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

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US08188068B2	Bridged polycyclic compound based compositions for coating oral surfaces in pets A pharmaceutically active agent, a pharmaceutically active agent carrier and method of use thereof are described. In some embodiments, a system may include a composition. The composition may include one or more bridged polycyclic compounds. At least one of the bridged polycyclic compounds may include at least two cyclic groups, and at least two pharmaceutically active agents may be associated with the bridged polycyclic compound. In some embodiments, one or more bridged polycyclic compounds may be applied to an oral surface of an animal (e.g., canine, feline) such that an oral malady may be inhibited and/or ameliorated.
US08188067B2	Formulations of 6-mercaptopurine The present invention provides improved formulations of 6-mercaptopurine that exhibit better bioavailability and faster dissolution than previous formulations.
US08188066B2	Medical uses of a selective estrogen receptor modulator in combination with sex steroid precursors Novel methods for the medical treatment and/or inhibition of the development of osteoporosis, breast cancer, hypercholesterolemia, hyperlipidemia or atherosclerosis in susceptible warm-blooded animals including humans involving administration of selective estrogen receptor modulator particularly compounds having the general structure: and an amount of a sex steroid precursor selected from the group consisting of dehydroepiandrosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, androst-5-ene-3β,17β-diol and compounds converted in vivo to one of the foregoing precursor. Further administration of bisphosphonates in combination with selective estrogen receptor modulators and/or sex steroid precursor is disclosed for the medical treatment and/or inhibition of the development of osteoporosis. Pharmaceutical compositions for delivery of active ingredient(s) and kit(s) useful to the invention are also disclosed.
US08188060B2	Duplex oligonucleotides with enhanced functionality in gene regulation Disclosed are methods of enhancing functionality of duplex oligonucleotides and compositions made by the methods. The duplex oligonucleotides include siRNAs, miRNA mimics, and piRNA mimics which contain modified nucleotides and mismatches between the two strands of the molecule at specific nucleotide positions.
US08188059B2	Compounds and methods for modulating expression of GCGR The present disclosure describes short antisense compounds, including such compounds comprising chemically-modified high-affinity monomers 8-16 monomers in length. Certain such short antisense compound are useful for the reduction of target nucleic acids and/or proteins in cells, tissues, and animals with increased potency and improved therapeutic index. Thus, provided herein are short antisense compounds comprising high-affinity nucleotide modifications useful for reducing a target RNA in vivo. Such short antisense compounds are effective at lower doses than previously described antisense compounds, allowing for a reduction in toxicity and cost of treatment. In addition, the described short antisense compounds have greater potential for oral dosing.
US08188056B2	Reducing arthritis and lameness in subjects by growth hormone releasing hormone (GHRH) supplementation One aspect of the current invention is a method of preventing and/or treating arthritis and/or preventing or treating lameness in a subject. Additionally, subject quality of life and welfare, and body condition scores are improved by utilizing methodology that administers the nucleic acid expression construct encoding a GHRH or functional biological equivalent to a subject through a parenteral route of administration. Following a single dose of nucleic acid expression vector, subjects are healthier and effects are demonstrated long term without additional administration(s) of the expression construct.
US08188054B2	Non-peptide macrocyclic histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors and methods of making and using thereof Compounds of Formula I or II, and methods of making and using thereof, are described herein. M represents a macrolide subunit, n is a C1-6 group, optionally containing one or more heteroatoms, D is an alkyl or aryl group, A is a linking group connected to D, B is an alkyl, alkylaryl or alkylheteroaryl spacer group, ZBG is a Zinc Binding Group, R1, R2 and R4 are independently are selected from hydrogen, a C1-6 alkyl group, a C2-6 alkenyl group, a C2-6 alkynyl group, a C1-6 alkanoate group, a C2-6 carbamate group, a C2-6 carbonate group, a C2-6 carbamate group, or a C2-6 thiocarbamate group, R3 is hydrogen or —OR5, R5 is selected from a group consisting of Hydrogen, a C1-6 alkyl hgroup, a C2-6 alkenyl group, a C2-6 alkynyl group, C1-6 alkanoate group, C2-6 carbamate group, C2-6 carbonate group, C2-6 carbamate group, or C2-6 thiocarbamate group.
US08188049B2	Peptides having activities of epidermal growth factor and its uses The present invention relates to peptides comprising the amino acid sequence represented by the following formula 1 and having the activities of epidermal growth factor and their uses: Cys-Met-Tyr-Ile-Glu-Linker-Arg-Gly-Asp (1) The EGF-mimicking peptides of the present invention possess identical functions or activities to natural-occurring human EGF and are able to promote the generation of autocrine EGF in cells. In addition the peptides of the present invention are much higher stability and skin penetration potency than natural-occurring EGF. Therefore, the composition containing the peptide exhibits excellent treatment and prevention efficacies on diseases or conditions demanding EGF activities, and can be advantageously applied to pharmaceutical compositions, quasi-drugs and cosmetics.
US08188048B2	Combination therapy The present invention relates generally to methods for inducing, promoting or otherwise facilitating pain relief. More particularly, the present invention relates to a synergistic combination of a selective inhibitor of the neuronal norepinephrine transporter and an analgesic agent in the therapeutic management of vertebrate animals, including humans, for producing analgesia or for the prevention or alleviation of pain.
US08188047B2	Therapeutic and cosmetic compositions for treatment of skin The present invention is directed to a skin cream containing L-glutathione and methyl sulfone in combination with perfluorodecalin and various vitamins such as Vitamin D and C. The cream can be used to treat cancerous and precancerous diseases found in or on the skin.
US08188044B2	Anti-tumor drug, medicament, composition, and use thereof An active polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 3, or having at least 50%, preferably 70%, more preferably 90% identity with the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 3, or fragments thereof having at least 21 contiguous amino acids, or peptides having at least 50%, preferably 70%, more preferably 90% identity with the amino acid sequence of the fragments, provided that the polypeptide is not SEQ ID NO: 2. A method for inhibiting cancer and/or tumor growth comprising administering to a subject in need thereof an effective amount of the active polypeptide.
US08188043B2	Nicotine in therapeutic angiogenesis and vasculogenesis The present invention features methods for induction of angiogenesis by administration of nicotine or other nicotine receptor agonist. Induction of angiogenesis by the methods of the invention can be used in therapeutic angiogenesis in, for example, treatment of ischemic syndromes such as coronary or peripheral arterial disease.
US08188039B2	VEGF-D mutants and their use The present invention is a VEGF-D protein, containing one or more amino acid mutations at the dimer interface, and their use in therapy, particularly in the promotion of angiogenesis.
US08188037B2	Microparticles comprising somatostatin analogues Disclosed are microparticles comprising a somatostatin analogue embedded in a biocompatible pharmacologically acceptable polymer matrix for a long acting release and pharmaceutical compositions comprising such microparticles.
US08188035B2	Method for using nano carbon to refine collagen into nanoparticulate collagen This invention relates to a method of using nano carbon to refine collagen into nanoparticulate collagen. As nano carbon particle are mixed into collagen, the pored structure of the nano carbon absorb and adhere to the collagen outer cell membrane and subsequently tears the collagen apart into nanoparticulates via ultrasound vibration, Thus it creates an advanced nanoparticulate collagen small enough to be practically and efficiently absorbed by the skin when applied directly.
US08188032B2	G-CSF transferrin fusion proteins A polypeptide comprising a G-CSF domain operably linked to a Tf domain, wherein the ability of the polypeptide to be transported into a cell expressing a TfR gene or the ability of the polypeptide to be transported across a cell expressing a TfR gene via transcytosis is higher than that of the G-CSF domain alone.
US08188028B2	Surfactant composition with a reduction of surface tension, interfacial tension, and critical micelle concentration using a protein-based surfactant synergist Surfactant-containing compositions are described which include a protein component that has the effect of improving the surface-active properties of the surfactants contained in the compositions. The surfactant-containing compositions having the protein component demonstrate significantly lower critical micelle concentrations (CMC), reduced surface tensions, and reduced interfacial tensions than do comparable compositions having no protein component. In addition, the surfactant-containing compositions having the protein component has the effect of converting greasy waste contaminants to surface active materials.
US08188027B2	Liquid fabric enhancer composition comprising a di-hydrocarbyl complex A fabric enhancer composition comprising a di-hydrocarbyl complex formed from a mono-hydrocarbyl quaternary ammonium component comprising the structure: wherein R1 comprises a C6-C18 hydrocarbyl chain, wherein R2, R3 and R4 are individually selected from the group consisting of C1-C4 hydrocarbyl, C1-C4 hydroxy hydrocarbyl, —(CH2CH2O)xH where x has a value from about 1 to about 2, and mixtures thereof, L is a linking group selected from the group consisting of C(O)O—, —(CH2CH2O)n—, —C(O)—, [CH2CH(CH2)O] and n has value of 1 to 2 with z having a value of 0 or 1, and an anionic surfactant, wherein the fabric enhancer composition provides sufficient softness and anti-static benefits.
US08188021B2	Lubricating oil compositions A lubricating oil composition formulated with a viscosity index (VI) improver composition including a combination of an ethylene α-olefin copolymer having no greater than 66 mass % of units derived from ethylene, and a linear diblock copolymer including at least one block derived primarily from a vinyl aromatic hydrocarbon monomer, and at least one block derived primarily from diene monomer.
US08188020B2	Lubricating oil composition containing an alkali metal detergent The present invention provides overbased detergents as lubricating additives effective for the lubrication of mechanical components in land and marine engines, such as, for example, hydraulic systems, transmissions, two-stroke and four-stroke vehicular engines, and trunk piston and two-stroke crosshead marine engines.
US08188019B2	Biolubricant esters from the alcohols of unsaturated fatty acids The present invention is generally directed to triester-based lubricant compositions. The present invention is also directed to methods of making these and other similar lubricant compositions. In some embodiments, the methods for making such triester-based lubricants utilize a biomass precursor comprising mono-unsaturated fatty acids, wherein such mono-unsaturated fatty acids are reduced to mono-unsaturated fatty alcohols en route to the synthesis of triester species for use as/in the triester-based lubricant compositions. Subsequent steps in such synthesis may employ carboxylic acids and/or acyl halides/anhydrides derived from biomass and/or Fischer-Tropsch synthesis.
US08188016B2	Lubricant composition and bearing using same A lubricant composition capable of preventing a rolling surface of a bearing from flaking owing to hydrogen embrittlement. The bearing is lubricated with the lubricant composition which is a lubricating oil or grease. The lubricant composition contains a molybdate and an organic acid salt. At least one molybdate is selected from sodium molybdate, potassium molybdate, and lithium molybdate. The organic acid salt is a sodium salt of an organic acid having one to 20 carbon atoms. The lubricant composition forms a film containing a molybdenum compound in addition to an iron oxide film on a worn surface of the bearing or on a fresh surface of an iron-based metal generated by wear. The bearing is used as a rolling bearing for use in electric parts and auxiliary machines of a vehicle. The bearing is also used as a bearing, for a motor, in which the lubricant composition is sealed.
US08188015B2	Methods and compositions for fracturing subterranean formations Viscoelastic surfactant (VES) gelled aqueous fluids containing water, a VES, an internal breaker, a VES stabilizer, a fluid loss control agent and a viscosity enhancer are useful as treating fluids and particularly as fracturing fluids for subterranean formations. These VES-based fluids have faster and more complete clean-up than polymer-based fracturing fluids. The use of an internal breaker permits ready removal of the unique VES micelle based pseudo-filter cake with several advantages including reducing the typical VES loading and total fluid volume since more VES fluid stays within the fracture, generating a more optimum fracture geometry for enhanced reservoir productivity, and treating reservoirs with permeability above the present VES limit of approximately 400 md to at least 2000 md.
US08188014B2	In-situ solidification of invert emulsion fluids to form gas tight annular barrier A method for sealing a subterranean zone is disclosed. The method includes the steps of preparing a wellbore fluid, placing the wellbore fluid into at least a portion of an annular space between the sidewalls of a wellbore and the exterior of a casing string disposed in the wellbore, and allowing the wellbore fluid to solidify therein, wherein the wellbore fluid includes an oleaginous fluid as the continuous phase of the wellbore fluid, a non-oleaginous fluid as the discontinuous phase of the wellbore fluid, and about 5 to about 50 pounds per barrel of a thermally activated hydrocarbon gellant.
US08188013B2	Self-degrading fibers and associated methods of use and manufacture This invention relates to the use of degradable fibers, and more particularly, to self-degrading fibers and their associated methods of use and manufacture. In one embodiment, the present invention provides a self degrading fiber comprising: an outer shell, and a core liquid.
US08188012B2	Process of using hard brine at high alkalinity for enhanced oil recovery (EOR) applications The present invention describes the use of EDTA and/or alkali treated hard brine at high pH for making ASP formulations for EOR applications.
US08188007B2	Herbicide composition for lawn A herbicide composition for lawn characterized by containing iodosulfuron-methyl or its salt, and at least 1 kind of herbicidal compound selected from the group consisting of oxaziclomefone, fentrazamide, oxadiargyl, ethoxysulfuron, cafenstrole, indanofan, asulam, fenoxaprop, clethodim, ethofumesate, tribenuron-methyl, metsulfuron-methyl, thifensulfuron-methyl, bromoxynil, MCPA, 2,4-D, dicamba as effective components.
US08188006B2	Synergistic composition and method of use The present invention relates to a method to increase the effectiveness of an imidazolinone herbicide to suppress weedy forms of rice growth used with imidazolinone tolerant rice strains. This method involves applying an imidazolinone herbicide to imidazolinone tolerant rice strains in a field and applying either a propanil based herbicide or a thiobencarb herbicide to this rice crop, wherein the herbicide includes a synergistically effective amount a herbicidally inactive ingredient. The propanil based herbicide synergistically affects the activity of an imidazolinone herbicide by increasing the effectiveness of an imidazolinone herbicide used with the rice to suppress weedy forms of rice growth, such as red rice.
US08188005B2	Liquid composition for promoting plant growth containing titanium dioxide nanoparticles Disclosed herein is a liquid composition for promoting plant growth containing titanium dioxide nanoparticles. The liquid composition contains, as an active ingredient, an aqueous solution prepared by adjusting the pH of colloidal titanium dioxide, a plant growth promoting component, to 0.4-0.6, in order to prevent rapid precipitation of the colloidal titanium dioxide, and then diluting the colloidal titanium dioxide with water to a predetermined concentration. The colloidal titanium dioxide, an environmentally friendly substance harmless to plants and the human body, which is contained in the plant growth promoting composition, is prevented from rapidly precipitating when it is diluted for application to plants. The plant growth promoting composition is harmless to organisms, reduces environmental contamination caused by over-application of biochemical fertilizers and is inexpensive, leading to an increase in farmer's income.
US08188004B2	Organic herbicide An organic herbicide is disclosed and comprises oxidized natural oils such as clove oil, and cinnamon oil. A natural surfactant is disclosed comprising 30-50% by weight casein, 50-70% by weight whole egg powder and 0-5% by weight Konjac glucomannan.
US08188003B2	Method of inducing virus tolerance of plants A method of inducing virus tolerance of plants which comprises treating the plants, the soil or seeds with an effective amount of a compound of the formula I.
US08188001B2	Fungicidal mixtures The invention relates to a fungicidal mixture comprising prothioconazole or a salt or adduct thereof with an inorganic acid an organic acid or a metal ion; and at least one further fungicidal compound, selected from the group consisting of thiram, fenoxanil, benthivalicarb, metalaxyl, fludioxonil and prochloraz, in a synergistically effective amount and to methods for controlling harmful fungi, comprising applying the fungicidal mixture.
US08188000B2	Heat-sensitive transfer image-receiving sheet and method of producing the same A heat-sensitive transfer image-receiving sheet having a support and, on each of both sides of the support, at least one receptor layer containing at least one kind of latex polymer; a heat-sensitive transfer image-receiving sheet containing a support and, on each of both sides of the support, are formed at least one interlayer, at least one heat insulation layer containing at least one kind of hollow polymer, and at least one receptor layer in this order from the support; and a method of producing a heat-sensitive transfer image-receiving sheet comprising a support and, on each of both sides of the support, at least one receptor layer containing at least one kind of latex polymer, which method including forming the receptor layer by applying a receptor layer-coating liquid which has a solid content in the range of from 5% by mass to 50% by mass, per one coating operation.
US08187994B2	Methods and compositions for stabilizing catalytic processes Methods and compositions for stabilizing the activity of catalytic compositions during catalytic processes, such as alkylation. A catalytic composition comprising a partially deactivated ionic liquid catalyst may be regenerated by reaction with a metal to form reactivated catalyst and an inorganic catalyst precursor; and the catalytic composition may be amended in-process by addition of an organic catalyst precursor for reaction with the inorganic catalyst precursor to form fresh ionic liquid catalyst. The organic catalyst precursor may be protected from water, e.g., during handling, by hydrophobic material(s).
US08187993B2	Methods and compositions for stabilizing catalytic processes Methods and compositions for stabilizing the activity of catalytic compositions during catalytic processes, such as alkylation. A catalytic composition comprising a partially deactivated ionic liquid catalyst may be regenerated by reaction with a metal to form reactivated catalyst and an inorganic catalyst precursor; and the catalytic composition may be amended in-process by addition of an organic catalyst precursor for reaction with the inorganic catalyst precursor to form fresh ionic liquid catalyst. The organic catalyst precursor may be protected from water, e.g., during handling, by hydrophobic material(s).
US08187992B2	Catalyst and method for preparing aromatic carboxylic acids The invention is directed to a catalytic principle based on zeolite crystallites attached to support or incorporated in a matrix and a catalytically active principle incorporated in the zeolite, the said crystallites having a diameter of between 20 and 300 nm and said catalytically active principle having a formula corresponding to: CoMn2(O)(R—COO)6 L1k1 L2k2 wherein: R is an optionally substituted C1-C4 alkyl; L1 is an optionally substituted nitrogen containing carboxylic acid or salts thereof; L2 is selected from the group consisting of H2O, an optionally substituted C1-C4 alkyl containing carboxylic acid, an optionally substituted C5-C6 cycloalkyl or heterocycle, an optionally substituted C5-C6 heteroaryl or aryl; and k1+k2=3; wherein the zeolite has an Si/Al atomic ratio of at least 8, as well as to a method for the oxidation of alkyl aromatics compounds employing the catalytic principle.
US08187989B2	Wear-resistant coating A seal assembly for a gas turbine engine includes a first seal member having a first surface, a second seal member having a second surface, with the second surface configured to generally abut at least a part of the first surface. At least a portion of at least one of the first surface and the second surface includes a coating that includes about 30 to about 80 weight percent of a hard carbide material, and about 20 to about 70 weight percent of lubricating material incorporated with the hard carbide material. The coating defines overlapping lenticular particles.
US08187987B2	Durable glass housings/enclosures for electronic devices The invention relates to glass articles suitable for use as electronic device housing/enclosure or protective cover which comprise a glass material. Particularly, a housing/enclosure/cover comprising an ion-exchanged glass exhibiting the following attributes (1) radio, and microwave frequency transparency, as defined by a loss tangent of less than 0.03 and at a frequency range of between 15 MHz to 3.0 GHz; (2) infrared transparency; (3) a fracture toughness of greater than 0.6 MPa·m1/2; (4) a 4-point bend strength of greater than 350 MPa; (5) a Vickers hardness of at least 450 kgf/mm2 and a Vickers median/radial crack initiation threshold of at least 5 kgf, (6) a Young's Modulus ranging between about 50 to 100 GPa; (7) a thermal conductivity of less than 2.0 W/m° C., and (9) and at least one of the following attributes: (i) a compressive surface layer having a depth of layer (DOL) greater and a compressive stress greater than 400 MPa, or, (ii) a central tension of more than 20 MPa.
US08187986B2	Optical glass The invention provides a novel optical glass which has a refractive index (nd) of 1.78 to 2.2 and an Abbe value (νd) of 16 to less than 40 and is suitable for precision mold press molding by virtue of its having a low glass transition temperature, namely, an optical glass which contains by mole in terms of oxides 25 to 60% B2O3, 2 to 45% (in total) TiO2 and Nb2O5 and 1 to 25% WO3 and has a refractive index (nd) of 1.78 to 2.2 and an Abbe value (νd) of 16 to less than 40. Further, the glass contains 5 to 35% La2O3 and 1 to 40% ZnO and has a glass transition temperature (Tg) of 700° C. or below. The optical glass is excellent in meltability, stability and devitrification resistance and has a high refractive index, high light-dispersive power and excellent precision press moldability.
US08187983B2	Methods for fabricating semiconductor components using thinning and back side laser processing A method for fabricating semiconductor components includes the steps of providing a semiconductor substrate having a circuit side, a back side and integrated circuits and circuitry on the circuit side; thinning the substrate from the back side to a selected thickness; laser processing the back side of the thinned substrate to form at least one lasered feature on the back side; and dicing the substrate into a plurality of components having the lasered feature. The lasered feature can cover the entire back side or only selected areas of the back side, and can be configured to change electrical properties, mechanical properties or gettering properties of the substrate. A semiconductor component includes a thinned semiconductor substrate having a back side and a circuit side containing integrated circuits and associated circuitry. The semiconductor component also includes at least one lasered feature on the back side configured to provide selected electrical or physical characteristics for the substrate.
US08187973B2	Method for manufacturing semiconductor device and the semiconductor device A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device which includes: alternately supplying a silicon source and an oxidant to deposit a silicon oxide film on a surface of a semiconductor substrate, wherein the silicon source is supplied under a supply condition where an adsorption amount of molecules of the silicon source on the semiconductor substrate is increased without causing an adsorption saturation of the molecules of the silicon source on the semiconductor substrate, and wherein the oxidant is supplied under a supply condition where impurities remain in the molecules of the silicon source adsorbed on the semiconductor substrate.
US08187972B2	Through-substrate vias with polymer fill and method of fabricating same An through-substrate via fabrication method requires forming a through-substrate via hole in a semiconductor substrate, depositing an electrically insulating, continuous and substantially conformal isolation material onto the substrate and interior walls of the via using ALD, depositing a conductive material into the via and over the isolation material using ALD such that it is electrically continuous across the length of the via hole, and depositing a polymer material over the conductive material such that any continuous top-to-bottom openings present in the via holes are filled by the polymer material. The basic fabrication method may be extended to provide vias with multiple conductive layers, such as coaxial and triaxial vias.
US08187971B2	Method to alter silicide properties using GCIB treatment A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device is described. The method comprises performing a gas cluster ion beam (GCIB) pre-treatment and/or post-treatment of at least a portion of a silicon-containing substrate during formation of a silicide region.
US08187970B2	Process for forming cobalt and cobalt silicide materials in tungsten contact applications Methods for forming cobalt silicide materials are disclosed herein. In one example, a method for forming a cobalt silicide material includes exposing a substrate having a silicon-containing material to either a wet etch solution or a pre-clean plasma during a first step and then to a hydrogen plasma during a second step of a pre-clean process. The exemplary method further includes depositing a cobalt metal layer on the silicon-containing material by a CVD process, heating the substrate to form a first cobalt silicide layer comprising CoSi at the interface of the cobalt metal layer and the silicon-containing material during a first annealing process, removing any unreacted cobalt metal from the first cobalt silicide layer during an etch process, and heating the substrate to form a second cobalt silicide layer comprising CoSi2 during a second annealing process.
US08187966B2	Manufacturing method for semiconductor integrated circuit device A Cu-CMP step applied to processes for 130 nm, 90 nm, and 65 nm technical nodes or the like mainly employs slurry to which an anticorrosive agent is added for preventing corrosion of Cu wiring. The inventors of the present application have studied and clearly found that in the Cu-CMP step using the slurry with the anticorrosive agent added thereto, the anticorrosive agent often forms complexes with Cu, which remain as foreign matter on a wafer in large quantity, leading to a reduction in yield, and in reliability of TDDB characteristics of the Cu wiring. In the invention of the present application, a post-CMP cleaning process involves applying wet cleaning to a wafer by supplying a cleaning solution, such as a chemical solution or pure water, to a device surface of the wafer substantially in a vertical direction with respect to the horizontal device surface, while rotating the wafer substantially about its center in the horizontal plane. The rotation speed of the wafer is set low such that the thickness of the cleaning solution over the entire device surface becomes substantially uniform.
US08187965B2	Wirebond pad for semiconductor chip or wafer In the present invention, copper interconnection with metal caps is extended to the post-passivation interconnection process. Metal caps may be aluminum. A gold pad may be formed on the metal caps to allow wire bonding and testing applications. Various post-passivation passive components may be formed on the integrated circuit and connected via the metal caps.
US08187964B2	Integrated circuit device and method An integrated circuit device includes a semiconductor chip with a metallization layer on the chip. A gas-phase deposited insulation layer is disposed on the metallization layer.
US08187963B2	Method of forming back contact to a cadmium telluride solar cell A method of forming an ohmic contact to a surface of a Cd and Te containing compound film as may be found, for example in a photovoltaic cell. The method comprises forming a Te-rich layer on the surface of the Cd and Te containing compound film; depositing an interface layer on the Te-rich layer; and laying down a contact layer on the interface layer. The interface layer is composed of a metallic form of Zn and Cu.
US08187961B2	Threshold adjustment for high-K gate dielectric CMOS A CMOS structure is disclosed in which a first type FET has an extremely thin oxide liner. This thin liner is capable of preventing oxygen from reaching the high-k dielectric gate insulator of the first type FET. A second type FET device of the CMOS structure has a thicker oxide liner. As a result, an oxygen exposure is capable to shift the threshold voltage of the second type of FET, without affecting the threshold value of the first type FET. The disclosure also teaches methods for producing the CMOS structure in which differing type of FET devices have differing thickness liners, and the threshold values of the differing type of FET devices is set independently from one another.
US08187959B2	Semiconductor substrate with solid phase epitaxial regrowth with reduced junction leakage and method of producing same Method of producing a semiconductor device, comprising: a) providing a semiconductor substrate, b) making a first amorphous layer in a top layer of the semiconductor substrate by a suitable implant, the first amorphous layer having a first depth, c) implanting a first dopant into the semiconductor substrate to provide the first amorphous layer with a first doping profile, d) applying a first solid phase epitaxial regrowth action to partially regrow the first amorphous layer and form a second amorphous layer having a second depth that is less than the first depth and activate the first dopant, e) implanting a second dopant into the semiconductor substrate to provide the second amorphous layer with a second doping profile with a higher doping concentration than the first doping profile, f) applying a second solid phase epitaxial regrowth action to regrow the second amorphous layer and activate the second dopant.
US08187958B2	Substrate processing method and method of manufacturing crystalline silicon carbide (SIC) substrate The present invention provides a method of processing a substrate and a method of manufacturing a silicon carbide (SiC) substrate in which, when annealing processing is performed on a crystalline silicon carbide (SiC) substrate, the occurrence of surface roughness is suppressed. A substrate processing method according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a step of performing plasma irradiation on a single crystal silicon carbide (SiC) substrate (1) and a step of performing high temperature heating processing on the single crystal silicon carbide (SiC) substrate (1) in which the plasma irradiation is performed.
US08187956B2	Method for manufacturing microcrystalline semiconductor film, thin film transistor having microcrystalline semiconductor film, and photoelectric conversion device having microcrystalline semiconductor film A method for forming a microcrystalline semiconductor film over a base formed of a different material, which has high crystallinity in the entire film and at an interface with the base, is proposed. Further, a method for manufacturing a thin film transistor including a microcrystalline semiconductor film with high crystallinity is proposed. Furthermore, a method for manufacturing a photoelectric conversion device including a microcrystalline semiconductor film with high crystallinity is proposed. By forming crystal nuclei with high density and high crystallinity over a base film and then growing crystals in a semiconductor from the crystal nuclei, a microcrystalline semiconductor film which has high crystallinity at an interface with the base film, which has high crystallinity in crystal grains, and which has high adhesion between the adjacent crystal grains is formed.
US08187952B2	Method for fabricating semiconductor device A method for fabricating a semiconductor device includes etching a semiconductor substrate using a hard mask layer as a barrier to form a trench defining a plurality of active regions, forming a gap-fill layer to gap-fill a portion of the inside of the trench so that the hard mask layer becomes a protrusion, forming spacers covering both sides of the protrusion, removing one of the spacers using a doped etch barrier as an etch barrier, and etching the gap-fill layer using a remaining spacer as an etch barrier to form a side trench exposing one side of the active region.
US08187950B2	Method of eliminating micro-trenches during spacer etch A method of forming a semiconductor structure is provided. The method includes providing a semiconductor substrate with a substrate region. The method also includes forming a pad oxide layer overlying the substrate region. The method additionally includes forming a stop layer overlying the pad oxide layer. Furthermore, the method includes patterning the stop layer and the pad oxide layer to expose a portion of the substrate region. In addition, the method includes forming a trench within an exposed portion of the substrate region, the trench having sidewalls and a bottom and a height. Also, the method includes depositing alternating layers of oxide and silicon nitride to at least fill the trench, the oxide being deposited by an HDP-CVD process. The method additionally includes performing a planarization process to remove a portion of the silicon nitride and oxide layers. In addition, the method includes removing the pad oxide and stop layers.
US08187946B2	Manufacturing a phase change memory device having a ring heater A ring shaped heater surrounds a chalcogenide region along the length of a cylindrical solid phase portion thereof defining a change phase memory element. The chalcogenide region is formed in a sub-lithographic pore, so that a relatively compact structure is achieved. Furthermore, the ring contact between the heater and the cylindrical solid phase portion results in a more gradual transition of resistance versus programming current, enabling multilevel memories to be formed.
US08187940B2	Method for fabricating semiconductor device A method for fabricating a semiconductor device, including (a) etching a semiconductor substrate to form a first trench defining an active region; (b) forming a first spacer on sidewalls of the first trench; (c) etching a bottom of the first trench to form a second trench; (d) etching a sidewall of the second trench to form a third trench including an undercut space; (e) forming a device isolation structure that fills the first, second and third trenches; (f) etching the semiconductor substrate of a gate region to form a recess; and (g) forming a gate that fills the recess.
US08187939B2	Direct contact in trench with three-mask shield gate process A semiconductor device and a method for making a semiconductor device are disclosed. A trench mask may be applied to a semiconductor substrate, which is etched to form trenches with three different widths. A first conductive material is formed at the bottom of the trenches. A second conductive material is formed over the first conductive material. An insulator layer separates the first and second conductive materials. A first insulator layer is deposited on top of the trenches. A body layer is formed in a top portion of the substrate. A source is formed in the body layer. A second insulator layer is applied on top of the trenches and the source. A contact mask is applied on top of the second insulator layer. Source and gate contacts are formed through the second insulator layer. Source and gate metal are formed on top of the second insulator layer.
US08187937B2	Semiconductor component and method for producing the same A method for producing a semiconductor component has the following step: the front side (101) of the semiconductor body (100) is irradiated with high-energy particles using the terminal electrode (40) as a mask, in order to produce recombination centers (80A, 80B) in the semiconductor body (100) for the recombination of the first and second conduction type of charge carriers.
US08187936B2	Ultrahigh density vertical NAND memory device and method of making thereof A method of making a monolithic three dimensional NAND string. The method includes forming a stack of alternating layers of a first material and a second material over a substrate. The first material includes a conductive or semiconductor control gate material and the second material includes an insulating material. The method also includes etching the stack to form at least one opening in the stack, selectively etching the first material to form first recesses in the first material and forming a blocking dielectric in the first recesses. The method also includes forming a plurality of discrete charge storage segments separated from each other in the first recesses over the blocking dielectric, forming a tunnel dielectric over a side wall of the discrete charge storage segments exposed in the at least one opening and forming a semiconductor channel in the at least one opening.
US08187930B2	Structure and layout of a FET prime cell Method of making a semiconductor device that includes forming a source and a drain in a substrate, forming a gate on the substrate between the source and drain, forming a substrate contact in electrical contact with the source, and forming an electrical contact to the source, drain and gate, and the substrate.
US08187929B2	Mask level reduction for MOSFET A method of fabricating a thin film transistor for an active matrix display using reduced masking operations includes patterning a gate on a substrate. A gate dielectric is formed over the gate and a semiconducting metal oxide is deposited on the gate dielectric. A channel protection layer is patterned on the semiconducting metal oxide overlying the gate to define a channel area and to expose the remaining semiconducting metal oxide. A source/drain metal layer is deposited on the structure and etched through to the channel protection layer above the gate to separate the source/drain metal layer into source and drain terminals and the source/drain metal layer and the semiconducting metal oxide are etched through at the periphery to isolate the transistor. A nonconductive spacer is patterned on the transistor and portions of the surrounding source/drain metal layer.
US08187928B2	Methods of forming integrated circuits A method of forming an integrated circuit includes forming a gate structure over a substrate. A plasma doping (PLAD) process is performed to at least a portion of the substrate that is adjacent to the gate structure. The doped portion of the substrate is annealed in an ambient with an oxygen-containing chemical.
US08187927B2	Liquid crystal display and fabrication method thereof A method for fabricating an LCD includes: providing a substrate with a thin film transistor (TFT) part defined thereon; forming a metallic film for a gate electrode on the substrate; etching the metallic film through a first printing process to form a gate electrode; sequentially forming a gate insulating layer, a semiconductor layer, and a metallic film for source and drain electrodes on the substrate; selectively etching the metallic film for source and drain electrodes, the semiconductor layer and the gate insulating layer through a second printing process to form a gate insulating layer pattern, a preliminary active pattern and a metallic film pattern which are sequentially stacked such that the gate insulating layer pattern is over-etched from the side of the preliminary active pattern; forming an insulating layer on the substrate with the metallic film pattern; etching the insulating layer to expose the metallic film pattern; forming a transparent conductive film on the metallic film pattern and a remaining insulating film; and selectively etching the transparent conductive film, the metallic film pattern, the preliminary active pattern to form an active pattern, a source electrode, a drain electrode, and a pixel electrode connected with the drain electrode.
US08187926B2	Method of manufacturing a semiconductor device There is provided a method of removing trap levels and defects, which are caused by stress, from a single crystal silicon thin film formed by an SOI technique. First, a single crystal silicon film is formed by using a typical bonding SOI technique such as Smart-Cut or ELTRAN. Next, the single crystal silicon thin film is patterned to form an island-like silicon layer, and then, a thermal oxidation treatment is carried out in an oxidizing atmosphere containing a halogen element, so that an island-like silicon layer in which the trap levels and the defects are removed is obtained.
US08187923B2	Laser release process for very thin Si-carrier build A laser release and glass chip removal process for a integrated circuit module avoiding carrier edge cracking is provided.
US08187921B2	Semiconductor package having ink-jet type dam and method of manufacturing the same A semiconductor package includes a substrate which includes a chip mounting unit disposed on a first surface thereof and a pad forming unit disposed on an outer region of the chip mounting unit. The semiconductor package further includes a plurality of pads disposed on the pad forming unit of the substrate, a semiconductor chip disposed on the chip mounting unit of the substrate, a dam disposed on the first surface of the substrate between the semiconductor chip and the pad forming unit, and wherein the dam separates at least a portion of the pads from the semiconductor chip. In addition, the semiconductor package further includes an underfill material disposed between an active surface of the semiconductor chip and the first surface of the substrate and wherein an upper surface of the dam is rounded due to surface tension.
US08187920B2	Integrated circuit micro-module One aspect of the present invention relates to an integrated circuit package that includes multiple layers of a planarizing, photo-imageable epoxy that are formed over a substrate. In some designs, the substrate is a silicon wafer. An integrated circuit is embedded in the epoxy. An antenna, which is electrically coupled to the active face of the integrated circuit through an interconnect layer, is formed over one of the epoxy layers. In various embodiments, at least some of the epoxy layers are positioned between the substrate and the antenna such that there is a distance of at least approximately 100 microns between the substrate and the antenna.
US08187919B2	Oxide thin film transistor and method of fabricating the same An oxide thin film transistor (TFT) and its fabrication method are disclosed. In a TFT of a bottom gate structure using amorphous zinc oxide (ZnO)-based semiconductor as an active layer, source and drain electrodes are formed, on which the active layer made of oxide semiconductor is formed to thus prevent degeneration of the oxide semiconductor in etching the source and drain electrodes. The oxide TFT includes: a gate electrode form on a substrate; a gate insulating layer formed on the gate electrode; source and drain electrodes formed on the gate insulating layer and having a multi-layer structure of two or more layers; and an active layer formed on the source and drain electrodes and formed of amorphous zinc oxide-based semiconductor, wherein a metal layer such as indium-tin-oxide, molybdenum, and the like, having good ohmic-contact characteristics with titanium and a titanium alloy having good bonding force with oxygen or the oxide-based semiconductor is formed at an uppermost portion of the source and drain electrodes. In a method for fabricating an oxide TFT, a silicon nitride film is deposited with a sputter equipment without the necessity of H2 gas so as to be used as a protection layer of oxide semiconductor to thus prevent degradation of the characteristics of the oxide semiconductor.
US08187917B2	Method for manufacturing memory device Objects are to solve inhibition of miniaturization of a memory element and complexity of a manufacturing process thereof, and to provide a nonvolatile memory device and a semiconductor device each having the memory device, in which data can be additionally written except at the time of manufacture and in which forgery or the like caused by rewriting of data can be prevented, and a memory device and a semiconductor device that are inexpensive and nonvolatile. The present invention provides a semiconductor device that includes a plurality of memory elements, in each of which a first conductive layer, a second conductive layer disposed beside the first conductive layer, and a mixed film that are disposed over the same insulating film. The mixed film contains an inorganic compound, an organic compound, and a halogen atom and is disposed between the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer.
US08187912B2	Methods of forming an anisotropic conductive layer as a back contact in thin film photovoltaic devices Thin film photovoltaic devices are generally provided. The device can include a transparent conductive oxide layer on a glass substrate, an n-type thin film layer on the transparent conductive layer, and a p-type thin film layer on the n-type layer. The n-type thin film layer and the p-type thin film layer form a p-n junction. An anisotropic conductive layer is applied on the p-type thin film layer, and includes a polymeric binder and a plurality of conductive particles. A metal contact layer can then be positioned on the anisotropic conductive layer.
US08187907B1	Solder structures for fabrication of inverted metamorphic multijunction solar cells A method of manufacturing a solar cell by providing a first substrate; depositing on the first substrate a sequence of layers of semiconductor material forming a solar cell including a top subcell and a bottom subcell; forming a metal back contact over the bottom subcell; forming a group of discrete, spaced-apart first bonding elements over the surface of the back metal contact; attaching a surrogate substrate on top of the back metal contact using the bonding elements; and removing the first substrate to expose the surface of the top subcell.
US08187906B2	Method for fabricating composite substances for thin film electro-optical devices A method is provided for producing an electro-optic device having at least one optically transparent conducting layer with low electrical resistance. The method includes providing a composite substrate that includes an optically transparent and electrically insulating base substrate and an electrically conducting grid disposed in grooves located in the base substrate. Also provided is an electro-optical module having at least one transparent conducting layer. The composite substrate is attached onto the electro-optic module such that electrical contact is established between the grid and the transparent conducting layer of the electro-optic module.
US08187904B2	Methods of forming thin layers of photovoltaic absorbers A method and a system are provide for forming planar precursor structures which are subsequently converted into thin film solar cell absorber layers. A precursor structure is first formed on the front surface of the foil substrate and then planarized through application of force or pressure by a smooth surface to obtain a planar precursor structure. The precursor structure includes at least one of a Group IB material, Group IIIA material and Group VIA material. The planar precursor structures are reacted to form planar and compositionally uniform thin film absorber layers for solar cells.
US08187902B2	High performance sensors and methods for forming the same A sensor includes a proof mass suspended by a suspension beam, the suspension beam having a thickness less than a thickness of the proof mass.
US08187899B2	LED package structure for increasing light-emitting efficiency and controlling light-projecting angle and method for manufacturing the same An LED package structure for increasing light-emitting efficiency and controlling light-projecting angle includes a substrate unit, a light-emitting unit, a light-reflecting unit and a package unit. The substrate unit has a substrate body and a chip-placing area disposed on a top surface of the substrate body. The light-emitting unit has a plurality of LED chips electrically disposed on the chip-placing area. The light-reflecting unit has an annular reflecting resin body surroundingly formed on the top surface of the substrate body by coating. The annular reflecting resin body surrounds the LED chips that are disposed on the chip-placing area to form a resin position limiting space above the chip-placing area. The package unit has a translucent package resin body disposed on the top surface of the substrate body in order to cover the LED chips. The position of the translucent package resin body is limited in the resin position limiting space.
US08187898B2	Method for manufacturing liquid discharge head A method for manufacturing a liquid discharge head provided with a substrate which has a layer made of silicon nitride and with a discharge port forming member which is disposed above the layer made of silicon nitride and has a discharge port for discharging liquid. The method includes providing a photosensitive layer that is to be the discharge port forming member above the layer made of silicon nitride, and forming the discharge port by exposing the photosensitive layer to i-line. The layer made of silicon nitride has a refractive index of 2.05 or more to light of a wavelength of 633 nm and irradiation with the i-line is performed in the exposure.
US08187897B2	Fabricating product chips and die with a feature pattern that contains information relating to the product chip Product chips and die, methods for fabricating product chips, and methods for tracking the identity of die after singulation from a wafer. The product chips and die include a pattern of features formed in a metallization level of a back-end-of-line (BEOL) wiring structure. The features in the pattern contain information relating to the die, such as a unique identifier that includes a wafer identification for a wafer used to fabricate the die and a product chip location for the die on the wafer. The features may be imaged with the assistance of a beam of electromagnetic radiation that penetrates into a packaged die and is altered by the presence of the features in a way that promotes imaging.
US08187895B2	Small volume in vitro analyte sensor and methods of making A sensor utilizing a non-leachable or diffusible redox mediator is described. The sensor includes a sample chamber to hold a sample in electrolytic contact with a working electrode, and in at least some instances, the sensor also contains a non-leachable or a diffusible second electron transfer agent. The sensor and/or the methods used produce a sensor signal in response to the analyte that can be distinguished from a background signal caused by the mediator. The invention can be used to determine the concentration of a biomolecule, such as glucose or lactate, in a biological fluid, such as blood or serum, using techniques such as coulometry, amperometry, and potentiometry. An enzyme capable of catalyzing the electrooxidation or electroreduction of the biomolecule is typically provided as a second electron transfer agent.
US08187893B2	Mass spectrometric based assay for presence of a protein without the use of a standard The present teachings provide methods for the development of a mass spectrometric based assay for a protein in a sample using parent-daughter ion transition monitoring (PDITM). In various aspects, the present teachings provide methods for developing a mass spectrometric based assay for a protein in a sample without the use of a standard for the protein. In various embodiments, the sample comprises proteolytic fragments of a protein which is present in low abundance in the physiological fluid from which it is derived.
US08187892B2	Co-topo-polymeric compositions, devices and systems for controlling threshold and delay activation sensitivities Co-topo-polymeric indicator compositions and methods for making and using the same are provided. Indicator compositions of the invention include a polymer and undergo a color change, which may be reversible or irreversible, in response to an applied stimulus, e.g., temperature. Aspects of methods of producing the compositions include setting a fluid co-topo-polymeric precursor composition into a solid product and then subjecting the solid product (either immediately or after a delay period) to polymerizing conditions to produce the desired indicator composition. Also provided are indicator devices that include the indicator compositions of the invention. The compositions of the invention find use in a variety of different applications.
US08187886B2	Blood cell sorting methods and systems The invention relates to methods of isolating white blood cells (WBCs) from a sample, e.g., whole blood, using magnetic particles that specifically bind to WBCs and a series of specific steps and conditions. The methods can include one or more of decreasing the viscosity of the sample prior to WBC isolation, agitating the sample at specified frequencies, and/or using a sample container arranged such that all of the sample is placed in close proximity (e.g., within 5, 2, 1, or 0.5 mm) to the source of the magnetic field. The new methods provide for isolation of WBC preparations with high yield, purity, and viability. The methods are designed for compatibility with automation protocols for rapid processing of multiple samples.
US08187885B2	Microbead kit and method for quantitative calibration and performance monitoring of a fluorescence instrument Fluorescently labeled microsphere calibration and quality control particles for use in establishing standardized fluorescence detector setup, monitoring daily QC of flow cytometers and quantitative calibration of the fluorescence detectors in traceable units of measure (molecules equivalent soluble fluorescence; MESF).
US08187883B2	Method and system for delivering nucleic acid into a target cell Controlled delivery of nucleic acid into target cells is achieved by immobilizing the nucleic acid and the cells to a substrate. Improved control over delivery is achieved by immobilizing the nucleic acid to the substrate via complementary DNA binding interactions with an oligonucleotide linker.
US08187881B2	Methods related to wound healing The invention is directed to methods for the treatment of wounds. Such methods utilize novel compositions, including but not limited to amnion-derived multipotent cells (herein referred to as AMP cells), conditioned media derived therefrom (herein referred to as amnion-derived cellular cytokine suspension or ACCS), cell lysates derived therefrom, cell products derived therefrom, each alone or in combination.
US08187877B2	Chronic lymphocytic leukemia cell line The preparation and characterization of antibodies that bind to antigens on CLL or other cancer cells, especially to antigens upregulated in the cancer cells, and the identification and characterization of antigens present on or upregulated by cancer cells are useful in studying and treating cancer.
US08187876B2	Expansion of stem/progenitor cells by inhibition of enzymatic reactions catalyzed by the Sir2 family of enzymes Provided are ex vivo and in vivo methods of expanding renewable stem cells using agents capable of down-regulating Sir2 protein activity and/or expression, expanded populations of renewable stem cells, and uses thereof.
US08187875B2	Dopaminergic neurons derived from corneal limbus, methods of isolation and uses thereof The present disclosure describes the generation of neural cells and neurons from mammalian pluripotent embryonic-like stem cells (ELSCs) isolated from corneal limbal tissue, a non-embryonic tissue. Specifically, the present disclosure describes the generation of neuroprogenitor cells and differentiated dopaminergic neurons from ELSCs. The disclosed methods demonstrate the potential of ELSCs as a therapeutic tool, and may provide new therapeutic alternatives for various diseases, conditions, and injuries. Neuroprogenitor cells generated from ELSCs isolated from corneo-limbal tissue were transplanted into a rat model of Parkinson's disease, and were able to alleviate motor abnormalities in the rats for at least six months.
US08187874B2	Drug discovery method The present invention relates to drug discovery methods, particularly antiviral drug discovery methods.
US08187872B2	Lentiviral vectors pseudotyped with a sindbis virus envelope glycoprotein Lentiviral vector particles comprising a Sindbis virus E2 glycoprotein variant and a lentiviral vector genome comprising a sequence of interest are provided. A lentiviral vector particle comprising: (a) an envelope comprising a Sindbis virus E2 glycoprotein variant; and (b) a lentiviral vector genome comprising a sequence of interest; wherein the E2 glycoprotein variant facilitates infection of dendritic cells by the lentiviral vector particle, and wherein the E2 glycoprotein variant has reduced binding to heparan sulfate compared to a reference sequence (HR strain).
US08187864B2	Exchangeable sheets pre-loaded with reagent depots for digital microfluidics The present invention provides an exchangeable, reagent pre-loaded sheets which can be temporarily applied to an electrode array on a digital microfluidic device (DMF). The substrate facilitates virtually un-limited re-use of the DMF devices avoiding cross-contamination on the electrode array itself, as well as enabling rapid exchange of pre-loaded reagents while bridging the world-to-chip interface of DMF devices. The present invention allows for the transformation of DMF into a versatile platform for lab-on-a-chip applications.
US08187855B2	Large-scale production of soluble hyaluronidase Provided are methods for preparing large-scale preparations of soluble hyaluronidases. The methods employ cells that contain a plurality of active copies of nucleic acid encoding the soluble hyaluronidase and a plurality of feedings and temperature changes, whereby the encoded soluble hyaluronidase is secreted into the cell culture medium.
US08187854B2	Lipase variants The invention provides variant lipases, preferably, variants with reduced tendency to odor generation obtained by introducing mutations in one or more regions identified in a parent lipase.
US08187850B2	Method for producing an L-amino acid using a bacterium of the enterobacteriaceae family with attenuated expression of the ybiV gene The present invention provides a method for producing an L-amino acid using a bacterium of the Enterobacteriaceae family, particularly a bacterium belonging to genus Escherichia or Pantoea, which has been modified to attenuate expression of the ybiV gene.
US08187842B2	Altered glyoxylate shunt for improved production of aspartate-derived amino acids and chemicals The invention provides microbial strains possessing improved properties for production of aspartate-derived amino acids and chemicals. Methods of making such strains are provided. These methods include altering expression of the aceBAK operon, the glcB gene, or both. Alteration of expression may be accomplished through increased transcription, relief from native transcriptional control, and/or other means. Replacement of native promoters for these genes is also contemplated; for instance, their native promoters may be replaced by the tac promoter (Ptac).
US08187840B2	Microorganism producing inosine and method of producing inosine using the same The present invention relates to a microorganism producing inosine, which is one of purine nucleoside, an important material for 5′-inosinic acid synthesis, and method for producing inosine using the same. More particularly, the present invention relates to a recombinant microorganism of Corynebacterium genus producing inosine at high concentration by inactivating the gene encoding nucleoside hydrolase II and by enhancing the expression of the gene encoding 5′-nucleotidase, which still retains the characteristics of Corynebacterium ammoniagenes CJIP2401 (KCCM-10610).
US08187837B2	Optimized purification process of recombinant growth factor protein A process for the production of a purified recombinant GDF-5 related protein in prokaryotes comprises the steps of bacterial cell disruption and inclusion body solubilization to obtain a solubilized monomer of a GDF-5 related protein, said process characterized by a) disruption of bacterial cells with a high pressure homogenizer at a disruption pressure between 800 and 900 bar; and/or b) treatment of the recovered inclusion bodies with a denaturing solubilization buffer comprising L-arginine.
US08187836B2	Mammalian expression vectors and uses thereof The present invention features nucleic acids for recombinant protein expression in mammalian cell culture. The episomal vectors of the invention promote high protein production in mammalian cells expressing the SV40 T Ag or Epstein-Barr virus nuclear antigen (e.g., COS7 or HEK293-6E cells). The methods and systems are useful, for example, in pharmaceutical drug development and cloning, especially for the production of antibodies.
US08187835B2	Method for producing protein By culturing a methanol-assimilating bacterium which harbors a DNA construct which contains a promoter sequence that functions in the methanol-assimilating bacterium and a nucleotide sequence that encodes a polypeptide containing a signal sequence and an objective protein which is functionally connected to the promoter sequence, in a liquid medium containing methanol as a major carbon source, the bacterium is allowed to secrete the objective protein, and the secreted objective protein is recovered.
US08187834B2	Non-cytotoxic protein conjugates The present invention is directed to non-cytotoxic protein conjugates for inhibition or reduction of exocytic fusion in a nociceptive sensory afferent cell. The protein conjugates comprise: (i) a Targeting Moiety (TM), wherein the TM is an agonist of a receptor present on a nociceptive sensory afferent cell, and wherein the receptor undergoes endocytosis to be incorporated into an endosome within the nociceptive sensory afferent cell; (ii) a non-cytotoxic protease or a fragment thereof, wherein the protease or protease fragment is capable of cleaving a protein of the exocytic fusion apparatus of the nociceptive sensory afferent cell; and (iii) a Translocation Domain, wherein the Translocation Domain translocates the protease or protease fragment from within the endosome, across the endosomal membrane, and into the cytosol of the nociceptive sensory afferent cell. Nucleic acid sequences encoding the protein conjugates, methods of preparing same and uses thereof are also described.
US08187833B2	Chimeric PCSK9 proteins, cells comprising same, and assays using same A chimera protein comprising in the following order: a signal peptide, a proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 preproprotein (PCSK9) sequence consisting of amino acid residues at positions 35 to 696 of SEQ ID NO: 38, a transmembrane domain and a cytosolic domain, wherein said cytosolic (CT) domain comprises a sequence able to recycle the protein from the cellular membrane to endosomes.
US08187831B2	Determination of ions using ion-sensitive enzymes The invention relates generally to the field of sodium and lithium ion detection. In particular, the invention provides chimeric proteins, nucleic acids encoding chimeric proteins, methods and kits for assaying for sodium ions and for lithium ions in a sample, using inter alia, a 3′(2′),5′-bisphosphate nucleotidase.
US08187823B2	Modulation of neuroglia-derived BDNF in the treatment and prevention of pain Methods and products for the attenuation or treatment of pain and the reduction of nociception are described. The methods and products are based on the modulation of neuroglia-derived BDNF expression or activity. Also described herein are commercial packages and uses based on such modulation. Related methods for identifying or characterizing compounds for the treatment of pain and the reduction of nociception are also described.
US08187820B2	Detection method using nanoaggregate-embedded beads and system thereof The invention discloses a detection method using nanoaggregate-embedded beads and system thereof, which are characterized in that the nanoaggregate of Raman dye and metal nanoparticles is coated by an inorganic oxide to form a nanoaggregate-embedded bead, and which is then conjugated with a probe molecule to form a sensor bead. The Raman spectra of the product formed by binding of the sensor bead and an analyte in a sample is detected for determining whether the analyte exists in the sample. In embodiment, the pH of the solution of metal nanoparticles is controlled to keep at 10, and the concentration of the Raman dye is controlled to keep between 1×10−6 M and 2×10−6 M for reducing the size of the nanoaggregate.
US08187818B2	Use of sPLA2 activity for the diagnosis of a cardiovascular event A method for determining an increased risk of mortality or of a cardiac and/or vascular event in a patient, includes:—determining the sPLA2 activity of the patient as a first risk marker—determining at least the value of a second risk marker chosen among CRP level, IgM IC of apo B 100 level or IgM MDA-LDL level—determining the ratio (odds ratio) between the value of the sPLA2 activity and the value of the second risk marker and comparing it to a predetermined odds ratio, the odds ratio compared to the predetermined odds ratio being indicative of an increased risk of mortality or of a cardiac and/or vascular event. A new micro method adaptation for automated fluorimetric measurement of serum secretory phospholipase A2 is also disclosed.
US08187814B2	Methods for concurrent identification and quantification of an unknown bioagent The present invention provides methods for the quantification of an unknown bioagent in a sample by amplification of nucleic acid of the bioagent, and concurrent amplification of a known quantity of a calibration polynucleotide from which are obtained a bioagent identifying amplicon and a calibration amplicon. Upon molecular mass analysis, mass and abundance data are obtained. The identity of the bioagent is then determined from the molecular mass of the bioagent identifying amplicon and the quantity of the identified bioagent in the sample is determined from the abundance data of the bioagent identifying amplicon and the abundance data of the calibration amplicon.
US08187813B2	Methods and apparatuses for convective polymerase chain reaction (PCR) The present invention provides a method and apparatus for amplifying a nucleic acid sequence by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The method comprises placing a PCR sample in a container which is heated by only a single heat source that provides a high temperature for denaturation in the bottom of the PCR sample, while annealing and extension automatically occur in different regions of the PCR sample due to the convection induced by a temperature gradient descending from the bottom of the PCR sample to the surface of the PCR sample.
US08187809B2	Method for judging lymph node metastasis of stomach cancer and kit used therefor The present invention provides a novel marker capable of accurately diagnosing the lymph node metastasis of stomach cancer. An mRNA, or a fragment thereof, coding for at least one protein selected from TFF1, AGR2, PRSS8, MUC1, MUC4 and MUC17 can be useful as a lymph node metastasis marker.
US08187807B2	Methods of identifying individuals at risk of perioperative bleeding, renal dysfunction or stroke The present invention relates, in general, to perioperative bleeding and, in particular, to methods of identifying individuals at risk of perioperative bleeding.The present invention relates, in general, to perioperative renal dysfunction and, in particular, to methods of identifying individuals at risk of perioperative renal dysfunction.The present invention relates, in general, to perioperative stroke and, in particular, to methods of identifying individuals at risk of perioperative stroke.
US08187801B2	Methods and kits to detect and monitor ovarian cancer and preeclampsia The present invention provides methods and kits related to a prognostic, and, in certain embodiments, diagnostic indicator for ovarian cancer which comprises measuring the level of MUC16 bound to immune cells. The level of MUC16 bound to immune cells can by itself be an indicator of disease regression or recurrence, or this indicator can be used in conjunction with assays for serum CA125 and other diagnostic markers. The invention further provides methods and kits related to the detection of ovarian cancer by measuring levels of Siglec-9 expression on immune cells. As well, related methodologies are provided for the detection of preeclampsia in pregnant human subjects.
US08187800B2	Methods for selecting active agents for cancer treatment The present invention provides methods for individualizing chemotherapy, and particularly methods for individualizing neoadjuvant chemotherapy. The present invention provides methods for predicting a cancer patient's response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy, including assessing the probability of a positive response upon treatment with candidate agents prior to surgery. In various aspects, the invention involves culturing a monolayer of malignant cells from an explant of a patient's biopsy specimen, such as a transcutaneous biopsy-sized specimen, and testing the malignant cells for resistance or sensitivity to one or a plurality of candidate agents for neoadjuvant therapy. In other aspects, the invention provides methods for accurately scoring and interpreting such assays, and discloses in vitro chemoresponse results that are predictive of a patient's pathological complete response (pCR) upon receiving the corresponding treatment regimen.
US08187796B2	Method of manufacturing optical waveguide device An optical waveguide device is provided which is capable of reducing light propagation losses in the cores of an optical waveguide when the optical waveguide is formed on a surface of a substrate, regardless of the type of substrate. A photosensitive resin layer (4A) for over cladding layer formation is made of a photosensitive resin composition of a non-solvent type, and is heated prior to the exposure thereof to light. This causes interface portions between the cores (3) and the photosensitive resin layer (4A) to be formed into mixed layers (5). This reduces light propagation losses.
US08187790B2	Polymer for resist and resist composition manufactured using the same Disclosed are a polymer for a chemically amplified resist represented as and a resist composition using the same. In the above Chemical formula 1, X represents vinyl ether derivatives or olefin derivatives, at least one of R1, R2, R3, and R4 is an alkyl group with 1 to 30 carbon atoms containing at least one functional group of a hydrogen atom, an ether group, an ester group, a carbonyl group, an acetal group, an epoxy group, a nitryl group (—CN), and an aldehyde group, l, m, n, o and p respectively represent repeating units, l represents a real number of 0.05 to 0.5, m and n respectively represent real numbers of 0.1 to 0.7, o and p respectively represent real numbers of 0 to 0.7, and a sum of l, m, n, o and p is 1.
US08187787B2	Fluorine-containing compound, fluorine-containing polymer, negative-type resist composition, and patterning process using same Disclosed is a fluorine-containing unsaturated carboxylic acid represented by formula (1), wherein R1 represents a polymerizable double-bond containing group, R3 represents a fluorine atom or fluorine-containing alkyl group, and W represents a bivalent linking group. This compound can provide a fluorine-containing polymer compound that has a weight-average molecular weight of 1,000-1,000,000 and contains a repeating unit represented by formula (2), wherein R3 and W are defined as above, each of R4, R5 and R6 independently represents a hydrogen atom, fluorine atom or monovalent organic group, at least two of R4, R5 and R6 may be combined to form a ring. This polymer compound can provide a chemically amplified resist composition that is transparent to KrF or ArF excimer laser light and has a high resolution and is capable of forming a pattern having a rectangular section with no swelling.
US08187784B2	Toner composition and method for manufacturing the toner composition A toner composition including toner particles, wherein the toner particles are prepared by a method in which toner constituents including at least a binder resin and a colorant are kneaded upon application of heat to prepare a toner constituent mixture; the toner constituent mixture is dissolved or swelled in an organic solvent capable of dissolving or swelling at least the binder resin to prepare an oil phase liquid; the oil phase liquid is emulsified in an aqueous liquid to prepare an emulsion; the emulsion is coagulated; and then the coagulated emulsion is dried to prepare the toner particles.
US08187779B2	Toner for electrostatic image development A toner for electrostatic image development containing a resin binder and a charge control agent, wherein the resin binder contains a polyester A obtained by polycondensing a carboxylic acid component containing isophthalic acid and/or an ester thereof, and an alcohol component, and wherein the charge control agent contains an azo-iron complex represented by the formula (I): wherein each of R1 and R4, which may be identical or different, is a linear or branched alkyl group having 3 to 8 carbon atoms; each of R2, R3, R5, and R6, which may be identical or different, is a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group having 1 to 8 carbon atoms, an alkoxy group having 1 to 8 carbon atoms, a halogen atom, a nitro group, or a carboxyl group; and A+ is a cation. The toner for electrostatic image development is suitably used in developing latent images formed in, for example, electrophotography, an electrostatic recording method, an electrostatic printing method, or the like.
US08187775B2	High resolution photomask A film photomask comprises a polymer substrate such as a photosensitive polymer than can be darkened. The photomask substrate is sensitive to light within a first wavelength range and is initially transparent to light within a second wavelength range that is utilized for product exposure operations to pattern a product using photomask. During a mask exposure operation, select regions of the photomask are exposed to light within the first wavelength range to selectively photodarken regions of the photomask substrate according to a desired pattern. The photodarkened regions are darkened sufficient to block light within the second wavelength range used for patterning a product through the photomask. Thus, no chemical processing is required to create a mask pattern. Moreover, the pattern is defined within/through the polymer material. The photomask may further comprise a filter that is applied to at least one side thereof for blocking light within the first wavelength range.
US08187773B2	Method for generating mask pattern data and method for manufacturing mask A method for generating data on mask pattern used to form a device pattern formed on a reflective exposure mask, wherein data on the mask pattern is generated based on a position correction amount table used to correct an amount of transfer position error occurring depending on at least one of pattern size and pattern pitch of the mask pattern when the mask pattern is transferred onto an exposure target member.
US08187770B2	High performance, crosslinked polymeric material for holographic data storage An optical recording material and methods of making such material is provided. The material comprises of a dewar benzene monomer, with at least two cross-linkable groups, a sensitizer, a cross-linker, and an initiator. The material does not require a binder or a co-sensitizer. The material can be fabricated by an exceedingly easy technique that offers high photosensitivity, high diffraction efficiency, millimeter thickness, and high dynamic range.
US08187765B2	Membrane electrode assembly and polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell A membrane electrode assembly according to the invention includes a solid polymer electrolyte membrane and an electrode joined to each of two sides of the solid polymer electrolyte membrane. The solid polymer electrolyte membrane is such that some or all of the protons included in the entire solid polymer electrolyte membrane, a band region, or a non-power generating region are ion exchanged with one or more cations selected from among complex cations, class four alkylammonium cations, and high valence cations. In addition or alternatively, the solid polymer electrolyte membrane includes an organo-metalloxane polymer obtained by impregnating the entire solid polymer electrolyte membrane, the non-power generating region, or the band region with an organo-metalloxane monomer that includes an ammonium cation or a class four ammonium cation at its terminus and then hydrolyzing and polycondensing the organo-metalloxane monomer.
US08187760B2	Fuel cell system for repressing reservoir water backflow A fuel-cell system is advantageous for repressing water from flowing backward from a reservoir to a condenser, flowing backward which results from the inside of the condenser being turned into negative pressure. The fuel-cell system has a fuel cell for generating electric power by reactant gas, a condenser for generating condensed water by condensing water content included in the reactant gas to be supplied to the fuel cell or in off gas of the reactant gas, and a reservoir for reserving the condensed water collected at the condenser. A drain valve is disposed between the condenser and the reservoir. The drain valve is switchable between a closed state in which communication between the condenser and the reservoir is shut off and an opened state in which the condenser is communicated with the reservoir to discharge the water in the condenser to the reservoir. A controller carries out inner-pressure increment and drain controls for opening the drain valve after increasing inner pressure in the condenser.
US08187758B2	Fuel cell apparatus with a split pump A fluid pump and connector assembly is particularly suited for use in connecting a fuel cartridge to a fuel cell system. The assembly has a first sub-assembly comprising a fluid inlet, a fluid outlet, a flexible diaphragm in fluid communication with the inlet and outlet, and a first connector. The assembly also has a second sub-assembly comprising a second connector adapted to connect to the first connector, an actuator and a reciprocating member coupled to the actuator and contacting the diaphragm when the first and second sub-assemblies are connected, wherein a reciprocating motion of the actuator and member causes the diaphragm to reciprocate and pump fluid from the inlet to the outlet without exposing the fluid to the second sub-assembly.
US08187757B2	Fuel cell system including a gas-liquid separator and a circulation device A compact fuel cell system capable of preventing water from remaining in a pipe is provided. The fuel cell system 1 includes a fuel cell 2, a fuel gas flow control device 3 for controlling the amount of fuel gas flowing from a fuel gas supply system, a gas-liquid separator 4 for separating water contained in an anode off gas discharged from the fuel cell 2, and a circulation device 5 which mixes an anode off gas discharged from the gas-liquid separator 4 and a fuel gas newly supplied by a fuel gas supply system, and supplies the mixed gas to the fuel cell 2. The gas-liquid separator 4 and the circulation device 5 are attached to an end plate 6 of the fuel cell 2 and the circulation device 5 is positioned higher than the gas-liquid separator 3.
US08187755B2	Electrode for electrochemical element, its manufacturing method, and electrochemical element using the same Having a current collector having a concave portion and a convex portion at least on one side, and a columnar body formed on the convex portion of the current collector, the columnar body contains an active material for inserting and extracting lithium ions bonding at least with oxygen, and the oxygen content ratio of the active material of the columnar body becomes smaller as going away from the interface of the current collector.
US08187748B2	Non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery A non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery including: a positive electrode having a positive electrode material mixture containing a composite lithium oxide; a negative electrode; a polyolefin separator; a non-aqueous electrolyte; and a heat-resistant insulating layer interposed between the positive and negative electrodes. The positive electrode material mixture has an estimated heat generation rate at 200° C. of not greater than 50 W/kg. The positive electrode and the negative electrode are wound together with the separator and the heat-resistant insulating layer interposed therebetween.
US08187745B2	Cathode for fuel cell A cathode for a fuel cell is provided, which includes an electrode catalyst layer. This electrode catalyst layer is constituted by a carried catalyst including a conductive carrier and catalytic fine particles carried on the conductive carrier, by a proton-conductive inorganic oxide containing an oxide carrier and oxide particles carried on a surface of the oxide carrier, and by a proton-conductive organic polymer binder. The carried catalyst is incorporated therein at a weight of WC. Silicon oxide is carried on the surface of the proton-conductive inorganic oxide at a weight ratio of 0.1-0.5 times as much as the weight of the proton-conductive inorganic oxide. The proton-conductive inorganic oxide is incorporated at a weight of WSA+SiO2. The weight ratio (WSA+SiO2/WC) is confined to 0.01-0.25. The proton-conductive organic polymer binder is incorporated at a weight of WP, the weigh ratio (WP/WSA+SiO2) is confined to 0.5-43.
US08187742B2	Rechargeable battery A rechargeable battery that can stably fix an electrode assembly. The rechargeable battery is constructed with an electrode assembly that includes a cathode, an anode, and a separator interposed between the cathode and the anode, a case accommodating the electrode assembly and has a bottom boss formed at the bottom part, a cap assembly coupled with the case to close and seal the case and being electrically connected to the electrode assembly, and a current collecting plate disposed between the electrode assembly and the case and having an opening hole into which the bottom boss is inserted.
US08187741B2	Alkaline battery The present invention provides an alkaline battery which has high reliability and high cost performance and does not cause an internal short circuit resulting from gel leakage even when the filling densities of the positive and negative electrodes are reduced. In the alkaline battery, a positive electrode 2 contains manganese dioxide as a positive electrode active material, a negative electrode 3 is a gel negative electrode containing zinc as a negative electrode active material, a filling density of manganese dioxide in the positive electrode 2 is in a range of 2.31 to 2.45 g/cm3, a filling density of zinc in the negative electrode 3 is in a range of 1.49 to 1.65 g/cm3, and a ratio (h1/h2) between a height of the positive electrode 2 (h1) and a height of the negative electrode 3 (h2) is in a range of 0.96 to 1.06.
US08187739B2	Power storage apparatus and cooling system To provide a power storage apparatus which can achieve improved heat radiation of a power storage unit, a power storage apparatus has a power storage unit including an electrode element placed with an electrolyte layer, and a case housing the power storage unit and a cooling fluid which is used for cooling the power storage unit and is in contact with at least the electrode element.
US08187738B2	Spirally-rolled electrodes with separator and the batteries therewith Spirally-rolled electrodes for batteries wherein the electrodes having a concentric circle shape or an elliptic shape with positive electrode and negative electrode wound spirally via a separator therebetween has the characteristics as below: (1) the positive electrode and/or negative electrode consist of the combinations of several electrode plates; (2) each of the combinations in the positive electrode and/or the negative electrode so includes that the total amount of the active material or pseudo-active material which are the main materials for the electrode is substantially constant and; (3) each electrode plate in the electrode including plural electrodes is wound in series with an interval therebetween.
US08187737B2	Galvanic electrochemical cells utilizing taylor vortex flows Electrochemical cells (100, 500, 600) for converting chemical energy into electrical energy, such as batteries (102), flow cells (502) and fuel cells (602) with a cylindrical rotating ion-permeable filter (120, 414, 520, 620) that generates Taylor Vortex Flows (144, 146, 404, 544, 546, 664, 666) and Circular Couette Flows (148, 150, 568, 570, 668, 670) in thixotropic catholytes and anolytes between a cylindrical current collector (106, 506, 606, 108, 508, 608) and the filter (120, 414, 520, 620) are disclosed.
US08187735B2	Multifunctional mixed metal olivines for lithium ion batteries Electroactive compositions are disclosed for use in lithium ion battery electrodes. The compositions, such as multifunctional mixed metal olivines, provide an electrochemical cell having a plurality of open circuit voltages at different states of charge. The compositions afford improved state-of-charge monitoring, overcharge protection and/or overdischarge protection for lithium ion batteries.
US08187734B2	Proton-conducting polymer composition and method for preparation thereof, catalyst ink containing said proton-conducting polymer composition and fuel cell including said catalyst ink A proton-conducting polymer composition which contains an aromatic hydrocarbon type of proton-conducting polymer in an amount of 1 to 30 mass %, wherein a component of said proton-conducting polymer having a molecular weight in the range of 2,000 to 230,000 in terms of polyethylene glycol accounts for 10 mass % or more of the total amount of said proton-conducting polymer; a method for preparing the proton-conducting polymer composition, a catalyst ink comprising the proton-conducting polymer composition and a fuel cell including the catalyst ink. The above proton-conducting polymer composition can well exploit the performance capability of a catalyst of a fuel cell, especially when it is allowed to be present with the electrode of a fuel cell.
US08187731B2	Metal ferrite spinel energy storage devices and methods for making and using same 1-100 nm metal ferrite spinel coatings are provided on substrates, preferably by using an atomic layer deposition process. The coatings are able to store energy such as solar energy, and to release that stored energy, via a redox reaction. The coating is first thermally or chemically reduced. The reduced coating is then oxidized in a second step to release energy and/or hydrogen, carbon monoxide or other reduced species.
US08187717B1	High purity ceramic abradable coatings The invention is directed to a material and method for obtaining a ceramic abradable system for high temperature applications. High purity partially stabilized zirconia and/or hafnia base material has higher sintering resistance compared to conventional 6-9 weight percent yttria stabilized zirconia systems. The benefits of these systems are higher service lifetime and low thermal conductivity to achieve high operating temperatures. System includes a superalloy substrate, oxidation resistant bond coat and a thick ceramic abradable top coat. Total coating thickness is about 0.5-5 mm. In some applications an intermediate layer of high purity partially stabilized zirconia or a partially stabilized YSZ/MCrAlY cermet is applied over the oxidation resistant bond coat. In other applications an abradable system is applied on top of a grid. Additional benefits should be reduced blade wear at high operating conditions.
US08187716B2	Aqueous adhesion promoter composition comprising an aminosilane and a mercaptosilane Aqueous adhesion promoter compositions include at least one aminosilane and/or aminosiloxane and also at least one mercaptosilane. The adhesion promoter compositions are suitable more particularly as primers or adhesion-promoter undercoats for adhesives and sealants. They are especially suitable for the adhesive bonding of vehicle glazing. Exceptionally high adhesion has been found more particularly with glazing featuring applied silver prints.
US08187711B2	Polymeric intermediate transfer members An intermediate transfer member that contains a polymer of a polyester, a polycarbonate and a polyalkylene glycol, such as a polyethylene glycol, and further including as an optional component a conductive material such as a metal oxide or carbon black.
US08187708B2	Microphasic micro-components and methods for controlling morphology via electrified jetting The disclosure provides methods for preparation of multiphasic micro-components, such as core-shell or anisotropic (e.g., Janus) multiphasic particles with well-defined structures using electrohydrodynamic co-jetting of two polymer solutions containing polyelectrolytes. Suitable polyelectrolytes include polyacrylic acid (PAA), poly(acrylamide acrylic acid (PAAm), and/or poly(acryl amide-co-acrylic acid) (PAAm-AA), sodium polystyrene sulfonate (PSS), polyethylene imine (PEI), polypeptides, copolymers and combinations of these. Control of certain variables, such as relative conductivities of the two jetting solutions, controls the particle morphologies formed, leading to a predetermined phase orientation for the same polymer system. In certain aspects, after cross-linking, core-shell particles are stable in aqueous solutions and exhibit reproducible swelling behavior, while maintaining the original core-shell geometry. In addition, micro-components formed in accordance with the present teachings are pH-responsive based on external environmental pH. Thus, such micro-components are useful for a variety of different applications, including micro- and nano-active ingredient delivery systems.
US08187702B1	Decorative laminate and method of making A decorative laminate is provided and includes a core with at least one epoxy resin impregnated fiberboard sheet. The decorative laminate also includes at least one decorative layer provided adjacent to the core. A method of forming a decorative laminate is also provided.
US08187701B2	Porous humidity-control tile and method for manufacturing the same Provided is a porous humidity-control tile including about 40% to about 95% by weight of diatomite, and one or more of ochre, red clay, kaolin, zeolite, illite, vermiculite, feldspar, pottery stone, and pyrophyllite. The porous humidity-control tile has about 10 vol % to 80 vol % of cellular spherical pores having a size corresponding to a size of hollow pore forming material that is removable by heat treatment. The porous humidity-control tile has a rate of moisture adsorption/desorption per unit weight in a range from about 20 g/kg to about 60 g/kg and a rate of moisture adsorption/adsorption per unit area in a range from about 150 g/m2 to about 450 g/m2. Therefore, the porous humidity-control tile can be light, and the amount of adsorption/desorption per unit weight of the porous humidity-control tile can be improved.
US08187695B2	Shaping sheet, resin decorative material and method of producing the same The present invention provides a shaping sheet that includes a base material having at least an ink layer provided on the whole surface thereof and a surface shaping layer that is present on the ink layer, contacts the ink layer, and covers the whole surface of the ink layer, in which the surface shaping layer is a crosslinked and cured product of a curable resin composition and the surface shaping layer has a concavoconvex pattern on a surface thereof. There can be obtained: a shaping sheet that has a fine concavoconvex pattern, allows elaborated shaping with a high-grade feeling, and has excellent releasability; a shaping sheet having excellent design properties and releasability that can readily control a lustrous portion and a matted portion; and further a shaping sheet whose surface is free of contamination by impurities separated out of the base material even when it is repeatedly used.
US08187694B2	Composite plate member A composite plate member having a high tensile strength is disclosed to include a metal plate member having opposing outer face and bonding face and binding units located on the bonding face, each binding unit having binding strips formed of a part of the bonding face and respectively obliquely extending from the bonding face at a predetermined angle, and a plastic plate member directly molded on the bonding face of the metal plate member by insert molding to have the binding strips be embedded in the plastic plate member.
US08187691B2	Honeycomb structure A honeycomb structure includes at least one honeycomb unit. The at least one honeycomb unit has a longitudinal direction and includes zeolite and an inorganic binder. A content of the zeolite per apparent unit volume of the at least one honeycomb unit is about 230 g/L or greater. The at least one honeycomb includes plural cell walls extending from one end face to another end face along the longitudinal direction to define plural cell walls. A porosity of substantially all pores in the cell walls is about 40% or less. A porosity of pores having diameters in a range of about 0.005 μm through about 0.02 μm in the cell walls is about 5% or greater. A porosity of pores having diameters in a range of about 0.05 μm through about 0.2 μm in the cell walls is about 17.5% or greater.
US08187686B2	Elastic member for ink jet recording apparatus, ink jet recording apparatus including elastic member, elastic member for ink tank and ink tank including elastic member An elastic member for an ink jet recording apparatus comprising a material containing 100 parts by weight of a block copolymer having a crystalline polyolefin block and an amorphous polyolefin block, 3 to 40 parts by weight of a polyolefin resin and 40 to 250 parts by weight of a softening agent.
US08187685B2	Window envelopes with scratch resistant window film patches The invention includes a composition comprising from 40 to 98 weight percent of at least one GPPS, from 0 to 98 weight percent of at least one HIPS, from 0.5 to 10 weight percent at least one styrene block copolymer, from 0.5 to 10 weight percent of at least one polypropylene wherein the combination of GPPS, HIPS, polypropylene and styrene block copolymer make up at least about 90 percent of the composition as well as a film made of the composition, an envelope window patch comprising the film, an envelope comprising the window patch, and a process for making the film.
US08187683B2	Multilayered polyamide tube for food packaging An object of the present invention is to provide a multilayered polyamide-based tube for food packaging that is free from blocking in a Layer (C), and that has an excellent adherence to processed meat or like packaged food. The present invention provides a multilayered polyamide-based tube for food packaging comprising a Layer (A), a Layer (B) and a Layer (C); the multilayered polyamide-based tube having a low-temperature shrinkage ratio of 2 to 10%, and exhibiting heat shrinkage properties and gas barrier properties; the Layer (A) containing a polyamide-based resin; the Layer (B) containing a polyolefin-based resin; and the Layer (C) that comes in contact with the packaged food, the Layer (C) being a Layer (C-1) that contains a polypropylene-based resin having a heat distortion temperature (ISO 75B-1 or ISO 75B-2) of not less than 60° C. and a Vicat softening point of not less than 120° C., and that has a surface wetting tension of not less than 35 mN/m; or the Layer (C) being a Layer (C-2) that contains a linear low-density polyethylene having a density of not less than 0.92 g/cm3 but less than 0.95 g/cm3, and that has a surface wetting tension of not less than 35 mN/m.
US08187682B2	Protective glass against ionizing radiation An element, particularly a transparent element, including at least one glass element, configured as a protective glass against ionizing radiation and/or UV radiation, wherein at least a portion of the surface of the glass element is covered by a film that includes a substance that can be switched into at least two states.
US08187680B2	Anti-static adhesive composition, polarizing plate and surface protective film using the composition Disclosed are an anti-static adhesive composition, and a polarizing plate and/or a surface protective film fabricated using the same. More particularly, an anti-static adhesive composition for imparting enhanced anti-static properties, including a metal salt represented by Formula 1 as an anti-static agent so as to sufficiently inhibit generation of static electricity while not deteriorating inherent physical properties of an adhesive such as adhesiveness, durability and reliability, etc., is provided. In addition, a polarizing plate and and/or a surface protective film fabricated using the foregoing anti-static adhesive composition are provided. M+[(FSO2)2N]− (Formula 1) wherein M is an alkali metal.
US08187679B2	Radical-enhanced atomic layer deposition system and method A radical-enhanced atomic layer deposition (REALD) system and method involves moving a substrate along a circulating or reciprocating transport path between zones that provide alternating exposure to a precursor gas and a gaseous radical species. The radical species may be generated in-situ within a reaction chamber by an excitation source such as plasma generator or ultraviolet radiation (UV), for example. The gaseous radical species is maintained in a radicals zone within the reaction chamber while a precursor gas is introduced into a precursor zone. The precursor zone is spaced apart from the radicals zone to define a radical deactivation zone therebetween. Purge gas flowing through the various zones may provide flow and pressure conditions that substantially prevent the precursor gas from flowing into the radicals zone. In some embodiments, the system includes a partition having one or more flow-restricting passageways though which the substrate is transported.
US08187671B2	Method of making heat treated coated article using diamond-like carbon (DLC) coating and protective film including removal of protective film via blasting There is provided a method of making a heat treated (HT) coated article to be used in shower door applications, window applications, or any other suitable applications where transparent coated articles are desired. For example, certain embodiments of this invention relate to a method of making a coated article including a step of heat treating a glass substrate coated with at least a layer of or including diamond-like carbon (DLC) and an overlying protective film thereon. In certain example embodiments, the protective film may be of or include both (a) an oxygen blocking or barrier layer, and (b) a release layer. Following and/or during heat treatment (e.g., thermal tempering, or the like) the protective film may be removed via blasting it off using particles mainly of material softer than the DLC. In certain example embodiments, the blasting particles may be of or include sodium bicarbonate and/or may be directed at the protective film at a blasting pressure of from about 2.5 to 7.0 bar, more preferably from about 3 to 4.5 bar. In certain example embodiments, the blasting particles may be soluble in water and/or may have a blasting residue which is basic (pH>7), so as to result in a more environmentally friendly process.
US08187662B2	Method of controlling a drug release rate A method of controlling the drug release rate of a drug coated endovascular stent by depositing a drug material layer on the stent and then modifying the drug material using gas cluster ion beam irradiation to create a carbon matrix with interstices containing the original drug. The rate at which the drug elutes through the interstices can be controlled by processing parameters. Multiple layers may be employed to create time varying release rates.
US08187658B2	Method of manufacturing analyte test strip for accepting diverse sample volumes A method of manufacturing an analyte test strip includes positioning a patterned spacer layer between a first insulating layer and a second insulating layer such that the second insulating is disposed above the first insulating layer and a channel is defined between the first and second insulating layers. Moreover, the channel thus defined has a sample-receiving chamber therein, a first port, and a second port. The method also includes coupling a third insulating layer to the first insulating layer such that the third insulating layer is disposed at least partially below the first insulating layer. In the coupling step, the third insulating layer includes a platform portion that extends beyond the first insulating layer and the second insulating layer and the platform portion has an upper surface. In this manufacturing method, the first and second ports are in fluidic communication with the sample-receiving chamber; the upper surface of the platform portion is configured to receive a first (relatively large) bodily fluid sample of at least 5 micro-liters and for filling the sample-receiving chamber with a portion of the first bodily fluid sample, and the second port is configured to receive a second (relatively small) bodily fluid sample of lesser volume than the first bodily fluid sample and for filling the sample-receiving chamber with a portion of the small bodily fluid sample.
US08187653B2	System and methods for transporting or storing oxidatively-degradable foodstuff Disclosed are packaging systems and methods useful in extending the storage-life of foodstuff such as fresh fish. The packaging systems and methods can be used to transport or store the foodstuff for an extended period of time. The packaging systems preferably use a fuel cell to maintain a reduced oxygen level in the environment surrounding the foodstuff.
US08187651B2	Method and apparatus for continuous processing of whole muscle meat products A continuous method and system for processing whole muscle meat employs a mixer housing having a pair of parallel rotating shafts located therein. The parallel rotating shafts have a plurality of mixing elements thereon, such as frustoconical elements, blocking elements, or ellipsoid elements. The mixer housing has an input end to receive the meat ingredients, such as meat pieces, salt solution, water, preservatives, and other additives such as spices. The mixer housing has an output, which is separated a distance from the input, such that the output discharges the whole muscle meat product. As the ingredients including the meat move from the input to the output along the shafts, the mixing elements work the meat with the other ingredients thereby increasing ingredient incorporation including diffusion of the salt solution into the whole muscle meat pieces.
US08187650B2	Egg tray and fixer and method of processing eggs using the same The present invention relates to an egg tray that is used to sterilize an egg or to boil the egg soft or hard and in which an egg is washed, heated, sterilized, boiled soft or hard, dried, coated, inspected, cooled, and packed to increase the safety and the value of commodity of foods and to increase the productivity, a fixer for layering the egg trays to fix them, and a method for processing an egg by using the same. The egg trays of the present invention includes a plurality of convex parts that are disposed at a predetermined interval to be connected to each other, a plurality of bottom parts that are protruded in an opposite direction with respect to the convex parts, and a guide part that is protruded from the center part of the convex part, and in which a plurality of fluid discharging holes that are formed around the guide parts, inclined sides that form lateral parts of the convex parts are convex, a plurality of egg insertion holes are formed on the inclined sides by using the egg trays, and a plurality of fluid discharging holes may be further provided around the bottom part.
US08187644B2	SCF extract containing cardiac glycoside A supercritical fluid (SCF) extract of a cardiac glycoside-containing plant mass is provided. The extract can be included in a pharmaceutical composition containing an extract-solubilizing amount of solubilizer. Oleandrin is included within the extract when a cardiac glycoside-containing plant, such as Nerium oleander, is extracted by SCF extraction. The extract can also contain one or more other SCF extractable pharmacologically active agents. The composition can be used to treat a wide range of disorders that are therapeutically responsive to a cardiac glycoside.
US08187642B1	Modified pectins, compositions and methods related thereto The present invention provides compositions of modified pectin and methods for preparing and using them.
US08187630B2	Extended release oral dosage composition A bilayer solid composition comprising (a) an immediate release first layer comprising an anti-allergic effective amount of desloratadine and at least one pharmaceutically acceptable excipient and (b) a sustained release second layer comprising an effective amount of a nasal decongestant, e.g. pseudoephedrine sulfate and a pharmaceutically acceptable sustained release agent wherein the composition contains less than about 2% of desloratadine decomposition products is disclosed. A solid composition comprising an anti-allergic effective amount of desloratadine and at least one, and preferably two pharmaceutically acceptable antioxidants is also disclosed.
US08187629B2	Non-lamellar compositions of DOPE and P80 The present invention relates to particulate compositions comprising at least 50% of dioleoyl phosphatidyl ethanolamine (DOPE) and 1 to 50% of Polysorbate 80 (P80). All parts are by weight relative to the sum of the weights of a+b and the compositions comprise non-lamellar particles or form non-lamellar particles when contacted with an aqueous fluid. The compositions have advantageous stability and low toxicity and the invention also relates to pharmaceutical compositions thereof.
US08187627B2	Dressing delivery system for internal wounds A dressing delivery system comprises an applicator for holding and positioning a wound dressing. The applicator comprises a sleeve having a distal spreading portion. The wound dressing is disposed on or adjacent the spreading portion. The applicator urges the dressing into contact with the wound. The sleeve is advanced to actuate the spreading portion, which increases the diameter of the applicator and preferably deploys the dressing.
US08187624B1	Compositions for taking dietary fibers The invention relates to a composition for taking dietary fibers, which comprises 1 to 50% by weight, on the basis of the whole composition, of dietary fibers composed of water-soluble and hardly fermentable dietary fiber and water-soluble and fermentable dietary fiber, wherein the water-soluble and fermentable dietary fiber is contained in a proportion of 0.1 to 3 parts by weight per part by weight of the water-soluble and hardly fermentable dietary fiber. The composition remarkably ameliorates not only bowel movement frequency but also full consciousness, feeling of unsatisfied defecation, etc. and is hence useful as food for ameliorating bowel movement.
US08187618B2	Sustained release microbial insect control composition and means Effective sustained release of microbial pesticides in aquatic environments can be achieved by the combination of buoyant particles with a particulate microbial active ingredient. The resulting materials in the form of a particulate have combined density of less than one. The materials are then dispersed into gypsum slurry that is poured into briquette molds, or made into granules or pellets of various sizes, to form a solid, sinking, pest control composition. Once applied in aquatic field sites, the surface of the matrix slowly dissolves, releasing many minute buoyant pesticide laden particles to the water surface over the life of the product. Once at the surface, the particulate microbial pesticide(s) release from the buoyant particles and are distributed throughout the water column to be ingested by susceptible immature filter feeding mosquitoes and pestiferous flies.
US08187612B2	Use of the neurotoxic component of a botulinum toxin for treating a spastic muscle A method and composition for treating a patient suffering from a disease, disorder or condition and associated pain include the administration to the patient of a therapeutically effective amount of a neurotoxin selected from a group consisting of botulinum toxin types A, B, C, D, E, F and G.
US08187609B2	Mycovirus, attenuated strain of phytopathogenic fungus, plant disease controlling agent, method of producing mycovirus, method of attenuating phytopathogenic fungus and method of controlling plant disease The present invention provides a novel mycovirus that suppresses phytopathogenic fungi and a novel method for controlling plant diseases. A novel mycovirus that is present endogenously in a predetermined rice blast fungus, has four types of double-stranded RNAs of 2.8 to 3.6 kb, and suppresses a phytopathogenic fungus has been found. This virus suppresses phytopathogenic fungi such as rice blast fungus.
US08187604B2	Methods of treating with anti-factor D antibodies The invention relates to humanized anti-human Factor D monoclonal antibodies, their nucleic acid and amino acid sequences, the cells and vectors that harbor these antibodies and their use in the preparation of compositions and medicaments for treatment of diseases and disorders associated with excessive or uncontrolled complement activation. These antibodies are useful for diagnostics, prophylaxis and treatment of disease.
US08187601B2	Fibroblast growth factor receptor 3 (FGFR3) binding proteins Monoclonal antibodies that bind and inhibit activation of fibroblast growth factor receptor 3 (FGFR3) are disclosed. The antibodies can be used to treat cell proliferative diseases and disorders, including certain forms of cancer, associated with activation of FGFR3.
US08187600B2	Polypeptides capable of binding to CD64 comprising one or more heterologous T cell epitopes and their uses The invention relates to the use of a polypeptide that comprises i) a first portion comprising the part of human Fc that binds to CD64, and ii) a second portion comprising one or more heterologous T cell epitopes for stimulating a cytotoxic T cell response. The polypeptide may be an antibody that may be used to stimulate a cytotoxic T cell response against pathogens and tumor cells in patients in need of such treatment.
US08187599B2	Compositions and methods for suppressing fibrocytes The present invention relates to the ability of anti-FcγR antibodies to suppress fibrocytes. Methods and compositions for suppressing fibrocytes are provided. These methods are useful in a variety of applications including treatment and prevention of conditions resulting from fibrosis in the liver, kidney, lung, heart and pericardium, eye, skin, mouth, pancreas, gastrointestinal tract, brain, breast, bone marrow, bone, genitourinary system, a tumor, or a wound.
US08187594B2	Transferrin receptor antibodies The invention provides further characterization of the disease and cancer-associated antigen, transferrin receptor. The invention also provides a novel family of antibodies that bind to the transferrin receptor, methods of diagnosing and treating various human cancers and diseases that express transferrin receptor.
US08187589B2	Stabilisation of aqueous mineral preparations by reuterin The present invention relates to a process for stabilizing aqueous preparations of minerals by adding reuterin to the aqueous preparations, to the use of reuterin for the stabilization of such aqueous mineral preparations, and the aqueous mineral preparations containing reuterin.
US08187584B2	Human tumor necrosis factor-α mutants The present invention has an object to provide a tumor necrosis factor mutant protein, particularly, a tumor necrosis factor mutant protein specific to TNF-R1 or TNF-R2; tumor necrosis factor inhibitor; or tumor necrosis factor preparation containing it as an effective ingredient, and the object is solved by providing a tumor necrosis factor mutant protein where one or more amino acid residues selected from the group consisting of 29th, 31st, 32nd, 145th, 146th and 147th, or the group consisting of 84th to 89th from the N-terminal of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:1 is/are replaced with other amino acid residue(s); a tumor necrosis factor inhibitor; and a tumor necrosis factor preparation containing it as an effective ingredient.
US08187578B2	Antiperspirant compositions and methods for making same A consumer product comprising packaging including a product chamber and an outer jacket at least partially surrounding the product chamber; and an antiperspirant composition disposed within the product chamber, wherein the composition exhibits an average standard deviation of less than or equal to about 5 of penetration peak force measurements taken in accordance with a penetration test method as defined herein.
US08187577B2	Composition for bleaching human hair A water-free composition for the bleaching and brightening of human hair and with a simultaneous conditioning effect comprises a) at least one compound with a bleaching or brightening effect, in particular a peroxide and/or an ammonium salt, and b) γ-oryzanol at a concentration of 0.001% to 5% by weight, calculated to the total composition.
US08187574B2	Intermittent injection aerosol product for skin The present invention is directed to an intermittent aerosol dispensing device, for application of a product to skin of a human being, where the aerosol dispensing device includes an intermittent injection mechanism located downstream of an aerosol valve of an aerosol dispenser and responsive to a pushbutton of the aerosol dispensing device, and the aerosol dispensing device further includes a pressure chamber. A ratio of an injection time to a stop time is set, in said intermittent injection mechanism, to 0.1 to 5.0, so that when said aerosol valve is opened a cycle of injection and stop is performed 1 to 25 times per second in order to obtain a cooling and/or massage effect on the skin.
US08187567B2	Inorganic compounds Disclosed is a niobium suboxide powder for the manufacture of capacitors with higher break down voltages, higher temperatures of operation and elongated lifetimes. The powder is doped with nitrogen which is at least partly present in the form homogeneously distributed, x-ray detectable Nb2N-crystal domains. The niobium suboxide powder contains niobium suboxide particles having a bulk nitrogen content of between 500 to 20,000 ppm.
US08187563B2	Method for producing Si bulk polycrystal ingot A method is provided for producing a Si bulk polycrystal ingot with high quality and high homogeneity, which has no significant crystal defects and is free from diffused impurities with a high yield. An upper face of a Si melt is locally cooled by bringing coolant close to a surface of the Si melt from an upper part of a crucible in the crucible containing the Si melt or by inserting the coolant into the Si melt. A dendrite crystal is formed in the vicinity of the surface of the Si melt. Cooling is performed thereafter while maintaining a proper temperature distribution, and a Si bulk crystal is grown from an upper part toward a lower part using a lower face of the dendrite crystal as a fresh growth face.
US08187561B2	Processes and systems for recovering catalyst promoter from catalyst substrates Processes and systems for recovering promoter-containing compounds, for example, perrhenates, from promoter-containing catalyst substrates, for example, substrates containing precious metals, such as silver, are disclosed. The processes include contacting the substrates with a first solution adapted to remove at least some of the catalyst promoter from the substrates, for example, an oxidizing agent, to produce a second solution containing catalyst promoter, passing the second solution through a porous medium adapted to capture at least some of the catalyst promoter, for example, a ion exchange resin; and passing a third solution, for example, a base solution, through the porous medium to remove at least some of the catalyst promoter from the porous medium and produce a fourth solution containing compounds having a catalyst promoter. Systems adapted to practice these processes are also disclosed.
US08187557B2	Reagent reservoir system for analytical instruments The invention provides a reagent reservoir system and disposable reaction cassettes using the same. In one aspect, such system comprises a chamber in which dried reagent, particularly lyophilized reagent, is constrained to remain in a defined region of the chamber by a retaining member that obstructs passage of such reagents to other regions of the chamber where they may escape hydration or activation.
US08187556B2	Methods and kits for aseptic filing of products This invention relates to new methods & kits that minimize the risks and challenges associated with sterilization of multi-component medical devices.
US08187554B2	Apparatus and methods for nanoparticle generation and process intensification of transport and reaction systems Apparatus, systems and methods are provided that utilize microreactor technology to achieve desired mixing and interaction at a micro and/or molecular level between and among feed stream constituents. Feed streams are fed to an intensifier pump at individually controlled rates, e.g., based on operation of individually controlled feed pumps. The time during which first and second feed streams are combined/mixed prior to introduction to the microreactor is generally minimized, thereby avoiding potential reactions and other constituent interactions prior to micro- and/or nano-scale interactions within the microreactor. Various microreactor designs/geometries may be employed, e.g., “Z” type single or multi-slot geometries and “Y” type single or multi-slot geometries. Various applications benefit from the disclosure, including emulsion, crystallization, encapsulation and reaction processes.
US08187550B2	Reactors for conducting thermochemical processes with solar heat input, and associated systems and methods Reactors for conducting thermochemical processes with solar heat input, and associated systems and methods. A system in accordance with a particular embodiment include a reactor having a reaction zone, a reactant source coupled in fluid in communication with the reactant zone, and a solar concentrator having at least one concentrator surface positionable to direct solar energy to a focal area. The system can further include an actuator coupled to the solar concentrator to move the solar concentrator relative to the sun, and a controller operatively coupled to the actuator. The controller can be programmed with instructions that, when executed, direct the actuator to position the solar concentrator to focus the solar energy on the reaction zone when the solar energy is above a threshold level, and direct the actuator to position the solar concentrator to point to a location in the sky having relatively little radiant energy to cool an object positioned at the focal area when the solar energy is below the threshold level.
US08187548B2	Catalyst-supported particulate filter A catalyst layer formed on the walls of exhaust gas channels in a particulate filter contains a catalyst material containing at least two kinds of primary particles selected from the group consisting of primary particles of activated alumina, primary particles of a ZrNd-based mixed oxide and primary particles of a CeZr-based mixed oxide. The catalyst material is formed so that primary particles of one of the ZrNd-based mixed oxide and the CeZr-based mixed oxide are dispersedly carried on the surface of each of secondary particles. Each secondary particle is formed by cohesion of at least one kind of primary particles selected from the group consisting of primary particles of activated alumina and primary particles of the other of the ZrNd-based mixed oxide and the CeZr-based mixed oxide.
US08187543B2	Electrochemical gas sensor with a hydrophilic membrane coating An electrochemical gas sensor is provided comprising a gas-permeable and substantially ion- and liquid-impermeable membrane for separating an aqueous outer solution and an inner electrolyte solution comprising a gas-permeable film of a hydrophilic polymer consisting essentially of non-covalently cross-linked polymer chains, wherein the film is present directly at least on the side of the membrane facing the aqueous outer solution, which has a surface wettability for the aqueous outer solution that is higher than the surface wettability of the membrane for the aqueous outer solution.
US08187537B2	Diagnostic test unit with a container for test carriers The invention concerns a diagnostic test unit for analysing a body fluid comprising a test carrier (test tape 10; test strips 12) provided with test fields (38) for applying the body fluid and a container (14) containing the test carrier, wherein an opening (18) of the container (14) is at least in some areas bordered by a seal (16). According to the invention it is proposed that the opening (18) is screened by a closing foil (22) from the surroundings of the container (14) and that the test tape (10) or a test strip (12) to be dispensed is passed through a passage gap (20) between the closing foil (22) and the seal (16).
US08187536B2	System and method for the unequivocal allocation of histological cassettes and specimen slides A system (100) and a method for the unequivocal allocation of histological cassettes (30) and specimen slides (60) is described. The system encompasses a microtome (1) and at least one reading unit (80). The data (33) of the histological cassette (30) and the data (33) of the at least one specimen slide (60) are read by means of the reading unit (80). The reading unit (80) is provided with at least one indicating element (83) that outputs a signal in accordance with the degree of correspondence between the data (33) of the histological cassette (30) and the data (33) on the specimen slide (60).
US08187534B2	Porous barrier media comprising color change indicators The present invention provides porous barrier compositions comprising color change indicators and methods of making and using the same.
US08187532B2	Ring-shaped disk for gas turbine This ring-shaped disk for a gas turbine includes a ring-shaped disk material consisting of a Ni-based alloy, wherein the Ni-based alloy has a composition that includes, in terms of percent by mass, Ni: 50.00 to 55.00%, Cr: 17.0 to 21.0%, Nb: 4.75 to 5.60%, Mo: 2.8 to 3.3%, Ti: 0.65 to 1.15%, Al: 0.20 to 0.80%, and C: 0.01 to 0.08%, with the balance being Fe and inevitable impurities, and has a microstructure in which δ phase particles are distributed in a matrix thereof, and wherein, in the microstructure, flattened δ phase particles of which maximum length directions are oriented at angles within a range of 60 to 120° with respect to a radial direction of the ring-shaped disk material are present in an amount of 60% or more of a total amount of the δ phase particles distributed in the matrix.
US08187530B2	Steel for high-cleanliness spring with excellent fatigue characteristics and high-cleanliness spring An object of this invention is to provide a steel for high-cleanliness spring which is useful for the production of a spring excellent in fatigue characteristics in high Si steels. The steel for high-cleanliness spring with excellent fatigue characteristics according to the invention contains: in terms of mass %, C: 1.2% or less (excluding 0%); Si: 1.8% to 4%; Mn: 0.1% to 2.0%; and total Al: 0.01% or less (excluding 0%), with the remainder being iron and inevitable impurities, in which the Si amount and a solute (SIMS) Ca amount in the steel satisfy a relationship of the following expression (1): Si×10−7≦solute (SIMS) Ca≦Si×5×10−7 (1) (in which each of the solute (SIMS) Ca and Si represents the amount thereof (mass %) in the steel).
US08187525B2	Method of firing green bodies into porous ceramic articles A method of forming a porous ceramic article having a narrow pore distribution includes heating a green body containing ceramic forming raw materials in a firing environment that raising the temperature of the firing environment to a peak temperature, then reducing the temperature to a hold temperature in order to form porous ceramic.
US08187523B2	Method for manufacturing a cuff on plastic tube provided with an external sheath Method for manufacturing a cuff on a plastic tube comprising an inner tube and an outer sheath covering said inner tube. The outer sheath comprises at least a portion to be molded for producing a cuff. The method comprises a covering step including an injection operation in which air is intermittently or continuously injected between the inner tube and sheath.
US08187521B2	Method and device for producing three-dimensional objects A method for producing three-dimensional objects from a powder material which is capable of solidification by irradiation with a high-energy beam is disclosed. The method comprises homogeneously pre-heating the powder material by scanning with the high-energy beam along predetermined paths over a pre-heating area so that consecutive paths are separated by a minimum security distance which is adapted to prevent undesirable summation effects in the pre-heating area, and then solidifying the powder material by fusing together the powder material. Apparatus for producing such three-dimensional objects is also disclosed.
US08187520B2	Nonwoven fabric for filters and method of producing the same The present invention provides a nonwoven fabric for filters which is excellent in dust collection efficiency and exhibits low pressure drop and excellent mechanical characteristics and rigidity, and a method of producing the nonwoven fabric. A nonwoven fabric for filters of the present invention is a nonwoven fabric for filters which is a long fiber nonwoven fabric, consisting of thermoplastic continuous filaments and formed by partially thermocompression bonding the thermoplastic continuous filaments, wherein the nonwoven fabric has a QF value (Pa−1) of 0.02 to 0.08 and stiffness of 2 to 80 mN.
US08187519B2	Process for making a die by laser engraving and using the die for the production of a surface-structed coating The invention relates to a process for the production of a die for the production of a surface-structured coating which can be bonded to a sheet-like substrate, in particular a leather or a textile material, and which is formed by application of a liquid plastic material to the surface of the die and subsequent solidification of the plastic material, the die having a surface structure corresponding to the surface structure of the coating, wherein the surface structure of the die is produced by laser engraving.
US08187515B2	Large area roll-to-roll imprint lithography Droplets of polymerizable material may be patterned on a film sheet. The droplets of polymerizable material may be dispensed on the film sheet. A pre-determined force may be applied to an imprint lithography template such that localized trapping of the droplets of the polymerizable material on the film sheet is minimized and the droplets coalesce to form a continuous layer. The polymerizable material may be solidified to form a patterned layer having a residual layer and at least one feature.
US08187514B2	Biodegradable molded article A bowl-shaped container (10a) which is as a biodegradable molded article adheres a coating film (12) mainly made of biodegradable plastic and having at least hydrophobicity to the surface of the main body (11a) of the container mainly made of starch. The main body (11a) is molded through steam expansion of a slurry or dough molding material containing high-amylose starch and water, or a slurry or dough molding material containing starch, polyvinyl alcohol and water. For these reasons, it is possible to accomplish sufficient strength and at least sufficient water resistance, to exert a very excellent biodegradability and further to provide a biodegradable molded article having excellent moisture absorption strength mainly made of starch even if the biodegradable molded article has a complicated shape.
US08187512B2	Method and device for granulating plastics and/or polymers A method and apparatus for the pelletization of plastics and/or polymers, in which a melt coming from a melt generator is supplied via a diverter valve having different operating positions to a plurality of pelletizing heads through which the melt is pelletized. The plurality of pelletizing heads have different throughput capacities and are used sequentially for the start-up of the pelletizing process, with the melt first being supplied to a first pelletizing head having a smaller throughput capacity and then the melt volume flow being increased and the diverter valve being switched over such that the melt is diverted by the diverter valve to a second pelletizing head having a larger throughput capacity.
US08187511B2	Method for producing resin porous membrane with adhesive layer, resin porous membrane with adhesive layer, and filter member The present invention provides a resin porous membrane with an adhesive layer that exhibits excellent bonding precision and can be bonded to an adherend while maintaining the gas permeability of the porous membrane even when the porous membrane is small, and a method for producing the resin porous membrane with the adhesive layer. The present invention also provides the filter member including the resin porous membrane with the adhesive layer.
US08187508B2	Base agent for electrical insulating oil Disclosed is a base agent for electrical insulating oils, which mainly contains an esterified product of glycerin and a linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated fatty acid having 6-14, preferably 8-12 carbon atoms. This base agent for electrical insulating oils is excellent in electrical characteristics, oxidation stability, cooling characteristics, flame retardance and safety. In particular, this agent for electrical insulating oils can meet energy/environmental problems by using an edible oil and fat, which is obtained by using a fatty acid derived from a vegetable oil as a raw material, as the linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated fatty acid having 6-14 carbon atoms.
US08187506B2	Barium titanate-based semiconductor ceramic composition and barium titanate-based semiconductor ceramic device A barium titanate-based semiconductor ceramic composition which can be used for PTC thermistors for temperature sensors and which has characteristics, including a linear characteristic, advantageous for such PTC thermistors and a barium titanate-based semiconductor ceramic device. The barium titanate-based semiconductor ceramic composition is represented by the formula (Ba(1-v-w)MevSrw)TixO3+ySiO2, wherein Me is at least one of Er, Sm, Ce, and La, 0.001≦v≦0.005, 0.42≦w≦0.49, 0.99≦x≦1.03, and 0.002≦y≦0.030.
US08187505B2	Conductive compositions and processes for use in the manufacture of semiconductor devices: flux materials Described herein are a silicon semiconductor device and a conductive paste, including a flux material, for use in the front side of a solar cell device.
US08187504B2	Copper nanoparticle dispersion Provided is a metal nanoparticle dispersion capable of suppressing spreadability at a room temperature and drying phenomenon at heating temperature. The metal nanoparticle dispersion includes metal particles; and an organic solvent having a viscosity of 10 mPa·s or more at a room temperature and a flash point of 100° C. or above.
US08187503B2	Low-emissive paint The present invention concerns a low-emissive paint comprising metal particles, a binder and a solvent. The metal particles consist of a metal with lower electro-negativity than 1.9 but higher than 1.1 or a mixture of such metals, and the binder consists of polyaniline—PANI—or a polymer where a thiophene group is included in the chain.
US08187501B2	Planarizing agents and devices Use of certain materials in hole injection layer and/or hole transport layer can improve operational lifetimes in organic devices. Polymers having fused aromatic side groups such as polyvinylnaphthol polymers can be used in conjunction with conjugated polymers. Inks can be formulated and cast as films in organic electronic devices including OLEDs, SMOLEDs, and PLEDs. One embodiment provides a composition comprising: at least one conjugated polymer, and at least one second polymer different from the conjugated polymer comprising at least one optionally substituted fused aromatic hydrocarbon side group. The substituent can be hydroxyl. Aqueous-based inks can be formulated.
US08187495B2	Light emitting device A light emitting device is provided. The light emitting device includes a light emitting element that emits ultraviolet light or short-wavelength visible light; and at least one phosphor that is excited by the ultraviolet light or short-wavelength visible light to emit visible light. The at least one phosphor includes a first phosphor including a composition represented by the formula: M1O2.aM2O.bM3X2:M4, where M1 is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Si, Ge, Ti, Zr, and Sn; M2 is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, and Zn; M3 is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, and Zn; X is at least one halogen element; M4 is at least one element essentially including Eu2+ selected from the group consisting of rare-earth elements and Mn; a is in the range of 0.1≦a≦1.3; and b is in the range of 0.1≦b≦0.25.
US08187490B2	Heat dissipating material and semiconductor device using same Disclosed is a heat dissipating material which is interposed between a heat-generating electronic component and a heat dissipating body. This heat dissipating material contains (A) 100 parts by weight of a silicone gel cured by an addition reaction having a penetration of not less than 100 (according to ASTM D 1403), and (B) 500-2000 parts by weight of a heat conductive filler. Also disclosed is a semiconductor device comprising a heat-generating electronic component and a heat dissipating body, wherein the heat dissipating material is interposed between the heat-generating electronic component and the heat dissipating body.
US08187488B2	Electret composite with deep trapping centers on the interphase boundary An electret composite comprising a polymer matrix material that contains particles of a piezoelectric material with deep trapping centers on the interphase boundaries between the matrix and particles of a piezoelectric material. The piezoelectric material may have a tetragonal or a rhombohedral structure, and the polymer matrix material may be selected from high-density polyethylene, polyvinylidene fluoride, and a copolymer of vinylidenechloride and tetrafluoroethylene. The composite has a potential difference>500V, lifespan>10 years, dielectric permeability≧20, specific electric resistance≧1014 Ohm·m; provision of deep trapping centers on the interphase boundaries with activation energy in the range of 1 to 1.25 eV, and stable electret charge.
US08187484B2	Down-stream plasma etching with deflectable radical stream The invention relates to a process for etching a substrate (3) in an etching chamber (1) with a plasma ignited outside of the etching chamber (1). The process is characterized in that during the etching process at least temporarily at least one gas jet (10) is directed from the side to the radical stream (7) which is directed towards the substrate (3). Furthermore the invention relates to an etching chamber for etching of a substrate (3) with a substrate holder (2) and a plasma source (4) remote to the substrate holder (2), which is characterized in that between the substrate holder (2) and the plasma source (4) at least one nozzle (9) for lateral introduction of a gas jet (10) into the etching chamber (1) is provided. With this invention the distribution of the active species on the surface of a substrate can be easily influenced.
US08187482B2	Flat panel display and method of manufacturing the same A flat panel display and a method of manufacturing the same are disclosed. In one embodiment, the manufacturing method includes: i) preparing a substrate, ii) forming a plurality of subpixels on the substrate and iii) forming a light resonating layer including two or more layers on the subpixels, wherein the light resonating layer varies in thickness depending on the subpixels. According to at least one embodiment, it is possible to improve the brightness and the external light coupling efficiency. Further, it is possible to easily manufacture the light resonating layer with the structure in which the low refractive layers alternate with the high refractive layers.
US08187480B2	Ultra thin alignment walls for di-block copolymer Methods comprising providing a pre-patterned substrate having an array of thick walls, depositing a conforming layer on the pre-patterned substrate, etching the conforming layer from the top of the thick walls and the space between the walls, and etching the thick walls while leaving thin walls of conforming layer.
US08187478B2	Fabricating process of structure with embedded circuit A fabricating process of a structure with an embedded circuit is described as follows. Firstly, a substrate having an upper surface and a lower surface opposite to the upper surface is provided. Afterward, a dielectric layer is formed on the upper surface of the substrate. Next, a plating-resistant layer is formed on the dielectric layer. Then, the plating-resistant layer and the dielectric layer are patterned for forming an recess pattern on the dielectric layer. Subsequently, a conductive base layer is formed in the recess pattern by using a chemical method, and the plating-resistant layer is exposed by the conductive base layer. After that, the plating-resistant layer is removed.
US08187476B2	Devices and methods for the purification, isolation, desalting or buffer/solvent exchange of substances A spin column device, which contains a rigid porous filter that retains its shape during centrifugation, chromatography methods using the device to isolate a desired substance, e.g., a biological molecule, from other substances in a mixture, and kits containing the device with one or more reagents for use in the method.
US08187475B2	Method and apparatus for producing autologous thrombin A device for isolating a component of a multi-component composition. The device includes a housing, a chamber, and a withdrawal port. The chamber is rotatably mounted within the housing. The chamber includes a chamber base and a sidewall. The side wall extends from the chamber base. At least a portion of the sidewall is defined by a filter that permits passage of a first component of the multi-component composition out of the chamber through the filter and to the housing base. The filter restricts passage of a second component of the multi-component composition through the filter. The withdrawal port extends from a position proximate to the housing base to an exterior of the device. The withdrawal port permits the withdrawal of the first component from the housing base to an exterior of the device.
US08187472B1	System to enhance and control the pressurization, operating pressures, and flushing of drip dispersal systems A drip disposal system includes a fluid source including a pump for cyclically pumping fluid from the fluid source, a set of drip field lines connected to the fluid source for dispersing at least some fluid provided by the source across an area of ground, and a return line for returning fluid not dispersed by the set of drip field lines to the fluid source. A blow-out valve is connected to the return line for controlling fluid flow through the return line during each cycle, the blow-out valve opening when a pressure of the fluid flowing through the return line exceeds a selected minimum pressure and closing when the pressure of the fluid flowing through the return line goes below the selected minimum pressure.
US08187471B2	Pressure regulator and filter for irrigation systems A method of operating an irrigation system includes providing a flow of irrigation water, forming a flow of filtered water by removing particulate matter from the flow of irrigation water by using a filter, and directing a first portion of the flow of filtered water to a control valve. The method also includes directing a second portion of the flow of filtered water to a pressure regulator, delivering a flow of water from the pressure regulator to one or more irrigation devices, and automatically cleaning the surface of a filter upon activation or deactivation of the irrigation system.
US08187470B2	Enhancing sedimentation performance of clarifiers/thickeners Some mineral processing plants encounter difficulties in dewatering pulps using clarifier/thickener (C/T) equipment due to a layer of fine particles, air bubbles and chemicals formed at the top of the liquid in the thickener. Such layers are very stable and form a cap on the C/T. The dewatering performance of the C/T then deteriorates under these conditions, and a high percentage of solids is contained in the thickener overflow. A process for removing water from rock slurry containing a wide range of particle sizes in mineral processing operations has been developed. The process includes: (a) classifying the feed slurry into two size fractions, namely a coarse fraction and a fine fraction, (b) treating the fine fraction (and the coarse fraction if required) with a selected flocculant, and (3) thickening the flocculated slurry in sedimentation equipment to separate liquid from solids.
US08187468B2	Preparation and use of chiral zeolites for liquid chromatography The present invention relates to the preparation of chiral zeolites and their use in liquid chromatography. The zeolite material may be used in the chromatographic separation of mixtures of components, such as the separation of enantiomers.
US08187465B2	Blood recuperation device and method A blood filtering device for the recuperation of blood from wound drained blood, in particular for an autologous blood transfusion system, has a first filter arranged upstream of a second filter. The first filter is adapted for removing emboli and/or large particulate matter from the blood and for allowing red blood cells to pass. The second filter is adapted for retaining red blood cells. An exit port is arranged downstream of the first filter and upstream of the second filter. The device is characterised in that the second filter has a pore size of more than about 0.5 μm. A method of recuperating blood from wound drained blood is also disclosed.
US08187461B2	System and method for processing and reusing graywater including for use in a home and garden A system and method for processing and reusing graywater. At least two vertical flow wetland units are provided, each of which comprises a container filled with at least one granular substrate and at least one species of a hygrophilous plant, and an outlet. At least one of the wetland units is set to an inactive state during a predetermined period of time such that influx of graywater to each of the inactive units is prevented, to regenerate each inactive wetland units. At least one of the wetland units is set to an active state to allow introduced graywater to be purified. Purified graywater is discharged from the outlet of each active unit to a sink. At least a portion of the purified graywater is recirculated to each active wetland units so that a portion of the purified graywater, when desired, is discharged to a domestic site for reuse.
US08187459B2	Visual bilgewater quality indicator A visual bilgewater quality indicator for use in a bilgewater filtration system which includes a filtration stage for removing oily contaminants. The quality indicator utilizes one or more filtration status chambers which are provided with a fluorescent or phosphorescent dye or pigment treated filtration media. The status chamber has a transparent outer wall. Flow through the status chamber is from the outer lateral wall toward its central axis, whereby oily contaminants in the flow collect selectively at the outer portions of the filtration media which are highly visible to an observer. Oil droplets as small as one micron, are captured and immobilized by the primary filter and are instantly visible against the background of the exemplary dye. If two status chambers are used in series, due to the ability of the infused media to permanently capture oil without re-entrainment, the second chamber is always kept transparent until complete loading and supersaturating breakthrough at the primary chamber. Oily droplet visibility can be further enhanced with ultraviolet illumination.
US08187457B2	Test paper and porous membrane A test paper includes a porous membrane capable of separating an object that should be filtered out of a sample by filtration, the porous membrane carrying a reagent capable of reacting with a specified component of the sample to result in coloring. The porous membrane includes a first layer having a surface on which the sample is supplied and a second layer having a surface at which sample percolation and measuring are effected, the first layer composed of large pore portions, the surface of the first layer consisting of a smooth surface having open pore portions, the second layer composed of minute pore portions the surface of the second layer consisting of a surface having open pore portions. The porous membrane has a thickness of 50 to 200 μm and a porosity of 60 to 95%.
US08187456B2	Hydrocracking of heavy feedstocks with improved hydrogen management An improved process for hydrocracking heavy petroleum feedstocks wherein hydrogen-containing streams associated with a hydrocracker are subjected to rapid cycle pressure swing adsorption having a cycle time of less than 30 S.
US08187454B2	Degradation detector and detecting method A degradation detector of an exhaust gas sensor is disclosed. The detector comprises a first heater resistance estimator (16) for estimating a resistance of a heater that heats the exhaust gas sensor, based on a device resistance of the exhaust gas sensor; a heater resistance calculator (17) for calculating a resistance of the heater, based on a heater current of the heater; and a degradation determiner (18) for determining whether the exhaust gas sensor is degraded, by comparing the estimated resistance of the heater and the calculated resistance of the heater.
US08187449B2	Cleaning method by electrolytic sulfuric acid and manufacturing method of semiconductor device The cleaning method by electrolytic sulfuric acid and the manufacturing method of semiconductor device comprising: the process in which the first sulfuric acid solution is supplied from outside to the sulfuric acid electrolytic cell to form the first electrolytic sulfuric acid containing oxidizing agent in the sulfuric acid electrolytic cell; the process in which the second sulfuric acid solution, which is higher in concentration than said the first sulfuric acid solution previously supplied, is supplied from outside to said sulfuric acid electrolytic cell; said the second sulfuric acid solution and the first electrolytic sulfuric acid are mixed in said sulfuric acid electrolytic cell; and electrolysis is performed to form the cleaning solution comprising the second electrolytic sulfuric acid containing sulfuric acid and oxidation agent in said sulfuric acid electrolytic cell and the process in which cleaning treatment is performed for the cleaning object with said cleaning solution.
US08187448B2	Crystalline chromium alloy deposit An electrodeposited crystalline functional chromium deposit which is nanogranular as deposited, and the deposit may be both TEM and XRD crystalline or may be TEM crystalline and XRD amorphous. In various embodiments, the deposit includes one or any combination of two or more of an alloy of chromium, carbon, nitrogen, oxygen and sulfur; a {111} preferred orientation; an average crystal grain cross-sectional area of less than about 500 nm2; and a lattice parameter of 2.8895+/−0.0025 A. A process and an electrodeposition bath for electrodepositing the nanogranular crystalline functional chromium deposit on a substrate, including providing the electrodeposition bath including trivalent chromium, a source of divalent sulfur, a carboxylic acid, a source of nitrogen and being substantially free of hexavalent chromium; immersing a substrate in the bath; and applying an electrical current to electrodeposit the deposit on the substrate.
US08187444B2	Fluid treatment device A fluid treatment device is disclosed. The fluid treatment device includes at least a first electrode and a second electrode in direct contact with the fluid. The fluid treatment device may include a control device which adjusts a parameter of an alternating potential difference provided between the first electrode and the second electrode based on the indication of the conductivity between the first electrode and the second electrode.
US08187443B2	Apparatus for separating cell using centrifugal force and dielectrophoresis A cell separating apparatus that can easily separate target cells contained in a fluid is provided. Target cells and a fluid are injected through a storage hole, and ejected to the outside of a rotation disk under the influence of a centrifugal force of the rotation disk. An electric field is applied to the outside of the rotation disk, and the target cells are gathered at a different position from the fluid due to di-electrophoresis. In addition, pivot arms placed at an outer surface of the rotation disk are open, and the open pivot arms collect the target cells. The collected target cell flow in a different storage portion through a fluid flow path. As a result, the target cells can be easily separated.
US08187442B2	Microchip processing method and apparatus The processing apparatus for microchips, each at least having a main flow path performing migration of a sample for analysis inside a sheet-like member, comprises a holding part holding microchips so that the multiple main flow paths are provided; a pretreatment part common to the multiple main flow paths for performing a pretreatment step prior to an analysis step in each of the multiple main flow paths; a processing part for performing analysis in each of the main flow paths independently of the others; and a control part controlling an operation in the pretreatment part so that when a pretreatment step for one main flow path ends, a pretreatment for a next main flow path starts and further controlling an operation in the processing part so that an analysis is subsequently performed for the main flow path where the pretreatment step has ended.
US08187439B2	Electrocoating process for mixed-metal automotive bodies-in-white Mixed-metal automotive vehicle bodies-in-white comprising ferrous metal surfaces, zinc surfaces, aluminum alloy surfaces, and magnesium alloy surfaces are cleaned and immersed in an aqueous bath comprising an adhesion promoter and an aqueous electrocoat bath (the adhesion promoter may be in the electrocoat bath. The adhesion promoter, which may be a cerium salt, is selected to react with each metal in the body surfaces to form an oxide layer that provides corrosion resistance for the surface and adherence for the deposited polymeric paint coating. The body is cathodic in the electrocoat deposition.
US08187437B2	Electrochemical gas sensor A mediator-based electrochemical gas sensor reacts selectively with hydrogen sulfide. The gas sensor has an electrolyte solution (9), which contains a mediator compound in the form of metallates of transition metals.
US08187433B2	Compound material analyte sensor A sensing element adapted to, at least in part, be inserted into a mammalian body. The sensing element is made up of a core of a structurally robust metal and a plated portion made of an electrochemically active metal conjoined to at least a portion of the core. This sensing element may be used as part of a method for the continuous or intermittent monitoring of an analyte within a mammalian body. The method includes inserting at least a portion of the sensing element into the mammalian body and measuring any electric current produced by at least of portion of the sensor.
US08187430B2	Method of making a coated cemented carbide insert Forming coated cemented carbide inserts, particularly useful in fine turning of super alloys. The inserts are characterized by a composition of a cemented carbide of WC, about 4.0 wt-% Co to about 7.0 wt-% Co, about 0.25 wt-% Cr to 0.50 wt-% Cr, and a coercivity (Hc) of about 28 kA/m to about 38 kA/m. The coating comprises a single (Ti1-xSix)N-layer, where x is between about 0.1 and about 0.25, with a crystal structure of NaCl type and a total thickness between about 0.5 μm and about 2.0 μm with a strong (200)-texture.
US08187428B2	Liquefying apparatus A conversion-to-oil apparatus capable of efficiently treating plastic, includes a melting unit for heating and melting plastic fed thereto and a decomposing unit for further heating and vaporization-decomposing the molten plastic melted by the melting unit, wherein the decomposing unit is inclined upwardly, having a lead screw mounted therein, and is provided at its upper end portion with a catalyst cylinder extending upwardly and a residue takeout unit extending downwardly, and the decomposing unit has a prevention element for preventing molten plastic gas from flowing down to the residue takeout unit.
US08187427B2	Embossing roll assembly with mixed inclination embosses An emboss pattern, tissue product and method of manufacturing tissue product having improved bulk and softness with minimal roll ridging. The pattern combines a plurality of aligned signature bosses with a grouping of signature bosses offset from the machine direction in a clockwise manner and another grouping of signature bosses being offset in a counter-clockwise manner.
US08187425B2	Apparatus for washing and dewatering pulp Apparatus for washing and dewatering pulp including a pair of rotatable press rolls with a permeable outer surface in a casing including a vat in which the press rolls are installed is provided. A gap is provided between the vat and the press rolls as well as means for feeding the pulp into the gap between the rolls and the vat includes a first segment partially enclosing the first roll and a second segment partially enclosing the second roll, and casing members for each segment are pivotable about axes of rotation to open and close the casing, and the distance between the axes of rotation is less than the sum of the outer diameter of the two press rolls.
US08187424B2	Time domain spectroscopy (TDS)-based method and system for obtaining coincident sheet material parameters An in-situ time domain spectroscopy (TDS)-based method (200) for non-contact characterization of properties of a sheet material while being produced by a manufacturing system (700). A time domain spectrometry system (100) and calibration data for the system is provided. The calibration data includes data for transmitted power through or reflected power from the sheet material as a function of a moisture content of the sheet material. At least one pulse of THz or near THz radiation from a transmitter (111) is directed at a location on a sheet material sample (130) while being processed by the manufacturing system (700). Transmitted or reflected radiation associated with at least one transmitted or reflected pulse from the sample location is synchronously detected by a detector (110) to obtain the sample data. The sample data, which is coincident data, is processed together with the calibration data (207, 208, 209) to determine at least one, and generally a plurality of properties of the sheet material sample (130) selected from caliper, basis weight and moisture content.
US08187412B2	Apparatus for providing device with gaps for capacitance reduction A method for reducing capacitances between semiconductor devices is provided. A plurality of contact structures is formed in a dielectric layer. A mask is formed to cover the contact structures wherein the mask has mask features for exposing parts of the dielectric layer wherein the mask features have widths. The widths of the mask features are shrunk with a sidewall deposition. Gaps are etched into the dielectric layer through the sidewall deposition. The gaps are closed to form pockets in the gaps.
US08187411B2	Adherent composition and method of temporarily fixing member therewith Provided are a temporal fixation method in processing of optical members and a resin composition suitable therefor. The present invention provides a composition which is characterized by comprising (A1): a (meth)acrylate with a molecular weight of at least 500 having at least one (meth)acryloyl group at a terminal or in a side chain of a molecule, (B1): a polyfunctional (meth)acrylate, (C1): a (meth)acrylate other than (A1) and (B1), and (D1): a photopolymerization initiator. The invention also provides a method for temporarily fixing a member, characterized by comprising bonding a member to temporarily fix it with use of the composition, processing the temporarily fixed member, and immersing the processed member in warm water of at most 90° C., thereby removing a cured resin of the composition.
US08187410B2	Hollow fiber membrane module and method for making thereof The present invention purposes to provide a hollow fiber membrane module that minimizes the error rate in a manufacturing process thereof, disperses weight by separating an enlarged hollow fiber membrane module into a plurality of small modules, and provides a manufacturing method thereof. The present invention includes a central water tube having a plurality of inlets formed in the circumferential direction thereof, a central air tube provided in the central water tube, a plurality of housings longitudinally provided in the circumferential direction of the central water tube, a hollow fiber membrane provided in the respective housing and in which water is treated by difference of pressure, a fixing part fixing the lower part of the hollow fiber membrane to the housing, and a collector provided in the lower part of the housing, a plurality of small modules being provided in the housing.
US08187409B2	Window sash paint replacement tape application tool and method A tape application tool (30) that can hold an adhesive-backed paint replacement tape in position relative to a window frame (34), as well as apply at least the sash section of the tape to the sash portion of the window frame, without having to use a separate location tool and without having to use a paint replacement tape that includes a removable location tab. The tool comprises at least one tape application roller (58), at least one or more guide rollers (66,68), a biasing mechanism, at least one first tape locating surface (54) and, optionally, a tool stop surface (44).
US08187407B2	Wrapping an object with a film using a tape for cutting the film A vehicle is wrapped by a printed adhesive film where the film is also applied over doors and other areas intended not to be covered. The film is cut at the door edge and over the area by adhesively attaching a tape having a release coating on the front surface and carrying a filament along a center of the front side. The printed film is applied over the door, the area not to be covered and the tapes and is cut along the door edge and around the area by pulling the filament from the tape so that a strip of the film at the door edge and the film over the area can be removed. The film can be stretched and pulled away from the tape for reapplying for proper fit.
US08187405B2	Manufacture of sonar projectors A method of manufacturing a sonar projector is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of: bonding a flat piezo-ceramic plate to a flexible conducting sheet; dicing the plate to form an assembly comprising a matrix of piezo-ceramic pegs bonded to the flexible conducting sheet, the pegs being separated by kerfs; bending the assembly to a predetermined curvature, thereby expanding the kerfs; filling the expanded kerfs with a filler material; and applying conductive material to the exposed surfaces of the pegs, such that the conductive material and the flexible conducting sheet in combination form electrodes operable to apply a voltage to the piezo-ceramic pegs. Methods of manufacturing a curved piezo-ceramic structure are also disclosed.
US08187404B2	Method of making a plate-shaped peeling member A method for manufacturing a plate-shaped peeling member having a thin metal plate and a resin sheet adhered thereto by wrapping the resin sheet around a leading edge of the thin metal plate. The plate-shaped peeling member peels paper from a roller or a belt of an electrophotographic apparatus, with a leading edge of the thin metal plate in contact with or being adjacent to the roller or the belt. The method includes the step of stacking an adhesive agent-applied resin sheet to one main surface of a thin metal plate without pulling both end portions of the adhesive agent-applied resin sheet in a longitudinal direction thereof, with an unstuck portion left on the adhesive agent-applied resin sheet in a widthwise direction thereof and with the adhesive agent-applied resin sheet being pressurized in a longitudinal direction thereof.
US08187403B2	Method of producing solid decorated graphic arts objects Decorated three-dimensional articles (64, 78, 82, 86) may be produced having wall structure (66-72) with distortion-free images (40a, 40b) appearing through the inner and outer surfaces of the wall structure (66-72). Preferably, a sheet of paper stock (38) is imprinted on both faces with mirror images (40a, 40b), and the stock (38) is applied to a light-transmitting substrate (44) so that the image (40b) appears through the substrate (44), thereby yielding a blank (50). A plurality of lines of weakness (54) are formed in the blank (50) by laser ablation extending through the image (40a) and stock (38), but not through the image (40b), in order to define spaced apart bend areas (56). The substrate (44) is then heated along the bend areas (56), and the blank (50) is formed about a mandrel (62). If desired, the formed blank (50) may be completed by addition of a base (74). The invention can be used for the economical production of a virtually limitless number of three-dimensional articles, even with one-off unique articles or short runs of articles.
US08187398B2	Energetic composite and system with enhanced mechanical sensitivity to initiation of self-sustained reaction An energetic composition and system using amassed energetic multilayer pieces which are formed from the division, such as for example by cutting, scoring, breaking, crushing, shearing, etc., of a mechanically activatable monolithic energetic multilayer(s) (e.g. macro-scale sheets of multilayer films), for enhancing the sensitivity of the energetic composite and system to mechanical initiation of self-sustained reaction. In particular, mechanical initiation of the energetic composition may be achieved with significantly lower mechanical energy inputs than that typically required for initiating the monolithic energetic multilayers from which it is derived.
US08187391B2	Pet waste away device A pet waste disposal device having a motor driving a set of cutting blades inside of an open ended plenum. A water supply such as a garden hose provides water to a nozzle or jet inside of the plenum, the water washes away the waste as it is chopped by the blades. The motor may be electrical, gasoline driven, or water driven. The plenum may have a safety screen across the open end. In preferred embodiments, the device may be mounted on an elongated support with a hand grip at one end and the plenum and motor at the other end.
US08187388B2	Method for treating catalysts A method for treating catalysts, in particular, for the cleaning and/or regeneration of a catalyst, whereby the catalyst comprises parallel channels. The catalyst is taken out of service for treatment and flushed with a cleaning and/or regeneration fluid in-situ in the assembled state. The cleaning and/or regeneration fluid is introduced under pressure to that end of a bundle of adjacent channels away from the pressurized end of the catalyst. The channels of the bundle are flushed against gravity and the cleaning and/or regeneration fluid escapes from the other end of the channels thereupon enters the free ends of other adjacent channels and flows through the same under the effect of gravity.
US08187386B2	Temporally variable deposition rate of CdTe in apparatus and process for continuous deposition Apparatus is generally provided for vapor deposition of a sublimated source material as a thin film on a photovoltaic module substrate. The apparatus includes a distribution plate disposed below the distribution manifold and at a defined distance above a horizontal conveyance plane of an upper surface of a substrate conveyed through the apparatus. The distribution plate defines a pattern of passages therethrough configured to provide greater resistance to the flow of sublimated source vapors at a first longitudinal end than a second longitudinal end. A process for vapor deposition of a sublimated source material to form thin film on a photovoltaic module substrate is also provided via distributing the sublimated source material onto an upper surface of the substrates through a distribution plate positioned between the upper surface of the substrate and the receptacle.
US08187385B2	Conveying unit and vacuum deposition device The conveying unit conveys a long sheet-like subject in its longitudinal direction. The conveying unit includes a stepped roller which has large-diameter portions spaced apart from each other in a direction perpendicular to a direction of conveyance of the sheet-like subject and having a larger diameter than a remainder of the stepped roller being a small-diameter portion of the stepped roller, the large-diameter portions supporting and conveying the sheet-like subject, a closed space forming subunit between the small-diameter portion of the stepped roller and the sheet-like subject and a gas supply subunit for supplying a gas to the closed space. The vacuum deposition device forms a film on a surface of a long substrate by vacuum deposition. The vacuum deposition device includes a vacuum chamber, a conveying device which includes the conveying unit and a film forming unit.
US08187383B2	Semiconductor single crystal manufacturing device and manufacturing method In order to provide a semiconductor single crystal manufacturing device and a manufacturing method using a CZ method wherein the resistivity and oxygen concentration of a silicon single crystal can be controlled and wherein a single crystal yield can be improved, in the present invention, there is provided a wall 10 which defines a chamber inner wall 1c of a chamber 1, a crucible 2 and a heater 3. The wall 10 is formed by three members, namely, a single crystal side flow-straightening member 11, a melt surface side flow-straightening member 12 and a heater side flow-straightening member 13, which are connected to form a purge gas directing path 100. When the semiconductor single crystal is pulled, a flow speed of a purge gas that passes through the vicinity of the surface of the melt in a quartz crucible 3 is controlled.
US08187382B2	Polycrystalline silicon manufacturing apparatus A polycrystalline silicon manufacturing apparatus is provided which supplies raw gas to the inside of a reaction furnace and supplies a current from an electrode to a silicon seed rod in a state where the vertically extending silicon seed rod is uprightly stood on each of the plural electrodes disposed in a bottom plate portion of the reaction furnace so as to heat the silicon seed rod and thus to deposit polycrystalline silicon on a surface of the silicon seed rod by means of the reaction of the raw gas.
US08187381B2	Process gas delivery for semiconductor process chamber Methods and apparatus for a gas delivery assembly are provided herein. In some embodiments, the gas delivery assembly includes a gas inlet funnel having a first volume and one or more gas conduits; each gas conduit having an inlet and an outlet for facilitating the flow of a gas therethrough and into the first volume, wherein each gas conduit has a second volume less than the first volume, and wherein each gas conduit has a cross-section that increases from a first cross-section proximate the inlet to a second cross-section proximate the outlet, wherein the second cross-section is non-circular. In some embodiments, each conduit has a longitudinal axis that intersects a central axis of the gas inlet funnel.
US08187379B2	Method of producing high quality relaxed silicon germanium layers A method for minimizing particle generation during deposition of a graded Si1-xGex layer on a semiconductor material includes providing a substrate in an atmosphere including a Si precursor and a Ge precursor, wherein the Ge precursor has a decomposition temperature greater than germane, and depositing the graded Si1-xGex layer having a final Ge content of greater than about 0.15 and a particle density of less than about 0.3 particles/cm2 on the substrate.
US08187378B2	Silicon single crystal pulling method An object of the present invention is to provide a silicon single crystal pulling method of accurately controlling the diameter of a silicon single crystal, thereby obtaining a high-quality silicon single crystal with little crystal defect.According to an aspect of the present invention, the pulling step includes: capturing an image of the silicon single crystal using an imaging device; measuring the brightness distribution of a fusing ring generated in the vicinity of a solid-liquid interface between the silicon melt and the silicon single crystal for each image scan line in the image captured by the imaging device; detecting the liquid level of the silicon melt and the position of the solid-liquid interface; and controlling the diameter of the silicon single crystal on the basis of a meniscus height, which is a difference between the liquid level and the position of the solid-liquid interface.
US08187377B2	Non-contact etch annealing of strained layers The present invention provides for treating a surface of a semiconductor material. The method comprises exposing the surface of the semiconductor material to a halogen etchant in a hydrogen environment at an elevated temperature. The method controls the surface roughness of the semiconductor material. The method also has the unexpected benefit of reducing dislocations in the semiconductor material.
US08187376B2	Defoamers for hydratable cementitious compositions The present invention discloses additive compositions, cementitious compositions, and methods for controlling air in cementitious compositions, wherein a polyalkoxylated polyalkylene polyamine defoamer is deployed in combination with one or more air-entraining agents, such as higher alkanolamines, water-reducing agents including oxyalkylene-containing superplasticizers, or other air entraining agents.
US08187371B2	Pigment based inks for high speed durable inkjet printing An ink composition comprising (a) water, (b) pigment particles, (c) at least one humectant, (d) at least one polyurethane having an average molecular weight of at least about 10,000 and a sufficient number of acid groups to provide an acid number from 60 to about 130, and being present at a weight concentration of greater than 0.7%, and (e) at least one water soluble acrylic polymer comprising carboxylic acid groups, present at a weight concentration of greater than 0.6%, wherein the acid groups on the polyurethane and acrylic polymers are at least partially neutralized only with a monovalent inorganic base.
US08187370B2	Horizontal bulk oil separator A high separation efficacy, compact, bulk oil separator oriented horizontally and used with a scroll-type oil-lubricated compressor unit adapted to compressing helium. The horizontal bulk oil separator contains an integral oil reservoir and removes more than 99.9% of the oil from the helium that exits. The bulk oil separator contains successive chambers where oil separates from the gas by impingement.
US08187367B2	Portable PSA oxygen generator The present invention relates to a portable pressure swing adsorption (“PSA”) oxygen generator with at least one partition board disposed inside its housing; an oil-free compressor and a control valve assembly are disposed in one of the separated space isolated by at least one fixing board and the at least one partition board; wherein a fan is disposed inclined or vertically on the partition board outside of the isolated space so that air can be blown into the isolated space directly by an air outlet of the fan. The present invention is built in compact structure with small size and light weight to carry and move, and works safely with a choice of three different types of power supplies, which enable the oxygen generator of the present invention to be used more widely than conventional ones.
US08187363B2	PSA tail gas preheating A process for improving the thermodynamic efficiency of a hydrogen generation system is provided. This includes producing a syngas stream in a reformer, wherein the reformer has a combustion zone. This also includes introducing a syngas stream into a pressure swing adsorption unit, thereby producing a product hydrogen stream and a tail gas stream. This also includes heating the tail gas stream by indirect heat exchange with a heat source, thereby producing a heated tail gas stream; and introducing the heated tail gas stream into the combustion zone.
US08187362B2	Apparatuses and methods for reducing pollutants in gas streams Apparatuses and methods for reducing pollutants in a gas stream are disclosed. The gas stream is introduced into a condensation chamber to condense the gas stream. It then proceeds into a first reaction chamber adapted to electrochemically alter the gas stream. From there, the gas stream is directed into a reduction chamber adapted to reduce pollutants and a resonance chamber adapted to ionize the gas stream. The gas stream is then directed into a second reaction chamber adapted to further reduce pollutants in the stream. After treatment, the gas stream may be discharged into the atmosphere or recirculated through the apparatus to further reduce pollutants in the gas stream, the latter providing for a closed-looped system.
US08187359B2	Granulated metallic iron superior in rust resistance and method for producing the same An object of the present invention is to provide a method for producing granulated metallic iron superior in rust resistance. Another object of the present invention is to provide a method for producing such granulated metallic iron. In the method, the granulated metallic iron is produced by agglomerating a material mixture including an iron-oxide-containing material and a carbonaceous reducing agent; charging and heating the agglomerated material mixture in a moving hearth-type reducing furnace to reduce the iron oxide in the material mixture with the carbonaceous reducing agent to obtain hot granulated metallic iron; and cooling the hot granulated metallic iron, wherein the hot granulated metallic iron is cooled while its relative position is changed; and an oxide coating is formed on the surface of the hot granulated metallic iron by bringing moisture into contact with almost the entire surface of the hot granulated metallic iron.
US08187357B2	Melting metallurgical process for producing metal melts and transition metal-containing additive for use in this method The invention relates to a process for producing a metal melt containing at least one base metal and at least one further alloy constituent, wherein the production takes place in a melting vessel with slag covering the melt. In accordance with the invention, for increasing the content of the alloy constituent of the melt, an additive is fed to the melt which contains said alloy constituent at a content of ≧5-10 percent by weight of the alloy constituent, ≧5-10 percent by weight of melting metallurgically harmless volatile matter, ≦5 percent by weight of sulfur and possibly fractions of further alloy constituents and/or slag formers. The additive is obtainable by ore leaching and by precipitation in the form of hydroxides and/or carbonates. The invention also relates to such an additive.
US08187356B2	Protective cover for respiratory device A protective cover for preventing entry of particulate matter into a delivery hose of a respiratory device includes a filter member having a peripheral edge portion. The filter member is composed of a filter material having a mesh size capable of preventing the particulate matter to pass therethrough. The protective cover further includes a support member having an inner edge portion and an outer edge portion. The inner edge portion of the support member is attached to the peripheral edge of the filter member, such that, the support member circumferentially surrounds the filter member. Furthermore, the protective cover includes a securing member attached to the outer edge portion of the support member, such that, the securing member circumferentially surrounds the support member. The securing member is capable of gripping an end portion of the delivery hose of the respiratory device.
US08187355B2	Filter assembly for vacuum cleaner A filter assembly for a vacuum cleaner is provided, and the filter assembly comprises a discharge grill formed on a discharge passage, a filter member mounted on the discharge grill, and a gasket member that is detachably connected between the discharge grill and the filter member and seals a space between the discharge grill and the filter member.
US08187351B2	Sol of spinous inorganic oxide particles, method of producing the sol, and polishing agent containing the sol The present invention provides a sol of spinous inorganic oxide particles not containing coarse particles, in which particles having extremely homogeneous particles are dispersed in a solvent. An acidic silicic acid is added to a dispersion liquid of core particles to grow core particles, and then again the acidic silicic acid is added at the addition rate 1.2 to 1.8 higher than that in the previous step to prepare a sol of spinous inorganic oxide particles. Then the sol is subjected to centrifugation to remove coarse particles having the diameter of 800 nm or more, thus spinous inorganic oxide particles having peculiar form such as a spinous one being obtained.
US08187350B2	Engine fuels from coal volatile matter Apparatus and a process are described for compressing superheated steam into porous coal chunks in a chamber, and, after a time interval, expanding this steam out of the chamber, and repeating this steam cycle of compression followed by expansion. Thusly heated by the steam, volatile matter separates from the solid coke portion of the coal and separate volatile matter and coke products can be produced from coal or biomass fuels. These volatile matter liquids and tars can be used as fuel components in slurry fuels, for internal combustion engines used in our surface transportation industries. These solid coke products can be used as boiler fuel in steam electric plants. In this way our large domestic reserves of coal can be used as a fuel source, not only for electric power generation, but also for our surface transportation needs.
US08187347B2	Method for producing composition using alcohol as starting material The present invention is to provide compositions comprising organic compounds useful as a chemical industrial material or a fuel composition with the use of an alcohol such as ethanol as a material. It is a method for producing compositions using alcohol as a starting material and comprising: allowing alcohol to contact with an alcohol conversion catalyst such as hydroxyapatite (first step) and conducting a hydrogenation reaction respectively for all reaction products consisting of a liquid phase including alcohols, water and hydrocarbons of 4-12 carbons and a gas phase which is light gas containing paraffins, alcohols and olefins; all liquid phase reaction products consisting of all reaction products from which light gas has been removed; a liquid phase dehydration reaction products consisting of all reaction products from which light gas, unreacted alcohol and product water have been removed; and light gas (second step).
US08187345B2	Mixture from polar oil-soluble nitrogen compounds and acid amides as paraffin dispersant for fuels Provided is a mixture containing: (a) a polar oil-soluble nitrogen compounds which is capable of sufficiently dispersing paraffin crystals precipitated out under cold conditions in a fuel and is a reaction product formed from reacting a poly(C2- to C20-carboxylic acid), which has at least one tertiary amino group, with a primary or secondary amine; (b) an oil-soluble acid amide reaction product formed from reacting a polyamide, which has from 2 to 1000 carbon atoms, with a C8- to C30-fatty acid or fatty acid-like compound, which has a free carboxyl group; and (c) an oil-soluble reaction product formed from reacting an α,β-dicarboxylic acid, which has from 4 to 300 carbon atoms, or a derivatives thereof, with a primary alkylamine, wherein the sum of components (a) to (c) constitute 100 wt. % of the mixture. The mixture is suitable as a paraffin dispersant in fuels, especially those having a biodiesel content.
US08187344B2	Fuel composition for a diesel engine The invention is directed to a fuel composition for diesel engines. The fuel composition comprises 0.1-99% by weight of a component or a mixture of components produced from biological raw material originating from plants and/or animals and/or fish. The fuel composition comprises 0-20% of components containing oxygen. Both components are mixed with diesel components based on crude oil and/or fractions from Fischer-Tropsch process.
US08187342B2	Process for indigo dyeing of wool and wool blends A process for indigo dyeing of wool and wool blends comprising the steps of subjecting the wool and wool blends to a step of pretreatment by impregnation with a shrink resistance agent, subjecting the pretreated wool and wool blend yarns to the step of indigo dyeing and post dyeing, wherein the step of dyeing and post dyeing includes a single step or a plurality of steps of impregnation of the pretreated wool and wool blends in an indigo dye bath followed each time by the step of oxidation.
US08187339B2	Foam hair colorant composition A hair colorant composition being essentially free of surfactant and having a specific perfume system for the hair colorant composition, where the hair colorant composition is capable of forming a foamed hair colorant composition.
US08187334B2	System and methods for spinal fusion A system and method for spinal fusion comprising a spinal fusion implant of non-bone construction releasably coupled to an insertion instrument dimensioned to introduce the spinal fusion implant into any of a variety of spinal target sites.
US08187329B2	Interbody fusion system with intervertebral implant retention assembly The present disclosure is directed towards a biomechanical implant and anterior, lateral or posterior instrumentation construct. The construct may be of unitary or modular construction, whereby a single molded construction can form the entire assembly, in which case the through holes may be adapted to receive a metallic insert for screw fixation; or alternatively be of a modular construction wherein the anterior/lateral instrumentation and intervertebral spacer are designed for removable locking engagement, one with the other, for insertion by the surgeon as a unitary construct. A unique feature of the construct resides within the instrumentation construction, whereby a single opening formed therein permits two bone screws, or the like fastener device, to be positioned within both the superior and inferior vertebral bodies surrounding the spacer implant, or, for example in the case of a corpectomy or diskectomy with cage insertion, wherein two screws can be fixed within a single vertebral body through a single through hole, and wherein the bone screws are constructed and arranged to cooperate with the retention plate so as to provide locking engagement, one to the other, with the retention plate, upon final fixation thereof. Screw retention elements of alternative shape, based upon the choice of vertical or horizontal orientation, based upon an opened figure eight design, are provided for insertion in a groove formed in the borehole of the instrumentation plate which allows insertion of each fixation element but will prevent a loosened fixation element from falling out of the plate.
US08187328B2	Expandable containment devices and methods An expandable containment device is provided for use in containing a flowable material. The containment device includes an expandable housing extending along a longitudinal axis and defining an interior region, and including a first housing portion movably engaged with a second housing portion to allow expansion of the housing generally along the longitudinal axis to provide the housing with an axial dimension extending between adjacent bone structures. The containment device further includes an input port in fluid communication with the interior region of the housing and configured to deliver a flowable material into the interior region of the housing.
US08187325B2	Materials for use in accommodating intraocular lens system There is disclosed an accommodating intraocular lens for implantation in an eye having an optical axis. The lens comprises an anterior portion which in turn comprises an anterior viewing element and an anterior biasing element. The lens further comprises a posterior portion which in turn comprises a posterior viewing element in spaced relationship to the anterior viewing element and a posterior biasing element. The anterior portion and posterior portion meet at first and second apices of the intraocular lens. The anterior portion and the posterior portion and/or the apices are responsive to force thereon to cause the separation between the viewing elements to change. Additional embodiments and methods are also disclosed.
US08187323B2	Valve to myocardium tension members device and method A device for heart valve repair including at least one tension member having a first end and second end. A basal anchor is disposed at the first end of the tension member and a secondary anchor at the second end. The method includes the steps of anchoring the basal anchor proximate a heart valve and anchoring the secondary anchor at a location spaced from the valve such that the chamber geometry is altered to reduce heart wall tension and/or stress on the valve leaflets.
US08187322B2	Drug eluting stent and method of making the same A drug eluting stent comprising a multilayer tubular structure which includes at least one intermediate layer having reservoirs therein for deposition of a drug, the intermediate layer eluting drug in a lateral direction, and methods of making the same.
US08187319B2	Porous synthetic vascular grafts with oriented ingrowth channels A vascular prosthesis is constructed from a structure having interconnected, helically oriented channel-porosity to allow oriented ingrowth of connective tissue into a wall of the prosthesis. The prosthesis can have a small internal diameter of 6 mm or less. Several different methods can be used to produce the prosthesis, including a fiber winding and extraction technique, a melt extrusion technique, and a particle and fiber extraction technique using either a layered method or a continuous method. Furthermore, mechanical properties of prosthesis are matched with mechanical properties of the host vessel, thereby overcoming problems of compliance mismatch.
US08187315B1	Partial stent for treatment of a vascular aneurysm A partial stent may include a backbone and arcuate ribs extending from that backbone; where the ribs have shapes and lengths, and are positioned relative to the backbone, such that when the partial stent is viewed from an end, the ribs collectively define an open arc. A partial stent may include at least one barb extending outward therefrom. The partial stent may be used for treating an aneurysm in a blood vessel, such as a cerebral aneurysm. The partial stent may be placed in the blood vessel adjacent the neck of the aneurysm such that the partial stent substantially covers the neck of the aneurysm.
US08187314B2	Prothesis and deployment catheter for treating vascular bifurcations A stepped balloon catheter prosthesis deployment system is disclosed for placement of a prosthesis across an Os opening from a main body lumen to a branch body lumen. The prosthesis comprises a radially expansible support at one end, a circumferentially extending link at the other end and at least one frond extending axially therebetween. The prosthesis is configured to be deployed from a stepped diameter balloon with the support in the branch body lumen, with the circumferentially extending link in the main lumen and the frond extendable across the Os.
US08187313B2	Bifurcation catheter assembly side catheter branch construction and methods A catheter assembly includes a main catheter branch and a side catheter branch. The main catheter branch includes a main balloon and a side balloon. The side catheter branch includes a transparent portion along at least a portion of a length of the side catheter branch. The transparent portion of the side catheter branch permits viewing of the side balloon through the transparent portion for alignment of the side balloon relative to the side catheter branch. The catheter assembly can further include a stent, wherein the stent includes a lateral branch opening. The transparent portion of the side catheter branch can also provide viewing of the side balloon through the side catheter branch to help align the side balloon with the lateral branch opening.
US08187311B2	Method and apparatus for treating gland dysfunction A method and apparatus for treating gland dysfunction caused by gland obstruction in order to restore the natural flow of secretion from the gland comprises the application of a combination of energy, suction, vibration, heat, aspiration, chemical agents and pharmacological agents to loosen and thereafter remove the obstructive material.
US08187310B2	Method and apparatus for treating gland dysfunction A method and apparatus for treating gland dysfunction caused by gland obstruction in order to restore the natural flow of secretion from the gland comprises the application of a combination of energy, suction, vibration, heat, aspiration, chemical agents and pharmacological agents to loosen and thereafter remove the obstructive material.
US08187300B2	Organopexy tool and organopexy kit The present invention provides an organopexy tool (10, 40) comprising a locking part (11, 41) and suture thread (12, 42). Locking part (11, 41) is made of a rod-shaped part (13, 14), and the coil spring (14) that covers the rod-shaped part (13, 43) and is affixed to one end (13a, 43a) of rod-shaped part (13, 43), and suture thread (12, 42) is connected to the middle of rod-shaped part (13, 43) through the inside of coil spring (14) from one end (13b, 43b) of rod-shaped part (13, 43). Insertion tool (20, 50) has a puncture needle (21) for insertion that can house the locking part (11, 41) and a tubular push-out part (22) that is inserted into puncture needle (21) to push locking part (11, 41) out of the tip (25).
US08187298B2	Embolic protection device having inflatable frame An embolic protection device for capturing emboli during treatment of a stenotic lesion in a body vessel is provided. The device includes an inflatable frame having a deployed state and an undeployed state and a filter attached to the inflatable frame for capturing emboli. The inflatable frame includes a distal portion having a predetermined shape and extending freely to a closed distal end when the inflatable frame is in the deployed state. The filter includes a lip attached to the inflatable frame to define an open end of the filter when the inflatable frame is in the deployed state, a body extending from the lip and disposed about the inflatable frame, and a closed tail configured to capture the emboli during treatment of the stenotic lesion.
US08187293B2	Microsurgical instrument A microsurgical instrument including a cutting member and a base with an actuating mechanism that provides more efficient cutting of tissue.
US08187292B2	Surgical skin punch apparatus A surgical skin punch apparatus to excise subcutaneous abnormalities and allow for efficient resealing of the skin surface. The surgical skin punch apparatus generally includes an elongated handle and a cutting member, wherein the cutting member extends from the elongated handle. The cutting member includes a C-shape to form a pivotal skin fragment to access subcutaneous material beneath. A method of using the apparatus is also described.
US08187291B2	Device for controlled endoscopic penetration of injection needle An endoscopic needle device comprises a handle and a catheter sheath connected to the handle, wherein the catheter sheath has at least one lumen, for example a needle lumen and a stabilization lumen, extending therethrough. A needle is selectively movable within the needle lumen between a needle retracted position and a needle extended position and a stabilization element is selectively movable within the stabilization lumen between a stabilizer retracted position and a stabilizer extended position. A linking mechanism may operatively connect the needle and the stabilization element so that when the needle is in the needle retracted position the stabilization element is in the stabilizer extended position and when the needle is in the needle extended position the stabilization element is in the stabilizer retracted position.
US08187289B2	Device and method for the therapy of obesity A device for drawing tissues together and creating an anastomosis comprises a main guide wire (66, 86) suitable to receive and draw anastomotic devices (10; 16; 24) in order to draw together portions (A; B) of tissues to be joined by means of anastomosis. The main guide wire (66, 86) is suitable to be shaped like an open ring crossing the portions (A, A′; B, B′) of tissues to be joined by means of anastomosis (66, 86), wherein the ends of the main guide wire (66, 86) are different and distinguishable from each other. The main guide wire (66, 86) has a tubular or hollow structure suitable to house at least one needle for a push or radiofrequency perforation of the tissues.
US08187284B2	Intraluminary stent relocating apparatus An apparatus for moving an object disposed within a body lumen. The apparatus includes a first sheath, a coupling member and at least one contraction member for engaging at least a portion of the object. The coupling member is movable relative to the first sheath between a retracted position and a capture position. In the retracted position, a distal portion of the coupling member is disposed within the first sheath. In the capture position, the coupling member distal portion is disposed outside the first sheath. The coupling member is also selectively attachable to the object in at least the capture position. When the coupling member is attached to the object and the contraction member is directly engaged with the object, a predetermined coupling member movement relative to the contraction member radially contracts at least a portion of the object thereby facilitating movement of the object within the body lumen.
US08187279B2	Surgical instrument system with ball and socket support A surgical instrument support system has a support frame supported by three arms. Each arm has a plurality of ball and socket members strung in series along a cable. The arms are also connected to bases mountable to the patient's limb on the proximal and distal sides of the joint. Actuators are provided for each arm to change the tension in the cables to change the stiffness of each arm. The support system can be part of a surgical instrument system that includes a plurality of resection guides mountable to the support frame.
US08187272B2	Surgical instrument for coagulation and suction An apparatus for aiding coagulation of fluids and tissue during surgery is provided. The apparatus includes a suction tube and first and second electrodes shaped as a cylindrical section extending from the suction tube. Two spaces are formed between the first electrode and the second electrode, and the distance between the tips of the electrodes and the suction tube is large enough to allow unobstructed viewing of the tissue that is being treated.
US08187269B2	Medical instruments and techniques for treating pulmonary disorders A surgical instrument for delivering energy to lung tissue, for example to cause lung volume reduction. In one embodiment, an elongated catheter has a handle portion that includes an interior chamber that is supplied with a biocompatible liquid media under pressure. An energy source delivers energy to the media to cause a liquid-to-vapor phase change within the interior chamber and ejects a flow of vapor media from the working end of the catheter. The delivery of energy and the flow of vapor are controlled by a computer controller to cause a selected pressure and selected volume of vapor to propagate to the extremities of the airways. Contemporaneously, the vapor undergoes a vapor-to-liquid phase transition which delivers large amount of energy to the airway tissue. The thermal energy delivered is equivalent to the heat of vaporization of the fluid media, which shrinks and collapses the treated airways. The treated tissue is the maintained in a collapsed state by means of aspiration for a short interval to enhance tissue remodeling. Thereafter, the patient's wound healing response causes fibrosis and further remodeling to cause permanent lung volume reduction.
US08187268B2	Electrosurgical apparatus having a temperature sensor An electrosurgical apparatus is provided. The electrosurgical apparatus comprises an elongate shaft having a proximal region, a distal region comprising an electrically conductive region and one or more lumens therethrough; a stylet occluding at least a portion of an opening defined by a distal end of the elongate shaft; and a temperature sensor associated with the distal region, the stylet being a component of the temperature sensor.
US08187265B2	Coagulation apparatus using cold plasma Provided is a coagulation apparatus using cold plasma. In the coagulation apparatus, the cold plasma is generated by a microwave resonator with low power consumption in the atmosphere, and the cold plasma is vented on a bleeding portion of a wound. Accordingly, it is possible to accelerate coagulation process, to reduce unfavorable side effect such as burns on the wound, and to efficiently sterilize the wound, simultaneously. In addition, it is possible to implement a small-sized portable coagulation apparatus.
US08187261B2	Regulating internal pressure of a cryotherapy balloon catheter A method of performing a cryotherapy procedure can include introducing a cryotherapy balloon catheter at a treatment site inside a patient's body; regulating, during a first phase of a cryotherapy procedure, flow of cryogenic fluid to and exhaust from a distal balloon portion of the cryotherapy balloon catheter to cause an initial pressure to be maintained inside the distal balloon portion that is sufficiently high to cause an outer wall of the distal balloon portion to be pressed against body tissue at the treatment site; and regulating, during a second phase of the cryotherapy procedure, flow of cryogenic fluid to and exhaust from the distal balloon portion to cause a) a temperature inside the distal balloon portion to reach a value sufficient to deliver therapeutic levels of cryotherapy to the body tissue, and b) a second-phase pressure to be maintained that is within a threshold value of the initial pressure.
US08187256B2	Tattoo removal and other dermatological treatments using multi-photon processing A system and method for providing multi-photon processing treatment to a patient. A localized, multi-photon processing event is initiated within a vicinity of an unwanted pigment in order to remove the pigment. The multi-photon processing event requires a relatively low energy, but very intense, pulse of light. The low amount of energy per pulse allows ablation of the material to be highly localized, with negligible thermal damage to surrounding material. The multi-photon event may be initiated by focusing a suitable electromagnetic pulse, such as a 2 mJ laser pulse having a 100 to 300 femtoseconds pulse duration, into a focal volume small enough that the intensity exceeds 1011 Watts/cm2. A suitably configured Ti:Sapphire solid state laser may provide such pulses at 1-10 kHz. By repeating the multi-photon processing event along the location of a tattoo, the tattoo may be removed with no damage to the surrounding tissue.
US08187249B2	Method and apparatus for delivery of therapeutic agents Methods and apparatus for the reproducible, consistent and efficacious delivery of a therapeutic agent to a patient. The invention comprises means for the controlled administration of the therapeutic agent through an orifice to the patient, a plurality of penetrating electrodes arranged with a predetermined spatial relationship relative to the orifice, and means for generating an electrical signal operatively connected to the electrodes.
US08187246B2	Structurally optimized component A structurally optimized component comprising a fastening member having a middle section and an end section, wherein either the middle section comprises an inner slot leg region, an outer slot leg region, and an interior low mass slot leg region or the end section comprises a slot reinforcement having an inner reinforcement region, an outer reinforcement region, and an interior low mass reinforcement region.
US08187244B2	Underpants type disposable diaper [Problem] To eliminate a hardened portion from each joined section of an underpants type disposable diaper.[Means for Solving Problem] An underpants type disposable diaper wherein a large number of unit fusing portions are arranged at uniform intervals along the longitudinal direction of each joined section and the joined section is divided into segments having different numbers of laminated sheets and different heights of unit fusing portions.
US08187240B2	Thin and dry diaper An absorbent article, preferably a disposable absorbent article such as a diaper, is disclosed having an absorbent core which imparts increased wearing comfort to the article and makes it thin and dry. The absorbent core useful for an absorbent article comprises a substrate layer, a discontinuous layer of absorbent material, and a layer of thermoplastic material. A second surface of the discontinuous layer of absorbent material is in at least partial contact with a first surface of the substrate layer. Portions of a second surface of the layer of thermoplastic material are in direct contact with the first surface of the substrate layer and portions of said second surface of the layer of thermoplastic material are in direct contact with a first surface of the discontinuous layer of absorbent material. A process for providing a storage layer for an absorbent core useful in an absorbent article is further disclosed.
US08187239B2	Side notched folded diaper A disposable absorbent article includes a chassis and an absorbent assembly. The chassis includes a water-impermeable backsheet that is folded laterally inward at both of its side edges to form laterally opposing side flaps. Each side flap is attached to the interior surface of the chassis adjacent to its end edges. Each side flap has a longitudinally extending elastic gathering member attached adjacent to its proximal edge. Each side flap is also attached to the interior surface of the chassis at continuous longitudinally extending laterally opposing water-impermeable side seals. The chassis is side notched to give it an hourglass shape. The chassis may include an extensible formed web material. The absorbent assembly includes an absorbent core that may contain superabsorbent particles, which may be contained inside pockets. The absorbent assembly may be attached in a cruciform pattern to the chassis to allow portions of the chassis to extend laterally.
US08187238B1	Male incontinence garment A urine collection device for males suffering from incontinence comprises a collection bag worn under an inner garment. The collection bag is sized to receive the entire content of a full bladder. The open end of an integral input sleeve comprises an elastic band and hook-and-loop closure members as a means of ensuring a comfortable fit, a tight seal, and a secure retention of the device. The internal portion of the collection bag comprises absorbent, jellying, and disinfecting materials. An adhesive strip provides a means of removably attaching the collection bag onto the inside of an inner garment. The device is disposable, made of flexible bio-degradable material and is intended to be removed and discarded after each use.
US08187237B2	Reduced-pressure, linear wound closing bolsters and systems A reduced-pressure, linear-wound closing bolster has a pivotable frame that moves from an extended position to a compressed position under the influence of reduced pressure. The closing bolster may have a first closing member, a second closing member, and an interior space. A manifold member is disposed within the interior space and may be coupled to the pivotable frame. When a reduced pressure is applied, the pivotable frame is urged from the extended position to the compressed position. A first gripping member for transmitting a closing force from the first closing member to a first edge of a linear wound may be attached. Likewise, a second gripping member for transmitting a closing force from the second closing member to a second edge of the linear wound may be attached. Systems and methods are also presented.
US08187236B1	Device for irrigating the ear canal A device for irrigating cerumen from one's ear canal, which includes a universal adaptor affixed to the spout of a lavatory faucet (one which allows the cold and hot to be mixed); a flow line extending from the adaptor; a valve on the adaptor, which when opened allows for adjusting the temperature and force of flow by feeling the flow at a nozzle on the second end of the flow line; a cup for placement over the ear to contain the water flow; a double loop within the cup to mount a first loop to a tragus portion of the outer ears for directing fluid flow from the nozzle into the ear canals, a second loop engaged around a probe to limit the depth the nozzle is able to enter the ear canal; and a return line for returning water and debris collected from the ear canal into the lavatory.
US08187235B2	Protector and protector assembly A protector includes a supporting member mounted on a needle assembly having a needle main body; an outer cover member arranged to incline to the needle main body by having an arm axially supported to the supporting member; and an inner cover member arranged inside the outer cover member. The outer cover member has a cylindrical body having a needle slit extending in an axial direction for insertion of the needle main body. The inner cover member has an arcuate column, which interlocks with the needle assembly when the outer cover member inclines to insert the needle main body into the needle slit, and rotates by sliding on the inner surface of the cylindrical body. The arcuate column has a circular arc cross-section with an area facing at least the needle slit opened to the cylindrical body at an opened position, the needle slit being covered at a closed position.
US08187229B2	Coaxial catheter system A medical system comprises a first medical probe having indicia, and a second medical probe in a coaxial arrangement with the first medical probe. The second medical probe has a detector (e.g., an optical detector) configured for detecting a passage of the indicia as the first and second medical probes are moved relative to each other. In one embodiment, the first medical probe is an inner medical probe, and the second medical probe is an outer medical probe. The medical system further comprises an electromechanical driver coupled to the first and second medical probes, and a controller configured for directing the electromechanical driver to move the first and second medical probes relative to each other, and for receiving signals from the detector indicating the relative movement between the first and second medical probes.
US08187228B2	Infusion pumps and methods and delivery devices and methods with same A delivery device includes a durable housing portion and a separable disposable portion that selectively engage and disengage from each other. The disposable housing portion secures to the patient-user and may be disposed of after it has been in use for a prescribed period. Components that normally come into contact with a patient-user or with an infusion medium, including a pump device, are supported by the disposable housing portion for disposal after the prescribed use, while the durable housing portion supports other components such as electronics for controlling delivery of the infusion medium from the reservoir and a drive device and drive linkage.
US08187227B2	Self returning contamination barrier A barrier of a vacuum pump prevents contamination from entering a vacuum pump air line. The barrier separates parts of the pump and is moveable between an initial state and a distended state. The barrier is assembled within the pump with a pre-load. When the vacuum source is applied to the barrier, the barrier achieves a distended state and when the vacuum source is released, the barrier incrementally self returns to an initial state. The geometry and material construction of the barrier, along with the pre-load, assists in returning the barrier on its own to the initial state from the distended state.
US08187226B2	Autoinjector An autoinjector comprising an outer housing in which is mounted a syringe, the autoinjector further comprising an inner housing intermediate the outer housing and the syringe and an energy source in communication with said inner housing, wherein the inner housing is moveable by the energy source between three positions, namely a first position in. which the inner housing is in communication with the barrel such that, in use, the plunger and barrel are moveable axially so as to move at least part of said needle out of the outer housing; a second position in which the inner housing is in communication with the plunger but not the barrel such that, in use, said plunger is moveable axially into said barrel so as to expel medicament through the needle; and a third position in which the inner housing is in communication with neither the plunger nor the barrel such that, in use, the plunger and barrel are able to retract in order to retract the needle into the outer housing, characterized in that the plunger includes biasing means for axially biasing the barrel, before activation of the energy source, to a position forward of the part of the inner housing which acts on the barrel in said first position.
US08187219B1	Massaging manual breast pump A massaging manual breast pump comprising a pumping assembly, a receptacle, a lid, a handle, and a cushion is provided. The pumping assembly comprises a cavity formed inside of the pumping assembly; a cover extended downwardly from periphery of a bottom of the cavity to define an opening; a receiver disposed at the bottom of the cavity and in communication therewith; a duck mouth valve provided to engage with the receiver at one end and attached to the receptacle at the other end; a pumping insert accommodated in the cavity; an air chamber provided on a top of the pumping insert, with the lid covered on the air chamber; a support extended acclivously from a side wall of the cavity to engage with the handle; a conduit extended acclivously from another side wall of the cavity and in fluid communication with the cavity; a cup formed at one end of the conduit and in a shape of a trumpet for receiving a breast, the cushion being assembled with the cup with a slot disposed therebetween; and a tube connected between the slot and the air chamber.
US08187213B2	Apparatus, system, and method for transcutaneously transferring energy An apparatus for transcutaneously transferring an amount of energy to an implantable orthopaedic device includes a primary coil. The primary coil has a resonant frequency matched to a resonant frequency of a secondary coil, which may form part of the implantable orthopaedic device. The primary coil may have an aperture configured to receive a portion of a patient's body or may include a substantially “C”-shaped core. A power circuit may be coupled with the primary coil to provide power to the coil. The apparatus may also include a wireless receiver, a measuring device, and/or a display.
US08187211B2	Pivot mechanism for a joint support A pivot mechanism for a joint support has a connector, a first support and a second support. The connector has multiple slots. The first support and the second support are mounted pivotally in the connector and rotate synchronously, and each has a protrusion. The protrusions are adjusted to mount in the slots of the connector and to limit an angle between the first and second support to a determined range. Then, the pivot mechanism is attached around a joint of a patient to limit joint movement within the determined range, which can be adjusted easily during rehabilitation.
US08187209B1	Movement disorder monitoring system and method The present invention relates to a movement disorder monitor, and a method of measuring the severity of a subject's movement disorder. The present invention additionally relates to a drug delivery system for dosing a subject in response to the increased severity of a subject's symptoms. The present invention provides for a system and method, which can accurately quantify symptoms of movements disorders, accurately quantifies symptoms utilizing both kinetic information and electromyography (EMG) data, that can be worn continuously to provide continuous information to be analyzed as needed by the clinician, that can provide analysis in real-time, that allows for home monitoring of symptoms in subject's with these movement disorders to capture the complex fluctuation patterns of the disease over the course of days, weeks or months, that maximizes subject safety, and that provides remote access to the clinician or physician.
US08187203B2	Biopsy needle system, biopsy needle and method for obtaining a tissue biopsy specimen A biopsy needle system includes a carrier. A trocar is inserted into the carrier for percutaneous insertion to a biopsy site. A biopsy needle is inserted into the carrier, replacing the trocar, for removal of a tissue biopsy specimen. A biopsy needle and a method for obtaining a tissue biopsy specimen with the system, are also provided.
US08187199B2	Myocardial contractile reserve measured during activities of daily living A contractile reserve indicator, corresponding to a predicted value of a maximum change in myocardial contractility that can be achieved by a subject, can be determined using a detected indication of cardiac contractility across various different physical activity levels.
US08187196B2	System for determining endothelial dependent vasoactivity A method of determining endothelial dependent vasoactivity of a subject, the method is effected by recording pressure-related signals of a plurality of locations adjacent to at least one blood vessel; extracting at least one parameter from the pressure-related signals; and using the at least one parameter to determine a change of at least one characteristic of the at least one blood vessel, the change being representative of endothelial functioning; thereby determining the endothelial dependent vasoactivity of the subject.
US08187195B2	Sensor wire assembly Sensor wire assembly for measuring a physiological variable in a body, said assembly comprises a sensor element for measuring the physiological variable and to generate a sensor signal in response of said variable, and a guide wire having said sensor element at its distal end, and adapted to be inserted into the body in order to position the sensor element within the body. The assembly further comprises a sensor signal adapting circuitry, being an integrated part of said assembly, wherein the sensor signal is applied to the adapting circuitry that is adapted to automatically generate an output signal, related to the sensor signal, in a standardized format such that the measured physiological variable is retrievable by an external physiology monitor.
US08187192B2	Method and apparatus for scan conversion and interpolation of ultrasonic linear array steering imaging A method and apparatus for scan conversion and interpolation of linear array steering imaging in an ultrasonic system are disclosed. The method computes the points that are most related to the point to be interpolated in the principal direction of the point spread function and performs interpolation in the principal direction of the point spread function according to the steering angle of the scan lines so as to obtain a more accurate interpolation result.
US08187191B2	System and method for equalizing received intravascular ultrasound echo signals A system and method are disclosed for providing an equalized ultrasound echo signal for the rendering intravascular images. The system includes an ultrasound catheter including an ultrasound transducer probe. An intravascular ultrasound console receives an ultrasound echo signal corresponding to reflections of an ultrasound signal by backscatterers. An ultrasound echo signal time-gain compensation equalizer compensates the ultrasound echo signal according to sub-bands within a frequency response spectrum of the ultrasound echo signal. After applying selective amplifier gains on the sub-bands, the sub-band signals are combined to create an equalized ultrasound echo signal.
US08187188B2	Image processing apparatus, image processing program, storage medium and ultra-sonograph A computer 12 of an image processing apparatus 11 acquires ultrasound B-mode images of consecutive frames to estimate a carotid artery wall at a carotid artery minor axis cross section included in an ultrasound B-mode image of a predetermined frame. The computer 12 also uses, as a template image, the ultrasound B-mode image, which includes the estimated carotid artery wall and surrounding tissues of the carotid artery wall and estimates the size of the diameter of the carotid artery wall so as to minimize a margin of error between a transformed template image, which is created by transforming the template image, and the acquired ultrasound B-mode image of each frame, thereby acquiring the time change of the carotid artery wall.
US08187185B2	Ultrasound diagnostic apparatus The present invention provides an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus capable of appropriately evaluating dynamic characteristics of a bone. The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus obtains an interpolated line 52a representing a bone surface shape based on echo signals obtained from ultrasonic beams transmitted to a surface of the bone on which a load is applied. A user inputs an outer diameter φ of the bone which can be stored in a memory. The ULTRASOUND DIAGNOSTIC APPARATUS calculates a distortion ε which represents an expansion/contraction rate in an axial direction on the bone surface to which the load is applied, based on the interpolated line 52a and the bone outer diameter φ. The distortion ε is equal to a ratio defined by x/(x+dx)=r/(r+dr)=r/(r+1/2φ), wherein x represents a length of the bone surface in a measurement range (i.e., length of the interpolated line 52a) and x+dx represents a length of a neutral axis 52b of the bone.
US08187180B2	Video rectractor A retractor with a video system that has a blade portion detachably secured thereto is disclosed. In one embodiment, the video system is sealed within the retractor during use so that it need not be sterilized between uses. The blade portion is either reusable, in which case only it needs to be sterilized between uses, or the blade portion is disposable, thereby further preventing inadvertent contamination of the patient. The video system can be detachably secured to a variety of different shaped blade portions, thereby allowing the retractor, with its single video system, to operate effectively as a straight or curved blade laryngoscope, anoscope, colposcope, and the like.
US08187179B2	Surgical access system and related methods A system for accessing a surgical target site and related methods, involving an initial distraction system for creating an initial distraction corridor, and an assembly capable of distracting from the initial distraction corridor to a secondary distraction corridor and thereafter sequentially receiving a plurality of retractor blades for retracting from the secondary distraction corridor to thereby create an operative corridor to the surgical target site, both of which may be equipped with one or more electrodes for use in detecting the existence of (and optionally the distance and/or direction to) neural structures before, during, and after the establishment of an operative corridor to a surgical target site.
US08187176B2	Device for insufflating the interior of a gastric cavity of a patient A method for laparoscopically preventing insufflation of the small bowel during gastric procedures includes applying an obstruction member at the pyloric sphincter to block the passage of gas from the gastric cavity into the small bowel and insufflating the gastric cavity.
US08187172B2	Endoscope cap with aperture An end cap for an endoscope. The end cap is configured to allow the endoscope to be introduced into a patient body by a short-wire type of operation.
US08187168B2	Retractable ultrasonic endoscopic aspirator A surgical instrument comprising a sleeve, a electro-mechanical transducer containing a hollow passage for producing mechanical vibrations in response to a magnetic field, an ultrasonic horn mechanically connected to the transducer, containing a hollow passage communicating with that in the transducer, for amplifying the produced vibration such that dissection of biological tissue is produced and a tip having a hollow passage, mechanically connected to the horn and whose passage communicates with that in the horn, for contacting such tissue, connection of the passage to a source of vacuum and a sheath connected to the instrument and surrounding the tip and horn, with a connection to a source of irrigating fluid and a structure for mounting the transducer and horn within the sleeve permitting retracting and extension of the transducer and horn within and with respect to the sheath. The transducer, horn and tip are immersed in the irrigating solution. The instrument may also include a telescope for viewing the tissue contacting site and provision for electrifying the tip with electro-cauterizing current as well as provision for the use of endo-laser fulguration of the site.
US08187167B2	Monitoring apparatus for laparoscopic surgery and display method thereof A monitor apparatus for a laparoscopic surgery rotates images captured by a laparoscope as an endoscope and displayed on monitors for the laparoscopic surgery clockwise or counter-clockwise according to commands for rotating the images by surgeons who use image rotation manipulation parts such that the images of surgical devices displayed on the monitors are arranged in the direction where the surgeons can actually manipulate the laparoscopic surgical devices most conveniently.
US08187153B2	Concentric and eccentric exercising and training apparatus and method An exercising machine for exercising of a user's torso, arm, leg or other body part, including an exercising attachment for exercising of the user's torso, arm, leg or other body part, a computer-controlled resistance actuator operatively connected to the exercising attachment to impart a resistance for concentric exercising of the user's torso, arm, leg or other body part through a forward range of motion, a computer-controlled force actuator operatively connected to the exercising attachment to impart a force for eccentric exercising of the user's torso, arm, leg or other body part through a reverse range of motion, a computer for controlling the actuators and a method for exercising, including imparting a resistance for concentric exercising of a user's torso, arm, leg or other body part through a forward range of motion and imparting a force for eccentric exercising of the user's torso, arm, leg or other body part through a reverse range of motion.
US08187151B2	Method for controlling the oil supply of an automatic planetary transmission A method for controlling the oil supply device of an automatic planetary transmission, having a main oil pump and an auxiliary oil pump. The transmission is part of a parallel hybrid vehicle powertrain. To supply oil to the transmission as needed, the current oil requirement of the transmission is determined depending on at least one current operating parameter. The auxiliary pump delivery rate is set by actuating the electric motor, in the combustion and combined driving mode below a minimum main oil pump input speed and in the electric driving mode to at least the total oil requirement, and at least in the combined driving mode above the minimum main oil pump input speed is set to at least the residual oil requirement exceeding the delivery rate of the main oil pump.
US08187147B2	Hydraulic control system for multi-mode hybrid transmission and method of regulating the same A hydraulic control system for distributing pressurized fluid to a multi-mode hybrid-type power transmission is provided, as well as a method for regulating the same. The hydraulic control system includes an engine-driven main pump in fluid communication with a main regulator valve, and an electrically-driven auxiliary pump in fluid communication with an auxiliary regulator valve. One pressure control solenoid provides feedback (boost) pressure to both regulator valves, and thereby modify output of the main and auxiliary pumps. A controller selectively modifies distribution of boost pressure to ensure a continuous and controllable feed of hydraulic pressure to the transmission during all vehicle operations. The method includes: determining if the vehicle is transitioning to engine auto-start or auto-stop; determining the line pressure requirements of the transmission under current operating conditions; starting the oncoming-pump; adjusting PCS command so started oncoming-pump pressure equals line pressure requirements; and shutting down off-going-pump.
US08187146B2	Method to control a hybrid drive train A method of controlling a hybrid drive train of a vehicle which comprises, in series, an internal combustion engine, a clutch, an electric motor and a transmission with an output connected to the drive axle. During traction operation, the vehicle changes from an electric driving mode into a combination driving mode or a combustion engine driving mode, in that the clutch is engaged and the electric torque is temporarily increased. The method includes regulating engagement of the clutch at least until reaching a starting rotational speed of the combustion engine such that the acceleration of the combustion engine occurs according to a predetermined progression of rotational speed and that the torque of the combustion engine is increased by the same amount as the transferable torque of the clutch is increased by the engagement process.
US08187144B2	Clutch torque control system of hybrid electric vehicle The present invention provides a clutch torque control system of a hybrid electric vehicle, which performs an engine rotational speed control in a power generation system including an engine, a motor-generator, and a clutch for controlling connection and disconnection between the engine and the motor-generator.
US08187139B2	Planetary kinematic arrangement suitable for idle engine stop A multiple speed power transmission, comprising: a gearbox input shaft; an output shaft; and a collection of gears, friction clutches, and passive couplers capable of transmitting power from the gearbox input shaft to the output shaft with eight forward speed ratios and one reverse speed ratio wherein the first forward speed ratio is selected by engaging friction brakes using electromechanical actuators.
US08187136B2	Differential gear In a differential gear, a differential case includes: a first differential case on a side ranging from a pinion-shaft installation part on which a pinion shaft is installed, to a ring gear; and a second differential case on a side opposite to the side ranging from a pinion-shaft installation part on which the pinion shaft is installed, to the ring gear. The first differential case is integrally molded from only a low-carbon steel containing less than 0.45% of C, by forging or by forging and cutting. The second differential case is integrally molded from only a low-carbon steel containing less than 0.45% of C, by forging or by forging and cutting. The first differential case and the second differential case are bonded to each other by welding.
US08187129B2	Driving belt, and assembling device, assembling method and manufacturing method thereof An assembling device, an assembling method and a manufacturing method of a driving belt, which can facilitate fitting of rings into a recess of an element to improve productivity of the driving belt.The driving belt V, in which two rows of rings 8a and 8b are accommodated parallel to each other in a recess 7 of a plurality of elements 1 interlinked annularly in a manner to situate the recess 7 to open to an outer circumferential side, and in which the rings 8a and 8b are held in an inner circumferential side of the protruding portions 9 formed on an opening end of inner walls 6 of the recess 7 to prevent detachment of the rings 8a and 8b from the recess 7, comprises: a ring holding member 8c for restricting a relative movement between the rings 8a and 8b aligned parallel to each other entirely in its length direction without being overlapped.
US08187128B2	Tensioning device The invention relates to a clamping device comprising a pivoting arm on which a clamping roll is rotatably arranged. In order to damp pivoting movements of the pivoting arm, a damping device is provided in the region of a pivoting axis X. Furthermore, the pivoting arm is supported by a tension spring device which ensures a frictional arrangement of the clamping roll on a traction mechanism, in the assembled state.
US08187127B2	Belt-type continuously variable transmission and straddle-type vehicle equipped with the same A belt-type continuously variable transmission (CVT) with reduced vibration at high engine speeds. A secondary sheave includes a fixed sheave member, a moving sheave member, a compression coil spring, and an outside spring guide. The compression coil spring urges the moving sheave member toward the fixed sheave member. The outside spring guide prevents the compression coil spring from buckling during compression.
US08187126B2	Self-propelled football with internally ducted fan and electric motor Disclosed is a self-propelled football with an internally ducted fan and electric motor. An exemplary embodiment has an oblate spheroidal body. The body has a front section, a center section, a back section, and a longitudinal axis. The ducted fan is located within the body substantially within the center section and substantially along the longitudinal axis. The electric motor is located within the body and mechanically coupled to the ducted fan. At least one electrical power source is located within the body and electrically coupled to the electric motor. At least one air-inlet is located within the front section of the body in airflow communication with the ducted fan. At least one air-outlet is located within the back section of the body in airflow communication with the ducted fan. A means for automatic activation and deactivation of the electrical motor is located within the body.
US08187125B2	Tennis throw trainer A training device that will train a player to throw the ball to the correct height and angle for a serve is provided. The device includes a pole that adjusts from about four feet to twelve feet in height to suit a player's need. The pole is supported by a base and includes an toss hoop at the top of the pole. A photo-sensor is provided at the toss hoop to record a valid toss when a ball is tossed upwardly through the hoop within a predetermined height range and descends through the hoop prior to the serve. A basket may be positioned at the base for retrieving the tossed practice balls. The base legs and toss hoop fold away for easy storage and transport.
US08187122B2	Club fitting system A method of determining a reference lie angle for at least one iron-type golf club custom-fit for a player, according to one or more aspects of the present invention, comprises providing a first hitting surface and a second hitting surface, the first hitting surface being different from the second hitting surface; providing a test club comprising a data acquisition device; directing the player to swing the test club relative to the first hitting surface, whereby initial information is collected by the data acquisition device; determining whether the initial information collected by the data acquisition device satisfies a pre-set condition; if the condition is satisfied, directing the player to swing the test club relative to the second hitting surface, whereby supplemental information is collected by the data acquisition device; and evaluating the supplemental information collected by the data acquisition device to determine the reference lie angle.
US08187118B2	Golf club head A golf club head includes a face member having a ball-striking face and an oval thick portion positioned in a central portion of the ball-striking face. The oval thick portion has an oval shape having recesses formed by recessing both sides in a major axis direction in an arc-shaped fashion. The recesses are directed to a toe-side upper portion and a heel-side lower portion. The thickness of the thick portion becomes thickest at a central portion and is gradually reduced from the central portion towards the periphery. The face member is formed such that a portion outside the thick portion is thinner than the thick portion. An occupancy rate of the oval thick portion in the ball-striking face is in a range of 25 to 45%.
US08187113B2	Apparatus for identifying point of hole pin in the golf course and registrating method thereof The present invention relates to an apparatus for identifying a pin position on a golf course. The apparatus includes light-emitting means coupled to a pin pole, configured to identify a pin position, and including a wireless transmit/receive portion and a unique ID, and a remote control unit remotely controlling lighting and lights-out of the light-emitting means in a wireless manner. The remote control unit includes a wireless transmit/receive portion, a control object-setting portion selecting light-emitting means to be controlled, an execution button instructing the lighting and lights-out of the light-emitting means, and a remote controller which controls a unique ID of the light-emitting means to be controlled to be registered with internal memory by matching the unique ID to a remote control object ID of the control object-setting portion, and wirelessly transmits a lighting and lights-out command to light-emitting means having a unique ID, which matches to the registered remote control object ID, through the wireless transmit/receive portion when an execution button is pressed.
US08187112B2	Kit for providing training for pool game bank shots and method thereof A kit and a method for providing training for pool game bank shots. The kit comprises a plurality of aiming posts and a plurality of base members. Each aiming post of the plurality of aiming posts comprises a proximal end portion and a distal end portion. Each base member of the plurality of base members comprises a hollow central portion for receiving the proximal end portion of an aiming post. The proximal end portion of the aiming post received in the hollow central portion of a base member enables the aiming post to assume an upright position. The aiming post of the plurality of aiming posts configured in the upright position and positioned at a pre-determined distance from a pool table provides an aiming point for aiming at least one of a cue ball and an object ball for executing a pool game bank shot.
US08187110B2	Boot mounting structure for constant-speed universal joint, and silicone boot for the constant-speed universal joint A boot-mounting structure for a constant velocity universal joint has a configuration which can prevent a crack caused by interference with a boot band while maintaining a stable sealing property. The boot band (69) is fitted into a fitting groove of a silicone boot (65), and is decreased in diameter while being attached into the fitting groove, to thereby fix the silicone boot (65). The boot band (69) is formed into an annular body not provided with a folded-back portion. There is provided a no-interference structure means (S) for preventing interference caused, when the boot band is decreased in diameter, between an axial outer-peripheral-edge portion (69a or 69b) of the band (69) and a bottom end portion (82a or 82b) of the fitting groove (75) corresponding thereto.
US08187109B2	Low load sliding intermediate shaft in a steering column for industrial vehicles An intermediate shaft to adjust the height of a steering wheel to match a driver's measurements, to absorb vibrations which may be generated by the wheels and suspension up to the steering wheel, and to act as a safety measure to collapse in the event of an accident. The shaft utilizes corresponding screw/nut mechanisms comprising a nut rigidly connected to the intermediate shaft on one of the flat surfaces of a female shaft and a screw which turns to tighten a male shaft via an adjustment strip to allow adjustment of the sliding load and the torsional rigidity and hysteresis of the sliding intermediate shaft.
US08187105B2	Flange joint Methods and apparatus are provided for assembling a flange joint for use in a driveline. In an exemplary embodiment the apparatus includes a first flange with a first recess. A second flange may be configured to join with the first flange for translating rotational motion between the first flange and the second flange, the second flange having a second recess corresponding in position to the first recess in the first flange. A shear force member may have a first part configured to contact the first recess and a second part opposite the first part configured to contact the second recess, the second part may have an inclined surface. Multiple fasteners may connect the first flange to the second flange such that the inclined surface of the shear force member is held in contact with the second recess.
US08187099B2	Game method and apparatus for enabling a video game system console to execute video game programs originally written for execution on architecturally different video game platforms A video game selection program runs on a home video game console system connected to the Internet and displays on a home color television set a menu of one or more video game titles corresponding to video game programs available via the Internet from a remote server. At least some video game programs available from the server are designed for execution by a computer having a different hardware architecture than the home video game console system. The video game selection program, in response to selection of a video game title on the menu, sends game title ID information to the server and downloads and stores both a video game program corresponding to a title selected from said menu and corresponding emulator program of a type especially suited for enabling execution of the selected video game program on the home video game console. The video game selection program further creates and stores a table for associating downloaded video game titles with corresponding emulator program types and inhibits the downloading of emulator program types which have been previously downloaded and stored on the home video game system.
US08187097B1	Measurement and segment of participant's motion in game play Systems and methods are provided for the measurement and input of position information and/or information regarding the position and/or movement and/or speed of a target of interest, e.g., without requiring a hand-held controller. According to further aspects of the present invention, systems and methods are provided for removing background images, such as furniture and other items, shadows, etc., in the environment of an associated camera or cameras. The elimination of background images behind the subject reduces processing requirements to track the movements of a participant, and may avoid the potential of the image processing logic to confuse the background with the image of the subject. Parabolic LEDs are also provided, which provide safe illumination and gating. As an alternative to gating, a grating or grid light source may be utilized. Still further, a participant's image may be integrated into video applications including games.
US08187096B2	Game apparatus and game program A game apparatus sequentially acquires acceleration data outputted by an acceleration sensor of an input device (step S2). Further, smoothed data representing a value which is obtained by smoothing an acceleration represented by the acceleration data is calculated (step S3). A game process is executed using the acceleration data and the smoothed data (step S4). For example, the game apparatus controls an action of an object appearing in a game space by using the acceleration data and the smoothed data.
US08187089B2	Wagering game providing player options for time-based special event A gaming system for playing a wagering game includes a display for displaying a base game of the wagering game in response to receiving a play wager from a player. The gaming system further includes a controller coupled to the display and programmed to determine a bonus multiplier and a bonus eligibility time for the player based on a base wager. At least one of the bonus multiplier and the bonus eligibility time is a function of both the base wager and the play wager. A bonus game is triggered and, if sufficient bonus eligibility time is available to the player when the bonus game is triggered, the player is allowed to participate in the bonus game. In response to receiving a player selection, the bonus multiplier is modified based on changes to the bonus eligibility time.
US08187086B2	Partial credits cashout method A system or method providing a player an ability to cashout a portion of credits accumulated during gaming. Anonymous cashing out of credit is available to a player through routes both external and internal to a gaming machine.
US08187085B2	Collectable card-based game in a massively multiplayer role-playing game that processes card-based events This disclosure generally describes a massively multiplayer online role playing game (MMORPG) or, more specifically, a card-based MMORPG that enables characters in a virtual world to collect cards representing specified actions or powers and presents three-dimensional (3D) elements to players representing one or more aspects associated with the characters and environment. This 3D display can, in one implementation, offer a real-time combat engine that processes the card-based events. The 3D display may also offer hanging effects that dynamically present state information associated with the respective character. Further, the MMORPG may offer a real-time responsive and flexible chat management system.
US08187079B2	Gaming system with patterned enhancement features A gaming system and method for conducting a wagering game wherein a play enhancement image is displayed on a randomly selected outcome. The randomly selected outcome is enhanced by the changing of symbols in the outcome to predefined enhance symbols in a pattern in response to the play enhancement image. The play enhancement image may be an action icon traversing the display or a play enhancement image pictorially indicating a pattern in which the enhance symbols are going to form on the display.
US08187074B2	Gaming machine and gaming system, ticket issuing system that enable participation in game by inserting ticket A gaming machine of the present invention comprises: a ticket reader; and a controller, the controller programmed to execute the processing of (a) executing a game played against an other gaming machine, when the ticket reader has read a ticket issued from a ticket issuing terminal.
US08187071B1	Double draw video poker games A method, apparatus, and computer readable storage medium for implementing improvements in video poker games. A second draw can be offered to the player, allowing the player an additional chance to improve the player's hand. The second draw can be always offered or triggered upon predefined conditions.
US08187066B1	Online gaming system for simulating a basketball game An online system for simulating a basketball 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 passing, rebound, foul shot, and playing cards, and computer instructions for instructing the processor to permit input of bets, deal cards, designate offense and defense players, permit selection of cards by the players, display cards, determine a game outcome based on the selected cards, and award winnings based on the bet and the game outcome.
US08187064B2	Combine chopper with overload protection A chopper for an agricultural combine has blades with an overload release mechanism that permits them to pivot out of the way when the chopper is obstructed and experiences an overload condition.
US08187063B2	Evaporator frost prevention control logic for front and rear integrated HVAC system An HVAC system for a vehicle includes a housing, a front HVAC unit with a front blower, and rear HVAC unit with a rear blower. The front and rear HVAC units are housed in the housing. The front blower generates an airflow through a front airflow path and the rear blower generates an airflow through a rear airflow path. A separating wall separates the front airflow path from the rear airflow path. The HVAC system further includes an evaporator with a first portion and a second portion. When the rear blower is switched to an OFF position, the rear HVAC unit automatically operates the rear blower at a minimum voltage so as to continue to generate airflow through the second portion of the evaporator.
US08187060B1	Apparatus for skinning poultry products A poultry skinner including a conveyor having ribs aligned to engage the upper surface of a poultry product. A rotatably mounted gripper has a plurality of radially extending fins adapted to engage the lower surface of the poultry passing between the gripper and the conveyor. An arcuate surface is mounted in closely spaced relationship to the arcuate path traveled by the rotating gripper fins and defines an opening for trapping the skin attached to the poultry product. The skin is trapped between the arcuate surface and the outer end of a rotating fin to pull the skin from the poultry product. A rotatably mounted cleaning roller having a plurality of fins is positioned in a close clearance relationship with the gripper. The rapidly rotating fins of the cleaning roller strip the poultry skin from the fins of the gripper and eject it into a collection bin below.
US08187051B2	Digital arts and crafts computer peripheral toy device A computer peripheral toy device is provided that connects to a personal computer and enables a child user to create drawings, animated figures, cards, posters, and other projects and items. The device includes a housing having a drawing tablet and a stylus that connects to the housing for use on the drawing tablet. There a plurality of buttons on the top surface of the housing that a user depresses when engaging in a drawing activity. Computer software is provided for installation on the personal computer in order to display data associated with a drawing activity. When executed by the computer, the computer software causes the computer to respond to the messages received from the controller to engage in a drawing activity using drawing style parameters based on which of the drawing style buttons, color palette buttons and design tool buttons are selected by a user.
US08187048B2	System and method for manufacturing optical display device A system and a method for manufacturing an optical display device. The system includes a first cutting and bonding apparatus to handle a first roll of sheet material including a first optical film with a width corresponding to the short side of an optical display unit and to bond the first optical film to one surface of the optical display unit and then to cut the first optical film into a length corresponding to the long side of the optical display unit. A second cutting and bonding apparatus handles a second roll of sheet material including a second optical film with a width corresponding to the long side of the optical display unit and bonds the second optical film to the other surface of the optical display unit and then cuts the second optical film into a length corresponding to the short side of the optical display unit.
US08187045B2	Air-propelled vessel with articulating member A wide, flat-bottom, buoyant, amphibious hull with a powered articulating member mounted on the deck. The hull is propelled by at least one engine-driven propeller rotating above the hull. The hull has a shallow draft and distributes its weight over a large area. These features cooperatively provide a vehicle capable of installing or servicing power transmission poles, towers, or other structures located in environmentally sensitive wetlands, swamps, marshes, shallow water, or similar terrain.
US08187041B2	Coupling connector In a coupling connector formed by stacking two connector housings (10A, 20A) vertically on each other and coupling the two connector housings (10A, 20A) to each other, the two connector housings (10A, 20A) having terminal housing chambers (11, 21) into which terminals (111, 121) are inserted from rear ends thereof insertion recessed portions (16, 25) are provided on upper and lower surfaces of the stacked connector housings, respectively, while shifting positions thereof from each other, and terminal engaging projection portions (15, 26) are provided, which are inserted into the insertion recessed portions of the opposite-side connector housings opposite thereto when the connector housings are stacked on each other, and thereby inhibit rearward detachment of the terminals inserted into the terminal housing chambers of the opposite-side connector housings.
US08187039B2	Sharable socket structure A sharable socket structure includes a plastic base and rows of first and second terminals arranged in the base. The base has a common slot for accommodating two connectors with different interfaces. The slot is formed with an inserting port and a tongue is disposed in the slot. Each terminal has a contact, an extension, a fixing portion and a pin. The contacts of the first and second terminals are disposed on the tongue and electrically connected to two connectors, respectively. The contacts of the second terminals are closer to the port than the contacts of the first terminals. A step is formed between X coordinates of the contact and extension of the second terminal in a sequentially arranging direction of the terminals such that the contact of the second terminal partially overlaps with the contact of the first terminal neighboring the second terminal on the X coordinates.
US08187035B2	Connector assembly A connector assembly includes contact modules each having a dielectric body and plurality of contacts. The dielectric body includes windows internal of the dielectric body and located between adjacent contacts. Holders support corresponding contact modules and the holders are coupled together such that the contact modules are stacked parallel to one another. The holders are electrically grounded and include a support wall and tabs extending outward from the support wall. The contact modules are coupled to the holders such that the tabs are received in the windows to provide shielding within the contact modules.
US08187031B2	Electrical connector with an improved board lock An electrical connector includes an insulative housing having a mating face, a mounting face, a pair of side walls, a elongated central slot recessed downwardly from the mating face, a first end wall and a second end wall, the central slot being positioned between the side walls, the first end wall and the second end wall, the side walls include a plurality of passageways communicating with the central slot; a plurality of contacts being retained in the passageways respectively and protruding into the central slot; a metal board lock extending downwardly through the first end wall and being attached to the first end wall; a retainer attached to the first end wall to mating with a corresponding card; the board lock is sandwiched between the retainer and the first end wall.
US08187028B2	Distribution strip and equipment cabinet The invention relates to a distribution strip for distributing electric energy for equipment and/or server cabinets (50), comprising a plurality of electric connecting devices (30, 32) to which electric loads can be connected, at least one feed cable (20) for connecting the distribution strip (1, 2, 3) to an energy source, and at least one fastening region for fastening the distribution strip to the equipment and/or server cabinet. According to the invention, the electric connecting devices are arranged on a first longitudinal side of the distribution strip and at least one connecting cable is arranged on a second longitudinal side of the distribution strip adjoining the first longitudinal side. The distribution strip can be fixed by means of the fastening region in a vertical orientation in the region of a side wall (60, 62) to the equipment and/or server cabinet.
US08187026B2	Structure of a component mounting portion, and functional unit A mounting portion is configured to mount thereon a first coupler provided with a pair of engagement arms having an elastic force in a width increasing direction. The mounting portion includes a pair of support members. The pair of support members each have a support portion, an inclined portion, a first engagement portion, and a second engagement portion. A spacing between the second engagement portions is larger than a widthwise dimension of the first coupler which is taken on when the engagement arms are displaced into a position at which the widthwise dimension of the first coupler is minimized. A space allowing the first and second couplers in a state of being coupled to each other to be placed therein is provided on a downstream side of the mounting portion in a removing direction.
US08187025B2	Splice restraint and mating indicator The present invention relates to a splice restraint for use with sleeves that attach to joints. The splice restraint includes a first securing member constructed and arranged to be received in a groove of a first sleeve that is installable on a first leg of a joint, a second securing member constructed and arranged to be received in a groove of a second sleeve that is installable on a second leg of the joint, and a strap connecting the first securing member to the second securing member. The strap having a length determined by the distance between the groove on the first sleeve and the groove on the second sleeve when the first and second sleeves are properly installed on the joint. The splice restraint provides a visual indication that the sleeves are properly installed on the joint, as well ensures that sleeves will not be displaced after the lineman leaves the site.
US08187011B1	Tamper resistent electrical device A protective shutter assembly for use within a cover assembly of an electrical wiring device, the shutter assembly including a first and second shutter members positioned proximate the cover assembly and each of the first and second shutter members are at least partially aligned with separate cover openings in the cover assembly and being configured to move from a closed position to an open position in response to engaging at least one plug blade, a third shutter member positioned behind the first shutter member, a fourth shutter member positioned behind the second shutter member, and wherein the first and second shutter members pivot from the closed position to the open position and the third and fourth shutter members slide from the closed position to the open position.
US08187006B2	Flexible magnetic interconnects A flexible magnetic interconnect is disclosed. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a module having a recess therein. A magnetic structure is moveable within the recess and a flexible circuit cooperates with the module to retain the magnetic structure within the recess. Movement of the magnetic structure is caused by magnetic attraction between the magnetic structure and an external magnetic structure. The flexible circuit includes a compliant contact, which changes shape by movement of the magnetic structure.
US08186999B2	System and arrangement for production and insertion of a dental bridge structure A system comprises a computer appliance designed to receive, and to present on screen, first information transmitted from identification equipment and based on detection of a jaw bone structure. Modification information which can be introduced into the computer appliance shows a visual dental bridge structure applied on the jaw bone structure with associated teeth and dentine. Orientations for implants are also shown. The computer appliance produces a CAD file which is based on the first information and the modification information. The file is received in a stereolithography machine which issues second information which can be processed in the equipment for production of the physical template which includes through-bores for sleeves which define implant orientation. A working model is produced with the aid of the physical template. The invention also relates to an arrangement of a template produced by stereolithography and by means of information from the computer appliance.
US08186997B2	Method for cleaning the oral cavity A method of cleaning an oral cavity, the method including positioning a device suitable for detecting and removing plaque from a surface of the oral cavity within the oral cavity, cleaning and irradiating the surface of a tooth in the oral cavity, the tooth having applied thereto a fluorescent agent, with incident radiation of a wavelength effective to provide a fluorescent emission when contacted with the fluorescent agent on the tooth, collecting at least a portion of the fluorescent emission over a first time period, determining a first average fluorescent emission value (APV1), collecting at least a portion of the fluorescent emission over a second time period, determining a second average plaque value (APV2); and comparing the APV1 to the APV2.
US08186993B2	Blow mold, especially for producing a mannequin A blow mold for a mannequin, comprising a model cavity having a profile, an inserting part, and a drive device. The inserting part is disposed on the model cavity, a modeling surface is disposed in the front of the inserting part, and operates to form a part of the profile of the model cavity, an angle between the molding surface of the inserting part and the profile of the model cavity is 90 degrees, a gap is disposed between the model cavity and the inserting part, a protruding portion is disposed on the molding surface of the inserting part and faces towards the inside of the model cavity, the inserting part is connected to the drive device, and the drive device operates to drive the inserting part to move towards the model cavity before blow molding, and to reset the inserting part after blow molding,
US08186991B2	Extruder system and cutting assembly An extruder system for extruding material through a die/extrude insert in an opening in an extruder plate.
US08186983B2	Gas compressor having a check valve A compressor includes a compression mechanism for suctioning gas through a suction path to compress the gas and discharging the compressed gas and a check valve for preventing backward-flow of the gas in the suction path. The check valve includes an accommodation hole (its one end is opened toward the suction path and its another end is functioned as a reservoir), a valving element accommodated within the accommodation hole movably, a valve seat provided at the opened end of the accommodation hole for closing the suction path while the valving element is pressed thereonto and an urging component for urging the valving element toward the valve seat. A release groove is grooved on an inner surface of the accommodation hole. The reservoir is communicated with the suction path through the release groove. The compressor can reduce machining cost, component count and weight in respect to the check valve.
US08186979B2	Capacity varying type rotary compressor and refrigeration system having the same A capacity varying type rotary compressor and a refrigeration system having the same are provided. The capacity varying type rotary compressor includes a casing that contains a certain amount of oil and maintains a discharge pressure state; a motor installed in the casing that generates a driving force; one or more cylinder assembly fixed in the casing, having a compression space that compresses a refrigerant by a rolling piston that performs an orbit motion and a vane that performs a linear motion by contacting the rolling piston, and having a vane pressure chamber formed at a rear side of the vane that implements a normal driving as the vane contacts the rolling piston or a saving driving as the vane is separated from the rolling piston; and a mode switching device that selectively supplies a suction pressure or a discharge pressure to the vane pressure chamber of the cylinder assembly according to a driving mode.
US08186978B2	Pump with linear actuator A pump includes a housing with a pumping chamber, first and second check valves, and an inlet and an outlet in fluid communication with the pumping chamber through the check valves. The housing also includes a linear actuator with a pumping element located in the pumping chamber wherein actuation of the linear actuator induces the pumping element to move between the first and second check valves between a first position wherein the pump element moves toward the first check valve and generates a positive pressure in the pumping chamber that maintains the first check valve closed and opens the second check valve to allow fluid to flow to the outlet, and a second position wherein the pumping element moves away from the first check valve and reduces the pressure in the pumping chamber to allow the first check valve to open and draw in fluid from the inlet.
US08186971B2	Multistage compressor having an oil separator plate A multistage compressor is provided, which can reduce an oil circulation ratio by reducing the amount of lubricating oil to be taken in by a high-stage compression mechanism to improve the system efficiency and prevent a shortage of lubricating oil. A low-stage compression mechanism and a high-stage compression mechanism are disposed below and above to flank an electric motor, respectively, intermediate-pressure refrigerant gas compressed by the low-stage compression mechanism is discharged into a sealed housing, and the intermediate-pressure refrigerant gas is taken in by the high-stage compression mechanism so as to be compressed in two stages, an oil separator plate that centrifugally separates lubricating oil contained in the intermediate-pressure refrigerant gas, which is taken in by the high-stage compression mechanism after passing through the electric motor, is provided at one end of a rotor of the electric motor such that a rotary shaft extends through the oil separator plate.
US08186964B2	Spar assembly for a wind turbine rotor blade A spar assembly for a rotor blade of a wind turbine is disclosed. The spar assembly may generally include a first spar cap and a second spar cap spaced apart from the first spar cap such that a cross-sectional area is defined directly between the first and second spar caps. Additionally, the spar assembly may include a web having a first end disposed adjacent to the first spar cap and a second end disposed adjacent to the second spar cap. The web may be configured such that at least a portion of an inner surface of the web is disposed outside of the cross-sectional area.
US08186962B2	Fan rotating blade for turbofan engine A leading edge part of a fan rotating blade for taking air thereinto is provided with a vertical hub portion positioned on the hub side so as to be substantially perpendicular to a fan rotary shaft, a backward mid-span portion inclined toward the downstream side from the hub side to the mid-span portion, and a forward inclined tip portion inclined toward the upstream side from the mid-span side to the tip portion.
US08186961B2	Blade preloading system A removable fan blade of a turbofan engine includes a blade root at one end thereof. A rotor disk has a retention slot having dimensions corresponding for receiving the root of the fan blade in the slot. An elongated resilient member extends within the retention slot in a lengthwise direction between the root of the fan blade and the bottom of the retention slot and an elongated member extends lengthwise between the root of the fan blade and the elastomeric member to compress the resilient member and provide a radial preload to the fan blade.
US08186959B2	Turbine moving blade assembly and turbine having the same A shroud of adjacent turbine moving blades has the primary contact face portion, which has opposing flat faces forming an acute angle from a turbine rotating direction and has the secondary contact face portion which has opposing flat faces forming an obtuse angle from the turbine rotating direction. In a process of increasing the rotor speed of a turbine, the secondary contact face portion shifts from a contacting state to a separated state, and thereafter, the primary contact face portion shifts from the separated state to the contacting state. According to such arrangement, vibration in a turbine higher speed range can be suppressed in addition to the suppression of the contact reaction force between coupling members of adjacent turbine moving blade from increasing too high, thereby improving the reliability of the turbine moving blades.
US08186957B2	Fan propeller, in particular for motor vehicles The fan impeller (10) comprises a hub (14) and blades (12) extending radially outward from the hub, the blades having a flattened airfoil profile cross section with a leading edge (24) and a trailing edge (26) between which a chord is defined. The blade (12) has a relative thickness that reached its maximum value (Emax) in the first quarter of the length of the chord measured from the leading edge (24), the relative thickness being defined by the ratio between the thickness of the blade and the length of the chord. The invention finds an application particularly in motor vehicle engine cooling fan impellers.
US08186956B2	Semi-flexible supporting structure for wind turbine A frame for supporting equipment arranged in a hub of a wind turbine is fixed to the hub at one end and flexibly connected to the hub at another end. The variation of the relative position between the hub and the frame caused by the deformation of the hub associated with a rotation of the wind turbine or the like is absorbed by the flexible connection. A wind turbine whose frame in the hub has high durability against the rotation can be provided.
US08186955B2	Rotating machine balancing member assembly including multiple interlocking balancing members A rotating machine includes a stationary member and a rotating member moveable relative to the stationary member. The rotating member includes at least one balancing member assembly receiving portion having a plurality of internal threads. The rotating machine also includes a balancing member assembly including first and second interlocking balancing members. The balancing member assembly also includes a plurality of external threads that are operatively connected to the internal threads of the balancing member assembly receiving portion. With this arrangement, the balancing member assembly provides a dynamic balance for the rotating member.
US08186953B1	Multiple piece turbine blade A turbine rotor blade with a spar and shell construction, the spar including an internal cooling supply channel extending from an inlet end on a root section and ending near the tip end, and a plurality of external cooling channels formed on both side of the spar, where a middle external cooling channel is connected to the internal cooling supply channels through a row of holes located at a middle section of the channels. The spar and the shell are held together by hooks that define serpentine flow passages for the cooling air and include an upper serpentine flow circuit and a lower serpentine flow circuit. the serpentine flow circuits all discharge into a leading edge passage or a trailing edge passage.
US08186950B2	Aerodynamic device for detection of wind turbine blade operation An aerodynamic device is provided for detection of physical conditions of wind turbine blade operation. One or more vibration sensors are mounted on the blades in an aerodynamic housing and configured to monitor a physical condition of the blades that varies in accordance with a vibration of the housing. A processor is operably coupled to the one or more vibration sensors. The processor may be configured to use the vibration frequency of a component of the blade to determine the physical condition of the blade, and generate a signal indicating the physical condition of the blade when determined.
US08186949B2	Method for damping tower vibrations in a wind turbine installation A method in connection with a wind turbine installation for damping tower vibrations, in particular a floating wind turbine installation comprising a floating cell, a tower arranged over the floating cell, a generator mounted on the tower that is rotatable in relation to the wind direction and fitted with a wind turbine, and an anchor line arrangement connected to anchors or foundations on the sea bed. The tower's eigenvibrations, ωeig, are damped by, in addition to control with the controller in the constant power or RPM range of the wind turbine, an increment, Δβ, being added to the blade angle of the turbine blades on the basis of the tower velocities, ΔZ, so that the eigenvibrations are counteracted. The vibrations in β that have frequency ωeig can expediently be damped by means of a stabiliser with the transfer function Hstab(s) between the tower velocities, ΔZ, and the blade angle, Δβ, which is such that the loop transfer function H−β-ΔZ-dot{jωeig)Hstab(jωeig)=−b, which means that: (I) where “b” is a variable depending on the moment and thrust characteristics of the turbine blades.
US08186947B2	Conical pin to maintain bearing system An exemplary locating mechanism for locating a turbine bearing in a bore of a housing includes a conical pin having a pin axis where the conical pin includes a conical wall portion and a pin portion to locate a turbine bearing; a ball; and a socket disposed in a housing and extending between an opening of the housing and a bore of the housing, the socket having a socket axis where the socket includes a cylindrical surface and a conical surface. According to such a mechanism, disposition of the conical pin in the socket seats the conical pin along the socket axis and against the conical surface and disposition of the ball in the socket seats the ball along the socket axis and against the cylindrical surface. Accordingly, alignment of the ball with respect to the conical pin allows for transmission of force from the ball to the conical pin along the pin axis. Various other exemplary technologies are also disclosed.
US08186946B2	Abrasive thermal coating A protective coating for a surface exposed to hot gas flow comprises a thermal layer, a conducting layer and an abrasive layer. The thermal layer comprises stabilized zirconia, and overlies the surface. The conducting layer overlies the thermal layer. The abrasive layer comprises abrasive particles bonded in a metal matrix that is electroplated onto the conducting layer.
US08186942B2	Nacelle assembly with turbulators A nacelle assembly for a turbine engine has a cowl. The cowl extends along an axis and has an exterior surface spaced from an interior surface. The interior surface forms an air inlet for directing airflow to the turbine engine. A turbulator for creating turbulence is disposed on one of the interior surface and the exterior surface.
US08186941B2	Swing structure for a ceiling fan A swing structure for a ceiling fan includes a reduction motor disposed with a driving wheel having its center fixed with a connecting rod. An intermediate aluminum ring is mounted on the outer circumference of the weight center of a fan motor, having a swing spindle provided with at least one first bearing, and a threading spindle disposed at the other end set therein with a second bearing. The swing spindle has one end connected with the connecting rod. The swing velocity of the ceiling fan is controlled by the reduction motor not affected by different rotating velocities of the fan motor. A hanging tube has its lower ends respectively fixed with the swing spindle and the threading spindle and its upper end secured on a support base, enabling a ceiling fan in stalled at different angles and still able to swing smoothly.
US08186937B2	Vacuum pump A turbomolecular vacuum pump (54) comprises a housing (70) and a rotor (52) supported by a bearing arrangement (64) for rotation relative to the housing (70). The bearing arrangement (64) comprises a bearing (72, 74, 76, 78) supported in both radial and axial directions by a resilient support (80) comprising inner (86) and outer (88) annular portions connected by a plurality of flexible members (84), the resilient support (80) having a radial stiffness in the range from 50 to 500 N/mm.
US08186936B2	Actuation of movable parts of a wind turbine rotor blade A rotor blade for a wind turbine comprises a rotor blade body with a root for connecting the rotor blade to a hub of a wind turbine, a tip, a leading edge and a trailing edge. The blade has a movable part, and motion transmitting means for connecting to an actuator being placed preferably outside the blade body, and transmitting motion from the actuator to the movable part. The motion transmitting means is electrically non-conductive, whereby the risk of lightning stroke accidents is reduced.
US08186934B2	Casing assembly Provision of panels within casings can cause problems where retaining bolts require apertures in the casings, which in turn may reduce the structural strength of that casing. By providing a ring within the casing and appropriate retainer elements secured to that ring, which elements in turn appropriately present panels, it is possible to provide a casing assembly which avoids the necessity of drilling or otherwise forming holes in the casing. Dam elements can be provided at each end of the assembly to prevent axial movement and therefore retain panel position within the casing.
US08186930B2	Apparatus for moving a wheelchair into and out of a vehicle Apparatus for moving a wheelchair into and out of a vehicle, said apparatus including: —an anchorage configured to be secured to the floor of a vehicle and to provide a pivotal mounting for said apparatus; —the first portion and a second portion; —the first portion being configured to move in a substantially horizontal plane; —the first portion including a main support member which is pivoted at one end to the anchorage and which carries the second portion at the other end; —the second portion being configured to move in a substantially vertical plane; —the second portion carrying means for securing a wheelchair thereto; —first moving means for moving the first portion relative to the anchorage; —second moving means for moving the second portion; —wherein the apparatus is dimensioned and configured such that a wheelchair secured’ to the second portion is movable between a first, fully stored position in a luggage compartment of a vehicle and a second position in which a wheelchair is at a specified position relative to the vehicle; —and wherein said means for securing a wheelchair are such that in the fully stored position, the or each wheelchair axle is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle.
US08186926B2	Drill rod handler According to one example of the invention, a drill rod handler includes a movable clamp. A position sensor system for the drill rod handler includes a level sensor that is configured to detect a position of the moveable clamp with respect to gravity. The position sensor system further includes a rotation sensor configured to detect a rotational position of the moveable clamp with respect to a defined axis that runs parallel to gravity. Furthermore, the position sensor system includes a control center that is communicably connected to the level sensor and the rotation sensor.
US08186925B2	Drill rod handler An elongate item handling means comprising a base (11) adapted to be fixed to a fixture, an elongate member support (13) having a first axis, the elongate member support comprising an engagement means (19) adapted to engage an elongate item and support the elongate item such that it is parallel to the first axis and to move the elongate item into engagement with the elongate member support, wherein the elongate member support is supported from the base to be rotatable about a second axis which is transverse to the first axis whereby the elongate item when supported from the elongate member support can be moved between an upright position and a substantially horizontal position, the base being movable on the fixture between a first position located at a desired erect position of the elongate item and one or more positions clear of the first position, said elongate member support.
US08186921B2	Drain plug Disclosed is a drain plug for an enclosure that contains a female-threaded opening. The drain plug contains a male-threaded portion and a head portion. The head portion contains a drive structure, an annular groove of substantially rectangular cross section, and a washer of substantially rectangular cross section in the groove. An outer wall of the annular groove is positioned to contact the enclosure when secured to the female-threaded opening.
US08186912B2	Hybrid riser tower and methods of installing same Disclosed is a riser comprising a plurality of pipelines. In one example there are three such pipelines, extending from the seabed toward the surface and having an upper end supported at a depth below the sea surface, wherein, in one embodiment a first of said pipelines acts as a central structural core, the other pipelines being arranged around said first pipeline. In another embodiment three pipelines are arranged around a structural core. In each case, the first of said pipelines may be a fluid injection line, said other pipelines being production lines. Also disclosed is a riser having buoyancy along at least a part of its length, said buoyancy resulting in said riser having a generally circular cross-section, the circumference of which being non-contiguous. Methods of installing such risers are also are also described.
US08186909B2	Artificial sea mount In an artificial sea-mount constructed by piling up a plurality of block bodies on the seabed to vertically mix water mass in a peripheral sea area using a tidal current, ocean current, and internal wave in that sea area, a cone array formed from three or more cones is constructed linearly on the seabed, and the vertex interval between the cones is set to 0.75 times to 2 times the bottom radius of the cone. It is possible to generate an upwelling current even in the deep sea area by inverted triangle-shaped gaps formed between the cones and the conic surfaces of the cones, and thus obtain effective upwelling flux.
US08186906B2	Screed machine for preparing a stone base A screed machine is formed with a forwardly positioned screed assembly including a wedge portion and pivoted wing members. The frame is supported on two rollers spaced behind the screed assembly, which is mounted on a mast for vertical movement in conjunction with a laser receiver that provides a signal from a laser level indicating the final desired grade of the stone base. The machine can be turned at a corner by extension of a jack stand to elevate the machine for rotation about the axis defined by the centrally located jack stand so that the screed machine can be redirected into a different direction without disturbing the final grade of the stone base. The screed machine is manually moved along the stone base by an operator pulling on the handle pivotally connected to the frame. A sight line provides a monitor for the lateral orientation of the screed assembly.
US08186900B2	Piston rod retention system A connector assembly comprising a housing and a tensile member disposed within the housing. The tensile member comprises first and second end portions. Each end portion sealingly engages the housing to form a hydraulic chamber therebetween. A first connector pivotally coupled to the first end portion. The axial position of the first connector relative to the housing is controlled by pressure within the hydraulic chamber.
US08186899B2	Ring binder mechanism A ring mechanism has housing supporting pivoting hinge plates. The mechanism has rings for holding loose-leaf pages. An actuator is mounted on the housing for causing pivoting motion of the hinge plates to open the rings. The mechanism includes a travel bar and intermediate connector connecting the travel bar to the actuator so movement of the actuator to pivot the hinge plates causes longitudinal movement of the travel bar. The intermediate connector and travel bar are formed as one piece and have a living hinge adapted to allow the intermediate connector to pivot relative to the travel bar. The mechanism has a locking element moveable with the travel bar between a locking position and non-locking position. The living hinge is constructed to maintain a substantially constant spacing between the intermediate connector and the travel at points of connection of the living hinge to the intermediate connector and travel bar.
US08186898B2	Plural nozzle cleaning implement A plural nozzle cleaning implement. The nozzles are oriented inwardly, to provide a converging spray pattern. The converging spray pattern provides more coverage of the target surface, which increases residence time of fluid sprayed onto debris.
US08186897B2	Dispensing applicator for fluids A hand-held dispensing applicator comprising a source of fluid, a frangible applicator tip attached to the fluid source, and an absorbent member attached to the frangible applicator tip. When the frangible applicator tip is broken, fluid flows from the source to the absorbent member, whereby the fluid is applied and spread on a surface. Preferably, the frangible applicator tip comprises a support element permanently connected to the fluid source, a relatively rigid tongue element extending outwardly of the support element, and a frangible region there between. Preferably, the tongue element comprises ribs for reinforcing the tongue element to resist unintentional breaking of the frangible region. More preferably, the applicator tip comprises a semi-permeable or non-permeable cover disposed around the frangible region to control the speed and direction of the dispersion of the fluid in the absorbent member. Adaptive embodiments allow the generation of designs applicable to a particular medical purpose.
US08186893B1	Mount for mounting devices and having an adjustable rotary detent assembly A mount is provided for being secured to a support structure and which is configured to receive and support a device such as a camera. The mount includes a series of brackets and one or more rotary detent assemblies that interconnect one bracket to another. Furthermore, the mount provides a rotary detent assembly that enables the detent assembly to be angularly adjusted relative to one of the brackets that forms a part of the mount.
US08186889B2	Optical connecting member and display apparatus Disclosed is an information processing device with lighting function that realizes reduced power consumption and cost reductions. The optical connecting member 17 flexibly connects between a light guide plate 14 of a displaying part side and a light guide plate 21 of a key operating part side, thereby guiding light emitted from a white light LED 13 of a displaying part side to key operating part side.
US08186888B2	Wheel bearing and a bearing apparatus for a wheel of vehicle of semi-floating type having the wheel bearing A semi-floating vehicle wheel bearing apparatus is structured as a unit with a wheel hub (1,14) and a double row rolling bearing (2, 15). The wheel hub inner circumferential surface includes a serration (8). One or more inner rings (10) are press-fit onto a cylindrical portion (7) of the wheel hub (1, 14). An outer member (4) is arranged around the inner member (3, 16). The outer member (4) is formed with double row outer raceway surfaces (4a) on its inner circumferential surface opposite to inner raceway surfaces (10a). Double row rolling elements (5) are arranged between the inner and outer raceway surfaces (10a, 4a). A partition wall (9) is integrally formed on the wheel hub (1, 14), at its outboard side, to close a central bore of the wheel hub (1, 14).
US08186887B2	Double row tapered roller bearing unit Both outer-side inner ring elements 14 apply preload to respective tapered rollers 16 by being pressed from both sides in an axial direction by an outwardly-directed, flange-like collar 30, formed on an outer circumferential surface of one end among both ends in the axial direction of an inner-side outer ring member 22, and by a holding ring 31, mounted on the other end of the inner-side outer ring member 22, or by a pair of holding rings 31, mounted on both ends in the axial direction of the inner-side outer ring member 22. A double row tapered roller bearing unit having good assembly precision, being easy to process, and enabling preload control and preload readjustment to be performed with ease is thereby provided.
US08186881B2	Reservoir closure system and method A system for sealably closing a reservoir is disclosed. The system can have a container and a slider. The container can have an orifice and catches and lips surrounding the orifice. The slider can be translatably attached to the container over the orifice. The slider can slidably engage the catch and lips to force the orifice closed. While attached to the catch and lips, the slider can create a pressurized seal of the orifice.
US08186880B1	Extended and fixed INTable simultaneously imaged calibration and correction methods and references for 3-D imaging devices Calibration and reference samples with reduced cross-sectional areas encased within imaging tables or couch pads have low attenuation properties and provide patient comfort. The samples are stable and provide reproducible images without artifacts. The torso-length samples avoid positioning errors and misalignment. Sample density or mass calibration materials include calcium compounds representative of bone and calcifications, iodine compounds for contrast angiography, gadolinium compounds for MRI, and fat and tissue equivalent materials. Density corrections for variable patient scatter and imperfect image reconstructions improve quantitative measurement. Automated computer methods detect the samples and record readings on all images over the extent of the scans without operator interaction. Spatial references function as location references and enable spatial correction of device imperfections such as point spread function (PSF) or motion for improved images. Comparative analysis of backward and forward projections corrects images based on simultaneous imaging of the references of known properties.
US08186877B2	Method and system for using common subchannel to assess the operating characteristics of transducers A system and method for using a common subchannel to assess operating characteristics of one of a plurality of transducers that are coupled to said subchannel is disclosed. The plurality of transducers are divided into subsets and each subset is coupled to a subchannel. The system is configured to activate a selected transducer on the subchannel and the subchannel delivers operational information on the activated transducer. The present invention reduces the number of subchannels required to collect information on the plurality of transducers. The present invention may utilize one or more loading conditions to take at least one measurement, which at least one measurement is then used to derive operational information on the transducer. In one configuration, information on the amount of energy being delivered to the transducer is collected simultaneously with information on the operating temperature. In another embodiment only the temperature is measured. The present invention permits a more compact ablation device to be constructed based on the invention's ability to reduce the total number of subchannels required to collect transducer information.
US08186874B2	Thermally based system and method for detecting counterfeit drugs The invention relates to a thermal system for determining the authenticity of a pharmaceutical product, said system comprises: (a) a signal generator and heat/cooling source for applying a temperature variation signal to a pharmaceutical product; (b) a thermal apparatus for: (b.1.) following or during an application of said temperature variation signal to an authentic pharmaceutical product, acquiring at predefined controlled conditions an authenticity signature of said authentic product, said authenticity signature comprises at least one temperature measurement of said authentic product, each of said temperature measurements describes the reaction over time of the authentic product to said temperature variation signal; (b.2.) storing said acquired authenticity signature in a memory; and (b.3) for a tested pharmaceutical product that corresponds to said authentic product, and whose authenticity is suspected, and following or during an application of same temperature variation signal to said tested product, acquiring at same predefined controlled conditions a test signature, said test signature also comprises at least one temperature measurement of said tested product, each of said latter temperature measurements describes the reaction over time of the tested product to said temperature variation signal; and (c) a comparison unit for comparing between said authenticity signature and said test signature.
US08186872B2	Automated customized cosmetic dispenser The present invention provides a method and apparatus for the creation and dispensing of a custom formulation within a package at a retail point of sale. In one aspect, the invention includes an automated dispensing apparatus including at least a two-axis robot arm. In another aspect, the invention includes an automated mixer adapted to mix the dispensed custom formulation within the package.
US08186870B2	Device for agitating media The invention relates to a device for agitating media (1), which are located on a platform (3). Said device consists of a housing (2) with an agitation mechanism, which is used to agitate the platform (3) and at least one sensor (4, 5), which is connected to a control unit (7) that is equipped with an electronic sensor system (6). According to the invention, the sensor(s) (4, 5) and the electronic sensor system (6) are located on the platform (3) and communicate in a wireless manner with the fixed control unit (7).
US08186869B2	Method and device for dosing and mixing small amounts of liquid A method or device for integrated dosing and intermixing of small amounts of liquid, has a first liquid conveyed into or onto a first reservoir (3). A second reservoir (1) is entirely filled with a second liquid. The first and second liquids are brought into contact with each other via at least one joining duct structure (5) which has at least one area provided with a smaller cross section than the reservoirs (1,3) in the viewing direction of the connecting line between the two reservoirs (1,3). A laminar flow pattern is created along at least one portion of the joining duct structure (5), with the liquids thoroughly mixed in the second reservoir (1).
US08186867B2	Light guide plate and side-emitting backlight module having the same A light guide plate and a side-emitting backlight module having the same are disclosed. The light guide plate includes a transparent substrate, a plurality of prisms and a plurality of condensing lenses. The prisms are arranged side by side on one surface of the transparent substrate. The condensing lenses are disposed between two adjacent prisms, and distributed from sparsely to densely along a direction of a crest line of each of the prisms.
US08186862B2	Integrated low wattage automotive discharge lamp A first exemplary embodiment of an automotive discharge lamp assembly includes an integrated high intensity discharge lamp and driver assembly having a high voltage starter/igniter and a ballast unit contained in a common housing with a high intensity discharge lamp burner extending therefrom. A separate automotive headlamp optical assembly is mechanically and electrically joined to the integrated high intensity discharge lamp and driver assembly. The joining assembly includes snap-fit clamps received on one of (i) the headlamp assembly and (ii) the integrated lamp and driver assembly, and received in a recess/groove on the other of (i) the headlamp optical assembly and (ii) the integrated lamp and driver assembly. Another exemplary embodiment includes at least one bayonet pin extending outwardly from one of (i) the integrated lamp and driver assembly and (ii) the headlamp optical assembly for operative receipt in a recess or groove formed in the other component.
US08186859B2	Clip with light A clip with a light comprises a body including a first and a second clip members to be flexibly pressed, and an illuminating device disposed between the first and second clip members and having a receiving cylinder, a light received in the receiving cylinder and provided with a first and a second connecting legs, a cell set received in the receiving cylinder to supply power to the light, a power circuit mounted in the receiving cylinder and provided with an electrode of a rear end of the cell set electrically connected to the first connecting leg of the light and the second connecting leg electrically coupled to an electrode of a front end of the cell set, an actuating member series connected onto the power circuit and having pressing blocks extending out of the receiving cylinder to press and release the first and second clip members, controlling the actuating member.
US08186853B2	Cleansing and personal care article A single- or multiple-use cleansing or personal care article comprising (i) a flexible, three-dimensional, water-absorbent substrate material comprising a cavity for accepting an electronic device within a waterproof housing, wherein the water-absorbent substrate is comprised of a web of substantially water-insoluble fibers and (ii) an electronic device within a waterproof housing comprised of one or more of a light-emitting device, a sound-emitting device, or an electromechanical vibrating device or a waterproof metered dispenser and either or both of (iii) a pourable soap impregnated into the water-absorbent material in an amount sufficient to produce foam in water having a di- or trivalent cationic salts present at a concentration of at least about 120 mg/L and/or (iv) a solid anhydrous composition having a melting point of from about 450 C to about 550 C said anhydrous composition comprising a haircare or skincare active ingredient.
US08186850B2	Mounting arrangement and method for light emitting diodes A modular light emitting diode (LED) mounting configuration is provided including a light source module having a plurality of pre-packaged LEDs arranged in a serial array. The module includes a heat conductive body portion adapted to conduct heat generated by the LEDs to an adjacent heat sink. As a result, the LEDs are able to be operated with a higher current than normally allowed. Thus, brightness and performance of the LEDs is increased without decreasing the life expectancy of the LEDs. The LED modules can be used in a variety of illumination applications employing one or more modules.
US08186849B2	Luminous module and method for producing it A luminous module is specified comprising luminous units and a carrier body, wherein the luminous units are connected and/or contact-connected in at least two planes and/or orientations on the carrier body with conductor tracks. A method for producing the luminous module is furthermore specified.
US08186848B2	Lighting device A lighting device includes a case body including a receiving cavity and at least a portion including at least one first hole, a light emitting module in the receiving cavity, the light emitting module including a plurality of light emitting devices, a lens on the light emitting module, and a case cover including an opening through which the lens is exposed, the case cover being disposed on the case body. A heat sink is between the light emitting module and the case body to transfer heat from the light emitting module to the case where the case body acts as a conduit to transfer heat from the light emitting module to the portion of the case body including at least one first hole and the case cover has at least a portion including at least one second hole and the first hole of the case body corresponds with the second hole of the case cover.
US08186845B2	LED lamp An LED lamp includes an elongated lamp post, a major light fixed on a top of the lamp post, a solar panel arranged on the lamp post and exposed to sunshine, a battery received in the lamp post and connected to the solar panel, an assistant light fixed on the lamp post, and a driving unit interconnecting the assistant light and the battery to control electric current to the assistant light. The major light consists of a plurality of LEDs. The assistant light consists of LEDs or fiber optic lights.
US08186835B2	Method of measuring zoom ratio of projection optical system, method of correcting projection image using the method, and projector executing the correction method A method of measuring a zoom ratio of a projection optical system adapted to project image light representing an original image on a projection screen, the method includes: (a) projecting and displaying a measuring image including a measurement point on the projection screen so that the measurement point is displayed at a position with an offset from an optical axis of the projection optical system; (b) detecting a projected measurement point, which is the measurement point projected and displayed on the projection screen, from a measurement point detection position having a fixed position relative to the projection optical system; and (c) determining the zoom ratio using position information of the detected projected measurement point and correspondence between the position information and the zoom ratio, the correspondence being prepared previously.
US08186830B2	Iris pattern recognition and alignment An improved aberrometer is disclosed having a variable visible illumination fixation target for controlling pupil size for the diagnostic images.
US08186828B2	Prism glasses with movable lenses and detachable temples The prism glasses include movable prism lenses and, optionally. detachable temples. The movable lenses permit the user to alter the viewing angle from substantially 90 degrees downward to substantially 90 degrees upward. The glasses include a planar frame plate, a bridge, a forward outboard face and view ports therethrough. Two prisms, one for each view port, transmit the image. Prism frames have mounting elements for attachment and detachment to complementary mount elements on the frame. The mounts permit either rotation or removal and re-insertion on the frame. In a first mode of operation, the prism transmits a 90 degrees image. The prism mounts cooperate with the complementary frame mounts and the prism lenses can be (a) removed and re-positioned at a 180 degrees position or (b) moved 180 degrees from the downward 90 degree viewpoint to an upward 90 degree viewpoint to the second operational mode.
US08186827B2	Inkjet recording medium and inkjet recording method An inkjet recording medium comprising a resin coated sheet formed from a base paper having both sides coated with a resin, and ink receiving layers provided on both sides of the resin coated sheet as outermost layers, wherein a static friction coefficient between at least one of the ink receiving layers and a metal roller onto which wear-resistant particles are adhered is from 0.3 to 0.6.
US08186826B2	Inkjet recording apparatus An inkjet recording apparatus is provided. The inkjet recording apparatus includes an inkjet head having a discharge surface in which discharge ports are formed for discharging ink; a moving mechanism that is configured to move the inkjet head and a recording medium relative to each other; and a capture unit that is configured to capture an extraneous substance, the capture unit disposed upstream of the inkjet head in a moving direction of the recording medium relative to the inkjet head, and disposed adjacent to the inkjet head.
US08186821B2	Water-based ink for ink-jet recording, ink cartridge, ink-jet recording apparatus, method of evaluating water-based ink for ink-jet recording, and method of producing water-based ink for ink-jet recording A water-based ink for ink-jet recording includes a coloring agent, water, and a water-soluble organic solvent. In the water-based ink after drying, a tan δ at a frequency of about 100 (1/sec) measured at about 25° C. represented by the following Equation (1) is about 4 or more tan δ=G″/G′ (1) tan δ: loss tangent G′: storage elastic modulus G″: loss elastic modulus.
US08186819B2	Image forming apparatus and method for controlling ink ejection An image forming apparatus includes an inkjet head, a first tank and a second tank, a first flow path, a second flow path, a third flow path, and a negative pressure control mechanism that controls negative pressure in the first tank and the second tank. The negative pressure control mechanism alternately switches a first phase in which the ink is delivered from the first tank to the second tank, and a second phase in which the ink is delivered from the second tank to the first tank. The inkjet head ejects the ink both in the first phase and in the second phase.
US08186817B2	System and method for transporting fluid through a conduit A fluid transport apparatus facilitates flow of fluid from a source to a receptacle. The fluid transport apparatus includes a fluid transport conduit for transport of fluid through the conduit, the conduit being coupled between a fluid supply and a fluid receptacle, a compressor conduit proximate the fluid transport conduit along a portion of the fluid transport conduit between the fluid supply and the fluid receptacle, and a pump coupled to the compressor conduit for injecting fluid into the compressor conduit, and a vent that is operated to selectively enable pressurization and venting of the compressor conduit to compress and decompress the portion of the fluid transport conduit proximate the compressor conduit to pump fluid through the fluid transport conduit.
US08186815B2	Liquid ejection device and sub tank for use with the same A liquid ejection device is connectable to a main tank. The liquid ejection device includes an ejection head; and a sub tank having an inner space defined therein and including a connection portion configured to connect the inner space with the main tank. The sub tank includes a liquid inlet through which the liquid is allowed to flow from the main tank into the inner space when the main tank is connected to the connection portion; an atmosphere opening that communicates between an outside of the sub tank and the inner space; and a valve configured to selectively open and close the atmosphere opening. The valve opens the atmosphere opening in a state where the main tank is connected to the connection portion and closes the atmosphere opening in a state where the main tank is not connected to the connection portion.
US08186814B2	Liquid injecting apparatus Provided is a liquid injecting apparatus equipped with a liquid injecting head, which is mounted on a carriage and moved reciprocally in a widthwise direction of a target, and a valve unit, which is mounted on the carriage to be supplied with liquid via a supply passage from a liquid retainer and to supply liquid to the liquid injecting head. The valve unit has a pressure chamber connected to the liquid retainer via the supply passage; a valve, which opens or closes the supply passage to supply liquid to the pressure chamber; and a flexible film member, which is displaced based on a negative pressure generated as liquid in the pressure chamber decreases to thereby operate the valve.
US08186813B2	Liquid supply device and liquid ejecting apparatus A liquid supply device includes a liquid supply passage which supplies a liquid from an upstream side where it is supplied from a liquid supply source to a downstream side where it is consumed. A passage forming member has a shape in which the liquid supply passage is formed. A flexible diaphragm forming member has a diaphragm forming part of a wall surface of a pump chamber in the liquid supply passage and is displaceable to change the volume of the pump chamber. A lamination structure is formed by laminating the diaphragm forming member and the passage forming member to form the pump chamber between facing surfaces thereof. A portion corresponding to the outer circumference of the diaphragm forming member has an outer circumference sealing portion preventing liquid, which has leaked from the liquid supply passage to a space between the facing surfaces, from flowing outside the lamination structure.
US08186812B2	Piezoelectric actuator, liquid transporting apparatus, and method for manufacturing piezoelectric actuator A piezoelectric actuator includes a first piezoelectric layer, a second piezoelectric layer stacked on the first piezoelectric layer, a first electrode arranged on the first piezoelectric layer, a second electrode arranged between the first and second piezoelectric layers, and a third electrode arranged on the second piezoelectric layer. A portion of the third electrode faces the second electrode, and another portion of the third electrode faces the first electrode. The first electrode does not face at least a portion of the second electrode. A portion, of the second piezoelectric layer, sandwiched between the second electrode and the third electrode is polarized in a first direction in a thickness direction thereof, and portions, of the first and the second piezoelectric layers, which are sandwiched between the first electrode and the third electrode and between which the second electrode is not arranged, are polarized in a direction opposite to the first direction.
US08186809B2	Ink jet recording head having substrate with electrodes connected to electrothermal transducers and electrodes not connected to the transducers A liquid discharging head improved in heat dissipation property includes a rectangular recording element substrate having electrothermal transducers generating thermal energy for discharging liquid, first electrodes for supplying electrical signals to the electrothermal transducers, and second electrodes not used for supplying electrical signals to the electrothermal transducers, and a wiring sheet having an opening through which the recording element substrate is exposed, the wiring sheet being provided with a first wiring pattern electrically connected to the first electrodes and a second wiring pattern connected to the second electrodes. A plurality of the first electrodes are formed along a first side of the recording element substrate having a predetermined length and a plurality of the second electrodes are formed along a second side of the recording element substrate, the second side being longer than the first side and extending in a direction transverse to the first side.
US08186808B2	Droplet jetting apparatus using electrostatic force and manufacturing method and ink providing method thereof The present invention relates to a droplet jetting apparatus using electrostatic force, a manufacturing method thereof and an ink providing method thereof. The droplet jetting apparatus using electrostatic force includes a lower electrode unit in which a nozzle and a lower electrode positioned in the nozzle equipped in the upper part of a first substrate, and an ink inflow channel equipped in the lower part of the first substrate are integrally formed; an upper electrode unit having an upper electrode formed on the top surface of a second substrate and an ink discharge hole formed by being penetrated to the upper electrode from the bottom surface of the second substrate; and a bonding layer for bonding the lower electrode unit and the upper electrode unit with each other so that the nozzle is vertically aligned with the ink discharge hole. According to this configuration, the ink used in the droplet jetting apparatus is easy to select, the electrostatic force can be efficiently concentrated and manufacturing processes of the droplet jetting apparatus can be simplified.
US08186799B2	Image forming apparatus and impact position displacement correction method An image forming apparatus is provided with a carriage in which recording heads having nozzles for ejecting liquid droplets are mounted and is configured to form an image on a recording medium being transported. The image forming apparatus includes a pattern forming unit that forms an impact position displacement adjustment pattern formed of plural independent liquid droplets on a water repellent member; a reading unit that includes a light emitting unit for emitting light onto the adjustment pattern and a light receiving unit for receiving specular reflection light from the adjustment pattern; and an impact position correcting unit that corrects an impact position of a liquid droplet to be ejected from the recording head based on a read result by the reading unit. The reading unit is disposed on the carriage and is arranged close to the side of a guide member that guides movement of the carriage.
US08186798B2	Ink jet recording apparatus that measures change in temperature after heater is driven and determines discharge state and method for determining discharge state In an ink jet recording apparatus using a recording head that discharges ink by applying thermal energy produced in response to driving a heater to ink, a change in temperature occurring when the heater is driven is measured by a temperature sensor disposed directly below the heater. A discharge state for each nozzle can be determined by determination as to whether an inflection point is present in a curve representing the change in temperature occurring after the driving for discharging ink.
US08186792B2	Timing signal generator and liquid ejecting apparatus incorporating the same A signal generating device to be installed in a liquid ejecting apparatus which comprises a liquid ejector operable to eject liquid and a carriage operable to carry the liquid ejector, the signal generating device comprising: a first generator to generate first pulse signals at first intervals corresponding to a velocity of the carriage; an estimator to estimate an interval of the first pulse signals which will be generated by the first generator based on a variation of an acceleration of the carriage as a second interval; a second generator to generate second pulse signals at third intervals which are obtained by dividing the second interval; and a third timing signal generator to generate a timing signal determining a timing at which the liquid is ejected from the liquid ejector, based on the second pulse signals.
US08186791B2	Liquid ejecting apparatus and control method thereof A liquid ejecting apparatus includes a liquid ejecting head with a group of nozzles. The liquid ejecting apparatus drives a pressure generating element to generate pressure variation in a liquid in a pressure generating chamber and ejects the liquid from the nozzles using the pressure variation. A driving signal generating unit generates a driving signal including an ejection driving pulse which drives the pressure generating element. An ejection control unit controls application of the ejection driving pulse to the pressure generating element to control a liquid ejecting operation of the liquid ejecting head. The driving signal generating unit generates first and second ejection driving pulses. The ejection control unit calculates a timing at which the amount of the ejected liquid becomes a predetermined correction target value in transition of the ejected liquid amount of each nozzle from a start of the ejecting operation.
US08186790B2	Method for producing ultra-small drops Apparatus and methods for producing a drop from a Drop on demand (DOD) dispenser, the drop having a radius that is much smaller than the radius of the nozzle that expels the drop. Generally, the Ohnesorge number is less than about 0.1. Various embodiments of the invention are found within a four dimensional space defined in terms of the Ohnesorge number, the Weber number, the actuation frequency, and the initial conditions.
US08186787B2	Method and apparatus for printing on variable thickness print media A method for printing information on a print medium, such as a mailpiece, that includes determining a thickness of the medium while it is being transported toward a print head, such as an ink jet print head, causing the distance between the top surface of the medium the print head when the medium is located below the print head to be within a specified range based on the determined thickness, and printing the information on the print medium. Also, an apparatus includes a printing station having a print head, a transport mechanism for transporting the medium toward the printing station, and a thickness measuring mechanism. The apparatus is structured to cause the distance between the top surface of the medium and a portion of the print head when the medium is located below the print head to be within a specified distance range based on the thickness of the medium.
US08186784B2	Continuous inkjet printing A continuous inkjet method in which liquid passes through a nozzle, the liquid being jetted comprising one or more dispersed or particulate components and where the particle Peclet number, Pe, defined by Pe = 1.25 ⁢ ϕ T · d eff 3 ⁢ μ S kT ⁢ ρ ⁢ ⁢ U 3 x is less than 500 and where the effective particle diameter, deff, is calculated as d eff = ( ∫ 0 ∞ ⁢ d 3 ⁢ ϕ ⁡ ( d ) ⁢ ⁢ ⅆ d ∫ 0 ∞ ⁢ ϕ ⁡ ( d ) ⁢ ⁢ ⅆ d ) 1 / 3 where φ(d) is the volume fraction of the particles or components of diameter d (m) and where φT is the total volume fraction of dispersed or particulate components, μS is the viscosity of the liquid without particles (Pa·s), ρ is the liquid density (kg/m3), U is the jet velocity (m/s), x is the length of the nozzle in the direction of flow (m), k is Boltzmann's constant (J/K) and T is temperature (K). The present invention limits the magnitude of flow induced noise generated by particulate components in the ink to maximize the efficiency of drop formation and to minimize adverse interactions with the nozzle.
US08186782B2	Door apparatus of refrigerator and damping apparatus of the same Disclosed are a door apparatus for a refrigerator and a damping apparatus for the same. The door apparatus for the refrigerator comprises: a main door for opening/closing the interior of a refrigerator, a sub-door for opening/closing the interior of the refrigerator through a portion of the main door, a sub-door frame disposed on the main door and supporting the sub-door, and a damper disposed at the sub-door frame to reduce an impact due to the pivotal movement of the sub-door. With a damping force required when the door is opened/closed and a more simplified structure of the door, a door design of higher tightness can be implemented.
US08186780B2	Adjustment device for slide assembly A slide assembly with an adjustment device includes a first slide member, a second slide member, a guiding member, an adjusting base and a pivot member. The first slide member has a first panel and a second panel. The second slide member is movable relative to the first slide member in a longitudinal direction. The guiding member is mounted on the first panel and includes an accommodation room. The accommodation room has a lateral hole. The adjusting base includes a board, a protruding member, a hole defined through the board and eccentrically through the protruding member, and an adjusting portion. One portion of the board is contact with the second panel of the first slide member. The protruding member leans against an inner wall of the accommodation room. By adjusting the adjusting base, the guiding member can be moved by the protruding member relative to the second slide member.
US08186778B2	Portable electronic device with wheels The portable electronic device includes a body, a bottom panel configured for supporting the body, at least two linear wheel assemblies assembled to the bottom panel in the body corresponding to the at least two first opening, and a directional wheel assembly assembled to the bottom panel in the body corresponding to the second opening. At least two first opening and a second opening defined in the bottom panel. Each linear wheel assembly and the directional wheel assembly include a wheel member and a driving member respectively. The driving member of each linear wheel assembly drives the wheel member of the corresponding linear wheel assembly to extend through the corresponding first opening and retract in the body. The driving member of the directional wheel assembly drives the wheel member of the directional wheel assembly to extend through the second opening and retract in the body and to rotate.
US08186777B2	Safety workbench having easy-to-clean front pane The present invention relates to a safety workbench having a working chamber enclosed by a housing and a housing front side, which has a work opening, which is closable by an adjustable front pane, the front pane having at least one additional cleaning position, in which it is situated at least partially below a closed final position, in which the work opening is completely covered, in such a way that a cleaning opening is formed between pane top edge and housing. The front pane is easier and safer to clean than the previously known safety workbenches due to this additionally provided cleaning position.
US08186776B2	Storage and organization system and connectivity of the components therein A storage shell includes a plurality of sidewalls to collectively define a chamber therebetween. A first sidewall defines a panel and a track. The panel defines an outer perimeter edge, an exterior surface, and holes extending through the panel. The track is coupled to the panel and includes a first rib and a second rib each extending from the exterior surface. The first rib is positioned inside the outer perimeter edge. The second rib is concentric with and shaped similarly to the first rib. The first rib and the second rib each separately border each one of the holes where each of the holes is formed between the first rib and the second rib. Related storage and organization systems, accessories and methods are also disclosed and provide additional advantages.
US08186775B2	Ergonomically improved arm portal and pass box assembly An arm portal for ingress and egress within an enclosed, controlled environment, such as an incubator, employs asymmetric orifices to obtain superior arm mobility. The hand/arm portals along with the pass box can be manufactured into a one-piece injection molded assembly that is easily attached to the front face of an enclosed anaerobic environment.
US08186771B2	Stroke simulator in brake system A stroke simulator in a brake system includes a cylinder body, a piston movably inserted in the cylinder body, and a second elastic member adapted to be pressed by the piston. It functions to give a simulative operational feel to a brake lever by operating the brake lever to generate a fluid pressure in a front wheel master cylinder and transmit this fluid pressure to the cylinder body, thereby deforming the second elastic member through the piston, and wherein annular recesses are formed on the outer circumferential surface of the second elastic member.
US08186770B2	Electronically triggerable vehicle brake system operating on the return principle, and method for controlling or regulating the system A method for controlling and/or regulating an electronically triggerable vehicle brake system, operating on the return principle, and to such a brake system in which by an adapted triggering of the drive motor for the pressure generator, the pumping quantity of the pressure generator is varied such that the difference between these flows of pressure medium to and from the master cylinder assumes a minimal value, preferably a value of zero. To that end, the driving rpm of the pressure generator is preferably varied. The trigger signal for the drive motor can be ascertained by an electronic control unit from measurement outcomes from sensors within the vehicle brake system, or it can be estimated with the aid of a hydraulic volume model stored in memory in the control unit. The trigger signal can be controlled or regulated.
US08186767B2	Wheel rim assembly with integral air cooled lubricant cavity and hub The two-piece wheel rim assembly includes first and second hub sections affixed together and rotatably mounted on an axle by a set of bearings which are longitudinally spaced apart on the axle. The hub sections have radially inboard wall segments and radially outboard segments. The inboard segments form a radial cavity about the axle longitudinally bounded by the bearings. An oil bath substantially fills the radial cavity except for a small thermal expansion air pocket. The thermal expansion air pocket is positioned above the axle and the bearings when the hub-tire combination is in use. The thermal expansion air pocket has a nominal size only sufficient to account for thermal expansion and contraction of the wheel.
US08186766B2	Bicycle spoked wheel and method for manufacturing the same A method is intended for manufacturing a bicycle spoked wheel. By inserting the nipples or barrels for the attachment of the spokes in the spoke attachment seats from the inside of the spoke attachment chamber instead of from the outside, after having inserted them in the chamber from a suitably sized opening, the rim of the bicycle wheel can be manufactured even without additional openings, still using conventional nipples or barrels.
US08186764B2	Noise reduced continuous miner A mining machine comprising a discharge boom including a tail slide plate slidably connected between left and rear side frames, and a tail roller assembly mounted on the tail slide plate. The tail roller assembly includes a take-up roller mounted centrally between the side frames and between a pair of spacer blocks and a pair of bearing blocks, each of the spacer blocks and bearing blocks being connected to a rearward edge of the tail slide plate. The mining machine also has an opening in each of the side frames, and two slide plate guides, one on each side frame, each of which is positioned outside of the respective side frame adjacent a respective one of the side frame openings, and mounted for sliding movement relative to its respective side frame. The tail slide plate has opposed outside edges received within a respective one of the slide plate guides, and a pair of take up cylinders, one on each side frame, each of which is connected to and extending between the respective side frame and the end of the slide plate guide. The tail roller assembly also includes a pliable elastomer and/or wear material sandwiched between the inside of each of the tail slide plate guides and the outside of each of the side plates, and a polymer-based cushion is connected between the end of the cylinder and the boom side frame.
US08186763B2	Road milling machine The invention relates to a road-milling machine which has a ladder 11 to allow the driver's position 7 of the civil engineering machine to be climbed to easily. The ladder is mounted on one 1B of the two longitudinal sides of the frame 1 of the machine to be pivotable about an axis of pivot 27 extending substantially at right angles to the direction of travel. The ladder can thus be folded upwards to widen the working range of the machine. However, should the ladder not be in a state where it is folded upwards while the machine is being used to do work, the ladder cannot be damaged against obstacles which suddenly make an appearance in the working range. Should the ladder hit against an obstacle, the ladder is able to move out of the way of the obstacle by pivoting out of the vertical position in the opposite direction to the direction of travel. A further advantage of the ladder lies in the fact that the ladder can easily be folded upwards or downwards not only from the ground but also from the driver's position.
US08186754B2	Worker's body support A worker's body support includes a base assembly which is preferably made of two spaced channel members. An upright assembly also preferably made of two spaced channel members is pivotally mounted at its lower end to the base assembly. An angular adjustment structure is pivotally mounted to the base assembly and is selectively mounted to one of a number of different locations to the upright assembly to adjust the angular orientation of the upright assembly. A seat is mounted to the upright assembly and is movable to a plurality of different locations and orientations.
US08186748B2	Energy absorber for vehicle overhead system An energy absorber for an overhead system in a vehicle includes a molded member having one or more corrugated sections, the corrugated sections including a plurality of channels wherein the channels include a top wall and a pair of spaced apart horizontally extending side walls and a base portion extending between channels. The energy absorber may be tuned for a desired impact and be located between a vehicle roof and a headliner to provide occupant impact protection.
US08186747B2	Modular composite structural component and structures formed therewith The present invention provides an integrated composite floor unit and front wall assembly that can be used in a variety of structures. The integrated composite floor unit and front wall assembly is formed of a floor unit having a front portion and a front wall integrally formed with and rising up from the front portion of the floor unit. The assembly can include other structural features and may be easily combined with a number of further structural components to form a structure. In specific embodiments, the assembly forms part of a modular trailer. In particular, the trailer can be formed of the composite assembly, a composite roof, composite side walls, and a composite rear frame. Such composite trailers advantageously provide a storage volume approximately equal to or greater than conventional trailers but are lighter in weight, thus allowing for storage and/or hauling of a greater weight of cargo than in conventional trailers.
US08186742B2	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 sash section extending along an outboard facing surface thereof adjacent to a rearward side of an outer peripheral edge thereof. The sash 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 sash 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.
US08186741B2	Window assembly for vehicle A mirror assembly includes a reflective element portion and a molded portion formed of a multi-void, lightweight structure. The multi-void, lightweight structure may be formed by injecting a gas into an injection mold while the molded portion is being molded, resulting in a multi-void aerated molded structure having multiple-voids introduced during the molding step. A window assembly for a vehicle may include an outer frame portion, an inner frame portion hingedly attached to the outer frame portion, and at least one sealing element established along a sealing portion of the outer and/or inner frame portions. The outer frame portion may be pivoted relative to the inner frame portion and about the hinge portions to a closed position. The outer frame portion may be connected to the inner frame portion when in the closed position to secure the at least one sealing element therebetween.
US08186740B2	Cable tonneau system The present invention is a cable tonneau system having at least one frame assembly selectively mounted to a vehicle, and at least one bow portion having a plurality of links pivotally connected to the frame assembly. Also included is a cover operatively connected to the frame assembly and the bow portion for concealing a storage area of the vehicle. The frame assembly and the plurality of links are operable to be pivoted between a stowed position and a deployed position. The cover is positioned to expose the storage area of the vehicle when the frame assembly and the plurality of links are in the stowed position. The cover conceals the storage area of the vehicle when the frame assembly and the plurality of links are in the deployed position.
US08186738B2	Holding device for closing caps of a fuel supply device A motor vehicle has a fuel supply device provided in a bowl indentation of the vehicle body. A closing cap closes the fuel supply device and a cover flap is articulated on the motor vehicle that, in the closed state, covers the bowl body of the body. Vehicles of the same model series must have different closing caps for different sales markets. Here, at least two different holding devices for holding the closing cap are therefore provided in the region of the fuel supply device. Differently designed closing caps for closing the fuel supply device can thus be received.
US08186737B2	Adjustable vehicle seat An adjustable vehicle seat (1) has an inclinable seat part (2) and an inclinable backrest (3) mounted to the seat part (2). Front and rear areas of the seat part (2) are mounted pivotably in bearings (7, 5) at positions adjacent to remote sides of the seat part (2). The bearings (7, 5) also are mounted pivotably in the vehicle floor or rails (11). The lengths of the front bearings (7) can be changed for changing an inclination of the seat part (2). A backrest adjusting motor adjusts inclination of the backrest (3) to compensate for changes in the inclination of the seat part (2).
US08186730B2	Latch for vehicles The invention relates to a latch that comprises a lock and a closing part (10). Said lock comprises a catch (15), a click (20) equipped with an adjusting arm (21) and a motorised opening aid (30). Said catch (15) comprises a receiving element for the closing part (10) and at least one stop notch (17) for engaging the click (20). The opening aid (30) is equipped with an eccentric (40) that is driven by a motor, whereby the eccentric curve interacts with a lateral adjusting surface of the adjusting arm (21) and ensures that the clink (20) is displaced in a motorised manner from its locked position in the stop notch (17) into an elevated position. In order to prevent problems in the latch, an end segment (42) of the eccentric (40) and/or the adjusting arm (21) of the clink (20) is elastic. When in the elevated position, the clink (20) is on a fixed stop (18), performing an elastic deformation (59) when passing the eccentric end segment (42) on the adjusting arm (21) of the clink (20), until an end-sided shoulder of the eccentric (40) catches behind a counter shoulder on the adjusting arm (21). After catching, the eccentric shoulder is supported on the clink counter shoulder and prevents the eccentric (40) from reversing.
US08186723B2	Pipe fixing system and pipe fastening device A pipe fixing system comprises a cylindrical body having a tapering part whose diameter is smaller as it goes towards the top of the body; an entry provided in the body and having a bolt hole and a projection; a fixing chip provided in the tapering part, having, in the center, a bolt hole extending from the top to the bottom of the chip and having teeth on the surface contacting a pipe; and a bolt passing through the bolt hole of the entry and that of the fixing chip. A a spring recess and a bolt end are provided on lower part of the bolt and a spring is provided in the spring recess to prevent unintentional movement of the bolt.
US08186720B2	Connection module and connector System for connecting a secondary module to a structure having a port. The system includes a tapping connector attachable to the port, and a primary module attachable to the tapping connector, with the secondary module being mountable on the primary module. A collar is receivable over the tapping connector for supporting the primary module on the structure. The collar is attachable to the tapping connector with the primary module being attachable to the collar. A positioner is supported within the collar for fastening the collar to the tapping connector.
US08186718B2	Tubular connection structure A tubular connection structure having a tubular connection body, having a tubular space, each of the two sides of which has an open slot extended to form a pivotal base, the bottom of the tubular connection body extended to form a fastening base; a clasp lever pivotally connected to the pivotal bases, one end being a pressing portion, the other end being a stirring portion having a stirring lever accommodating base; a stirring lever accommodated in the stirring lever accommodating base, the top of the stirring lever being a stop convex portion configured to fasten the fastening base; a reset component one end of the reset component urged towards the stirring lever, the other end being urged towards the clasp lever; and at least two fixing members, connected to the clasp lever and the pivotal bases and connected to the stirring lever and the stirring lever accommodating base.
US08186716B2	Modular weight systems for automobiles Modular weight systems for improving tire traction of automobiles on road surfaces affected by inclement weather are disclosed. The modular weight systems include a plurality of tiles that are configured to releasably mate to one another, and to fit within the cargo space of a vehicle without significantly reducing utility or becoming dislodged during movement. The tiles generally weigh between twenty and two-hundred pounds each, and they may be filled or doped with heavy filler materials, such as sand, stone or shot.
US08186714B2	Inflatable airbag assembly with an airbag housing vent panel Vents in inflatable airbags can be used to soften airbags during deployment by allowing inflation gas to exit from the interior of the airbag. Airbag vents can be used in conjunction with vents in an airbag housing and a vent panel that can align with the airbag vent with the housing vent and cover the aperture of the housing vent.
US08186712B1	Gas generator with supported sealing membrane An apparatus is provided for releasably blocking a flow of pressurized fluid through a housing. The apparatus includes a seal member having a rupturable portion, and a support structure configured for supporting the seal member along the rupturable portion so as to substantially prevent outward bulging of the rupturable portion.
US08186709B2	Vehicle interior trim panel A vehicle interior trim panel is provided with a rigid trim portion and a flexible trim portion. The rigid trim portion includes an assist grip opening. The flexible trim portion is attached to the rigid trim portion along an edge of the assist grip opening with the flexible trim portion at least partially covering the assist grip opening of the rigid trim portion.
US08186707B2	Knee airbag device for a vehicle In a knee airbag device for a vehicle, which has upper and lower tethers that extend in a vehicle width direction and regulate a bag thickness of an airbag, and in which gas from an inflator is supplied between the upper and lower tethers, it is aimed to make a flow of the gas toward an upper portion and a lower portion from between the upper and lower tethers at the inside of the knee airbag smoother, and to improve deployability of the knee airbag in a vehicle vertical direction.Upper and lower tethers 16 and 18 are arranged to be separated from each other in the vehicle vertical direction and are formed so that a vertical clearance therebetween increases approaching both vehicle width direction end portions 16A and 18A thereof. When the gas is supplied between the upper and lower tethers 16 and 18, the gas spreads to both vehicle width direction sides along the tethers 16 and 18 and smoothly moves around into an upper portion 14A and a lower portion 14B of a knee airbag 14 from both of the end portions 16A and 18A of the tethers 16 and 18.
US08186705B2	Stroller A stroller having a frame with front and rear portions and right and left sides. A seat having a seat base and a seat back is mounted to the front portion of the frame. The seat back is rotatable relative to the frame between a back support position and a travel seat support position where the seat back is substantially parallel to and above the seat base when the stroller is in an operating position.
US08186702B2	Apparatus and methods for weight distribution and sway control The present invention is directed to apparatus, systems, and methods for distributing the weight of a trailer to a towing vehicle and controlling the sway of that trailer relative to the towing vehicle. An embodiment of the present invention includes a spring arm coupled to the towing vehicle and an attachment mechanism for selectively placing the spring arm in mechanical communication with the trailer. The attachment mechanism includes a bracket assembly reversibly attachable to the trailer; a shoe bracket reversibly attachable to the bracket assembly; and a friction pad coupled to the shoe bracket.
US08186700B2	Wheelchair, wheelchair apparatus and wheelchair care service network system A wheelchair includes a seat, one or more wheels and a seat weight sensing mechanism. The wheel includes a brake for stopping the wheel. The seat weight sensing mechanism is placed below the seat and is connected to the brake. When the seat is loaded by a weight more than a predetermined value, the seat weight sensing mechanism releases the brake to free the wheel. When the seat is not loaded by a weight more than a predetermined value, the brake stops the wheel.
US08186695B2	Comfort wheelchair A wheelchair comprising a chassis, which has a lower chassis section pivotally connected to an upper chassis section, such that the upper chassis section can pivot in relation to the lower chassis section about a substantially horizontal axis; where said lower section comprises two substantially parallel load carrying members, oriented in a direction parallel to the intended travelling direction of the wheelchair; where the load carrying members are spaced in a direction perpendicular to the travelling direction by at least one transverse member; where the rear wheels can be detachably mounted where the transverse member intersects each of the load carrying members; and where close to, or as a part of, the mechanism pivotally connecting the upper and lower section, front wheels can be attached, said wheel mounting being pivotable about a vertical axle; where a seat can be slidingly attached to the upper chassis section, and the seat further can be pivoted about a horizontal axis.
US08186692B2	Split ring seal with spring element A split ring seal assembly includes a metal seal ring having two ends defining a circumferential gap therebetween. At least a first spring element is mounted to the two ends to bias the two ends circumferentially towards each other to reduce the diameter of a circumferential inner sealing surface of the metal seal ring.
US08186688B2	Shaft sealing device A shaft sealing device in which a load acting on a sliding section of the device is reduced to extend the life of the device and which permits no leakage of fluid in a machine to an atmospheric air. The shaft sealing device has seals arranged in three stages in the axial direction between a seal case and a rotating shaft passed through the inner periphery of the seal case. A first-stage seal on the machine's inner side and a third-stage seal on the machine's outer side have contact type mechanical seal structures in which a rotational sealing element and a stationary sealing element are in close sliding contact with each other. The intermediate second-stage seal has a contactless mechanical seal structure in which a rotational sealing element and a stationary sealing element are kept by dynamic pressure so as not to be in contact with each other. A high-pressure sealing liquid is supplied by the pressure of fluid in the machine to an annular space surrounded by that portion of the seal case which extends from the first-stage seal to the second-stage seal.
US08186686B2	Electrically-conductive seal assembly A seal for a vehicle having a transmission output shaft and a transmission output shaft housing is provided. The seal comprises a contact member at least partially surrounding and contacting the transmission output shaft, a support member coupled to the contact member, the support member at least partially surrounding the transmission output shaft and extending along the transmission output shaft, the support member coupled to the transmission output shaft housing, and an electrically-conductive surface overlying at least a portion of the contact member and at least a portion of the support member, the electrically-conductive surface contacting the transmission output shaft and the transmission output shaft housing.
US08186680B2	Stacking discs removal game A strategy dice game that incorporates a game platform that includes four color-coded pegs inserted into holes formed on the platform with an equal same number of twenty matching color discs placed thereon. The game also includes at least one numbered die and three colored die. Each numbered die includes twelve sides with two sides assigned to dots one thru four. Each colored disc also includes twelve sides. The first colored die has six faces with one dot that matches the color of one stack of disc and six faces with one dot that matches the color of another stack of discs. A second colored die has twelve faces divided so that four faces have three different colored dots. The third colored die has twelve faces divided so that three faces have four different colored dots. During play, each player takes turns simultaneously tossing the numbered die and one colored die. The player having the option of removing discs for from their assigned stack of discs or blocking other players from removing discs. The first player to remove all of their discs is declared the winner.
US08186679B2	Board game A board game 10 comprising a plurality of game pieces 12 in which each group of four game pieces 14 is uniquely color coded and used by one particular player during the game. A board 16 is provided having separate sections 18 with identical layouts for each player, each including starting positions 20, a continuous path of twenty-five numbered field positions 22, and home positions 24. The roll of a die 30 determines how each player moves. On each turn a player may advance one of their own game pieces 12 through their respective quadrant 18 or alternatively knock back one of their opponents' game pieces 12. Also, during play each player has opportunities to position their own game pieces to protect them from being knocked back. Ultimately each player tries to be the first player to successfully move all four of their game pieces 14 from their starting positions 20 to their home positions 24 to win the game.
US08186677B2	Sheet stacking device, sheet processing device, and image forming apparatus In order to stack a larger number of sheets on trays by reducing a total thickness of the trays and enabling the trays to ascend and descend actually over long distances, a sheet stacking device includes an upper-tray and a lower-tray which are ascendible and descendible and on which sheets delivered from a delivery roller pair are stacked, a motor and a belt for allowing both the trays to ascend and descend, a clutch for disconnecting the upper-tray and the belt from each other, and a claw and a rack for stopping self-weight descent of the upper-tray when the clutch effects the disconnection. A clearance between the upper-tray under the disconnection by the clutch and in the stop of the self-weight descent by the claw engaged with the rack and the lower-tray connected to the belt is adjustable by ascent and descent of the lower-tray by the motor.
US08186676B2	Apparatus and method for reducing vibration and noise in a printer An apparatus for transporting media in a printer helps reduce vibration and noise in the printer. The apparatus includes a pair of brackets secured to a printer surface, a shaft, a first portion of the shaft being secured within one of the brackets and a second portion of the shaft being secured within the other bracket, a roller mounted about the shaft for rotation about the shaft, and a pair of vibration dampeners, one vibration dampener being interposed between the first portion of the shaft and the one bracket, and the other vibration dampener being interposed between the second portion of the shaft and the other bracket.
US08186674B2	Image forming apparatus If a jam detecting portion detects a sheet jam, a rear end position of the jammed sheet is computed based on information, when a rear end of the jammed sheet is located within an area A1 and a length Ls of the jammed sheet in a conveying direction of the sheet is equal to or shorter than a distance L between the area A1 and an area A2, driving operations of a pre-registration roller and a registration roller are controlled so that the jammed sheet is conveyed to a downstream until a rear end of the sheet passes through a downstream end of the area A1. When Ls is longer than L, the pre-registration roller and the registration roller are controlled so that the jammed sheet is conveyed toward the upstream until the rear end of the sheet passes through an upstream end of the area A1.
US08186669B2	Sheet feeder device and image forming apparatus A paper feed cassette of an image forming apparatus is provided with a sheet receptacle and a pair of width adjustment guides. A cassette feeder of the image forming apparatus is provided with a plurality of rollers, a plurality of roller holders, and a plurality of roller biasing members. When the paper feed cassette is mounted on a feeder housing, an upper end of width adjustment guides is configured to cause at least one of the roller holders to move upward in a height direction of the image forming apparatus such that at least one of the rollers does not come in contact with a topmost sheet of paper.
US08186651B2	Conveyor belt lifting device A conveyor belt lifting device for use on a belt-type conveyor comprising a conveyor belt supported by a support structure includes an inflatable bag and is operable between a retracted condition in which the inflatable bag is deflated and an operative condition in which the inflatable bag is inflated and its operably upper surface adopts a shape generally to conform to an underside of the conveyor belt. The invention extends to a method for providing access to components of a belt-type conveyor comprising a conveyor belt supported by a support structure.
US08186649B2	Female coupling member and male coupling member A pipe coupling capable of being safely connected and disconnected. The pipe coupling has a tubular housing (16), a first locking member (18), a pressing member (24), a valve member (30), and a second locking member (50) provided between the valve member (30) and the pressing member (24). When the housing is communicated with a fluid source with the pressing member (24) placed in a standby position (FIGS. 1 to 4), the second locking member is displaced by the valve member, which is displaced toward an open position by fluid pressure. In this process, the second locking member engages with the pressing member (24) before the valve member reaches the open position (FIG. 2), thereby preventing the valve member from reaching the open position and, at the same time, preventing the pressing member from being displaced to a pressing position. When the housing is communicated with the fluid source with the pressing member (24) placed in the pressing position (FIG. 4), the second locking member does not engage with the pressing member and allows the valve member to be displaced to the open position.
US08186647B2	Solenoid valve A solenoid valve includes a bobbin, a coil, a rod, and at least one ball. The bobbin has a through hole and a multiple-turning-point groove in the inner wall of the bobbin. The coil winds around the bobbin. The rod is disposed in the through hole and is capable of moving inward or outward along the through hole, and has a recess in the outer wall of the rod. Each ball is received in the groove and the recess at the same time.
US08186643B2	Apparatus for attaching a device to a circular structure An apparatus for attaching a device to a circular structure is disclosed. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a clamp body attached to the outer surface of the circular structure using a strap, which can be attached to the clamp body using a spring that maintains an attachment force to prevent movement of the clamp body over a wide range of temperatures and temperature cycling of the circular structure and the strap. In one embodiment, the device can be installed in the clamp body and coupled to the outer surface of the circular structure using one or more spring washers that maintain an attachment force between the device and the outer surface of the circular structure to prevent detachment of the device from the outer surface of the circular structure over a wide range of temperatures and temperature cycling of the circular structure.
US08186638B2	Apparatus with a rotating body An apparatus includes a supporting body, a rotating body assembled with the supporting body and rotating at least between a standard position and a deployed position through an intermediate position, and a biasing device for applying a biasing force to the rotating device in a direction of returning the rotating body to the standard position. A speed switching device changes a rotational speed of the rotating body from the deployed position to the intermediate position different from that from the intermediate position to the standard position in a return rotational movement of the rotating body.
US08186637B2	Media device mounting system A mounting system configured to provide a plurality of image adjustments for a media device mounted thereon. A lower adapter plate is operatively connected to a media device top surface, the lower adapter plate being adjustably connected to an upper adapter plate. A support arm assembly is selectively coupled at a first end thereof to the upper adapter plate. A second end of the support arm assembly is coupled to a support bracket assembly that is configured to be adjustably mounted to a support structure. A plurality of adjustment mechanisms are secured to the adapter plate assembly at an upper adapter plate top surface, whereby operation of the adjustment mechanisms results in a corresponding movement of the media device.
US08186634B2	Cable management arm supporting device A cable management arm supporting device includes an extendable supporting frame which has a first and second frames, a fixing member and a coupling member. The first frame has a pivotal portion and a casing portion. The second frame has an inserting portion and a fixing portion. The inserting portion is connected to the casing portion. The pivotal portion is connected to the coupling member. The fixing portion is connected to the fixing member. The fixing member is connected with a fixed object. The coupling member is selectively connected to either a movable loading object, a sliding member, or a cable management arm. Thereby, the cable management arm extends along with the movement of the loading object or the sliding member so that one end of the supporting frame is extendable and the weight of the cable management arm is carried by the supporting frame.
US08186633B2	Coupler for cable trough Couplers for a cable trough system including a spacing defined by first and second guiding surfaces, the spacing being sized to receive the terminal end of a trough member into the spacing. One or more springs are carried on the couplers and may be at least partially disposed within the spacing between the first and the second guiding surfaces. The springs urge the terminal end of the trough member against the coupler upon insertion of the terminal end into the spacing. One or more locking elements are coupled adjacent to the springs to move between a locking position and a released position. The locking elements may slide longitudinally or move perpendicularly to the couplers. A first trough member may be released from the couplers independent from a second trough member coupled to the couplers. Methods for use of the couplers are also provided.
US08186631B2	Aerofoil member An aerofoil member is described which provides for a ‘smart Core’and flexible skin. The core comprises sheet material elements forming adjoining cells. The length of the elements can be changed, for example, using the piezo-electric effect, to alter the cross-sectional shape of the aerofoil without changing the peripheral length. Thus, the shape of the aerofoil may be changed to suit different flight conditions, or to mimic the effect of control surfaces.
US08186630B2	Leading edge structure for an aerofoil A leading edge structure is disclosed for an aircraft wing in which a droop nose is articulated by a double hinge.
US08186628B2	Multi-axis articulated solar light shade for space-based sensors In one or more embodiments, a multi-axis articulated solar light shade that protects elements of a space-based sensor from direct solar illumination includes a base; a partial conical baffle tube having a first end portion, a second end portion, an elongated curved portion defining a shade between the first and second end portions, and an opening defined in an interior of the elongated curved portion, the first end portion rotatably attached to the base; and a visor pivotably attached to the second end portion. The partial conical baffle tube may be selectively rotated about a sensor line-of-sight in response to the sun's position relative to the sensor line-of-sight; and the visor may be selectively pivoted relative to the partial conical baffle tube in response to the sun's position relative to the sensor line-of-sight so as to protect the sensor from the direct solar illumination at any given time or any given orbital position.

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