the number of points awarded to the contestant. |
US08137171B2 |
Game result evaluation method and device
The player is given the further enjoyment after the completion of a game and encouraged to participate in the next game. The relationship between characteristic parameters used for displaying a character and ability parameters of the player that are computed based on the execution of a game is defined for each character. The relationship between the characteristic parameters and the ability parameters is set to be different from character to character. Therefore, a character that the player has selected changes according to a game result. Because the way a character changes differs from character to character, the player is given the enjoyment of finding a character for which he/she can take advantage of his/her play style in addition to the enjoyment given by an actual game. In order to realize this enjoyment, a relationship between the characteristic parameters and the ability parameters of a character is intentionally made secret and unknown to the player when the player selects a character. Therefore, this stimulates the player's motivation to enter the game and encourages the player to actively enter the game in search of a character that is suitable for his/her own habit. |
US08137170B2 |
Radiant baffle/collector for roof construction and retrofit
A baffle system that can be used to provide ventilation to attics and roofs at the time of new roof construction or retrofit and further provides for solar thermal energy control and harvesting systems in conjunction or combination with the baffle systems. According to one embodiment, the baffle vents are made from a resilient material and are designed and configured to be flexed into a deformed shape, positioned between adjacent roof rafters and released whereupon the baffle vents become wedged between adjacent roof rafters. According to another embodiment the baffle vents have side edge portions that are configured to extend over the upper portions of roof rafters and thereby support the baffle vents between adjacent roof rafters. The baffle vents can function as radiant barriers by providing the baffle vents with a reflecting coating(s) or reflective surface(s). The baffle vents can function as radiant collectors by positioning solar thermal collectors in the air flow channels defined by the baffle vents and darkening the lower surface of the roof sheeting plane. Stock baffle vents are configured to provide for insulation dams that can be cut from the ends of the baffle vents. |
US08137168B2 |
Shackle with pivot feature & conveyor system therefor
A device (10) for retaining and associating an animal with a transport system during transport to and through one or more processing operations along a processing line. The device (10) includes a pivot mechanism (12) for reliably controlling the orientation of the animal during upward and downward travel on the transport system. More specifically, the device includes a lower portion (14) for retaining the animal, and an upper portion (16) for coupling with the transport system. The lower portion (14) is pivotably coupled with the upper portion (16) and movable between a first position in which the lower portion (14) and the upper portion (16) are in a substantially straight orientation relative to each other, and a second position in which the lower portion (14) and the upper portion (16) are in a substantially angled orientation relative to each other in the forward direction. |
US08137164B2 |
Guard device
A guard device (10) for handheld power tools with a disklike and rotating tool (12) includes a base body (14) formed by a platelike element (30) having a semicircular embodiment formed as a peripheral region (32). A guard rim is disposed on the peripheral region (32) and has a portion (36) oriented perpendicular to the platelike element (30) and a further portion (38) oriented parallel to the platelike element (30). An energy absorption element (16) is coupled to the base body (14) via a coupling and located between the portion (38) and the platelike element (30). The coupling is embodied fixedly in normal operation and enables in an emergency mode enables a rotary motion of the energy absorption element (16) relative to the base body (14). |
US08137161B2 |
Disk-shaped substrate manufacturing method
The disk-shaped substrate manufacturing method is provided with: generating an air stream downward from an upper area during grinding a disk-shaped substrate in a grinding apparatus; arranging the grinding apparatus on an upper floor face of a floor and arranging water on a lower floor face of the floor, the upper floor face being made of a board having penetration holes or a mesh member, and the lower floor face supporting the upper floor face so as to be located above the lower floor face with a distance; and guiding dust made by the grinding apparatus to the water by use of the air stream. |
US08137160B2 |
Gear matching device and gear machining apparatus
Provided is a gear matching device which performs gear matching to establish a rotational phase relationship between a grindstone (13) and a gear-shaped workpiece (W) in which the grindstone and the workpiece can mesh with each other, before gear machining is performed by causing the grindstone and the workpiece to mesh with each other, and by then relatively rotating the grindstone and the workpiece, the gear matching device including: a tail stock (16) which is supported to be movable in the axial direction of the workpiece, and by which the workpiece is pressed against a rotary table (18) to be rotatably held, the rotary table rotating the workpiece about the axis thereof; and a sensor (33) which is provided to the tail stock, and which faces the workpiece to detect the rotational phase thereof, when the tail stock holds the workpiece. |
US08137154B2 |
Brassiere wire
A brassiere wire molded in one-piece from a plastic material and including a U-shaped body with first and second arms connected by a central body region. The first and second arms include respective terminal ends of the U-shaped body and lie in a common plane with the central body region. The resiliency and rigidity characteristics of the plastic material permit the U-shaped body to distort out of the common plane and cause the central region to torsionally twist about its longitudinal axis when the terminal ends of the arms are flexed toward one another in opposed directions within the common plane. One arm includes a longitudinally extending flexure region spaced in-board from the terminal end of that arm and maintaining axial rigidity along the length of the U-shaped body while enabling an end of that arm to more readily flex in a direction perpendicular to the common plane. |
US08137151B2 |
Action toy
A toy figure for use in a game is provided, the toy having a body portion coupled to a controller movably secured to a base member that is fixedly secured to the body portion, wherein movement of the controller with respect to the base member causes a corresponding movement of the body portion with respect to the base member and movement of the base member causes a corresponding movement of the body portion and the controller; and a button disposed on the body portion, the button being capable of movement from a first position to a second position wherein movement of the button from the first position to the second position causes a pair of body parts pivotally secured to the body portion to pivot from a closed position to an opening position. |
US08137150B2 |
Infant toys and novelties using a plurality of tags
An infant toy is disclosed generally comprising a core section and a plurality of tags interconnected about the core section substantially forming the toy. The tags may be different lengths, widths, and colors, and may have different designs printed thereon, in order to further stimulate the infant. In certain embodiments, the tags are fabric loops, and in some embodiments, the toy has a handle member or a connector for attaching the toy to an accessory, such as car keys or a zipper pull. In some embodiments, the tags are arranged in an annular fashion such that they can be worn on the wrist or in the hair. |
US08137145B2 |
Wiring termination mechanisms and use thereof
New wiring terminations and methods are disclosed. The terminations may be incorporated into any suitable device such as wiring device which comprises a housing having a plurality of wire terminations. At least one of the plurality of wire terminations comprises a conductive surface and an element. The conductive surface is at least partially disposed within the housing. The element is movably mounted at least partially within the housing and is tool-lessly movable between at least a first position and a second position. The first position of the element actuates the termination such that the termination receives a wire and the second position of the element actuates the termination to removably clamp the wire. |
US08137144B1 |
Pin connector
A pin connector includes: a metal outer shell having a tubular wall that has an inner surface, an annular shoulder face that is formed on the inner surface, and a punched rib that protrudes inwardly from the inner surface above the annular shoulder face; and a metal clamping device having an annular wall with an outer surface abutted against the inner surface, a retaining flange, and a plurality of resilient clamp arms. The retaining flange protrudes outwardly from the outer surface of the annular wall to extend over the annular shoulder face and is pressed by the punched rib against the annular shoulder face. |
US08137142B1 |
Connector assembly
A connector assembly can include a first housing, a second housing and a connector position assurance insert. The second housing can be configured to mate with the first housing in a mated configuration such that a first electrical terminal and a second electrical terminal are coupled. The connector position assurance insert can be coupled to the first and second housing in the mated configuration and can include a first flexible lock member at a first end and a second flexible lock member at a second end opposite the first end. In the mated configuration, the first flexible lock member mates with the first locking feature and the second flexible lock member mates with the second locking feature such that the first housing, the second housing and the connector position assurance insert are fixedly secured at an appropriate locked position. |
US08137139B2 |
Circuit board connector with drilling tamper detection arrangement
A connector (26) transmits electrical signals between two electronic circuit boards (10, 12). The connector (26) comprises an electrically non-conductive support having two spaced surfaces (36, 38). Each surface (36, 38) has a respective interface (42) for electrical connection with a respective one of the two electronic circuit boards (10, 12) to be connected. At least one electrical conductor passes through the support and connects the two interfaces (42) for transmitting electrical signals between the two interfaces. The support also has an external surface (40). At least one electrically conductive pathway (A, B, C) is provided between the external surface (40) and the at least one electrical conductor for detecting an attempt to drill from the external surface to the at least one electrical conductor. |
US08137138B2 |
Housing base for an electrical connector
An electrical connector system includes a header connector that includes a header housing and a header contact. The header housing includes a header base and a header shroud extending from the header base. The header base includes a header contact opening. The header contact is held by the header base within the header contact opening. The system also includes a receptacle connector configured to mate with the header connector. The receptacle connector includes a receptacle housing and a receptacle contact that engages the header contact when the header and receptacle connectors are mated together. The receptacle housing includes a receptacle base and a receptacle shroud extending from the receptacle base. The receptacle base includes a receptacle contact opening. The receptacle contact is held by the receptacle base within the receptacle contact opening. The receptacle contact opening has a common size and shape to the header contact opening. |