最新美国发明专利第2012-05-29期 - 专利汇|PatentHub专利检索|专利查询网|发明专利查询分析

Document	Document Title
US08188173B2	Polyvinyl acetal powder coating material The present invention provides a polyvinyl acetal powder coating material capable of forming a coating film having a highly smooth surface, being less susceptible to yellowing when exposed to heat, and being suitable for working such as bending of a coated article. The present invention is a polyvinyl acetal powder coating material including: a polyvinyl acetal resin; and 0.02 to 5% by weight of an antioxidant relative to the polyvinyl acetal resin. The antioxidant has a molecular weight of 380 to 1000 and a melting point of 80 to 230° C. It is preferable that the molecular weight of the antioxidant be 400 to 1000.
US08188171B2	Polyisocyanate composition having improved impact-proof properties The invention relates to the use of additived (poly)isocyanate compositions for producing coatings, especially paints or varnishes for car bodywork parts, said compositions having excellent impact-resistant properties, especially grit-resistant properties.
US08188170B2	Polymers with low gel content and enhanced gas-fading A polymer stabilizing composition comprising a sterically hindered phenol and a phosphite that provides low gel content and enhanced resistance to gas-fading. The stabilizer composition is particular useful for stabilizing polyethylene homopolymers and copolymers, such as linear low density polyethylenes produced from metallocene catalyst. The sterically hindered phenol is selected from the group consisting of 1,3,5-tris-(4-tert-butyl-3-hydroxy-2,6-dimethylbenzyl)isocyanurate, 1,3,5-tris-(3,5-dicyclohexyl-4-hydroxybenzyl)isocyanurate, 1,3,5-tris-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzyl)isocyanurate,1,3,5-tris(4-t-butyl-3-hydroxy-2,6-dimethylbenzyl)-1,3,5-Triazine-2,4,6-(1H,3H,5H)-trione, and 1,3,5-tris-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzyl)-2,4,6-trimethylbenzene. The phosphite preferably is a liquid phosphite composition comprising two or more alkylated aryl phosphites.
US08188166B2	Unsaturated polyester resin compositions with improved weatherability Unsaturated polyester resin compositions with improved weathering characteristics are presented. Further, the manufacture of these unsaturated polyester resin compositions and their potential applications are presented.
US08188164B2	Cellulose-based masterbatch with improved breaking elongation, application thereof and method for preparing the same Disclosed herein is a thermoplastic cellulosic composition for preparing a cellulose-based masterbatch and/or a fiber with an improved breaking elongation. In one example, the thermoplastic cellulosic composition includes an esterified cellulose present in a range of about 77 wt % to about 95 wt %, polyethylene glycol present in a range of about 4.5 wt % to about 15 wt %, a bifunctional reactant present in a range of about 0.01 wt % to about 3 wt %, an initiator present in a range of about 0.01 wt % to about 0.15 wt %, and a dispersing agent present in a range of about 0.01 wt % to about 5 wt %.
US08188160B2	Ink set for inkjet recording, image recording method and image recording apparatus The ink set for inkjet recording includes: a water-based ink containing pigment particles and 10 to 25 wt % of water-soluble high-boiling-point organic solvent having an SP value of not higher than 30; and a treatment liquid containing a fluidity reducing agent which reduces fluidity of the pigment particles by making contact with the water-based ink, and 10 to 25 wt % of water-soluble high-boiling-point organic solvent having an SP value of not higher than 30.
US08188159B2	Environmentally friendly additives for inkjet inks An inkjet ink comprising polymeric fluoro-polymeric additives providing enhanced pen and print quality performance.
US08188158B2	Polymer based ink formulation The invention provides an ink formulation comprising a polymer associated self-dispersed colorant. The polymer has an alkyl amino end functional group that is chemically associated by electron donation/acceptation and hydrogen bonded to surface functional groups of the colorant particles. The modified self-dispersed colorant shows improved printing quality.
US08188156B2	Polyol composition, foaming composition and polyurethane foam Disclosed is a polyol composition containing an aromatic polyester polyol having a hydroxyl number of 300-500 mgKOH/g and an average number of functional groups of 2.0-2.5, a medium-chain polyether polyol having a hydroxyl number of 100-250 mgKOH/g and an average number of functional groups of 2.0-4.0 and composed of a polyoxypropylene unit, and a long-chain polyether polyol having a hydroxyl number of 15-40 mgKOH/g, an average number of functional groups of 2.0-4.0 and an oxyethylene content of not more than 14% by weight and mainly composed of a polyoxypropylene unit.
US08188155B2	Rubber de-vulcanisation The present invention relates to a method for preferentially breaking cross-links in a vulcanized rubber, thereby de-vulcanizing the rubber, by the use of a supercritical fluid, such as carbon dioxide The supercritical fluid causes swelling of the said vulcanized rubber material, wherein the time of swelling is not more than 50% of the time required for full volume equilibrium swelling of the rubber in said supercritical fluid and the swelling is followed by a rapid reduction of the supercritical fluid pressure The cross links (3) become fully extended and under strain to hold the internal pressures caused by the solvent swelling affect of the supercritical gas When equilibrium swell has been achieved, the pressure within the processing vessel is rapidly dropped to a predetermined level causing a degassing and expansion of the supercritical fluid that has been absorbed within the vulcanized rubber The resulting three dimensional separation of the rubber molecules will put a further rapid strain on the cross links, causing them to break (7), thereby giving the affect of de-vulcanization.
US08188152B2	2-aminoalcohols for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases Use of a compound for the manufacture of a medicament for use in therapy of a neurodegenerative condition, wherein the compound is of formula (I): wherein R1 is CHR4—OR5 or CHR4—SR5, or aryl or heteroaryi optionally substituted with one or more groups R6; R2 is alkyl or is part of a ring with R3; R3 is H, alkyl or CH2 (when forming part of a ring with R2); R4 is H or alkyl or is part of a ring with R 5; R5 is aryl or heteroaryi optionally substituted with R7; each R6 is independently alkyl, CF3, OH, Oalkyl, OCOalkyl, CONH2, CN, halogen, NH2, NO2, NHCHO, NHCONH2, NHSO2alkyl, CONH2, SOMe, SO2NH2, Salkyl, CH2SO2alkyl or OCONalkyl2; R7 is R8 or (CH2)nOR8, R9, CF3, OH, OR9, OCOR9, COR9, COOR9, CONH2, CH2CONH2, CN, halogen, NH2, NO2, NHCHO, NHCONH2, NHCONHR7, NHCON(R9)2, NHCOR9, NHCOaryl, NHSO2Me, CONH2, SMe, SOMe or SO2NH2; R8 is (CH2)nOR9, (CH)nOR9, (CH2)nCOOR9 or (CH2)nCOaryl; R9 is alkyl or cycloalkyl; and n is 1 to 4; or a salt thereof.
US08188150B2	Use of beta-aminoalcohols in the treatment of inflammatory disorders and pain A compound for therapeutic use, of the formula (I), wherein R1 is aryl or heteroaryl optionally substituted with R5; R2 is H, alkyl or CH2OH or forms part of a ring with R4; R3 is H, alkyl or CH2OH or forms part of a ring with R4; R4 is H, alkyl or (when forming part of a ring with R2 or R3) CH2; and R5 is alkyl, CF3, OH, Oalkyl, OCOalkyl, CONH2, CN, halogen, NH2, NO2, NHCHO, NHCONH2, NHSO2Me, CONH2, or SOMe; or a salt thereof.
US08188146B2	Highly purified ethyl EPA and other EPA derivatives A pharmaceutical preparation comprising EPA in an appropriately assimilable form where of all the fatty acids present in the preparation at least 90%, and preferably at least 95%, is in the form of EPA and where less than 5%, and preferably less than 3%, is in the form of DHA is provided.
US08188145B2	Synthetic lactone formulations and method of use Natural and synthetic compounds having a lactone structure methods for alleviation of pain, especially pain associated with disorders such as melanoma, leukemia, breast cancer, lung cancer, ovarian cancer, colon cancer, esophagus cancer, liver cancer, and lymphatic cancer. Initial studies have shown that patients can be taken off of morphine when the preferred alpha-methylene-gamma-butyrolactone is administered in a dosage of between 60 and 120 mg/day intramuscularly.
US08188134B2	Thiophene-carboxamides useful as inhibitors of protein kinases The present invention relates to compounds useful as inhibitors of protein kinase. The invention also provides pharmaceutically acceptable compositions comprising the compounds and methods of using the compositions in the treatment of various disease, conditions, or disorders. The invention also provides processes for preparing compounds of the inventions.
US08188129B2	(−)-enantiomer of the 2-[2-(1-chloro-cyclopropyl)-3-(2-chlorophenyl)-2-hydroxypropyl]-2,4-dihydro-[1,2,4]-triazole-3-thione A novel (−)-enantiomer of 2-[2-(1-chloro-cyclopropyl)-3-(2-chloro-phenyl)-2-hydroxypropyl]-2,4-dihydro-[1,2,4]-triazole-3-thione of the formula a process for preparing this novel active compound and its use as microbicide in crop protection and in the protection of materials.
US08188128B2	Opioid receptor subtype-selective agents Opioid receptor compounds and pharmaceutical compositions thereof are presented. Also presented are methods for treating a condition mediated by an opioid receptor by administering an effective amount of the opioid receptor compound to a patient in need thereof.
US08188127B2	Microbicidal composition Synergistic microbicidal compositions containing N-methyl-1,2-benzisothiazolin-3-one.
US08188126B2	Imidazolic compounds and use thereof as alpha-2 adrenergic receptors The invention provides methods of treating a memory deficiency in a subject in need of such treatment, where the methods comprise administering to a subject an effective amount of a compound of formula (1): wherein: R1 is hydrogen, fluorine or a methoxyl group, R1 being in position 2, 3, 4 or 5 of the aromatic carbocycle; R2 is hydrogen or a methyl group; R3 is hydrogen, a methyl group or an ethyl group; and their pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salt as well as the isomers and the tautomers thereof. The memory deficiency may be correlated with a memory deficiency induced by scopolamine.
US08188121B2	Substituted pyridines as antiparasitic AZA teraryl compounds Novel aza analogues of dicationic terphenyl compounds for use in combating microbial infections are described. The compounds include those of Formula (III): wherein one of A1, Y1, and Z1 is N; Ar1 is phenylene; and Ar3 is a nitrogen-containing aromatic group. An exemplary compound of Formula (III) is:
US08188120B2	Lactam-containing compounds and derivatives thereof as factor Xa inhibitors The present application describes lactam-containing compounds and derivatives thereof of Formula I: P4—P-M-M4 I or pharmaceutically acceptable salt forms thereof, wherein ring P, if present is a 5-7 membered carbocycle or heterocycle and ring M is a 5-7 membered carbocycle or heterocycle. Compounds of the present invention are useful as inhibitors of trypsin-like serine proteases, specifically factor Xa.
US08188119B2	Pyridine derivatives substituted with heterocyclic ring and γ-glutamylamino group, and antifungal agents containing same The present invention provides an antifungal agent which has excellent antifungal action, and which is also excellent in terms of its properties, and in particular its solubility in water and safety. The present invention discloses a compound represented by the following formula (I) or a salt thereof. wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, A, X, Y, and Z are defined in the specification.
US08188117B2	Piperidinyl-substituted isoquinolone derivatives The invention relates to 6-piperidinyl-substituted isoquinolone derivatives of the formula (I) or isoquinoline derivatives of the formula (I′) useful for the treatment and/or prevention of diseases associated with Rho-kinase and/or Rho-kinase mediated phosphorylation of myosin light chain phosphatase, and compositions containing such compounds.
US08188112B2	Naphthalamide derivatives having antiproliferative activity The invention relates to compounds for use in medicine. The compounds are of general formula (I) as disclosed herein and the pharmaceutically acceptable salts, individual isomers and mixtures of isomers thereof, wherein X, X′ and X″ are independently O or S; Z is N or P; R3 is optional and is selected from the group consisting of optionally substituted C1-8 alkyl, optionally substituted C2-6alkenyl, optionally substituted C2-6 alkynyl, optionally substituted C1-6 alkoxy, optionally substituted C1-6 thioalkyl, optionally substituted C5-10 aryl, optionally substituted C6-11 alkylaryl, optionally substituted C1-6 alkylamino, optionally substituted C1-6 alkylcarbonyl, optionally substituted C1-6 alkylsulfonamino, optionally substituted (C1-C6)alkylsulfinyl, optionally substituted C1-6 alkylcarbonylamino, optionally substituted hetero(C4-C10)aryl, hydroxyl, halogen, cyano, nitro, amino, formyl, and thiol; R1, R2, R4, R5, R6, R7, R8, R9, and R10 are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, optionally substituted C1-8 alkyl, optionally substituted C2-6 alkenyl, optionally substituted C2-6 alkynyl, optionally substituted C1-6 alkoxy, optionally substituted C1-6 thioalkyl, optionally substituted C5-10 aryl, optionally substituted C6-11 alkylaryl, optionally substituted C1-6 alkylamino, optionally substituted C1-6 alkylcarbonyl, optionally substituted C1-6 alkylsulfonamino, optionally substituted (C1-C6)alkylsulfinyl, optionally substituted C1-6 alkylcarbonylamino, optionally substituted hetero(C4-C10)aryl, hydroxyl, halogen, cyano, nitro, amino, formyl, and thiol; and - - - indicates an optional double bond.
US08188108B2	Pharmaceutical composition A pharmaceutical composition comprising an analgesic or analgesic combination and a stool softener is disclosed. The analgesic is selected from morphine, meperidine, fentanyl, hydromorphone, oxymorphone, oxycodone, hydrocodone, methadone, propoxyphene, pentazocine, levorphanol, codeine, acetaminophen and combinations of these analgesics. The composition is formulated for oral administration as a liquid or solid dosage form for immediate, slow, delayed or sustained-release characteristics.
US08188102B2	Amide derivative for inhibiting the growth of cancer cells The present invention provides a novel amide derivative of formula (I) and a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and a pharmaceutical composition comprising same as an active ingredient.
US08188100B2	Adenosine derivatives as A2A receptor agonists A compound of formula (I), or stereoisomers or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, formula (1), or stereoisomers or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, wherein A, U1, U2, R1a, R1b, R2 and R3 have the meanings as indicated in the specification, are useful for treating conditions mediated by activation of the adenosine A2A receptor, especially inflammatory or obstructive airways diseases. Pharmaceutical compositions that contain the compounds and a process for preparing the compounds are also described.
US08188098B2	GPR119 receptor agonists Provided herein are compounds of the formula (I): as well as pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, wherein the substituents are as those disclosed in the specification. These compounds, and the pharmaceutical compositions containing them, are useful for the treatment of metabolic diseases and disorders such as, for example, type II diabetes mellitus.
US08188096B2	Protein kinase targeted therapeutics The present invention relates to compositions and methods useful in treating diseases and disorders related to protein kinases. In particular, the present invention relates to compositions and methods useful for targeting protein kinases related to mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways (e.g., p38 MAPK, JNK, ERK, and upstream and downstream protein kinases) and/or casein kinase (CK) pathways (e.g., CK1δ, and upstream and downstream protein kinases), and diseases and disorders related to MAPK pathways (e.g., p38 MAPK, JNK, ERK, and upstream and downstream protein kinases) and/or CK pathways (e.g., CK1δ, and upstream and downstream protein kinases).
US08188094B2	Inhibitors of glutaminyl cyclase Compounds of formula (I), combinations and uses thereof for disease therapy, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate or polymorph thereof, including all tautomers and stereoisomers thereof wherein: A represents and B, R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7, Y and Z are as defined throughout the description and the claims.
US08188093B2	Pyrazinecarboxamide derivatives as HDL-cholesterol raising agents The present invention relates to a method of raising HDL cholesterol comprising administering to a patient in need thereof a compound of the formula wherein A, G, R1 to R8 and R17 are as defined in the description.
US08188091B2	Tetrahydroquinazoline compounds and their use in preparing medicaments for treating and preventing virosis The present invention relates to a compound of formula (I) or isomers thereof, or pharmaceutically acceptable salts or hydrates thereof. The present invention further relates to processes for the preparation of the compounds of formula (I) and optical isomers, and to the use of the compounds of formula (I), or isomers thereof, or pharmaceutically acceptable salts or hydrates thereof as medicaments, in particular as medicaments for the treatment and prevention of Hepatitis B.
US08188089B2	Tylophorine analogs as antitumor agents Compounds of Formula I are described: preferably subject to the proviso that either (a) R2 and R3 together form —O—CH(R10)—O—, or (b) R5 and R6 together form —O—CH(R10)—O—, wherein R10 is H, halo, or loweralkyl. Pharmaceutical salts, formulations, and methods of using the same in the treatment of cancer are also described.
US08188077B2	Apoptosis-inducing agents for the treatment of cancer and immune and autoimmune diseases Disclosed are compounds which inhibit the activity of anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 proteins, compositions containing the compounds and methods of treating diseases during which is expressed anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 protein.
US08188075B2	Triazole compounds that modulate HSP90 activity The present invention relates to substituted triazole compounds and compositions comprising substituted triazole compounds. The invention further relates to methods of treating or inhibiting angiogenesis in a subject in need thereof and methods for blocking, occluding, or otherwise disrupting blood flow in neo vasculature, in a subject in need thereof comprising administering to the subject a substituted triazole compound of the invention, or a composition comprising such a compound.
US08188074B2	Biologically active methylene blue derivatives The present invention relates to a composition which includes a moiety of formula wherein R1, R2, R3 and R4 each represent n-pentyl, and to a method of sterilizing a su fluid using same.
US08188072B2	Benzodiazepinone compounds useful in the treatment of skin conditions The present invention provides a family of benzodiazepinone compounds and pharmaceutical compositions thereof. The present invention also provides methods of treating certain skin conditions, e.g., atopic dermatitis, rosacea, or psoriasis, by administering a benzodiazepinone and methods of reducing the proliferation of keratinocyte cells by exposing such cells to a benzodiazepinone.
US08188071B2	Amino substituted pyridines as potent kinase inhibitors The present invention relates to compounds useful as inhibitors of protein kinase of the following structural formula: The invention also provides pharmaceutically acceptable compositions comprising said compounds and methods of using the compositions in the treatment of various disease, conditions, or disorders. The invention also provides processes for preparing compounds of the inventions.
US08188070B2	Method of treating neurological diseases and disorders The present invention provides methods for treating neurological diseases and disorders. Compounds that replace or enhance the function of SMN or alleviate or reduce a phenotype of cells with low SMN protein levels are provided. Screening methods and kits for identifying such compounds also are provided.
US08188065B2	Boldine compounds for promoting bone growth The present invention provides a method of promoting bone growth in a subject in need thereof, by administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of Formula I. The present invention also provides methods for the treatment of renal disease and cancer.
US08188062B2	Delivery of DNA or RNA via gap junctions from host cells to target cells and a cell-based delivery system for antisense or siRNA A method of delivering an oligonucleotide or a plasmid expressing an oligonucleotide into a target cell comprises introducing an oligonucleotide into a donor cell, particularly a stem cell, and contacting the target cell with the donor cell under conditions permitting the donor cell to form a gap junction with the target cell, whereby the oligonucleotide or a product of the oligonucleotide is delivered into the target cell from the donor cell.
US08188058B2	Use of toll-like receptor-9 agonists, toll-like receptor-4 antagonists, and/or nuclear oligomerization domain-2 agonists for the treatment or prevention of toll-like receptor-4-associated disorders The present invention relates to the use of a TLR9 agonist and/or a TLR4 antagonist and/or a NOD2 agonist for treatment or prevention of disorders involving TLR4 activation, such as systemic sepsis and necrotizing enterocolitis.
US08188057B2	Modulation of 11beta-hydroxysteriod dehydrogenase 1 expression for the treatment of ocular diseases The invention relates to siNA compositions and methods for the treatment of eye conditions wherein the siNA compound capable of inhibiting the expression of 11 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (11 beta-HSD1).
US08188055B2	Inactivators of O6-alkylguanine-DNA alkyltransferase Disclosed are compounds that are AGT inactivators that include a folate residue, e.g., a compound of formula (I), wherein X1, X2, R1, and R2 are as described herein. Also disclosed is a pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound of the invention and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. Also disclosed are methods of enhancing the chemotherapeutic treatment of tumor cells and inactivating AGT in a tumor cell. The methods comprise, inter alia, administering a compound or pharmaceutically acceptable salt of formula (I).
US08188051B2	Metadherin polypeptides, encoding nucleic acids and methods of use Metadherin, a protein that controls metastasis, and variants of metadherin are described. DNA sequences encoding the same and methods of production are described. Therapies involving the application of metadherin, binding agents that bind to metadherin, such as antibodies, and expression modulating agents, such as siRNA, are described. The use of metadherin or metadherin variants for delivering desired substances to particular lung tissue is described. A method of diagnosing metastatic cells based on the presence of metadherin is described.
US08188050B2	Pharmaceutical and/or cosmetic composition containing peptides The present invention concerns the use of peptide fragments of the protein SLC24A5 as active agents designed to induce, increase, or restore the synthesis of melanin in the melanocytes of the epidermis or of the pilar bulb, alone or in association with at least one other active agent, in a cosmetic composition or for the preparation of a pharmaceutical or particularly dermatological composition. The invention is also related to any composition containing the active agents.
US08188042B1	Nanoparticles for protein drug delivery The invention discloses bioactive nanoparticles composed of chitosan, poly-glutamic acid, and diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid for use in radionuclide decorporation during radiological emergency. The chitosan-based nanoparticles are characterized with a positive surface charge and enhanced permeability for oral drug delivery.
US08188040B2	FGF21 mutants and uses thereof The invention provides nucleic acid molecules encoding FGF21 mutant polypeptides, FGF21 mutant polypeptides, pharmaceutical compositions comprising FGF21 mutant polypeptides, and methods for treating metabolic disorders using such nucleic acids, polypeptides, or pharmaceutical compositions.
US08188038B2	Osteogenic compositions containing a coloring agent An osteogenic composition is provided for implantation at or near a target tissue site beneath the skin, the osteogenic composition comprising a growth factor and a coloring agent, wherein the coloring agent imparts color to the growth factor to allow the user to see the growth factor at or near the target tissue site. In some embodiments, a method is provided for accelerating bone repair, the method comprising mixing bone morphogenic protein-2 and a coloring agent to form a mixture; applying the mixture to a surface of a porous collagen matrix, wherein the coloring agent allows the user to see bone morphogenic protein-2 distribution on or in the porous collagen matrix; and implanting the porous collagen matrix at or near a target tissue site in need of bone repair.
US08188034B2	Methods and compositions for blocking platelet and cell adhesion, cell migration and inflammation The present invention provides compositions of saratin and methods of use thereof. One aspect of the invention is a method of prevention or mitigation of the development of adhesions, keloids and scars. The adhesions, keloids and scars can be due to surgery, such as plastic surgery or orthopedic surgery, or can be pre-existing scars. Another aspect of the invention is a method for treatment of flexor tendon injuries.
US08188031B2	Reusable antistatic dryer products and methods for fabricating the same Dryer products that impart antistatic properties to textiles and methods for fabricating such dryer products are provided. In one exemplary embodiment, a dryer product comprises a water-insoluble, moisture-permeable, enclosed container and a desiccant within the water-insoluble, moisture-permeable, enclosed container. The desiccant is adapted to impart antistatic properties to the textiles during a drying cycle. In another exemplary embodiment, a method for fabricating a reusable antistatic dryer product comprises the steps of providing a desiccant adapted to absorb moisture and be solubilized in the moisture, depositing the desiccant in a water-insoluble, moisture-permeable container, and enclosing the desiccant within the water-insoluble, moisture-permeable container.
US08188030B2	Fabric softener compositions and methods of manufacture thereof Disclosed herein is a fabric softener composition comprising a fabric softener active compound that comprises a quarternary ammonium salt and/or an imidazolinium salt, and a ketal adduct of formula (12) wherein R1 is C1-6 alkyl, R2 is hydrogen or C1-3 alkyl, each R3 and R4, is independently hydrogen or C1-6 alkyl, each R5 and R6 is independently hydrogen or C1-6 alkyl, or hydroxymethyl, R7 is hydrogen, C1-6 alkyl, C1-6 alkyl substituted with up to four OR8 groups wherein R8 is hydrogen, C1-6 alkyl, or acetyl, a is 0-3, and b is 0-1.
US08188029B2	Hydrophilic polyurethane foam articles comprising an antimicrobial compound Foamed polyurethane articles, such as a sponges, sheets, tapes or ribbons, blocks or other molded, extruded or cast article which foamed polyurethane articles exhibit an antimicrobial benefit and are particularly useful in the formation of cleaning articles. Processes for the manufacture of such cleaning articles based on hydrophilic polyurethane foams exhibit an antimicrobial benefit and their use are also described.
US08188026B2	Liquid treatment composition According to the present invention there is provided a pearlescent liquid treatment composition suitable for use as a laundry or hard surface cleaning composition comprising a rheology modifier providing a pouring viscosity at 20 sec−1 of from 50 to 700 cps, a viscosity at constant low stress of 0.1 Pa which is at least 300 cps, preferably 500 cps and a pearlescent agent, said pearlescent agent having D0.99 volume particle size of less than 60 μm.
US08188025B2	Sanitizing and cleaning composition and its use for sanitizing and/or cleaning hard surfaces The present invention relates to acidic sanitizing and/or cleaning compositions comprising a specific quaternary antimicrobial system consisting of C1-C4 hydroxyalkyl carboxylic acids, C5-C18 alkyl monocarboxylic acids, unsubstituted or substituted, saturated or unsaturated C4-dicarboxylic acids and additional inorganic or organic acids. The compositions of the present invention can be present in the form of concentrates and in the form of diluted use solutions. They can be used in a process for sanitizing and/or cleaning hard surfaces, preferably in a cleaning-in-place (CIP) and/or sanitize-in-place (SIP) process for cleaning and/or sanitizing plants in the food, dairy, beverage, brewery and soft drink industries.
US08188023B2	4-alkyl cyclohexanepropanal compounds and their use in perfume compositions The present invention is directed to novel 4-alkyl cyclohexanepropanal compounds and a method of improving, enhancing or modifying a fragrance formulation through the addition of an olfactory acceptable amount of the novel compounds.
US08188022B2	Multilayer fragrance encapsulation comprising kappa carrageenan Disclosed herein is a fragrance composition and a method for making the same having a fragrance particulate and a viscoelastic gel; where the composition has enhanced fragrance retention throughout the processing of the composition.
US08188018B2	Lubricating oil composition A lubricating oil composition for use in oil-impregnated sintered bearings together with a resin member having C═C bonds or C═O groups in the molecules, which comprises a base oil comprising a synthetic hydrocarbon oil as the main component, and 0.1-30% by weight of an ester-based oil on the basis of total composition, and free from zinc dialkyldithiophosphate and molybdenum dialkyldithiocarbamate, where the synthetic hydrocarbon oil as the main component of the base oil has substantially no adverse effect on resin, can minimize an adverse effect on various metal species of sintered materials by suppressing a mixing amount of a wear inhibitor or an extreme pressure agent to a minimum, without deteriorating a good lubricability required for the lubricating oil in oil-impregnated sintered bearings.
US08188017B2	Organic molybdenum compounds and oil compositions containing the same The present invention provides novel organic molybdenum compounds, the use thereof as friction-modifiers and lubricating compositions which contain said compounds.The organic molybdenum compounds can be represented by the general formula (1) which is indicated below, wherein A1 and A2 are heterocyclic rings which may have substituent groups.
US08188009B2	4-(3-aminobenzoyl)-5-cyclopropylisoxazoles effective as herbicides 4-(3-Aminobenzoyl)-5-cyclopropylisoxazoles of the formula (I) are described as herbicides. In this formula (I), A, X, Y and Z are radicals such as hydrogen, organic radicals such as alkyl, and other radicals such as halogen.
US08188008B2	Herbicidally and insecticidally active 4-phenyl-substituted pyridazinones The invention describes phenyl-substituted pyridazinones of the formula (I) as herbicides and insecticides. In this formula (I), A, B, G, X, Y and Z are radicals such as hydrogen, organic radicals such as alkyl, and other radicals such as halogen, nitro and cyano.
US08187998B2	Document and method of manufacturing a document A document has a carrier layer and at least a functional layer. The functional layer is provided with a content of bacteriorhodopsin as color pigment and, when the document is printed generating an essentially irreversible color change in the area of the bacteriorhodopsin by a supply of energy.
US08187997B2	Low metal loaded, catalyst compositions including acidic mixed metal oxide as support The invention provides a catalyst composition composed of a support portion and a catalyst portion. The support portion includes an acidic mixed metal oxide including a transitional alumina and a second metal oxide. The transitional alumina can comprise delta or theta alumina, in combination with other transitional phases, or an alpha or gamma alumina. The second metal oxide has a weight percentage that is less than the weight percentage of alumina. The catalyst portion is 25 weight percent or less of the catalyst composition and is composed of nickel and rhenium. The catalyst portion includes nickel in an amount in the range of 2 to 20 weight percent, based upon total catalyst composition weight, and there is no boron in the catalyst portion.
US08187996B2	Exhaust gas-purifying catalyst An object of the present invention is to provide an exhaust gas-purifying catalyst containing a composite oxide catalyst and a refractory support and being less prone to cause a decrease in its activity even when used at high temperatures in an atmosphere with high oxygen concentration. An exhaust gas-purifying catalyst includes a composite oxide catalyst containing rare-earth element, alkaline-earth element and precious metal, a part of the rare-earth element and a part of the alkaline-earth element forming composite oxide, and the composite oxide and a part of the precious metal forming solid solution, and a refractory support supporting the composite oxide catalyst and including at least one of a first composite oxide represented by a general formula AB2O4, a second composite oxide having perovskite structure represented by a general formula LMO3, and a third composite oxide having pyrochlore structure represented by a general formula X2Y2O7.
US08187995B2	Cerium/zirconium-base composite oxide, method for producing the same, oxygen storage/release component using said cerium-zirconium-base composite oxide, exhaust gas purification catalyst, and exhaust gas purification method using the same This invention relates to a cerium-zirconium-base composite oxide, which is useful, e.g., for the purification of exhaust gas discharged from combustion engines such as internal combustion engines and boilers and can release a high level of oxygen in a low temperature region, a method for producing the same, an oxygen storage/release component using the same, an exhaust gas purification catalyst, and an exhaust gas purification method. The cerium-zirconium-base composite oxide satisfies requirements (1) that the oxygen release initiation temperature is 380° C. or below, (2) that the oxygen release amount is not less than 485 μmol/g, and further (3) that the oxygen release amount at 400° C. is not less than 15 μmol/g. The cerium-zirconium-base composite oxide can be produced, for example, by mixing a starting material for cerium and a starting material for zirconium at a predetermined mixing ratio together, melting the starting material mixture at a temperature at or above the melting point, then cooling the melt to form an ingot, then optionally grinding the ingot to prepare powder, subsequently removing strain within powder crystal grains under heating, and then grinding to a further fine state.
US08187990B2	Hollow piece for producing a sintered refractory product exhibiting improved bubbling behaviour A green part, a region of a refractory furnace or a hollow piece for producing a sintered refractory has the following mean mineral chemical composition in weight percent based of mineral oxides: 40%≦Al2O3≦94%, 0%≦ZrO2≦41%, 2%≦SiO2≦22%, 1%
US08187984B2	Temperature responsive smart textile A textile fabric includes a smooth surface with one or more regions having coating material exhibiting thermal expansion or contraction in response to change in temperature, adjusting insulation performance of the textile fabric in response to ambient conditions.
US08187982B2	Manufacture method for photovoltaic module The invention permits a plurality of strips of resin adhesive film having a desired width and unwound from a single feeding reel to be simultaneously pasted on a solar cell. For this purpose, the invention comprises the steps of: unwinding a resin adhesive film sheet from a reel on which the resin adhesive film sheet is wound; splitting the unwound resin adhesive film into two or more film strips in correspondence to lengths of wiring material to bond; pasting the strips of resin adhesive film on an electrode of the solar cell; and placing the individual lengths of wiring material on the electrode of the solar cell having the plural strips of resin adhesive film pasted thereon and thermally setting the resin adhesive film by heating so as to fix together the electrode of the solar cell and the wiring material.
US08187979B2	Workpiece patterning with plasma sheath modulation Methods to texture or fabricate workpieces are disclosed. The workpiece may be, for example, a solar cell. This texturing may involve etching or localized sputtering using a plasma where a shape of a boundary between the plasma and the plasma sheath is modified with an insulating modifier. The workpiece may be rotated in between etching or sputtering steps to form pyramids. Regions of the workpiece also may be etched or sputtered with ions formed from a plasma adjusted by an insulating modifier and doped. A metal layer may be formed on these doped regions.
US08187978B2	Method of forming openings in a semiconductor device and semiconductor device A method of forming openings to a layer of a semiconductor device comprises forming a dielectric layer over the layer of the semiconductor device, forming a main mask over the dielectric layer, the main mask comprising a plurality of main mask openings arranged in a regular pattern extending over the dielectric layer, using a selector mask to select some of the plurality of main mask openings and removing portions of the dielectric layer through the selected some of the plurality of main mask openings to provide openings extending through the dielectric layer to the layer.
US08187977B2	Automatic gain control Methods and apparatus for automatic gain control. A film on a substrate is polished by a chemical mechanical polisher that includes a polishing pad and an in-situ monitoring system. The polishing pad includes a first portion, and the in-situ monitoring system includes a light source and a light detector. The light source emits light, and light emitted from the light source is directed through the first portion and to a surface of the film being polished. Light reflecting from the surface of the film being polished and passing through the first portion is received at the light detector. An electronic signal is generated based on the light received at the light detector. When the electronic signal is evaluated not to satisfy one or more constraints, a gain for the light detector is adjusted so that the electronic signal would satisfy the one or more constraints.
US08187976B2	Stable P-type semiconducting behaviour in Li and Ni codoped ZnO A method is provided for growing a stable p-type ZnO thin film with low resistivity and high mobility. The method includes providing an n-type Li—Ni co-doped ZnO target in a chamber, providing a substrate in the chamber, and ablating the target to form the thin film on the substrate.
US08187969B2	Method for manufacturing semiconductor device A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device includes the steps of forming conductive patterns on a substrate; forming an interlayer dielectric between the conductive patterns; defining contact holes in the interlayer dielectric to expose portions of the substrate between the conductive patterns; forming a first conductive layer on a surface including the contact holes; forming contact plugs in such a way as to be isolated in the respective contact holes, by etching a surface of the first conductive layer to expose upper end surfaces of the conductive patterns; etching a partial thickness of the conductive patterns so that the upper end surfaces of the conductive patterns are lower than an upper end surface of the interlayer dielectric; and forming an insulation layer on the resultant structure.
US08187968B2	Methods of post-contact back end of line through-hole via integration Presented are methods of fabricating three-dimensional integrated circuits that include post-contact back end of line through-hole via integration for the three-dimensional integrated circuits. Another aspect of the present invention includes three-dimensional integrated circuits fabricated according to methods of the present invention.
US08187967B2	Method of manufacturing a non-volatile memory device A method of manufacturing a non-volatile memory device providing a semiconductor layer in which a cell region and a peripheral region are defined, sequentially forming a first insulating layer, a first conductive layer, a second insulating layer, and a second conductive layer on the cell region and the peripheral region, forming a trench for exposing a portion of the first conductive layer of the peripheral region, wherein the trench is formed by removing portions of the second conductive layer and the second insulating layer in the peripheral region, performing a trimming operation for removing portions of the second conductive layer and the second insulating layer of the cell region, forming a spacer on a side surface of the trench, and forming a silicide layer that is electrically connected to the first conductive layer, wherein the silicide layer is formed by performing a silicidation process on the spacer.
US08187960B2	Method of joining and method of fabricating an organic light emitting diode display device using the same A method of joining a flexible layer and a support includes forming a first metal layer on one surface of the flexible layer, forming a second metal layer on one surface of the support, cleaning the first metal layer and the second metal layer, and joining the first metal layer to the second metal layer, such that the first metal layer is between the flexible layer and the second metal layer.
US08187957B2	Field-effect transistor and method for fabricating the same A field-effect transistor that increases the operation speeds of complementary field-effect transistors. Each of an nMOSFET and a pMODFET has a Ge channel and source and drain regions formed of an NiGe layer. The height of Schottky barriers formed at a junction between a channel region and the source region of the nMOSFET and at a junction between the channel region and the drain region of the nMOSFET is changed by very thin high-concentration segregation layers formed by making As atoms, Sb atoms, S atoms or the like segregate at the time of forming the NiGe layer. As a result, Schottky barrier height suitable for the nMOSFET and the pMODFET can be obtained, this being capable of realizing high-speed CMOSFETS.
US08187955B2	Graphene growth on a carbon-containing semiconductor layer A semiconductor-carbon alloy layer is formed on the surface of a semiconductor substrate, which may be a commercially available semiconductor substrate such as a silicon substrate. The semiconductor-carbon alloy layer is converted into at least one graphene layer during a high temperature anneal, during which the semiconductor material on the surface of the semiconductor-carbon alloy layer is evaporated selective to the carbon atoms. As the semiconductor atoms are selectively removed and the carbon concentration on the surface of the semiconductor-carbon alloy layer increases, the remaining carbon atoms in the top layers of the semiconductor-carbon alloy layer coalesce to form a graphene layer having at least one graphene monolayer. Thus, a graphene layer may be provided on a commercially available semiconductor substrate having a diameter of 200 mm or 300 mm.
US08187954B2	Method for manufacturing silicon single crystal wafer The present invention provides a method for manufacturing a silicon single crystal wafer, in which a silicon single crystal wafer that is fabricated based on a Czochralski method and has an entire plane in a radial direction formed of an N region is subjected to a rapid thermal annealing in an oxidizing atmosphere, an oxide film formed in the rapid thermal annealing in the oxidizing atmosphere is removed, and then a rapid thermal annealing is carried out in a nitriding atmosphere, an Ar atmosphere, or a mixed atmosphere of these atmospheres. As a result, there can be provided the manufacturing method that can inexpensively manufacture a silicon single crystal wafer both in which a DZ layer is formed in a wafer surface layer to provide excellent device characteristics and in which an oxide precipitate functioning as a gettering site can be sufficiently formed in a bulk region.
US08187949B2	Semiconductor device and method of manufacturing the same When a thin semiconductor device is formed by grinding a wafer, it has been necessary to dice the wafer into dies and process the back surfaces of the dies separately. In the invention, a wafer 2a is half-diced from the front surface thereof to form groove portions 4 therein, and in this state, the front surface of the wafer 2a is attached to a supporting body 5 having rigidity with an adhesive layer 6. Then, the wafer 2a is ground from the back surface and diced into individual dies 2b, and then a back surface process including a heat treatment such as the formation of back surface electrodes 9a is performed in the state where the dies 2b are attached to the supporting body 5.
US08187947B2	Capacitor structure in trench structures of semiconductor devices and semiconductor devices comprising capacitor structures of this type and methods for fabricating the same A capacitor structure in trench structures of a semiconductor device includes conductive regions made of metallic and/or semiconducting materials. The conducting regions are surrounded by a dielectric and form stacked layers in the trench structure of the semiconductor device.
US08187944B2	Patterned capacitor ground shield for inductor in an integrated circuit Integrated circuits are disclosed including at least one inductor-capacitor component, where each of the inductor-capacitor components includes an inductor and a capacitor constructed between the inductor and a substrate. The inductor includes at least one metal loop over a shield pattern forming a first capacitor terminal over patterned oxide layer with a second capacitor layer between the patterned oxide layer and the substrate.
US08187934B2	Reverse construction memory cell A method of fabricating a memory cell comprises forming a plurality of doped semiconductor layers on a carrier substrate. The method further comprises forming a plurality of digit lines separated by an insulating material. The digit lines are arrayed over the doped semiconductor layers. The method further comprises etching a plurality of trenches into the doped semiconductor layers. The method further comprises depositing an insulating material into the plurality of trenches to form a plurality of electrically isolated transistor pillars. The method further comprises bonding at least a portion of the structure formed on the carrier substrate to a host substrate. The method further comprises separating the carrier substrate from the host substrate.
US08187933B2	Methods of forming dielectric material-containing structures Some embodiments include dielectric structures. The structures include first and second portions that are directly against one another. The first portion may contain a homogeneous mixture of a first phase and a second phase. The first phase may have a dielectric constant of greater than or equal to 25, and the second phase may have a dielectric constant of less than or equal to 20. The second portion may be entirely a single composition having a dielectric constant of greater than or equal to 25. Some embodiments include electrical components, such as capacitors and transistors, containing dielectric structures of the type described above. Some embodiments include methods of forming dielectric structures, and some embodiments include methods of forming electrical components.
US08187932B2	Three dimensional horizontal diode non-volatile memory array and method of making thereof A non-volatile memory device contains a three dimensional stack of horizontal diodes located in a trench in an insulating material, a plurality of storage elements, a plurality of word lines extending substantially vertically, and a plurality of bit lines. Each of the plurality of bit lines has a first portion that extends up along at least one side of the trench and a second portion that extends substantially horizontally through the three dimensional stack of the horizontal diodes. Each of the horizontal diodes is a steering element of a respective non-volatile memory cell of the non-volatile memory device, and each of the plurality of storage elements is located adjacent to a respective steering element.
US08187931B2	Method for fabricating a semiconductor device with a substrate protrusion A semiconductor device includes a substrate having an active region and an isolation region, a gate pattern crossing both the active region and the isolation region of the substrate, and a protrusion having a surface higher than that of the substrate over at least an edge of the active region contacting a portion of the isolation region under the gate pattern.
US08187924B2	Method, design program and design support device for semiconductor integrated circuit, and semiconductor integrated circuit A design method for a semiconductor integrated circuit, includes: a first calculating step; a second calculating step; and a setting step. The first step is a step of calculating a consumption current amount of a layout target circuit based on circuit information. The second calculating step is a step of calculating a suppliable current amount per unit area in a region where a power can be supplied from a power wiring line. The setting step is a step of setting a cell size of the layout target circuit based on the consumption current amount so that a consumption current amount per unit area of the layout target circuit is smaller than the suppliable current amount per unit area.
US08187922B2	Low cost flexible substrate A low cost flexible substrate is described which comprises a thin metal foil and a layer of solder mask. The metal foil layer is patterned to create tracks and lands for solder bonding and/or wirebonding and the layer of solder mask is patterned to create openings for solder bonding, wirebonding and/or for mounting the die. The substrate may be used as a package substrate to create a packaged die or may be used as a replacement for more expensive flexible printed circuit boards.
US08187918B2	Methods of forming multi-level cell of semiconductor memory Provided is a method of forming a semiconductor memory cell in which in order to store two bits or more data in a memory cell, three or more bottom electrode contacts (BECs) and phase-change materials (GST) have a parallel structure on a single contact plug (CP) and set resistances are changed depending on thicknesses (S), lengths (L) or resistivities (ρ) of the three or more bottom electrode contacts, so that a reset resistance and three different set resistances enable data other than in set and reset states to be stored. Also, a method of forming a memory cell in which three or more phase-change materials (GST) have a parallel structure on a single bottom electrode contact, and the phase-change materials have different set resistances depending on composition ratio or type, so that four or more different resistances can be implemented is provided.
US08187915B2	Aryl dicarboxylic acid diimidazole-based compounds as n-type semiconductor materials for thin film transistors A process for fabricating a thin film semiconductor device includes the following steps, but not necessarily in the noted order. Firstly, a thin film of organic semiconductor material is deposited onto a substrate. This thin film of organic semiconductor material comprises organic semiconductor material that comprises one or more aryl dicarboxylic diimidazole-based compounds of claim 1 such that the film exhibits a field effect electron mobility that is greater than 0.005 cm2/Vs. Then, the process includes forming a spaced apart source electrode and drain electrode, wherein the source electrode and the drain electrode are separated by and electrically connected with, the n-channel semiconductor film. A gate electrode is then formed, spaced apart from the semiconductor material. One or more of the thin film semiconductor devices (or transistors) can be incorporated into an electronic device.
US08187914B2	Methods of forming a phase change memory device Provided are methods of forming a phase change memory device. A semiconductor device having a lower electrode and an interlayer insulating layer may be prepared. The lower electrode may be surrounded by the interlayer insulating layer. Source gases, a reaction gas and a purge gas may be injected into a process chamber of a semiconductor fabrication device to form a phase change material layer on a semiconductor substrate. The source gases may be simultaneously injected into the process chamber. The phase change material layer may be in contact with the lower electrode through the interlayer insulating layer. The phase change material layer may be etched to form a phase change memory cell in the interlayer insulating layer. An upper electrode may be formed on the phase change memory cell.
US08187911B2	Method for forming the separating lines of a photovoltaic module with series-connected cells For forming the separating lines, (5, 6, 7) which are produced in the functional layers (2, 3, 4) deposited on a transparent substrate (1) during manufacture of a photo-voltaic module with series-connected cells (C1, C2, . . . ), at least one laser scanner (8) is used whose laser beam (14) produces in the field (17) scanned thereby a plurality of separating line sections (18, 18′) disposed side by side in the functional layer (2, 3, 4). The laser scanner (8) is moved relative to the coated substrate (1) in the direction (Y) of the separating lines (5, 6, 7), thereby giving rise to an overlap (36) of adjacent fields (17, 17′). At the same time, the laser scanner (8) produces separating line sections (18, 18′) which are of hook-shaped configuration at least at one end (32) so as to form a catching area in which the ends (31, 32) of the separating line sections (18, 18′) of adjacent fields (17, 17′) overlap.
US08187909B2	Backside illuminated image sensor having deep light reflective trenches An array of pixels is formed using a semiconductor layer having a frontside and a backside through which incident light is received. Each pixel typically includes a photosensitive region formed in the semiconductor layer and a trench formed adjacent to the photosensitive region. The trench causes the incident light to be directed away from the trench and towards the photosensitive region.
US08187903B2	Method of epitaxially growing piezoresistors A method of forming a device with a piezoresistor is disclosed herein. In one embodiment, the method includes providing a substrate, etching a trench in the substrate to form a vertical wall, growing a piezoresistor layer epitaxially on the vertical wall, and separating the vertical wall from an underlying layer of the substrate that extends along a horizontal plane such that the piezoresistor layer is movable with respect to the underlying layer within the horizontal plane.
US08187901B2	Epitaxial formation support structures and associated methods Epitaxial formation support structures and associated methods of manufacturing epitaxial formation support structures and solid state lighting devices are disclosed herein. In several embodiments, a method of manufacturing an epitaxial formation support substrate can include forming an uncured support substrate that has a first side, a second side opposite the first side, and coefficient of thermal expansion substantially similar to N-type gallium nitride. The method can further include positioning the first side of the uncured support substrate on a first surface of a first reference plate and positioning a second surface of a second reference plate on the second side to form a stack. The first and second surfaces can include uniformly flat portions. The method can also include firing the stack to sinter the uncured support substrate. At least side of the support substrate can form a planar surface that is substantially uniformly flat.
US08187900B2	Optimization of polishing stop design The present invention provides a method of fabricating vertical LED structures in which the substrate used for epitaxial layer growth is removed through polishing. The polishing technique used in an exemplary embodiment is chemical mechanical polishing using polish stops to provide a sufficiently level plane. Polish stops are provided in the multilayer structure before polishing the surface, the hardness of the polish stop material being greater than the hardness of the material that needs to be removed. Consequently, vertical LEDs can be produced at a lower cost and higher yield compared to either laser lift-off or conventional polishing. Exemplary vertical LEDs are GaN LEDs. The polish stops may be removed by saw dicing, laser dicing or plasma etching.
US08187896B1	Online gaming system for simulating a baseball game An online gaming system for simulating a baseball game comprising: a server with a processor, a network in communication with the server, at least one client device in communication with the network, wherein the at least one client device has an input device, a display device, and a monetary acceptance feature, and a database in communication with the processor. The database comprises electronic decks of baseball offense, defense, and playing cards, and computer instructions for randomizing the decks, permitting input of a bet from the input device and monetary acceptance feature, dealing cards, permitting selection and display of cards, determining a game outcome based on the cards selected, and awarding winnings based on the bet and the game outcome.
US08187890B2	Rapid sensing of toxic metals with hybrid inorganic materials Methods for rapid sensing of dissolved toxic heavy metals use a hybrid inorganic material (“HIM”), which is synthesized from hydrated iron oxide (“HFO”) and calcium magnesium silicate. HIM thus synthesized is used in sensing dissolved toxic heavy metals. Water containing toxic heavy metals (e.g., lead, copper, zinc, nickel, etc.) is passed through a sorbent bed of HIM, whereupon it shows a sharp drop in pH after a certain length of time. The presence of HFO and calcium magnesium silicates in HIM synergistically provide a precipitous drop in pH, which is characteristic of the concentration and type of toxic heavy metal. Therefore, observing a change in pH indicates the presence and identity of heavy metal ions in a test water sample.
US08187887B2	Method and apparatus for determining radiation The present invention relates to devices, systems, and methods for determination of ionizing radiation. In some embodiments, the devices comprise nanocomposite materials containing nanostructures (e.g., carbon nanotubes) dispersed in radiation sensitive polymers. In some cases, the device may include a conductive pathway that may be affected upon exposure to ionizing radiation. Embodiments described herein may provide inexpensive, large area, low power, and highly sensitive radiation detection materials/devices.
US08187884B2	Method of enhancing homologous recombination of somatic cells and method of constructing specific antibody The present invention provides a novel method for obtaining diverse antibodies as a result of markedly enhancing the somatic homologous recombination at an antibody locus in immunocytes.By putting immunocytes in which DNA homologous recombination is occurring at an antibody locus (for example, DT40 cells and the like) into contact and the like with histone acetylase inhibitor and the like (for example, trichostatin A and the like), thereby relaxing the chromatin structure at said antibody locus, somatic homologous recombination at an antibody locus is enhanced, and the production of diverse antibody molecules is made possible.The production of antibodies that bind specifically to antigens from cell populations in which the antibody molecules have been diversified by the enhancement of somatic homologous recombination is made possible by using an appropriate selection method (for example, beads coated with antigen and the like).
US08187880B2	Composite materials comprising supported porous gels containing metal-affinity ligands This invention relates to a composite material that comprises a support member that has a plurality of pores extending through the support member and, located in the pores of the support member, and filling the pores of the support member, a macroporous cross-linked gel. The invention also relates to a process for preparing the composite material described above, and to its use. The composite material is suitable, for example, for separation of substances, for example by filtration or adsorption, including chromatography, for use as a support in synthesis or for use as a support for cell growth.
US08187878B2	Methods for increasing definitive endoderm differentiation of pluripotent human embryonic stem cells with PI-3 kinase inhibitors The present invention provides compositions and methods for the production of differentiated mammalian cells. More particularly, the present invention provides cellular differentiation methods employing culturing the cells on a feeder layer or under feeder-free conditions in cell culture and further contacting the cells with an inhibitor of the PI3-kinase pathway and a member of the TGFb family for the generation of differentiated mammalian cells from pluripotent mammalian stem cells. Preferably, the differentiated cell is selected from the group consisting of a mesendodermal cell, a mesodermal cell, and an endodermal cell.
US08187873B2	Monoclonal antibody to soluble LOX-1 It is intended to provide a monoclonal antibody that specifically recognizes human soluble LOX-1, particularly a monoclonal antibody with a dissociation constant (Kd) for human soluble LOX-1 of 1×10−9 (M) or less. The antibody can be produced from a hybridoma prepared by a method including the following steps of: (1) immunizing a non-human animal with a prokaryotic cell-derived human LOX-1 extracellular domain; (2) collecting antibody-producing cells from the animal; (3) fusing the antibody-producing cells with myeloma cells; (4) selecting hybridomas that produce a monoclonal antibody reacting with the human LOX-1 extracellular domain from the fused cells obtained in the above step; and (5) selecting a hybridoma that produces a monoclonal antibody reacting with a eukaryotic cell-derived human LOX-1 extracellular domain from the selected hybridomas.
US08187871B2	Co-crystallization of ERR-α with a ligand that forms a reversible covalent bond The crystal structure of the ligand binding domain of ERR-α in complex with a ligand that forms a reversible thioether bond to Cys325 of ERR-α, methods to measure dissociation rates for ligands that form reversible covalent bonds, and methods to design ligands that form reversible covalent bonds for use as modulators of ERR-α activity are disclosed. The crystal structure and methods provide a novel molecular mechanism for modulation of the activity of ERR-α and provide the basis for rational drug design to obtain potent specific ligands for use as modulators of the activity of this new drug target.
US08187870B2	Means for obtaining avirulent leishmania promastigotes, promastigotes obtained, and the applications thereof The invention relates to an expression vector of a gene coding for an antigenic protein of Leishmania promastigote, characterized in that it comprises a PSA gene insert in opposite orientation. The invention can be applied to the development of mutants under-expressing, or no longer expressing, genes coding for an antigenic protein of Leishmania promastigote, and to the therapeutic and/or vaccine-oriented uses thereof.
US08187868B2	Device for trapping extraneous gas A device for trapping extraneous gas or bubbles is disclosed. The device is defined as having a gas collection area in a tapered neck portion such that when used as a cell culturing apparatus, extraneous gas or bubbles are trapped and isolated from the cell growth areas where cells or media reside.
US08187867B2	Probe connector assembly and method of use A probe assembly includes a tubular sleeve having a passage extending between a first end and an opposing second end. The tubular sleeve is movable between an extended position wherein the first end and the opposing second end are spaced apart and a collapsed position wherein the first end and the opposing second end are moved closer together. A connector is secured to the second end of the tubular sleeve, the connector having an opening extending therethrough that communicates with the passage of the tubular sleeve, a sealing layer removably covering the opening of the connector. An elongated probe has a first end and an opposing second end, the second end of the probe being positioned within the passage of the tubular sleeve, the second end of the probe being configured to pass through the opening of the connector when the sealing layer is removed therefrom.
US08187865B2	Nanowire sensor, sensor array, and method for making the same The present invention relates to a nanowire sensor and method for forming the same. More specifically, the nanowire sensor comprises at least one nanowire formed on a substrate, with a sensor receptor disposed on a surface of the nanowire, thereby forming a receptor-coated nanowire. The nanowire sensor can be arranged as a sensor sub-unit comprising a plurality of homogeneously receptor-coated nanowires. A plurality of sensor subunits can be formed to collectively comprise a nanowire sensor array. Each sensor subunit in the nanowire sensor array can be formed to sense a different stimulus, allowing a user to sense a plurality of stimuli. Additionally, each sensor subunit can be formed to sense the same stimuli through different aspects of the stimulus. The sensor array is fabricated through a variety of techniques, such as by creating nanopores on a substrate and electrodepositing nanowires within the nanopores.
US08187861B1	Phosphate removal-recovery and biofuel feedstock system For extracting phosphorous from algae-in a body of water, the algae are deposited into a sealable tank (200) that is then evacuated, thereby rupturing the algal cell walls. The ruptured algae are then moved to a second tank (260), mixed with water and bacterial cultures, and allowed to settle until the lipids rise to the top and the oil-less debris settles to the bottom. The second tank also contains sacrificial (295) and rusted electrodes (320). The phosphorous from the algae combines with the rust. The lipids and debris are then removed. Next, an electrical source (315) causes the rust to be removed from the rusted electrodes and settle. In addition, a phosphorous-rich scum floats to the top. These components are placed in storage containers for later use and the water is returned, thereby reducing its phosphorous content.
US08187851B2	Method of forming a molded protein matrix for a sensor A method for formulating and immobilizing a protein and a protein matrix formed by the method. The protein matrix preparation method results in a physically and chemically stable protein matrix that has low swelling, non-leaching, high activity, and high mechanical strength properties. The method includes cross-linking and hardening the protein mixture and using a mold to form a protein into a desired shape and size.
US08187849B2	Non-sterile fermentation of bioethanol A range of concentrations exists in which fermentation inhibitors derived from pretreatment of lignocellulosic feed stocks inhibit growth of lactic acid bacteria without affecting fermentive yeast. By optimizing levels of fermentation inhibitors to fall within this range, yeast fermentations of lignocellulosic biomass can be conducted under non-sterile conditions with ethanol yields comparable to those achieved under sterile conditions. Optimised inhibitor levels can be achieved by controlling the water/biomass ratio of a lignocellulosic biomass during and after pretreatment, for example by washing the fiber fraction of a previously pretreated lignocellulosic biomass with a pre-defined amount of fresh water or recycled process solutions. Crude extracts of liquid fraction or process solutions from pretreatment of lignocellulosic biomass can also provide an effective anti-bacterial treatment for first generation starch fermentations.
US08187848B2	Methods of processing ensiled biomass The invention relates to methods of processing ensiled biomass for production of bioethanol or other fermentation products and, in particular, to methods that do not require expensive pretreatment (e.g. heat or chemical pretreatment).
US08187847B2	Process for producing erythritol using Moniliella tomentosa strains in the presence of neutral inorganic nitrates, such as potassium nitrate, ammonium nitrate or sodium nitrate, as nitrogen source The present invention relates to the use of at least one inorganic nitrate in a fermentation process for producing erythritol using a yeast strain of the Moniliella species as an erythritol-producing microorganism characterized in that the at least one inorganic nitrate is simultaneously used as a main nitrogen source and as a pH regulator in the culture medium, as well as to such an improved method for producing erythritol.
US08187846B2	Enhanced production of lipids containing polyenoic fatty acid by very high density cultures of eukaryotic microbes in fermentors The present invention provides a process for growing eukaryotic microorganisms which are capable of producing lipids, in particular lipids containing polyenoic fatty acids. The present invention also provides a process for producing eukaryotic microbial lipids.
US08187844B2	Anti-fungal composition Natamycin is separated and recovered from a fermentation broth containing biomass and natamycin by adjusting the pH of a natamycin-containing suspension first to dissolve the natamycin in a solvent then adjusting the pH again to precipitate the dissolved natamycin which is used as an antifungal used to protect products susceptible to fungal spoilage.
US08187843B2	Method for production of L-glutamine According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a microorganism belonging to the genus Corynebacterium, wherein the activity of (1) a protein having the amino acid sequence shown by any one of SEQ ID NO:1 to 3, or (2) a protein having a homology of 80% or more to the amino acid sequence shown by any one of SEQ ID NO:1 to 3, and having substantially the same activity as the activity of a protein having the amino acid sequence shown by any one of SEQ ID NO:1 to 3, has been reduced or lost, and wherein the activity of (3) a protein having the amino acid sequence shown by SEQ ID NO:4, or (4) a protein having a homology of 80% or more to the amino acid sequence shown by SEQ ID NO:4, and having substantially the same activity as the activity of a protein having the amino acid sequence shown by SEQ ID NO:4, has been reduced or lost, and a process for producing L-glutamine using the microorganism and the like.
US08187839B2	Anti-notch3 agonist antibodies and their use in the treatment of notch3-related diseases The present invention relates to agonist antibodies that specifically bind to Notch 3 and activate signaling. The present invention includes antibodies binding to an epitope comprising the first Lin12 domain. The present invention also includes uses of these antibodies to treat or prevent Notch 3 related diseases or disorders.
US08187832B2	Method of detecting an amount of a cholinesterase inhibitor in a sample A method of detecting an amount of a cholinesterase inhibitor in a sample comprising steps of: (a) contacting the sample with an agent capable of recovering the cholinesterase inhibitor from the sample so that the cholinesterase inhibitor is recovered, wherein the agent comprises a reactivity towards phosphyl moieties; (b) isolating the recovered cholinesterase inhibitor from the sample; (c) contacting the isolated cholinesterase inhibitor from step (b) with a test cholinesterase wherein the cholinesterase activity of the test cholinesterase before step (a) is known; and (d) measuring the cholinesterase activity to determine the amount of cholinesterase inhibitor in the sample based on the inhibition of the test cholinesterase activity from the known activity of the test cholinesterase before step (a).
US08187828B2	Use of PAK inhibitor for the treatment of a joint disease The invention refers to the use of a p21-activated kinase (PAK) inhibitor as a target protein for the discovery of a PAK inhibitor as a medicament for the treatment of a joint disease.
US08187827B2	Diagnostic methods for acute ischemic disease using activated hepcidin as an indicator An objective of the present invention is to provide methods of testing for acute ischemic diseases using active hepcidin as an indicator, methods for determining the timing to administer an agent for treating the disease, and kits for these methods. To accomplish the objective, the present inventors analyzed the serum proteome patterns characteristic of acute myocardial infarction patients using SELDI-TOF-MS. As a result, it was found that hepcidin-20 has a very high correlation with acute myocardial infarction. Furthermore, the present inventors discovered that at the time of disease onset, the blood concentration of hepcidin-20 rises sharply in particular, and shows high levels within six hours, especially four hours of onset. The present invention enables early diagnosis of acute ischemic diseases.
US08187826B2	Quantitative analysis of in vivo mutation at the Pig-A locus The invention relates to methods and kits for the quantitative analysis of in vivo mutation frequencies of the Pig-A gene in individuals exposed to a genotoxicant, particularly using peripheral blood samples of vertebrates.
US08187824B2	Porphyrinic compounds for use in flow cytometry The present invention provides a method of detecting (e.g., by flow cytometry) a target compound, cell or particle, wherein the target is labelled with a detectable luminescent compound. The method comprises utilizing as the detectable luminescent compound a compound comprising a porphyrinic macrocycle such as a porphyrin, chlorin, bacteriochlorin, or isobacteriochlorin. In particular embodiments, the detectable luminescent compound comprises a compound of the formula A-A′-Z—B′—B, wherein: A is a targeting group or member of a specific binding pair that specifically binds the detectable luminescent compound to the target compound, cell or particle; A′ is a linker group or covalent bond; B′ is a linker group or covalent bond; B is a water-soluble group; and Z is the porphyrinic macrocycle.
US08187816B2	Probe set, probe-immoblized carrier, and genetic testing method for detecting Anaerococcus prevotii A nucleic acid probe for classification of pathogenic bacterial species is capable of collectively detecting bacterial strains of the same species and differentially detecting them from other bacterial species. Any one of the base sequences of SEQ ID NOS. 65 to 67 or a combination of at least two of them is used for detecting the gene of an infectious disease pathogenic bacterium.
US08187815B2	Method to quantify siRNAs, miRNAs and polymorphic miRNAs The present teachings provide methods, compositions, and kits for quantifying target polynucleotides. In some embodiments, a reverse stem-loop ligation probe is ligated to the 3′ end of a target polynucleotide, using a ligase that can ligate the 3′ end of RNA to the 5′ end of DNA using a DNA template, such as T4 DNA ligase. Following digestion to form an elongated target polynucleotide with a liberated end, a reverse transcription reaction can be performed, followed by a PCR. In some embodiments, the methods of the present teachings can discriminate between polymorphic polynucleotides that vary by as little as one nucleotide.
US08187812B2	DNA recombination junction detection The present invention provides methods, compositions and kits for detecting the presence or absence of an integrated insertion polynucleotide.
US08187811B2	Polymorphisms associated with Parkinson's disease The invention provides human polymorphisms that are associated with Parkinson's disease (PD). Also disclosed are compositions and methods for use in diagnostics, prognostics, prevention, treatment and/or study of PD.
US08187810B2	Method for diagnosing overactive bladder Techniques for diagnosing overactive bladder (OAB) in a patient are provided. For example, a technique for diagnosing overactive bladder in a patient includes the step of obtaining peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from the patient to provide a reporter function in the patient.
US08187808B2	Barriers for facilitating biological reactions The present invention relates to systems, devices, and methods for performing biological reactions. In particular, the present invention relates to the use of lipophilic, water immiscible, or hydrophobic barriers in sample separation, purification, modification, and analysis processes.
US08187806B2	Association of GSTM1 with autism and assays and methods based thereon The present invention provides novel markers and assays for autism based on the association of GSTM1 with autism. The invention relates to the use and application of as a susceptibility marker for autism. GSTM1 may be combined with other markers in methods and assays for diagnosis, prenatal diagnosis, and assessment of autism. The invention further relates to a likelihood ratio test. In addition, the present invention discloses a novel method for identifying individuals who are genetically susceptible to have offspring with autism wherein the genotype of GSTM1, alone or in combination with other genetic markers, is determined.
US08187805B2	Method of detecting nucleic acid and utilization thereof It is intended to provide a method of detecting a nucleic acid whereby a target nucleic acid can be accurately and quickly detected at an elevated detection sensitivity compared with the existing methods; and a gene detection kit with the use of this method. A sample containing cells is fixed to a support and nucleic acids are amplified on the support as such. Then, a nucleic acid thus amplified is detected. Since the nucleic acids are not detected from the sample in this method, a lowering in the detection sensitivity due to the nucleic acid loss in the step of extracting the nucleic acids can be prevented. Since the amplified nucleic acid is detected, furthermore, detection can be made even though the nucleic acid is contained only in a trace amount in the sample.
US08187804B2	Specific marker Lmx1a on dopaminergic neurons The present invention identified Lmx1a genes, which are expressed in dopaminergic neurons at all differentiation stages, from proliferating dopaminergic neuron progenitor cells before cell cycle exit to cells after cell cycle exit. Lmx1a expression in cells can be used as an indicator when selecting cells suitable for transplantation therapy for neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's disease, and is useful as a marker for screening agents involved in the induction of dopaminergic neuron differentiation.
US08187799B2	Stabilization of liquid solutions of recombinant protein for frozen storage The invention relates to a method for stabilizing a bulk solution of recombinant protein for frozen storage, which comprises providing a partially-purified solution of recombinant protein which has a monovalent salt concentration of at least 100 mM, and adding a carbohydrate to said solution in an amount sufficient that, upon freezing, the solution has a glass transition temperature of −56° C. or higher.
US08187795B2	Patterning methods for stretchable structures Described herein are processing techniques for fabrication of stretchable and/or flexible electronic devices using laser ablation patterning methods. The laser ablation patterning methods utilized herein allow for efficient manufacture of large area (e.g., up to 1 mm2 or greater or 1 m2 or greater) stretchable and/or flexible electronic devices, for example manufacturing methods permitting a reduced number of steps. The techniques described herein further provide for improved heterogeneous integration of components within an electronic device, for example components having improved alignment and/or relative positioning within an electronic device. Also described herein are flexible and/or stretchable electronic devices, such as interconnects, sensors and actuators.
US08187793B2	Ablatable elements for making flexographic printing plates Flexographic printing plates and other relief images can be formed from a laser-ablatable element having a laser-ablatable layer that is at least 20 μm in thickness. The laser-ablatable layer includes a film-forming material that is a laser-laser-ablatable material or the film-forming material has dispersed therein a laser-ablatable material. The laser-ablatable material is a polymeric material that when heated to 300° C. at a rate of 10° C./minute, loses at least 60% of its mass to form at least one predominant low molecular weight product. The element can be imaged by ablation at an energy of at least 1 J/cm2 to provide a relief image.
US08187791B2	Lithographic printing plate precursor and plate making method thereof A lithographic printing plate precursor includes: a support; and an image-recording layer containing (A) an infrared absorbing agent, (B) a radical polymerization initiator, (C) a polymerizable compound and (D) an epoxy compound having a molecular weight of 1,000 or less.
US08187789B2	Positive resist composition and method of forming resist pattern A positive resist composition, including a resin component (A) which exhibits increased solubility in an alkali developing solution under action of an acid, and an acid generator component (B) which generates an acid upon exposure, wherein the component (A) includes a structural unit (a1) derived from a hydroxystyrene, and a structural unit (a2) containing an acid dissociable, dissolution inhibiting group; and the component (B) includes an acid generator (B1) composed of a compound represented by the general formula (b1) shown below: [Chemical Formula 1] X-Q1-Y1—SO3−A+ (b1) (in the formula, Q1 represents a bivalent linking group containing an oxygen atom; Y1 represents an alkylene group of 1 to 4 carbon atoms which may contain a substituent or a fluorinated alkylene group of 1 to 4 carbon atoms which may contain a substituent; X represents a hydrocarbon group of 3 to 30 carbon atoms which may contain a substituent; and A+ represents an organic cation).
US08187788B2	Photosensitive resin composition and photosensitive film Disclosed is a photosensitive resin composition comprising an alkali-soluble resin, wherein the dissolution rate of the alkali-soluble resin in an aqueous sodium carbonate solution is not less than 0.04 μm/sec. When a photosensitive layer having a thickness of 30 μm is formed by applying the photosensitive resin composition onto a base and removing the solvent by heating, and thus-obtained photosensitive layer is irradiated with an active ray of 1000 mJ/cm2 or less, the dissolution rate of the portion irradiated with the active ray in the photosensitive layer made of the photosensitive resin composition is not less than 0.22 μm/sec and the film residual rate of the portion not irradiated with the active ray is not less than 90%.
US08187783B2	Method of manufacturing toner, toner, two-component developer, developing device and image forming apparatus A method of manufacturing a toner in which uneven distribution of toner ingredients by subjecting them to fine dispersion is prevented and which is excellent in transferability, cleaning properties, anti-filming properties, anti-blocking properties, high-temperature offset resisting properties and transparency is provided. Melt-kneaded substances include binder resins, colorants and release agents, respectively. The colorant and the release agent are dispersed in the binder resin. The melt-kneaded substance is negatively charged by an anionic dispersant, whereas the melt-kneaded substance is positively charged by a cationic dispersant. An aggregate is formed by heteroaggregation of the melt-kneaded substances. The aggregate is fused by heating and formed into a spherical toner.
US08187780B2	Toner compositions and processes Environmentally friendly toner particles are provided which may, in embodiments, include a biodegradable semi-crystalline polyester resin and a biodegradable amorphous polyester resin.
US08187777B2	Method for manufacturing patterned layer on substrate A method for manufacturing a patterned layer on a substrate with a print head unit includes mounting a print head unit to an ink-jet device, the print head unit including at least two side print heads and one central print head, the print heads each comprising a nozzle line, rotationally moving at least one of the side print heads relative to the central pint head to achieve parallelism, rotating the print head unit around a rotating axis perpendicular to the substrate, linearly moving the side print heads along the respective nozzle line thereof to correspond to pitches of the nozzles and that of the cells on the substrate, depositing ink into the cells on the substrate, and solidifying the ink so as to form a patterned layer on the substrate.
US08187763B2	Cooling liquid composition for fuel cell A coolant composition for a fuel cell unit, which contains at least one aliphatic alcohol having unsaturated bonds in the molecules having 2 to 20 carbon atoms each. The coolant composition maintains the electrical conductivity of the coolant at 10 μS/cm or below as well as the fluctuation of the electrical conductivity within the range of 0 to 10 μS/cm.
US08187762B2	Fuel cell cooling device with ion extraction medium A fuel cell cooling device has a cooling loop for circulating a coolant fluid. At least during the operation of the fuel cell, an ion extraction medium that is in the liquid state is provided. A method for cleaning a coolant with a corresponding fuel cell cooling device is provided as well.
US08187761B2	Power supply apparatus and method for line connection type fuel cell system A power supply apparatus for a line connection type fuel cell system includes a power converter system (PCS) control power supply which generates PCS control power from line power, a balance of plant (BOP) power supply which generates BOP power from line power, a regulator which generates PCS control power from the BOP power, a first switching unit switched by a control signal, which directs the line power to one of the PCS control power supply and the BOP power supply, a second switching unit switched by a control signal, which selects an output of one of the PCS control power supply and the regulator to provide PCS control power, and a controller which controls switching of the first and second switching units in response to a starting command.
US08187756B2	Fuel cell system An ion exchange resin member 20 that serves as an impurity remover for removing impurities from fluid F discharged from a fuel cell 100 is placed in a discharge passage for the fluid F to flow through, and a dispersion means for dispersing the fluid F over, and making the fluid F flow to, an entry-side surface 21 of the ion exchange resin member 20 is placed upstream from the ion exchange resin member 20. Also, a gas discharge part and a liquid discharge part are placed downstream from a fluid outlet of the ion exchange resin member 20, and a liquid-movement-preventing means for preventing a liquid in the fluid discharged from the fluid outlet from moving toward the gas discharge part is placed between the ion exchange resin member 20 and at least either the gas discharge part or the liquid discharge part.
US08187750B2	Negative active material including lithium vanadium oxide for non-aqueous rechargeable battery, and non-aqueous rechargeable battery including same The negative active material for a non-aqueous rechargeable battery includes a main component of lithium vanadium oxide, and at least one selected from the group consisting of Li3VO4, vanadium carbide, and mixtures thereof. The Li3VO4 is included in an amount of 0.5 to 3.0 wt % based on the total weight of the negative active material, and the vanadium carbide is included in amount of 0.5 wt % or less based on the total weight of the negative active material. The negative active material can improve discharge capacity of the non-aqueous rechargeable battery.
US08187746B2	Surface modification agents for lithium batteries An active material for an electrochemical device may have a surface modification agent that is a silane, organometallic compound, or a mixture of two or more of such compounds. Both negative and positive electrodes may be prepared from the surface modified active materials. The surface of an electrode may be modified by adding the surface modification agent to a non-aqueous electrolyte used in constructing a battery. An electrode or active material may be modified with a surface modification agent in either the gas phase or in solution. Slurries of the active agent may be prepared and the surface modification agent added, the slurry then be used to cast an electrode that is then dried.
US08187736B2	Cooling system for hybrid vehicles A cooling system for hybrid vehicles is provided with a battery case with a battery storage room for receiving a battery, a motor control unit for controlling an electric motor and a DC-DC converter for converting a voltage of the battery. The cooling system includes a blower for drawing an air existing in a passenger compartment of a vehicle, an introduction duct through which the air is introduced into the battery storage room to cool the battery, a first supply duct through which the air is supplied from the battery storage room to the DC-DC converter to cool the latter, a second supply duct through which the air is supplied from the battery storage room to the motor control unit to cool the latter, and an air distributor means for distributing the air flowing out of the battery storage room to the first supply duct and the second supply duct.
US08187730B2	Acenaphthoquinoxaline derivative, light-emitting element, light-emitting device, and electronic device An acenaphthoquinoxaline derivative represented by a general formula (G1) is provided. The acenaphthoquinoxaline derivative represented by the general formula (G1) easily receives electrons and has an electron-transporting property. Therefore, the acenaphthoquinoxaline derivative can be suitably used for a light-emitting element.
US08187729B2	Organic electroluminescence device A process for preparing a platinum complex represented by the following formula (1) includes reacting a compound represented by the following formula (B-2) and a compound represented by the following formula (B-2′) with a compound represented by the following formula (A-0) to obtain a compound represented by the following formula (C-0); and reacting the compound represented by the formula (C-0) with a platinum salt:
US08187728B2	Organic electroluminescent device and display device An organic electroluminescent is provided having an anode, a cathode, and at least one organic layer including a light-emitting layer provided between the anode and the cathode, wherein the organic layer includes an amine compound represented by the following formula (1): wherein Ar1 to Ar4 each independently represent a specific aromatic group; R1 and R2 each independently represent a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom or a particular substituent group; and n stands for an integer of 1, 2 or 3.
US08187727B2	Imidazole derivatives, preparation method thereof and organic electronic device using the same The present invention relates to a new imidazole derivative, a method for preparing the derivative, and an organic electronic device using the derivative. The imidazole derivative according to the invention can perform functions of hole injection, hole transportation, electron injection, electron transportation, and/or light emission in an organic electronic device including an organic light-emitting device. The organic electronic device according to the invention exhibits excellent characteristics in terms of efficiency, drive voltage and stability.
US08187726B2	Nanoparticle-resin composite material, light emitting device assembly, and filling material for the light-emitting device assembly A nanoparticle-resin composite material is provided. The material has a transparent characteristic and a refractive index of at least 1.55 in the visible light region. The composite material includes inorganic nanoparticles dispersed in a polymer having a siloxane bond, the inorganic nanoparticles being coated with an organic compound. The organic compound is at least one compound selected from the group consisting of carboxylic acids, phosphinic acid, phosphonic acid, sulfinic acid, sulfonic acid, and thiols, and the selected compound contains an aryl group or an aryloxy group. The polymer is selected from the group consisting of methylphenyl polysiloxane, methylphenyl hydrogen polysiloxane, a mixture methylphenyl polysiloxane and methylphenyl hydrogen polysiloxane, or methylphenyl polysiloxane, methylphenyl hydrogen polysiloxane, and a mixture of methylphenyl polysiloxane and methylphenyl hydrogen polysiloxane. Parts of the side chains and/or terminals of the methylphenyl polysiloxane and the methylphenyl hydrogen polysiloxane are substituted by epoxy groups, carboxyl groups, carbinol groups, methacryl groups, polyether groups, or vinyl groups.
US08187724B2	Method of manufacture of a dual alloy impeller There is provided a method for fabricating a dual alloy structure that may in turn be machined to fabricate a rotary component for use in a gas turbine engine. The method provides a powder metal (PM) nickel based superalloy and a nickel aluminide intermetallic based alloy. The powder metal (PM) nickel based superalloy displays characteristics, such as improved strength, low cycle fatigue resistance, fracture toughness, and crack growth resistance. The nickel aluminide intermetallic based alloy displays characteristics, such as high temperature creep and oxidation resistance, suitable for use in the outer radial area of an impeller. A bore sub-element is fabricated from the powder metal (PM) nickel based superalloy. A body sub-element is fabricated from the nickel aluminide intermetallic based alloy. The bore sub-element and body sub-element are joined by inertia welding or diffusion bonding at a common mating surface.
US08187723B2	Surface-treated copper foil, manufacturing method of the surface-treated copper foil, and surface-treated copper foil coated with very thin primer resin layer A surface-treated copper foil comprising an electrodeposited copper foil with a chromium-free rust-proofing layer which exhibits good performance in peel strength and resistance to peel loss after chemical treatment as a printed wiring board. The surface-treated copper foil comprises a rust-proofing layer and a silane coupling agent layer formed on an electrodeposited copper foil , wherein the rust-proofing layer comprises a nickel layer having a thickness by weight of 5 to 40 mg/m2 and a tin layer having a thickness by weight of 5 to 40 mg/m2 stacked in this order, and the silane coupling layer is applied on top of the tin layer. The surface-treated copper foil may be further coated with a very thin primer resin layer having a thickness of 0.5 to 5 μm.
US08187722B2	Copper foil with carrier sheet, method for manufacturing copper foil with carrier sheet, and surface-treated copper foil with carrier sheet An object of the present invention is to provide a copper foil with carrier sheet which permits releasing of the carrier sheet from the copper foil layer even when hot pressing at a temperature exceeding 300° C. is applied in the production of a printed wiring board. In order to achieve the object, a copper foil with physically releasable carrier sheet having a copper foil layer on the surface of the carrier sheet through a bonding interface layer, characterized in that the bonding interface layer is composed of a metal layer and a carbon layer. It is preferable for the bonding interface layer to be composed of a metal layer of 1 nm to 50 nm thick and a carbon layer of 1 nm to 20 nm thick.
US08187720B2	Corrosion resistant neutron absorbing coatings A method of forming a corrosion resistant neutron absorbing coating comprising the steps of spray or deposition or sputtering or welding processing to form a composite material made of a spray or deposition or sputtering or welding material, and a neutron absorbing material. Also a corrosion resistant neutron absorbing coating comprising a composite material made of a spray or deposition or sputtering or welding material, and a neutron absorbing material.
US08187718B2	Barrier laminate, barrier film substrate and device Disclosed is a barrier laminate comprising at least one organic layer and at least one inorganic layer, wherein the organic layer is obtained by curing a polymerizable composition comprising 1 to 50% by weight of a polymerizable compound which has a bisphenol skeleton and having an aliphatic group.
US08187714B2	Transparent substrate provided with an electrode Transparent substrate, especially made of glass, associated with an electrode, especially one suitable for solar cells, characterized in that the electrode comprises a first transparent electrically conducting layer composed of an undoped mineral oxide, said first layer being coated with a second transparent electrically conducting layer composed of the same mineral oxide, said mineral oxide however being doped.
US08187710B2	Insulated ultrafine powder, process for producing same and resin composite material with high dielectric constant using same There are disclosed insulated ultrafine powder comprising electroconductive ultrafine powder which is in the form of sphere, spheroid or acicular each having a minor axis in the range of 1 to 100 nm and an insulating film applied thereto; a process for producing the same which is capable of covering the surfaces of the insulated ultrafine powder with the insulating film having a thickness in the range of 0.3 to 100 nm without causing any clearance or vacancy; and a resin composite material which uses the same. A high dielectric constant of the material is assured by adding a small amount of insulated ultrafine powder wherein an insulating film is applied to the electroconductive ultrafine powder, while maintaining the processability and moldability that are the characteristics inherent in a resin material.
US08187706B2	Adhesive composition An adhesive composition is provided which is capable of providing good adhesion strength to the polyimide surface of a flexible circuit board that is exposed on the metal wiring surface and between the traces even when the polyimide surface is relatively smooth. The adhesive composition contains a thermoplastic resin, a polyfunctional acrylate, and a radical polymerization initiator and further contains a monofunctional urethane acrylate having a urethane residue at its terminal end. The monofunctional urethane acrylate is represented by the formula (1): CH2═CR0—COO—R1—NHCOO—R2 (1) wherein R0 is a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, R1 is a divalent hydrocarbon group, and R2 is an optionally substituted lower alkyl group.
US08187705B2	Manganese vanadium tantalum oxide and pigments having a black metallic effect coated with the same Manganese vanadium tantalum oxide that can be represented by the formula MnxVyTazOw, where 1≦x≦3, 0.001≦y≦3, 0.001≦z≦2, and w=7, and alternately, x=1.25≦x≦2.45, 0.1≦y≦2.39, 0.2≦z≦1.9, and w=7, methods of producing MnxVyTazOw, a pigment coated with MnxVyTazOw and a chalcogenide glass layer, and a method of producing the coated pigment are described. The disclosed manganese vanadium tantalum oxide has superior near-infrared reflective properties. The disclosed methods of producing the manganese vanadium tantalum oxide provide products with superior phase purity, appearance and performance and take health and safety into consideration. The construction of the disclosed coated pigment combines the reflective properties of the substrate with the near-infrared reflective properties of MnxVyTazOw, while the chalcogenide glass layer provides aesthetic appeal. The disclosed method of producing the coated pigment involves physical vapor deposition of MnxVyTazOw and the chalcogenide glass layer.
US08187704B2	Optical film, polarizing plate and image display device An optical film, includes: a transparent support; and at least one low refractive index layer, wherein the at least one low refractive index layer is a layer formed from a coating composition containing: (A) an inorganic fine particle; (B) a fluorine-containing copolymer; and (C) a polyfunctional fluorine-containing acrylate, and the polyfunctional fluorine-containing acrylate (C) is represented by the following structural formula: wherein Rf represents a (p+q)-valent perfluoro saturated hydrocarbon group having a carbon number of 1 to 20, which may have an ether bond; p represents an integer of 2 to 10; q represents an integer of 0 to 8, provided that (p+q) represents an integer of 2 to 10; r represents an integer of 0 to 100; and R represents a hydrogen atom, a methyl group, a fluorine atom or a trifluoromethyl group.
US08187700B2	Continuous, carbon-nanotube-reinforced polymer precursors and carbon fibers The present invention relates to a continuous, carbon fiber with nanoscale features comprising carbon and carbon nanotubes, wherein the nanotubes are substantially aligned along a longitudinal axis of the fiber. Also provided is a polyacrylonitrile (PAN) precursor including about 50% to about 99.9% by weight of a melt-spinnable PAN and about 0.01% to about 10% of carbon nanotubes. Other precursor materials such as polyphenylene sulfide, pitch and solution-spinnable PAN are also provided. The precursor can also include a fugitive polymer which is dissociable from the precursor polymer.
US08187697B2	Cooling product A cooling product (e.g., pad, bandage, headband, wrap, cloth, and so forth) that contains a gel configured to cool the skin of a body part when placed adjacent thereto is provided. The gel is contained within a composite that has two or more fibrous layers structured to provide enhanced distribution of the gel therethrough. More specifically, a first fibrous layer may rapidly distribute the gel in primarily the -z direction (direction of thickness) to a second fibrous layer, which then distributes it primarily in the -x and -y directions. The second fibrous layer may then be placed adjacent to a user's skin to provide the desired cooling. Because the gel is distributed primarily in the -x and -y directions, however, direct contact between the gel and skin is limited, thereby reducing the “sticky” feel normally associate with such gels. The cooling product is also flexible, and may be easily adapted to a body part.
US08187692B2	In-mold label and molded article using the same The invention provides an in-mold label which enables the degree of scumming to be judged during printing and imparts a good appearance to molded articles produced through in-mold molding, and which comprises a base layer (I), a heat-sealable resin layer (II), and a printable layer (III) and has a haze in whole layer of 80-100% and an internal haze of 0-20%. The invention further provides a molded article obtained using the label.
US08187689B2	Optical recording medium having write once metal reflective film A pirated optical recording medium may be determined which is produced by physically transferring a shape of pits and lands formed on a substrate of an optical recording medium. The optical recording medium is provided with excellent weatherability and long-term storage reliability. A reflective film formed of an Ag alloy film of Ag100-x-yXxCuy, where X is at least one element among Ti, W, Ta, V, Mo, Nb and Zr, is formed on a substrate on which main data is recorded with a combination of pits and lands. A mark may be formed so that a reproduction signal level in the recorded mark of auxiliary data write once recorded on the reflective film is increased, and a reproduction signal level is decreased in an optical recording medium prepared by physically transferring the surface shape of the pits and lands of the substrate. A pirated optical recording medium may be determined in this manner.
US08187684B2	Double-donnable glove A polychloroprene article comprises a polymer which is more readily chlorinatable that polychloroprene. A method of making the article comprises forming the article from an aqueous dispersion or solution of polychloroprene, characterized in that one or more polymers which are more readily chlorinatable than polychloroprene are included in said dispersion or solution. Preferably, the article is a polychloroprene glove containing carboxylated nitrile rubber, carboxylated styrene butadiene or polyisoprene.
US08187681B2	Transparent film and optical compensatory film, polarizing plate and liquid-crystal display device employing it A novel transparent film is disclosed. Re (λ) and Rth (λ) of the film defined by the following formulae (I) and (II) satisfy the following formulae (III) and (IV): Re(λ)=(nx−ny)×d, (I) Rth(λ)={(nx+ny)/2−nz}×d, (II) 0≦\|Re(630)\|≦50, (III) Rth(400)×Rth(700)≦0, and 0≦\|Rth(700)−Rth(400)\|≦150, (IV) wherein Re (λ) means an in-plane retardation value at a wavelength λ nm (unit: nm); Rth (λ) means a thickness-direction retardation value at a wavelength λ, nm (unit: nm); nx means a refractive index in the in-plane slow-axis direction; ny means a refractive index in the in-plane fast-axis direction; nz means a refractive index in the film thickness direction; and d means a thickness of the film.
US08187678B2	Ultra-thin microporous/hybrid materials Ultra-thin hybrid and/or microporous materials and methods for their fabrication are provided. In one embodiment, the exemplary hybrid membranes can be formed including successive surface activation and reaction steps on a porous support that is patterned or non-patterned. The surface activation can be performed using remote plasma exposure to locally activate the exterior surfaces of porous support. Organic/inorganic hybrid precursors such as organometallic silane precursors can be condensed on the locally activated exterior surfaces, whereby ALD reactions can then take place between the condensed hybrid precursors and a reactant. Various embodiments can also include an intermittent replacement of ALD precursors during the membrane formation so as to enhance the hybrid molecular network of the membranes.
US08187672B2	Residual solvent extraction method and microparticles produced thereby Methods for preparing microparticles having reduced residual solvent levels. Microparticles are contacted with a non-aqueous washing system to reduce the level of residual solvent in the microparticles. Preferred non-aqueous washing systems include 100% ethanol and a blend of ethanol and heptane. A solvent blend of a hardening solvent and a washing solvent can be used to harden and wash microparticles in a single step, thereby eliminating the need for a post-hardening wash step.
US08187670B2	Patterned substrate, electro-optical device, and method for manufacturing an electro-optical device A method for manufacturing an electro-optical device in which thin film layers are formed by drying droplets containing a thin film layer formation material, and these thin film layers are laminated to form a light emitting element, includes mixing lyophilic microparticles that are lyophilic with respect to droplets that form an upper thin film layer into droplets that form a lower thin film layer, and drying the droplets in which these lyophilic microparticles have been mixed to form the lower thin film layer, and then drying the droplets that form the upper thin film layer on the lower thin film layer to laminate the upper thin film layer over the lower thin film layer.
US08187668B2	Material application method A stage on which a substrate having target discharge areas is placed moves relative to a discharge head unit. When at least one of a plurality of first discharge nozzles of the discharge head unit reaches one of the target discharge areas, the first nozzle discharges a first droplet of fluid material to the target discharge area. When one of a plurality of second nozzles of the discharge head unit reaches the target discharge area to which the first droplet has been discharged, the second nozzle discharges a second droplet of the fluid material to the target discharge area. A first nozzle row of the first nozzles and a second nozzle row of the second nozzles are separated by a predetermined distance in a direction of the relative movement of the stage and the discharge head unit.
US08187666B2	Color filter manufacturing method, color filter, image display device, and electronic device A color filter manufacturing method includes discharging droplets of an ink from a droplet discharge head into a plurality of cells formed on a substrate while moving the substrate with respect to the droplet discharge head, and curing the ink discharged in the cells to form a colored portion within each of the cells. The discharging of the droplets includes prohibiting landing of the droplets in a landing prohibition region formed at a predetermined width from edges of each of the cells in a movement direction of the substrate with respect to the droplet discharge head. The landing prohibition region being arranged so that a relationship 0.5≦L1/L2≦4.5 is satisfied, wherein a value L1 indicates a width of the landing prohibition region and a value L2 indicates an average diameter of the droplets of the ink.
US08187664B2	Metallic pattern forming method, metallic pattern obtained thereby, printed wiring board using the same, and TFT wiring board using the same The invention provides a method of forming a metallic pattern including: (a) forming, in a pattern form on a substrate, a polymer layer which contains a polymer that has a functional group that interacts with an electroless plating catalyst or a precursor thereof; (b) imparting the electroless plating catalyst or precursor thereof onto the polymer layer; and (c) forming a metallic film in the pattern form by subjecting the substrate having the polymer layer to electroless plating using an electroless plating solution, wherein the substrate is treated using a solution comprising a surface charge modifier or 1×10−10 to 1×10−4 mmol/l of a plating catalyst poison before or during the (c) forming of the metallic film. The invention further provides a metallic pattern obtained thereby. Furthermore, the invention provides a printed wiring board and a TFT wiring board, each of which uses the metallic pattern as a conductive layer.
US08187663B2	Measurement, monitoring and control of directed product movements in a Wurster-arrangement and suitable systems A process for measuring, monitoring and/or controlling directed product movements of fluidized products in process systems (1) selected from fluidized bed and spouted bed systems during a spraying process for coating and/or granulation, which includes, with the aid of one or more microwave sensor devices (8), injecting microwave radiation without contact into one or more product streams, receiving the microwave radiation reflected by the particles of the particular product stream and, on the basis of the microwave radiation received, forming and transmitting a measurement signal for the characterization of the product stream, the corresponding use of microwave sensor devices (8) and correspondingly equipped apparatus (1).
US08187661B2	Stent support assembly and coating method A support assembly for a stent and a method of using the same to coat a stent are provided. The support assembly provides for minimum contact between the stent and the support assembly so as to reduce or eliminate coating defects.
US08187659B2	Solid medicament dosage form consumption aid A flavored, lubricating solution is applied to a solid medicament by spray, dipping, or otherwise coating the medicament. This liquid coating masks the often objectionable taste of the medicament while lubricating it, and thus significantly improving the ability to swallow the medicament. The improvement to the swallowing process is dramatically enhanced with significant reduction in gag reflex, general un-palatability and inability to move the dosage form completely through the mouth, palate, and esophagus to the stomach without sticking or lodging at any point in the process. The solution is a mixture of viscosity-adhesion-lubricity ingredients which includes polyols and polysaccharides, preservative agents, flavoring agents (to improve the palatability of the solution) and optional dispensing agents.
US08187648B2	Packaged, developed dough production in low pressure package, and related methods Described are developed, refrigerator-stable, dough compositions in low pressure packages and related methods, wherein the dough compositions contain chemical leavening agents that include an encapsulated basic agent.
US08187647B2	Edible energy composition An energy composition includes a methylated xanthine, a choline derivative, and at least one flavorant in a sufficient amount to render the energy composition palatable. The energy composition may also include vitamins, amino acids, preservatives, and the like.
US08187646B2	Nucleotide pyrophosphatase inhibitor and coenzyme regenerating systems The present invention is related to a method for inhibiting nicotinamide coenzyme degradation in a cereal flour or wheat based product, comprising the addition of an effective amount of nucleotide pyrophosphatase inhibitor to said cereal flour based product, product such as a wheat based product. A further aspect of the present invention is a nucleotide pyrophosphatase having an amino acid N-terminal sequence being (G)IDDRHEVDLPPRP. In another aspect of the present invention, a dough comprising a nucleotide pyrophosphatase inhibitor such as pyrophosphate, and optionally a coenzyme regeneration system comprising at least one NAD(P) or NAD(P)H dependent hydrogenase or dehydrogenase is disclosed. Preferably the coenzyme regeneration system comprises (consists of) mannitol dehydrogenase and D-fructose.
US08187645B2	Yogurt containing confectionery pieces Methods of preparation for cultured milk based products and products prepared thereby are provided wherein a yogurt is produced containing 0.1% to about 5% confectionery filaments. The process involves providing a cooled fermented yogurt base at a temperature of 0° C. to 5° C.; injecting a liquid fat-bearing compound having a total fat concentration of 24% to about 40% into the cooled yogurt base; whereby the liquid fat-bearing compound is shattered into filaments upon contact with the cooled fermented yogurt.
US08187640B2	Low viscosity liquid polymeric delivery system Low viscosity biodegradable polymer solutions of a liquid biodegradable polymer and biocompatible solvent and methods of using the compositions to form a biodegradable liquid polymer implant are provided.
US08187638B2	Preferential killing of cancer cells and activated human T cells using ZnO nanoparticles Here we disclose the response of normal human cells to ZnO nanoparticles under different signaling environments and compare it to the response of cancerous cells. ZnO nanoparticles exhibit a strong preferential ability to kill cancerous T cells (˜28-35X) compared to normal cells. Interestingly, the activation state of the cell contributes toward nanoparticle toxicity as resting T cells display a relative resistance while cells stimulated through the T cell receptor and CD28 costimulatory pathway show greater toxicity in direct relation to the level of activation. The novel findings of cell selective toxicity towards potential disease causing cells indicate a potential utility of ZnO nanoparticle in the treatment of cancer and/or autoimmunity.
US08187636B2	Dosage forms for tamper prone therapeutic agents A dosage form from which a burst release of a drug contained within a tampered dosage form is reduced or retarded by the presence in or on the dosage form of a TPTA (Tamper Prone Therapeutic Agent) trap. If the dosage form has not been tampered with, the TPTA trap does not significantly interfere with the rate of release of the drug from the dosage form. However, if the dosage form has been physically tampered with, the TPTA trap reduces or retards burst release of the drug from the dosage form.
US08187635B2	Pharmaceutical composition containing a pyrrolidone anticonvulsant agent and method for the preparation thereof The present invention relates to a pharmaceutical formulation of solid dosage forms comprising a therapeutically effective amount of a pyrrolidone anticonvulsant agent, and in particular Levetiracetam or a pharmaceutical acceptable salt or derivative thereof, in combination with an effective diluent, such as Dibasic Calcium Phosphate, and additional pharmaceutical excipients, and a process for the preparation thereof by wet granulation.
US08187634B2	Process for the preparation of sevelamer hydrochloride and formulation thereof Disclosed herein is an improved process for preparation of Sevelamer hydrochloride having phosphate binding capacity of 4.7 to 6.4 mmol/g. Further, the invention discloses Sevelamer hydrochloride compositions and a novel process for preparation of said compositions comprising high shear non-aqueous granulation.
US08187633B2	Controlled release coated tablets having prolonged gastric retention The present invention relates to a tablet composed of a core and a coating; said core is formed by two or more layers, wherein at least one of them contains an active agent (3). Wherein one of said layers is formulated as a swellable composition (2), the other one (4) is composed of inert compounds retaining its size at least until the coated tablet is emptied from the stomach. The coating composition is selected from the group comprising water insoluble polymers, ph dependent polymers or mixtures thereof. The active agent is released after rupture of the coating.
US08187632B2	Sustained-release preparations of quinolone antibiotics The present invention relates to an orally administrable preparation comprising a quinolone antibiotic which releases the active compound with a delay.
US08187631B2	Direct compression polymer tablet core The present invention provides a tablet core which comprises at least about 95% by weight of an aliphatic amine polymer. The invention also provides a method of producing a tablet core comprising at least about 95% by weight of an aliphatic amine polymer resin The method comprises the step of compressing the aliphatic amine polymer to form the tablet core. The tablet core can further include one or more excipients. In this embodiment, the method of producing the tablet core comprises the steps of: (1) hydrating the aliphatic amine polymer to the desired moisture level; (2) blending the aliphatic amine polymer with the excipients in amounts such that the polymer comprises at least about 95% by weight of the resulting blend; and (3) compressing the blend to form the tablet core. The present invention further relates to a coated tablet comprising an aliphatic amine polymer core wherein the coating is a water based coating.
US08187628B2	Dermal composition for controlling drug flux comprising two acrylic adhesive polymers having different functionalities and different solubility parameters A dermal composition for administration of an amphetamine drug comprising a blend of two or more acrylic-based polymers having differing functionalities so as to modulate the drug solubility in the polymer matrix and the delivery rate of the drug, and methods therefor.
US08187623B2	Medical copolymers Medical copolymers are provided which comprise (a) a polymer backbone comprising (i) a plurality of —C═C— groups within the polymer backbone, (ii) a plurality of —R9— groups within the polymer backbone, wherein R9 comprises a radical-substituted C2-C10 cyclic or heterocyclic group, or (iii) both a plurality of —C═C— groups and a plurality of —R9— groups within the polymer backbone, (b) a plurality of hydrocarbon-based pendant groups along the polymer backbone that comprise a saturated or unsaturated carbon chain of at least four carbons in length, and (c) a plurality of zwitterionic pendant groups along the polymer backbone that comprise a positively charged quaternary ammonium group and a negatively charged phosphate group. Methods of forming such copolymers, medical products that contain such copolymers, and methods of making such medical products are also disclosed.
US08187622B2	Use of nonionic esters in a coating for surfaces coming in contact with blood The present invention relates to methods for coating at least one surface of a medical device for improving the hemocompatibility of said surface. Further, the invention relates to medical devices comprising surfaces, coated with a coating composition containing a nonionic ester formed from an acyclic C3-C6(OH)3-6 polyol and from at least three C12-C26 fatty acids, and further includes at least one hydrophilic group.
US08187620B2	Medical devices comprising a porous metal oxide or metal material and a polymer coating for delivering therapeutic agents The invention relates generally to a medical device, such as an intravascular stent, for delivering a therapeutic agent to the body tissue of a patient, and a method for making such a medical device. More particularly, the invention pertains to a medical device having a metal oxide or metal material with a plurality of pores therein disposed on the surface of the medical device and a polymer disposed on the metal oxide or metal material. The invention also relates to medical devices having a surface and an outer region comprising a metal oxide or metal material having a plurality of pores therein and a polymer disposed on the metal oxide or metal material.
US08187617B2	Immediate release compositions and methods for delivering drug formulations using weak acid ion exchange resins in abnormally high pH environments Immediate release compositions and methods for delivering drug formulations using weak acid ion exchange resins in abnormally high pH environments.
US08187615B2	Non-aqueous compositions for oral delivery of insoluble bioactive agents The present invention provides a composition of low water solubility drug, dissolved or dispersed in a non crystalline or low crystalline form in an emulsion type composition of internal oily-solvent and external non-hydrous and water soluble solvent, whereas 1) emulsifying stabilizer comprises low fraction of the composition, and 2) emulsions of mean droplets size below one micron is obtained upon dilution with physiological fluids, and 3) facilitated dispersion of biologically active agents in body fluids is obtained, and more particularly to facilitating biological availability or improving clinical performance.
US08187614B2	Method of using lectins for prevention and treatment of oral and alimentary tract disorders Infectious diseases caused by pathogenic microorganisms resident in the alimentary tract of humans and animals can be prevented and treated by administering to the alimentary tract of the human or animal an effective amount of a composition containing at least one lectin capable of binding to an infective microorganism and diminishing its infective capability of the microorganism. The lectin is administered dispensed in a pharmaceutically acceptable non-toxic vehicle. Peptic ulcer disease caused by infection with H. pylori can be treated by oral administration of lectins that bind to the pathogen. A beneficial ecology of H. pylori can be maintained in infected patients by chronic oral administration of lectins that bind to the pathogen.
US08187613B2	Method of treating allergies using TGF-β1 and allergens The invention provides an allergy prevention method or treatment method, diets and oral drugs enabling prevention/treatment of allergic symptoms without trouble such as systemic adverse reaction, immune deficiency and the like caused by transdermal/intravenous administration of TGF-β. The allergy prevention method or treatment method is to orally administer 100 μg/kg or more of transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) relative to a weight of an administration target body and thereby selectively suppress Th2 immune response, while with respect to the diets and oral drugs, the content is set to contain an effective amount of transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) therein.
US08187611B2	Anti-peptide antibodies that cross react with protective antigen of Bacillus anthracis and uses thereof The present invention provides a purified peptide comprising at least one of the sequences LKQKSSNSRKKRSTS (SEQ ID NO:1), or VKNKRTFLSPWISNI (SEQ ID NO:2) as well as a vaccine, a method to protect or treat an animal from anthrax toxin, a method of making a vaccine and the use of the peptide. The present invention also provides a monoclonal antibody that specifically binds to a peptide sequence comprising at least one of the following peptide sequences: LKQKSSNSRKKRSTS (SEQ ID NO:1), or VKNKRTFLSPWISNI (SEQ ID NO:2) as well as a method to protect or treat an animal from anthrax toxin, a method of making a vaccine, a pharmaceutical composition, a method of making a pharmaceutical composition, and the use of the monoclonal antibody.
US08187608B2	Treatment of Fibrosis related disorders The present invention relates to the ability of SAP to suppress fibrocytes. It also relates to the ability of IL-12, laminin-1, cross-linked IgG and IgG aggregates to suppress fibrocytes. Methods and compositions for suppressing fibrocytes using these proteins are provided. These methods are useful in a variety of applications including treatment and prevention of fibrosing diseases such as scleroderma, pulmonary fibrosis and asthma. Finally, the invention includes assays for detecting the ability of various agents to modulate differentiation into fibrocytes. Such assays may also be used to diagnose scleroderma, pulmonary fibrosis, or other fibrosing diseases.
US08187606B2	HPV antigen fusion protein vaccine compositions and uses thereof The present invention provides a fusion protein comprising an immunostimulatory polypeptide and a mutant E7 protein of a human papilloma virus. The present invention also provides a gene encoding the fusion protein, expression vectors containing the gene, a pharmaceutical composition comprising the fusion protein, a method for treating or preventing a human papilloma virus related disease by using the fusion protein and uses of the fusion protein in the preparation of a medicament for the treatment or prevention of the human papilloma virus related disease.
US08187602B2	Anti-histone H1 monoclonal antibody and hybridoma for the production thereof The present invention discloses anti-histone H1 monoclonal antibodies, hybridomas for the production thereof, and polypeptides, which are useful for suppressing, predicting, or diagnosing transplant rejection in organ transplantation.
US08187597B2	Combination therapy for the treatment of ocular neovascular disorders The invention features methods for treating a patient diagnosed with, or at risk of developing, a neovascular disorder by administering a PDGF antagonist and a VEGF antagonist to the patient. The invention also features a pharmaceutical composition containing a PDGF antagonist and a VEGF antagonist for the treatment or prevention of a neovascular disorder.
US08187596B1	Method of treating asthma or allergy by administering an IL-33 receptor antibody Provided herein are methods of modulating IL-33 activity, e.g., for the purpose of treating immune diseases and conditions, as well as methods of screening for compounds capable antagonizing IL-33 signaling.
US08187595B2	Monoclonal antibodies for enhancing or inhibiting insulin-like growth factor-I The present invention provides αVβ3 integrin cysteine loop domain agonists and antagonists (including peptide agonists and antagonists and analogs thereof), along with methods of using the same.
US08187592B2	C1-inhibitor prevents non-specific plasminogen activation by a prourokinase mutant without impeding fibrin-specific fibrinolysis A mutant prourokinase plasminogen activator (M5) was developed to make prouPA less subject to spontaneous activation during fibrinolysis. C1-inhibitor complexes with tcM5. The effect of C1-inhibitor on fibrinolysis and fibrinogenolysis by M5 was determined. Supplemental C1-inhibitor restores the stability of M5 but not that of prouPA. Clot lysis by M5 with supplemental C1-inhibitor showed no attenuation of the rate of fibrinolysis, whereas fibrinogenolysis was prevented by C1-inhibitor. Due to higher dose tolerance of M5 with C1-inhibitor, the rate of fibrin-specific lysis reached that achievable by nonspecific fibrinolysis without inhibitor. Plasma C1-inhibitor stabilized M5 in plasma by inhibiting tcM5 and thereby non-specific plasminogen activation. At the same time, fibrin-specific plasminogen activation remained unimpaired. This unusual dissociation of effects has significant implications for improving the safety and efficacy of fibrinolysis. Methods of reducing bleeding and non-specific plasminogen activation during fibrinolysis by administering M5 along with exogenous C1-inhibitor are disclosed.
US08187590B2	Probiotic, lactic acid-producing bacteria and uses thereof The present invention discloses compositions and methodologies for the utilization of probiotic organisms in therapeutic compositions. More specifically, the present invention relates to the utilization of one or more species or strains of lactic acid-producing bacteria, preferably strains of Bacillus coagulans, for the control of gastrointestinal tract pathogens, including antibiotic-resistant gastrointestinal tract pathogens, and their associated diseases by both a reduction in the rate of colonization and the severity of the deleterious physiological effects of the colonization of the antibiotic-resistant pathogen. In addition, the present invention relates to the utilization of therapeutic compounds comprised of lactic acid-producing bacteria and anti-microbial agents such as antibiotics, anti-fungal compounds, anti-yeast compounds, or anti-viral compounds. The present invention also discloses methodologies for: (i) the selective breeding and isolation of probiotic, lactic acid-producing bacterial strains which possess resistance or markedly decreased sensitivity to anti-microbial agents (e.g., antibiotics, anti-fungal agents, anti-yeast agents, and anti-viral agents); and (ii) treating or preventing bacteria-mediated infections of the gastrointestinal tract by use of the aforementioned probiotic bacterial strains with or without the concomitant administration of antibiotics. While the primary focus is on the treatment of gastrointestinal tract infections, the therapeutic compositions of the present invention may also be administered to buccal, vaginal, optic, and like physiological locations.
US08187587B2	Immunotherapeutic methods targeted toward stratum corneum chymotryptic enzyme The present invention discloses the protease stratum corneum chymotrytic enzyme (SCCE) is specifically over-expressed in ovarian and other malignancies. A number of SCCE peptides can induce immune responses to SCCE, thereby demonstrating the potential of these peptides in monitoring and the development of immunotherapies for ovarian and other malignancies.
US08187585B2	Vaccine composition comprising a fibronectin binding protein or a fibronectin binding peptide The present invention relates to a composition comprising at least one fibronectin binding protein, and/or at least one a truncated fibronectin binding protein and/or at least one fibronectin binding peptide, all comprising at least one fibronectin binding domain; and at least one iscom matrix complex and/or liposome and/or at least one lipid and at least one saponin, whereby the at least one lipid and the at least one saponin may be in complex, solution or suspension. Further, it regards use thereof for the preparation of a vaccine against a micro organism that comprises at least one fibronectin binding domain. It also relates to a kit of parts comprising at least two compartments, wherein one compartment comprises at least one truncated fibronectin binding protein and/or a fibronectin binding peptide, that comprises at least one fibronectin binding domain, and another compartment comprises an instruction for use and/or an iscom matrix complex and/or an iscom complex and or a liposome. Further it relates to a method for vaccination of an individual.
US08187582B2	Hair styling composition A hair non-permanent styling composition comprising: i) an oligosaccharide comprising 3 to 7 sugar units in which the linkage group between the sugar units is an α1-4 link; and ii) at least one further ingredient selected from the group consisting of a suitable carrier, a styling polymer or a surfactant.
US08187576B2	Plasticizer of natural origin for nail polish The use of at least one carbonate of natural origin as a plasticizer in a film-forming cosmetic composition comprising, in a physiologically acceptable medium, a film-forming polymer and a solvent medium.
US08187575B2	Triazine derivatives as UV absorbers The present invention relates to new compounds of formula (I), wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7, and R8 independently from each other are hydrogen; C1-C18alkyl; C2-C18alkenyl; C5-C7, cycloalkyl; C1-C6alkylene-C5-C7, cycloalkyl; R9 is hydrogen; C1-C18alkyl; C2-C18alkenyl; C5-C7cycloalkyl; C1-C6alkylene-C5-C7cycloalkyl; C6-C10aryl; A is —S—; —O— or —NR10—, wherein R10 has the same meanings as R9; X is COOR11; CONR12R13; SO3, R14; or SO2NR15R16, wherein R11, R12, R13, R14, R15, and R16, have independently from each other the same meanings as R9; to their preparation and to their use as UV absorbers in cosmetic and pharmaceutical formulations.
US08187573B2	In vivo detection of apoptosis The invention provides methods and products, such as kits, useful for determining the apoptotic state of cells in an organism, comprising detecting the presence or abundance of at least one caspase affinity labeling agent in the cells of an animal into which at least one caspase affinity labeling agent has been introduced, wherein the presence or abundance of the caspase affinity labeling agent correlates with the apoptotic state of the cells.
US08187572B2	Diabetogenic rat model The present invention provides a method of producing diabetic rats, and a method for identifying compounds that reverse diabetes in said rats.
US08187568B2	Method and plant for the production of synthesis gas from biogas A method and system produce a synthesis gas from a biogas. The method provides a more economic process control and a higher yield. For this purpose hydrogen sulfide and carbon dioxide of the biogas are nearly completely separated in separate cleaning steps before a catalytic conversion of the biogas, wherein hydrogen sulfide is biologically removed by the admixture of oxygen and/or oxidation agents containing oxygen. The oxygen, or the oxidation agent, is dosed such that an excess of oxygen of at least 1.0 vol.-% is present in the cleaned biogas (methane gas). The biogas is concentrated without any dehumidification, heated, and mixed with superheated steam. Due to the excess of oxygen, thermal energy is additionally created during the reforming process by an exothermal oxidation of oxygen contained in the biogas together with hydrogen in the catalyst bed for the endothermal conversion of methane to the synthesis gas.
US08187566B2	Continuous method and apparatus of functionalizing carbon nanotube The present invention relates to a continuous method for functionalizing a carbon nanotube, and more specifically, to a continuous method for functionalizing a carbon nanotube by feeding functional compounds having one or more functional group into a functionalizing reactor into which a carbon nanotube mixture including oxidizer is fed under a pressure of 50 to 400 atm and a temperature of 100 to 600° C. to a subcritical water or supercritical water condition of a pressure of 50 to 40 atm by using a continuously functionalizing apparatus to obtain the functionalized products, such that the functional group of the functional compound can be easily introduced to the carbon nanotube, thereby increasing the functionalized effect of the carbon nanotube and increasing the dispersibility accordingly.
US08187559B2	Heat exchanger system comprising fluid circulation zones which are selectively coated with a chemical reaction catalyst The invention relates to a plate (10a) intended to be integrated in a stack of plates in a heat exchanger system, the plate comprising a plurality of channels (38) distributed in rows (40), each row comprising side walls (42) arranged opposite one another and spaced apart from one another in a first direction (44), so that two directly consecutive side walls delimit one of the channels (38), the rows being arranged opposite one another and spaced apart from one another in a second direction (46) which is perpendicular to the first. Furthermore, in the fluid circulation zone (20) of the plate incorporating the channels (38), only the latter are coated with a catalyst allowing a chemical reaction.
US08187552B2	Apparatus for producing trichlorosilane and method for producing trichlorosilane An apparatus for producing trichlorosilane includes: a decomposing furnace, a heating unit heating the inside of the decomposing furnace, a raw material supplying tube for guiding polymer and hydrogen chloride to be guided to the inner bottom portion of the decomposing furnace, and a gas discharge tube for discharging reaction gas from the top of the reaction chamber provided between the outer peripheral surface of the raw material supplying tube and the inner peripheral surface of the decomposing furnace, a fin, which guides a fluid mixture of the polymer and the hydrogen chloride supplied from the lower end opening of the raw material supplying tube to be agitated and rise upward in the reaction chamber, and is formed integrally with at least one of the outer peripheral surface of the raw material supplying tube and the inner peripheral surface of the decomposing furnace.
US08187551B2	Method and apparatus for manufacturing trichlorosilane An apparatus 1 for manufacturing trichlorosilane includes a decomposition furnace 2 into which polymers and hydrogen chloride are introduced, the decomposition furnace 2 includes: a heating device 11 which heats an interior of the decomposition furnace 2; a reaction chamber 4 which is formed in the decomposition furnace; a center tube 3 which is inserted in the reaction chamber 4 along a longitudinal direction of the reaction chamber and has a lower-end opening portion 3a; raw-material-supply pipes 5 and 6 which supplies the polymer and the hydrogen chloride to the reaction chamber 4 at an exterior of the center tube 3; and a gas-discharge pipe 7 which leads out reacted gas from the center tube 3, the apparatus 1 further includes a fin 14 that leads the polymer and the hydrogen chloride to the lower-end opening portion 3a of the center tube 3 so as to stir the polymer and the hydrogen chloride.
US08187544B2	Conversion of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) to nitric oxide (NO) Various systems, devices, NO2 absorbents, NO2 scavengers and NO2 recuperator for generating nitric oxide are disclosed herein. According to one embodiment, an apparatus for converting nitrogen dioxide to nitric oxide can include a receptacle including an inlet, an outlet, a surface-active material coated with an aqueous solution of ascorbic acid and an absorbent wherein the inlet is configured to receive a gas flow and fluidly communicate the gas flow to the outlet through the surface-active material and the absorbent such that nitrogen dioxide in the gas flow is converted to nitric oxide.
US08187541B2	Apparatus for detecting target molecules and related methods An apparatus for analysis of a sample and in particular of a biological sample. The apparatus contains a microfluidic chip with dies, adapted to be selectively activated or deactivated by presence of target molecules in the biological sample. The apparatus further contains a light source to emit light for illumination of the microfluidic chip and an optical filter to allow passage of the light from the dies once activated or deactivated by the presence of the target molecules. A method for pressurizing a microfluidic chip is also disclosed, where a chamber is provided, the chamber is connected with the microfluidic chip and pressure is applied to the chamber.
US08187540B2	Concentration monitor method A concentration monitor for monitoring a concentration of a plurality of use solutions, each of the plurality of use solutions being, at least, a concentrate in a diluent, each of the plurality of use solutions having a resistivity which varies as a function of both temperature and an amount of the concentrate contained in a given amount of the diluent. A resistivity probe is adapted for use with at least one of the plurality of use solutions for taking a measurement related to the resistivity of the at least one of the plurality of use solutions. A temperature sensor is adapted for use with the at least one of the plurality of use solutions for taking a measurement related to the temperature of the at least one of the plurality of use solutions. A controller calculates the concentration of the at least one of the plurality of the use solutions based upon a predetermined algorithm using the resistivity and the temperature for the particular one of the at least one of the plurality of use solutions, the algorithm being based upon knowledge of the at least one of the plurality of use solutions being measured.
US08187539B2	Device and method for determining material properties by means of HPLC An assembly for determining material properties and/or material concentrations of components of a sample, containing: a chromatographic separating column with a liquid mobile solvent; means for controlling the temperature inside the separating column between room temperature and 250° C.; means for creating a pressure level which is greater than ambient pressure inside the separating column; and a detector with a sample volume adapted to insert the components of the sample, is characterized in that the mobile solvent contains water to a large extent; means are provided for expanding the mobile solvent from the increased pressure level inside the separating column to the ambient pressure and for producing a phase change of the mobile solvent from the liquid to gaseous state; and means are provided for transferring the gaseous mobile solvent containing the components of the sample into the sample volume of the detector.
US08187538B2	Diluent wells produced in card format for immunodiagnostic testing An immunodiagnostic test card includes a flat planar member and at least one dilution chamber that is supported by the flat planar member. The at least one dilution chamber can be disposed adjacent chambers used for testing a patient sample that are provided on the immunodiagnostic test card or can be provided separately.
US08187533B2	Descenting systems and methods Systems and methods for using a scent elimination device to conceal contraband and then training service animals to determine if an ozone-based scent-removal technique has been used to remove scent from contraband are disclosed. The systems and methods comprise providing a plurality of packages. At least one of the plurality of packages containing a predetermined amount of a contraband substance. Further, the systems and methods comprise generating a gaseous stream of descenting material from a portable device. The gaseous stream of descenting material contains ozone. Further, the systems and methods comprise dispersing the gaseous stream of descenting material over the contraband in a concentration sufficient to eliminate the scent. The descented contraband may be placed in an enclosure for transport. Further, the systems and methods comprise introducing a service animal to the plurality of packages. Finally, the systems and methods comprise rewarding the service animal for the successful detection of the at least one of the plurality of packages containing the ozone-based scent remover.
US08187529B2	Wear resistant alloy and method of producing thereof A wear resistant, high chromium white iron, in an unheat-treated condition has a microstructure substantially comprising austenite and M7C3 carbides. The white iron contains at least one martensite promoter and at least one austenite stabilizer which are present at respective levels to achieve a balance between their effects whereby the white iron has a microstructure characterized by at least one of: i) being substantially free of martensite at interfaces between the austenite and M7C3 carbides; and ii) having a relatively low level of interconnectivity between carbide particles; such that the white iron is substantially crack-free. The white iron may be as-cast or comprise weld deposited hardfacing.
US08187524B2	Apparatus and method for manufacturing absorbent body An apparatus for manufacturing an absorbent body, having a recessed form die formed on a predetermined face of a predetermined member, moving in one direction along a moving path along the predetermined face; a duct disposed in a predetermined position in the moving path, discharging a gas including fluid absorbent fibers from an opening section toward the predetermined face, an absorbent body being formed by suction of the gas through intake holes at a bottom section of the form die to stack into the form die the fluid absorbent fibers included in the gas when the form die passes by the position of the duct. A gap is formed between the predetermined face and the opening section of the duct. A gas pressure inside the duct is lower than a gas pressure outside the duct by suction of the gas from the bottom section of the form die. A first wall is outside the duct. The first wall is spaced from a wall of the duct by a first spacing and spaced from the predetermined face by a second spacing. An outside gas flow along a direction intersecting with the predetermined face and an outside gas flow along the predetermined face is made to reach the gap by the first wall.
US08187510B2	Method for producing granular composition A method for producing a granular composition including the steps of: stirring and granulating a mixture containing not less than 3 parts by weight and not more than 80 parts by weight of a phenol compound represented by the formula (1): wherein R1 is an alkyl group having 1 to 8 carbon atoms, X is an n-valent alcohol residue having 1 to 18 carbon atoms optionally containing a heteroatom, a cyclic group, or a heteroatom and a cyclic group, and n is an integer of 1 to 4, and not less than 20 parts by weight and not more than 50 parts by weight of a binder to obtain a granular agglomerate; and cracking the granular agglomerate at a temperature equal to or lower than the melting point of the binder and equal to or higher than the temperature which is 10° C. lower than the melting point, through a cracking machine equipped with a separation mechanism capable of recovering a granule having a particle size of not more than 5 mm, and a cracking mechanism, to obtain a granule.
US08187507B2	GaN crystal producing method, GaN crystal, GaN crystal substrate, semiconductor device and GaN crystal producing apparatus A method for producing a GaN crystal capable of achieving at least one of the prevention of nucleation and the growth of a high-quality non-polar surface is provided. The production method of the present invention is a method for producing a GaN crystal in a melt containing at least an alkali metal and gallium, including an adjustment step of adjusting the carbon content of the melt, and a reaction step of causing the gallium and nitrogen to react with each other. According to the production method of the present invention, nucleation can be prevented, and as shown in FIG. 4, a non-polar surface can be grown.
US08187502B2	Spin-coatable liquid for formation of high purity nanotube films Certain spin-coatable liquids and application techniques are described, which can be used to form nanotube films or fabrics of controlled properties. A spin-coatable liquid for formation of a nanotube film includes a liquid medium containing a controlled concentration of purified nanotubes, wherein the controlled concentration is sufficient to form a nanotube fabric or film of preselected density and uniformity, and wherein the spin-coatable liquid comprises less than 1×1018 atoms/cm3 of metal impurities. The spin-coatable liquid is substantially free of particle impurities having a diameter of greater than about 500 nm.
US08187500B2	Biphasic inks A biphasic ink comprises a plurality of attractive particles, a plurality of repulsive particles, and a carrier liquid.
US08187498B2	Phosphor, method for manufacturing the same, and light emitting diode A phosphor is formed with a glass coating layer on a surface of a phosphor grain to have improved moisture and/or thermal stability. A method for manufacturing the phosphor comprises preparing phosphor gains excitable by light, and forming a glass coating layer on a surface of each phosphor grain. The glass coating layer may be formed by mixing the phosphor grains with a glass composition; heat-treating a mixture of the phosphor grains and the glass composition to make the glass composition melt and surround the phosphor grains; and cooling and breaking the heat-treated mixture to provide phosphors, each comprising the phosphor grain having the glass coating layer formed on a surface of the phosphor grain.
US08187496B2	Method of preparing metallic oxide phosphor A method for preparing a metal oxide phosphor contemplates preparing a solution including a metal precursor compound and an ionic material and heating the solution under pressure using microwaves.
US08187487B2	Material removal methods employing solutions with reversible ETCH selectivities A method for removing (e.g., etching) different dielectric materials from a semiconductor substrate includes exposing the semiconductor substrate to a solution at temperatures below and at or above a set threshold. Below the threshold temperature, the solution removes one dielectric material (e.g., silicon nitride) faster than it removes another, different dielectric material (e.g., silicon oxide). At or above the threshold temperature, the selectivity of the solution is reversed.
US08187483B2	Method to minimize CD etch bias The present invention provides a method for improving the critical dimension performance during a plasma etching process of a photolithographic substrate having a thin film. A passivation film is deposited onto the photolithographic substrate using a first set of process conditions. The deposited film is etched from the photolithographic substrate using a second set of process conditions. An exposed surface of the photolithographic substrate is etched using a third set of process conditions. During the plasma processing of the photolithographic substrate, the critical dimension performance of the photolithographic substrate is monitored to insure that the target uniformity and feature widths are obtained by adjusting the deposition and etch plasma processing of the photolithographic substrate.
US08187479B2	Manufacturing method of printed circuit board Disclosed is a manufacturing method of a printed circuit board. The method in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention includes: providing a laminated substrate having an insulator as well as a first metal layer and a second metal layer, which are sequentially laminated on one side of the insulator; processing a via hole in the laminated substrate; forming a seed layer on an inner wall of the via hole and on a surface of the second metal layer; plating an inside of the via hole and the surface of the second metal layer with a conductive material that is different from a material of the second metal layer; etching the seed layer and the conductive material, formed on the second metal layer; etching the second metal layer; and forming a first circuit pattern by selectively etching the first metal layer.
US08187474B2	Water-filtering media and filters In at least some embodiments, a system for removing contaminants from fluids includes a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet. The system also includes a fluid pump between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet and a filter material between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet. The filter material comprises a dual-valence polymer with negative valence monomer groups and positive valence monomer groups, the negative valence being stronger than the positive valence.
US08187467B2	Parenteral administration of pyrophosphate for prevention or treatment of phosphate or pyrophosphate depletion Phosphate depletion, a physiological condition commonly seen in certain patient populations, including alcoholics, malnourished, acutely ill patients, patients receiving parenteral nutrition, patients being re-fed after prolonged fasting, and dialysis patients, requires intravenous supplementation when oral repletion is not feasible. This invention provides a method and pharmaceutical composition for therapeutic administration of pyrophosphate, instead of phosphate, for phosphate or pyrophosphate repletion. During hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis significant removal of phosphate and pyrophosphate occurs. Pyrophosphate depletion predisposes patients to vascular calcification. This invention further provides a method and pharmaceutical composition for therapeutic administration of pyrophosphate for phosphate or pyrophosphate repletion by addition of pyrophosphate to hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis solutions.
US08187464B2	Apparatus and process for desalination of brackish water using pressure retarded osmosis Water from underground and other sources is brackish and not suitable for human consumption. Naturally present dissolved chemicals in water make it brackish. The precipitants and dissolved chemicals need to be separated from water to make it consumable. A combination of aeration systems, filtration systems, crystallizers and hydrophobic membrane carrying filter are used to desalinate the brackish water. Pressure retarded osmosis process using an apparatus is also used to further purify water. Various heat exchange apparatus are used for energy conservation and efficient processing of water in a feasible way. The disclosure enables to purify water and provide a useful technology to eradicate water scarcity.
US08187463B2	Methods for dewatering wet algal cell cultures A method of dewatering algae and recycling water therefrom is presented. A method of dewatering a wet algal cell culture includes removing liquid from an algal cell culture to obtain a wet algal biomass having a lower liquid content than the algal cell culture. At least a portion of the liquid removed from the algal cell culture is recycled for use in a different algal cell culture. The method includes adding a water miscible solvent set to the wet algal biomass and waiting an amount of time to permit algal cells of the algal biomass to gather and isolating at least a portion of the gathered algal cells from at least a portion of the solvent set and liquid of the wet algal biomass so that a dewatered algal biomass is generated. The dewatered algal biomass can be used to generated algal products such as biofuels and nutraceuticals.
US08187460B2	Devices for separating, mixing and concentrating magnetic particles with a fluid The present invention is related to devices for manipulating magnetic particles that are suspended in a fluid, possibly containing a biological entity of interest, the magnetic particles being able to bind the entity of interest, the fluid being contained in a reaction vessel constituted by a large upper compartment with a funnel shape, an elongate lower compartment with a substantially constant cross-section and a closed base. The devices are especially useful in methods for the extraction of nucleic acid to enable them for further processing.
US08187458B2	Oil filter An oil filter assembly is disclosed for a machine, such as an internal combustion engine, that has an oil output port and an oil input port. A mounting plate is fixed with an outer enclosure and is adapted for securing to the machine. The mounting plate is further adapted to conduct oil from the machine into a peripheral portion of the outer enclosure, and then returning oil from a central portion of the outer enclosure back to the machine. Oil may pass from the peripheral portion to the central portion through a primary filter having a first porosity. A pressure-actuated valve is fixed fluidly between the peripheral portion and central portion of the outer enclosure. Oil may pass through the pressure-actuated valve only when an oil pressure differential between the peripheral portion and the central portion of the outer enclosure exceeds a predetermined threshold pressure. A secondary filter has a second porosity greater than the first porosity, and is fixed fluidly between the pressure-actuated valve and the central portion of the outer enclosure.
US08187452B2	Method and system for magnetic recording media A patterned magnetic recording media and method thereof is provided. A recording layer comprises a continuous surface of more-noble elements and less-noble elements, such as CoXYZ, wherein X can be Pt, Pd, Ru, Rh, Ir, Os, or Au, wherein Y can be null or Cr, and wherein Z can be null, Cu, Ta, Ti, O, B, Ag, or TiO2. The recording layer is masked, shielding areas for recording domains and exposing areas between the recording domains. A voltage bias establishes the substrate as an anode in the presence of Pt cathode, in an electrolyte bath. Ions of the less-noble element are anodically removed predominantly from the exposed areas of the recording layer for a controlled time. The controlled time minimizes oxidation of the nobler element and reduces undercutting of the recording domains. The article produced can have separating areas with surfaces substantially formed of the more-noble element.
US08187441B2	Electrochemical pump The invention provides electrochemically-based methods and devices for producing fluid flow and/or changes in fluid pressure. In the methods and devices of the invention, current passes through a divided electrochemical cell. Adjacent compartments of the cell are divided by an ionically conducting separator. Each compartment includes an electrode and an electrolyte solution or ionic liquid. The electrolyte solution(s) or ionic liquid(s) and the ionically conducting separator are selected to obtain the desired relationship between the current through the cell and the fluid flowrate and/or change in fluid pressure.
US08187438B2	Use of an electrophoretic gel provided with a non-adherent polymer film This invention relates to electrophoresis, in particular pre-cast mini gels with a low fluorescent polymer backing that is not adherent to the gel. Use of this type of small gel simplifies blotting procedures, such as Southern and Western blotting, after electrophoresis.
US08187436B2	Sensor deterioration judging apparatus and sensor deterioration judging method A gas sensor controller 190 stops an operation of pumping in or out oxygen that is being performed by a first pump cell 111 in a state that the oxygen concentration (oxygen partial pressure) of a gas to be measured is equal to a status judgment reference value (20%). The gas sensor controller 190 calculates an oxygen pressure in a second measurement chamber 161 on the basis of a second pump current Ip2. If the oxygen pressure in the second measurement chamber 161 is equal to a deterioration judgment reference value, the gas sensor controller 190 judges that the second pump cell 113 is in a normal state. If the oxygen pressure in the second measurement chamber 161 is different from the deterioration judgment reference value, the gas sensor controller 190 judges that the second pump cell 113 is in a deteriorated state.
US08187435B2	Reference electrode The invention provides a reference electrode including a liquid electrolyte containing water, a water soluble organic compound with molecular size and boiling point are both greater than water, and an ionic salt; a solid crystal of the ionic salt in the liquid electrolyte; a metal/metal salt complex layer in contact with the liquid electrolyte; an leading wire connected to the metal/metal salt complex layer; an insulation case for containing the liquid electrolyte; and a nano-porous junction material embedded in the insulation case for contacting the liquid electrolyte, wherein a pore size of the nano-porous junction material is greater than a cation diameter of the ionic salt but smaller than a molecular length of the water soluble organic compound. The solid crystal of the ionic salt is the sediment of part of the ionic salt because the amount of the ionic salt is more than its solubility in the liquid electrolyte.
US08187432B2	Anodizing apparatus An anodizing apparatus for forming an anodized film on the surface of a workpiece (11) made of aluminum or aluminum alloy includes a treatment tank (1) for containing an electrolytic solution, a cathode plate (2) disposed in the treatment tank, a supporting means (3) for supporting the workpiece so as to be immersed in the electrolytic solution, and a power supply (4) for continuously or intermittently applying a short-period bipolar or unipolar pulse voltage or an alternating voltage to between the workpiece and the cathode plate. The cathode plate (2) is arranged in a crosswise direction with respect to the workpiece (11).
US08187429B2	Wastewater treatment apparatus and method with stair-like heat treatment tanks A wastewater treatment apparatus and method with stair-like heat treatment tanks for performing a breakdown process are disclosed, in which the apparatus comprises: a mixing tank, for evenly mixing wastewater with reaction agents and thus forming a mixed solution; a plurality of heat treatment tanks, for enabling the mixed solution to circulate therein while being heating for a period of time so as to perform an organic destruction process upon the mixed solution and thus cause a discharging liquid to be formed; a heat exchanger, for enabling a heat exchanging process between the discharging liquid and the mixed solution to be performed therein; a condensation tank, for receiving and cooling the discharging liquid; a water purifier, for purifying and thus separating the discharging water into a cleaned water and a concentrated liquid for outputting; an agent recycling unit, for electrolyzing the concentrated liquid so as to recycle the reaction agents.
US08187426B2	Steam shower having improved maintenance access A steam shower is provided for supplying steam to a web in a paper machine. The steam shower includes a diffuser assembly mounted to the cross-beam for movement in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the cross beam. The cross-beam defines an interior steam header for connection to a source of steam. The diffuser assembly includes a plurality of separated steam compartments. The diffuser assembly may be part of a steam provision assembly that is also mounted to the cross-beam for movement in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the cross beam. In addition to the diffuser assembly, the steam provision assembly includes a second steam header and steam valve modules.
US08187417B2	Disassembly method for membrane electrode assembly for fuel cell and disassembly method for fuel cell A disassembly method for membrane electrode assembly for fuel cell, and a disassembly method for fuel cell are provided, disassembly methods which are advantageous for the recovery of catalysts that are included in catalytic layers by making structural destruction of the catalytic layers progress by means of expanding a volumetrically-expandable material inside the catalytic layers. In such a state that a catalytic layer includes a volumetrically-expandable material that is capable of expanding volumetrically, the volumetrically-expandable material, which is included in the catalytic layer, is expanded by means of expansion treatment. Next, expansion of the volumetrically-expandable material, which has undergone volumetric expansion in the catalytic layer, is cancelled.
US08187416B2	Interior antenna for substrate processing chamber An antenna for coupling RF energy to a plasma in a process chamber having a wall comprises a coil having a face exposed to the plasma in the chamber. A plurality of standoffs support the coil at a set spacing from the wall of the process chamber, at least one standoff comprising a terminal thorough which electrical power is applied to the coil from an external power source. The terminal comprises a conductor receptacle having a first length L1 and a jacket around the conductor receptacle, the jacket having a second length L2. The length L1 is larger than the length L2. A conductor cup is provided about the standoff having the terminal.
US08187408B2	Method of forming precision microspace, process for manufacturing member with precision microspace, and photosensitive laminated film A method of forming a precision microspace with given configuration and volume; a process for manufacturing a member having a precision microspace with given configuration and volume; etc. There is provided a method of forming a precision microspace by the step of laying a film on a substratum having a precision microscopic depressed portion, comprising the steps of mounting such a substratum on a first stage and setting a second stage covering the outer circumference of the first stage so that the uppermost face of the second stage is higher than that of the first stage; and laying a film on the substratum to thereby obtain a precision microspace with given configuration and volume.
US08187402B2	Method for producing a multidirectional fabric web The invention relates to a method for the continuous production of a multidirectional fabric web. The object of the invention is to create a method for the continuous production of a multidirectional fabric web that has a material layer running in a longitudinal direction and thus has sufficient stability against distortions in the fabric. This object is achieved according to the invention in that a continuous fold-winding process of at least one fiber layer running at an angle to the direction of extension of the fabric web to be produced takes place with the enclosing of at least one material web (1) running freely in the spread-out state in the production direction at least in the fold-winding zone. The invention can be used in the production of fabric webs that are used for example as a reinforcement of high-strength plastics.
US08187400B2	Microtubular honeycomb carbon material obtained by heat-treating cellulose fiber, production method of thereof, microtubular reactor module comprising the microtubular honeycomb carbon material and method for producing the microtubular reactor module Disclosed herein are a microtubular honeycomb carbon material obtained by heat-treating cellulose fiber, a production method thereof, a microtubular reactor module fabricated using the microtubular honeycomb carbon, a method for producing the microtubular reactor module, and a microcatalytic reactor system comprising the microtubular reactor module. A carbon material having a new structure is produced by heat-treating cellulose fiber, and a catalytic reactor system having a new structure is constructed by coating the surface of the carbon material with a metal catalyst. Cellulose carbide, used as the reactor material, is very simple to produce. Because it has a micro honeycomb structure having a large number of microchannels and a large number of mesopores, it can be loaded with a large amount of a catalyst compared to the prior material having the same area, and thus it is useful as a catalyst support, and the reaction efficiency can be maximized. Also, the microcatalytic reactor system can be used in applications including very small steam reformer systems that use biomass fuel such as ethanol, fuel cell reactor systems, VOC and low-concentration-hydrogen treatment systems operable below 200□, micro heat exchangers, and natural gas reformer systems. Thus, the invention is a useful, industrially applicable invention.
US08187397B2	Low density explosive emulsion An explosive emulsion to be used in conjunction with a gas-producing agent, such as sodium nitrite, to form an explosive emulsion with a density between 0.50 g/cm3 and 0.90 g/cm3. The present invention also includes the method for producing the explosive emulsion. The explosive emulsion is stable for at least 96 hours with nitrogen bubbles, having a predetermined dimension range, homogenously distributed. To maintain this low-density explosive emulsion stable, between 84% and 95% by weight of an oxidizing solution is combined with 5% to 16% by weight of a fuel solution. The fuel solution includes solid cacao fat as a stabilizing agent and stearic acid to prevent the combination of the nitrogen bubbles. The method for producing the oxidizing solution includes combining ammonium nitrate, sodium nitrate, thiourea, urea, and water at a temperature between 80 and 90 degrees centigrade. In another step of the method, a fuel solution is produced by combining an emulsifier, oil, diesel No. 2 fuel, solid cacao fat, and stearic acid at a temperature between 40 and 60 degrees centigrade. Then between 84% and 95% of the oxidizing solution is combined with 5% to 16% of the fuel solution.
US08187395B2	Electrical contact having high electrical conductivity made of internally oxidized silver-oxide material for compact electromagnetic relay Disclosed is an electrical contact having high electrical conductivity for a compact electromagnetic relay including an internally oxidized silver-oxide material which is prepared by subjecting an Ag alloy having a composition consisting essentially of, by weight, 5.1 to 9% Sn, 1.5 to 5% In, and 0.005 to 0.06% Bi, with the balance being Ag and unavoidable impurities, to an internal oxidation treatment and then subjecting to a heat treatment for diffusion, aggregation, and growth of precipitated oxides, wherein the internally oxidized silver-oxide material has a metallographic structure such that coarse grains of composite oxides are dispersed and distributed in an Ag matrix, the coarse grains of composite oxides being formed as a result of coarsening of ultra-fine grains of Sn-based oxides and ultra-fine grains of In-based oxides, which are precipitated by the internal oxidation treatment, by the heat treatment for diffusion, aggregation, and growth of the precipitated oxides.
US08187394B2	Soft magnetic powder A powder magnetic core is provided for operating at high frequencies that is obtained by pressure forming an iron-based magnetic powder covered with an insulation film, which has a specific resistance more than 1000, preferably more than 2000, and most preferably more than 3000 μΩm, and a saturation magnetic flux density B above 1.5, preferably above 1.7, and most preferably above 1.9 (T). A method for the preparation of such cores as well as a powder which is suitable for the preparation also are provided.
US08187392B2	R-Fe-B type rare earth sintered magnet and process for production of the same In an R—Fe—B based rare-earth sintered magnet according to the present invention, at a depth of 20 μm under the surface of its magnet body, crystal grains of an R2Fe14B type compound have an (RL1-xRHx)2Fe14B (where 0.2≦x≦0.75) layer with a thickness of 1 nm to 2 μm in their outer periphery. In this case, the light rare-earth element RL is at least one of Nd and Pr, and the heavy rare-earth element RH is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Dy, Ho and Tb.
US08187390B2	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.
US08187389B2	Method of removing resist and apparatus therefor A resist removing device 1 functions to remove a resist from a substrate while preventing occurrence of popping phenomenon and at the same time attains reduction in cost of energy for the resist removing and has a simplified constitution. The resist removing device 1 is equipped with a chamber 2 for containing therein a substrate 16 (for example, a substrate having a high-doze ion implanted resist), and with a pressure below the atmospheric pressure, the chamber 2 is fed with ozone gas, unsaturated hydrocarbons and water vapor. The ozone gas may be an ultra-high concentrated ozone gas that is produced by subjecting an ozone containing gas to a liquefaction-separation with the aid of a vapor pressure difference and then vaporizing the liquefied ozone. For cleaning the substrate 16 thus treated, it is preferable to use ultra-pure water. The chamber 2 is equipped with a susceptor 15 for holding the substrate 16. The susceptor 15 is heated to a temperature of 100° C. or below. An example of the means of heating the susceptor is a light source that emits infra-red rays.
US08187374B2	Process for manufacturing clinker with controlled CO2 emission The invention relates to a process for manufacturing clinker from a raw mix, implementing the following: preheating of the raw mix by combustion flue gases; precalcination of the raw mix; and calcination of the precalcined raw mix in a rotary kiln, in which process the precalcination and the calcination in the rotary kiln produce combustion flue gases that contain CO2, in which the combustion flue gases created by the precalcination undergo a CO2-removal treatment without said flue gases mixing with the combustion flue gases created by the calcination in the rotary kiln.
US08187372B2	Ink-jet O/W emulsion ink and ink-jet recording method using the same An ink-jet O/W emulsion ink of the present invention includes an aqueous continuous phase (a), and a nonaqueous discontinuous phase (b), wherein the aqueous continuous phase (a) includes water, at least one pigment and at least one ionic or nonionic surfactant, and the nonaqueous discontinuous phase (b) includes at least one water-insoluble organic material having a hydroxyl group.
US08187369B2	Sorbent activation plate A sorbent activation plate having a first surface, a second surface opposite the first surface, a plurality of reliefs in the first surface, and a plurality of protrusions on the second surface. The sorbent activation plate is structured to attach to a boiler tube such that the plurality of protrusions contact the boiler tube and offset the second surface from the boiler tube.
US08187366B2	Natural gas desulfurization A method for desulfurizing natural gas includes contacting the natural gas with an adsorbent which preferentially adsorbs at least one of hydrogen sulfide, COS, sulfur odorants, or combinations thereof, at a selected temperature and pressure, thereby producing desulfurized natural gas and an at least one of hydrogen sulfide/COS/sulfur odorant/combinations thereof-rich adsorbed component. The adsorbent includes a copper species adapted to form π-complexation bonds and direct metal-sulfur bonds with the at least one of hydrogen sulfide, COS, sulfur odorants, or combinations thereof, and wherein the preferential adsorption occurs by π-complexation and direct metal-sulfur bonding.
US08187365B2	Process for removal of metal carbonyls from a synthesis gas stream The invention provides a process for removal of metal carbonyls from a synthesis gas stream comprising metal carbonyls, the process comprising the steps of: (a) adsorption of metal carbonyls by contacting the synthesis gas stream with solid adsorbent comprising activated carbon and/or hydrophobic zeolite to obtain solid adsorbent enriched in metal carbonyls and a synthesis gas stream depleted of metal carbonyls; (b) desorption of metal carbonyls by contacting the solid adsorbent enriched in metal carbonyls with CO-containing gas comprising at least 0.5 volume % CO to obtain regenerated adsorbent depleted of metal carbonyls and CO-containing gas enriched in metal carbonyls, wherein the temperature at which metal carbonyl desorption takes place is higher than the temperature at which metal carbonyl adsorption takes place.
US08187360B2	Process for the instantaneous control of precipitation of nickel and cobalt present in the leach liquor, by adjusting the pH of the solution The present invention concerns a process for the instantaneous control of the precipitation of nickel and cobalt present in a leach liquor by adjustment of the pH-value. Said leach liquor is obtained by pressurized acidic leaching of laterite ores and additionally contains aluminium, ferric and ferrous iron and chromium among others. The process comprises the following steps: precipitation of aluminium, ferric and ferrous iron, chromium etc. by increasing the pH-value by adding a suitable reagent such as lime and/or limestone, following precipitation of nickel and cobalt by further increasing the pH-value of the liquor, finally separating the precipitate from the low-content nickel and cobalt solution. The nickel and cobalt precipitate can be used for further refinement. In order to keep the process conditions constant, the steps of increasing the pH-value are controlled simultaneously.
US08187354B2	Filtration media for filtering particulate material from gas streams A composite fabric formed by depositing a web of nanofibers electroblown from a first polymer onto a first support web comprising fibers of larger average diameter than the nanofibers spun from a compatible material, in the absence of an adhesive between the webs, and solvent-bonding the webs together.
US08187352B2	Filter A filter bag is longitudinally formed in a frusto-conical shape The filter bag has a plurality of radially extending members that form a propeller shaped cross-section, and a propeller-shaped molded bottom that enhances dust fall from the exterior. A frusto-conically-shaped inner cage facilitates the shape of the filter bag of the filter element.
US08187349B2	Gasification reactor vessel A gasification reactor vessel comprising a combustion chamber in the upper half of the vessel, provided with a product gas outlet at the bottom end of the combustion chamber, at least two burner openings are present in the wall of the combustion chamber, which burner openings are located at the same horizontal level and are positioned diametrical relative to each other and wherein in each burner opening a burner is present, wherein between the wall of the combustion chamber and the wall of vessel an annular space is provided, wherein the wall of the combustion chamber comprises an arrangement of interconnected tubes (vertical arranged or helical coiled), wherein the product gas outlet at the bottom end of the combustion chamber is fluidly connected to a dip-tube, which partly is submerged in a water bath located at the lower end of the reactor vessel, and wherein at the upper end of the dip-tube means are present to add a quenching medium to the, in use, downwardly flowing mixture of hydrogen and carbon monoxide.
US08187348B2	Hydrogen generator A hydrogen generator includes a container with multiple concentric hollow cylinders of chemical hydride fuel disposed within the container. A water vapor source is disposed within the container and operable to deliver water vapor to the cylinders of chemical hydride fuel. Generated hydrogen is provided via a hydrogen output port formed in the container.
US08187343B2	Methods of manufacturing electric double layer capacitor cell and electric double layer capacitor and apparatus for manufacturing electric double layer capacitor cell There are provided methods of manufacturing an electric double layer capacitor cell and an electric double layer capacitor and an apparatus for manufacturing an electric double layer capacitor cell. The method of manufacturing the electric double layer capacitor cell includes preparing first and second electrode sheets by printing electrode material onto conductive sheets, respectively, with the exception of regions to be provided as first and second terminal lead-out portions in the conductive sheets; punching the first and second electrode sheets so as to form a plurality of first and second unit electrodes, respectively, each first unit electrode having the first terminal lead-out portion and each second unit electrode having the second terminal lead-out portion; stacking the first and second electrode sheets with a separator interposed therebetween in order that the plurality of first and second unit electrodes are overlapped; and cutting the first and second electrode sheets being stacked into the first and second unit electrodes.
US08187335B2	Posterior stabilized orthopaedic knee prosthesis having controlled condylar curvature An orthopaedic knee prosthesis includes a tibial bearing and a femoral component configured to articulate with the tibial bearing. The femoral component includes a posterior cam configured to contact a spine of the tibial bearing and a condyle surface curved in the sagittal plane. The radius of curvature of the condyle surface decreases gradually between early-flexion and mid-flexion. Additionally, in some embodiments, the radius of curvature of the condyle surface may be increased during mid-flexion.
US08187332B2	Bone fusion device A bone fusion device provides stability to bones during a bone fusion period. The bones include, for example, the vertebrae of a spinal column. The bone fusion device comprises one or more extendable tabs attached to the bone fusion device by associated rotating means. The bone fusion device is preferably inserted by using an arthroscopic surgical procedure. During arthroscopic insertion of the device, the tabs are pre-configured for compactness. In this compact configuration, the tabs are preferably deposed along and/or within an exterior surface of the bone fusion device. After the bone fusion device has been positioned between the bones, one or more tab(s) are extended. In the preferred embodiment, the position of each tab is related to a positioning element and extending blocks. Typically, the tabs advantageously position and brace the bone fusion device in the confined space between the bones until the bones have fused.
US08187331B2	Expandable vertebral implant and methods of use An implant for insertion between vertebral members in which an inner member, intermediate member, and outer member are concentrically disposed. The inner and outer members may comprise end plates to contact the vertebral members. The outer member may include a tapered interior wall. A locking element is movably contained within an opening that extends through a sidewall of the intermediate member. The intermediate member is displaceable longitudinally in first and second directions relative to the outer member. Displacement of the intermediate member in the first direction tends to force the locking element laterally into contact with the inner and outer members. A biasing member may urge the intermediate member in the first direction. Displacement of the intermediate member in the second direction allows the locking element to be laterally displaced out of contact with the inner member.
US08187327B2	Selectively-expandable bone scaffold An apparatus includes a scaffold configured to be disposed in a bone. The scaffold is configured to move from a first configuration to a second configuration. The scaffold in the second configuration is expanded from the first configuration. A selectively-expandable actuator is configured to be removably disposed within the scaffold. The selectively-expandable actuator is configured to move at least a portion of the scaffold to the second configuration when the selectively-expandable actuator is moved to an expanded configuration. A shape of the selectively-expandable actuator is substantially the same as a shape of the scaffold when the selectively-expandable actuator and the scaffold are in the second configuration. The selectively-expandable actuator configured to be removed from the scaffold when in a collapsed configuration. The scaffold is configured to remain substantially in the second configuration after the scaffold has been expanded by the actuator.
US08187326B2	Attachment of absorbable tissue scaffolds to fixation devices The present invention relates to tissue scaffold implant devices useful in the repair and/or regeneration of diseased and/or damaged musculoskeletal tissue and that include a tissue scaffold component fixedly attached to a scaffold fixation component via a polymeric adhesive layer, and to methods of making such tissue scaffold implant devices.
US08187316B2	Implantable graft device having treated yarn and method for making same An implantable graft device having treated yarn is disclosed. The device includes a graft body forming a lumen defining a longitudinal axis and having proximal and distal ends. The graft body is constructed from a woven fabric having warp yarns aligned in a first direction and a weft yarns aligned in a second direction. At least one of the weft yarns and the warp yarns has an agent applied thereto defining treated yarns of the graft body.
US08187308B2	Internal joint distraction method An internal joint distraction device provides articulation to an articulating bone joint between an upper bone structure and a lower bone structure. The device includes a medial plate shaped to at least partially conform to a medial side of a bone structure of a limb and includes a lateral plate shaped to at least partially conform to a lateral side of a bone structure of a limb. Each of the medial and lateral plates may include a longitudinal length sufficient to extend from the upper bone structure to the lower bone structure thereby spanning at least a portion of the joint. Each plates includes at least one proximal connection feature formed therein for connecting to the upper bone structure and at least one distal connection feature formed therein for connecting to the lower bone structure. An axle extends from one of the connection features on the medial plate to one of the connection features on the lateral plate. The axle extends through one of the upper and lower bone structures in a manner that said one of the upper and lower bone structures pivots about the axle relative to the other of the upper and lower bone structures.
US08187306B2	Interspinous process spacers Interspinous implants including a spacer configured to fit between first and second adjacent spinous processes of a human spine, to maintain a minimum separation between the spinous processes. An implant also includes a fixation portion coupled to the spacer, in which the fixation portion engages at least one spinous process to hold the spacer in a stable position relative to the spinous process. An implant may be monolithic, non-fillable, and may be inserted between the spinous process from a lateral approach. The fixation portion may be configured as a bracket which can substantially encircle the spinous process, or as flanges which engage lateral sides of the spinous process(es). The spacer may be resilient, and may be expandable along the anterior/posterior direction between the spinous processes. An implant may provide resilient resistance during extension, and/or a uniform extension stop between the spinous processes.
US08187305B2	Methods and apparatus for deploying spinous process constraints A surgical tool for deploying an implant includes an elongate outer shaft having a proximal end, a distal end and a central channel therebetween. An elongate inner shaft is at least partially slidably received in the central channel and an actuator mechanism is operatively coupled with either the outer or inner shaft. The tool also includes a piercing element that is coupled with the outer shaft and releasably coupled with the implant.
US08187304B2	Facet fusion system A device including a side wall defining an inner space; a lock mechanism; a pivot post; and a securement post where the device is a facet joint fusion cage; and a facet joint distractor is capable of engaging the lock mechanism via a lock and key arrangement. A method of using such a device includes positioning the facet fusion cage in the facet joint of a patient in need of facet joint fusion; and moving the securement post to a locked position.
US08187303B2	Anti-rotation fixation element for spinal prostheses Prostheses, systems, and methods are provided for replacement of natural facet joints between adjacent vertebrae with vertebral prostheses. A portion of the vertebral prosthesis includes anti-rotation and/or anti-pullout elements to prevent or reduce prosthesis fastener rotation or pull out as a result of torques applied to the prosthesis. Various tools and methods aid the process of surgically adding the vertebral prosthesis to a patient's vertebra.
US08187299B2	Methods and apparatus for cardiac valve repair The methods, devices, and systems are provided for performing endovascular repair of atrioventricular and other cardiac valves in the heart. Regurgitation of an atrioventricular valve, particularly a mitral valve, can be repaired by modifying a tissue structure selected from the valve leaflets, the valve annulus, the valve chordae, and the papillary muscles. These structures may be modified by suturing, stapling, snaring, or shortening, using interventional tools which are introduced to a heart chamber. Preferably, the tissue structures will be temporarily modified prior to permanent modification. For example, opposed valve leaflets may be temporarily grasped and held into position prior to permanent attachment.
US08187296B2	Apparatus and method for developing an anatomic space for laparoscopic hernia repair and patch for use therewith An apparatus for creating an anatomic space in tissue in a body comprises an introducer and a sheath. The tubular sheath may surround the introducer, and may have a weakened region along its longitudinal axis. A handle may be provided on the sheath. The handle may be adapted to be pulled proximally to separate the weakened region and allow the sheath to be removed from the introducer. The sheath may be secured to the introducer via detents or latches on the handle.
US08187288B2	Re-shapeable medical device A medical device enables a user to bend it into a shape to suit a specific patient need or to orient efficiently the medical device for use. The medical device includes an elongate member, a mechanism, and an actuator. The mechanism is disposed at the distal portion of the elongate member. The actuator is at least partially disposed within the elongate member and coupled to the mechanism for actuating the mechanism relative to the elongate member. The elongate member is capable of being bent into a shape by the user and of retaining the shape during use. The shape may include multiple bends, in multiple directions, as needed for an application. Thereafter, the elongate member is capable of being bent into a second shape by the user and of maintaining the second shape during use.
US08187287B1	Anti-backup mechanism An anti-backup mechanism for constraining operating components in an operating mechanism to complete first and second strokes of reciprocal linear motion.
US08187283B2	Reusable orthopaedic instrument having drain holes A reusable orthopaedic instrument includes a reusable orthopedic trial having a first outer surface and a second outer surface that is opposite the first outer surface. The second outer surface includes a plurality of sidewalls extending outwardly therefrom to form a cavity. A drain hole is formed in the second outer surface at a location within the cavity. The drain hole extends through the reusable orthopaedic trial from the second outer surface to the first outer surface. Further, the second outer surface slopes downwardly from the plurality of sidewalls toward the drain hole.
US08187282B2	Ancillary tool for positioning a glenoid implant The ancillary tool according to the invention comprises a plate which defines a convex surface intended to bear against the glenoid cavity of a patient's scapula and which forms a directional guide for a drilling, fashioning or like member. To allow the surgeon to apply this member in a chosen direction, the tool comprises means for adjusting the position of the guide with respect to the plate.
US08187281B2	Variable angle targeting device An orthopedic device includes a targeting member, an elongated guiding member, and an adjustment member. The targeting member has an elongated body along a first longitudinal axis and can be coupled to an intramedullary implant such that the first longitudinal axis is parallel to the intramedullary implant. The targeting member includes a first bore extending along a second longitudinal axis t1hrough the elongated body, the first bore having a cross-section elongated in the direction of the first longitudinal axis. The first and second longitudinal axes define a first plane. The elongated guiding member passes through the first bore and is pivotable relative to the first longitudinal axis. The adjustment member is coupled to the elongated body and operable to change an orientation of the guiding member relative to the first longitudinal axis in the first plane.
US08187280B2	Knee joint prosthesis system and method for implantation A system for cooperating with an elongated IM member during preparation of a bone for receiving a prosthesis can include a scaffold, skeleton or frame. An alignment assembly can be selectively coupled to the frame. The alignment assembly can cooperate with the IM member to position the frame relative to the bone. A cutting block can be selectively coupled to the frame. According to other features, a posterior stabilized (PS) box guide assembly can have a PS box guide attachment portion that selectively couples with the first attachment portion of the frame. A posterior foot can selectively couple with a second attachment portion on the frame. The posterior foot can be positioned to occupy space of a joint line in an installed position.
US08187278B2	Photodynamic cellular and acellular organism eradication utilizing a photosensitive material and benzalkonium chloride The invention relates to a method of photoeradication of cellular and acellular organisms including the steps of providing a surface acting agent containing benzalkonium chloride in association with a cellular or acellular organism, the surface acting agent disorienting a membrane structure so that said membrane no longer functions as an effective osmotic barrier; providing a photosensitive material in association with the cellular or acellular organism; and applying light in association with the cellular or acellular organism to cause a disruption of the organism. The method according to the present invention may be utilized in invitro and invivo treatment protocols for infections, sterilization procedures, cancer cell eradication, virus and fungus eradication, spore eradication, and biofilm organism eradication. Additional aspects of the invention include particular combinations of photosensitive materials and surfactants for use in photodynamic therapies.
US08187277B2	Translational occipital vertebral fixation system An occipital plating system includes a fixation assembly with a plate and a coupling member extending from a respective one of opposite lateral portions of the plate. The coupling members include a channel to receive a connecting element extending from the spinal column. The coupling members are rotatable and translatable relative to the plate.
US08187274B2	External fixator An external fixator system includes a fixation bar, a fixation pin, and a clamp assembly. The clamp assembly includes a first jaw pair, a second jaw pair, and a first spring insert. The first jaw pair has a first upper jaw component and a first lower jaw component that collectively define a first passage configured to receive the fixation bar. The second jaw pair has a second upper jaw component and a second lower jaw component that collectively define a second passage configured to receive the fixation pin. The first spring insert is positioned within the first passage and interposed between the first upper jaw component and the first lower jaw component. Advancement of the fixation bar into the first passage causes deflection of the first spring insert.
US08187267B2	Ablation catheter with flexible tip and methods of making the same A flexible tip electrode for an ablation catheter and methods for making the same are disclosed. The electrode has a surface configuration that improves flexibility of the electrode. Also, the surface configuration may allow electrode lengthwise freedom of movement, such that the electrode may be shortened when pressed against the target tissue. A coil may be located in the electrode to bias the electrode toward a predetermined configuration.
US08187266B2	Surgical probe and methods for targeted treatment of heart structures A surgical probe and methods for targeted treatment of structures of the heart with heat and radiofrequency energy. The probe which is designed to operated by hand has a elongate member with a handle and an energy-delivering member in an adjustable loop configuration. The control placed on the handle allow the user to alter the length of the loop configuration of the energy-delivering member and to thus place energy-delivering elements located on the energy-delivering member at selected or targeted portions of the heart or structures within the heart. The elongate member is conformable and can be bent into different configurations to allow additional targeted treatment of the particular portions of the heart.
US08187263B2	System and method for return electrode monitoring A return electrode monitoring (“REM”) system is disclosed. The REM system includes a return electrode pad having a pair of split electrode pads and a detection circuit coupled to the pair of split electrode pads. The detection circuit and the pair of split electrode pads are adapted to resonate across a predetermined resonance range. The REM system also includes a controller coupled to the detection circuit and configured to provide a sweeping drive signal to the detection circuit across the resonance range. The detection circuit generates a drive signal in response to the sweeping drive signal and the controller determines a complex impedance across the at least one pair of split electrode pads as a function of the drive signal.
US08187260B1	Variable cryosurgical probe planning system A cryosurgical system for assisting an operator in placing and operating cryosurgical probes in the prostate of a human patient. The cryosurgical system includes a computer system being programmed with software capable of performing the following steps: a) capturing a plurality of transverse views of the prostate; b) capturing a sagittal view of the prostate; c) outlining the capsule of the prostate, the urethra and the rectal wall of the patient with the assistance of the operator, utilizing the captured plurality of transverse views and the captured sagittal view; d) constructing a 3-dimensional model of the prostate, the urethra and the rectal wall utilizing the outlines of step c), above; and, e) utilizing the 3-dimensional model of the prostate, the urethra and the rectal wall to determine i) the number of cryosurgical probes to be utilized; ii) probe settings; and, iii) probe placement positions. The resultant ice thus produced by the cryosurgical probes is optimized for a specific patient.
US08187252B2	Shape memory system with integrated actuation using embedded particles A shape memory material with integrated actuation using embedded particles. One embodiment provides a shape memory material apparatus comprising a shape memory material body and magnetic pieces in the shape memory material body. Another embodiment provides a method of actuating a device to perform an activity on a subject comprising the steps of positioning a shape memory material body in a desired position with regard to the subject, the shape memory material body capable of being formed in a specific primary shape, reformed into a secondary stable shape, and controllably actuated to recover the specific primary shape; including pieces in the shape memory material body; and actuating the shape memory material body using the pieces causing the shape memory material body to be controllably actuated to recover the specific primary shape and perform the activity on the subject.
US08187251B2	Methods of treating cardiac arrhythmia Methods and apparatus of embodiments of the invention are adapted to treat tissue inside a patient's body. Aspects of the invention can be used in a wide variety of applications, but certain embodiments provide minimally invasive alternatives for treating atrial fibrillation by delivering a tissue-damaging agent to selected areas of the heart. One exemplary embodiment of the invention provides a method of treating cardiac arrhythmia. This method includes positioning a distal tissue-contacting portion of a body in surface contact with a tissue surface of cardiac tissue; detecting the surface contact between the tissue-contacting portion and the tissue surface; and thereafter, injecting a tissue-ablating agent into the cardiac tissue through the tissue-contacting portion of the body.
US08187247B2	Multi-configurable absorbent article An absorbent article is provided with closure means for securing the article about the waist of a wearer. The article may be worn in a belt type configuration or a slip type configuration. Belt means are provided which are maintained in a retracted position along a rear panel of the article. Releasable attachment means allow the belt to be extended partially or fully. Fasteners on the front panel may be secured to the respective belt means in a slip type configuration, in which the belt means are in a partially or fully retracted configuration. A belt type configuration may be created in a fully extended configuration of the respective belt portions, in which the belt ends may be fastened to each other about the waist of a wearer. The article may have a substantially constant or same size in both the slip or belt type configurations.
US08187245B2	Absorbent article, belt structure, manufacturing method for a belt structure and manufacturing method for an absorbent article The disclosure relates to an absorbent article including a top-sheet having an inner side and an outside and a back-sheet having an inner side and an outside and the inner side of the back-sheet being directed towards the inner side of the top-sheet. At least one elongate belt is provided which has a free end portion for fastening the absorbent article around the waist of a wearer and an attachment end portion that is fixedly attached to the outside of the back-sheet or to the outside of the top-sheet, whereas the free end portion is arranged within the boundaries of the top-sheet and/or the back-sheet.
US08187242B1	Absorbent body for an absorbent product and methods of producing an absorbent body An absorbent article, such as a sanitary napkin or an incontinence diaper, has an absorbent body having at least one fold line formed therein defining at least two segments of the absorbent body. The segments formed by the at least one fold line are generally foldable relative to each other along the at least one fold line to facilitate conformance of the absorbent article to the wearer's body. In a method of forming the absorbent body, a first cut-out from a first web material is passed through a nip along with a second web material whereby the cut-out from the first web material overlays the second web material. A fold line is then formed in the second web material at the peripheral edge of the cut-out of the first web material as the cut-out and second web material pass through the nip.
US08187241B2	Disposable absorbent articles having multiple absorbent core components including replaceable components A disposable absorbent article adapted to be worn about a lower torso of a human body and having a chassis, a non-removable absorbent core component disposed in a crotch region of the chassis, and a replaceable absorbent core component disposed in capillary liquid communication with the non-removable absorbent core component. The replaceable absorbent core component may be removed and a like component may be substituted in place of the removed component without the removal of the absorbent article from the wearer. The replaceable absorbent core component may be disposed inside an openable chassis pocket, with access for its removal and replacement provided by an aperture in a backsheet, an openable end of an external pocket, or an openable end of an internal pocket formed at an area of a waist end edge where the backsheet and a topsheet may be separated. Additional replaceable absorbent core components may also be incorporated.
US08187234B2	Pressure activated safety valve with anti-adherent coating A pressure activated valve comprises a valve housing defining a lumen for receiving bodily fluids therein and a flexible membrane disposed in the valve housing. The flexible membrane includes a slit extending therethrough so that the flexible membrane may be moved between an open and a closed configuration based on fluid pressure within the lumen. A nonthrombogenic coating may be formed on fluid contacting surfaces of the flexible membrane.
US08187233B2	Medication delivery device The present invention relates to a medication delivery device, to dosing mechanisms suitable for use in medication delivery devices, in particular in pen-type injectors, preferably having dose setting means and a drive device enabling the administration of a medicinal product from a single- or multi-dose medication cartridge, to a use of such device, and to a method of manufacturing or assembling such device.
US08187225B2	Fluid injection system and pressure jacket assembly with syringe illumination The fluid injection apparatus for use with a syringe includes an injector and a pressure jacket assembly associated with the injector. The injector includes a housing defining a central opening and a drive piston extendable through the central opening for imparting motive forces to a syringe plunger disposed within the syringe. The pressure jacket assembly includes a pressure jacket and at least one support arm associated with and extending outward from the housing. A syringe retaining member is attached to the at least one support arm. The syringe-retaining member defines a syringe receiving slot for receiving at least a portion of the syringe. A light source is located on the support arm and faces the pressure jacket for illuminating the syringe.
US08187224B2	Methods performed by medicine injection apparatuses Operations performed by a medicine injector having a barrel with a receiving cavity to slidably receive a syringe subassembly for axial movement therein. Upon removal of a safety and release of a syringe driver, the syringe driver moves forward and injects the syringe needle. One or more penetration controls are shown for controlling injection needle penetration depth. In some forms of penetration control a sleeve and spring are used in the methods performed. This construction and a cushioning piece or pieces may be used to reduce the forces experienced by the syringe subassembly. A load distribution ring may further be used with a cushion, spring and guide ring which may be used to help distribute deceleration loading experienced by the syringe subassembly.
US08187222B2	Devices and systems for delivery of therapeutic agents to body lumens In accordance with one aspect, the invention provides medical devices that comprise an elongated drug delivery member, which is adapted to take on a radially expanded configuration upon actuation in vivo.
US08187220B2	Seal structures for wet/dry automatic injectors An automatic medicament injector has a first compartment for a first medicament component and a second compartment for a second medicament component. The two compartments are separated by a seal structure that converts from a sealing condition to a mixing condition when the device is activated. The seal structure has a plug that opens a flow path through the seal structure to allow the second medicament component to mix with the first medicament component in the first compartment when the seal structure is in the mixing condition.
US08187218B2	Gastrointestinal lavage system An apparatus having a tube section and an expanded end. The tube section is flexible while the end section is rigid. The apparatus has a central bore, large enough to loosely receive an endoscope tube, and the end section has two peripheral bores which communicate with the central bore. There is a collar around the central bore which allows formation an air- and water-tight seal with the head of an endoscope. The tube may be fenestrated at its proximal end and may include medial pleats. This apparatus is mainly used by: sliding an endoscope into the central bore until the endoscope head forms an air- and water-tight seal with the central bore; connecting a lavage tube to one peripheral bore and a vacuum tube to the other peripheral bore; inserting the endoscope and the apparatus into a GI tract; and manually controlling the apparatus to apply lavage and vacuum.
US08187212B2	Pain-alleviating orthopaedic appliance An orthopaedic appliance includes a body, a protrusion extending inwardly from the body, positioned on the body to apply pressure on a proximal portion of the soleus muscle, and means for applying pressure to the protrusion.
US08187210B2	Abdominal wound dressing An abdominal wound dressing and methods of use are described that enable the application of negative pressure to the wound site in a healing manner while also limiting the formation of adhesions that would prevent the removal of the dressing. The method comprises providing a flexible film having a plurality of holes therein and placing the flexible film in the wound. The flexible film has a first, patient-facing side and a second side. The method includes placing a porous pad on top of the second side of the flexible film. The flexible film and porous pad are sealed within the wound with a drape that is positioned in contact with an area of skin surrounding the wound. A negative pressure is provided to the porous pad for drawing a flow of exuded fluids from the wound.
US08187208B2	Methods for assessment of pelvic organ conditions affecting the vagina Methods for assessment of pelvic floor conditions based on tactile imaging are described. The vaginal wall is deformed using a transvaginal probe equipped with tactile pressure sensors and a motion tracking sensor. The vaginal wall coordinates and pressure patterns are obtained during the examination and used to build 3-D tactile image of the vagina and to calculate elasticity modulus profiles and spacing profiles along selected lines inside 3-D tactile image. The profile values at specified locations are then compared with thresholds or profiles for normal conditions of vagina and its support structures. Methods of the invention are disclosed to be used in assessing a risk of pelvic organ prolapse development, estimating an extent of pelvic floor organ traumatic damage after childbirth and estimating an improvement after an interventional procedure.
US08187207B2	Devices, systems, and methods for reshaping a heart valve annulus, including the use of magnetic tools Implants or systems of implants and methods apply a selected force vector or a selected combination of force vectors within or across the left atrium, which allow mitral valve leaflets to better coapt. The implants or systems of implants and methods make possible rapid deployment, facile endovascular delivery, and full intra-atrial retrievability. The implants or systems of implants and methods also make use of strong fluoroscopic landmarks. The implants or systems of implants and methods make use of an adjustable implant and a fixed length implant. The implants or systems of implants and methods may also utilize a bridge stop to secure the implant, and the methods of implantation employ various tools.
US08187206B2	Guide wire A guide wire includes a member with a core wire. The guide wire may have a marker-forming layer which partly encircles the outer surface of the member and differs in color from the member, and a coating layer which covers the marker-forming layer and the member at least in the region where the marker-forming layer is formed and has such transparency as to make the marker-forming layer visible. The marker-forming layer and the coating layer can be formed from mutually miscible resins, while the marker-forming layer functions as a visible marker.
US08187204B2	Surgical device and method for using same A method of using a surgical system that includes an outer cannula is disclosed. The method includes removably mounting a surgical device to an adapter. The adapter is secured to a stage. The surgical device and adapter is positioned at a predetermined location for inserting the outer cannula toward a target site in a body. Once positioned in the body, the outer cannula is fired to the target site. At least one tissue sample is taken using the surgical device and tissue samples are harvested from the surgical device.
US08187202B2	Method and apparatus for acoustical outer ear characterization The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for characterizing acoustical properties of an outer ear 130, the method comprising the steps of: transmitting a first acoustic signal 125 towards the outer ear 130, receiving a second acoustic signal 150 from the outer ear 130, and characterizing acoustical properties 165 of the outer ear on the basis of the second acoustic signal 150. The method is characterized in that the first acoustic signal 125 comprises at least one of the following elements: music, and speech. The present invention further relates to a method and apparatus for enrolling, authenticating and identifying a person on the basis of acoustical properties of an outer ear 130.
US08187200B2	Method and apparatus to detect and monitor the frequency of obstructive sleep apnea The present invention provides a method and apparatus for detecting and monitoring obstructive sleep apnea. The apparatus includes an intracardiac impedance sensor to measure intracardiac impedance, a movement sensor to measure an amount of movement of a patient, and a controller operatively coupled to said intracardiac impedance sensor and said movement sensor, said controller adapted to receive at least one of an intracardiac impedance and the amount of movement of the patient and detect obstructive sleep apnea based upon said intracardiac impedance and said movement.
US08187198B2	Rapid thermal detection of cardiac output change An improved system for measuring changes in blood flow, particularly in the context of an automatic arrhythmia treatment device. The system includes a heater, exposable to a bloodstream, a driver providing power to the heater, a temperature sensor, isolated from the blood stream and thermally coupled to the temperature of the heater and a measurement circuit coupled to the temperature sensor, providing signals indicative of blood flow. The system may include an intravascular lead having a lead body wherein the heater is mounted to the lead body so as to dissipate its generated heat into the blood. The heater and temperature sensor may be thermally insulated from the lead body and the heater and the temperature sensor may be on substantially a single isotherm during operation.
US08187197B2	Cerebral perfusion monitor A method of estimating cerebral blood flow includes obtaining a measure of time-varying blood volume in the head, using an impedance plethysmography (102 and 104), obtaining a measure of time-varying blood volume in the scalp, and using the time-varying blood volume in the head and scalp to estimate cerebral blood flow.
US08187193B2	Miniature actuator mechanism for intravascular imaging The present invention relates to a new intravascular imaging device based on a Shape Memory Alloy (SMA) actuator mechanism embedded inside an elongate member such as a guide wire or catheter. The present invention utilizes a novel SMA mechanism to provide side-looking imaging by providing movement for an ultrasound transducer element. This novel SMA actuator mechanism can be easily fabricated in micro-scale, providing an advantage over existing imaging devices because it offers the ability to miniaturize the overall size of the device, while the use of multiple transducer crystals maximizes field of view. Also disclosed are methods of using the same.
US08187190B2	Method and system for configuration of a pacemaker and for placement of pacemaker electrodes Ultrasound imaging methods and systems for assisting a clinician in configuring the operation of a pacemaker and for determining an optimal site for the pacemaker electrode are presented. The methods and systems provide a toolbox for analyzing and optimizing the effectiveness of the pacemaker and proposed electrode sites. The method includes a function which evaluates one or more electrode sites and pacemaker configurations. The function may be based, for example, on the activation voltage of the pacemaker, on an estimate of the volume of blood ejected from the heart and/or on the cardiac dysynchrony. The ejection volume and the dysynchrony may be estimated using an imaging cardiac catheter ultrasound transducer array and ultrasound unit.
US08187186B2	Ultrasonic diagnosis of myocardial synchronization An ultrasonic diagnostic imaging method and system are described for detecting abnormalities in the synchronicity of heart wall stimulation. Points on opposite sides of a chamber of the heart are identified in a starting ultrasound image, then tracked through at least a portion of the heart cycle. The changing positions of lines extending between pairs of the points are accumulated and displayed in a color kinesis display in which each color depicts the location of a line at a particular point in the cardiac cycle. In an illustrated example the points are tracked through the cardiac cycle by speckle tracking of the speckle pattern of the adjacent myocardial tissue, tracking specific anatomy, or tracking tissue texture.
US08187184B2	Access disconnect system with optical and other sensors An optical access disconnect system is useful for detecting the presence of blood. The optical access disconnect system includes one or more optical sensors placed near an access site of a patient, the optical sensors suitable for detecting the presence of blood, especially by detecting a difference in light reflected or absorbed by blood. The optical access disconnect system may also be used as an interlock to assure compliance. A detector may be placed adjacent the access site to detect the access needle, or an object or mark on the access needle or fluid line. A therapy machine, such as a dialysis machine, may be programmed not to start or continue operation unless the needle or fluid line is detected. The detector may be one of the optical sensors, calibrated or adjusted to detect a mark on the needle or access line, or may be another type of detector.
US08187178B2	Instrument access device An instrument access device comprises at least a first instrument seal 71 to effect a seal around a first instrument extended through the device and a second instrument seal 72 to effect a seal around a second instrument extended through the device. The instrument seals 71, 72 are configured to be arranged in a sealing relationship to a body of a patient. The device also comprises a distal anchoring ring 401 for location within a wound interior and a retractor member 402 extending proximally from the distal anchoring ring 401 to retract laterally the sides of a wound opening.
US08187177B2	Surgical instrument access device A surgical access device includes a single valve that forms a seal with a body wall and provides an access channel into a body cavity. The valve has properties for creating a zero seal in the absence of an instrument as well as an instrument seal for an instrument having a diameter up to about 37 mm. The valve can include a gel material and the access channel can include a protective sleeve to provide for wound protection during insertion and withdrawal of a sharp surgical instrument. The valve further comprises a cap ring which may be inserted or molded with the gel material. The protective sleeve may be bonded or molded around an inner diameter of the cap ring. The protective sleeve may be a single tubular member, or may comprise a plurality of axially extending sleeve members having a plurality of axial slits. The protective sleeve and the cap ring may comprise of the same or different materials. The surgical access device further comprises at least one support ring disposed circumferentially of the valve forming a hollow space, and a wound retractor operatively placed in the hollow space. The wound retractor includes an inner ring, an outer ring, and a flexible sleeve connecting the inner ring and the outer ring.
US08187174B2	Detection of when a capsule camera enters into or goes out of a human body and associated operations A method for detecting a capsule camera entering into or exiting the GI tract, includes (a) taking a first test image under the condition that an illumination system of the capsule camera is disabled; (b) taking a second test image under the same condition as the first test image; (c) comparing selected corresponding pixel values of the first test image and the second test image to determine if a significant change in pixel values has occurred; and (d) upon detecting the significant change in pixel values, determining if the capsule camera has entered or exited the GI tract, and performing operations appropriate to follow such determination. The appropriate operations performed after detecting the capsule camera's exit from the GI tract includes stopping further taking or storing of images and, optionally, activating an audio signal to indicate the capsule camera has exited the GI tract. The appropriate operations performed after detecting the capsule camera's entering into the GI tract includes entering into an imaging mode for a next section of the GI tract, which may be the esophagus.
US08187173B2	Apparatus for advancing an endoscope and method for manipulating the apparatus for advancing an endoscope In a region where an intestine is movable in the abdominal cavity, conventional endoscope apparatus have suffered from a difficulty in moving an endoscope advancing portion toward a deep intestinal portion. An apparatus for advancing an endoscope is provided, which can be easily manipulated to advance medical instruments having endoscopic functions toward a deep portion. The apparatus includes first and second medical instruments, each having, at a distal end portion thereof, a balloon portion that can be fixed to an intestinal wall. In a fixed state, the balloon portion of the first medical instrument is configured to form a gap for enabling a distal end portion of the second medical instrument to advance therethrough. In a fixed state, the balloon portion of the second medical instrument is configured to form a gap for enabling a distal end portion of the first medical instrument to advance therethrough.
US08187171B2	Video endoscope A video endoscope comprises an elongate shaft having a longitudinal axis, and a handpiece at the proximal end of the shaft, a distal end of the shaft being provided with a lens and, in the proximal direction from the lens, with an electronic image pickup. The image pickup is connected, via an electrical connection extending along the shaft, to an electrical connector piece arranged on the handpiece. The image pickup and the connector piece can rotate relative to each other about the longitudinal axis of the shaft. The electrical connection comprises at least one flexible, elongate circuit board, which is able to twist about its longitudinal direction and has at least one conductor track.
US08187170B2	Overtube and endoscope system suitable for treatment such as submucosal dissection An overtube includes: an endoscope insertion portion passing hole through which an insertion portion of an endoscope is passed; and at least one manipulator passing hole through which a manipulator insertion portion of a manipulator apparatus is passed. The manipulator insertion portion includes a driving portion which has at least one first joint and one second joint rotating clockwise and counterclockwise. The endoscope insertion portion passing hole includes an endoscope protrusion amount determination portion which determines a length of a protrusion of the endoscope; and an observation optical system observation direction determination portion which determines an observation direction of the endoscope. The manipulator passing hole includes a manipulator protrusion amount determination portion which determines positions of the first joint of the manipulator within the observation optical system; and a joint driving direction determination portion which determines rotating directions of shafts of joints within the observation direction.
US08187166B2	Minimally invasive medical system employing a magnetically controlled endo-robot A system for the implementation of minimally invasive diagnoses and interventions in the inside of the body of a patient has an endo-robot that has a linear magnet and carries measurement instruments and/or instruments for taking specimens and/or for treatment. The endo-robot is freely mobile within the body of a patient. A magnet system accepts the examination region of the patient and generates a 3D gradient field for remotely-controls movement and orientation of the endo-robot in the patient's body by interaction with the linear magnet.
US08187165B2	Portable sphincter training tool Disclosed is a portable sphincter training tool in that the general male can wear on his body and naturally exercise his sphincter at recess or in the course of daily life, whereby improving physically and spiritually in vitality and confidence. The portable sphincter training tool comprises a penis induction pipe for receiving a penis; an adhesive plate coupled to the penis induction pipe, adhered to an user's body during wear and having a vacuum pump for making the penis induction pipe vacuous; and a sphincter tension necklace coupled to one side of the adhesive plate and hanged on an user's neck in order to stably adhere the penis induction pipe to the adhesive plate and apply a tension to the sphincter according to a predetermined movement during adhesion; wherein an insertion portion of the penis induction pipe is bent inward in such a manner that the penis is stably received upward.
US08187164B2	Methods and apparatus for treating body tissue sphincters and the like A plurality of structures that resiliently attract one another are provided for implanting in a patient around a body tissue structure of the patient. For example, the body tissue structure may be the esophagus, and the plurality of structures may be implanted in an annulus around the outside of the esophagus, the annulus being substantially coaxial with the esophagus. The attraction may be between annularly adjacent ones of the structures in the annulus, and it may be provided, for example, by magnets or springs. The array of structures is preferably self-limiting with respect to the smallest area that it can encompass, and this smallest area is preferably large enough to prevent the apparatus from applying excessive pressure to tissue passing through that area.
US08187163B2	Methods for implanting a gastric restriction device Various exemplary methods are disclosed for implanting a restriction device for forming a restriction in a patient. The methods can be used with a variety of restriction devices, but in an exemplary embodiment the methods are used for implanting a gastric restriction device.
US08187162B2	Reorientation port Various methods and devices are provided for reorienting an implantable port. In one embodiment, an implantable port is provided and includes a base adapted to be anchored to tissue, and a housing pivotally mounted on the base and having a septum formed therein and adapted to receive fluid and to provide access to a fluid reservoir formed within the housing. In an exemplary embodiment, the housing can be pivotally mounted to the base using a ball and socket joint. For example, at least one of a distal surface of the housing and a proximal surface of the base is convex, and the other one of the distal surface of the housing and the proximal surface of the base is concave.
US08187161B2	Self-referencing communication in implantable devices Various aspects of the present invention enable robust, reliable control functionality for effectors present on intraluminal, e.g., vascular leads, as well as other types of implantable devices. Aspects of the invention include implantable integrated circuits that have self-referencing and self-clocking signal encoding, and are capable of bidirectional communication. Also provided by the invention are effector assemblies that include the integrated circuits, as well as implantable medical devices, e.g., pulse generators that include the same, as well as systems and kits thereof and methods of using the same, e.g., in pacing applications, including cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) applications.
US08187160B2	Device for proactive modulation of cardiac strain patterns A direct cardiac assist device which may aid in ventricular recovery. The device proactively modulates cardiac strain pattern to produce a contraction strain pattern that induces beneficial growth and remodeling of the myocardium or prevents or reduces apoptosis of the myocytes. The device may include an outer shell. membrane, or mesh and an inner membrane. The space between the outer member and the membrane may be filled with fluid that is pressurized during contraction. The device prescribes a beneficial strain pattern during heart contraction. This strain pattern does not invert the curvatures or grossly alter the curvatures of the heart and may assist in myocyte regrowth and healing of the failing heart.
US08187159B2	Therapeutic member including a rail used in brachytherapy and other radiation therapy A therapeutic member for use in brachytherapy deliverable to an implant site by way of a needle comprises a single radioactive source encapsulated by a bio-absorbable material having an outer surface including one or more ribs encircling the single radioactive source, a leading edge endcap rib and a trailing edge endcap rib. The one or more ribs reduces a tendency of the member to migrate and rotate within a patient's body after implantation. The encapsulating material further includes a first rail formed from the bio-absorbable material extending at least from opposite sides of the outer surface of the encapsulating material along the longitudinal axis of the therapeutic member, and a second rail formed from the bio-absorbable material extending at least from opposite sides of the outer surface of the encapsulating material along the longitudinal axis of the therapeutic member, the second rail arranged in a plane substantially perpendicular to a plane in which the first rail is arranged.
US08187158B2	Paper folding station A paper folding station with a paper-feeder and a first pair of motorized rollers supported at a delivery end of the paper-feeder about respective parallel axes to draw sheets of paper from the feeder. One of the rollers is mounted on a first adjustable support. A folding buckle is provided to receive the sheets from the first pair of rollers through an inlet mouth. The buckle has a barrier causing the sheets to stop and bend into the shape of a groove below the inlet mouth. A second pair of rollers is supported near the inlet mouth about respective parallel axes to pinch the groove and to make a transverse fold on the sheet. The paper-folding station further comprises at least one transverse beam to guide the sheet near the inlet mouth.
US08187157B2	Microtome blade changing apparatus for a knife holder of a microtome, and microtome A microtome blade changing apparatus for a knife holder (1) of a microtome comprises a blade dispenser (4) storing unused blades and a blade container (5) for receiving used blades. The blade dispenser (4) and blade container (5) are respectively arranged adjacent to the knife holder (1). To reduce the risk of injury to an operator in the context of a blade changing operation, enable operation of the microtome blade changing apparatus reliably and in simple fashion, and allow economical manufacture of the microtome blade changing apparatus, the microtome blade changing apparatus is characterized in that an entraining element (13) manually actuable by an operator is provided, and is configured in such a way that an unused blade is transferable with the entraining element (13) from the blade dispenser (4) to the knife holder (1), and a used blade is thereby conveyable into the blade container (5).
US08187156B2	Wheelchair gym A wheelchair gym having a support bar releasably connected to the frame of the wheelchair. A vertical post is attached to the support bar and hand grips are slidably mounted on the vertical post. The hand grips are resiliently biased and may be moved conjointly or opposite to one another to provide arm exercise for a patient in the wheelchair. The gym also has leg supports on which resiliently biased foot rests may be moved conjointly or opposite to one another. The leg supports may be moved up and down or may be splayed laterally.
US08187155B2	Training machine A training machine is provided comprising a base (6) arranged for placement on the floor (4), a movable member (32) provided on the base (6) to be moved by the training action, and a load exerting means (8) for exerting a load to control the movement of the movable member (32). The load exerting means (8) has a weight assembly (22) thereof arranged to be lifted vertically by the movement of the movable member (32) as resisting the gravity and particular is accompanied with a counter-force exerting means (70) arranged at the weight assembly (22) and/or the movable member (32) for exerting a returning force on the movable member (32) at the timing of shift from the upward movement to the downward movement of the weight assembly (22). The counter-force exerting means (70) comprises, for example, coil springs (72, 74) and movement stoppers (76, 78) for restricting the movement of the coil springs (72, 74).
US08187152B2	Rehabilitation system and method using muscle feedback There is provided a machine for rehabilitation or exercise, comprising: a frame; a first arm movably secured to the frame via a first actuator; a first force sensor for measuring a force exerted by a user on the first arm; and a control unit adapted for controlling a displacement speed for the first arm via the first actuator as a function of the force and for increasing the displacement speed of the first arm via the first actuator when the force is superior to a target force. In one embodiment, there is further provided an electromyograph for location on the exercised muscle for measuring an electrical potential generated by the muscle and for lowering the target force when the electrical potential is superior to a predetermined maximum electrical potential. There is further provided a method for operating an exercise machine and a system for exercising a muscle.
US08187148B2	Clutch system A clutch system for producing and interrupting a force flow between the engine and transmission of a motor vehicle, with a clutch, which is disengaged unless actuated, and one or more valves, which regulate the flow of pressure medium and which are electrically actuated by a control and regulation unit. If there is electrical failure while driving and when a gear is engaged or when the vehicle is stationary, the engine is running and a transmission gear is engaged, unintended clutch engagement is prevented. The valves are designed such that if there is a failure of the voltage supply and consequently also of the actuation of the valves by the electronic control and regulation system, the operating condition of the clutch existing at the time of failure, namely the disengaged or engaged operating condition, remains as it is.
US08187142B2	Bevel friction ring gear mechanism In order to absorb loadings on friction faces in bevel friction ring gear mechanisms in an improved manner, the invention proposes a bevel friction ring gear mechanism having at least two friction cones which are arranged spaced apart from one another and a friction ring which is arranged displaceably in the spacing and transmits a torque from one of the two friction cones to the other of the two friction cones, wherein at least one friction face varies axially and the axial variation of the friction face has a radius above 0.1 mm in at least two convex regions.
US08187141B2	Planet pinion carrier for a gearset A carrier assembly for an automatic transmission includes a first plate, a second plate spaced along an axis from the first plate, a third plate spaced axially from the first plate and the second plate by angularly spaced legs, the third plate being formed with angularly spaced recesses. Short pinions, supported on the first plate and the third plate, each has a major diameter sized to move between at least two of the legs along a chordal path into one of the recesses during installation in the carrier. Long pinions, supported on the first plate and the second plate, each has a major diameter sized to move between at least two of the legs along a radial path into one of the recesses during installation in the carrier.
US08187138B2	Multi-speed transaxle for a front wheel drive vehicle A front wheel drive transmission is provided having 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 a sun gear member, a planet carrier member, and a ring gear member. The torque transmitting devices include clutches and brakes arranged within a transmission housing.
US08187137B2	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 three to establish at least eight forward speed ratios and at least one reverse speed ratio.
US08187133B2	Fatigue resistant transverse lubrication passage for transmission shafts A lubrication system for transporting lubrication oil in an automatic transmission includes a radial lubrication passage opening at a hole in an outer peripheral surface of a shaft. The hole has a cross section that is elongated only along a first axis offset from a central axis the shaft so as to follow angular deformation caused by unidirectional torque applied to the shaft whereby stress produced around the hole by torque transmitted through the rotating shaft is reduced, thus minimizing fatigue and increasing a useful life of the automatic planetary transmission. Preferably cross sections of the radial passage taken sequentially along the transverse axis are elongated near outer peripheral surface of the shaft but become circular towards the central axis. With this arrangement stress produced around the hole by torque transmitted through the rotating shaft is reduced thus reducing fatigue and increasing a useful life of the transmission.
US08187130B1	Multi-speed transmission with integrated electric motor A multiple speed transmission for a motor vehicle includes an input member, an output member, four planetary gear assemblies, each with first, second, and third members, a plurality of torque transmitting devices, an electric motor, and a switching device that selectively couples the electric motor to the input member and selectively couples the electric motor to one of the members of one of the planetary gear assemblies. The electric motor can be employed for regenerative braking. Further, the electric motor can be employed to launch and drive the motor vehicle with each of the gear ratios of the multi-speed transmission.
US08187124B2	Batting swing trainer and method A baseball batting swing trainer teaches proper bat swinging and ball hitting technique. The swing trainer includes a first handle attached to the first end of a shaft. The second end of the shaft includes a head having a diameter greater than the shaft diameter and less than the diameter of the head of a conventional baseball bat. A cylindrical second handle slidable between the first and second shaft ends. The second handle is sized to accommodate all five fingers on one of the user's hands in a batting grip. A process for teaching a person the proper technique for swinging a baseball bat using the swing trainer is also provided. When performed properly, the process produces an audible sound by striking the second handle against the stop while the head of the bat is passing through the user's strike zone and directly over the user's forward foot.
US08187121B2	Casing layer for polyurethane-covered and polyurea-covered golf balls This invention is related to multi-layer golf balls having at least one layer containing a neutralized high acid ionomer linked to a grafted metallocene copolymer, where the golf balls exhibit improved performance characteristics and properties.
US08187120B2	Wedge type golf club head A wedge type golf club head is disclosed herein where the wedge type golf club head has enhanced performance characteristics such as improved backspin, ball speed, and launch angle. More specifically, the present invention relates to a wedge type golf club head having a lower center of gravity, where the center of gravity is located substantially behind the hitting surface and substantially along a neutral axis behind the point of impact.
US08187115B2	Set of constant face center metal woods Golf equipment including a set of golf clubs having a substantially constant distance from the shaft axis to the central point of the club face for each club in the set. The central point may be the geometric center of the face or the impact point, which may be the same or different.
US08187107B2	Push button quick disconnect yoke A quick disconnect yoke assembly is provided that includes a yoke having a cylindrical hub and a splined bore passing through the hub. A disconnect lever may be pivotably secured to the hub and may include an first arm and a second arm. The disconnect lever may be biased in a first position by a return spring. In the first position, the first arm may be positioned in a circumferential groove formed between a first splined portion and a second splined portion of a shaft that is received in the bore. When an inward radial force is applied to the second arm, the disconnect lever pivots to a second position in which the first portion is outside of the circumferential groove, thereby allowing the shaft to be inserted or removed from the bore.
US08187104B2	System and method for creating, editing, and sharing video content relating to video game events Systems and methods are provided for at least partially automating generation of video clips chronicling a character's interaction with a video game. The same may combine automatic video clip generation with automatic or user-generated and/or user-edited or created narrative. Multiple video clips may be combined into a video reel prior to or subsequent to uploading the same to a file-sharing site. The video game may be a massive multiplayer online role-playing game.
US08187103B2	Gaming method and apparatus utilizing secondary software applications In a gaming method for facilitating game play via a gaming apparatus, the gaming apparatus comprising a controller and a first display unit, the controller communicatively coupled to the first display unit, a game software application may be executed, and value input data may be received. The first display unit may be caused to display a game image representative of one of the following games: poker, blackjack, slots, keno, or bingo. A secondary software application may be executed, and an icon associated with the secondary software application may be displayed simultaneous with the display of the game image, wherein a foreground of the game image is substantially unobstructed by the icon, and wherein the icon is substantially unobstructed by the foreground of the game image. Information may be conveyed using the secondary software application upon detecting an event, and a value payout associated with an outcome of the game may be determined.
US08187102B2	Gaming system obtaining time-of-day data from a plurality of terminals and providing games matching customer preferences at respective times-of-day A gaming system 10, composed of a server 11 and a plurality of gaming terminals 13, submits selection information including a game type to be executed in a gaming terminal 13 and a picture type, selected by a player in the gaming terminal 13, and operational information indicating operational status to the server 11. The server 11 aggregates the information received from the plurality of gaming terminals 13, and submits the game type and the picture type most selected, as configuration information, to the plurality of gaming terminals 13. In addition, operational information and processing results of the server 11 are displayed on a monitor 16. The gaming terminal 13 changes a stand-by screen in accordance with the configuration information and displays the stand-by screen on liquid crystal displays 30 and 40.
US08187101B2	System and method for collecting and using player information A distributed computer system is provided for collecting player information. Further, a scoring system is provided that rates a player based on one or more elements of the collected information. Players may be rated with respect to a number of characteristics. Responsive to a determined rating or score, action may be taken by the distributed system with regard to the player. For instance, the player may be provided a complimentary offer, provided an award, and invitation to come to a gambling location, presented an advertisement, or other action may be performed involving the player. Further, the distributed computer system may permit a player to manage their frequent player accounts and receive complimentary offers based on a set of criteria specified by the player.
US08187095B2	Universal game console controller A universal game console controller that has an LCD presenting, depending on what type of game console a user has input, a controller key layout for a first type of game console or a controller key layout for a second type of game console.
US08187094B2	Game program In the game program, a computer 100 is operated as means for moving a game character in a game field, based on an input signal inputted from an operation unit 114 and outputting the motions to display means 110. The game program comprises the processing of setting a player character PC which moves, based on an operation signal inputted from an operation unit 114 by a game player and a partner character PT which moves, based on a prescribed movement algorithm, and judging whether or not a first input signal has been inputted from the operation unit, and the processing of restricting a range where the player character PC is movable to a prescribed range with a present position of the partner character PT in the gate field as a reference when it is judged that the first input signal has been inputted. The game program permits a player character a player operates and a partner character which supports the player character to make various cooperative motions.
US08187092B2	Wagering game with multiple viewpoint display feature A gaming system for conducting a wagering game includes an input device for receiving a wager to play a wagering game. The gaming system further includes at least one display for displaying a plurality of game elements. The at least one display is adapted to display a first three-dimensional view of the plurality of game elements from a first viewpoint and a second three-dimensional view of at least one of the plurality of game elements indicating a randomly-selected outcome from a second viewpoint. The first three-dimensional view and the second three-dimensional view are rendered in real-time.
US08187090B2	Conjuring assisting toy The invention provides a conjuring assisting toy which can make a viewer feel the supernatural force and interestedness which are inherent in a conjuring trick by displaying the result of a conjuring trick through simple operations, there is provided a conjuring assisting toy including a display means for displaying an image, a coordinate inputting means for designating coordinates relative to a display area of the display means, and a central control means, wherein the central control means includes a main control unit, a conjuring data storage unit, an input analyzing unit and an operation unit, an operation result storage unit, an inputted diagram storage unit, and an image data forming and outputting unit, an inputted position signal is analyzed by the input analyzing unit, the main control unit causes position information based on the inputted position signal to be stored in the inputted diagram storage unit, causes the display means to display a line image, determines specific feature information from information stored in the conjuring data storage unit based on an input order, and causes part or the whole of the line image which is caused to be displayed on the display means to be changed to display a time-varying image.
US08187088B2	Gaming system having wagering features funded by extra-casino activities A method of funding features of a wagering game, comprises receiving a first sum of money generated from extra-casino activity associated with at least one person and depositing the first sum into a feature fund. The method further comprises allocating the first sum to at least one account of the feature fund in accordance with a first rule set. The method further comprises, in response to a triggering event, withdrawing a second sum of money from the at least one account. The method further comprises funding at least one feature associated with the wagering game from the second sum of money and activating the funded feature.
US08187084B2	Electronic amusement device and method for operating a game offering continuous reels A gaming device and method for controlling operating the gaming device is disclosed. The gaming device initiates a paid play, and determines an outcome of the play. The outcome is visually displayed using at least two graphical displays. The graphical displays comprise a first and second visual continuum, without discrete reel stops. The outcome is represented by the relative positions of the first and second visual continuums. The outcome may also be based on the relative position of the first and second continuums to a payline. A payout corresponding to the outcome is determined by the device, and is awarded to the player.
US08187077B2	Wagering game having multiple award components A multiple bonus modifier game includes a base game and two or more base award modifiers operating independently or simultaneously of each other. The multiple bonus modifier game comprises a base game that includes a plurality of spinning reels, a first base award modifier that includes at least one spinning reel, and a second base award modifier that includes at least one additional spinning reel. The outcome of the spinning reels in the base game defines a base game award. The outcome of the spinning reel in the first base award modifier defines a first modifier award, which adjusts the base game award. The outcome of the additional spinning reel in the second base award modifier defines a second modifier award.
US08187072B2	Instant lottery game An instant lottery game system (10) includes a game play defining element (12). A symbol display zone (14) is carried on the game play defining element (12), the symbol display zone (14) containing a plurality of symbols related to gaming machine games. A masking medium (20) covers the symbols of the symbol display zone (14) prior to use. A symbol interpretation zone (16) is also carried on the game play defining element (12), the symbol interpretation zone (16) carrying a plurality of indicia with the indicia being used in interpreting symbols revealed after removal of the masking medium (20) to determine a prize outcome.
US08187067B2	Automatic transformation of inventory items in a virtual universe An approach that automatically transforms an inventory item of an avatar that is online in a virtual universe without requiring manual changes is described. In one embodiment, there is an avatar locator component configured to locate an avatar that is online in the virtual universe. An inventory item transforming component is configured to automatically transform an inventory item associated with the located avatar that is visual, functional, security or linguistic in nature.
US08187065B1	Video card gaming system for simulating a football game A video card gaming system for simulating a football game comprising a processor. At least one input device, display device, monetary acceptance feature, and database are in communication with the processor. The database comprises an electronic deck of playing cards comprising offensive play cards and defensive play cards, and an electronic deck of special teams cards. Computer instructions in the database instruct the processor to permit input of primary and secondary bets, electronically deal cards from the electronic decks, designate offense and defense players, permit selection of cards by players, determine game outcomes based on the selected cards, and award winnings based on bets and game outcomes.
US08187062B2	Shackle with pivot feature and log chain drive mechanism A device for retaining an animal on a transport system for moving the animal in a forward direction includes a lower portion operable to retain the animal and an upper portion operable for conveyance by the transport system. The upper portion is attachable to the lower portion, and the upper portion includes a connector for connecting the device to a drive mechanism. The connector has a longitudinal axis. The lower portion is operable for movement between a first position in which a longitudinal axis of the lower portion and the longitudinal axis of the connector are in substantially straight orientation relative to each other, and a second position wherein the longitudinal axis of the lower portion and the longitudinal axis of the connector are in substantially angled orientation relative to one another. The lower portion is substantially inhibited from moving in a rearward direction beyond said first position.
US08187058B2	Power-driven hand tool A power-driven hand tool comprises a drive spindle adapted to drive a tool, that can be driven to oscillate about its longitudinal axis, which tool can be fixed on a retaining section of the dive spindle by a securing element, and further comprises a displacing device that serves to displace the securing element between a releasing position in which the securing element can be released from the drive spindle and a clamping position in which the securing element is clamped on the retaining section by a spring element, the securing element comprising a clamping shaft adapted to be inserted into the securing element, which is axially fixed in the drive spindle for clamping the tool in the clamping position, and which can be detached in the releasing position. For clamping of the tool a split chuck is provided which is clamped on the retaining section by the securing element in the clamped position and is connected with the retaining section in form-locking engagement.
US08187057B2	Blast nozzle with blast media fragmenter A media blast nozzle for cleaning a surface with compressed air and ejected particles of a sublimating blast media comprises a media size changer to change a size of the blast media particles. The media blast nozzle has an entrance and an exit and a throat therebetween. A converging passageway extends from the entrance to the throat, and a diverging passageway extends from the throat to the exit. The media size changer is operably located in the diverging passageway and has one or more media size changing members to fragment moving blast media particles by impact therewith. The blast media particles are provided to the media blast nozzle in an initial consistent size, and when a moving blast media particle impacts with one or more media size changing members, two or more fragments of reduced size are created from the initial blast media particle for ejection from the nozzle device. The media size changer can be adjusted by an operator to eject whole particles or fragments of particles. The size of the ejected particle fragments can also be adjusted with the media size change
US08187056B2	Process and apparatus for surface-finishing A processing apparatus is provided to surface-finish or otherwise process features of a workpiece, such as a lumen of a stent. The fluid jet apparatus can have a nozzle system and a holder for holding and positioning the workpiece with respect to the nozzle system. A fluid jet outputted from the nozzle system is used to form a desired surface-finish.
US08187053B2	Breast support system for recumbant woman and methods of use A breast support system for a recumbent female human includes medial and lateral support padding for each breast.
US08187050B1	Toy-building elements having sidewall grooves formed between outwardly extending flexible ridges A toy building element has sidewalls that include grooves and tongues by which the toy building element can be interconnected with a like building element. Each groove is formed between a pair of outwardly extending flexible ridges. The tongue does not extend outward beyond the virtual plane of the sidewall that includes the tongue. The virtual plane is defined as a plane that passes through a midpoint of a line that connects a central point on an outer surface of the sidewall that includes the at least one tongue to a central point on an outer surface of the sidewall of the other building element that includes the at least one pair of ridges and is perpendicular to a line that passes through the central points of said interconnected building elements when said building elements are interconnected in a centered configuration.
US08187046B2	Marine power splitting gearbox A power splitting gearbox is provided that allows a single prime mover to distribute power, for example torque, to multiple final drive assemblies, such as surface drives or other final drives. The power splitting gearbox can be provided downstream from a marine transmission and can be mounted directly to a transom of a marine vessel. The gearbox can have a back wall that accepts and supports mounting surfaces of the multiple final drive assemblies such that the gearbox bears the weight of the multiple final drive assemblies. The gearbox has two outputs that rotate in opposing directions so that a pair of final drive assemblies mounted to the gearbox will counter-rotate a pair of propellers for providing a propulsive force that moves the marine vessel.
US08187044B2	Watercraft propulsion device including a linkage and a horizontal propulsion fin A watercraft propulsion device 10 has a linkage comprising a vertical drive link (20), a support link (12), an upper control link (50) having a forwardly extended handle bar (52), and a lower propulsion link (30) having a horizontal propulsion fin (32) backwardly extended therefrom. The control and propulsion links (50, 30) are interconnected by said drive link (20), which is capable of conveying propulsive oscillatory motion to the propulsion link (30) by means of a linear power actuator (90), and by the support link (12), which is pivotally connected a transom bracket (60) about a substantially vertical axis.
US08187042B2	Waterproof connector that can be designed to be short in overall length A retainer is incorporated into a fitting portion of a housing so as to be movable between a preset position and a set position in a direction crossing terminal receiving holes. Further, a seal member is attached to an outer periphery of the fitting portion. The seal member is brought into close contact with an inner periphery of a fitting hole of a mating connector for sealing when the fitting portion is fitted to the fitting hole. The retainer has projections which retreat to the sides of the terminal receiving holes to allow insertion of terminals into the terminal receiving holes when the retainer is at the preset position and which project into the terminal receiving holes to engage with the terminals so as to hold the terminals in a come-off preventing state when the retainer is at the set position. The retainer and the seal member are provided at positions which overlap each other in a direction of fitting to the mating connector.
US08187040B2	Mounting feature for the contact array of an electrical connector A contact sub-assembly is provided for an electrical connector. The contact sub-assembly includes a base having a mounting opening, and an array of mating contacts. Each mating contact includes a mating interface. A support block extends a length along a central longitudinal axis. Openings extend through the support block. The openings are spaced apart from one another along the length of the support block. The mating contacts extend through corresponding openings. A mounting post extends outwardly from the support block in a direction that is non-parallel to the central longitudinal axis of the support block. The mounting post is received within the mounting opening of the base.
US08187038B2	Card edge connector and method of manufacturing the same A card edge connector for electrically connecting harnesses to contact electrodes that are located in different positions on a surface of an electronic substrate in an insertion direction includes a housing, harness terminals, and relay terminals. The housing defines a substrate insertion hole for receiving the electronic substrate. The harness terminals are separately connected to the harnesses and located in different positions in a height direction perpendicular to the insertion direction. The relay terminals separately connect the harness terminals to the contact electrodes upon insertion of the electronic substrate into the substrate insertion hole.
US08187033B2	Electrical carrier assembly and system of electrical carrier assemblies A male coaxial connector includes at least one termination device having a tubular shield surrounding and isolated from a pin that is configured to electrically connect with a socket of a female termination device, and a plate extending from one of a leading end of the tubular shield and a leading end of the female termination device. Upon electrical interconnection, the plate forms a ground circuit extending between the at least one termination device and a ground of the female termination device.
US08187030B2	Device connector A device connector has a housing main body (10), a device-side housing portion (12) to be accommodated in a connector mounting hole, a reinforcing plate (30) including an opening (31) for permitting the passage of terminal fittings, and a flange (11) formed by insert molding using the reinforcing plate (30) and synthetic resin, and terminal fittings 15. An outer peripheral end surface of the reinforcing plate (30) is exposed. The device connector is produced with a reduced cost by insert molding using a metal reinforcing plate as an insert while preventing a crack from being created in a synthetic resin portion covering the reinforcing plate (30).
US08187027B2	Telecommunications patch panel with angled connector modules A telecommunications patch panel is provided having a plurality of connector modules rotatably mounted to a frame member. Each connector module has a front face and an opposite facing rear face, and each front face includes a plurality of connector jacks. Each rear face includes a plurality of wire termination blocks. The wire termination blocks are electrically connected to the connector jacks. Each connector module is rotatable about a rotation axis relative to the frame member. A lock selectively locks each connector module to the frame member as desired. The connector jacks and the connector modules are arranged in linear arrays perpendicular to the axis of rotation.
US08187023B1	Wire connector with two spring plates A wire connector with two spring plate parts comprises a box, a spring plate, a fixing base, and a conductive plate. The spring plate is integrally formed and fixed inside the box. The spring plate has first plate parts on its first extension part and second plate parts on its second extension part. The exposed end of a wire is inserted via the holes of the fixing base and held by the first plate parts and the second plate parts. The exposed end of the wire is thus in electrical contact with the conductive plate on the bottom part.
US08187021B2	Lighting connector devices and uses thereof A lighting connector which includes (a) an upper housing having plural connector pins, and one or more interlocking grooves; and (b) a lower housing, the lower housing having a plurality of connector pin guide holes, and one or more interlocking tongue portions. The lower housing is connectable with the upper housing to form the lighting connector by coupling at least one of the one or more interlocking grooves with at least one of the one or more interlocking tongue portions, and by coupling at least one of the plural connector pins with at least one of the connector pin guide holes.
US08187019B2	Connector with integrated latch assembly A connector utilizes a latching assembly that has a structure that connects horizontal movement of an actuator to vertical movement of a latching arm. A latching member is provided that grips the exterior of the connector and has a cantilevered latching arm that extends from the member over a mating portion for connection. In its simplest form the latching member includes a continuous retaining collar that fits over the exterior of the connector and exerts a clamping force on the connector so as to retain the latching member in place.
US08187017B2	Electrical power contacts and connectors comprising same Electrical connectors and contacts for transmitting power are provided. One power contact embodiment includes a first plate that defines a first non-deflecting beam and a first deflectable beam, and a second plate that defines a second non-deflecting beam and a second deflectable beam. The first and second plates are positioned beside one another to form the power contact.
US08187015B2	Electrical connection apparatus An electrical connection apparatus includes an electrical connection contact and an adjustment component within an interior of the electrical connection apparatus. The electrical connection contact is operatively coupled to the adjustment component so that the electrical connection contact adjusts between an insertion position and a contact position in response to rotating the adjustment component. A slider movably arranged within the interior of the electrical connection apparatus causes the electrical connection contact to move in response to rotation of the adjustment component. The electrical connection apparatus includes one or more blocks, and the adjustment component, electrical contact and slider are arranged within an interior of the one or more blocks.
US08187014B2	Lanyard connector Lanyard connectors for release of an ordinance are provided. The lanyard connectors include a coupling sleeve and locking ring movable between a first position and a second position. The lanyard connectors also include a latching spring and a reset spring. The latching spring is partially disposed within a groove in the locking ring in the first position, and removed from the groove in the second position. The reset spring is held in place by a connector cover and interfaces with a second groove in the locking ring. The reset spring is compressed in the second position. The lanyard connectors allow for release of an ordinance receptacle when in the second position. Methods of using the connectors are also provided.
US08187009B2	High density electrical connector An electrical connector includes an insulative housing and a number of electrical contacts secured to the insulative housing. Each of the contacts includes a flat plate engaging with the insulative housing, a spring arm bending and extending upwardly from a side edge of the flat plate and a solder tail extending downwardly from a lower portion of the flat plate. The spring arm has a first vertical portion connected with the body plate, an arc portion bending and extending upwardly from the first vertical portion, and a contact portion at a free end of the spring arm. Said arc portion and contact portion are located at same side of the first vertical portion.
US08187007B2	Electrical pressfit plug connector having a laterally bent power pin An electrical pressfit plug connector for fastening to a printed circuit board includes contacts, which on the front side and back side of the plug connector are each situated as a single or multi-row male multipoint connector, and which are configured on the front side of the plug connector as contact pins for contacting a counterplug, and are configured on the back side as pressfit pins for pressfitting into metallized bores in the printed circuit board, according to the present system, either the contact pin or the pressfit pin of at least one contact of the male multipoint connectors being situated laterally offset with respect to its associated pressfit pin and contact pin, respectively, in the longitudinal direction of the male multipoint connectors.
US08187004B1	System and method of education administration A system including electronic data collection for school officials, staff, and administrators is described. The data collection system can be integrated onto school management systems to interconnect information regarding data such as student academic records, student merits, student progress, student and teacher biographies, etc. The system assesses student, teacher, classroom, individual school, school district, and state performance in a variety of educational area; associates imputed educational data; and permits the cross-application querying of the educational data and access of the educational data in real-time. The system is intended to help school systems accomplish tasks such as managing work, monitoring student progress in real-time, and determining education trends, via data linkage in real-time.
US08187003B2	Method and apparatus for rapid surveying of static structures An apparatus to facilitate field assessment of static structure sites to provide data in a predetermined format acceptable to a taxing authority, including a personal computing device having a graphic display screen, a user interface, and application software. The user interface is arranged to accept alphanumeric data provided by a user of the apparatus and also accept graphic input from the user representative of structural features of the static structure. The application software is arranged to provide a real-time display on the graphic display screen of dimensional data associated with the graphic inputs as they are entered by the user. The application software is also arranged to compute dimensional attributes of enclosed polygons resulting from the graphic input by the user.
US08187002B2	Method for cleaning the oral cavity A method for cleaning an oral cavity by positioning a device suitable for detecting and removing plaque from a surface within the oral cavity having applied thereto a fluorescent agent capable of binding to plaque on the surface, substantially simultaneously cleaning and irradiating the surface with a light of a wavelength effective to provide a fluorescent emission when contacted with the fluorescent agent, collecting at least a portion of the fluorescent emission over a predetermined first time period (PTP1), determining an average plaque value (APV) based on the fluorescent emission collected over the PTP1, comparing the APV to a predetermined plaque value (PPV), and continuing to substantially simultaneously clean and irradiate the surface within the oral cavity for a predetermined second time period (PTP2).
US08187000B2	Impression cap A two-part impression cap for manufacturing a model for a dental implant, comprising: a cylindrical body and a cap-shaped part pluggable onto the cylindrical body, the cylindrical body and the cap-shaped part having a common central axis, the cap-shaped part being provided with elastic elements extending in the direction of the central axis, which elements are adapted to be bent towards the central axis and thus to create a tension in the elastic elements for engaging a groove in the interior of an abutment, adapter or the like, and the cylindrical body being adapted to fit tightly on the outside of the abutment, adapter or the like.
US08186995B2	Survival tool fire starter with mischmetal flint rod A fire-starter device for survival or emergency use has a handle portion and case portion that twist together, to sheath a mischmetal flint rod inside the case, and a seal ring protects the flint rod from environmental moisture. The case has a steel strike plate and a guide channel. The mischmetal flint rod favorably has a composition of cerium—50%, lanthanum—26%, magnesium—10%, praseodymium—3%, neodymium—1%, and iron—10%.
US08186992B2	Micropattern transfer device In a micropattern transfer device, a stamper on which a fine indented pattern is formed is brought into contact with a material to be transferred, and the fine indented pattern on the stamper is transferred onto a surface of the material to be transferred. The micropattern transfer device includes a holding mechanism which holds an entire outer circumferential portion of the material to be transferred. The holding mechanism holds the material to be transferred such that a distance between the material to be transferred and the stamper is substantially equal to or shorter than a distance between the holding mechanism and the stamper.
US08186988B2	Powder press A powder press, with a press frame, which comprises an upper and lower frame section, an upper linear drive attached to the upper frame section and a lower linear drive attached to the lower frame section, wherein the drives are connected to an upper and lower punch plate or a die table, respectively, wherein the punch plates have a clamping system for an upper or a lower punch, a die clamping system on a die table with a die, and at least one force measuring device for measuring the pressing force on at least one punch, characterized in that at least one force measuring device is disposed between a punch plate and the associated clamping system.
US08186986B2	Device for drawing filaments A device for drawing melt-spun filaments for forming a spunbonded fabric includes at least one guide member. The filaments are guided through a slot-shaped nozzle, onto which compressed air is applied, and which conveys the filaments through the drawing nozzle. Guide members are provided on both sides of the slot on the base of the slot-shaped outlet, which cause a uniform structure of the fabric due to their shaping. This is achieved when a guide member has a plurality of notches parallel to the conveying direction, and the opposite guide member has a plurality of bores, which passively connect the space between the guide member with the environment.
US08186985B2	Mold apparatus for forming grooves in tire shoulder A mold device is described for use in a mold having a plurality of tread molding segments. Each tread molding segment has an end face for mating with an adjoining segment. The mold device includes a piston located on the segment end face and is actuated by the opening and closing of the mold. Each of the mold segments further includes a retractable blade assembly having a first and second chamber; wherein the piston is positioned within the first chamber and having a plunger end in communication with a temperature sensitive block of material and a spring. The first chamber is in fluid communication with a second chamber, wherein said second chamber further comprises a retractable blade mounted within a blade collar wherein the blade collar is slidably received within said second chamber; said second chamber further comprises a temperature sensitive block of material and a spring.
US08186984B2	Tire mold and tire with internal grooves in tire tread A tire mold is described that includes a plurality of tread molding segments having an inner surface for molding the tire tread. The mold further includes a plurality of sidewall plates having an inner surface for molding the tire sidewall. The tread mold segments together with the sidewalls cooperate to form a tire molding cavity. The sidewall plate further comprises a slot that extends from the outer surface of the tread segment to the inner mold surface, and has a pin extending from the outer surface of the tread segment. The pin is mounted to a rotatable body which can swivel. The rotatable body further comprises a guide pin which cooperates with a working member to rotate the body into a desired position in order to position the pin in the tire tread to be molded. The working member actuates the rotatable body into various positions.
US08186982B2	Adjustable rotary pump with reduced wear A rotary pump having a variable delivery volume, comprising: a casing; a delivery chamber formed in the casing; at least one delivery rotor which is rotatable in the delivery chamber; an actuating member which is arranged facing a front face of the delivery rotor or surrounds the delivery rotor, and is moveable in the casing for adjusting the delivery volume; the actuating member chargeable with an actuating force which is dependent on a fluid requirement; a track which is formed in the casing and guides the actuating member on an actuating member sliding surface in a sliding contact; and a sliding material which forms at least one of the track and the actuating member sliding surface.
US08186981B2	Scroll compressor having a spring member pressing an eccentric shaft onto a slide face of a slide bush There is disclosed a scroll compressor having an object of stabilizing the moving of an orbit scroll while suppressing the start load of the scroll compressor. In the scroll compressor, a slide bush having a slide face forming a predetermined angle with respect to the direction of gas load of a gas in a compression chamber is interposed on an eccentric shaft of a shaft for driving the orbit scroll, so that when the load of the gas in the compression chamber is applied, the eccentric amount of the eccentric shaft increases. The scroll compressor includes a spring member interposed between the slide bush and the eccentric shaft and configured to constantly urge the eccentric shaft to decrease the eccentric amount of the eccentric shaft, and this spring member urges the eccentric shaft to press the eccentric shaft onto the slide face of the slide bush.
US08186980B2	Scroll-type fluid machine that reduces centrifugal force of an orbiting scroll A scroll-type fluid machine comprising: a casing; a fixed scroll; an orbiting scroll; and an auxiliary crank device in which to prevent the orbiting scroll from being rotated, wherein the auxiliary crank device comprises: a fixed-side bearing body provided on either a casing side or a fixed scroll side; an orbiting-side bearing body provided on an orbiting scroll side; and an auxiliary crank shaft in which a fixed-side shank is rotatably supported with the fixed-side bearing body, and an orbiting-side shank is rotatably supported with the orbiting-side bearing body; a tip of the fixed-side shank of the auxiliary crank shaft is fixed in a radius direction, and a tip of the orbiting-side shank of the auxiliary crank shaft is fixed in a radius direction; and a deformative portion is provided between the tip of the fixed-side shank and the tip of the orbiting-side shank of the auxiliary crank shaft.
US08186975B2	Low profile pump with first and second rotor arrangement Pumps with low profile disk-type motors can incorporate an impeller into one or both rotors. Alternately, a separate impeller can be attached to a rotor. The pumps can be contained in housings without seals as the rotors need not be mechanically attached.
US08186974B2	Fan and fan housing which drains moisture in the fan housing A fan includes a fan housing, a motor and an impeller. The fan housing includes a first pressure area, a second pressure area and a guiding portion. The pressure of the first pressure area is higher than the pressure of the second pressure area. The guiding portion has a first end and a second end, the first end of the guiding portion is disposed at the first pressure area and the second end of the guiding portion is disposed at the second pressure area for draining moisture gathered in the fan housing away from the first pressure area to the second pressure area. The motor is disposed in the fan housing, and the impeller is connected with the motor.
US08186970B2	Scroll compressor including a fixed scroll and a orbiting scroll The present invention relates to a scroll compressor. The scroll compressor is configured to have bypass holes communicated with compression chambers so as to bypass a part of a compressed refrigerant and thus to modulate a capacity of the compressor, a middle pressure chamber and a valve. Accordingly, it is capable of simplifying a capacity modulation apparatus of the scroll compressor, thereby miniaturizing the compressor and reducing a fabrication cost. And, as the bypass holes are disposed to be adjacent to each other, an operating capacity of the compressor can be easily modulated with only one bypass valve, accordingly it is capable of reducing the number of bypass valve and of enhancing reliability.
US08186969B2	Variable displacement pump A variable displacement pump includes: a pump section arranged to be driven by an internal combustion engine, and to discharge a lubricant introduced from an induction portion to a plurality of hydraulic chambers, through a discharge portion, by volume variations of the hydraulic chambers; a variable mechanism arranged to move a movable member by using the discharge pressure of the lubricant, and to vary volumes of the hydraulic chambers which are opened to the discharge portion; and an urging section arranged to urge the movable member in a direction to increase quantities of the volume variations of the hydraulic chambers, the urging section having a spring constant which increases as a movement distance of the movable member in a direction to decrease the quantities of the volume variations of the hydraulic chambers increases.
US08186968B2	Compressor unit including a detection device to identify non-gaseous fluid in the suction line A compressor unit including a compressor is provided. The compressor unit includes a suction line and a discharge line, a control unit which controls the compressor and/or adjacent modules. A method to operate a compressor unit is also provided. To avoid any damage caused by non-gaseous fluid amount at least one detection device is disposed in the suction line to identify non-gaseous fluid amounts in the fluid to be compressed before entering the compressor. The detection device is connected to the control unit in a signal transmitting manner.
US08186967B2	Fail-safe control method for oil pump control unit of hybrid vehicle A fail-safe control method for an oil pump control unit of a hybrid vehicle directly connects an automatic transmission control unit and an oil pump control unit via a hard wire to control an oil pump driver in the event of a failure of the CAN communication line of the oil pump control. It enables the rotation speed of a motor of the electric oil pump to be controlled by a motor control unit (MCU) or a underdrive brake (UD_BRAKE) to be controlled in on/off mode or in slip mode by the automatic transmission control unit until a mechanical oil pump is driven, in the event of a failure of the oil pump control unit or the electric oil pump.
US08186960B2	Repair of rotor blade roots A method for repairing a wind turbine is described. The method may include preparing the surface of the blade, removing a plurality of mounting bolts, and replacing the mounting bolts with rod members. The rod members may be bonded to the blade root thereby strengthening the blade root and/or repairing any damaged or weakened regions. This repair may be performed on blades and blade coupling regions of various characteristics as well in modular fashion using pre-molded sections attached together around the blade root. The method of repair may be performed while the blade is still attached to the turbine hub. Wind turbines repaired according to these methods are also described. The method may also be used for attaching and otherwise handling new turbine blades and new wind turbines.
US08186958B2	Fan A fan includes a main plate and at least one or more blades connected to the main plate. At least a portion of a boundary portion between the main plate and a pressure surface of the blade is provided as a curved boundary portion such that the blade and the main plate are connected to each other at a curvature.
US08186954B2	Gas turbine engine rotor and balance weight therefor A balance weight for a rotor includes: (a) an arcuate body including a front wall and a rear wall interconnected by an end wall, the front, rear, and end walls collectively defining a generally U-shaped cross-sectional shape; and (b) a projection extending outwardly from the rear wall, the projection being adapted to engage an aperture extending through a flange of the rotor.
US08186952B2	Blade arrangement With regard to gas turbine engines it will be appreciated that blades are typically cooled in order to ensure that the materials from which the blades are formed remain within acceptable operational parameters. Coolant is judiciously used in order to maintain engine operational efficiency. Unfortunately with regard to rotor blades horseshoe vortices tend to increase heating towards a pressure side of a blade resulting in localized overheating. Such localized overheating may result in premature failure of the blade component. Traditionally coolant flows have been presented over a forward projection of a blade platform. In such circumstances coolant flow will not be used as efficiently as possible with regard to protecting a pressure side of a platform in a blade assembly and arrangement. By provision of a deflector element on the forward blade platform coolant flow can be proportioned either side of a leading edge of the blade. In such circumstances generally asymmetric coolant flow is provided normally biased towards the pressure side in order to enhance cooling efficiency. A suction side in an adjacent blade assembly is cooled by spent coolant and hot gas flow from the pressure side of a neighboring blade upstream in the assembly.
US08186948B2	Wind energy plant with a central control device and a control unit in the rotor and method for the operation of such a wind energy plant A wind energy plant with a nacelle, a rotor, which features at least one rotor blade adjustable in its blade pitch angle, a central control device for controlling the wind energy plant and a control unit disposed in the rotor for controlling the blade pitch angle of the at least one rotor blade, wherein the central control device and the control unit in the rotor can exchange data with each other via a data link, which comprises at least one first sending and receiving device at the nacelle side and at least one second sending and receiving device at the rotor side, wherein a wireless network connection with a safety-oriented communication protocol is provided between the at least one first sending and receiving device and the at least one second sending and receiving device, and that one monitoring- and communication device at a time is associated to the first and/or the second sending and receiving device, which can monitor the function of the sending and receiving device and initiate a predetermined action in the case of an error.
US08186944B2	Turbocharger comprising adjustable guide blades, blade lever and adjusting ring therefor A turbocharger (1) with a variable turbine geometry (VTG), includes a guide baffle (18), which has a blade bearing ring (6) with a plurality of guide blades (7), each of the latter having a blade shaft (8) that is mounted on the blade bearing ring (6). The guide baffle also has an adjusting ring (5), which interacts with the guide blades (7) by means of associated blade levers (20), which are fixed to the blade shafts (8) by one of their ends (21). The other end (22) of each blade lever (20) is provided with a lever head (23), which can be engaged in an associated engagement recess (24) of the adjusting ring (5). Each blade lever (20) is asymmetrical and has a bearing lug (25) in the form of an arched segment on only one side of the central section (26).
US08186939B2	Turbine disc and retaining nut arrangement A turbine rotor for a gas turbine engine including a disc having a hub defining a central bore for receiving an engine shaft. A nut retains the disc on the shaft. The disc retaining nut has at least one cooling passage defined therein and disposed for directing a flow of cooling air passing through the bore of the disc.
US08186933B2	Systems, methods, and apparatus for passive purge flow control in a turbine Systems, methods and apparatus for passive purge flow control in a turbine are provided. Various embodiments of the invention include providing a path for air to flow to a bore of a rotor with a plurality of stacked wheels. The air flow path includes at least one inlet hole on a rotor structure and a plurality of holes in at least some of the stacked wheels. The method further involves control of air flow to the at least one inlet hole based at least in part on axial deflection between the rotor and an associated stator during the gas turbine operation. Additionally, a portion of the air flowing into the inlet hole is directed through the plurality of holes in the at least some of the stacked wheels to purge the rotor.
US08186932B2	System and method for storing products in a storage rack The invention relates to a method of storing storage products in a storage rack, the storage rack comprising several rack units providing a plurality of storage spaces for the storage products. The storage rack comprises a transport shaft, a transport device being traversable on the transport shaft to transport the storage products between a service opening and a storage space. A first rack unit has the service opening and a second rack unit is spaced from the first rack unit by the transport shaft. In the method, a first storage product is transported into a buffer area spaced from the service opening of the first rack unit by the transport device for intermediate storage. A second storage product is supplied to the transport device via the service opening. The second storage product to be stored is transported into the buffer area using the transport device. Furthermore, the first storage product is to be retrieved from the buffer area and is supplied to the service opening using the transport device, and the second storage product to be stored from the buffer area is supplied to a predetermined storage space using the transport device. The invention also relates to a storage rack of this type.
US08186931B2	Powered hand truck The powered hand truck has a chassis supported at one end by a single axle with two independently operable drive wheels. A prime mover is provided generally medially on the chassis, driving the drive wheels and powering the forklift mechanism. There is no operator console housing for the powered hand truck, as it is intended to be remotely controlled. A transmitter provides for specific and precise control of each drive wheel independently of the other, by using two drive wheel control switches. The powered hand truck has a caster wheel actuation strut housing over the caster wheel end of the chassis. A storage rack and dolly may be installed upon a suitable transport vehicle for transporting the powered hand truck. The hand truck forks engage the storage rack dolly, with the dolly translating along the rack to allow the truck to be deployed from, or loaded onto, the transport vehicle.
US08186927B2	Contained object transfer system A transfer chamber is partitioned into a second chamber in which a transfer robot moving through an opening portion which can be opened/closed by a door is arranged, and a minute first chamber which serves as a FIMS system and includes a door capable of retaining a lid of a pod. The second chamber maintains a state in which an inert gas constantly circulates owing to minute nitrogen while having a pressure higher than that inside the first chamber. The first chamber is normally sealed while an oxide gas is suppressed in advance. In addition, at a time of transferring wafers, a partial pressure of the oxide gas is lowered with use of a downflow which is caused by the inert gas. Further, the first chamber and the second chamber are communicated with each other after a level of the partial pressure is confirmed with use of an oxygen level meter. As described above, an existing amount of the oxide gas is reduced in the so-called transfer chamber in semiconductor processing equipment in which the FIMS system is secured.
US08186922B2	Multi-piece locating pin An exemplary multi-piece locating pin for a turbocharger assembly includes a screw piece with a nub and a securing feature to secure the screw piece in a housing of a turbocharger assembly and a pin piece with a receptacle configured to receive the nub and a locating surface to locate a bearing in a bore of the housing. An exemplary turbocharger assembly includes a housing with a bore, a bearing positioned in the bore where the bearing has a wall opening and a multi-piece locating pin secured to the housing and inserted at least partially in the wall opening to axially locate the bearing in the bore. Other exemplary pins, arrangements and methods are also disclosed.
US08186918B2	Resin anchor with a compressible envelope containing curable products, at least one of which is sacheted The resin anchor comprises an apertured tubular envelope designed to be compressed by a traction element, characterized in that it includes, on the inside of the envelope, a resin component and a hardener component that are intended to be mixed together and to cure under the action of the compression of the envelope (1), in order to fasten the anchor, at least one of the two components being sacheted, the mix formed from the two components being expelled out of the envelope via its apertures, during its compression. The traction element may be a screw that cooperates with the end element of the bushing CD forming a nut. The anchor is fastened both mechanically and chemically, for either solid material or hollow material.
US08186917B2	Partitioning cargo spaces Some embodiments of a system for partitioning cargo spaces in a temperature-controlled cargo container can include one or more longitudinal panel assemblies with a user-selectable height feature. In such circumstances, a user can readily adjust the overall height of each longitudinal panel assembly while the longitudinal panel assembly is in the trailer so as to accommodate the interior height of the trailer (which might vary from trailer to trailer).
US08186916B2	System and method for transporting wind turbine tower sections on a shipping vessel In a system and method for transporting wind turbine tower sections on a shipping vessel a pair of support members is secured to a first wind turbine tower section generally at opposite ends of the first tower section. Another pair of support members is secured to a second wind turbine tower section generally at opposite ends of the second tower section. A pair of elongate mounting members is secured on a support surface of the shipping vessel in spaced relationship with each other. One of the support members of the first tower section and one of the support members of the second tower section are secured to one of the elongate mounting members. The other one of the support members of the first tower section and the other one of the support members of the second tower section are secured to the other one of the elongate mounting members.
US08186915B2	Spiral tap A helical flute has a constant lead part and a gradually increased lead part. The constant lead part has an axial length ranging from 0.3×LA to 1.2×LA and includes at least entirety of a leading part, so that the cutting performance of a cutting edge at the leading part and shape of chips (curled shape, etc.) are stable. In the constant lead part, because a lead is the smallest and a helix angle is large, a rake angle of the cutting edge is large, so that an excellent cutting quality is obtained and the chips become curled well. Meanwhile, in the gradually increased lead part, because of the lead gradually increased toward a shank, the chips are rapidly discharged toward the shank.
US08186914B2	Rotary cutting tool There is provided an exceptionally practical rotary cutting tool allowing the life of the tool to be prolonged. The rotary cutting tool has a plurality of helically shaped swarf discharge flutes (2) formed on a periphery of a tool body (1) from a leading end towards a trailing end, and a peripheral blade (4) formed on an intersecting ridgeline of a rake surface (3) of the swarf discharge flutes (2) and the peripheral surface of the tool body (1). A back taper part (B), on which an outside diameter (D1) of the peripheral blade (4) and an inside diameter (D2) of the tool body (1) gradually decrease from the leading end of the tool towards the trailing end, is provided to the leading end of the tool body (1).
US08186913B2	Systems and methods for particle focusing in microchannels Various systems, methods, and devices are provided for focusing particles suspended within a moving fluid into one or more localized stream lines. The system can include a substrate and at least one channel provided on the substrate having an inlet and an outlet. The system can further include a fluid moving along the channel in a laminar flow having suspended particles and a pumping element driving the laminar flow of the fluid. The fluid, the channel, and the pumping element can be configured to cause inertial forces to act on the particles and to focus the particles into one or more stream lines.
US08186911B2	Power umbilical comprising separate load carrying elements of composite material A power umbilical for transfer of large amounts of electric power, fluids and electric current/signals from the sea surface to equipment deployed on the sea bed, in particular in deep waters, is disclosed. The power umbilical comprises a number of electric power conducting cables (5), pipes (4) and electric conductors/wires (6, 6) collected in a bundle, a filler material (10, 2, 3, 3′) lying at least partly around and between the pipes (4), cables (5) and the conductors/wires (6, 6), and a protective sheath (1) enclosing the pipes, cables conductors/wires and filler material. The load carrying elements (7) of the power umbilical are light weighted rods (7) of composite material that can either be collected in bundles or appear individually or in a combination thereof.
US08186908B2	Method of operating a shiplift A platform includes main transverse beams (“MTBs”), each supported by at least one hoist. It is determined whether a load on any MTB is different from the load on any other MTB by more than a predetermined amount. An MTB which has a load different from the load on any other MTB by more than a predetermined amount is selected and then vertically moved with respect to the other MTBs within a predetermined safety limit to transfer load between the selected MTB and the other MTBs while monitoring the loads on each MTB and the position of the selected MTB as vertical movement of the selected MTB proceeds. The monitored loads and position are compared with the safety limit; and the movement of the selected MTB stopped when either the desired load transfer is completed or the safety limit has been met.
US08186904B2	Combination mounting ring A combination mounting ring of resilient material, for connecting a shaft within a bore of a housing, has a hollow cylindrical part having radially extending projections. This part is for locating between the outer surface of the shaft and the inner surface of the bore, the radially extending projections being under compression and thus securing the shaft within the bore. The combination mounting ring further has an axial spring element extending radially inward from the cylindrical part and having two portions at different axial positions. The axial spring element is for locating between the shaft and a body axially displaced from the shaft, and serves to minimize axial movement of the shaft within the bore of the housing. The axial spring element may either be an annular part or a tab extending from an axial edge of the cylindrical part.
US08186903B2	Fastener assembly The invention is related to a fastener assembly of the kind used to secure a gas turbine engine rotor disc assembly on a shaft in a situation which otherwise would required the use of a trapped nut. It thereby removes a design constraint limiting bore diameter of the disc assembly to permit access to a securing nut on the shaft, and avoids the use of a trapped nut. One of the rotors hubs is adapted to be mounted on the shaft and the securing nut is engaged with a thread on the shaft to trap the hub. In the improvement of the invention the hub is provided with an axial keyway through which the securing nut is passed into the limited access space. Once the shaft is engaged with the hub the nut is then engaged with the thread on the shaft and tightened using a special tool extending through the centre of the shaft. The tool is withdrawn after use. The nut may be undone and retrieved in an opposite operation.
US08186902B2	Means for disabling a safety catch on a screw-threaded component A disabling tab (100) for disabling an anti-disengagement or safety catch (80) such as on a connector (20) of a pedestal for elevated floors having mating internally and externally threaded components is disclosed. The safety catch (80) is a pivoted wedge shaped block defined at the lower end of an externally threaded component which defines a ramped portion (84) extending to a buttress end (86) facing the start of the external thread. In the internally threaded components, one thread also defines a buttress end (92). When the components are screwed together, the ramp (84) of the safety catch deflects inwards and passes the buttress end (92). When the components are unscrewed, the end (86) of the catch abuts the end (92) of the thread preventing the components from being unscrewed. The tab (100) includes a v-shaped end portion (106) comprising two arms—a thin ramped bridge portion (110) which in use fits over, the safety catch (80), and a second arm 108 which locates between the threads at the start of the thread of the externally threaded component. A shaft (100) extends away from end portion (106). In use, the bridge portion (110) disables the safety catch by guiding the buttress end (92) of the internal thread over the safety catch (80) while deflecting the safety catch inwards. The arms (110, 108) of the bridge portion are thin enough to pass between the external and internal threads without jamming.
US08186901B2	Liftglass to strut retention device with built-in locking feature An inline strut retention assembly includes a glass sheet having first and second surfaces and a single hole formed through the first and second surfaces. An isolator is positioned proximate the first surface of the glass sheet. The isolator includes a keyed slot formed therein. A ball stud member includes a threaded shaft extending in one direction and a post extending in an opposing direction. The threaded shaft extends through the keyed slot formed in the isolator. An attachment button is positioned proximate the second surface of the glass sheet. The attachment button includes a ferrule portion having an inner surface receiving the threaded shaft of the ball stud member and an outer surface shaped to mate with the keyed slot of the isolator preventing rotation of the attachment button relative to the isolator.
US08186896B2	Apparatus and method for printing and dispensing a web An apparatus for dispensing a web from a plurality of rolls of serrated bags, includes first and second web printer/web feeders, each adapted to advance and print first and second webs from a first and second roll of serrated bags respectively, the first and second web printer/web feeders including a first and second printer, and a first and second set of nip rollers respectively; first and second accumulator guide plates located downstream of the first and second printers; a set of dispensing nip rollers located downstream of the first and second accumulator guide plates; a web accumulation area; a web sensor for sensing an end of the first or second web; a first and second seal sensing device; a dispensing guide plate located downstream of the web sensor; and a bag handling mechanism for advancing a leading bag to a bag loader.
US08186895B2	Impulse actuated MEMS devices An apparatus, useful in, for example, a miniature camera, includes an object, e.g., an optical element such as a shutter blade, an actuator operable to apply an impulse to the object such that the object moves from a first position to a second position, and at least one flexure coupled to the object and operable to confine movement of the object to movement along a predefined trajectory extending between the first and second positions.
US08186894B2	Lens barrier unit A lens barrier unit that can further reduce the retraction space of lens barriers is provided. The lens barrier unit includes a barrier case having an opening; and multiple spherical barriers provided so as to pivot about a pivotal axis. The barriers can be shifted between a first state for closing the opening and a second state for opening the opening. In the second state, the barriers are all stored in the lower part of the barrier case.
US08186890B2	Fiber connector and adapter Fiberoptic connector and adapter assembly includes a fiberoptic connector received within an adapter. The connector has a cover on the connector housing. The cover pivots between open and closed positions to expose or cover, respectively, a optical fiber contained within the connector. Longitudinal guides of the connector are received cooperating with longitudinal guides of the adapter to direct the connector into the adapter in a prescribed alignment. A cam pin is carried on the adapter to engage a cam pin receiving slot on the cover to urge the cover to the open position as the connector is inserted into the adapter.
US08186884B2	Rolling bearing having two inner rings and a seal arrangement for sealing the parting joint between the inner rings The seat adjustment mechanism has a housing with an outer ring and an inner ring. The rings are arranged concentrically. Clamping bodies interact with double clamping ramps on the rings and are arranged in an annular space between the rings. Spring supports pivot in relation to each other, interact with a stop on the housing, are arranged concentrically with the rings, and engage in each case both in the annular space and in an inner space arranged radially within the inner ring. The spring supports are braced in relation to each other by a spring, which is arranged in the inner space to secure the clamping bodies in the center of the double clamping ramps. Stop surfaces of the spring supports are acted upon by a force in the direction in which they are minimally spaced apart.
US08186882B2	Gas bearing and fabrication method A method of fabricating a bearing surface for a gas or air bearing is described. The method comprises taking a bulk bearing portion having at least one bearing surface region and providing a coating on the bearing surface region to define at least one gas pocket). The at least one gas pocket has a depth substantially equal to the thickness of the coating. In one example, laser ablation is used to remove part of the coating to form the gas pockets. The coating may be an anodized coating and the bulk bearing portion may be formed from aluminium. An air bearing component formed using the method is also described.
US08186878B2	System and method for providing temperature data from a memory device having a temperature sensor A circuit and method for providing temperature data indicative of a temperature measured by a temperature sensor. The circuit is coupled to the temperature sensor and configured to identify for a coarse temperature range one of a plurality of fine temperature ranges corresponding to the temperature measured by the temperature sensor and generate temperature data that is provided on an asynchronous output data path.
US08186876B2	Calibrated assembly for IR thermometer apparatus A tip assembly for an IR thermometer apparatus includes a heat sink having a heat sink cavity and a tip section and a fluid path and at least one hydraulic port. The tip assembly also includes an IR sensor mechanically seated in the tip section and thermally coupled to the heat sink. The tip assembly also includes an electrical connector configured to provide an electrical connection to the tip assembly. A fluid having a fluid temperature is introduced into the fluid path via the hydraulic port. The fluid causes the heat sink and the IR sensor to substantially reach one or more pre-determined temperatures by thermal conduction during calibration of the tip assembly. Another tip assembly having an internal heat source is described. Another tip assembly having an internal heat pump is described. A method to calibrate a tip assembly is also described.
US08186871B2	Device for preparing a dispersion of water-soluble polymers in water, and method implementing the device Device for dispersing a water-soluble polymer comprising: a chamber for grinding and draining of the dispersed polymer comprising a rotor and a stator, and on all or part of the periphery of the chamber, a ring fed by a secondary water circuit. The ring communicates with the chamber for spraying of pressurized water on the blades of the stator. A method implementing the device is also provided.
US08186868B2	Wire fixing structure and backlight module A wire fixing structure for fixing a wire includes a fixing portion, a first side wall, a first positioning portion, a first protruding portion, a second side wall and a blocking wall. The first side wall is connected to the fixing portion. The first protruding portion is connected to one end of the first positioning portion, and the second side wall is connected to another end of the first positioning portion. There is a first accommodating space between the second side wall and the first protruding portion. The blocking wall connects the first and second side walls. There is a second accommodating space between the blocking wall, the first side wall and the second side wall. The wire winds around the first protruding portion and passes through the first and second accommodating spaces, so as to be fixed.
US08186866B2	Metallic panel assembly having multilayer arrays of micropores A metallic panel assembly having multilayer arrays of micropores includes a backlight module and a panel body. The backlight module is constituted of a first and a second light-guiding plate. First and second light-guiding microstructures are provided on the first and second light-guiding plates. A first and a second set of light-emitting units are disposed on one end of the first and second light-guiding plates, respectively. A first and a second shielding unit are disposed on the first and second light-guiding plates and the first and second sets of light-emitting units respectively. The panel body is disposed on one side surface of the first light-guiding plate. The panel body has thereon a plurality of hollowed portions with the hollowed portions encircling a key body. The key body has thereon a plurality of micropores. The plurality of micropores is arranged to form a pattern of each key body. When the first or second set of light-emitting units are lighted up, the light enters one side of the first or second light-guiding plate. The light is reflected by the first or second light-guiding microstructures on the corresponding key panel, so that the user can see the position of each key clearly.
US08186865B2	Color light guide panel and liquid crystal display A color light guide panel, suitable for differentiating an incident light into multiple color lights is provided. The color light guide panel includes a substrate and a color light output structure. The substrate has multiple pixel regions, and the color light output structure is disposed in each of the pixel regions. The color light output structure includes a first nano-pattern, a second nano-pattern and a third nano-pattern. The incident light is scattered by the first nano-pattern for producing a first color light, scattered by the second nano-pattern for producing a second color light, and scattered by the third nano-pattern for producing a third color light. The color light guide panel can output uniform and high luminous first, second and third color light. Moreover, a liquid crystal display device having the above color light output structure is also provided.
US08186857B2	Energy conserving solar or other powered retractable landscape light The current inventive technology relates to methods and apparatus for a providing an energy efficient and durable landscape lamp. The lamp can retract when not in use to prevent damage. The high efficiency retractable landscape lamp of this invention may be powered by conventional distributed low voltage or by a solar photovoltaic (PV) source. In some embodiments the lamp may be powered by low voltage, it may be individually interchangeable with a conventional low voltage landscape lamp or may be installed in a low voltage lighting complete system. This lamp may house the electrical components and gearmotor in an upper dry compartment making it reliable in outdoor installations, even in wet environments. This invention can also relate to operation without the need for unreliable limit switches for the raising and lowering of the lamp.
US08186854B2	Headlight module for motor vehicle, reflector for such a module, and headlight equipped with this module In a headlight module for a motor vehicle, a light source having a planar surface, is immersed in a volume of transparent material, which has a refractive index greater than 1. A reflector having a focus is disposed relative to the light source so that the focus of the reflector is at a point of the light source. Accordingly, light rays emitted by light source are refracted by the transparent volume and reflected by the reflector so that such light rays become parallel to a predetermined direction.
US08186852B2	Opto-thermal solution for multi-utility solid state lighting device using conic section geometries A light assembly 1100 includes a cover 18, a housing 16 coupled to the cover 18 and a lamp base 14 coupled to the cover 18. The light assembly 1100 also includes a first circuit board 30 disposed within the housing 16. The first circuit board 30 has a plurality of light sources 32 thereon. A heat sink 210 is thermally coupled to the light sources 32. The heat sink 32 includes a plurality of spaced-apart layers 1140 having outer edges and openings therethrough. Each of the outer edges 1144 are in contact with the housing 16. The light assembly also includes an elongated control circuit board assembly 1110 electrically coupled to the light sources 32 of the first circuit board 30 and the lamp base 14. The control circuit board 1110 extends through the openings 1170. The control circuit board 1110 has a plurality of electrical components 1112 thereon for controlling the light sources 32.
US08186851B2	Full angle LED illumination device A full angle LED (light-emitting diode) illumination device comprises at least three copper base plates, a plurality of LED chips, and a flexible circuit layer. Each copper base plate is electroplated with a layer of silver thereon and the copper base plates are arranged in a crisscross pattern to form the backbone of a three-dimensional globe. Each LED chip is provided on the external surface of the three-dimensional globe at a site where any two copper base plates are crisscrossed. The flexible circuit layer is provided on the peripheries of the copper base plates and electrically connected with the LED chips for controlling the LED chips. Accordingly, it is able to provide full angle illumination range and to improve the thermal conductivity and heat dissipation capability in order to prolong effectively the lifetime of the LED chips in use.
US08186846B2	Multipurpose lighting device with electronic glow stick A multipurpose lighting device comprises a module including a first light source for a flashlight function and a second light source for a lantern or omnidirectional glow stick function. A button on the module is operative to selectively alternating between the first and second light sources. An elongate housing is coupled to the second light source so that the second light source illuminates along the length of the housing. Finally, a whistle portion is formed on one end of the elongate housing so that the multipurpose device includes flashlight, glow stick, and whistle functions.
US08186842B2	Backlight module A backlight module including a back plate, a frame, a light guide plate, and a light bar is provided. The back plate has a carrying portion and at least one holding portion, and the frame is leaned against the holding portion. The light guide plate is disposed on the carrying portion of the back plate, and one side of the light guide plate is accommodated between the holding portion and the carrying portion. The light bar includes a flexible substrate and a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs). The flexible substrate is disposed between the back plate and the light guide plate. The LEDs are disposed on the flexible substrate and located on the carrying portion of the back plate and by the light guide plate. Each of the LEDs has a first canopy which is located between the carrying portion and the light guide plate.
US08186840B2	Standard illuminant apparatus capable of providing standard LED light A standard illuminant apparatus suitable for providing a standard optical property of LED for measurement is provided. The standard illuminant apparatus comprises an illuminant module and light shape control module, wherein the illuminant module is capable of providing light, and the light shape control module is capable of receiving the light and transforming the light shape of the light to a predetermined light shape as a LED light shape.
US08186839B2	Optical module for observing event or object An optical module that effectively observes a rapidly moving event or object is provided. The optical module includes first and second mirrors, and an optical signals detector, which are installed in a body thereof. The first mirror has a wide field of view and detects the event or object over a wide observing region. The second mirror observes the event or object detected by the first mirror at a high resolution. The focal length of the second mirror is greater than that of the first mirror. The optical signal detector detects an optical signal in light transmitted from the first mirror or the second mirror. The body forms apertures which correspond to the first and second mirrors, respectively and provides an optical path from the first and second mirrors to the optical signal detector. Therefore, the optical module can observe the event or object detected by the first mirror at a high resolution.
US08186838B2	Optical lens The invention discloses an optical lens for a light-emitting device. The optical lens includes a translucent body which has a concave inner surface to which light is incident. The inner surface includes a first region and a second region opposite to the first region. The first region and the second region are both substantially straight planes and extend inclinedly from the edge of the inner surface to the center of the inner surface respectively, so as to connect with each other. Thereby, the optical lens of the invention is capable of contributing to an elliptic light field.
US08186832B2	Projector having polarization conversion element array and light shielding sections provided thereon A projector includes: a light source; a polarization conversion element array having an entrance surface on which an effective entrance area and an ineffective entrance area are disposed to form stripes; a modulation device adapted to modulate a linearly polarized light beam emitted from the polarization conversion element array in accordance with an image signal; a projection device adapted to project the modulated light beam; a first light shielding section, a part of the entrance surface being provided with the first light shielding section adapted to shield a part of the incident light beam to the effective entrance area; and a first opening section, the first opening section being another area of the entrance surface than the part provided with the first light shielding section, at least a part of the first opening section reaches an end of the entrance surface.
US08186825B2	Printing apparatus A printing apparatus, having at least two platens, at least one print head, at least one print head drive unit to drive the print head in a main scanning direction, at least two platen drive units to drive the platens in an auxiliary direction, at least one ink cartridge, at least two operation input units to be operated by an operator to instruct the printing apparatus to activate a first printing process and a second printing process respectively, and a cooperation controller system to control the print head, the print head drive unit, the first platen drive unit, and the second platen drive unit to behave in cooperation with one another so that the second printing process is started one of after and during the first printing process when an instruction to start the second printing process is entered whilst the first printing process is in progress, is provided.
US08186823B2	Inkjet recording method and inkjet recording apparatus An inkjet recording method including: (i) exposing a surface of a recording medium to non-thermal atmospheric pressure plasma so as to hydrophilize the surface of the recording medium, and (ii) applying a stimulus to an ink composition so as to eject the ink composition to form an image on the recording medium, wherein the ink composition contains at least one of a pigment/water-dispersible resin particle mixture in which a pigment is dispersed along with water-dispersible resin particles and colored water-dispersible resin particles each of which is a water-dispersible resin particle which is colored.
US08186820B2	Image forming method and apparatus The image forming method forms an image on a medium by using ink and treatment liquid. The ink contains coloring material and thermoplastic resin particles in a solvent, and the treatment liquid contains a component which aggregates the coloring material. The image forming method includes: a treatment liquid deposition step of depositing the treatment liquid onto the medium to form a treatment liquid film on the medium; an ink droplet deposition step of ejecting and depositing droplets of the ink onto the medium to form an ink film on the medium on which the treatment liquid film has been formed; and an ink film drying step of heating and drying the ink film under conditions where T
US08186818B2	System for maintaining temperature of a fluid in a conduit A fluid transport apparatus maintains temperature of a fluid transported through a conduit. The fluid transport apparatus includes a fluid transport conduit that is selectively deformed by a pressure within a compressor conduit and allowed to return to its original shape by venting the pressure through a venting valve. The alternating pressurization and release of pressure from the compressor conduit moves fluid through the fluid transport conduit. A thermal conductor is associated with the fluid transport conduit to maintain the temperature of the fluid in the fluid transport conduit within a predetermined range.
US08186816B2	Liquid container, board, and method of rewriting liquid information A liquid container adapted for installation in a liquid jetting device includes an installation status notifier portion. The installation status notifier portion, in an installed state wherein the liquid container is installed in the liquid jetting device, is able to make the liquid jetting device determine that there exists the installed state, and alternatively to make the liquid jetting device determine, even in the installed state, that there exists a non-installed state wherein the liquid container is not installed in the liquid jetting device.
US08186803B2	Method for inspecting droplet discharge head, device for inspecting droplet discharge head, and droplet discharge device A method for inspecting a droplet discharge head includes discharging a plurality of droplets on an inspection workpiece from a nozzle row of the droplet discharge head at least twice in different positions on the inspection workpiece thereby forming a plurality of dot pattern rows each including a plurality of dot patterns, inspecting each of the dot patterns included in a first dot pattern row among the dot pattern rows by sequentially acquiring, using an image processing, a predetermined inspection value of the each of the dot patterns determined based on a shape of the each of the dot patterns, and initiating inspection of a second dot pattern row among the dot pattern rows when inspection of the first dot pattern row is interrupted upon one of the predetermined inspection values sequentially acquired exceeding a predetermine threshold established in advance according to a type of the predetermined inspection value.
US08186802B2	Liquid ejection devices A liquid ejection device includes a liquid ejection head and a cartridge mounting portion configured to selectively mount an initial liquid cartridge and a replacement liquid cartridge The liquid ejection device also includes a controller configured to determine whether a mounting action of the liquid cartridge to the cartridge mounting portion has occurred, determine whether the liquid cartridge mounted by the mounting action is the initial liquid cartridge or the replacement liquid cartridge, and determine whether liquid has been initially introduced to the liquid ejection head. When the controller determines that the mounting action has occurred and the liquid cartridge mounted by the mounting action is the initial liquid cartridge after liquid has been initially introduced to the liquid ejection head, the controller prevents the initial liquid cartridge from being used or gives warning.
US08186801B2	Image forming device An image formation device that inspects for image irregularities caused by joining of inkjet head modules. The image formation device is equipped with a belt conveyance unit, a recording head, a print sensor and a system controller. The belt conveyance unit moves paper in a conveyance direction. At the recording head, modules including plural recording elements that eject ink droplets are joined up to a length corresponding to the width of the paper. The recording head ejects ink droplets at the paper being conveyed to form an image. The print sensor reads the image recorded on the paper, while moving in the width direction of the paper. On the basis of the image that is read, the system controller inspects the quality of the image recorded on the paper.
US08186795B2	Liquid droplet jetting apparatus and program for controlling jetting a liquid droplet A data generating circuit incorporated in an ASIC includes a first jetting mode memory circuit which stores information related to a plurality of first jetting modes, a time-sequence information memory circuit which stores time-sequence information of a jetting mode which associates one of the plurality of first jetting modes, for each jetting timing of the nozzle, a second jetting mode memory circuit which stores information related to a plurality of second jetting modes, which are more than types of the plurality of first jetting modes, and a jetting mode selecting circuit which selects a jetting mode at an arbitrary jetting timing among the plurality of second jetting modes, based on the first jetting modes at the arbitrary jetting timing and at least one of the previous and subsequent jetting timings.
US08186794B2	Method of correcting alignment error of array inkjet head A system and method of correcting an alignment error of an array inkjet head having a plurality of head chips to print a main scanning line can include determining a reference head chip, printing a plurality of reference lines in the main scanning direction to be separated from one another at a reference interval in a sub-scanning direction using the reference head chip, and printing a plurality of test lines which can be offset by a multiple m, where m is an integer, of a test interval with respect to the reference interval using other head chips, and determining one of the plurality of test lines that matches any of the plurality of reference lines of each of the head chips, and determining an amount of offset of the determined test line as an amount of offset of each head chip.
US08186793B2	Image processing method, program, image processing apparatus, image forming apparatus, image forming system An image forming method is disclosed in which an image is formed on commercial printing paper using a high penetration pigmented ink by performing image processing which makes use of dot patterns corresponding to an output halftone level.
US08186788B2	Printhead, printing apparatus, and printhead driving method A printhead includes a driving unit configured to drive a plurality of heaters, a register configured to input data of a plurality of bits corresponding to the number of heaters, a latch configured holding the data transferred from the register; a generation unit configured to generate a control signal of the driving unit for each heater based on a value of the data and a change in a level of an enable signal including a plurality of pulse signals; and an output unit outputting the control signal generated by the generation unit to the driving unit in synchronism with the pulse signals.
US08186786B2	Printer A printer includes: a recording head which records an image on a recording medium; a carriage which carries the recording head and is movable in a scanning direction; a guide member which extends in the scanning direction and guides a movement of the carriage in the scanning direction; an angle-controlling member which is supported by the carriage to be pivotable relative thereto and controls an angular position of the carriage relative to the guide member in a state in which at least one contact surface of the angle-controlling member is in contact with a surface of the guide member that extends in the scanning direction; and a pivotal-position adjusting device which adjusts a pivotal position of the angle-controlling member relative to the carriage.
US08186785B1	User adaptable ink status conveyance system An ink status conveyance system comprises a maximum monitored ink level sensor operable with respect to an ink source for holding a supply of ink and delivering the ink to a printhead. The ink level sensor is configured to detect when an available amount of ink in the ink source corresponds to an ample ink level. A notification controller is configured to track the available amount of ink in the ink source between an ample ink level and an ink out level. The notification controller is configured to compare the user designated low ink notification set point to the available ink volume value to generate a low ink notification when the available ink volume value corresponds to the user designated low ink notification set point.
US08186779B2	Slide assembly with security device A slide assembly with a security device includes a first slide member, a second slide member, first and second stop members and an elastic member. The first slide member has a guiding passage. The first and second stop members are located on the first slide member. The first and second stop members each include an engaging portion and a stop portion. The engaging portions and the stop portions of the first and second stop members are in the guiding passage. The elastic member is connected to the first and second stop members. The stop portions contact against first and second stop walls. The first and second stop members are moved from the guiding passage when the second slide member is inserted in the first slide member via the guiding passage, so that the second slide member may be connected to the first slide member correctly.
US08186761B2	Suspended pixelated seating structure A suspended pixelated seating structure provides ergonomic, adaptable seating support. The suspended pixelated seating structure includes multiple cooperative layers to maximize global comfort and support while enhancing adaptation to localized variations in a load, such as in the load applied when a person sits in a chair. The cooperative layers each use independent elements such as pixels, springs, support rails, and other elements to provide this adaptable comfort and support. The suspended pixelated seating structure also uses aligned material to provide a flexible yet durable suspended seating structure. Accordingly, the suspended pixelated seating structure provides maximum comfort for a wide range of body shapes and sizes.
US08186759B2	Locking device for a vehicle seat A locking device (1), particularly for a vehicle seat, for the detachable locking of two components (5, 8) that can be displaced relative to each other, includes a first locking element (11) that is supported on the first component (5) in a displaceable, particularly a pivoting manner about a first bearing pin (13) and a second locking element (12) that is associated with the second component (8) and that interacts with the first locking element (11) in a locked state of the locking device (1). A first safety element (15), that can be displaced relative to the first locking element (11), secures the locked state of the locking device in the normal case by acting on the first locking element (11). A second safety element (17) is provided that can be displaced relative to the first locking element (11). The safety element supports the first locking element (11) at least in the case of a crash. At least one spring (25) applies a force (K) to at least one of the two safety elements (15, 17), which is supported on a second bearing pin (19) pivotally about the center (Z) thereof, at a point (P) and pretensions the element against the first locking element (11) or against a stop (23). The force (K) travels through the center (Z) in at least an angular position of the safety element (15, 17) acted on by the spring (25).
US08186757B2	Child restraint system including a stationary seat support and a removable juvenile vehicle seat on the seat support A child restraint including a seat support and a juvenile vehicle seat removably coupled to the seat support. The juvenile vehicle seat may be reclined with respect to the seat support.
US08186752B2	Vehicle body structure A vehicle body structure having improved roof support characteristics is provided. The structure includes a roof rail integral to an A-pillar and a support pillar. The structure further includes a cross member. The A-pillar includes an inner surface, an outer surface, and a wall therebetween. The roof rail extends downwardly at a front end of the roof rail and extends downwardly at a rear end of the roof rail. The roof rail is integral to a one piece hollow A-pillar at the front end of the roof rail. The support pillar also includes an inner surface, an outer surface, and a wall therebetween. The support pillar also includes a tubular lower section that extends upwardly from the rocker. The upper section of the support pillar is integral to the rear end of the roof rail.
US08186751B2	Pivotal fan/grill unit for a work vehicle A work vehicle comprises a tractor and a fan/grill unit. The fan/grill unit comprises a fan and a grill providing a portion of the exterior of the work vehicle. The fan and the grill are separately pivotally mounted to the tractor. The fan and the grill are coupled to one another in a four-bar linkage arrangement with the tractor such that the fan/grill unit is configured to pivot relative to the tractor between a closed position and an opened position.
US08186750B2	Automobile comprising a crossbar, a technical front surface and a convergent element attached to each other An automobile that includes: a lower crossbar including longitudinal arms connected by links to vehicle side rails located above the arms; a technical front surface defining a plate, the plate including an inner face and an outer face and being adapted to be attached to a structural member of the vehicle; a shield convergent element including two absorption members capable of absorbing by deformation thereof the energy of a shock to the vehicle; each longitudinal arm of the crossbar being attached by a first fastener to the inner surface of the plate; and each absorption member being attached by a second fastener to the outer face of the plate so that the two absorption members are capable of deformation along a longitudinal axis of the vehicle upon a shock; the inner surface including ribs.
US08186749B2	Cowl-top cover A cowl-top cover 6 is provided which is arranged across a lower end part 2a of a front window panel 2, a rear end part 3a of a front hood 3, and an upper end part 4a of a dash panel 4, of a vehicle. The cowl-top cover is formed by a seal loading portion 8 supporting the rear end part 3a of the front hood 3 with a sealing member 7, a longitudinal wall portion 9 formed so as to extend downwardly LWR from a rear end part 8a of the seal loading portion 8, and a panel loading portion 10a supported at the upper end part 4a of the dash panel 4. The longitudinal wall portion 9 is comprised of: a first oblique face portion 12 formed at a predetermined angle θ1 at a rear portion side PR on the basis of a perpendicular line 11 with the rear end part 8a of the seal loading portion 8 being a start point 5; and a second oblique face portion 13 bent and formed at a front side FR of the first oblique face portion 12. In this manner, even if a rear end part is deformed and moves to the lower side due to an impact load from above applied to an front hood, the cowl panel approaching the front hood never become rigid, and the load can be efficiently absorbed.
US08186744B1	Recreational vehicle with a convertible bed A convertible bed for a recreational vehicle has a sliding section and an inclining section. The sliding section is engageable with a frame for sliding movement relative to the frame between an extended position and a retracted position. The inclining section is pivotally combined and slidable with the sliding section. The inclining section is positioned for movement relative to the frame between a substantially flat position when the sliding section is in the extended position and an inclined position when the sliding section is in the retracted position.
US08186743B2	Vehicle sliding door structure A vehicle sliding door structure includes an inner door panel, an outer door panel, a reinforcing bracket and a first bulkhead. The inner door panel has a vertically oriented reinforced section extending along an outboard facing surface thereof adjacent to a rearward side of an outer peripheral edge thereof. The reinforced section has a latch mechanism supporting part proximate a mid-region of the rearward side of the outer peripheral edge. The outer door panel is fixed to the outer peripheral edge of the inner door panel. The reinforcing bracket is fixedly attached to the outboard facing surface of the inner door panel along a region of the reinforced section that extends from below the latch mechanism supporting part to above the latch mechanism supporting part. The first bulkhead is fixedly attached to the reinforcing bracket and extends from the reinforcing bracket toward the outer door panel.
US08186736B2	Hinge mechanism and automotive luggage board structure using the same A hinge mechanism 29 that rotatably provides a luggage board 27 and an auxiliary board 28 continuously with each other while interposing an integral hinge 13 therebetween, in which a space portion S is provided between mutually opposite end surfaces 20 and 21 of the luggage board 27 and the auxiliary board 28, wherein a restoring force generation portion 30a of a spring member 30 is housed in the space portion S, and in addition, both end portions 31 and 32 of the spring member 30 are fixed to the luggage board 27 and the auxiliary board 28, respectively.
US08186735B2	Modular vehicle floor system A modular vehicle floor system is provided that has a floor pan with integrated storage compartments. A floor is defined by a deck and compartment lids that overlie the floor pan and can provide a waterproof seal for the storage compartments. The deck and compartment lids together define a substantially flat surface that is covered by a vehicle carpet. The deck can include basket-like liners extending downwardly therefrom that nest within the storage compartments and define the inner surface(s) of usable spaces within the storage compartments. The deck includes a raceway system with one or more troughs or ports that house lengths of vehicle wiring, under the deck surface. The deck can further include flanges and/or tabs for serving as mounting substrates, against which sills and other hard trim components are mounted, allowing trim components to be mounted to the deck and not mounted directly to the vehicle body.
US08186731B1	Tamper indicating seal Seals have a flexible wire that can be looped through a hasp-like device. The seals include a body having a recess, a plug insertable into the recess and a snap ring for fastening the plug to the body. The plug and/or body can have access holes for inserting the wire into the recess. “Teeth” on the outer diameter and through-holes through the thickness of the snap ring allow for passing the ends of the flexible wire from the recess through the snap ring. The ends of the wire can be folded back over the snap ring and into engagement with the teeth. Assembly of the seal causes the ends of the wire to be securely fastened between the teeth of the snap ring and the sidewall of the recess. Seals can include a plug and/or body made of a frangible material such as glass, ceramic, glass-ceramic or brittle polymer.
US08186729B2	Traplock for bi-swing gate A bi-swing gate lock uses an electric actuator to unlatch the gate on request, and a failsafe mode that automatically unlatches the gate during emergencies or power failures. The traplock uses two swing arms that pivot retractable door stops in and out on either side of a closed gate from a stationary 4″ post. Loads trying to force open a locked gate are redirected through polyurethane pads on the sides of the retractable door stops directly to the insides of matching pockets within the post. Such loads can flex the swing arms, but significant loads will not reach the swing arm pivot bearings. Keeping the gate locked requires electric power applied to a lock actuator, and the loss of power automatically unlocks the traplock. Power applied to a retraction actuator pushes out the retractable door stops. A sensor detects when the gate returns to a closed position and the lock actuator can be energized once again.
US08186727B2	Variable bolt length door latch The present invention is a door lock that eliminates the need for an additional deadbolt lock on a door. The present invention has a deadbolt built into the doorknob assembly. The deadbolt is put into place every time the door is closed. This eliminates the need of having to separately lock and unlock two locks, the first being the doorknob and the second being the deadbolt.
US08186724B2	Connecting head structure for high-pressure fuel injection pipes A thick-wall small-diameter high-pressure fuel injection pipe has a spherical seat surface, an annular flange, and a conical surface continued from the seat surface at a connecting end of the pipe. If the pipe is configured so that t (thickness)/D (outer diameter)<0.3, then an axial distance from the connecting head end to the back face of the annular flange is 0.38D to 0.6D, a spherical radius of the seat surface is 0.45D to 0.65D, the annular flange outer diameter is 1.2D to 1.4D, and an inner peripheral surface of the head has a substantially flat cylindrical surface or a conical surface. If the pipe is configured so that t (thickness)/D (outer diameter)≧0.3, then the axial distance from the connecting head end to the back face of the annular flange is 0.38D to 0.7D.
US08186719B2	Pipe connecting structure of heat exchanger A pipe connector (60) configured to be attached to a tubular connecting port (63, 64) extending from a connector-mounting surface (54) of a heat exchanger body (1a) includes a plate-like or block-like shape base (65), an insert portion (61a, 62a) projecting from one side (65F) of the base (65) facing to the connector-mounting surface and configured to be fit in and connected to the connecting port (63, 64), and a leg portion (70) projecting from the one side (65F) and configured to be abut on the connector-mounting surface (54).
US08186715B2	Airbag, airbag device, and vehicle An airbag comprises a right half airbag to be inflated on a front right side of an occupant, a left half airbag to be inflated on a front left side of the occupant, and a base-end chamber that communicates with base-end sides of the right half airbag and the left half airbag. A vertically extended concave portion exists on a surface of the inflated airbag that faces the occupant. The upper parts of the right half airbag and the left half airbag, and the lower parts of the right half airbag and the left half airbag are stitched together by seams, and the intermediate parts of the right half airbag and the left half airbag are stitched together by a seam. The seam is provided at the deepest location. The concave portion is shallow in the upper part and lower part thereof.
US08186713B2	Vented air bag An apparatus (10) helps protect an occupant (20) of a vehicle (12). The apparatus (10) includes an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14) that includes panel (100) of material that helps define an inflatable volume (54) of the protection device. A vent opening (104) vents inflation fluid from the inflatable volume (54). A pleat (120) is folded in the panel (100). The pleat (120) is positioned against a vehicle surface (62) while the protection device (14) is in a normally deployed condition to help block inflation fluid from venting through the vent opening (104).
US08186698B2	Tricycle A tricycle includes a frame and a front wheel. The tricycle includes a first rear wheel coupled to the frame. The tricycle includes a second rear wheel coupled to the frame. The tricycle includes a front suspension system and a rear suspension system functionally coupled to the frame. The tricycle includes a drive system coupled to the frame and a wheel hub fixedly coupled to the first drive shaft. The drive system includes a transmission system coupling a first drive train to a second drive train. The tricycle includes a locking device configured to lock the relative position of the wheel hub and the rear axle, wherein the locking device is selectably adjustably between a first mode and a second mode. The first mode includes the wheel hub and the rear axle locked together, and the second mode includes the wheel hub and the rear axle shaft independently rotatable.
US08186691B2	Composite seal and coupling A seal and coupling, wherein the seal has a thin profile including a primary sealing element that provides both a face and radial seal, and a secondary or backup sealing element that provides a face seal. The secondary or backup sealing element seals against leakage past or through the primary sealing element, and the retainer may be made of a fluid impervious material for blocking permeation of fluid from the primary to the secondary seal. The retainer may also function to prevent over-compression of the sealing elements, while also maintaining a radial spacing between the sealing elements.
US08186687B2	Cartridge seal device A cartridge seal device includes a sleeve, a gland unit, a first seal unit, a pumping ring, and a second seal unit. The gland unit includes a first gland and a second gland. The first seal unit includes a first rotary ring disposed around the sleeve and rotatable along with the sleeve, a first stationary ring abutting against the first rotary ring, a compression ring abutting against the first stationary ring, and at least one first spring disposed within a retaining slot of the first gland and abutting against the compression ring. The first stationary ring has one end in abutment with the first rotary ring, and an opposite end formed with at least one notch. The compression ring has aligned guide pieces extending respectively into the notch of the first stationary ring and an engaging recess of the first gland.
US08186685B2	Seal An annular sealing element to seal between metal surfaces for use in flanges, joints, packers and the like, located in oil and gas exploration and production equipment. The sealing element has inner and outer metal deformable surfaces joined at ends, defining an interior volume which is entirely filled with a plastic deformable material. The surfaces are arranged such that on compression of the element from the ends, the element will deform in a controlled manner on a cantilever principle. The volume of filler and the interior volume remain substantially equal during compression so that delamination does not occur. Thus the sealing element provides a seal combining the flexibility of elastomer seals with the integrity of a metal to metal seal.
US08186682B2	Method and apparatus for providing advice regarding gaming strategies Methods for providing gaming advice are provided. For example, regarding a blackjack game, one or more first player cards are identified for a first player and one or more second player cards are identified for a second player. The first and second player cards are displayed to the first player. A probability associated with a first one of the plurality of playing options is determined based at least on a set of predetermined statistical blackjack data, the one or more first player cards, and the one or more second player cards. It is then determined, based at least on the determined probability associated with the first playing option, whether to display a first indication corresponding with first advice regarding the first playing option, a second indication corresponding with second advice regarding the first playing option, or a third indication corresponding with third advice regarding the first playing option.
US08186681B1	Method of using decks of playing cards A method of using a deck of playing cards that has a different number of cards than is needed for a game. If the number of cards needed is less than the number of cards in a deck, one deck is used. If the number of cards needed is greater than the number of cards in a deck, multiple decks are combined until the total number of cards exceeds the number needed. Then cards are removed from the combined deck, either randomly or predetermined, until the number of cards remaining is the same as the pool size.
US08186673B2	Optimised guidance of documents in self-service systems A roller storage system for storing sheet-type objects, in particular bank notes, is proposed, comprising a first film drum (3), which can be rotatably driven by a motor, with a first strip-shaped film (7) as a storage strip, comprising a second film drum (4), which can be rotatably driven by a motor, with a second strip-shaped film (11) as a cover strip, and comprising a winding drum (1), which can be rotatably driven by a motor. The films (7, 11), for the reception of the sheet-type objects (20), can be wound from the two film drums (3, 4) onto the winding drum (1) and, for the dispensing of the sheet-type objects (20), can be wound from the winding drum (1) onto the two film drums (3, 4). A first deviating roller (9) between the first film drum (3) and the winding drum (1) serves for the diversion of the first film (7). A second deviating roller (13) between the second film drum (4) and the winding drum (1) serves for the diversion of the second film (11). The second deviating roller (13) is here arranged offset relative to the first deviating roller (9) in the direction of transport of the films (7, 11).
US08186672B2	Currency cassette capacity monitoring and reporting An indicator, such as an alarm or warning, is generated to indicate that a document storage cassette attached to a document handling device (e.g., a currency validator) has reached a particular capacity or is approaching its full capacity.
US08186670B2	Sheet supply apparatus A sheet supply apparatus includes a supply portion with a sheet bundle supplied via an opening portion, a take-out portion to move the sheet bundle supplied to the supply portion to a take-out position and take out sheets one by one starting from a sheet on an uppermost surface of the sheet bundle, a first door with the opening portion arranged openably which is opened when the sheet bundle is supplied to the supply portion, a second door arranged openably on a middle position when the sheet bundle supplied to the supply portion moves to the take-out position, and a controller to control the first door and second door to open or close.
US08186666B2	Conveying device and image forming device A conveying device includes: a main body; a holding unit that holds media that is attached and detached to and from the main body; a third conveying member that conveys a single medium among the media held in the holding unit; a first conveying member that conveys the single media; a second conveying member that faces the first conveying member to pinch the media so as to conveys the single media with the first conveying member; a feed unit that feeds the single medium to the main body; an attaching part that is provided at the feed unit and enables the feed unit to attach to the holding unit; a positioning mechanism that positions the main body and the feed unit so that the second conveying member is located at a predetermined position relative to the first conveying member when the holding unit is loaded on the main body.
US08186665B2	Locking device of paper feed tray and image forming apparatus A locking device locks or separates a first paper feed tray to a second paper feed tray in a state where the first paper feed tray and the second paper feed tray being arranged in parallel at a storage position of an image forming apparatus. The locking device includes an engaging mechanism that can be set to an interlocked state. When the engaging mechanism is in an interlocked state, and when a drawing tray is drawn out from the storage position, a drawn tray is drawn out after the drawing tray is drawn out for a predetermined distance from the storage position.

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