| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US08198947B2 |
Oscillator circuit and method for generating a clock signal
An oscillator circuit comprises a charging block with a first terminal for feeding a first charging current, to which terminal a first capacitor and a series circuit of a first and a second switch are connected, and with a second terminal for feeding a second charging current, to which terminal a second capacitor and a series circuit of a third and a fourth switch are connected, as well as a comparison circuit with a first and a second comparator. The comparators are configured to compare voltages at the first and second terminals to a reference voltage, wherein their output is connected to control terminals of the third or first switch. The oscillator circuit further comprises a flipflop that is coupled on the input side to the outputs of the first and second comparators, and on the output side, to control terminals of the second and fourth switches, as well as to an oscillator output. |
| US08198945B2 |
Quadrature oscillator with high linearity
The present invention relates to an oscillator circuit and a method of controlling the oscillation frequency of an in-phase signal and a quadrature signal. First oscillator means (2) with a first differential oscillator circuit and a first differential coupling circuit are provided for generating the quadrature signal. Furthermore, second oscillator means (4) with a second differential oscillator circuit and a second differential coupling circuit are provided for generating the in-phase signal. A frequency control means is provided for varying the oscillation frequency of the in-phase signal and the quadrature signal by controlling at least one of a common-mode current and a tail current of the first and second oscillator means. Thereby, a high-frequency IQ oscillator with high linearity is obtained. |
| US08198944B2 |
Digitally controlled oscillator with improved digital frequency calibration
Techniques for calibrating digitally controlled oscillators (DCOS) are disclosed. In one aspect of the disclosure, an initial set of control codes for operating the DCO with a coarse frequency tuning bank with multiple overlapping coarse frequency tuning segments (LTBs) and one fine main frequency tuning bank (MTB) is determined. A range of output frequencies produced from the initial set is identified. Instances of overlap are identified in the frequency range between consecutive LTB segments. An offset in the MTB is added that corresponds to the overlap instance between consecutive LTBs to establish a revised set. The revised control codes are utilized to tune the DCO over the desired frequency range. |
| US08198939B2 |
Amplifier with automatic gain profile control and calibration
Embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for automatic amplifier gain profile control, including a method for automatically configuring a variable gain profile amplifier according to received input and a variable gain profile amplification system. Further, embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for increased gain profile accuracy, including methods and systems to reduce the effects of temperature and/or process variations on the gain profile of an amplifier. |
| US08198938B2 |
Broadband power amplifier
A broadband power amplifier is embodied by realizing a substantially two-section output matching circuit or a substantially two-section input matching circuit using a quarter wave transformer itself as the input matching circuit or the output matching circuit. The broadband power amplifier is advantageous in view of integration and miniaturization due to the low characteristic impedance of the quarter wave transformer and enables both reduction of sizes of chips and circuits due to its simple circuit structure and reduction in cost due to the reduced number of passive devices. |
| US08198936B2 |
Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device is provided, which comprises a first demodulation circuit, a second demodulation circuit, a first bias circuit, a second bias circuit, a comparator, an analog buffer circuit, and a pulse detection circuit. An input portion of the pulse detection circuit is electrically connected to an output portion of the analog buffer circuit, a first output portion of the pulse detection circuit is electrically connected to an input portion of the first bias circuit, and a second output portion of the pulse detection circuit is electrically connected to an input portion of the second bias circuit. |
| US08198934B2 |
Circuit for detecting management engine state
A circuit for detecting management engine (ME) state of a computer includes first and second electrical switches, and an indicating circuit. The first and second electrical switches are connected to a south bridge of the computer and respectively receive an ME state signal and a startup signal from the south bridge. The ME state signal and startup signal are operable to turn on or turn off the first and second electrical switches to control the indicating circuit to indicate ME state of the computer. |
| US08198929B2 |
Dynamic element matching for time-to-digital converters
Embodiments of the present disclosure provide methods, systems, and apparatuses related to dynamic element matching for time-to-digital converters. Other embodiments may be described and claimed. |
| US08198925B1 |
Digital power on reset
Apparatuses, circuits, methods, and other embodiments associated with digital power on reset are described. In one embodiment, an apparatus is implemented with a digital electronic component that produces a clock signal. The apparatus also includes a first counter that outputs a first count signal based on the clock signal and a second counter that outputs a second count signal based on the clock signal. The apparatus also includes a power on reset logic that selectively provides a power on reset signal based on the first count signal and the second count signal. The power on reset logic can also selectively disable the apparatus upon providing the power on reset signal. |
| US08198918B1 |
Capacitor cell supporting circuit operation at higher-voltages while employing capacitors designed for lower voltages
An integrated circuit (IC) includes a functional circuit and a capacitor cell. The functional circuit may operate with one of two power supply voltages. The capacitor cell is used to provide power supply decoupling for the functional circuit, and includes multiple capacitors, each designed to withstand a maximum voltage equal to the lower of the two power supply voltages. When the functional circuit is to operate with the higher of the two power supply voltages, the capacitors in the capacitor cell are coupled in a series arrangement between power supply and ground terminals of the IC. When the functional circuit is to operate with the lower of the two power supply voltages, the capacitors in the capacitor cell are coupled in a parallel arrangement between the power supply and ground terminals. In an embodiment, the functional circuit is an input-output (I/O) circuit powered by 1.8V or 3.3V power supplies. |
| US08198916B2 |
Digital signal voltage level shifter
A digital signal voltage level shifter includes an edge detector that detects assertion of a digital input signal from a first logic circuit in a source voltage domain, and an output module triggered by the edge detector for asserting a digital output signal corresponding to the digital input signal for a second logic circuit in a destination voltage domain. The edge detector and the output module are supplied with power only from a power supply of the destination voltage domain and are not connected to a power supply of the source voltage domain. |
| US08198911B2 |
Output circuit for semiconductor device, semiconductor device having output circuit, and method of adjusting characteristics of output circuit
To decrease the circuit scale necessary for the calibration of the output circuit and to decrease the time required for the calibration operation. The invention includes a first output buffer and a second output buffer that are connected to a data pin, and a calibration circuit that is connected to a calibration pin. The first output buffer and the second output buffer include plural unit buffers. The unit buffers have mutually the same circuit structures. With this arrangement, the impedances of the first output buffer and the second output buffer can be set in common, based on the calibration operation using the calibration circuit. Consequently, both the circuit scale necessary for the calibration operation and the time required for the calibration operation can be decreased. |
| US08198906B2 |
Method of applying the analysis of scrub mark morphology and location to the evaluation and correction of semiconductor testing, analysis, and manufacture
By examining scrub mark properties (such as position and size) directly, the performance of a wafer probing process may be evaluated. Scrub mark images are captured, image data measured, and detailed information about the process is extracted through analysis. The information may then be used to troubleshoot, improve, and monitor the probing process. |
| US08198903B2 |
Chassis shielding effectiveness evaluation system
A chassis shielding effectiveness evaluation system includes a chassis having a chassis ground. A board is located in the chassis and includes a board ground layer. A signal generator includes at least one ground member coupled to the chassis ground and a signal member coupled to the board ground layer. The signal generator is operable to send a signal through the signal member to the board ground layer. |
| US08198902B2 |
Insulation state detector
An insulation state detector includes a capacitor, a measurement section measuring a charging voltage of the capacitor, a measuring circuit that connects the capacitor, which is insulated from a DC power source after being charged by the DC power source, between the measurement section and a ground potential portion, a detector detecting an insulation state of a voltage boosting circuit, and a reversed-polarity measuring circuit that connects the capacitor to the measurement section and the ground potential portion with reversed polarity when a potential corresponding to a division ratio of a positive-side ground fault resistor and a negative-side ground fault resistor on a secondary side of the voltage boosting circuit exceeds a positive potential of the DC power source and the capacitor is charged with reversed polarity by a secondary-side positive potential at the time of charging of the capacitor using the positive potential of the DC power source. |
| US08198901B2 |
Method for assessment of electrostatic properties of fibers or substrates
Method for assessment of electrostatic properties of fibers or substrates, this method being particularly useful for demonstrating the efficacy of a composition for minimizing the accumulation of particles onto fiber or substrate, and for supporting advertising claims about this efficacy. |
| US08198898B2 |
Downhole removable cage with circumferentially disposed instruments
A downhole drill string component is disclosed comprising a substantially cylindrical cage with a hollow bore. An inner diameter of the cage is slideably connectable to a mandrel. A stab connection originates from one end of the cage and a plurality of downhole drill string instruments is circumferentially disposed around an outer diameter of the cage. |
| US08198897B2 |
Superconductive magnetic device, magnetic resonance imaging apparatus and magnetic field inhomogeneity compensation method
The magnetic field homogeneity adjusting device (20) is characterized by comprising a magnetic field distribution measuring unit (21) for measuring the magnetic field distribution in the magnetic field space, a temperature variation calculating unit (22) for calculating the temperature variation of the ferromagnetic bodies needed to improve the homogeneity of the magnetic field space based on the measured magnetic field distribution, and a temperature control unit (12) for setting a temperature control value of the ferromagnetic bodies according to the calculated temperature variation. |
| US08198896B2 |
Local coil facility for magnetic resonance tomography apparatus
A local coil facility is disclosed for a magnetic resonance tomography apparatus for examining an examination object. In at least one embodiment, the local coil facility includes at least one electronic processing system, a high frequency antenna, and an antenna housing to cover the high-frequency antenna and the at least one electronic processing system, the antenna housing having at least one wall close to the object and at least one wall away from the object. To reduce or even minimize the attenuation of PET radiation in a combined MR/PET device and thus in particular to ensure a better signal to noise ratio for the PET measurement, it is proposed according to at least one embodiment of the invention that the surfaces of the wall away from the object are essentially tangential to the examination object. |
| US08198891B2 |
System, method, and apparatus for magnetic resonance RF-field measurement
An apparatus, system, and method including a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) apparatus includes a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system having a plurality of gradient coils positioned about a bore of a magnet, and an RF transceiver system and an RF switch controlled by a pulse module to transmit RF signals to an RF coil assembly to acquire MR images, and a computer. The computer is programmed to apply a first off-resonant radio frequency (RF) pulse at a first frequency different than the resonant frequency to a plurality of nuclei excited at a resonant frequency, acquire a first signal from the plurality of nuclei after application of the first off-resonant RF pulse, determine a phase shift from the first signal based on the first off-resonant RF pulse, determine a B1 field based on the phase shift, and store the B1 field on a computer readable storage medium. |
| US08198875B2 |
Voltage regulator
Provided is a voltage regulator capable of securely preventing a reverse current from an output terminal (122) with lower current consumption, irrespective of magnitude of a voltage of a VDD terminal (121). Such a configuration is adopted that the voltage of the VDD terminal (121) and a voltage of the output terminal (122) of the voltage regulator are compared with each other with the use of a voltage generated between a transistor and a constant current circuit, to thereby reduce current consumption of a backup battery. Besides, such a configuration is also adopted that a gate of an output transistor is connected with the output terminal (122) based on an output of a comparator circuit, to thereby prevent the reverse current securely. |
| US08198867B2 |
Charging control method for secondary battery and battery charger
A method and a charger for auxiliarily charging a secondary battery to a desired SOC with high accuracy. A charger for a secondary battery includes a charge termination condition storing unit which stores a relationship between open circuit voltages OCV of a plurality of secondary batteries and an amount of change of terminal voltage ΔV until a desired state of charge SOC is reached, which is previously created. A target terminal voltage Vmap at the time of the auxiliary charge is calculated by adding the amount of change of terminal voltage ΔV corresponding to the open circuit voltage OCV of a secondary battery to be auxiliarily charged to the open circuit voltage OCV which is measured. A terminal voltage Vb of the secondary battery at the time of auxiliary charge and the target terminal voltage Vmap are compared to each other by a comparison unit, and when the target terminal voltage Vmap is reached, auxiliary charge is terminated. |
| US08198865B2 |
Trailer tow method for controlling charging
A method and integrated circuit for preserving a battery's charge and protecting electrical devices is disclosed. A maximum and a minimum battery voltage value at the output port are stored in a memory. A steady state battery voltage at the output port is measured and stored in the memory. A processor compares the measured steady battery voltage value to the maximum and the minimum battery voltage values. If the measured steady state battery voltage value is greater than the maximum battery voltage value, an over voltage state is reported by the processor. If the measured steady state battery voltage value is less than the minimum battery voltage value, a low battery voltage state is reported by the processor. |
| US08198860B2 |
Charger with analyzer arrangement
A charger includes a charger base, a charging circuitry, and an analyzer arrangement. The charger base includes at least one charging platform defining a receiving cavity. The analyzer arrangement includes an analyzing circuitry and an analyzer connector. The analyzer connector is provided on the charger base for electrically connecting the battery discharging terminals with the analyzing circuitry, wherein the charger is arranged to operate in at least one of a charger mode and an analyzer mode. In the charger mode, the rechargeable battery is arranged to insert in the receiving cavity in for charging the rechargeable by the charging circuitry. In the analyzer mode, the rechargeable battery is arranged to insert into the receiving cavity while the analyzer connector is extended from the charger base to electrically contact with the battery discharging terminals for allowing the rechargeable battery to be discharged and tested by the analyzing circuitry. |
| US08198853B2 |
Motor speed controller
A motor speed controller and a method of controller a speed of a motor are provided. The system and method include a motor and a motor controller that monitors operation of the motor based on electromotive force (EMF) conditions of the motor. The motor controller cuts a voltage to the motor, measures an electromotive force (EMF) of the motor at a predetermined time after the cutting of the voltage to the motor, and compares the measured electromotive force (EMF) to a table. |
| US08198852B2 |
Drive control circuit for polyphase motor capable of reducing variation among armature currents of respective phases, and spindle apparatus using the same
Even when there is some degree of variation in the characteristics among components constituting a polyphase motor and a driving circuit therefor, current control signals of respective phases being input to the drive circuit have their amplitude finely adjusted by an amplitude control circuit, so that amplitude is uniform among armature currents of respective phases that are ultimately output from the drive circuit. The amplitude adjusting circuit is configured by gain variable amplifiers, for example. Thus, rotation fluctuation and vibration of the polyphase motor can be reduced. |
| US08198851B2 |
Motor controller
A motor controller capable of detecting an oscillation of a feedback loop and performing gain adjustment while updating a gain value of a control unit is provided. The motor controller includes an electric motor, an operation-amount detector, a control unit, a machine, a disturbance signal generator which generates a sweep sine wave, a compensation-driving-force detector, a vibration calculator, an oscillation detector, a vibration storage, a simulated open-loop gain calculator, a gain changer, and an automatic gain changer, and detects an oscillation by processing a response signal in time series on the basis of a first threshold regarding to a magnitude of vibration and a second threshold regarding a frequency. |
| US08198850B2 |
DC motor drive
A DC motor drive (100) including power electronics (120) and control electronics (130). The power electronics (120) are arranged to receive a high voltage power supply and to controllably output that supply to a DC motor to controllably operate the motor. The control electronics (130) are arranged to receive a low voltage power supply and to control operation of the power electronics (120) and hence of the motor at least partly in response to signals received by the control electronics (130) indicative of at least one potential difference across the power electronics (120). The drive further includes a microprocessor (150) and an opto-coupler (170) arranged to sense the output of the power electronics (120) and to generate based thereon the signals in a form for optical transmission via opto-coupler (170) between the output of the power electronics (120) and the control electronics (130), thereby allowing galvanic isolation of the control electronics (30) from the power electronics (120). Forms of wireless transmission other than optical transmission are also disclosed. |
| US08198848B2 |
System and method for compensating characteristics of a fan
A system for compensating the characteristics of a fan, applied to a heat-dissipating fan of an electronic device. This system comprises of an analyzing module for analyzing the relation between the duty ratio of pulse width modulation (PWM) and the rotational speed of the fan to generate analyzing data, and a compensating module for generating compensating data basing on the analyzing data and a specific proportion relation between the temperature and the duty ratio of PWM. |
| US08198845B2 |
DC converter using motor coil
Circuits and methods system for a DC-to-DC conversion using the inductance of a motor coil are disclosed. The invention is especially applicable for mobile electronic devices having a motor and requiring a DC-to-DC conversion. By using the coil of the motor for DC-to-DC conversion and for the purpose of a motor no space for an additional coil is required. For motor control an H-bridge arrangement is provided allowing motor movement in both directions, to brake and free run. By adding two diodes and a capacitor and modulation of a switch of the H-bridge a DC-to-DC conversion has been made possible. |
| US08198844B2 |
Motor speed controller
A motor speed controller detects out-of-control reverse rotation of a motor even when the pulse signal obtained from the motor and synchronized with the rotation is of only one kind. A target instruction signal is generated on the basis of a target rotational speed ωT of the motor. A compensation instruction signal is generated on the basis of an error signal Ve that corresponds to a difference between the actual rotational speed ω and ωT. A composite signal is generated by combining above two instruction signals. A state in which the control direction of the composite signal with respect to ω is the reverse of the direction of ωT, and the strength of the composite signal exceeds a designated threshold continues for a designated period, is judged as a state of out-of-control reverse rotation, and restoration to the normal state is performed. |
| US08198840B2 |
Method and device for operating a synchronous machine
According to the invention, estimated values (id (EST), iq (EST)) of the motor currents of a synchronous machine are determined by an observer in a co-ordinate system that rotates together with a rotor, independently of the target values (ud, uq) of electric voltages of the synchronous machine (PMSM) in the co-ordinate system that rotates with the rotor. |
| US08198838B2 |
Circuit for controlling rotation speed of computer fan
A circuit for controlling a rotation speed of a computer fan includes a control chip, a conversion circuit, a fan header, a first switch, and a second switch. When a first terminal of the first switch is connected to a second terminal of the first switch, and a first terminal of the second switch is connected to a second terminal of the second switch, the conversion circuit converts a control signal received from the control chip to a voltage signal, and outputs the voltage signal to a power pin of the fan header. When the first terminal of the first switch is connected to a third terminal of the first switch, and the first terminal of the second switch is connected to a third terminal of the second switch, a control pin of the fan header receives the control signal, the power pin receives power from a first power supply. |
| US08198833B2 |
Circuits and methods for powering light sources
A driving circuit for powering a plurality of light-emitting diode (LED) light sources includes a power converter and a plurality of current balance controllers. The power converter receives an input voltage and provides a regulated voltage to the LED light sources. The current balance controllers coupled to the power converter control a plurality of currents through the LED light sources respectively. The current balance controllers receive a first reference signal indicative of a target average level and a second reference signal indicative of a maximum transient level, and regulate an average current of each of the currents to the target average level and a transient level of each of the currents within the maximum transient level. |
| US08198832B2 |
Method and system for extending PWM dimming range in LED drivers
An apparatus for driving a light emitting diode (LED). A rising edge of a pulse width modulation (PWM) signal is first sensed. Upon sensing the rising edge, a threshold pulse (TP) signal is initiated that has a configured width started when the rising edge is sensed, an LED current with an amplitude at a previously set level is generated, and starting to charge a capacitor which yields a voltage Vcap. Subsequently, a falling edge of either the PWM signal or the TP signal is detected. Upon detecting the failing edge, the circuit stops charging the capacitor, samples, after a first delay from the detected falling edge, the voltage Vcap, and adjusts a level of the amplitude of the LED current based on the sampled voltage Vcap. When the falling edges of both the PWM and TP signal are detected, the LED current is terminated. |
| US08198831B2 |
LED lamp-lighting circuit and LED lamp as well as an LED lamp-lighting conversion socket
To stably illuminate an LED lamp even when an internally-excited electronic transformer is used in the power supply circuit, the full wave of the AC voltage supplied from the power supply circuit is rectified using a current rectifying circuit. When the power supply starts, current flows into a start-assist circuit for a specific period of time. Subsequently, when the fixed current load circuit begins operating, the current will flow into the fixed current load circuit. When the current flows into the LED driver, operation of the fixed current load circuit is stopped by a current-stopping circuit. Because the current flows into the lamp-lighting circuit across the entire voltage output even when an internally-excited electronic transformer is used in the power supply circuit, operation of the internally-excited electronic transformer will not stop and will not become unstable. When the LED is not connected, the fixed current load circuit is stopped. |
| US08198830B2 |
Perceptually linear LED brightness control
A current regulator includes a first current source to provide a reference current varying with a dimming step, and a second current source to generate a drive current for a white LED according to the reference current. The reference current and the dimming step have a relationship identical to or approximating a relationship between luminance and lightness perceived by human eyes. Thus, the white LED is controlled to have a linear variation of the luminance perceived by human eyes when the dimming step is changed. |
| US08198826B2 |
Illumination system and illumination control method thereof
An illumination system including a master control unit, a device unit, a driving circuit unit, and an illumination unit is provided. The master control unit receives an input signal and outputs a control signal by performing a program operation processing to the input signal. The device unit analyzes the control signal so as to obtain a color temperature setting value and a brightness setting value, and generates two output signals according to the brightness setting value and two color temperature adjusting signals determined by the color temperature setting value. The illumination unit has at least two lamps with different color temperatures. The driving circuit unit receives and converts the two output signals so as to proportionally output two driving signals to respectively drive the two lamps. One of the two output signals is enabled after the other of the two output signals is disabled for a predetermined time. |
| US08198817B2 |
Lighting unit and discharge lamp
Provided is a lighting unit and a discharge lamp each of which is capable of causing a capacitor to break down by heat generated in a heat generating component, so that circuit operation is safely terminated without any additional cost. A compact self-ballasted fluorescent lamp is provided with a lighting unit (50) housed in a case. The lighting unit (50) causes an arc tube to emit light and is composed of a plurality of electronic components, including a rectifier/smoothing circuit portion, an inverter circuit portion having transistors (Q1 and Q2), a resonant circuit portion, and a preheating circuit portion having a positive temperature coefficient element. Among the plurality of electronic components, the transistors (Q1 and Q2) and the positive temperature coefficient element generate excessive heat when, for example, the lamp is operated at the end of electrode's life. Capacitors (C4 and C6) disposed in the vicinity of the positive temperature coefficient element would break down by heat in a short mode. |
| US08198812B1 |
Gas filled detector shell with dipole antenna
A gas filled detector shell with attached antenna for the detection of high energy transmissions, including microwaves, lasers, electromagnetic signals, RF waves, radiation, and/or other transmissions emitted by a source including a weapon system. The shell may also be used as a safety device to warn and alert personnel working around high energy devices of electromagnetic leaks. |
| US08198810B2 |
Method of manufacturing electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding filter for plasma display panel and EMI shielding filter for plasma display panel using the same
A method of manufacturing an electromagnetic wave shield for a plasma display panel having a first panel having an image-displaying surface, the method including coating the image-displaying surface of the first panel with a coating solution to form a hydrophobic layer; applying a conductive ink to the hydrophobic layer utilizing an ink-jet applicator to form a pattern of the conductive ink; and heating the conductive ink and the hydrophobic layer to form a conductive mesh pattern on the hydrophobic layer. |
| US08198808B2 |
Active matrix display and image display system using same
The present invention relates to an active matrix display and an image display system using the active matrix display. The image display system includes the active matrix display and a power supply apparatus. The active matrix display includes an active matrix substrate, a reflective layer and a sidewall-protective structure. The reflective layer is formed above the active matrix substrate and has first and second surfaces. The second surface faces the active matrix substrate. The sidewall-protective structure is formed above the active matrix substrate and surrounds the sidewalls of the reflective layer adjacent to the first and second surfaces. |
| US08198800B2 |
LED chip package structure in order to prevent the light-emitting efficiency of fluorescent powder from decreasing due to high temperature and method for making the same
An LED chip package structure in order to prevent the light-emitting efficiency of fluorescent powder from decreasing due to high temperature includes a substrate unit, a light-emitting unit, a transparent colloid body unit, a fluorescent colloid body unit and a frame unit. The light-emitting unit has a plurality of LED chips electrically arranged on the substrate unit. The transparent colloid body unit has a plurality of transparent colloid bodies respectively covering the LED chips. The fluorescent colloid body unit has a plurality of fluorescent colloid bodies respectively covering the transparent colloid bodies. The frame unit is covering the peripheries of each transparent colloid body and each fluorescent colloid body in order to expose the top surfaces of the fluorescent colloid body. |
| US08198796B2 |
Transparent electrode and production method of same
Disclosed are: a transparent electrode with excellent optical transparency, electrical conductivity, and surface smoothness and is capable of providing lightness in weight and flexibility, comprising a transparent conductive layer on a transparent substrate, wherein the transparent conductive layer contains a conductive fiber and a transparent conductive material, the surface of the transparent conductive layer is composed of the conductive fiber and the transparent conductive material, and the smoothness (Ry) of the surface of the transparent conductive layer is greater than or equal to 1 nm and less than or equal to 50 nm; and a production method of same, and the present invention may provide a light emitting element with excellent uniformity of light emission. |
| US08198792B2 |
Electrodeless discharge lamp, lighting fixture, and method for manufacturing electrodeless discharge lamp
The electrodeless discharge lamp comprises: a bulb provided with a substantially-spherical spherical portion and a neck portion extending from the spherical portion; a base connected to the neck portion; a protrusion formed at an apex of the spherical portion; and an induction coil that causes light emission by discharge developed in the bulb. The electrodeless discharge lamp satisfies the formula below: t−6□10959×X+25□t+6 (Formula) where X=(B×S)/(L×A), B=W/(4×π×(D/20)2), S=π×(d/20)2, L=π×(d/10), W (W) denotes the lamp input power, D (mm) denotes the diameter of the spherical portion, d (mm) denotes the diameter of a portion at a joint surface between the neck portion and the base, and A (mm) denotes the distance from a largest-diameter portion of the spherical portion to the joint surface, and t is the temperature (° C.) at the tip of the protrusion during downward stable lighting of the electrodeless discharge lamp. |
| US08198789B2 |
Apparatus for generating electrical energy and method for manufacturing the same
Disclosed is an apparatus for generating electrical energy that includes; a first electrode, and a second electrode spaced apart from the first electrode, and an energy generation layer disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode, wherein the energy generation layer comprises a photoelectric conversion layer and a plurality of piezoelectric nanowires, and wherein when an external force is applied to at least one of the first electrode and the second electrode, the plurality of piezoelectric nanowires are transformed to generate electrical energy. |
| US08198784B2 |
Driving device
A driving device 1 includes an electromechanical transducer 3, a shaft-like vibrating member 4 vibrated in its axial direction by the electromechanical transducer 3, a movable member 5 which engaging frictionally with the vibrating member 4, a substrate 6 with a sensor 14 mounted thereon for detecting a position of the movable member 5, and a holding member 7 fixed to the substrate 6 and having a holding section 20 for holding the vibrating member 4 and a positioning section 27 for positioning the sensor. |
| US08198783B2 |
Piezoelectric actuator with encapsulation layer having a thickness-varying property gradient
In a method for the production of a gradient encapsulation layer 20 on a piezoelectric actuator 1, based on this gradient encapsulation layer 20, the piezoelectric actuator 1 does not 5 require an additional housing-like enveloping structure in order to be protected externally. The gradient encapsulation layer 20 is produced by cold gas spraying of particles having different material properties. |
| US08198782B2 |
Ultrasonic transducer and manufacturing method thereof
An ultrasonic transducer includes a first electrode, a second electrode, an insulating film disposed between the first and second electrodes, and a cavity disposed between the first and second electrodes. The insulating film includes a projection extending in the cavity, and a portion of the cavity is disposed between the projection and the first electrode. A portion of one of the first electrode and the second electrode has an opening corresponding to a position of the projection of the insulating film when viewed in plan view. |
| US08198781B2 |
Boundary acoustic wave device
A boundary acoustic wave device includes an IDT electrode disposed at the boundary between a first medium and a second medium, the IDT electrode having electrode fingers, in which a third medium is arranged between the electrode fingers of the IDT electrode, the third medium having an acoustic impedance ZB3 satisfying Expression (1), wherein ZB2 is the acoustic impedance of the second medium and ZIDT is the acoustic impedance of the IDT electrode: |ZB3/ZIDT−1|<|ZB2/ZIDT−1| Expression (1). |
| US08198780B2 |
Stator for an electronically commutated DC motor
A stator (10) for an electronically commutated DC motor with a number of stator poles (1) formed as individual parts, consisting of a pole core (25), pole shoes (26) and return sections (27), in which the return sections (27) of the stator poles (1) have intermeshing profiles, on which they lie against each other, so that the return sections form a hollow cylindrical return (35) with each other, in which the pole cores (25) connect to the return sections (27) directed radially inward. The individual stator poles are each provided with an insulation and a winding, and the wound stator poles (1) are held together by a retaining part that does not serve as motor housing. The task of the present invention is to provide a stator for an electrically commutated DC motor, which can be mounted simply and reliably, and which facilitates assembly of the stator in the motor housing. This task is achieved by providing that the retaining part is a metallic clamping ring (4), which is positioned under bias around the entire periphery of the hollow cylindrical return (35) and tightens the stator poles (1) to each other. |
| US08198778B2 |
Laminated rotary actuator with three-dimensional flux path
A rotary actuator includes a stator assembly positioned within an outer enclosure. A rotor assembly is positioned adjacent to the stator and is configured to rotate relative thereto and about a centerline axis of the rotary actuator. Each of the outer enclosure, the stator assembly, and the rotor assembly are arranged to carry a magnetic flux therethrough and form a flux path loop, such that as a magnetic flux flows through the outer enclosure, the stator assembly, and the rotor assembly, a torque is generated by rotation of the rotor assembly relative to the stator assembly. |
| US08198777B2 |
Automotive alternator with magnet holder
An automotive alternator includes a magnet holder that is composed of first and second magnet holder pieces. Each of the first and second magnet holder pieces is made of a nonmagnetic metal plate to have a one-piece structure. Each of the first and second magnet holder pieces includes a plurality of receiving portions, each of which receives a permanent magnet, and a plurality of connecting portions. All the receiving portions of the first magnet holder piece have the same orientation. Each of the connecting portions of the first magnet holder piece connects a circumferentially-adjacent pair of the receiving portions of the first magnet holder piece. All the receiving portions of the second magnet holder piece have the same orientation. Each of the connecting portions of the second magnet holder piece connects a circumferentially-adjacent pair of the receiving portions of the second magnet holder piece. |
| US08198774B2 |
Permanent magnet motor
A motor includes: a stator (12) having coils; a rotor (11), which is disposed inside the stator and has a plurality of magnets; and a magnetic path switching part (18), which is provided in the rotor (11) and switches a magnetic path of the rotor (11) to select intense field control as a forward salient-pole structure or weak field control as an inverse salient-pole structure. The magnetic path switching part (18) is formed by use of a member having magnetic anisotropy, which is arranged on a magnetic path connecting magnets (13) of the same pole and a magnetic path connecting magnets (13) of different poles in the rotor (11). By changing the magnetic anisotropy of the member, the forward salient-pole structure and the inverse salient-pole structure are switched therebetween. |
| US08198761B1 |
Magnet drive motor
A magnetic drive motor includes a housing; a plurality of cylinders bored in the housing, each cylinder having an upper end; a piston reciprocatingly received within each cylinder; a cylinder head covering the upper end of each cylinder; an electromagnet secured within each cylinder head; a source of electrical energy coupled with each electromagnet for delivering electrical energy to each said electromagnet; means for controlling delivery of electrical energy to each electromagnet such that when the electromagnet receives electrical energy, the electromagnet produces a magnetic force which impinges and attractive force upon the piston, urging the piston toward the electromagnet; and a magnetic shield within each cylinder, each magnetic shield actuatable between a first position shielding the piston from the magnetic force produced by the electromagnet and a second position exposing the piston to the magnetic force produced by the electromagnet. |
| US08198760B2 |
Linear motor
A mover includes a permanent magnet array having a plurality of permanent magnets that are magnetized in a direction perpendicular to a motion direction of the mover such that magnetic poles having different polarities alternately appear on magnetic pole surfaces of the plurality of permanent magnets in the motion direction. A stator includes first and second magnetic pole portion arrays and three excitation windings. Each of the magnetic pole portion arrays include a plurality of plate-like magnetic pole portions disposed on both sides of the permanent magnet array in the perpendicular direction. Each of the excitation windings is hollow-structured whereby two magnetic pole portions included in the first magnetic pole portion array and two magnetic pole portions included in the second magnetic pole portion array are located in an internal space of the coil and are excited by the corresponding one of the excitation windings. |
| US08198759B2 |
Portable power packs having a uniform DC environment
A battery pack connection scheme is shown that provides an optimum DC environment for every cell in the pack, such that every cell in the same or similar voltage level in the pack sees exactly the same voltage and current environment. In some examples, a portable pack is provided having a positive load connection terminal and multiple batteries connected in parallel to the terminal. Connections are made with segments preferably have matching impedances, or have matching DC resistances, creating a uniform DC environment. Portable pack designs are provided including chargers and inverters connected in the uniform DC environment. |
| US08198757B2 |
Energy savings for a system powering a lower voltage device from a higher voltage power source, and wherein the system includes a power plug that outputs power to a converter, and a switch actuator
The present invention provides a power saving method and apparatus for powering a lower voltage device from a higher voltage power source. The apparatus includes a switch having an input coupled to an output of the higher voltage power source. The apparatus further includes a high-to-low voltage converter having an input coupled to an output of the switch. The apparatus also includes a power plug having an input coupled to an output of the high-to-low voltage power converter, and an output configured to receive a power socket of the low voltage device. Finally, the apparatus includes a switch actuator coupled to the power plug and the switch. When the power plug is operatively engaged within the power socket of the lower voltage device, the switch actuator closes the switch. When the power plug is operatively disengaged from the power plug, the switch actuator opens the switch. |
| US08198754B2 |
Power transmission control device, power transmitting device, electronic instrument, and non-contact power transmission system
A power transmission control device provided in a power transmitting device of a non-contact power transmission system includes a driver control circuit that controls a power transmitting driver that drives a primary coil, a load state detection circuit that detects a power-receiving-side load state, and a control circuit that controls the power transmission control device. The control circuit acquires a reference value used to determine a power-receiving-side load state after starting normal power transmission in a reference value acquisition period, the reference value acquisition period being a period after receiving ID authentication information from the power receiving device, but before starting the normal power transmission. |
| US08198750B2 |
Battery unit arrangement for high voltage applications, connector and disconnector arrangement and method
A battery unit arrangement for high voltage applications. The battery unit arrangement includes a battery unit having a battery chassis, and a switching device. The switching device includes switching mechanism for switching the battery chassis between two positions, a first position connecting the battery chassis to a pole of the battery uniti and a second position connecting the battery chassis to a zero potential. The invention also relates to a connection and disconnection arrangement and methods for operating such connection and disconnection arrangement. |
| US08198749B2 |
Wind turbine generator
A wind turbine generator that allows for size and weight reduction of a nacelle bedplate and that enables easier maintainability, such as device replaceability, is provided. In a wind turbine generator that generates electricity by driving a generator connected, via a drive train, to a rotor head that has wind-turbine rotor blade attached thereto and rotates together therewith, at least a part of the drive train that transmits torque from the rotor head to the generator is disposed on a front side of the rotor head opposite a nacelle. |
| US08198744B2 |
Integrated boost cavity ring generator for turbofan and turboshaft engines
An electrical generator for extraction of electrical power from a gas turbine engine includes a rotor portion and a stator portion disposed within a booster cavity of the gas turbine engine. The rotor portion is rotatably supported about the stator portion. The stator portion rigidly is supported within the booster cavity. The rotor portion has a plurality of poles circumferentially arranged opposite the stator portion. The stator portion includes a plurality of coil portions disposed about an outer periphery of the stator portion adjacent to the stator portion. The stator and rotor portions are configured to generate electrical power when the rotor portion is rotated about the stator portion by a shaft of the gas turbine engine to induce electrical currents in the coil portions. The electrical generator extracts electric power from the turbine engine to supplement primary electrical generation sources of the engine. |
| US08198743B2 |
Multi-stage controlled frequency generator for direct-drive wind power
A multi-sage controlled frequency generator is described that has a low size, weight and cost. The new generator requires an electronic controller that requires only 25% of the total generated power (100%) when the generator shaft speed varies by +/−25% around its synchronous speed. The shaft driving the generator in the direct-drive controlled frequency generator may be moved at a variable speed. The output frequency of the generator may be controlled by electrically controlling the frequency of the first stator stage and by selecting the control frequency, the number of poles, and the number of stages, such that the output of the last stage will be maintained constant at the desired grid frequency. |
| US08198739B2 |
Semi-conductor chip with compressible contact structure and electronic package utilizing same
A method of forming a compressible contact structure on a semi-conductor chip which comprises bonding a compressible polymer layer to the chip's surface, forming a plurality of openings within the layer, depositing electrically conductive material within the openings to form electrical connections with the chip's contacts, forming a plurality of electrically conductive line elements on the polymer layer extending from a respective opening and each including an end portion, and forming a plurality of contact members each on a respective one of the line segment end portions. The compressible polymer layer allows the contact members to deflect toward (compress) the chip when the contact members are engaged by an external force or forces. A semi-conductor chip including such a compressible contact structure is also provided. |
| US08198736B2 |
Reduced susceptibility to electrostatic discharge during 3D semiconductor device bonding and assembly
A method to reduce electrostatic discharge susceptibility when assembling a stacked IC device. The method includes coupling a ground plane of a first semiconductor device and a ground plane of a second semiconductor device to substantially a same electrical potential. Active circuitry on the first semiconductor device and active circuitry on the second semiconductor device are electrically coupled after the ground planes are coupled. Electrically coupling the ground planes of the first and the second semiconductor device creates a preferred electrostatic discharge path to ground, thus minimizing potential damage to sensitive circuit elements. |
| US08198735B2 |
Integrated circuit package with molded cavity
An integrated circuit package system includes a base substrate, attaching a base die over the base substrate, attaching an integrated interposer having interposer circuit devices, over the base die, and forming a package system encapsulant having an encapsulant cavity over the integrated interposer on a side opposite the base die. |
| US08198731B2 |
Protective layer for bond pads
A process for forming a protective layer at a surface of an aluminum bond pad. The aluminum bond pad is exposed to a solution containing silicon, ammonium persulfate and tetramethylammonium hydroxide, which results in the formation of the protective layer. This protective layer protects the bond pad surface from corrosion during processing of an imager, such as during formation of a color filter array or a micro-lens array. |
| US08198728B2 |
Semiconductor device and plural semiconductor elements with suppressed bending
A semiconductor device includes a supporting base whereupon an electrode terminal is placed; an intermediate member mounted on said supporting base; a semiconductor element, a portion thereof being supported with said intermediate member, and placed on said supporting base; and a convex-shaped member which corresponds to the electrode terminal of said semiconductor element and placed on said supporting base or said intermediate member; wherein the electrode terminal of said semiconductor element and the electrode terminal of said supporting base are connected with a bonding wire. |
| US08198722B2 |
Semiconductor package
A semiconductor package has an interconnection substrate including a first conductive lead and a second longer conductive lead, and a semiconductor chip including a first cell region, a second cell region, a first conductive pad electrically connected to the first cell region and a second conductive pad electrically connected to the second cell region. The semiconductor chip is mounted to the interconnection substrate with the first and second conductive pads both disposed on and connected to the second conductive lead. |
| US08198721B2 |
Semiconductor module
A semiconductor substrate and a method for producing it is disclosed. In one embodiment, a contact region and a corresponding contact material of the semiconductor substrate are formed, in regions or completely, with a protection against oxidation. |
| US08198720B2 |
Microelectronic die packages with metal leads, including metal leads for stacked die packages, and associated systems and methods
Microelectronic die packages, stacked systems of die packages, and methods of manufacturing them are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a system of stacked packages includes a first die package having a bottom side, a first dielectric casing, and first metal leads; a second die package having a top side attached to the bottom side of the first package, a dielectric casing with a lateral side, and second metal leads aligned with and projecting towards the first metal leads and including an exterior surface and an interior surface region that generally faces the lateral side; and metal solder connectors coupling individual first leads to individual second leads. In a further embodiment, the individual second leads have an “L” shape and physically contact corresponding individual first leads. In another embodiment, the individual second leads have a “C” shape and include a tiered portion that projects towards the lateral side of the second casing. |
| US08198719B2 |
Semiconductor chip and semiconductor package including the same
A semiconductor chip includes a semiconductor chip body, a through-silicon via and a silicon pattern. The semiconductor chip body has a first surface and a second surface facing away from the first surface. The through-silicon via is formed to pass through the semiconductor chip body and has a metal layer and an insulation layer which protrude from the second surface. The silicon pattern is formed on a sidewall of the protruding through-silicon via. |
| US08198713B2 |
Semiconductor wafer structure
One embodiment provides a semiconductor wafer structure including a semiconductor wafer and a spacer layer. The semiconductor wafer includes active areas. The spacer layer is configured to provide spacing between the semiconductor dice in a stacked die package and the spacer layer is disposed on one side of the semiconductor wafer. |
| US08198711B2 |
Lead frame
A lead frame includes a plurality of leads electrically connected to a semiconductor chip and a lead lock including a base layer disposed over the plurality of the leads and formed of a material having a coefficient of thermal expansion similar to that of inner leads. An adhesive layer is disposed between the base layer and the plurality of leads to fix the plurality of leads and adhere the base layer to the leads. At least one line electrically connects the semiconductor chip to the base layer of the lead lock. Since regions for bus bars are replaced by the lead lock and are removed, the lead frame can be miniaturized and has superior thermal stability and dimension stability. |
| US08198710B2 |
Folded leadframe multiple die package
A multiple die package includes a folded leadframe for interconnecting at least two die attached to another leadframe. In a synchronous voltage regulator the folded leadframe, which is formed from a single piece of material, connects the high side switching device with the low side switching device to provide a low resistance, low inductance connection between the two devices. |
| US08198708B2 |
System and method for improving CMOS compatible non volatile memory retention reliability
A system and method is disclosed for improving complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) compatible non volatile memory (NVM) retention reliability in memory cells. A memory cell of the invention comprises a backend layer that reduces charge leakage from a floating gate of the memory cell. A first bottom portion of the backend layer is formed from a first layer of silicon oxynitride having a low value of defect/trap density. A second top portion of the backend layer is formed from a second layer of silicon oxynitride having a high value of defect/trap density. The first layer of silicon oxynitride inhibits electron transport and the second layer of silicon oxynitride protects CMOS devices from plasma induced damage. |
| US08198707B2 |
Establishing a uniformly thin dielectric layer on graphene in a semiconductor device without affecting the properties of graphene
A method and semiconductor device for forming a uniformly thin dielectric layer on graphene. A metal or semiconductor layer is deposited on graphene which is located on the surface of a dielectric layer or on the surface of a substrate. The metal or semiconductor layer may act as a nucleation layer for graphene. The metal or semiconductor layer may be subjected to an oxidation process. A thin dielectric layer may then be formed on the graphene layer after the metal or semiconductor layer is oxidized. As a result of synthesizing a metal-oxide layer on graphene, which acts as a nucleation layer for the gate dielectric and buffer to graphene, a uniformly thin dielectric layer may be established on graphene without affecting the underlying characteristics of graphene. |
| US08198703B2 |
Zener diode with reduced substrate current
A Zener diode is fabricated on a semiconductor substrate having semiconductor material thereon. The Zener diode includes a first well region having a first conductivity type, formed in the semiconductor material. The Zener diode also includes a first region having a second conductivity type, formed in the first well region (the second conductivity type is opposite the first conductivity type). The Zener diode also includes a second region having the first conductivity type, wherein the second region is formed in the first well region and overlying the first region. An electrode is formed in the first region, and the electrode is electrically coupled to the second region. |
| US08198702B2 |
Electrical fuse device
The invention relates generally to a fuse device of a semiconductor device, and more particularly, to an electrical fuse device of a semiconductor device. Embodiments of the invention provide a fuse device that is capable of reducing programming error caused by non-uniform current densities in a fuse link. In one respect, there is provided an electrical fuse device that includes: an anode; a fuse link coupled to the anode on a first side of the fuse link; a cathode coupled to the fuse link on a second side of the fuse link; a first cathode contact coupled to the cathode; and a first anode contact coupled to the anode, at least one of the first cathode contact and the first anode contact being disposed across a virtual extending surface of the fuse link. |
| US08198700B2 |
Deep well structures with single depth shallow trench isolation regions
A semiconductor device structure includes a first type region and a second type region defined in a substrate, the first type region and second type region separated by one or more inter-well shallow trench isolation (STI) structures. At least one of the first type region and the second type region has one or more intra-well STI structures formed therein for isolating semiconductor devices formed within a same polarity well. The inter-well STI structures are formed at a substantially same depth with respect to the intra-well STI structures. A main well region is formed such that a bottom of the main well region is disposed above a bottom of the inter-well and intra-well STI features. One or more deep well regions couple the main well regions otherwise isolated by the intra-well STI structures, wherein the deep well regions are spaced away from the inter-well STI structures. |
| US08198695B2 |
Back-illuminated type solid-state imaging device
A back-illuminated type solid-state imaging device is provided in which an electric field to collect a signal charge (an electron, a hole and the like, for example) is reliably generated to reduce a crosstalk.The back-illuminated type solid-state imaging device includes a structure 34 having a semiconductor film 33 on a semiconductor substrate 31 through an insulation film 32, in which a photoelectric conversion element PD that constitutes a pixel is formed in the semiconductor substrate 31, at least part of transistors 15, 16, and 19 that constitute the pixel is formed in the semiconductor film 33, and a rear surface electrode 51 to which a voltage is applied is formed on the rear surface side of the semiconductor substrate 31. |
| US08198690B2 |
MEMS devices and methods of manufacture thereof
Micro-electromechanical system (MEMS) devices and methods of manufacture thereof are disclosed. In one embodiment, a MEMS device includes a first semiconductive material and at least one trench disposed in the first semiconductive material, the at least one trench having a sidewall. An insulating material layer is disposed over an upper portion of the sidewall of the at least one trench in the first semiconductive material and over a portion of a top surface of the first semiconductive material proximate the sidewall. A second semiconductive material or a conductive material is disposed within the at least one trench and at least over the insulating material layer disposed over the portion of the top surface of the first semiconductive material proximate the sidewall. |
| US08198687B2 |
Structure with PN clamp regions under trenches
A structure that includes a rectifier further comprises a semiconductor region of a first conductivity type, and trenches that extend into the semiconductor region. A dielectric layer lines lower sidewalls of each trench but is discontinuous along a bottom of each trench. A silicon region of a second conductivity type extends along the bottom of each trench and forms a PN junction with the semiconductor region. A shield electrode in a bottom portion of each trench is in direct contact with the silicon region. A gate electrode extends over the shield electrode. An interconnect layer extends over the semiconductor region and is in electrical contact with the shield electrode. The interconnect layer further contacts mesa surfaces of the semiconductor region between adjacent trenches to form Schottky contacts therebetween. |
| US08198686B2 |
Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device includes a first MIS transistor and a second MIS transistor. The first MIS transistor includes a first gate electrode includes a second metal film formed on a first gate insulating film, and an insulating film formed, extending over side surfaces of the first gate electrode and upper surfaces of regions located in the first active region laterally outside the first gate electrode. The second MIS transistor includes a second gate electrode including a first metal film formed on a second gate insulating film and a conductive film formed on the first metal film, and the insulating film formed, extending over side surfaces of the second gate electrode and upper surfaces of regions located in the second active region laterally outside the second gate electrode. The first and second metal films are made of different metal materials. |
| US08198685B2 |
Transistors with metal gate and methods for forming the same
A semiconductor device includes at least one first gate dielectric layer over a substrate. A first transition-metal oxycarbide (MCxOy) containing layer is formed over the at least one first gate dielectric layer, wherein the transition-metal (M) has an atomic percentage of about 40 at. % or more. A first gate is formed over the first transition-metal oxycarbide containing layer. At least one first doped region is formed within the substrate and adjacent to a sidewall of the first gate. |
| US08198682B2 |
Semiconductor structure having a gate electrode at least partially disposed in a trench formed at a bend in a semiconductor material
A semiconductor device including semiconductor material having a bend and a trench feature formed at the bend, and a gate structure at least partially disposed in the trench feature. A method of fabricating a semiconductor structure including forming a semiconductor material with a trench feature over a layer, forming a gate structure at least partially in the trench feature, and bending the semiconductor material such that stress is induced in the semiconductor material in an inversion channel region of the gate structure. |
| US08198679B2 |
High voltage NMOS with low on resistance and associated methods of making
High voltage NMOS devices with low on resistance and associated methods of making are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a method for making N typed MOSFET devices includes forming an N-well and a P-well with twin well process, forming field oxide, forming gate comprising an oxide layer and a conducting layer, forming a P-base in the P-well, the P-base being self-aligned to the gate, side diffusing the P-base to contact the N-well, and forming N+ source pickup region and N+ drain pickup region. |
| US08198671B2 |
Modification of charge trap silicon nitride with oxygen plasma
A flash memory device comprises a substrate comprising silicon with a silicon dioxide layer thereon. A silicon-oxygen-nitrogen layer is on the silicon dioxide layer, and the silicon-oxygen-nitrogen layer comprises a shaped concentration level profile of oxygen through the thickness of the layer. A blocking dielectric layer is on the silicon-oxygen-nitrogen layer, and a gate electrode is on the blocking dielectric layer. Oxygen ions can be implanted into a silicon nitride layer to form the silicon-oxygen-nitrogen layer. |
| US08198669B2 |
Semiconductor device and method for manufacturing same
A semiconductor device includes: a first layer; a second layer; a columnar structural unit; and a side portion. The second layer is provided on a major surface of the first layer. The columnar structural unit is conductive and aligned in the first layer and the second layer to pass through the major surface. The side portion is added to a side wall of the columnar structural unit on the second layer side of the major surface. |
| US08198662B2 |
Semiconductor memory device and method of manufacturing the same
An improved semiconductor memory device having a silicon on insulator (SOI) structure. Exemplary devices provide improved charge injection into the device's floating gate electrode. Exemplary devices may include a semiconductor substrate including a transistor forming region and a capacitor forming region; a MOSFET; a MOS capacitor; a projection formed within a periphery of the capacitor electrode of the MOS capacitor; and a floating gate electrode extending from the channel region of the MOSFET to overlap the projection of the capacitor electrode, with a gate insulating film interposed therebetween. The projection may include an inclined surface which may have a concave shape and/or the projection may extend above a capacitor groove having a undercut portion beneath the projection. |
| US08198659B2 |
Semiconductor device and method for fabricating the same
A semiconductor device and a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device. A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device may include forming a gate electrode over a semiconductor substrate, a second conductive type ion implantation region at opposite sides of a gate electrode, a second conductive type ion implantation region as a first conductive type second ion implantation region by implanting a first conductive type impurity over opposite sides of said gate electrode, and/or forming a first conductive type first ion implantation region that substantially surrounds a first conductive type second ion implantation region. A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device may form an N type MOSFET and/or a P type MOSFET using a single photolithography process for each N+ source/drain photolithography process and/or P+ source/drain photolithography process. |
| US08198654B2 |
Semiconductor device
A first gate electrode surrounding the periphery of the first gate insulating film, a second gate insulating film surrounding the periphery of the first gate electrode, a first columnar silicon layer surrounding the periphery of the second gate insulating film, a first upper part high concentration semiconductor layer of the first conductivity type formed in the upper part of the first island-shaped silicon layer, a second lower part high concentration semiconductor layer of the first conductivity type formed in the lower part of the first island-shaped silicon layer, a first upper part high concentration semiconductor layer of the second conductivity type formed in the upper part of the first columnar silicon layer, and a second lower part high concentration semiconductor layer of the second conductivity type formed in the lower part of the first columnar silicon layer. |
| US08198649B2 |
Compound semiconductor substrate grown on metal layer, method for manufacturing the same, and compound semiconductor device using the same
The present invention relates to a compound semiconductor substrate and a method for manufacturing the same. The present invention provides the manufacturing method which coats spherical balls on a substrate, forms a metal layer between the spherical balls, removes the spherical balls to form openings, and grows a compound semiconductor layer from the openings. According to the present invention, the manufacturing method can be simplified and grow a high quality compound semiconductor layer rapidly, simply and inexpensively, as compared with a conventional ELO (Epitaxial Lateral Overgrowth) method or a method for forming a compound semiconductor layer on a metal layer. And, the metal layer serves as one electrode of a light emitting device and a light reflecting film to provide a light emitting device having reduced power consumption and high light emitting efficiency. |
| US08198648B2 |
Light emitting diode chip
An LED chip (1) grown on an electrically insulating substrate (4) comprises a lower current-distributing layer (5) of a first conductivity type, a first electrode (2), a vertical layer structure (5, 6, 7), the last two being formed on the lower current-distributing layer horizontally separated from each other, the vertical layer structure comprising an active layer (6) and an upper current-distributing layer (8) of a second conductivity type above the active layer, and a second electrode (3) formed on the upper current-distributing layer, the geometry of the electrodes being adjusted to provide a horizontal distance between the electrodes lower than the current spreading length of the chip. According to the present invention, a vertical trench (9) is formed between the electrodes (2, 3), the trench extending through the chip (1), including the lower current-distributing layer (5), for controlling the horizontal current flow in order to achieve a uniform current density over the active layer (6). |
| US08198645B2 |
Semiconductor light emitting device and method for manufacturing the same
To provide a semiconductor light emitting device with a light extraction efficiency increased and a method for manufacturing the semiconductor light emitting device.A semiconductor light emitting device 1 includes a supporting substrate 2 and a semiconductor stack 6 including an MQW active layer 13 emitting light and an n-GaN layer 14 at the top. In the upper surface of the n-GaN layer 14 of the semiconductor attack 6, a plurality of conical protrusions 14a are formed. The protrusions 14a are formed so that an average WA of widths W of bottom surfaces of protrusions 14 satisfies: WA>=λ/n, where λ is wavelength of light emitted from the active layer and n is a refractive index of the n-GaN layer 14. |
| US08198642B2 |
Light emitting diode apparatus
A light emitting diode (LED) apparatus with temperature control and current regulation functions is provided. The LED apparatus includes at least one LED die and at least one temperature control and current regulation (TCCR) device. The TCCR device is electrically connected between the LED die and a power source, and is placed within an effective temperature sensing distance of the LED die, so as to sense temperature changes of the LED die. The resistance of the TCCR device is proportional to the temperature in a range of 25° C. to 85° C., i.e., the resistance increases with temperature. Moreover, the resistance difference of the TCCR device between 50° C. and 80° C. is greater than or equal to 100 mΩ. |
| US08198641B2 |
Semiconductor device with backside tamper protection
A tamper-resistant semiconductor device (5;20;30;40;50;60) which includes a plurality of electronic circuits formed on a circuitry side (6) of a substrate (7) having an opposite side which is a backside (8) of the semiconductor device, and comprises at least one light-emitting device (9a-f;21) and at least one light-sensing device (10a-f;22a-b) provided on the circuitry side (6) of the semiconductor device. The light-emitting device (9a-f;21) is arranged to emit light, including a wavelength range for which the substrate (7) is transparent, into the substrate towards the backside (8), and the light-sensing device (10a-f;22a-b) is arranged to sense at least a fraction of the emitted light following passage through the substrate (7) and reflection at the backside (8), and configured to output a signal indicative of a reflecting state of the backside, thereby enabling detection of an attempt to tamper with the backside (8) of the semiconductor device (5;20;30;40;50;60). Through the present invention, a semiconductor device can be equipped with a backside tamper protection which neither restricts the field of application of the semiconductor device, nor the choice of packaging of the device. |
| US08198638B2 |
Light emitting device structure and process for fabrication thereof
A light emitting device structure, wherein the emitter layer structure comprises one or more device wells defined by thick field oxide regions, and a method of fabrication thereof are provided. Preferably, by defining device well regions after depositing the emitter layer structure, emitter layer structures with reduced topography may be provided, facilitating processing and improving layer to layer uniformity. The method is particularly applicable to multilayer emitter layer structures, e.g. comprising a layer stack of active layer/drift layer pairs. Preferably, active layers comprise a rare earth oxide, or rare earth doped dielectric such as silicon dioxide, silicon nitride, or silicon oxynitride, and respective drift layers comprise a suitable dielectric, preferably silicon dioxide, of an appropriate thickness to control excitation energy. Pixellated light emitting structures, or large area, high brightness emitter layer structures, e.g. for solid-state lighting applications, may therefore be provided with improved process flexibility and reliability. |
| US08198628B2 |
Doped substrate to be heated
A semiconductor structure that is to be heated. The structure includes a substrate for the front face deposition of a useful layer intended to receive components for electronics, optics or optoelectronics. The structure contains doped elements that absorb infrared radiation so as to substantially increase infrared absorption by the structure so that the front face reaches a given temperature when a given infrared power is supplied to the structure. At least one part of the doped elements have insufficient electrical activity or localization in the structure, such that they cannot disturb the operation of the components. In addition, a method of producing this structure and a method of forming a useful layer of semiconductor material on the structure. |
| US08198626B2 |
Reference wafer for calibration and method for fabricating the same
A reference wafer maintains laser accuracy and calibrates a camera and a laser of a semiconductor equipment. The reference wafer includes a first anti-reflection layer, an adhesive layer, a light absorption layer and a second anti-reflection layer that are stacked over a substrate, a light reflection layer formed over the second anti-reflection layer, and a protection layer formed over the light reflection layer. |
| US08198625B2 |
Transparent nonvolatile memory thin film transistor and method of manufacturing the same
Provided are a transparent nonvolatile memory thin film transistor (TFT) and a method of manufacturing the same. The memory TFT includes source and drain electrodes disposed on a transparent substrate. A transparent semiconductor thin layer is disposed on the source and drain electrodes and the transparent substrate interposed between the source and drain electrodes. An organic ferroelectric thin layer is disposed on the transparent semiconductor thin layer. A gate electrode is disposed on the organic ferroelectric thin layer in alignment with the transparent semiconductor thin layer. Thus, the transparent nonvolatile memory TFT employs the organic ferroelectric thin layer, the oxide semiconductor thin layer, and auxiliary insulating layers disposed above and below the organic ferroelectric thin layer, thereby enabling low-cost manufacture of a transparent nonvolatile memory device capable of a low-temperature process. |
| US08198624B2 |
Organic light emitting device
An organic light emitting device is disclosed. The organic light emitting device includes a substrate, a display positioned on the substrate, and a dummy pattern positioned at an edge of the display. The display includes a plurality of subpixels each including a first electrode, an emissive unit including at least an organic emissive layer, and a second electrode. The dummy pattern includes a dummy layer including the same formation material as that of at least one of a plurality of layers for forming the emissive unit. |
| US08198623B2 |
Photodiode array, method for manufacturing photodiode array, epitaxial wafer, and method for manufacturing epitaxial wafer
Provided are a photodiode array and its manufacturing method, which maintain the crystalline quality of an absorption layer formed on a group III-V semiconductor substrate to obtain excellent characteristics, and which improve the crystallinity at the surface of a window layer; an epitaxial wafer used for manufacturing the photodiode array; and a method for manufacturing the epitaxial wafer. A method for manufacturing a photodiode array 1 having a plurality of absorption regions 21, includes the steps of: growing an absorption layer 7 on an n-type InP substrate 3; growing an InP window layer on the absorption layer 7; and diffusing a p-type impurity in regions, in the window layer 11, corresponding to the plurality of absorption regions 21. The window layer 11 is grown by MOVPE using only metal-organic sources, at a growth temperature equal to or lower than that of the absorption layer 7. |
| US08198622B2 |
Nanowire, device comprising nanowire, and their production methods
A nanowire according to the present invention includes: a nanowire body made of a first material; and a plurality of semiconductor particle made of a second material and being contained in at least a portion of the interior of the nanowire body. |
| US08198621B2 |
Stretchable form of single crystal silicon for high performance electronics on rubber substrates
The present invention provides stretchable, and optionally printable, semiconductors and electronic circuits capable of providing good performance when stretched, compressed, flexed or otherwise deformed. Stretchable semiconductors and electronic circuits of the present invention preferred for some applications are flexible, in addition to being stretchable, and thus are capable of significant elongation, flexing, bending or other deformation along one or more axes. Further, stretchable semiconductors and electronic circuits of the present invention may be adapted to a wide range of device configurations to provide fully flexible electronic and optoelectronic devices. |
| US08198618B2 |
Nonvolatile memory device and manufacturing method thereof
A nonvolatile memory device of the present invention comprises a substrate (1), first wires (3), first filling constituents (5) filled into first through-holes (4), respectively, second wires (11) which cross the first wires (3) perpendicularly to the first wires (3), respectively, each of the second wires (11) including a plurality of layers including a resistance variable layer (6) of each of first resistance variable elements, a conductive layer (7) and a resistance variable layer (8) of each of second resistance variable elements which are stacked together in this order, second filling constituents (14) filled into second through-holes (13), respectively, and third wires (15), and the conductive layer (7) of the second wires (11) serves as the electrodes of the first resistance variable elements (9) and the electrodes of the second resistance variable elements (10). |
| US08198616B2 |
System and method for implementing a suspended personal radiation protection system
A personal radiation protection garment that substantially contours to an operator's body is suspended from a suspension means. The garment is operable to protect the operator from radiation. The suspension means is operable to apply constant force. The suspension means allows operator wearing protective radiation garment to move freely in the X, Y, and Z spatial planes simultaneously, such that the protective radiation garment is substantially weightless to operator. A radiation protection face shield and flap can also be suspended from suspension means, such that face shield and flap are substantially weightless to operator. The suspension means can be mounted to a ceiling. |
| US08198612B2 |
Systems and methods for heating an EUV collector mirror
As disclosed herein, a device may comprise a substrate made of a material comprising silicon, the substrate having a first side and an opposed second side; an EUV reflective multi-layer coating overlaying at least a portion of the first side; an infrared absorbing coating overlaying at least a portion of the second side; and a system generating infrared radiation to heat the absorbing coating and the substrate. |
| US08198611B2 |
Laser beam formatting module and method for fabricating semiconductor dies using same
According to one exemplary embodiment, a laser beam formatting module for use in a lithographic system to fabricate a semiconductor wafer comprises an aperture plate having, for example, a circular aperture and capable of being situated between a laser source and a target, and a lens assembly, in a light path between the aperture plate and the target. The laser beam formatting module can produce a substantially uniform laser beam intensity across a target during fabrication of a semiconductor wafer in a laser-produced plasma (LPP) lithographic process using, for example, extreme ultraviolet light (EUV). In one embodiment, a laser beam formatting module improves energy conversion efficiency, reduces out-of-band radiation emission, avoids heating of reflective optics, and eliminates the need for an out-of-band radiation filter. |
| US08198607B2 |
Tandem accelerator method and apparatus used in conjunction with a charged particle cancer therapy system
The invention comprises a tandem accelerator method and apparatus, which is part of an ion beam injection system used in conjunction with multi-axis charged particle radiation therapy of cancerous tumors. The negative ion beam source includes an injection system vacuum system and a synchrotron vacuum system separated by a foil, where negative ions are converted to positive ions. The foil is sealed to the edges of the vacuum tube providing for a higher partial pressure in the injection system vacuum chamber and a lower pressure in the synchrotron vacuum system. Having the foil physically separating the vacuum chamber into two pressure regions allows for fewer and/or smaller pumps to maintain the lower pressure system in the synchrotron as the inlet hydrogen gas is extracted in a separate contained and isolated space by the injection partial vacuum system. |
| US08198603B2 |
Sample preparing device and sample posture shifting method
A sample preparing device has a sample stage that supports a sample and undergoes rotation about a first rotation axis to bring a preselected direction of the sample piece into coincidence with an intersection line between a first plane formed by a surface of the sample piece and a second plane. A manipulator holds sample piece of the sample and undergoes rotation about a second rotation axis independently of the sample stage to rotate the sample piece to a preselected position in the state in which the preselected direction of the sample piece coincides with the intersection line. The manipulator is disposed relative to the sample stage so that an angle between the second rotation axis and the surface of the sample is in the range of 0° to 45°. The second plane corresponds to a plane obtained by rotating around the second rotation axis a line segment which is vertical to the surface of the sample and of which one end corresponds to an intersection between the surface of the sample and the second rotation axis. |
| US08198602B2 |
Electrostatic lens structure
An electrostatic lens comprising a first conductive plate with a first aperture, a second conductive plate with a second aperture, the second aperture being substantially aligned with the first aperture, a voltage supply for supplying a first voltage to the first conductive plate and a second voltage to the second conductive plate, the first voltage being lower than the second voltage, and an insulating structure for separating the first conductive plate from the second conductive plate. The insulating structure comprises a first portion in contact with the first conductive plate and a second portion in contact with the second conductive plate, the first portion having an overhanging portion and the second portion having an indented portion at an edge of the insulating structure, so that a gap is formed between the overhanging portion and the second conductive plate. |
| US08198600B2 |
Localization of a radioactive source
An angle-responsive sensor, comprising: a radiation detector adapted to detect ionizing radiation; at least one collimator arranged to block radiation from reaching the detector in a manner dependent on a relative orientation of a radiation source, the detector and the collimator, the detector and the collimator defining an aim for the sensor; and circuitry coupled to the detector and which generates an output signal which varies as a function of the relative orientation, wherein the detector and the collimator are arranged to have a working volume of at least 10 cm in depth and having an angular width, such that the slope of the signal as a function of angle varies by less than a factor of 2 over the working volume. |
| US08198596B2 |
Imaging system and image defect correcting method
An imaging system comprises: an imaging unit for producing an image within a given field of view; an image defect detector for detecting a defective area from a first image that is produced by the imaging unit without a subject in the given field of view; a size enlarging unit for forming a deemed defective area having an enlarged size consisting of pixels of the first image corresponding to a defective area detected by the image defect detector and at least one of pixels adjacent to these pixels; and an image defect correcting unit for correcting a second image produced by the imaging unit with a subject located within the given view of field according to a deemed defective area formed by the size enlarging unit. |
| US08198592B2 |
Measuring instrument and measuring method
A measuring instrument has a light source for irradiating light including rays of light having the wavelength of excitation light, an objective lens for focusing light irradiated from the light source to a predetermined focusing position, a first mirror for directly reflecting light from the objective lens, a second mirror for reflecting light reflected by the first mirror, the second mirror having an aperture P, and a measuring device for measuring light generated from a sample and having a wavelength different from the wavelength of excitation light, and the sample being arranged between the first mirror and the second mirror, the focusing position of the objective lens being made to agree with the position of the aperture P, and the measuring device being adapted to measure light of a wavelength different from the wavelength of excitation light generated from the sample and passing through the aperture P. |
| US08198588B2 |
Localization of a radioactive source within a body of a subject
A computerized system for locating a device including a sensor module and a processor. A radioactive source, associated with the device, produces a signal in the form of radioactive disintegrations. The sensor module includes a radiation detector capable of receiving a signal from the source attached to the device. The sensor module produces an output signal. The processor receives output signal(s) and translates output into information relating to a position of source. |
| US08198586B2 |
Interfacing low-flow separation techniques
A capillary column, and method for forming a capillary column, in which the capillary column comprises at least one porous segment at a terminus of the capillary column, wherein the at least one porous segment is formed by exposing the segment to one or more of a solution of acid, base, and a mechanical tool. |
| US08198584B2 |
Measurement of ion mobility spectra with analog modulation
A method is provided for measuring mobility spectrum of ions in an ion mobility spectrometer having an ion source, a modulator, an ion drift region and an ion detector disposed at the end of the ion drift region. The method includes the steps of modulating an ion current from the ion source, and measuring the mobility spectrum, where a predistortion of the continuous modulation function substantially compensates for a distortion created by the modulator. The ion current is modulated with the modulator by varying an instantaneous frequency of a continuous modulation function across a frequency range. The mobility spectrum is measured by correlating the ion current measured at the detector and the modulation function. |
| US08198582B2 |
Method and apparatus for thermalization of ions
A method of pulsing gas in a quadrupole ion trap to reduce excess internal energy of ions formed externally to the trap at high-vacuum conditions by laser desoprtion is disclosed. With pulsed gas introduction, pressures greater than those under which traps are normally operated can be achieved over a few milliseconds. Under these elevated pressure transients, the process of translational cooling is accelerated and ions undergo thermalized collisions before dissociation occurs. Minimization of uncontrolled fragmentation (thermalization) and enhanced sensitivity are observed at pressures exceeding a threshold of about 1 mTorr. |
| US08198577B2 |
High dynamic range analog X-ray photon counting
A pixel for the detection of electromagnetic radiation or impinging high energy particles, in particular for detecting X-ray photons, including a radiation receptor for converting the electromagnetic radiation or impinging high energy particles into a radiation signal, a converter for converting the radiation signal into a pulse train, and an analog accumulator for accumulating the pulses of a pulse train to an analog signal for readout. The analog accumulator is adapted such that the analog signal is non-linearly proportional to the pulse count. Such non-linear analog accumulator has the advantage of an large dynamic range. |
| US08198575B2 |
Solid-state imaging device that adjusts frequency of a clock to change a gain of a counter to a determined gain
A solid-state imaging device comprises a pixel array; a reference signal generation unit operable to generate a reference signal that changes monotonically for a predetermined period in a horizontal period; a comparator operable to compare the level of a pixel signal with the level of a reference signal; a counter operable to count input clock pulses; a memory operable to store the number of counts counted by the counter as a digital value; and a timing control unit operable to generate a clock that is to be input into the counter, and change frequency of the clock that is to be input into the counter based on external input data. |
| US08198574B2 |
Large dynamic range cameras
A digital camera includes a plurality of channels and a processing component operatively coupled to the plurality of channels. Each channel of the plurality of channels includes an optics component and a sensor that includes an array of photo-detectors. The processing component is configured to separately control an integration time of each channel, where a first integration time of a first channel is less than a second integration time of a second channel. The processing component is also configured to combine data from the plurality of channels to generate an image. |
| US08198566B2 |
Laser processing of workpieces containing low-k dielectric material
Laser output including at least one laser pulse having a wavelength greater than 1.1 μm and shorter than 5 μm (preferably at about 1.1 μm) and having a pulsewidth shorter than 100 ps (preferably shorter than 10 ps) permits low-k dielectric material, such as SRO or SiCOH, to be removed without damaging the substrate. An oscillator module in cooperation with an amplification module are used to generate the laser output. |
| US08198565B2 |
Laser-welding apparatus and method
A laser-welding apparatus may include a laser source, an incoming laser beam produced by the laser source, and a beam splitter that splits the incoming laser beam to form a leading beam and a trailing beam. A first focusing lens may focus the leading beam and a second focusing lens may focus the trailing beam to form a trailing-beam pattern on a workpiece. The trailing-beam pattern may include a crescent-shape having arms and a tail portion. |
| US08198562B2 |
Vacuum circuit breaker
The invention relates to a vacuum switch, especially a vacuum circuit breaker, for medium and high voltages, comprising a mobile switch unit arranged inside a vacuum switch compartment (1) and provided with mutually mobile elements including a contact tappet (17), an insulator (18), and a driving or switching rod (11) introduced into the vacuum switch compartment (1) by means of metal bellows. Said vacuum switch also comprises a fixed contact inserted into the housing of the vacuum switch compartment (1). The upper end of the insulator (18) is fixed to the contact tappet (17), and the lower end of the insulator (18) is fixed to the driving or switching rod (11). The contact tappet (17) is connected to a conductor (8) by a flexible, electroconductive connection (20), said conductor being electroconductively connected to at least one laterally arranged output contact (6). The aim of the invention is to enable a simplified, more economical and improved design of a flexible conductive connection to the output contact. To this end, the inner cross-sectional surface of the vacuum switch compartment (1) is covered, at the level of the at least one output contact (6), around the contact tappet (17), by film-type or plate-type electroconductive covering elements (26) which are arranged over each other in layers and at least partially cover each other. |
| US08198561B2 |
Switching mechanism for a switching device having a switching lever which remains in an intermediate switch position when a contact element is welded and when an opening operation is carried out
A switching mechanism for a switching device is disclosed. In at least one embodiment, the switching mechanism includes a contact element which is mounted in a switching shaft segment such that it can rotate and can be switched off automatically in the event of a fault via said switching mechanism, a switching lever for switching the contact element on and off manually; a cocking lever which is mounted in a fixed position such that it can rotate and interacts with a catch; and a toggle lever joint including a coupling lug for connection to the contact element, a pivoting lever and a toggle lever joint shaft. The switching lever can assume at least one switched-on position, a manual switched-off position or automatically unlatched tripped position, or an intermediate switch position which is located between the switched-on position and the tripped position when a contact element is welded. According to at least one embodiment of the invention, the switching link of the switching lever has at least one blocking element, which interacts with the coupling lug such that the switching lever remains in the intermediate switch position if an opening operation is carried out when a contact element is welded. |
| US08198560B2 |
Switch devices for power tools
One aspect according to the present invention includes a switch device for a power tool. The switch device includes a switch lever operable to move between an ON position for activating the power tool and an OFF position for stopping activation of the power tool. An on-lock mechanism can lock the switch lever in the ON position. An off-lock mechanism can lock the switch lever in the OFF position. The operation for making the on-lock mechanism effective and the operation for releasing the off-lock mechanism are performed by operating an operation member in different directions from each other or by operating two separate operation members. |
| US08198557B2 |
Apparatus for preventing withdrawing or inserting of carriage in circuit breaker
An apparatus for preventing withdrawing and insertion of a carriage of a circuit breaker is disclosed. When a circuit breaker main body is inserted, an interlocking unit operates by interworking with the carriage withdrawing and inserting preventing apparatus, and while the circuit breaker is being closed, a withdrawal and insertion handle prevents a lead screw from being rotated by the interlocking unit. Thus, when the circuit breaker performs a closing operation, unnecessary withdrawing and inserting operation of the carriage is basically prevented to thus prevent various safety accidents, a contact resistance, a temperature increase, and damage to a device resulting from a breakdown. |
| US08198554B2 |
Load cell unit calculating change based on detected temperature and weight checker, electronic balance, and balance using same
A load cell unit which can satisfactorily measure the weight of a measured object if ambient temperature changes, and a weight checker and an electric balance using the load cell unit, are provided. A strain generating element includes plural strain generating portions. Each of strain gauges is a gauge of a temperature/sensitivity compensated type and is placed in a position on a corresponding strain generating portion. A bridge circuit includes the strain gauges. A zero compensation element compensates the zero of the bridge circuit in accordance with the temperature of the strain generating element, to roughly correct an output of the bridge circuit. A thermal sensitive resistor is a temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the strain generating element. The zero compensation element and the thermal sensitive resistor are provided on a thick portion interposed between adjacent strain generating portions. A signal processor minutely corrects a roughly-corrected output of the bridge circuit. Thus, software compensation of zero can be further provided to an output of the bridge circuit, to which circuital compensation of zero is provided. |
| US08198549B2 |
Multi-layer printed wiring board
A multi-layer printed circuit board for mounting memories, includes: laminated wiring layers on which wiring is arranged; and a plurality of interlayer connection components which electrically connect at least two of the wiring layers. At least one of the plurality of interlayer connection components is a blind via-hole. |
| US08198547B2 |
Z-directed pass-through components for printed circuit boards
A Z-directed signal pass-through component for insertion into a printed circuit board while allowing electrical connection from external surface conductors to internal conductive planes or between internal conductive planes. The Z-directed pass-through component is mounted within the thickness of the PCB allowing other components to be mounted over it. The body may contain one or more conductors and may include one or more surface channels or wells extending along at least a portion of the length of the body. |
| US08198543B2 |
Rigid-flexible circuit board and method of manufacturing the same
Disclosed is a rigid-flexible circuit board, which includes a rigid region and a flexible region, the rigid region including a flexible substrate having a first circuit layer on both surfaces thereof, a metal core substrate formed on the flexible substrate and having a second circuit layer on both surfaces thereof, and an adhesive layer disposed between the flexible substrate and the metal core substrate, wherein the metal core substrate includes a metal core having a through hole, and an insulating layer formed on a surface of the metal core, so that the rigid region and the flexible region are thermally separated from each other and heat dissipation properties of the rigid region are improved. A method of manufacturing the rigid-flexible circuit board is also provided. |
| US08198542B2 |
Flexible printed circuit board and method of manufacturing the same
An FPCB and a method of manufacturing the same, in which an electrical signal-conductive portion of the FPCB is subjected to little stress so as not to be broken by fatigue in spite of repeated bending of the FPCB, thereby increasing the lifetime of the FPCB. |
| US08198539B2 |
Heat radiator and power module
A heat radiator 1 includes an insulating substrate 3 whose first side serves as a heat-generating-element-mounting side, and a heat sink 5 fixed to a second side of the insulating substrate 3. A metal layer 7 is formed on the second side of the insulating substrate 3 opposite the heat-generating-element-mounting side. A stress relaxation member 4 formed of a high-thermal-conduction material intervenes between the metal layer 7 of the insulating substrate 3 and the heat sink 5 and includes a plate-like body 10 and a plurality of projections 11 formed at intervals on one side of the plate-like body 10. The end faces of the projections 11 of the stress relaxation member 4 are brazed to the metal layer 7, whereas the side of the plate-like body 10 on which the projections 11 are not formed is brazed to the heat sink 5. This heat radiator 1 is low in material cost and exhibits excellent heat radiation performance. |
| US08198536B2 |
Twisted pair cable having improved crosstalk isolation
A cable that provides reduced alien crosstalk between similar twisted pairs in cables that are in close proximity to one another and/or crosstalk between twisted pairs of the cable. In one example, a cable includes first, second and third twisted pairs, a shaped filler including a body portion and a plurality of tines extending outward from the body portion, the plurality of tines defining a plurality of channels in which the twisted pairs are individually disposed, and an outer jacket surrounding the twisted pairs and the shaped filler, wherein the shaped filler is constructed such that the body portion provides a first spacing between the first twisted pair and the second twisted pair, and one of the plurality of tines provides a second spacing between the second twisted pair and the third twisted pair, with the filler configured such that the second spacing is substantially smaller than the first spacing. |
| US08198535B2 |
Coaxial cable
A coaxial cable includes a central conductor made of cylindrical conductive material with conductivity greater than 100% and smaller than 104%, the central conductor having a thickness greater than 0.1 mm and smaller than 0.5 mm; a dielectric layer surrounding the central conductor and made of insulating material; an outer conductor surrounding the dielectric layer and made of conductive material with conductivity greater than 97% and smaller than 105% and a thickness greater than 0.24 mm and smaller than 0.35 mm; and an outer jacket surrounding the outer conductor. This coaxial cable allows stable transmission of signal even at a high frequency. |
| US08198534B2 |
Household appliance
An appliance having a cable harness including a ground cable, the ground cable electroconductively connected to an electrically conductive component of the appliance. The cable harness is at least partially accommodated in a cable duct of the appliance. In an exemplary embodiment, a first contact element held on the cable duct and including an integrated first contact element is electroconductively connected to the ground cable of the cable harness, which comes into electrical contact with the electrically conductive component of the household appliance using an assembly movement. |
| US08198532B2 |
Media distribution hub and protection case
A media distribution hub including a housing including a first housing member and a second housing member configured for releasable sealing engagement with one another. A sleeve is disposed about the housing, and is configured to lock the first housing member and the second housing member together and to provide a seal about the first and second housing members. A media retaining mat is disposed within the housing. A plurality of fasteners are also included, at least one of the fasteners configured for engagement with the first housing member, and at least one of the fasteners configured for engagement with the second housing member. |
| US08198529B2 |
Transparent conductive materials including cadmium stannate
A photovoltaic cell can include a transparent conductive layer including cadmium stannate. |
| US08198525B2 |
Collectively adjusting tracks using a digital audio workstation
A computer implemented method allows a user to collectively adjust tracks in a digital workstation. The method includes causing the display of at least one internal track and at least one external track. The method then allows the collective adjusting of the tempo, tempo and pitch, or tuning of each internal track and each external track in response to receiving a command. The adjusted tempo and/or adjusted tuning value can be displayed. |
| US08198522B2 |
Hi-hat musical device
A musical operator can apply force to the hi-hat musical device to actuate the upper cymbal away from the lower cymbal creating a desired sound, by applying a motion reversal means.The device comprises a foot pedal, motion reversal means and hi-hat stand, which said stand is further comprised of a support tube, operation rod, upper cymbal and lower cymbal, and support structure means. Each cymbal is opposingly disposed against each other in a closed non-actuated position, horizontally along the operation rod. The motion reversal means translates a downward pedal motion into an opposing upward cymbal motion, placing the upper and lower cymbals, in the open actuated position, allowing the drummer to produce an open cymbal sound when striking the cymbals, and to produce a closed cymbal sound when releasing the foot pedal, returning said cymbals to the closed non-actuated position. |
| US08198520B1 |
Maize variety hybrid X7S502
A novel maize variety designated X7S502 and seed, plants and plant parts thereof, produced by crossing Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. proprietary inbred maize varieties. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprises crossing maize variety X7S502 with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into X7S502 through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. This invention relates to the maize variety X7S502, the seed, the plant produced from the seed, and variants, mutants, and minor modifications of maize variety X7S502. This invention further relates to methods for producing maize varieties derived from maize variety X7S502. |
| US08198514B2 |
Melon hybrid bucanero
The invention provides seed and plants of melon hybrid Bucanero and the parent lines thereof. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of melon hybrid Bucanero and the parent lines thereof, and to methods for producing a melon plant produced by crossing such plants with themselves or with another melon plant, such as a plant of another genotype. The invention further relates to seeds and plants produced by such crossing. The invention further relates to parts of such plants, including the fruit and gametes of such plants. |
| US08198513B2 |
Insecticidal proteins from Bacillus thuringiensis
The invention pertains to novel insecticidal compounds derived from Bacillus thuringiensis strains. New proteins designated Cry1Jd, Cry9Fa, and Cry1Bf, and insecticidal fragments thereof are provided, as well as DNA sequences encoding these proteins or their insecticidal fragments. Further provided are recombinant hosts expressing such proteins, particularly plant cells and plants. |
| US08198512B2 |
High pigment golden beets
A method for the creation of high pigment yellow or golden beets is described. High pigment yellow beets have enhanced levels of betaxanthins while limiting the abundance of betacyanins so that the beets themselves are yellow. The beets are useful as a table food having enhanced nutritional value because of the enhanced pigment concentration and also as a source of pigment itself. |
| US08198511B2 |
Maize having improved digestibility
The Invention relates to maize having a reduced level of CAD2 activity due to the presence of the delta-314 allele, and to the use thereof for silage. |
| US08198508B2 |
Reducing the risk of human anti-human antibodies through V gene manipulation
The present embodiments relate to methods of identifying and creating human or humanized antibodies that possess a reduced risk of inducing a Human Anti-Human Antibody (HAHA) response when they are applied to a human host. Other methods are directed to predicting the likelihood of a HAHA response occurring. Methods for screening for anti-HAHA compounds are also included. Methods for determining if various conditions for administering an antibody to a subject enhance or suppress a HAHA response are also included. Some embodiments herein are directed to transgenic mouse embodiments relevant for HAHA responses. |
| US08198507B2 |
Transgenic or recombinant non-human mammals and their uses in screening psychoactive medicines
The invention concerns transgenic or recombinant non-human mammals, wherein the expression of the gene coding for a microtubule associated protein (MAP) is modified (STOP gene) (inactivation or overexpression) and their uses in screening medicines useful in schizophrenia and schizo-affective disorders, with anxious, paranoiac or depressive component. |
| US08198505B2 |
Disposable absorbent articles comprising non-biopersistent inorganic vitreous microfibers
An absorbent article having a distribution member comprising non-biopersistent inorganic vitreous microfibers. The microfibers have an average effective diameter between about 0.1 micron and about 6 microns and are arranged in a fibrous assembly having a basis weight between about 40 g/m2 and about 350 g/m2 and a density between about 0.04 g/m3 and about 0,25 g/m3. In preferred embodiments, the fibrous assembly can vertically wick a 0.9% saline solution to a height of 5 cm in less than about 5 minutes. |
| US08198502B2 |
Process for separating para-xylene from a mixture of C8 and C9 aromatic hydrocarbons
The invention is an adsorptive separation process for producing a para-xylene product from a feed stream comprising para-xylene, at least one other C8 aromatic, and a C9 aromatic. An adsorbent comprising X or Y zeolite and a desorbent comprising para-diethylbenzene (p-DEB) are used in an adsorptive separation zone to produce an extract stream comprising para-xylene, p-DEB, and the C9 aromatic and a raffinate stream comprising the at least one other C8 aromatic, the C9 aromatic, and p-DEB. The extract stream is separated in an extract distillation zone to produce a second desorbent stream comprising the C9 aromatic and p-DEB and the raffinate stream is separated in a raffinate distillation zone to produce a third desorbent stream comprising the C9 aromatic and p-DEB. At least a portion of at least one of the second desorbent stream and the third desorbent stream is further separated in a desorbent distillation zone to produce a stream comprising the C9 aromatic. |
| US08198501B2 |
Zeolite catalyst for hydroisomerization of light paraffins to produce high octane gasoline
The present invention is directed to a process for isomerizing light paraffins by using a catalyst containing a zeolite selected from the group consisting of CON- and TUN-type zeolites, and at least one Group VIII metal. It has been found that the CON- and TUN-type zeolite catalysts of the present invention selectively convert C6 paraffins into the more favorable higher octane C6 isomer, namely 2,3-dimethylbetane (RON 101.0), over the less favorable C6 isomer, namely octane 2,2-dimethylbutane (RON 91.8). |
| US08198499B2 |
Ionic liquid catalyzed alkylation process employing nozzles and system implementing such process
A process for a liquid/liquid reaction employs a nozzle dispersion whereby liquid reactants and liquid catalyst are injected through at least one nozzle into a reaction zone to effect a reaction. The reaction can be alkylation of at least one isoparaffin with at least one olefin in the presence of an ionic liquid catalyst. The at least one nozzle provides intimate contact between the phases for greater product control and reaction control. |
| US08198498B2 |
Carbon nanotube catalyst for olefin production
A method for producing olefins using a carbon nanotube catalyst is disclosed. Initially, a hydrocarbon feedstock is received. The hydrocarbon feedstock, the carbon nanotube catalyst, and steam are mixed in a thermal cracking reactor. The mixture is heated in the thermal cracking reactor to a particular temperature. The olefins are then separated from the mixture. The carbon nanotube catalyst can include carbon nanotubes coated with M1xOy and modified with M2mOn. M1 can be either the element silicon or tungsten, x can be an integer that represents the oxidation number of M1, and y can an integer that represents the number of oxygen atoms required by the oxidation number of M1. M2 can be a metallic element, m can be an integer that represents the oxidation number of M2, and n can be an integer that represents the number of oxygen atoms required by the oxidation number of M2. |
| US08198495B2 |
Processes and systems for the staged synthesis of alkyl bromides
Processes and systems for synthesizing alkyl bromides to hydrocarbon products, such as high molecular weight hydrocarbons, olefins or mixtures thereof, wherein one or more streams of alkyl bromides may be synthesized in sequential or concurrent stages at different temperatures. The catalyst used in the synthesis stages may be the same or different and at least in one instance is chosen to form hydrocarbon products having a significant C6+ paraffin content. The stages may be conducted in one or more reactors and the catalyst may be deployed in fixed beds or fluidized beds. |
| US08198494B2 |
Process for producing alkylate with an increased RON
A process for producing alkylate comprising contacting a first hydrocarbon stream comprising at least one olefin having from 2 to 6 carbon atoms which contains 1-butene with an isomerization catalyst under conditions favoring the isomerization of 1-butene to 2-butene so the isomerized stream contains a greater concentration of 2-butene than the first hydrocarbon stream and contacting the isomerized stream and a second hydrocarbon stream comprising at least one isoparaffin having from 4 to 6 carbon atoms with an acidic ionic liquid catalyst under alkylation conditions to produce an alkylate stream, wherein the alkylate stream has a RON that is increased from 5 to 32 numbers compared to a comparison alkylate stream made from the first hydrocarbon stream without the step of contacting with the isomerization catalyst. |
| US08198482B2 |
Method for producing carboxylic acid chloride
This invention relates to a method for producing a carboxylic acid chloride, which efficiently decomposes a Vilsmeier reagent type compound in a carboxylic acid chloride lacking a thermal stability or a carboxylic acid chloride hardly distilled in practice due to a high boiling point with a simple operation and has no adverse effect on a subsequent step, and more particularly to a method for producing a carboxylic acid chloride, characterized by comprising reacting a carboxylic acid with a chlorinating agent in the presence of a catalyst, removing the excessive chlorinating agent from a reaction system after the reaction, and then further adding 1.0 to 3.0 equivalents of the starting carboxylic acid based on the catalyst to the reaction system to decompose a Vilsmeier reagent type compound remaining in the reaction system. |
| US08198480B2 |
Fluoroalkyl carboxylic acid derivative, method for producing fluorine-containing polymer, and aqueous dispersion of fluorine-containing polymer
This invention provides a novel compound which can be properly used as a surfactant, a method of producing a fluoropolymer, surfactant and a fluoropolymer aqueous dispersions using the novel compound. This invention is a fluoroalkylcarboxylic acid derivative which is represented by the general formula (i): Rf1(OCH2CF2CF2)n1OCX1X2CF2(Rf2)n2COOM (i) wherein Rf1 represents a straight or branched fluoroalkyl group containing 1 to 20 carbon atoms, which fluoroalkyl group may optionally contain 1 to 5 oxygen atoms in the principal chain thereof, Rf2 represents a straight or branched fluoroalkylene group containing 1 to 25 carbon atoms, said fluoroalkylene group may optionally contain 1 to 5 oxygen atoms in the principal chain thereof, n1 represents an integer of 0 to 3, n2 represents an integer of 0 or 1, X1 and X2 are the same or different and each represents hydrogen atom or fluorine atom, and M represents NH4 or a monovalent metal element. |
| US08198478B2 |
Method of producing alpha-form glutamic acid crystals
This present invention provides crystallization of α-form crystals preferentially which are metastable crystals without precipitating β-form crystals. This method allows for the precipitation of α-form crystals which are metastable crystals by combining (a) the process of achieving supersaturation by mixing an acidic solution with an aqueous solution containing glutamic acid to attain a pH at the isoelectric point of glutamic acid or lower, and (b) after a certain elapsed time, adding more of the aqueous glutamic acid solution to achieve a second supersaturation. |
| US08198476B2 |
Carbonylation process for the production of acetic acid using metal-pincer ligand catalysts
A process for the production of acetic acid by the liquid phase carbonylation of an alcohol and/or a reactive derivative thereof in which there is employed a catalyst comprising a complex of rhodium or iridium with a pincer ligand. |
| US08198475B2 |
Method for producing adamantyl (meth)acrylates
The present invention provides an efficient production method suitable to industrial-scale production not requiring column purification for adamantyl (meth)acrylates having an adamantine skeleton having utility in crosslinked resins, optical fibers, optical waveguides, optical disc substrates and other optical materials. |
| US08198469B2 |
Crystalline forms of tigecycline and processes for preparation thereof
The present invention provides crystalline forms of Tigecycline, and methods of for preparation of crystalline forms and amorphous. |
| US08198468B2 |
Process for the preparation of enantiomerically pure 1-substituted-3-aminoalcohols
A salt of a carboxylic acid with an aminoketone of formula II. |
| US08198464B2 |
Method for producing C-glycoside derivative and intermediate for synthesis thereof
The present invention provides a method for producing a C-glycoside derivative, which can produce the C-glycoside derivative at a high yield and at a low cost, which conforms to environmental protection, and which is applicable industrially. The C-glycoside derivative is useful for treating and preventing diabetes such as insulin-dependent diabetes (type 1 diabetes), non-insulin-dependent diabetes (type 2 diabetes) and the like and various diabetes-related diseases including insulin-resistant diseases and obesity. |
| US08198461B2 |
Process for the preparation of 3-cyano-1,2,4-triazoles
The present invention provides compounds and methods that can be used to convert 1,2,4-triazole-3-carboxamides to the corresponding 3-cyano-1,2,4-triazoles reliably in one step, with high yields and without the need for elaborate purification. |
| US08198458B2 |
Non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors
Compounds of formula (I): wherein Ar, X, R1, R2, R3 and R4 are as defined herein. The compounds are useful as reverse transcriptase inhibitors against wild type and single or double mutant strains of HIV. |
| US08198452B2 |
Polymorphic forms and process
The invention relates to a process for the manufacture of enantiomerically enriched or pure compounds of formula I wherein R1, R2, R3, R6, R7 and Q are defined as in claim 1 as well as their crystalline forms for the treatment of proliferative diseases such as cancer. |
| US08198450B2 |
Quinolinone derivatives and their pharmaceutical compositions
Compounds of formula I in salt or solvate form, wherein W, Rx, Ry, R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6 and R7 and A have the meanings as indicated in the specification, are useful for treating diseases mediated by the β2-adrenoreceptor. Pharmaceutical compositions that contain the compounds and processes for preparing the compounds are also described. |
| US08198444B2 |
Methods for making 3-O-protected morphinones and 3-O-protected morphinone dienol carboxylates
Disclosed are methods for making aldehydes and ketones comprising allowing the corresponding primary or secondary alcohol to react in the presence of trichoroisocyanuric acid, a compound of formula R1SR2 and a base. In one embodiment, the alcohol is a compound of formula (I): wherein R3 is a protecting group. Also disclosed are methods for making 3-O-protected morphine dienol carboxylates comprising allowing a compound of formula (I) to oxidize in the presence of a chlorine-containing compound and a compound of formula R1SR2; and allowing the product of the oxidation step to react with an acylating agent. |
| US08198443B2 |
Synthesis of 4-amino-pyrimidines scaffolds
Process for the manufacture of a compound of the structure (I) with R1=hydrogen, alkyl (C1-C10, linear, cyclic or branched, aliphatic or aromatic), NR′R″ (wherein R′ and R″ are independently selected from H, alkyl [C1-C10, linear, cyclic or branched, aliphatic or aromatic] and R2=CH2R3 wherein R3 is selected from NHR1′″ (with R′″=C(O)H, C(O)CH3, C(O)alkyl, CH2C6H2(OMe)3 or other saponifiable residues), alkyl (C1-C10, linear, cyclic or branched) aromatic residues, heteroaryl residues, substituted aryl residues, e.g. 3,4,5-trimethoxy-phenyl) wherein 1 equivalent of an α-formyl-propionitrile salt is reacted with 0.75 to 2 equivalents of an acetamidine salt in the presence of a Lewis acid. |
| US08198441B2 |
Process for the preparation of novel pyridopyrazines as mTOR kinase inhibitors
There is provided a process for the preparation of a compound of Formula 1, the use of said process in the preparation of a compound of Formula 5 or a phosphate, sulphate, hydrogensulphate, malate, citrate, tartrate or fumarate salt thereof, and the use of the fumarate salt in a composition for use in therapy. |
| US08198437B2 |
6-pyrimidinyl-pyrimid-4-one derivative
A compound represented by the formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof: which is used for preventive and/or therapeutic treatment of a disease caused by abnormal activity of tau protein kinase 1 such as a neurodegenerative diseases (e.g. Alzheimer disease). |
| US08198434B2 |
Process for preparing cefsulodin sodium
The invention is directed to an improved process for preparing cefsulodin sodium. The process involves: (i) dissolving cefsulodin in a solvent comprising an organic solvent to provide a solution of cefsulodin, (ii) adding about 1 equivalent of a sodium salt of a base to the solution of cefsulodin to provide a solution of cefsulodin sodium, and (iii) separating the cefsulodin sodium from the solution of cefsulodin sodium. |
| US08198431B2 |
Process for preparing triallyl isocyanurate (TAIC)
The invention is directed to an improved, reliably performable process for preparing triallyl isocyanurate (TAIC) by Cu2+-catalysed rearrangement of triallyl cyanurate (TAC) at at least 90° C. According to the invention, TAC and, if required, also a Cu2+ catalyst and solvent are fed continuously to a start reaction mixture after onset of the initially inhibited isomerization reaction, the isomerization is performed at from 90 to 160° C. and an amount of reaction mixture equivalent to the amount of reactant is drawn off continuously and sent to the workup. Preference is given to effecting the isomerization in TAIC as the reaction medium. |
| US08198429B2 |
Antisense antiviral compounds and methods for treating a filovirus infection
The present invention provides antisense antiviral compounds, compositions, and methods of their use and production, mainly for inhibiting the replication of viruses of the Filoviridae family, including Ebola and Marburg viruses. The compounds, compositions, and methods also relate to the treatment of viral infections in mammals including primates by Ebola and Marburg viruses. The antisense antiviral compounds include phosphorodiamidate morpholino oligonucleotides (PMOplus) having a nuclease resistant backbone, about 15-40 nucleotide bases, at least two but typically no more than half piperazine-containing intersubunit linkages, and a targeting sequence that is targeted against the AUG start site region of Ebola virus VP35, Ebola virus VP24, Marburg virus VP24, or Marburg virus NP, including combinations and mixtures thereof. |
| US08198425B2 |
Nucleic acids that encode sodium channel
Isolated nucleic acid comprising a nucleotide sequence that codes for a mutant mammalian Nav1 protein are disclosed. |
| US08198421B2 |
Modified factor VIII and factor IX genes and vectors for gene therapy
The present invention relates to a modified and optimized Factor VIII or Factor IX nucleic acid for inclusion in a chimeric virus vector. Use of such vector can be used for treatment of hemophilia. |
| US08198420B2 |
Synthetic compounds useful as nodulation agents of leguminous plants and preparation processes thereof
The present invention relates to synthetic compounds that are active on plants, especially as legume nodulation factors, and also as plant growth stimulators, and to methods for preparing such compounds, which are of formula (I). |
| US08198419B2 |
Glycorandomization and production of novel erythromycin analogs
The present invention provides glycorandomaized structures and combinatorial methods for rapidly generating a diverse library of glycorandomized structures, comprising incubating one or more aglycons and a pool of NDP-sugars in the presence of a glycosyltransferase. The glycosyltransferase may be one that is associated with or involved in production of natural secondary metabolites, or one which is putatively associated with or involved in production of natural secondary metabolites. The glycosyltransferase may show significant flexibility with respect to its NDP-sugar donors and/or its aglycons. NDP-sugar donors may be commercially available, or may be produced by utilizing mutant or wild type nucleotidyltransferases significant flexibility with respect to their substrates. |
| US08198413B2 |
Anti-CD151 antibodies and their use in the treatment of cancer
The present invention relates to new antibodies capable of binding specifically to the human CD151 protein, especially monoclonal antibodies of murine origin, which are chimeric and humanised, and also to the amino acid and nucleic sequences coding for those antibodies. The invention also includes use of those antibodies as medicaments for the prophylactic and/or therapeutic treatment of cancers and in diagnostic methods or kits for diseases associated with overexpression of the CD151 protein. Finally, the invention includes products and/or compositions comprising such antibodies in association with antibodies and/or anti-cancer agents or conjugated with toxins and/or radioelements and their use in the prevention and/or treatment of certain cancers. |
| US08198412B2 |
Antibodies that recognize cutting edge within the TGF-β activation controlling region
It is an object of the present invention to provide antibodies capable of detecting an active TGF-β generation reaction that is specific to pathogenesis, tissues, or isoforms. The present invention provides antibodies against an LAP fragment (or latent TGF-β) generated as a result of generation of active form of human TGF-β1, human TGF-β2 and human TGF-β3. The antibodies are able to specifically recognize respective cutting edges within protease cleavage sites existing in the region from the amino acid residue glycine at position 51 to the amino acid residue arginine at position 110 of human TGF-β1, and corresponding regions of human TGF-β2 and human TGF-β3. |
| US08198408B2 |
Method for preparing porous collagen matrices
A method of preparing porous collagen matrices directly from connective tissues using an acidic solution substantially free of salt. |
| US08198407B1 |
Sequential protein isolation and purification schemes by affinity chromatography
The invention discloses methods for sequential protein isolation and purification from a biological sample by affinity chromatography. Affinity chromatography is conducted using ligands or ligand support complexes that selectively and specifically bind to proteins in the biological sample. The ligands or ligand support complexes were contacted sequentially in a predetermined order with the biological sample to allow each ligand or ligand-support complex to sequentially bind a protein from the biological sample. |
| US08198404B2 |
Mutated immunoglobulin-binding protein
The present invention relates to an immunoglobulin-binding protein, wherein at least one asparagine residue has been mutated to an amino acid other than glutamine or aspartic acid, which mutation confers an increased chemical stability at pH-values of up to about 13-14 compared to the parental molecule. The protein can for example be derived from a protein capable of binding to other regions of the immunoglobulin molecule than the complementarity determining regions (CDR), such as protein A, and preferably the B-domain of Staphylococcal protein A. The invention also relates to a matrix for affinity separation, which comprises an immunoglobulin-binding protein as ligand coupled to a solid support, in which protein ligand at least one asparagine residue has been mutated to an amino acid other than glutamine. |
| US08198402B2 |
Smoothened polypeptides and methods of use
Disclosed is an isolated or purified polypeptide or peptidomimetic comprising an amino acid sequence of a portion of a Smoothened (SMO) protein, wherein the portion comprises an amino acid sequence of any of the intracellular loops of the SMO protein, a functional fragment thereof, or a functional variant of either the portion or the functional fragment, wherein the functional fragment comprises at least 7 contiguous amino acids of the intracellular loops, and wherein the functional fragment or functional variant inhibits proliferation of a diseased cell, or a fatty acid derivative thereof. Related conjugates, nucleic acids, recombinant expression vectors, host cells, and pharmaceutical compositions are further provided. Methods of inhibiting proliferation of a diseased cell, treating or preventing cancer, treating a neoplasm or psoriasis, and inhibiting the expression of genes involved in the Hedgehog signaling pathway, thereby inhibiting the Hedgehog signaling pathway, are furthermore provided by the invention. |
| US08198396B2 |
Methods of fabricating plasticized, antiplasticized and crystalline conducting polymers and precursors thereof
Methods of forming materials containing precursors to electrically conductive polymers and electrically conductive polymers are described which have a high degree of crystallinity. The high degree of crystallinity is achieved by preparing the materials under conditions which provide a high degree of mobility to the polymer molecules permitting them to associate with one another to form a crystalline state. High levels of electrical conductivity are achieved in in the electrically conductive materials without stretch orienting the material. The enhanced electrical conductivity is isotropic as compared to a stretch oriented film which has isotropic electrical conductivity. In the preferred embodiment, additives are added to a solution containing a solvent and the precursor or electrically conductive polymer. The additives are preferably plasticizer of diluents. As the solvent is removed the material dries and contains a higher degree of crystallinity than in the absence of the additive. |
| US08198395B2 |
Alkylated aminopropylated ethylenediamines and uses thereof
The present invention provides epoxy curing agent compositions comprising alkylated aminopropylated alkylenediamine compounds. Amine-epoxy compositions and articles produced from these amine-epoxy compositions are also disclosed. |
| US08198384B1 |
Method for preventing or reducing clogging of a fines ejector
A method for preventing or reducing clogging of a fines ejector in a gas-phase olefin polymerization process is disclosed. The process involves injecting a liquid into the motive gas stream entering the fines ejector. |
| US08198383B2 |
Process for the gas-phase polymerization of olefins
A process for the gas-phase polymerization of α-olefins carried out in two interconnected polymerization zones, wherein the growing polymer particles flow through the first of said polymerization zones (riser) under fast fluidization conditions, leave said riser and enter the second of said polymerization zones (downcomer) through which they flow downward in a densified form, the process being characterized in that: (a) the gas mixture present in the riser is totally or partially prevented from entering the downcomer by introducing into the upper part of said downcomer a liquid stream LB having a composition different from the gaseous mixture present in the riser; (b) the ratio R between the flow rate Fp of polymer circulated between said downcomer and said riser and the flow rate LB of said liquid being adjusted in a range from 10 to 50. |
| US08198377B2 |
Thermal fluidity modifier for powder coating material, method for producing the same, and powder coating material
Disclosed are a thermal fluidity modifier for a powder coating material, which contains a polymer containing t-butyl(meth)acrylate units and having a glass transition temperature (Tg) of 20 to 120° C. as calculated by the following equation (1): 1/Tg=Σ(wi/Tgi) (1), wherein wi represents a mass fraction of monomer i which constitutes the polymer and Tgi represents a glass transition temperature of a homopolymer of the monomer i; and a powder coating material containing the thermal fluidity modifier. |
| US08198369B2 |
Shape memory polymers with surface having dangling adhesive polymeric chains and methods of making and using the same
One exemplary embodiment of the invention includes grafting a thermoplastic hot melt adhesive material to a shape memory polymer surface. |
| US08198363B2 |
Biocompatible phase invertible proteinaceous compositions and methods for making and using the same
Biocompatible phase invertible proteinaceous compositions and methods for making and using the same are provided. Phase invertible compositions in accordance with the invention are prepared by combining a liquid proteinaceous substrate and a liquid crosslinking composition, where the liquid crosslinking composition includes a macromolecular crosslinking agent. Also provided are kits for use in preparing the subject compositions. The subject compositions, kits and systems find use in a variety of different applications. |
| US08198361B2 |
Silicon polyethers and a method of producing the same
The present invention provides a non-crosslinked silicon polyether composition comprising at least one compound with the following formula; [(R1O)(C2H4O)a(C3H6O)b(C4H8O)c]dR2(R3)e wherein R1 is a monovalent radical defined as MgMAhMBiMHjMEkDlDHmDEnToTHpTEqQr M=R4R5R6SiO1/2; MA=R7R8R9SiR10; MB=[(R11R12R13Si)sR14]tSi(R15)u(R16)vR17 MH=R18Si(R19)(R20)O1/2; ME=R21R22RESiO1/2; D=R23R24SiO2/2; DH=R25Si(R26)O2/2; DE=R27RESiO2/2; T=R28SiO3/2; TH=R29SiO3/2; TE=RESiO2/2; and Q=SiO4/2; R2 and R14 are polyvalent linear or branched; R3 is —(C2H4O)(C3H6O)b(C4H8O)c—R30 or R1; R30 is a monovalent saturated; R4, R5, R6, R7, R8, R9, R11, R12, R13, R15, R16, R19, R20, R21, R22, R23, R24, R26, R27, and, R28 are monovalent hydrocarbon radicals having from 1 to about 10 carbons; R10, R17, R18, R25 and R29 are divalent hydrocarbon radicals having 1 to about 25 carbons; RE is —R32—(C2H4O)a(C3H6O)b(C4H8O)c—R33; R32 is a divalent hydrocarbon radical having 1 to about 60 carbons; R33 is a monovalent hydrocarbon radical having 1 to about 20 carbons; h is 0 or 1 subject to the limitation if h is 1 then g+i+j+k+l+m+n+o+p+q+r=0; subscript d is 1 |
| US08198360B2 |
(Meth)acrylic esters of poly(trimethylene ether) glycol and uses thereof
Processes and products utilizing (meth)acrylic esters of poly(trimethylene ether) glycol are provided. Products that can be made include ceramic materials, personal care products, inks, coatings, fabrics, and other articles that can be made from reaction products of (meth)acrylic ester of poly(trimethylene ether) glycol with certain monomers. |
| US08198358B2 |
Polymerization of phenolic compound using Coprinus cinereus peroxidase
The present invention relates to a process for preparing phenolic polymers utilizing Coprinus cinereus peroxidase. More particularly, the present invention relates to a process for preparing phenolic polymers by polymerizing phenolic monomers with Coprinus cinereus peroxidase instead of using typical peroxidase which essentially requires the use of toxic formalin or peroxidase of plant origin which is very costly and easily deactivated by hydrogen peroxide in the polymerization of phenolic monomers, wherein the polymerization is conducted in the presence of a polar organic solvent under mild reaction conditions of atmospheric temperature and pressure to economically produce desired phenolic polymers having excellent water and chemical resistances with high yield. |
| US08198357B2 |
Method for producing molded silicone rubber products using liquid silicone rubber
Described is a method for producing a molded silicone rubber product using a liquid silicone rubber (LSR) base comprising at least one vinyl siloxane polymer, at least one hydride crosslinker, and optionally at least one injection molding inhibitor. The single LSR base is fed into a feed line, and into the feed line are fed an inhibitor master batch comprising at least one liquid injection molding inhibitor and at least one vinyl siloxane polymer, and a catalyst master batch comprising at least one catalyst and at least one vinyl siloxane polymer. The invention is further directed to: said LSR base; said inhibitor master batch; said catalyst master batch; and a molded silicone rubber article produced by the methods and compositions described herein. |
| US08198356B2 |
Composite parts for airplane engines
Disclosed herein is a composite part for an airplane engine comprising polymer selected from polyimide, polyamide-imide, polyether imides, polybenzimidazole, or blends thereof, and carbonaceous filler, which in combination provides thermal stability and wear resistance. Optionally, the composite may comprise particulate. |
| US08198354B2 |
Pharmaceutical metered dose inhaler and methods relating thereto
Methods of preparing elastomeric gasket materials for use in metered dose inhalers that include contacting an elastomeric gasket material to be used in a metered dose inhaler, which gasket material comprises one or more extractable compounds, with a solution comprising an organic solvent under conditions sufficient to extract at least a portion of at least one of the one or more extractable compounds from the elastomeric gasket material are described. Sealing gaskets made by such methods as well as metering valves, metered dose inhalers, and drug products that include such gaskets are also described. |
| US08198353B2 |
Primer coating for enhancing adhesion of liquid toner to polymeric substrates
A primer coating is provided for use on polymeric substrates to enhance adhesion of liquid toner to the substrates for printing in an electrophotographic printing device. The primer coating includes a dispersion of a copolymer of ethylene and acrylic or methacrylic acid and a compatible adhesion enhancer comprising a hydrogenated rosin or rosin ester dispersion. The coating may also include additives such as wetting agents, antiblocking agents, matting agents, and waxes. The primer coating may be applied to a variety of polymeric substrates including polypropylene, biaxially oriented polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate, and polyvinyl chloride. |
| US08198340B2 |
Quality polymer foam from fluorinated alkene blowing agents
Alkenyl aromatic polymer foam comprising a polymer matrix containing one or more polymer and defining a plurality of cells having an average cell size wherein: (a) the alkenyl aromatic polymer foam has: —(i) an average cell size that is in a range of 0.02 and 5 millimeters; —(ii) a density of 64 kilograms per cubic meter or less; —(iii) an open cell content less than 30 percent; and —(iv) a cell size variation of 30% or less; and wherein the foam further comprises one or more fluorinated alkene blowing agent at a concentration of 0.03 moles or more and 0.3 moles or less per 100 grams of polymer foam. |
| US08198330B2 |
Therapeutic or prophylactic agent for diabetes, obesity, dyslipidemia or metabolic syndrome comprising benzylamine derivative or pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salt thereof
A method of treatment or prophylaxis of diabetes, obesity, dyslipidemia or metabolic syndrome includes administering an effective amount of a benzylamine derivative represented by Formula (I): wherein, R1 represents an alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms; R2 represents an alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms; R3 and R5 each independently represent a halogen atom, an alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, a haloalkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms or an alkoxy group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms; and R4 represents a hydrogen atom or an alkoxy group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, or a pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salt thereof. |
| US08198328B2 |
Treatment of cancer using benzoic acid derivatives
The present invention provides a method of treating cancer using benzoic acid derivatives, alone or in combination with standard treatments such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Also provided are methods of screening for benzoic derivatives based on their ability to inhibit the enzyme tyrosinase or to bind to and activate PXR/SXR xenobiotic receptors. |
| US08198325B2 |
Unsaturated alkyl esters of 5-aminolevulinic acid, their preparation and their use
Disclosed are unsaturated alkyl esters of 5-aminovulinic acid of the following chemical formula 1, or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, a method for preparing the same, and uses thereof. [Chemical Formula I] NH2—CH2—CO—CH2—CH2—CO—O—R wherein, R is a group selected from a group consisting of 2-propenyl, 3-butenyl, 4-pentenyl, 5-hexenyl, cis-2-pentenyl, cis-3-hexenyl, cis-4-hexenyl, and trans-2-hexenyl. Also, a pharmaceutical composition comprising the unsaturated alkyl ester of 5-aminovulinic acid or a salt thereof as an active ingredient is provided. This pharmaceutical composition is easily absorbed transdermally and is of low cytotoxicity. Featuring no amino-protecting processes, the method guarantees high production yields. |
| US08198324B2 |
Compositions comprising polyunsaturated fatty acid monoglycerides or derivatives thereof and uses thereof
There are provided various compounds and compositions comprising polyunsaturated fatty acid monoglycerides and derivatives thereof. These compounds and compositions can be useful as cancer chemopreventive agents. They can also be useful for enhancing solubility of various active agents and enhancing their bioavailability. |
| US08198315B2 |
Therapeutic substituted cyclic lactams
Disclosed and described herein is a compound having a formula (I) therapeutic methods, medicaments, and compositions related thereto are also disclosed. |
| US08198313B2 |
Use of GALR3 receptor antagonists for the treatment of depression and/or anxiety and compounds useful in such methods
This invention is directed to indolone derivatives which are antagonists for the GALR3 receptor. The invention provides a pharmaceutical composition comprising a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of the invention and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. This invention also provides a pharmaceutical composition made by combining a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of the invention and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. This invention further provides a process for making a pharmaceutical composition comprising combining a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of the invention and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. |
| US08198312B2 |
Compositions and methods of making a photoactive agent
A composition of matter of an anhydride of formula 1 below and an improved two stage reaction process for production of mono-L-aspartyl chlorin e6, utilizing the anhydride: |
| US08198311B2 |
Modulators of glucocorticoid receptor, AP-1, and/or NF-κB activity and use thereof
Novel non-steroidal compounds are provided which are useful in treating diseases associated with modulation of the glucocorticoid receptor, AP-1, and/or NF-κB activity including inflammatory and immune diseases, obesity and diabetes having the structure of formula (I), its enantiomers, diastereomers, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, or hydrate, thereof, wherein X is (Ia); or X is (Ib); or X is (Ic); (Id) is heterocycle or heteroaryl; E is —N—, —NR1—, —O—, —S—, —SO2— or —CR2—; F is —N—, —NR1a—, —O—, —S—, —SO2— or —CR2a—; G is N, —NR1b—, —O—, —S—, —SO2— or —CR2b—, provided that the E-F-G containing heterocyclic ring formed does not contain a S—S or S—O bond, and at least one of E, F and G is a heteroatom; J, Ja, M, Ma, Q, Rx, Ry, R1, R1a, R1b, R2, R2a, R2b, and R3 to R21, Z, Za, Zb, and Zc are as defined above. |
| US08198304B2 |
Guanidine-containing compounds useful as muscarinic receptor antagonists
The invention provides compounds of formula I: or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein R1-3, R5-7, a, X, Y, Y′, Y″, and Z are as defined in the specification. These compounds are muscarinic receptor antagonists. The invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions containing such compounds, processes for preparing such compounds and methods of using such compounds to, for example, treat pulmonary disorders such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma. |
| US08198301B2 |
Quinazoline and quinoline derivatives as irreversibe protein tyrosine kinase inhibitors
A compound of formula (I), a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, or hydrate thereof, and a method of preparing the same. A method of treating or preventing a physiological disorder caused by abnormal protein tyrosine kinase activity in a mammal comprising administering to said mammal a pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound of formula (I). |
| US08198291B2 |
Intranasal opioid compositions
The present invention relates to pharmaceutical compositions for intranasal administration to a mammal that contain an effective amount of an opioid, a liquid nasal carrier for the opioid, and optionally a sweetener, flavoring agent or masking agent. In some embodiments of the present invention, the pharmaceutical compositions have improved bioavailability. In other embodiments of the present invention, the opioid compositions improve patient compliance. |
| US08198290B2 |
Methoxatin derivatives
The present invention provides for compounds of Formula I and II: wherein y, X, Y, Z, R1, and R2 have any of the values defined there for in the specification. The compounds of formula I are useful as reagents in the isolation and the assay of PQQ dependent enzymes. Also provided are compositions comprising compounds of Formula I and II. |
| US08198289B2 |
Crystal form H imatinib mesylate for pharmaceutical use
The invention relates to particular crystal forms of the methanesulfonic acid addition salt of 4-(4 -methylpiperazin-1-ylmethyl)-N-[4-methyl-3-(4-(pyridin-3-yl)pyrimidin-2-ylamino)phenyl]-benzamide, certain processes for their preparation, pharmaceutical compositions containing these crystal forms, and their use in diagnostic methods or, preferably, for the therapeutic treatment of warm-blooded animals, especially humans, and their use as an intermediate or for the preparation of pharmaceutical preparations for use in diagnostic methods or, preferably, for the therapeutic treatment of warm-blooded animals, especially humans. |
| US08198286B2 |
Sodium channel blockers
The present invention relates to sodium channel blockers. The present invention also includes a variety of methods of treatment using these inventive sodium channel blockers. |
| US08198283B2 |
Cysteine protease inhibitors
Compounds of the formula II: wherein R2 is the side chain of leucine, isoleucine, cyclohexylglycine, O-methyl threonine, 4-fluoroleucine or 3-methoxyvaline; R3 is H, methyl or F; Rq is trifluoromethyl and Rq′ is H or Rq and Rq′ define keto; Q is a p-(C1-C6alkylsulphonyl)phenyl- or an optionally substituted 4-(C1-C6alkyl)piperazin-1-yl-thiazol-4-yl-moiety have utility in the treatment of disorders characterized by inappropriate expression or activation of cathepsin K, such as osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis or bone metastases. |
| US08198282B2 |
Substituted azaquinazolines having an antiviral action
This invention relates to substituted azaquinazolines, to a process for their preparation, to pharmaceutical compositions containing them, and to their use for the treatment and/or prophylaxis of diseases, especially for use as antiviral agents, in particular against cytomegaloviruses. |
| US08198280B2 |
N-hydroxyamide derivatives and use thereof
The present invention is related to N-hydroxyamide derivatives of Formula (I) and use thereof in particular for the treatment and/or prophylaxis of autoimmune disorders, inflammatory diseases, cardiovascular diseases, neurodegenerative diseases, cancer, respiratory diseases and fibrosis, including multiple sclerosis, arthritis, emphysema, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, liver and pulmonary fibrosis. |
| US08198278B2 |
Besylate salts of 6-(5-chloro-2-pyridyl)-5-[(4-methyl-1-piperazinyl)carbonyloxy]-7-oxo-6,7-dihydro-5H-pyrrolo[3,4-b]pyrazine
Besylate salts of (6-(5-chloro-2-pyridyl)-5-[(4-methyl-1-piperazinyl) carbonyloxy]-7-oxo-6,7-dihydro-5H-pyrrolo[3,4-b]pyrazine) are provided. |
| US08198273B2 |
Compounds and methods for kinase modulation, and indications therefor
Compounds and salts thereof, formulations thereof, conjugates thereof, derivatives thereof, forms thereof and uses thereof are described. In certain aspects and embodiments, the described compounds or salts thereof, formulations thereof, conjugates thereof, derivatives thereof, and forms thereof are active on each of BRaf and c-Raf-1 protein kinase, and may also be active on either or both of A-Raf and B-Raf V600E protein kinase. Also described are methods of use thereof to treat diseases and conditions, including melanoma, colorectal cancer, thyroid cancer, ovarian cancer, and biliary tract cancer. |
| US08198271B2 |
Thiophenediamine derivative having urea structure
A compound having the following formula (1) or a salt thereof: wherein R1 and R2 represent hydrogen, a lower alkyl, a lower alkenyl, a lower alkynyl or a group having the following formula (2): (R6)n—{circle around (A)}—Z— (2), R3 represents hydroxy, a lower alkoxy, a lower cycloalkyloxy, an aryloxy, carboxy, a lower alkoxycarbonyl, or —NRaRb having the following formula (3): (R7)o—{circle around (B)}— (3), R4 and R5 represent halogen, a lower alkyl, hydroxy, or a lower alkoxy; R6 represents halogen, a lower alkyl, an aryl group, a heterocyclic, a hydroxy, a lower alkoxy, mercapto, a lower alkylthio, a lower alkylcarbonyl, amino, nitro or cyano; R7 represents a lower alkyl, hydroxy or a lower alkoxy; Ra and Rb represent hydrogen or a lower alkyl; the ring A represents a cyclic hydrocarbon or a heterocyclic ring; the ring B represents a heterocyclic ring having one or more heteroatoms selected from the group consisting of nitrogen and oxygen; X represents a lower alkylene; Y represents a lower alkylene; Z represents a single bond or a lower alkylene; W1-W2 represents N—CH or C—N and l, m, n and o represent 0, 1, 2, or 3. |
| US08198266B2 |
Use of an EGFR antagonist for the treatment of glomerolonephritis
The present invention relates to uses, methods and compositions for treating immune-mediated glomerulonephritis, such as crescentic glomerulonephritis. More specifically, the invention relates to the use of an EFGR antagonist or of an inhibitor of EGFR or HB-EGF expression for the treatment of said diseases. |
| US08198264B2 |
Method for treating head and neck cancer
The present invention is directed to a method for the treatment of advanced head and neck cancer, the method including administering, in combination, S-1 and cisplatin and concurrently performing radiation. |
| US08198261B2 |
Thermally modified microbial-derived cellulose for in vivo implantation
A thermally modified microbial-derived cellulose material is described for use as an implantable material in general surgery, plastic surgery and neurosurgery. |
| US08198260B2 |
Composition for the prevention and/or treatment of disorders due to abnormal lipid metabolism, comprising propionyl L-carnitine and chitosan
A composition is disclosed suitable for the prevention and/or treatment of disorders due to abnormal lipid metabolism, such as hypercholesterolaemia, atherosclerosis, hyperlipidaemia and obesity, and which can therefore take the form of a dietary supplement or of an actual medicine, comprising as characterizing active ingredients: (a) propionyl L-carnitine or a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof, and (b) chitosan or its derivatives and congeners. |
| US08198259B2 |
Treatment of neurological disorders by dsRNA administration
The present invention relates to methods to treat neurological disorders comprising intrathecal injection of an effective amount of a double-stranded (ds) RNA into a subject in need, wherein the dsRNA inhibits the expression of a target gene and to pharmaceutical compositions useful for such treatment. |
| US08198255B2 |
SiRNA-mediated inhibition of doublecortin and Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent kinase-like-1
DCAMKL-1 has been identified as a biomarker for stem cells, as well as cancer stem cells. Methods of detecting the presence of at least one stem cell, methods of isolating stem cells, and methods of inhibiting growth of cancer cells utilizing DCAMKL-1 are disclosed herein. |
| US08198253B2 |
Compositions and their uses directed to HBXIP
Disclosed herein are compounds, compositions and methods for modulating the expression of HBXIP in a cell, tissue or animal. Also provided are methods of target validation. Also provided are uses of disclosed compounds and compositions in the manufacture of a medicament for treatment of diseases and disorders. |
| US08198250B2 |
Methods and compositions for the treatment of eye disorders with increased intraocular pressure
The present invention relates to methods and compositions that decrease intraocular pressure (IOP) of the eye. The compositions of the invention comprise short interfering nucleic acid molecules (siNA) including, but not limited to, siRNA that decrease expression of genes associated with production or drainage of intraocular fluid. The compositions of the invention can be used in the preparation of a medicament for the treatment of an eye conditions displaying increased IOP such as glaucoma, infection, inflammation, uveitis, and diabetic retinopathy. The methods of the invention comprise the administration to a patient in need thereof an effective amount of one or more siNAs of the invention. |
| US08198248B2 |
Formulations for nonsurgical exogenous crosslink therapy
Improved methods and compositions for the treatment of native tissues with crosslinkers are provided. The methods and compositions will find particular use in increasing resistance to tearing, fissuring, rupturing, and/or delamination. |
| US08198247B2 |
Process for and intermediates in the preparation of canfosfamide and its salts
A process for and intermediates in the preparation of canfosfamide and its salts. Some of the intermediates have anticancer activity. |
| US08198242B2 |
Variants of C-type natriuretic peptide
The present disclosure provides variants of C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP), pharmaceutical compositions comprising CNP variants, and methods of making CNP variants. The CNP variants are useful as therapeutic agents for the treatment of diseases responsive to CNP, including but not limited to bone-related disorders, such as skeletal dysplasias (e.g., achondroplasia), and vascular smooth muscle disorders (e.g., restenosis and arteriosclerosis). |
| US08198241B2 |
Use of an agent that restores tissue perfusion and oxygenation
The presently disclosed subject matter provides methods for increasing perfusion in hypoxic regions of tissues in subjects. Also provided are methods for treating diseases and/or disorders associated with hypoxia in subjects, methods for increasing sensitivity of tumors to radiation and/or chemotherapy treatments, methods for delaying tumor growth in subjects, and methods for inhibiting tumor blood vessel growth in subjects. In some embodiments, the presently disclosed methods involve administering to subjects in need thereof a first composition selected from the group consisting of a nitrosylated hemoglobin and an agent that induces nitrosylation of endogenous hemoglobin in the subject and a second composition comprising a hyperoxic gas. In some embodiments, the presently disclosed methods also include treating a tumor with radiation therapy, chemotherapy, photodynamic therapy, immunotherapy, or combinations thereof. Also provided are inhalable gases that can be employed in the presently disclosed methods. |
| US08198240B2 |
Methods for treatment of headaches by administration of oxytocin
The present invention relates to methods for the treatment of headache and headache disorders. The methods comprise administration of an oxytocin peptide for the treatment of primary and secondary headaches or trigeminal neuralgia. |
| US08198238B2 |
Flowable carrier matrix and methods for delivering to a patient
A carrier matrix may be delivered to a target position within a patient in a minimally invasive manner by first cutting a collagen sponge sheet into a plurality of relatively small pieces. These pieces are sized so that, when wet, they are capable of flowing through a cannula and/or reduced-diameter syringe tip. The pieces are placed into a syringe and wetted, say with a morphogenic solution, and optionally mixed with a bulking material, which is similarly sized to fit through the cannula. The thoroughly mixed and wetted product forms a viscous aggregate which may then be injected into the patient at the target site. |
| US08198235B2 |
Use of GILZ protein expressed in dendritic cells to modulate an antigen-specific immune response
The invention concerns the use of at least one: a) a GILZ protein, a functional fragment of at least 5 consecutive amino acids of said protein, a GILZ modulator, or a recombinant vector expressing same, isolated or expressed in modified dendritic cells, and b) an antigen of interest and/or a molecule allowing targeting and/or passage of the plasmic membrane of dendritic cells, to prepare a medicine for preventing and/or treating autoimmune, inflammatory diseases, allergies, graft rejection and graft-versus-host disease, cancers and pathogenic micro-organism infections. |
| US08198234B2 |
Methods of suppressing microglial activation
Methods of suppressing the activation of microglial cells in the Central Nervous System (CNS), methods of ameliorating or treating the neurological effects of cerebral ischemia or cerebral inflammation, and methods of combating specific diseases that affect the CNS by administering a compound that binds to microglial receptors and prevents or reduces microglial activation are described. Also described are methods of screening compounds for the ability to suppress or reduce microglial activation. |
| US08198229B2 |
Methods of treating urogenital-neurological disorders using galanin retargeted endopepidases
The present specification discloses TVEMPs, compositions comprising such toxins and methods of treating urogenital-neurological disorders in a mammal using such TVEMPs and compositions. |
| US08198226B2 |
Color changing paint and varnish remover
A color change paint and varnish removal formulation is provided. The formulation comprises: at least one penetrant, at least one water insoluble carrier, at least one color visible colorant, at least one thickening agent, at least one wetting agent, and at least one activator, whereby the formulation is applied to the target area and as the surface of the formulation dries, the penetrant migrates away from the dehydrating surface and a surface crust of beads is formed; the beads have a particle size that allows the scattering of visible light into white light and produces the whitening and dilution of the visible color and thus, there is a color change to indicate that the stripping action of the formulation has ceased and is ready for the scraping and removal step. |
| US08198225B2 |
Sulfurized metal alkyl phenate compositions having a low alkyl phenol content
Provided herein are sulfurized metal alkyl phenate compositions having a low alkyl phenol content. The sulfurized metal alkyl phenate compositions can be prepared by reacting a phenol compound of Formula (I) disclosed herein with an aldehyde to form a phenolic resin of Formula (II) disclosed herein and then by reacting the phenolic resin simultaneously with a metal base and a first sulfurizing agent. The sulfurized metal alkyl phenate compositions and the overbased sulfurized metal alkyl phenate compositions disclosed herein may be used as detergents for formulating lubricating oil compositions. The lubricating oil compositions disclosed herein have a reduced amount of the free phenol compound and a salt thereof. |
| US08198224B2 |
Lubricant additives
Processes are described for producing liquid, biobased lubricant additives containing from 50 to 100% biobased carbon according to ASTM D6866 from heat-bodied oils by transesterification with biobased or petroleum based alcohols and by hydrotreatment of at least the resulting diesters, triesters and polyesters. |
| US08198222B2 |
Tartaric acid derivatives as fuel economy improvers and antiwear agents in crankcase oils and preparations thereof
Formulations using tartaric compounds of the present invention in a low sulfur, low ash and low phosphorous lubricant lower wear, and friction and improves fuel economy. |
| US08198220B2 |
Wellbore treatment compositions comprising hydrophilically modified polymers and nonionic surfactants
The disclosed compositions and methods utilize hydrophilic polymers modified by the incorporation of one or more hydrophilic side groups. The polymers may exhibit physical association in solution at a specific temperature so as to provide a significant increase in viscosity at the specific temperature. The viscosity of such systems is substantially increased by the further inclusion of one or more hydrophilic components that may exhibit physical association in solution at one or more temperature trigger points and also associate with the one or more hydrophilic polymers modified by the incorporation of one or more hydrophilic side groups. |
| US08198219B2 |
Method for producing solid materials on the basis of synthetic polymers and/or biopolymers and use thereof
The use of solid materials based on synthetic polymers and/or biopolymers (A) in natural gas and mineral oil extraction technology. The solid materials are produced by solubilizing at least one synthetic polymer and/or biopolymer (A), or at least one synthetic polymer and/or biopolymer (A) and at least one additive (B), in at least one substantially anhydrous chaotropic liquid (C). The solution or dispersion (AC) or (ABC) is contacted with a liquid (D1) which is miscible with the chaotropic liquid (C), but in which at least the synthetic polymer and/or the biopolymer (A) are substantially insoluble, resulting in a phase (E). The chaotropic liquid (C) is removed from phase (E) to result in a gel (G), which is impregnated with a liquid (D2). The two liquids (D1) and (D2) are removed from the gel (G) by evaporating, producing a solid material based on synthetic polymer and/or biopolymer (A). |
| US08198218B2 |
Heterocyclic compounds, combinatorial libraries thereof and methods of selecting drug leads
Heterocyclic compounds having a relatively flexible backbone are used to create combinatorial libraries that permit screening for lead compounds and selection of drug candidates for a variety of uses in human and veterinary medicine as well as in agriculture. The compounds of the library generally differ in ring size and chirality of substituents on the ring. Also disclosed are methods for providing and screening these libraries, preferably in an automated or computerizable manner, such as by using a computer program to virtually screen the compounds in order to identify those that are predicted to have bioactive conformations that should give rise to desirable biological effects. |
| US08198217B2 |
Composition for weeding
A mixed composition for weeding useful as a herbicide which is effective against a wide spectrum of weeds, is highly active, has excellent residual activity, and is highly safe for useful plants. It is characterized by containing as an active ingredient a combination of (A) a compound selected among a difluoromethanesulfonylanilide compound represented by the general formula (I): (wherein R1 is hydrogen, C1-6 alkyl, or C2-6 alkoxyalkyl) and salts of the compound and (B) at least one member selected among herbicidal aromatic-ring-containing compounds, e.g., indanofan, and herbicidal nitrogenous heterocyclic compounds, e.g., TH-547, nicosulfuron, Flutiacet-methyl, and atrazine. |
| US08198215B2 |
Methods for protecting seeds
A method of controlling phytopathogenic diseases on useful plants or plant propagation material thereof, which comprises applying to said plant propagation material a fungicidally effective amount of a compound of formula (I) wherein R1 is trifluoromethyl or difluoromethyl and R2 is hydrogen or methyl, or a tautomer of such a compound, is particularly effective in controlling or preventing fungal diseases of crop plants. |
| US08198213B2 |
Thermal transfer image receiving sheet and production method of the same
A thermal transfer image receiving sheet containing a substrate having thereon a thermal insulation layer, an intermediate layer and an image receiving layer in that order, wherein the thermal insulation layer, the image receiving layer and the intermediate layer each is formed by an aqueous coating method. |
| US08198204B2 |
Alumina ceramic
An alumina ceramic contains a Ba0.808Al1.71Si2.29O8 phase. The alumina ceramic has high reflectivity and is useful as a reflecting material for a light emitting element. The alumina ceramic which exhibits an X-ray diffraction pattern having a ratio of the peak intensity at 2θ=43.3° to that at 22.5° of 0.5 to 2.5 has particularly high reflectivity. The alumina ceramic shows high reflectivity particularly at wavelengths ranging from 300 to 400 nm. |
| US08198203B2 |
Antimony-free glass, antimony-free frit and a glass package that is hermetically sealed with the frit
An antimony-free glass suitable for use in a frit for producing a hermetically sealed glass package is described. The hermetically sealed glass package, such as an OLED display device, is manufactured by providing a first glass substrate plate and a second glass substrate plate and depositing the antimony-free frit onto the first substrate plate. OLEDs may be deposited on the second glass substrate plate. An irradiation source (e.g., laser, infrared light) is then used to heat the frit which melts and forms a hermetic seal that connects the first glass substrate plate to the second glass substrate plate and also protects the OLEDs. The antimony-free glass has excellent aqueous durability, good flow, low glass transition temperature and low coefficient of thermal expansion. |
| US08198202B2 |
Optical glass, glass material for press molding, optical element blank, optical element and manufacturing method thereof
A fluorophosphate glass containing: P5+ in an amount of 20 to 45 cationic %; Al3+ in an amount of 15 to 35 cationic %; Ba2+ in an amount of 20 to 50 cationic %; F− in an amount of 20 to 50 anionic %; and O2− in an amount of 50 to 80 anionic %. A molar ratio of O2−/P5+ is larger than or equal to 3.5. In addition, a molar ratio of Al3+/P5+ is larger than or equal to 0.45. Furthermore, the Abbe number (νd) of the glass is larger than or equal to 66. Finally a refractive index (nd) of the glass satisfies an expression (1): nd≧2.0614−0.0071×νd. |
| US08198201B2 |
Colored glass-ceramic materials and colored articles made of such glass-ceramic materials
Transparent β-quartz glass-ceramics containing vanadium oxide. Such glass-ceramics have advantageous optical properties including good transmission in the infrared range, low transmission in the visible range, and significant transmission in the blue range for thicknesses of 3 mm. They can be used as materials for cooking top plates. |
| US08198197B2 |
Plasma etching method
The present invention is a plasma etching method for etching a surface of a substrate in which a metal nitride film and a silicon film have been respectively formed on a first base film and a second base film that had been side-by-side arranged, with surfaces of the metal nitride film and the silicon film being exposed. At least a surface area of the silicon film is nitrided. A first etching plasma is supplied onto the surface of the substrate so as to etch the metal nitride film and to expose the first base film. A second etching plasma is supplied onto the surface of the substrate so as to etch the silicon film and to expose the second base film. |
| US08198196B1 |
High aspect ratio trench structures with void-free fill material
A field effect transistor (FET) includes a trench extending into a semiconductor region. A conductive electrode is disposed in the trench, and the conductive electrode is insulated from the semiconductor region by a dielectric layer. The conductive electrode includes a conductive liner lining the dielectric layer along opposite sidewalls of the trench. The conductive liner has tapered edges such that a thickness of the conductive liner gradually increases from a top surface of the conductive electrode to a point in lower half of the conductive electrode. The conductive electrode further includes a conductive fill material sandwiched by the conductive liner. The FET further includes a drift region of a first conductivity type in the semiconductor region, and a body region of a second conductivity type extending over the drift region. Source regions of the first conductivity type extend in the body region adjacent the trench. |
| US08198195B2 |
Plasma processing method and plasma processing apparatus
A plasma processing apparatus in which consumption of expensive krypton and xenon gases is suppressed as much as possible while reducing damage on a workpiece during plasma processing. In plasma processing of a substrate using a rare gas, two or more kinds of different rare gases are employed, and an inexpensive argon gas is used as one rare gas and any one or both of krypton and xenon gases having a larger collision cross-sectional area against electron than that of the argon gas is used as the other gas. Consequently, consumption of expensive krypton and xenon gases is suppressed as much as possible and damage on a workpiece is reduced during plasma processing. |
| US08198189B2 |
Methods of fabricating integrated circuit devices including air spacers separating conductive structures and contact plugs
An integrated circuit device includes first and second conductive structures spaced apart from one another on a substrate along a first direction. The first and second conductive structures extend in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction. A contact plug is interposed between the first and second conductive structures and is separated therefrom along the first direction by respective air gaps on opposite sides of the contact plug. The air gaps define first and second air spacers that electrically insulate the contact plug from the first and second conductive structures, respectively. An upper insulation layer covers the first and second air spacers and the first and second conductive structures. The air spacers may sufficiently reduce the loading capacitance between the conductive structures. Related fabrication methods are also discussed. |
| US08198177B2 |
AlxInyGal-x-yN mixture crystal substrate, method of growing same and method of producing same
Seeds are implanted in a regular pattern upon an undersubstrate. An AlxInyGa1-x-yN (0≦x≦1, 0≦y≦1, 0 |
| US08198176B2 |
Method for producing semiconductor chip with adhesive film, adhesive film for semiconductor used in the method, and method for producing semiconductor device
The method for producing a semiconductor chip with an adhesive film of the present invention comprises steps of preparing a laminate in which at least a divided semiconductor wafer comprising a plurality of semiconductor chips, obtained by forming a cut which separates the semiconductor wafer into a plurality of semiconductor chips on one side of the semiconductor wafer in a thickness less than that of the semiconductor wafer and by grinding the other side of the semiconductor wafer on which no cut is formed to reach the cut, an adhesive film for a semiconductor and a dicing tape are laminated, the adhesive film for a semiconductor having a thickness in the range of 1 to 15 μm and a tensile elongation at break of less than 5%, and the tensile elongation at break being less than 110% of the elongation at a maximum load; and dividing the adhesive film for a semiconductor by picking up the plurality of semiconductor chips in a laminating direction of the laminate, thereby preparing a semiconductor chip with an adhesive film. |
| US08198175B2 |
Processing method for package substrate
A processing method for a package substrate having a base substrate partitioned by a plurality of crossing division lines to form a plurality of chip forming areas where a plurality of semiconductor chips are respectively formed and molded with resin. The package substrate has a resin surface and an electrode surface opposite to the resin surface. The processing method includes a warp correcting step of cutting the package substrate from the resin surface or the electrode surface along the division lines by using a cutting blade to form a cut groove, thereby correcting a warp of the package substrate, and a grinding step of grinding the resin surface of the package substrate in the condition where the electrode surface of the package substrate is held on a holding table after performing the warp correcting step, thereby reducing the thickness of the package substrate to a predetermined thickness. |
| US08198173B2 |
Method for manufacturing SOI substrate
To improve bonding strength and improve reliability of an SOI substrate in bonding a semiconductor substrate and a base substrate to each other even when an insulating film containing nitrogen is used as a bonding layer, an oxide film is provided on the semiconductor substrate side, a nitrogen-containing layer is provided on the base substrate side, and the oxide film formed on the semiconductor substrate and the nitrogen-containing layer formed over the base substrate are bonded to each other. Further, plasma treatment is performed on at least one of the oxide film and the nitrogen-containing layer before bonding the oxide film formed on the semiconductor substrate and the nitrogen-containing layer formed over the base substrate to each other. Plasma treatment can be performed in a state in which a bias voltage is applied. |
| US08198163B2 |
Method of fabricating semiconductor device
A method of fabricating a semiconductor device including forming a plurality of gate structures on a semiconductor substrate, forming a plurality of impurity regions in the semiconductor substrate at sides of the gate structures, forming a dielectric layer on the semiconductor substrate having the gate structures, forming contact holes by etching the dielectric layer to expose parts of the impurity regions at sides of the gate structures, directly implanting impurity ions into the exposed parts of the impurity regions via the contact holes by using the gate structures as ion implanting masks, wherein the impurity ions prevent impurities doped in the impurity regions from diffusing to channel regions of the gate structures, and forming conductive plugs in the contact holes. |
| US08198155B2 |
Semiconductor device and method of manufacturing the same
A semiconductor device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes an N-type transistor formed in a first region on a substrate, and a P-type transistor formed in a second region on the substrate. The device includes the substrate, a first gate insulation film formed on the substrate in the first and second regions, and containing silicon, a second gate insulation film formed on the first gate insulation film in the first region, and containing first metal and oxygen, a third gate insulation film formed on the first gate insulation film in the second region, and containing second metal different from the first metal and oxygen, a fourth gate insulation film formed on the second and third gate insulation films in the first and second regions, and containing hafnium, and a gate electrode layer formed on the fourth gate insulation film in the first and second regions, and containing metal and nitrogen, a thickness of the gate electrode layer formed in the second region being greater than a thickness of the gate electrode layer formed in the first region. |
| US08198153B2 |
Process integration for flash storage element and dual conductor complementary MOSFETs
A method is provided for simultaneously fabricating a flash storage element, an NFET and a PFET having metal gates with different workfunctions. A first gate metal layer of the NFET having a first workfunction can be deposited simultaneously with a first metal layer for forming the floating gate of the flash storage element. A second gate metal layer of the PFET having a second workfunction different from the first workfunction can be deposited simultaneously with a second metal layer for forming the control gate of the flash storage element. A semiconductor layer can then be deposited over the first and second metal layers and gate metal layers and patterned to form first, second and third gates. Source and drain regions of the flash storage element, the NFET and the PFET can then be formed adjacent to the first, second and third gates, respectively. |
| US08198143B2 |
Mold and substrate for use with mold
A mold (10) including a first mold part (12) and a second mold part (14) define a mold cavity (16) therebetween. A gate (18) is formed in at least one of the first and second mold parts (12) and (14) such that the gate (18) communicates with the mold cavity (16). A vent (20) having a constricted portion (22) is arranged to communicate with the mold cavity (16). A substrate (28) including a base substrate (30) and an electrically conductive pattern (32) and (34) formed on the base substrate (30) may be received in the mold (10). A solder resist layer (36) is formed on the base substrate (30) and a portion of the electrically conductive pattern (32). A plurality of grooves (38) and (40) is formed in a staggered arrangement around a periphery of a molding area (42) on the substrate (28). |
| US08198141B2 |
Intermediate structure of semiconductor device and method of manufacturing the same
An intermediate structure for semiconductor devices includes a wiring board, a plurality of semiconductor chips mounted on the wiring board, and a sealing body for collectively sealing the plurality of semiconductor chips and having a region with a different thickness. |
| US08198137B2 |
Lead frame isolation using laser technology
Systems and methods for electrically isolating conductive members on an array of lead frames. In one embodiment, a system includes a stage for positioning the array to receive laser radiation, a computer system and electro-optical components. The system can sever conductive members from one another by laser ablation effected with programmable scanning of light from a laser. Software effects ablation paths along a plurality of lines across the array of lead frames. In a related method, the array is of a specified design and of the type formed on a sheet having a plurality lead frames interconnected through integrally formed dam bars. Reference information is provided to describe geometric or dimensional features, including predefined laser ablation scan paths for performing cuts along predefined cut lines on each lead frame. The cut lines are specific to the lead frame array design. Fiducial markings are located on the sheet. Laser ablation is performed to cut conductive members along the predefined cut lines, thereby completely severing at least some of the conductive members from an associated dam bar. |
| US08198134B2 |
Dual side cooling integrated power device module and methods of manufacture
An integrated power device module including a lead frame having first and second spaced pads, one or more common source-drain leads located between the first and second pads, and one or more drain leads located on the outside of the second pad. First and second transistors are flip chip attached respectively to the first and second pads, wherein the source of the second transistor is electrically connected to the one or more common source-drain leads. A first clip is attached to the drain of the first transistor and electrically connected to the one or more common source-drain leads. A second clip is attached to the drain of the second transistor and electrically connected to the one or more drain leads located on the outside of the second pad. Molding material encapsulates the lead frame, the transistors, and the clips to form the module. |
| US08198130B2 |
Chip module and method for producing a chip module having plains of extensions for chip and substrate
A chip module having a substrate and at least one chip connected to the substrate is provided, the substrate featuring a first main plane of extension and the chip featuring a second main plane of extension, and an acute angle being provided between the first main plane of extension and the second main plane of extension, and the substrate also comprising a mold housing. |
| US08198121B2 |
Method of manufacturing solid-state imaging device
A method of manufacturing a solid-state imaging device. Light-receiving sensor portions each constituting a pixel in the form of a matrix is arranged. The matrix has columns aligned in a vertical direction and rows aligned in a horizontal direction. Charge-transfer portions are formed on either side of the columns of said pixels. Transfer electrodes in said charge-transfer portions are formed to include a first transfer electrode formed of a first electrode layer and a second transfer electrode formed by electrically connecting the first electrode layer and a second electrode layer through a contact. The second transfer electrode being disposed in the vertical direction above the charge-transfer portion in a vicinity of the contact to decrease the width of the charge-transfer portions in the horizontal direction and increase the light receiving sensor portions in the vertical direction. |
| US08198116B2 |
Fabrication method for thermoelectric device
A method for fabricating thermoelectric device is provided. The method comprises placing a first electrode in a die, forming a first interlayer on an upper surface of the first electrode; positioning a separating plate on an upper surface of the first interlayer to divide an inner space of the die into a plurality of cells, and depositing a first thermoelectric material on the first interlayer within a first fraction of the cells, and depositing a second thermoelectric material on the first interlayer within a second fraction of the cells, sintering the die contents, and removing the separating plate after sintering to obtain a π shaped thermoelectric device. |
| US08198114B2 |
Vertical nitride semiconductor light emitting diode and method of manufacturing the same
A vertical nitride-based semiconductor LED comprises a structure support layer; a p-electrode formed on the structure support layer; a p-type nitride semiconductor layer formed on the p-electrode; an active layer formed on the p-type nitride semiconductor layer; an n-type nitride semiconductor layer formed on the active layer; an n-electrode formed on a portion of the n-type nitride semiconductor layer; and a buffer layer formed on a region of the n-type nitride semiconductor layer on which the n-electrode is not formed, the buffer layer having irregularities formed thereon. The surface of the n-type nitride semiconductor layer coming in contact with the n-electrode is flat. |
| US08198111B2 |
Array substrate for liquid crystal display device and method of manufacturing the same
An array substrate for a liquid crystal display device includes a substrate, a gate line on the substrate, a data line crossing the gate line to define a pixel region, a thin film transistor connected to the gate line and the data line and including a gate electrode, an active layer, an ohmic contact layer, a buffer metallic layer, a source electrode and a drain electrode, and a pixel electrode in the pixel region and connected to the thin film transistor, wherein the data line includes a transparent conductive layer and an opaque conductive layer, and each of the source and drain electrodes and the pixel electrode includes a transparent conductive layer. |
| US08198110B2 |
Method of making a TFT array with photo-imageable insulating layer over address lines
This invention is related to a thin film transistor (TFT) array and method of making same, for use in an active matrix liquid crystal display (AMLCD) having a high pixel aperture ratio. The TFT array and corresponding display are made by forming the TFTs and corresponding address lines on a substrate, coating the address lines and TFTs with a photo-imageable insulating layer which acts as a negative resist, exposing portions of the insulating layer with UV light which are to remain on the substrate, removing non-exposed areas of the insulating layer so as to form contact vias, and depositing pixel electrodes on the substrate over the insulating layer so that the pixel electrodes contact respective TFT source electrodes through the contact vias. The resulting display has an increased pixel aperture ratio because the pixel electrodes are formed over the insulating layer so as to overlap portions of the array address lines. |
| US08198109B2 |
Manufacturing methods for solid state light sheet or strip with LEDs connected in series for general illumination
A solid state light sheet and method of fabricating the sheet are disclosed. In one embodiment, bare LED chips have top and bottom electrodes, where the bottom electrode is a large reflective electrode. The bottom electrodes of an array of LEDs (e.g., 500 LEDs) are bonded to an array of electrodes formed on a flexible bottom substrate. Conductive traces are formed on the bottom substrate connected to the electrodes. A transparent top substrate is then formed over the bottom substrate. Various ways to connect the LEDs in series are described along with many embodiments. In one method, the top substrate contains a conductor pattern that connects to LED electrodes and conductors on the bottom substrate. In another embodiment, a conductor layer is formed on the outer surface of the top substrate and makes contact with the LED electrodes and conductors on the bottom substrate via openings formed in the top substrate. |
| US08198108B2 |
Semiconductor device and method for manufacturing the same
The semiconductor device 1 comprises a housing 12 which has a recess 24 in the front surface 1; a pair of lead electrodes 20 which have the distal ends 34 exposed in the recess 24, protrude from the external surface of the housing 12, and are bent along the bottom surface 16 of the housing 12; and a semiconductor element 36 which is housed in the recess 24 and is electrically connected to the pair of lead electrodes 20. The housing 12 has grooves 30 which are formed on the pair of side surfaces 18 which adjoin the front surface 14 and the bottom surface 16 on the right and left sides so as to penetrate the housing 12 from the top surface 28 toward the bottom surface 16 of the housing 12. The grooves 30 preferably have width substantially equal to the thickness of the lead electrode 20. The grooves 30 are more preferably formed to be flush with the distal ends 34 of the lead electrode 20. |
| US08198095B2 |
Detection of materials via nitrogen oxide
Methods and devices for detecting the presence of a NO forming material (e.g., a material that can form, or is, a nitrogen monoxide molecule) are disclosed based on detection of fluorescence exhibited by NO molecules in a first vibrationally excited state of a ground electronic state. Such excited NO molecules can be formed, for example, when small amounts of explosives are photodissociated. By inducing fluorescence of the material, a distinct signature of the explosive can be detected. Such techniques can be performed quickly and with a significant standoff distance, which can add to the invention's utility. In another aspection of the invention, methods and apparatus for generating electromagnetic radiation are disclosed. Such methods and apparatus can be used in conjunction with any detection method disclosed herein. |
| US08198092B2 |
Digital sampling apparatus and methods for sorting particles
A system and method for sorting a mixture of stained particles including a digital signal processor for analyzing and classifying the digital information generated from the particles and providing a sorting signal to a sorting system as a function of the analyzed and classified digital information. |
| US08198088B2 |
Method for introducing human immunodeficiency virus nucleotide sequences into a cell utilizing modified vaccinia virus Ankara (MVA) recombinants comprising HIV genes inserted into one or more intergenic regions (IGRs)
The invention relates to novel insertion sites useful for the integration of HIV DNA sequences into the MVA genome, and to the resulting recombinant MVA derivatives. |
| US08198084B2 |
Serum-free mammalian cell culture medium, and uses thereof
The present invention provides a cell culture medium formulation that supports the in vitro cultivation, particularly in suspension, of mammalian cells, particularly epithelial cells and fibroblast cells, and methods for cultivating mammalian cells in suspension in vitro using these media. The media comprise a basal medium and a polyanionic or polyanionic compound, preferably a polysulfonated or polysulfated compound, and more preferably dextran sulfate. The present invention also provides chemically defined, protein-free eukaryotic cell culture media comprising an iron chelate and zinc, which is capable of supporting the growth (and particularly the high-density growth of mammalian cells) in suspension culture, increasing the level of expression of recombinant protein in cultured cells, and/or increasing virus production in cultured cells. |
| US08198077B2 |
Inducible small RNA expression constructs for targeted gene silencing
The invention relates to vectors for the inducible expression of RNA molecules in eukaryotic, particularly mammalian cells and transgenic animals. |
| US08198076B2 |
Photobioreactor and uses therefor
The present invention provides novel photobioreactors, modules thereof, and methods for use in culturing and harvesting algae and cyanobacteria. |
| US08198074B2 |
Reaction device
A reaction device including: a plurality of reaction areas; and a plurality of heating parts configured to be each provided for a respective one of the reaction areas, wherein each of the heating parts includes: a heat source; a scan line for selecting the heating part; a data line that transmits heating amount information used for heating to the heat source; a writer that acquires the heating amount information transmitted from the data line; a holder that stores the heating amount information also after the scan line is turned to a non-selected state; and a heat generation controller that controls heat generation of the heat source based on the heating amount information. |
| US08198073B2 |
Dry stick device and method for determining an analyte in a sample
The present invention relates to a dry stick test device for the determination of an analyte in a sample by means of a chemical assay. The device comprises: (i) optionally a solid support, (ii) at least one reagent pad comprising a reagent capable of reacting with the analyte, a derivative of said analyte or an indicator compound for said analyte to provide a detectable signal when in moistened state, and (iii) a development pad which is located in contact with the at least one reagent pad, optionally between the solid support and the at least one reagent pad, said development pad comprises at least one controlling compound capable of providing a condition required for the reagent to react with the analyte to provide a detectable signal, wherein the at least one reagent pad and the development pad are arranged to avoid precipitation of sample component(s) on the top-face of the device. |
| US08198070B2 |
Apparatus and methods for detecting DNA in biological samples
Apparatus and methods are described for detecting target DNA in a biological sample using capture probes and electrically-assisted hybridization. The reaction cell is formed with an attachment surface of aluminum oxide for better thermal and physical properties, and the aluminum oxide surface is coated with anti-DIG antibody to provide a convenient attachment layer for the capture probes allowing their correct orientation, while the capture probes are formed with a DIG-label so that they attach to the surface of the cell through an anti-DIG/DIG linkage. |
| US08198069B2 |
Method of producing an optically enriched tertiary alcohol from an epoxide using halohydrin dehalogenase
A process for the production of an optically enriched tertiary alcohol of the formula (2a) or (2b), by reacting an epoxide of the formula (1) with a nucleophilic agent Nu in the presence of halohydrin dehalogenase. |
| US08198066B2 |
3-hydroxypropionic acid and other organic compounds
Methods and materials related to producing 3-HP as well as other organic compounds are disclosed. Specifically, isolated nucleic acids, polypeptides, host cells, and methods and materials for producing 3-HP and other organic compounds are disclosed. |
| US08198064B2 |
Mutant bacterial strains of the genus sphingomonas deficient in production of polyhydroxybutyrate and a process of clarification of sphingans and compositions thereof
The invention relates to mutant strains of the genus Sphingomonas which have a mutation in at least one gene encoding a protein involved in polyhydroxybutyrate (“PHB”) synthesis that allows the mutant strains to produce PHB-deficient sphingans. The invention is also directed to a process for preparing a clarified sphingan solution comprising heating aqueous sphingan solution, in particular PHB-deficient sphingan solution, to a clarification temperature of about 30° C. to about 70° C., and treating the solution with a clarification agent and enzymes. In addition, the invention is directed to a food or industrial product comprising a PHB-deficient and/or clarified sphingan. One particular embodiment of the invention is directed to a clarified, PHB-deficient high-acyl gellan and the processes of making thereof. |
| US08198062B2 |
Hydrolases, nucleic acids encoding them and methods for making and using them
Provided are hydrolases, including lipases, saturases, palmitases and/or stearatases, and polynucleotides encoding them, and methods of making and using these polynucleotides and polypeptides. Further provided are polypeptides, e.g., enzymes, having a hydrolase activity, e.g., lipases, saturases, palmitases and/or stearatases and methods for preparing low saturate or low trans fat oils, such as low saturate or low trans fat animal or vegetable oils, e.g., soy or canola oils. |
| US08198058B2 |
Efficient use of biogas carbon dioxide in liquid fuel synthesis
The invention provides methods for producing methanol, higher alcohols (containing 2 or more carbons), in particular ethanol, or diesel fuel from biological wastes such as manure, sewage, and crop wastes, as well as from other organic materials. In the methods, organic material is first fermented by anaerobic microorganisms to a biogas consisting primarily of methane and carbon dioxide. The biogas is then converted to synthesis gas consisting primarily of CO and H2. The synthesis gas is then contacted with a liquid fuel production catalyst to synthesize higher alcohols or other liquid fuels. The invention involves converting CO2 in the biogas to synthesis gas by combining a CO2 reforming reaction with steam reforming or partial oxidation to convert the biogas to synthesis gas. The invention also provides methods involving recirculating CO2 from the output of the liquid fuel production reaction to one or more of the fermentation reaction, the CO2 reforming reaction, or the liquid fuel production reaction. |
| US08198056B2 |
Biofuel production
Methods, enzymes, recombinant microorganism, and microbial systems are provided for converting polysaccharides, such as those derived from biomass, into suitable monosaccharides or oligosaccharides, as well as for converting suitable monosaccharides or oligosaccharides into commodity chemicals, such as biofuels. Commodity chemicals produced by the methods described herein are also provided. Commodity chemical enriched, refinery-produced petroleum products are also provided, as well as methods for producing the same. |
| US08198055B2 |
Process for converting syngas to liquid products with microorganisms on two-layer membrane
Ethanol and other liquid products are produced by contacting syngas components such as CO or a mixture of CO2 and H2 with a surface of a membrane under anaerobic conditions and transferring these components in contact with a biofilm on the opposite side of the membrane. These steps provide a stable system for producing liquid products such as ethanol, butanol and other chemicals. The gas fed on the membrane's gas contact side transports through the membrane to form a biofilm of anaerobic microoganisms that converted the syngas to desired liquid products. A liquid impermeable layer of the membrane assists in establishing direct gas phase contact syngas components with the microorganisms. The system can sustain production with a variety of microorganisms and membrane configurations. |
| US08198054B2 |
Method for the chemo-selective enzymatic hydrolysis if a diester compound for preparing a monoester monoacid compound
This disclosure relates to the synthesis of the compound of formula (I) according to Scheme A below: in which R1, R2 and R3, which may be identical or different, represent, individually and independently, an alkyl group, characterized by an enzymatic hydrolysis reaction that involves placing the compound of formula (II) in contact with an enzyme that performs a chemoselective hydrolysis of only one of the two ester functions of the compound of formula (II) to obtain the compound of formula (I). |
| US08198051B2 |
Thermocycler with a temperature control block driven in cycles
A thermocycler comprising a temperature control block (1,2,3) which is designed to receive several specimens and which is fitted with a control unit (6) that in consecutive cycles applies the different temperature levels (40° C., 70° C., 95° C.) of a PCR procedure to said block, said thermocycler being characterized in that said temperature controlling block is sub-divided into thermally separate segments (1,2,3) each of which is controlled separately and receives several specimens, the control unit (6) being designed to drive the said segments at different cycling rates (nine, seven, four). |
| US08198049B2 |
Nucleic acids encoding RUP3 and methods of using same
The invention disclosed in this patent document relates to transmembrane receptors, more particularly to endogenous, human orphan G protein-coupled receptors. |
| US08198046B2 |
KEX2 cleavage regions of recombinant fusion proteins
The invention relates to a fusion DNA construct comprising a KEX2 region comprising a KEX2 site and a KEX2 site pre-sequence immediately 5′ to the KEX2 site, a fusion polypeptide, vectors and cells comprising the fusion DNA construct, methods for producing desired proteins from filamentous fungal cells and methods for enhancing the secretion and/or cleavage of a desired protein from a cell. |
| US08198045B2 |
Expression of O-glycosylated therapeutic proteins in prokaryotic microorganisms
The invention relates to methods of producing an O-glycosylated soluble therapeutic protein in a prokaryotic microorganism by co-expressing the therapeutic protein and a heterologous glycosyltransferase that transfers a sugar moiety to an amino acid acceptor on the therapeutic protein. |
| US08198043B2 |
Two helix binders
Provided herein are isolated polypeptides derived from the staphylococcal protein A protein B domain comprising a pair of anti-parallel alpha helices that are capable of binding a target. Also provided are nucleic acid sequences encoding such two helix binders, vectors containing the nucleic acid sequences encoding for two helix binders, and host cells transformed with vectors containing the nucleic acid sequences encoding for the two-helix binders. Also provided are methods of using the two helix binders. |
| US08198042B2 |
CC chemokine receptor 5 DNA, new animal models and therapeutic agents for HIV infection
The susceptibility of human macrophages to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection depends on cell surface expression of the human CD4 molecule and CC cytokine receptor 5. CCR5 is a member of the 7-transmembrane segment superfamily of G-protein-coupled cell surface molecules. CCR5 plays an essential role in the membrane fusion step of infection by some HIV isolates. The establishment of stable, nonhuman cell lines and transgenic mammals having cells that coexpress human CD4 and CCR5 provides valuable tools for the continuing research of HIV infection. In addition, antibodies which bind to CCR5, CCR5 variants, and CCR5-binding agents, capable of blocking membrane fusion between HIV and target cells represent potential anti-HIV therapeutics for macrophage-tropic strains of HIV. |
| US08198041B2 |
Method of producing tibolone metabolites by fermentation with Cunninghamella elegans
A method of producing Δ1,4-Tibolone (C21H26O2), 10β-Hydroxy-Δ4-tibolone (C21H28O3). 11α,15β-Dihydroxytibolone (C21H28O4) and 11α,15β-Dihydroxy-Δ5-tibolone (C21H28O4) by contacting tibolone and 3β,6β-Dihydroxytibolone (C21H32O3) by contacting 3β-hydroxytibolone with Cunninghamella elegans (ATCC 10028b) is reported. |
| US08198040B2 |
Use of phenanthridium derivatives for distinguishing between live and dead cells
The present invention provides for a method of distinguishing dead cells from live cells using phenanthridium derivatives with a 2+ charge or higher. |
| US08198038B2 |
Plasma biomarker tool for the diagnosis of liver cancer comprising liver carboxylesterase 1 and liver cancer screening method
The present invention relates to a plasma biomarker for diagnosing hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), in particular to the discovery of a protein in plasma using 2-D fluorescence differential gel electrophoresis (2-D DIGE), immunoprecipitation and Nano-liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (Nano-LC-MS/MS) system that was unknown on the basis of conventional techniques. By demonstrating the presence of liver carboxylesterase 1 (hCE1) in human plasma and confirming that its secretion level is higher in patients with HCC than in healthy volunteers, this invention may be used as a screening method to diagnose HCC at an early stage. |
| US08198036B2 |
Method for detecting the presence of hemoglobin in a biological sample
A device and method for detecting the presence of hemoglobin in a biological sample, more particularly, the presence of blood in a fecal sample as an indicator of upper or lower gastrointestinal tract bleeding. |
| US08198032B2 |
Multi-analyte affinity column
A multi-analyte column is disclosed. The column may contain at least one unit of resin having ochratoxin specific affinity and, for each unit of resin having ochratoxin specific affinity, the column further contains about 0.95 to 1.05 units of resin containing antibody having specificity for zearalenone, about 1.9 to 2.1 units of resin containing antibody having specificity for aflatoxin, about 2.35 to 2.65 units of resin containing antibody having specificity for fumonisin, about 2.8 to 3.2 units of resin containing antibody having specificity for T-2 (and/or HT-2) and about 4.7 to 5.3 units of resin containing antibody having specificity for deoxynivalenol. One unit of resin is the quantity of resin containing antibody that will bind 50 ng of aflatoxin, 500 ng of deoxynivalenol, 3300 ng of fumonisin, 50 ng of ochratoxin, 830 ng T-2 (and/or HT-2) or 1140 ng of zearalenone, respectively. |
| US08198028B2 |
Using populations of beads for the fabrication of arrays on surfaces
The present invention provides methods for creating an array of features on a surface based on content transferred from a plurality of beads to the surface. Nucleic acid content can be transferred using a method including the steps of (a) providing a surface having one or more primer oligonucleotides attached to the surface; (b) providing a pool of beads, wherein beads in the pool have a plurality of templates attached thereto, the plurality comprising multiple copies of a single nucleic acid template sequence; (c) arraying the beads onto the surface by hybridizing the templates to the primer oligonucleotides; and (d) extending the primers to produce copies of the templates attached to the surface. |
| US08198027B2 |
Methods and compositions for nucleic acid amplification
Compositions that are used in nucleic acid amplification in vitro are disclosed, which include a target specific universal (TSU) promoter primer or promoter provider oligonucleotide that includes a target specific (TS) sequence that hybridizes specifically to a target sequence that is amplified and a universal (U) sequence that is introduced into the sequence that is amplified, by using a primer for the universal sequence. Methods of nucleic acid amplification in vitro are disclosed that use one or more TSU oligonucleotides to attached a U sequence to a target nucleic acid in a target capture step and then use a primer for a U sequence in subsequent amplification steps performed in substantially isothermal conditions to make amplification products that contain a U sequence that indicates the presence of the target nucleic acid in a sample. |
| US08198025B2 |
Method for diagnosing esophageal cancer
This invention relates to a composition, kit, or DNA chip comprising polynucleotides and antibodies as probes for detecting, determining, or predicting the presence or metastasis of esophageal cancer, and to a method for detecting, determining, or predicting the presence or metastasis of esophageal cancer using the same. |
| US08198022B2 |
Association of EDG5 polymorphism V286A with type II diabetes mellitus and venous thrombosis/pulmonary embolism and the use thereof
The present invention relates to a method of identifying an increase in risk for type II Diabetes mellitus, venous thrombosis, or pulmonary embolism in a subject, wherein the presence of an amino acid exchange at position 286 from valine (Val) to alanine (Ala) in the EDG5 protein in a biological sample taken from the subject. |
| US08198019B1 |
Protein profiling for premalignant tissue
The present invention is a method for early detection of cancer including the steps of identifying tissue from asymptomatic individuals, gathering a substantially homogenous cell population from the tissue by laser capture microdissection (LCM), analyzing the cell population with mass spectrometry and identifying predetermined peaks in the mass spectrometry associated with an overexpression of proteins in premalignant and malignant cells. |
| US08198016B2 |
Patterning process
The present invention provides a patterning process, in which a resistance with regard to an organic solvent used for a composition for formation of a reverse film is rendered to a positive pattern to the degree of necessity and yet solubility into an alkaline etching liquid is secured, thereby enabling to finally obtain a negative image by a positive-negative reversal by performing a wet etching using an alkaline etching liquid.A resist patterning process of the present invention using a positive-negative reversal comprises at least a step of forming a resist film by applying a positive resist composition; a step of obtaining a positive pattern by exposing and developing the resist film; a step of crosslinking the positive resist pattern thus obtained; a step of forming a reverse film; and a step of reversing the positive pattern to a negative pattern by dissolving into an alkaline wet-etching liquid for removal. |
| US08198015B2 |
Method of forming mask pattern
A mask pattern forming method which can form desired resist patterns accurately and stably on a substrate material like SiC having transparency to light. The method comprising forming a light reflective film on a semiconductor substrate having transparency to light; forming a photo-resist on the light reflective film; projecting exposure light through a master mask onto a focal position adjusted based on light reflected by the light reflective film when projecting focus detecting light onto the semiconductor substrate, thereby exposing the photo-resist; and removing exposed portions or portions other than the exposed portions of the photo-resist so as to pattern the photo-resist. |
| US08198013B2 |
Method for preparing a printing form
The invention pertains to a method for preparing a printing form from a photosensitive element having a support and a layer of photopolymerizable material adjacent the support. The method includes exposing the photosensitive element through an image mask and through a backside mask, treating the exposed element to form a relief region and to provide an unexposed region of the photopolymerizable material remaining on the support, and removing the unexposed region from the relief region, wherein the relief region remains on the support as the printing form. The method is particularly suited for preparing a composite printing form from the printing form, and in particular for preparing composite printing forms for relief printing of corrugated substrates. |
| US08198010B2 |
Lithographic imaging with printing members having hydrophilic, surfactant-containing top layers
Printing members that include a topmost layer comprising a polymer and a silicone surfactant are durable and enable use of low imaging-power densities. The protective layer may contain an inorganic crosslinker. |
| US08198009B2 |
Resist pattern thickening material and process for forming resist pattern, and semiconductor device and process for producing the same
The object of the present invention is to provide a process for forming a resist pattern that is capable to utilize excimer laser beam, the thickening level of the resist pattern is controllable uniformly, constantly and precisely, without being affected substantially by environmental changes such as temperatures and humidity, and storage period, and space pattern of resist may be formed with a fineness exceeding exposure limits or resolution limits of available irradiation sources. The process for producing a semiconductor device is characterized in that forming a resist pattern on a surface of workpiece, coating a resist pattern thickening material on the resist pattern, thickening the resist pattern to form a thickened resist pattern, and patterning the surface of workpiece by etching using the thickened resist pattern as a mask, wherein the resist pattern thickening material comprises a resin, and exhibits a pH value of above 7 and not over 14 at coating or after coating on the resist pattern. |
| US08198005B2 |
Method of forming resist pattern
Provided is a method of forming a resist pattern capable of forming a resist pattern, whose dimensional variations and defects are reduced as far as possible, with a high throughput. The invention provides a method of forming a resist pattern involving the following: forming a resist film on a substrate; subjecting the resist film to exposure treatment in a pressure-reduced condition after performing pressure-reducing treatment; performing reduced-pressure releasing treatment that releases the resist film from a pressure-reduced condition while humidifying the resist film by introducing a humidity-adjusted gas into the pressure-reduced environment; performing bake treatment that heats the resist film after the reduced-pressure releasing treatment; and developing the resist film. |
| US08198001B2 |
Process for producing liquid developer, liquid developer, and image forming apparatus
A process for producing a liquid developer includes: providing a dispersion liquid containing an aqueous dispersion medium and toner mother particles including a rosin resin; chemically modifying surfaces of the toner mother particles with an amine-based material by mixing the amine-based material with the dispersion liquid to obtain toner particles; and dispersing the toner particles in an insulating liquid. |
| US08197997B2 |
Electrophotographic photoconductor, production method thereof, image forming method and image forming apparatus using photoconductor, and process cartridge
To provide an electrophotographic photoconductor that comprises a support and a cross-linked layer formed over the support, wherein the cross-linked layer comprises at least light curable of radically polymerizable compound, the difference of maximum value of the post-exposure electrical potential and minimum value of the post-exposure electrical potential when writing is conducted under the condition that image static power is 0.53 mW, exposure energy is 4.0 erg/cm2 for the electrophotographic photoconductor is within 30V. |
| US08197990B2 |
Sealant integrated fuel cell components and methods and systems for producing the same
A fuel cell, having improved sealing against leakage, includes a sealant disposed over the peripheral portions a membrane electrode assembly such that the cured sealant penetrates a gas diffusion layer of the membrane electrode assembly. The sealant is applied through liquid injection molding techniques to form cured sealant composition at the peripheral potions of the membrane electrode assembly. The sealant may be thermally cured at low temperatures, for example 130° C. or less, or may be cured at room temperature through the application of actinic radiation. |
| US08197987B2 |
Separator for fuel cell
A separator for fuel cell comprising an electrolyte with ionic conductivity, a pair of electrodes with the electrolyte sandwiched therebetween, and a separator 10 for individually supplying a fuel gas and an oxidizing agent gas to the pair of the electrodes, respectively, wherein the separator 10 is provided with a multilayered metal sheet with at least the outermost layer thereof, and a corrosion-resistant film covering the whole surface of the metal sheet in order to form a metal separator, and the metal separator is further provided with a reacting gas sealing unit 21, a reacting gas manifold junction unit 22, and a reacting gas rectification unit 23, formed of an elastic body. |
| US08197986B2 |
Fuel cell device
A surface on the fuel electrode side of a lower portion of a separator in a fuel cell stack is made to have water repellency, so that water accumulated in a fuel gas flow path can be appropriately discharged, and thus so that reduction in fuel cell performance and deterioration of the fuel electrode can be surely prevented. For that purpose, in a fuel cell device, a fuel cell having an electrolyte layer interposed between the fuel electrode and an oxygen electrode includes a cell module laminated so as to interpose a separator formed with the fuel gas flow path along the fuel electrode, and a fuel gas flows substantially perpendicularly to the direction of gravity in the fuel gas flow path. The separator is provided with a water-repellent surface on the fuel electrode side of a lower portion thereof. |
| US08197976B2 |
Solid oxide fuel cell systems with hot zones and two-stage tail gas combustors
A solid oxide fuel cell system including a main plate, an inner cylinder attached to the main plate, an intermediate cylinder attached to the main plate such that the intermediate cylinder contains a cathode air stream, and an outer cylinder attached to the main plate. An exhaust annular gap is formed between the intermediate and outer cylinders such that hot exhaust gases flow through the exhaust annular gap and heat is transferred from the hot exhaust gases to the cathode air stream. The solid oxide fuel cell system may also include a two-stage tail gas combustor. |
| US08197974B2 |
Energy storage system
A closed loop energy storage system configured with a hydrogen tank, an oxygen tank, a fuel cell stack and an electrolyzer. A heat exchanger freeze-dries the hydrogen and oxygen prior to their storage in their respective tanks. The heat exchanger also uses excess fuel cell heat to preheat streams of hydrogen and oxygen coming from the tanks. Phase separators serve both to separate water from hydrogen and oxygen, and to store the water. A thermal management system encloses all the system components except the tanks. An airfoil-shaped shell covers the system, and the larger of the two tanks extends substantially across the shell at its point of greatest camber thickness. The tanks are composed of polymer liners integral with composite shells. |
| US08197970B2 |
Lithium battery
A lithium battery includes a substrate, a positive electrode layer, a negative electrode layer, and a sulfide solid electrolyte layer disposed between the positive electrode layer and the negative electrode layer, the positive electrode layer, the negative electrode layer, and the sulfide solid electrolyte layer being provided on the substrate. In this lithium battery, the positive electrode layer is formed by a vapor-phase deposition method, and a buffer layer that suppresses nonuniformity of distribution of lithium ions near the interface between the positive electrode layer and the sulfide solid electrolyte layer is provided between the positive electrode layer and the sulfide solid electrolyte layer. As the buffer layer, a lithium-ion conductive oxide, in particular, LixLa(2−x)/3TiO3 (x=0.1 to 0.5), Li7+xLa3Zr2O12+(x/2) (−5≦x≦3, preferably −2≦x≦2), or LiNbO3 is preferably used. |
| US08197969B2 |
Anode and battery
A battery capable of improving cycle characteristics and a manufacturing yield is provided. An anode includes: an anode current collector; and an anode active material layer arranged on the anode current collector, in which the anode active material layer includes an anode active material including a plurality of pores, and the rate of change in the amount of mercury intruded into the plurality of pores is distributed so as to have a peak in a diameter range from 80 nm to 1200 nm both inclusive, the amount of mercury intruded being measured by mercury porosimetry. |
| US08197968B2 |
Cathode active material and battery
A cathode contains: a lithium cobalt composite oxide expressed by LixCoaM1bM2cO2, where M1 denotes the first element; M2 indicates the second element; x, a, b, and c are set to values within ranges of 0.9≦x≦1.1, 0.9≦a≦1, 0.001≦b≦0.05, and 0.001≦c≦0.05; and a+b+c=1; a first sub-component element of at least one kind selected from a group containing Ti, Zr, and Hf, and a second sub-component element of at least one kind selected from a group containing Si, Ge, and Sn. 0.01 mol %≦(content of the first sub-component element)≦10 mol % as a ratio to cobalt in the lithium cobalt composite oxide. 0.01 mol %≦(content of the second sub-component element)≦10 mol % as a ratio to cobalt in the lithium cobalt composite oxide. |
| US08197966B2 |
Negative electrode for nonaqueous secondary battery
A negative electrode 10 for a nonaqueous secondary battery has an active material layer 12 containing active material particles 12a. The particles 12a are coated at least partially with a metallic material 13 having low capability of lithium compound formation. The active material layer 12 has voids located between the metallic material-coated particles 12a with a void fraction of 15% to 45%. The metallic material 13 on the surface of the particles is preferably present throughout the thickness of the active material layer. The active material particles 12a are preferably of a silicon-based material. The active material layer 12 preferably contains 1% to 3% by weight of an electroconductive carbon material based on the weight of the active material particles 12a. |
| US08197964B2 |
Battery
A battery capable of improving the cycle characteristics even if the thickness of an anode active material layer is increased is provided. The battery includes a cathode, an anode and an electrolytic solution. The anode has an anode active material layer on an anode current collector, and the anode active material layer contains a carbon material and has a thickness of 30 μm or more. The electrolytic solution contains a solvent and an electrolyte salt, and the solvent contains at least one of sulfone compounds such as a cyclic disulfonic acid anhydride. |
| US08197959B2 |
Cartridge-type lithium ion polymer battery pack
Disclosed is a cartridge-type lithium ion polymer battery pack including: at least two lithium ion polymer batteries in which adjacent electrode tabs are connected to each other so as to form a predetermined series circuit with a desired instrument; and an upper plate and a lower plate disposed at the top and the bottom of the whole lithium ion polymer batteries, respectively, and coupled to each other so that each lithium ion polymer battery is partially covered with them. Multiple layers of the battery packs are laminated and fixed with ease so as to conform to the electric power requirement for a desired instrument. |
| US08197957B2 |
Battery cover assembly for portable electronic device
A battery cover assembly for a portable electronic device (100), the battery cover assembly includes a cover (10), a housing (20), a button (30) and the at least one elastic element (40). The cover defines a button hole (122). The cover is slidably attached to the housing. The button is disposed on the housing, and is releasably received in the button hole. One end of the at least one elastic element is attached to the housing, and another end of the at least one elastic element is attached to the cover. The at least one elastic element provides an elastic force to allow the cover to automatically slide to open relative to the housing when the button exits from the button hole. |
| US08197954B2 |
Battery pack
A battery pack that allows a cover to be firmly fixed with a simple structure and that has superior impact resistance is provided. The battery pack is a battery pack 1 in which a protection circuit 10 and a protection element 7 are attached to a unit cell 2 and the protection circuit 10 and the protection element 7 are housed within a cover 11, the battery pack 1 including an internal frame 6 provided within the cover 11, wherein the internal frame 6 is fixed to the unit cell 2 and supports the protection circuit 10, a boss 13 projecting from the internal frame 6 which passes through a hole 12 formed in the cover 11, and the cover 11 is fixed to the internal frame 6 by melting and deforming the boss 13. |
| US08197953B2 |
Magnetic stack design
A magnetic stack having a free layer having a switchable magnetization orientation, a reference layer having a pinned magnetization orientation, and a barrier layer therebetween. The stack includes an annular antiferromagnetic pinning layer electrically isolated from the free layer and in physical contact with the reference layer. In some embodiments, the reference layer is larger than the free layer. |
| US08197950B2 |
Dense vertically cracked thermal barrier coatings
This invention relates to dense, vertically cracked thermal barrier coatings made from high purity yttria or ytterbia stabilized zirconia powders. The high purity yttria or ytterbia stabilized zirconia powder consisting essentially of less than about 0.01 weight percent silicon dioxide (silica), less than about 0.002 weight percent aluminum oxide (alumina), less than about 0.005 weight percent calcium oxide, less than about 0.005 weight percent ferric oxide, less than about 0 to about 0.002 weight percent magnesium oxide, less than about 0 to about 0.005 weight percent titanium dioxide, from about 1.5 to about 2 weight percent hafnium oxide (hafnia), from about 6 to about 25 weight percent yttrium oxide (yttria), less than 0.1 weight percent other impurity oxides, and the balance zirconium oxide (zirconia) and the balance zirconium oxide (zirconia). The thermal barrier coatings are intended to be used in cyclic thermal environments such as for gas turbine blades, vanes and seal surfaces exposed in the hot section of gas turbine engines. |
| US08197949B2 |
Blank for a ring member of a bearing, manufacturing method for the same, manufacturing method for a ring member of a bearing, and bearing
Provided is a blank structure for a ring member of a bearing in which a cut target surface after stainless steel is forged has uniform surface characteristics, and highly accurate cutting processing is enabled. A blank (10), which is processed to an outer race (2) and an inner race (3) of a bearing, includes: a cylindrical portion (11, 12) formed by forging a stainless-steel material, and having an inner circumferential surface (11a, 12a) and an outer circumferential surface (11b, 12b) entirely being surface eutectic carbides fragmented beds; and a clamp portion (13) provided to one end portion side of the cylindrical portion (11, 12). |
| US08197947B2 |
Adhesive compositions
Adhesive compositions comprising a first copolymer of butene-1 and propylene; a second copolymer of ethylene and a comonomer selected from butene-1, hexene-1, and octene-1; a polyolefin grafted with an ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid or acid derivative; and an olefin polymer resin, and multilayer structures comprising the adhesive composition. |
| US08197944B2 |
One-component structural adhesive having high initial adhesion
The invention relates to a one-component structural adhesive having a flow limit of at least 1500 Pa and an initial adhesion of more than 30 g/cm2, which contains at least one thickening agent and/or at least one filler. The invention further relates to the manufacture of such one-component structural adhesives and to the use of one or more thickening agents and/or one or more fillers for the manufacture of solid to kneadable one-component structural adhesive compounds having high initial adhesion. |
| US08197935B2 |
Ballistic resistant articles comprising elongate bodies
A ballistic-resistant moulded article having a compressed stack of sheets including reinforcing elongate bodies, where at least some of the elongate bodies are polyethylene elongate bodies that have a weight average molecular weight of at least 100,000 gram/mole and a Mw/Mn ratio of at most 6. Methods for manufacturing ballistic-resistant moulded articles are also provided. |
| US08197934B2 |
Composition for positive type photoresist and positive type photoresist film manufactured thereby
Disclosed are a composition for positive type photoresist and a positive type photoresist film manufactured thereby. The composition comprises an alkali soluble resin, a photosensitive compound, a thermo-curable cross linking agent, a sensitivity enhancer and a solvent. The photoresist film has a supporting film and a photoresist layer formed on the supporting film, wherein the photoresist layer comprises the alkali soluble resin, the photosensitive compound, the thermo-curable cross linking agent and the sensitivity enhancer. |
| US08197933B2 |
Fluoropolymer coated films useful for photovoltaic module
A photovoltaic module backsheet includes a polyester film having opposite first and second surfaces, and first and second fluoropolymer coatings on the first and second surfaces of the polyester film. The first and second fluoropolymer coatings each include fluoropolymer selected from homopolymers and copolymers of vinyl fluoride and homopolymers and copolymers of vinylidene fluoride polymer blended with compatible adhesive polymer. The compatible adhesive polymer includes a backbone that is compatible with the fluoropolymer and pendant functional groups. The pendant functional groups are selected from carboxylic acid, sulfonic acid, aziridine, anhydride, amine, isocyanate, melamine, epoxy, hydroxy and mixtures thereof. The surfaces of the polyester film include functional groups on each surface that interact with the pendant functional groups of the compatible adhesive polymer in the first and second fluoropolymer coatings to promote bonding of the first and second fluoropolymer coatings to the respective surfaces of the polyester film. |
| US08197928B2 |
Intrusion resistant safety glazings and solar cell modules
Described certain plasticized poly(vinyl butyral) (PVB) interlayer sheets that may be used to produce safety glass and solar cell laminates having enhanced penetration resistance and adequate adhesion levels. In particular, the stress value of these interlayer sheets at an elongation of 120% is preferably in the range of from about 8 to about 15 N/mm2. |
| US08197926B2 |
Screen
A screen includes a plurality of concave recesses arranged on a flat surface, wherein the recesses are arranged in such a way that the spacing between adjacent ones of the recesses in the radial direction from a reference point located in the flat surface or a plane extended from the flat surface increase with distance from the reference point. |
| US08197925B2 |
Self-venting polymeric film
A heat-scalable, composite film said film comprising a polymeric substrate layer having a first and second surface and disposed on a surface of the substrate layer a water-soluble barrier layer, wherein (i) the substrate layer has one or more venting means therein; and (ii) the thickness of the barrier layer is from about 0.05 to about 40 μm; a process for the manufacture thereof; and use thereof as a self-venting film in the packaging of an ovenable meal. |
| US08197923B2 |
Optical recording medium
An optical recording medium having a substrate and an optical recording layer on the substrate. The optical recording layer is formed of an optical recording material containing at least one heterocyclic compound represented by general formula (I): wherein Z1 represents oxygen, sulfur, —CR5R6—, etc. (R5 and R6 are each a substituent, e.g., an alkyl group or an aralkyl group, or are taken together to form a ring); R1 and R2 each represent hydrogen, etc.; R3 and R4 each represent an alkyl group having 1 to 8 carbon atoms or are taken together to form a heterocyclic ring having no multiple bond; Y1 represents a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group having 1 to 8 carbon atoms, a metallocene substituent, etc.; Anq− represents a q-valent anion; q represents 1 or 2; p represents a number necessary to neutralize an electric charge; and n represents a number of 1 to 4. |
| US08197921B2 |
Ink-recipient particle, material for recording, recording apparatus and storage member for ink-recipient particle
A recording apparatus comprises: an intermediate transfer body; a releasing agent supply device that supplies a releasing agent onto the intermediate transfer body; a particle supply device that supplies hydrophilic ink-recipient particles that receive an ink, onto the releasing agent supplied onto the intermediate transfer body; an ink ejection device that ejects the ink onto the ink-recipient particles supplied onto the intermediate transfer body; and a transfer device that transfers the ink-recipient particles that received the ink, onto a recording medium from the intermediate transfer body, the releasing agent comprising at least one selected from the group consisting of a silicone oil, a fluorinated oil and an organic compound having a solubility parameter (SP value) of about 11 or less. |
| US08197911B2 |
Method of applying polymer coating to a substrate
An object of complex three-dimensional configuration, such as an automotive vehicle body, is coated with a combination of a coating formulation and a photoactivated mixture containing active centers that have been produced prior to application. The two liquids can be intimately mixed prior to application to the object, or the coating formulation can be applied prior to the application of the photoactivated mixture. The coating formulation is cured by the active centers that have been produced prior to application. |
| US08197910B2 |
Methods for producing synthetic surfaces that mimic collagen coated surfaces for cell culture
The present invention discloses methods for producing synthetic surfaces that mimic collagen coated surfaces for cell culture comprising: providing a monomer source comprising one or more organic compounds which are capable of polymerization, wherein at least one organic compound is prolinol; creating a plasma of said monomer source; and contacting at least a portion of a surface with the plasma to provide a plasma polymer coated surface. Advantageously, such methods provide a synthetic, chemically defined surface that mimics a collagen coated surface for cell culture. Advantageously, such methods not only reduce the cost and/or issues associated with animal-derived collagen but are also amenable to large scale manufacturing. |
| US08197908B2 |
Method for preparing electrically conducting materials
Processes for depositing conductive materials on substrates are disclosed which include the steps of combusting a premixed fuel and oxidant to form a stagnation flame against a moving surface which stabilizes the stagnation flame and introducing at least one precursor to the flame to form a conducting material onto the substrate. |
| US08197907B2 |
Method and installation for coating a metal strip with a coating containing a solvent and for drying and/or cross-linking said coating
The invention relates to a method for coating a metal strip with a coating containing a solvent and for drying and/or cross-linking said coating. Accordingly, the metal strip is provided with the coating in an inner chamber of a coating device. The coated metal strip is conducted through a drying unit and in an inner chamber of the latter is exposed to a form of energy by at least one radiation source that is cooled by a cooling gas, said form of energy being converted to heat in the coating and/or the metal strip. The cooling gas that is supplied to the radiation source flows through the latter, absorbs the waste heat from said source and is then conducted into the inner chamber of the drying unit, thus saving energy and gas. The invention also relates to an installation that is suitable for carrying out said method. |
| US08197905B2 |
Method of applying high solids coating composition to multilayer coating
The present invention is directed to a process of applying a solvent-based coating composition on a substrate to produce a multi-layer coating thereon. The binder component of the composition includes at least one hydroxy-functional polyether obtained from at least one polyol having at least three hydroxyl groups and at least one monoglycidyl ester of a branched monocarboxylic acid. The crosslinking component of the composition includes at least one cross-linking agent that is capable of entering into a cross-linking reaction with the hydroxyl groups of- the hydroxy-functional polyether. The process further includes curing the multi-layer coating. The process is well suited for producing clear coats and pigmented topcoats in automotive refinishing. |
| US08197903B2 |
Surface modified organic inorganic hybrid glass, protecting group induced alcohol or its derivative and producing method thereof
Disclosed are a protected alcohol or derivative thereof, a surface-modified organic-inorganic hybrid glass, and preparation methods thereof. More specifically, disclosed are a protected alcohol or derivative thereof and a surface-modified organic-inorganic hybrid glass, which are prepared by allowing a silane compound, having vinyl or a vinyl derivative, to react with an alcohol or derivative thereof or with an organic-inorganic hybrid glass, in the presence of an acid catalyst, a transition metal catalyst and an organic solvent, so as to introduce an organic group thereto even at room temperature, as well as preparation methods thereof. The disclosed invention allows a functional group to be effectively introduced into alcohol or a derivative thereof or into an organic-inorganic hybrid glass, not only high temperatures but also room temperature, and thus is highly effective in introducing compounds having a thermally sensitive functional group, for example, natural compounds or proteins. Also, the invention makes it possible to introduce various organic groups and to separate and purify organic macromolecule-bonded organosilane compounds using a silica gel column so as to effectively introduce large organic functional groups to inorganic materials. Accordingly, the invention is highly useful in the chemical industry. |
| US08197901B2 |
In-situ nanoparticle formation in polymer clearcoats
Methods and compositions for forming a transparent clear coat characterized by a desired property, such as a color effect, resistance to UV light-induced degradation and/or scratch resistance, on a substrate are detailed according to embodiments of the present invention. Particular compositions and methods for producing a transparent clear coat layer include nanoparticles formed in-situ during curing of a transparent clear coat. Curable clear coat compositions are described according to embodiments of the present invention which include one or more substantially dissolved nanoparticle precursors. |
| US08197898B2 |
Method and system for depositing a layer from light-induced vaporization of a solid precursor
A method and system for depositing a layer from a vaporized solid precursor. The method includes providing a substrate in a process chamber of a deposition system, forming a precursor vapor by light-induced vaporization of a solid precursor, and exposing the substrate to a process gas containing the precursor vapor to deposit a layer including at least one element from the precursor vapor on the substrate. |
| US08197893B2 |
Colored metal flake surfaced roofing materials
The present invention relates to roofing materials for roofs, sidewalls and other exterior surfaces exposed to the weather such as, but not limited to, asphaltic and non-asphaltic roofing materials, wherein color coated metal flakes cover up to 100% of the weathering surface of the roofing materials. The metal flakes are coated with a colored coating material by fluidizing the flakes in an air stream, spraying pressurized air and colored coating material, and curing the coated metal flakes. The present invention also relates to methods of making roofing materials. |
| US08197892B2 |
Method of making coated articles and coated articles made thereby
An article includes a first substrate, a functional coating deposited over at least a portion of the substrate, and a protective coating deposited over the functional coating. The functional coating and the protective coating define a coating stack. A polymeric material is deposited over at least a portion of the protective coating. The protective coating has a refractive index that is substantially the same as the refractive index of the polymeric material. |
| US08197885B2 |
Methods for producing sodium/molybdenum power compacts
A method for producing a metal article according to one embodiment may include: Providing a supply of a sodium/molybdenum composite metal powder; compacting the sodium/molybdenum composite metal powder under sufficient pressure to form a preformed article; placing the preformed article in a sealed container; raising the temperature of the sealed container to a temperature that is lower than a sintering temperature of molybdenum; and subjecting the sealed container to an isostatic pressure for a time sufficient to increase the density of the article to at least about 90% of theoretical density. |
| US08197881B2 |
Method and apparatus for loading a beneficial agent into an expandable medical device
The present invention relates to method and apparatus for dispensing a beneficial agent into an expandable medical device. The method includes the step of placing an expandable medical device on a support and dispensing a beneficial agent into a plurality of openings in the medical device with a shield gas for controlling a local environment surrounding the dispenser. |
| US08197875B2 |
Taste modifiers comprising a chlorogenic acid
The present invention discloses a method to modify the taste profile of consumables by adding esters of quinic acid and cinnamic acid derivatives. These esters, which belong to the family of chlorogenic acid, may be synthetic or may be extracted from a natural source such as a botanical. Chlorogenic acid is added to consumables to mask bitter off-tastes or other displeasing tastes imparted by one or more natural, synthetic or semi-synthetic components in the consumable. |
| US08197874B2 |
Method of preparing baked egg
A method of producing baked egg using a horizontal rotating cylinder-type continuous frying apparatus, which baked egg has a small size and a strong fried flavor, is disclosed. Egg liquid is sprayed onto the inner surface of a heating drum while rotating the heating drum to solidify the egg liquid and then to make the solidified egg liquid detach from the inner surface of the heating drum, which egg liquid is sprayed within an area of the inner surface of the heating drum, which area expands at an angle of 60° to 150° in the direction of rotation of the heating drum from a rotation origin defined as the intersection of a vertical line and the rotation axis of the heating drum, wherein the angle is indicated taking the angle of the direction of the vertical line as 0°. The heating drum has a temperature and a rotation speed such that the egg liquid sprayed onto the inner surface of the heating drum is solidified and then the solidified egg liquid is detached from the inner surface before the heating drum rotates by 360°. |
| US08197872B2 |
Human milk oligosaccharides to promote growth of beneficial gut bacteria
The present invention provides prebiotic and probiotic compositions containing human milk oligosaccharides and methods of use that selectively promote the growth of beneficial gut bacteria. |
| US08197867B1 |
Dietary supplement system
Of three layers, the first layer in a rapid release composition of a plurality of thermogenic constituents is about 40 percent by weight of the system plus or minus 10 percent. The second layer in a delayed release composition of energy and thyroid stimulating constituents is about 40 percent by weight of the system plus or minus 10 percent. The third layer in a sustained release composition of fat binding and appetite suppressing constituents is 20 percent by weight of the system plus or minus 10 percent. |
| US08197866B1 |
Herbal treatment for diabetes mellitus, type II
A herbal treatment for Diabetes Mellitus, Type II comprises a first volume of herbal oils and a first weight of ground herbs. The mixture of the oil and ground herbs forms a paste, which is dispensed in a gel capsule. |
| US08197864B2 |
Preparation, process and a regenerative method and technique for prevention, treatment and glycemic control of diabetes mellitus
A medicinal preparation, a process, a nutritional composition and regenerative and insulin potentiating method for humans and also for mammals for prevention, treatment and management/glycemic control of diabetes mellitus by obtaining optimum glucose level in blood, by administering an extract of Costus pictus to produce above effect in a dose of 500-2000 mg/day in humans and 50-200 mg/kg/day in rats. A method for treating hyperglycemia in a patient by administering a medicinal preparation of Costus pictus D. Don. A method for long term management of diabetes by avoiding the problems associated with tight control of blood glucose concentrations, i.e., hypoglycemia tolerance and seizures, while simultaneously avoiding the problems associated with conventional moderate control of blood glucose concentrations, i.e., pathological complications associated with hyperglycemia, such as nephropathy, retinopathy, etc. The medicinal preparation further affords an insulin potentiating action in addition to decreasing blood glucose and/or glycosylated hemoglobin levels. |
| US08197862B2 |
Method of making distilled olive juice extracts
In accordance with this invention, new processes for making an all-natural, hydroxytyrosol-rich, non bitter olive juice extract and its distillate is presented. Also as part of this invention are novel juice extract distillate and compositions containing this novel olive juice extract distillate. |
| US08197861B2 |
Methods and formulations for treating chronic liver disease
An anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic antioxidant formulation for treatment of hepatic oxidative stress and cirrhosis is disclosed. The antioxidant formulation can further include at least one of a hepatitis C virus-specific or a non-alcoholic steatohepatitis-specific formulation comprising one or more compounds to retard the progression of liver fibrosis and possibly reverse an established fibrosis. Methods of treatment or therapies for treating chronic liver disease and chronic hepatitis are also provided. |
| US08197859B2 |
Lipolysis stimulator
To provide a lipolysis agent, a slimming agent, and a cellulite-ameliorating agent, which stimulate decomposition of fat accumulated in the adipose tissue, to thereby exhibit body-slimming effect and which is effective for inhibition or prevention of obesity and amelioration of prone to obesity. The lipolysis stimulator of the invention contains, as effective ingredients, a plant Huang Hua Cai or an extract thereof, and a xanthine derivative. |
| US08197858B2 |
Bone microenvironment modulated seizure treatments
Novel etiology underlying certain types of seizures and migraines is presented, whereby changes in endocrine levels result in changes in osteoclast activity levels which in turn result in elevated extracellular Ca2+ levels which in turn result in systemic alterations in nerves muscles, including increased nerve membrane depolarization, enhanced calcium channel mediated neurotransmitter release, and increased muscle contractility via sarcoplasmic reticulum calcium release channel mediated tropomyosin block removal, which in turn result in increased seizure risk in people with low seizure thresholds. Treatment methods are provided that modulate the bone microenvironment to provide an etiology based seizure treatment method that simultaneously reduces nerve sensitivity and muscle contractility. Preferred embodiments include use of SERMs such as raloxifene, testosterone, estrogen, calcimimetics such as cinacalcet, RANKL inhibitors such as denosumab, and bisphosphonate such as risedronate. |
| US08197850B2 |
Medicine based on anti-hyperglycaemic microcapsules with prolonged release and method for preparing same
The invention concerns an oral galenic form for prolonged release of anti-hyperglycaemic (metformin) active principles. Said medicine enables to obtain an efficient therapeutic protection over 24 hours by overcoming the problems of bypass of the absorption window and the massive localised release of active principles. Therefor, said medicine comprises several thousand anti-hyperglycaemic (metformin) microcapsules each consisting of a core comprising at least an anti-hyperglycaemic agent and of a coating film applied on the core and enabling the prolonged release in vivo of the anti-hyperglycaemic agent. Said microcapsules have a grain size distribution ranging between 50 and 100 microns. The reproducibility of the transit kinetics and hence of bioavailability are very high. There results for the patient a lesser risk of hyperglycaemic or hypoglycaemic. The invention also concerns the preparation of said medicine and the use of a plurality of said microcapsules for making an anti-hyperglycaemic medicine. The invention is applicable to the treatment of type II diabetes. |
| US08197848B2 |
Pharmaceutical compositions of cholesteryl ester transfer protein inhibitors
A pharmaceutical composition comprises a solid amorphous dispersion of a cholesteryl ester transfer protein inhibitor and a concentration-enhancing polymer. |
| US08197847B2 |
Process for making polymers and supports comprising pendant sugar side groups
The application discloses a process for making a polymer having pendant side groups comprising: (i) polymerising an olefinically unsaturated monomer functionalized with (a) an azide group optionally protected by a protecting group, or (b) an alkyne group optionally protected by a protecting group, by living radical polymerization, most preferably RAFT, transitional metal mediated living radical polymerization (TMM-LRP) and/or atom transfer radical polymerization, to produce a polymer intermediate; (ii) removing, when present, at least a portion of the total number of protecting groups from the polymer intermediate; (iii) reacting the polymer intermediate with at least one pendant side group moiety functionalised with (a) an alkyne group or (b) an azide group respectively so that the alkyne and azide groups react to attach the pendant side group to the polymer. Processes for making supports comprising pendant side groups, and polymers and supports prepared by the method are also disclosed. |
| US08197845B2 |
Encapsulated tiotropium containing powder formulation for inhalation
The invention relates to powdered preparations containing tiotropium for inhalation, processes for preparing them as well as their use in preparing a pharmaceutical composition for the treatment of respiratory complaints, particularly for the treatment of COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) and asthma. |
| US08197841B2 |
Polymerizable surfactants and their use as device forming comonomers
This invention describes the use of polymerizable surfactants as comonomers in forming ophthalmic devices such as contact lenses, intraocular lenses, corneal implants, etc. |
| US08197839B2 |
Sustained release delivery system
A sustained release apparatus including at least one sustained release mini tablet implant; the or each mini tablet implant including a pharmaceutically active composition including at least one pharmaceutically active component; and a carrier therefor, wherein the or each tablet implant is of the coated tablet or covered rod type; the or each mini tablet implant being approximately 0.1 to 0.5 times the length and/or diameter of a single immediate release tablet capable of providing the desired threshold blood level depending on the pharmaceutical active selected, and having a payload of approximately 30% to 70% by weight of the total payload of an equivalent immediate release treatment conducted for an equivalent period; the sustained release apparatus providing, in use, zero order release of pharmaceutical active. |
| US08197837B2 |
Method of preparation of bioabsorbable porous reinforced tissue implants and implants thereof
A biocompatible tissue implant. The tissue implant may be bioabsorbable, consists of a biocompatible polymeric foam. The tissue implant also includes a biocompatible reinforcement member. The polymeric foam and the reinforcement member are soluble in a lyophilizing solvent. The reinforcement may be annealed and/or coated. |
| US08197836B2 |
Solid microbicidal composition
A solid microbicidal composition containing a mixture of 5-chloro-2-methyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one and 2-methyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one, magnesium sulfate, a metal nitrate, magnesium chloride, and water. |
| US08197833B2 |
Liquid concentrate for preserving cosmetics
The invention relates to a liquid concentrate for preserving cosmetic products which comprises a combination of carboxylic acid salts chosen from the salts of benzoic acid, propionic acid, salicylic acid, sorbic acid, 4-hydroxybenzoic acid, dehydracetic acid, formic acid or 10-undecylenic acid and alcohols chosen from 2-phenoxyethanol, benzyl alcohol, phenethyl alcohol, 1-phenoxypropan-2-ol, 3-(4-chlorophenoxy)-1,2-propanediol, chlorobutanol or 2,4-dichlorobenzyl alcohol in a solvent, where the active ingredient content is greater than 45% by weight. |
| US08197827B2 |
Protein from Photobacterium damselae and use thereof
A derivative of a 55 kDa extracellular protein from Photobacterium damselae subsp. Piscicida is the basis for a vaccine against Photobacterium infection, and thereby protects fish from pasteurellosis. |
| US08197824B2 |
Rapid, efficient purification of HSV-specific T-lymphocytes and HSV antigens identified via same
Described is a method of identifying an immunologically active antigen of a virus that attacks skin, as well as a method of enriching a population of lymphocytes for T lymphocytes that are specific to a virus that attacks skin. Also provided are HSV antigens and epitopes that are useful for the prevention and treatment of HSV infection that have been identified via the methods of the invention. T-cells having specificity for antigens of the invention have demonstrated cytotoxic activity against cells loaded with virally-encoded peptide epitopes, and in many cases, against cells infected with HSV. The identification of immunogenic antigens responsible for T-cell specificity provides improved anti-viral therapeutic and prophylactic strategies. Compositions containing antigen or polynucleotides encoding antigens of the invention provide effectively targeted vaccines for prevention and treatment of HSV infection. |
| US08197822B2 |
Method for the production of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) proteins utilizing modified vaccinia virus ankara (MVA) recombinants comprising HIV genes inserted into one or more intergenic regions (IGRs)
The invention relates to novel insertion sites useful for the integration of HIV DNA sequences into the MVA genome, and to the resulting recombinant MVA derivatives. |
| US08197821B2 |
Human immunodeficiency virus integrase—Transportin—SR protein—protein interactions
The present invention relates to protein-protein interactions involved in AIDS. More specifically, the present invention relates to complexes of polypeptides or polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides, fragments of the polypeptides, antibodies to the complexes, Selected Interacting Domains (SID®) which are identified due to the protein-protein interactions, methods for screening drugs for agents which modulate the interaction of proteins and pharmaceutical compositions that are capable of modulating the protein-protein interactions. |
| US08197819B2 |
Env polypeptide complexes and methods of use
Provided herein are small molecule CD4 mimetics effective to bind to HIV Env proteins. A CD4 mimetic of the invention, when bound to an Env protein, is effective to induce a conformational change in the Env protein such that cyptic epitopes on the Env protein are exposed. Also provided herein are related methods of identifying and using such small molecule CD4 mimetics, for example, to elicit an immune response in a subject upon administration. |
| US08197816B2 |
Human monoclonal antibody specific for lipopolysaccharides (LPS) of the Pseudomonas aeruginosa IATS O11 serotype
The present invention relates to a human monoclonal antibody specific for the serotype IATS O11 of P. aeruginosa, a hybridoma producing it, nucleic acids encoding it, and host cells transfected therewith. Further, the present invention relates to methods for producing said monoclonal antibody. In addition, the present invention relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising at least one antibody or at least one nucleic acid encoding said antibody. |
| US08197813B2 |
Human antibodies that bind human TNFα
Human antibodies, preferably recombinant human antibodies, that specifically bind to human tumor necrosis factor α (hTNFα) are disclosed. These antibodies have high affinity for hTNFα (e.g., Kd=10−8 M or less), a slow off rate for hTNFα dissociation (e.g., Koff=10−3 sec−1 or less) and neutralize hTNFα activity in vitro and in vivo. An antibody of the invention can be a full-length antibody or an antigen-binding portion thereof. The antibodies, or antibody portions, of the invention are useful for detecting hTNFα and for inhibiting hTNFα activity, e.g., in a human subject suffering from a disorder in which hTNFα activity is detrimental. Nucleic acids, vectors and host cells for expressing the recombinant human antibodies of the invention, and methods of synthesizing the recombinant human antibodies, are also encompassed by the invention. |
| US08197808B2 |
Stable enzymatic preparations and methods of use thereof
The present invention relates to stable concentrated enzymatic compositions suitable for storage under ambient conditions, while maintaining their intended enzymatic activity. The invention further relate to kits comprising concentrated enzymatic compositions, methods for preparing debriding solutions from said concentrated enzymatic compositions and methods of using the diluted debriding solutions. |
| US08197806B2 |
Stimulation of cartilage formation using reduced pressure treatment
Provided is a method of stimulating cartilage formation at a tissue site in a mammal. Also provided is a biocompatible scaffold. Additionally, a system for stimulating cartilage formation at a tissue site is provided. Further provided is the use of a manifold, a chondrocyte, and a reduced-pressure source to stimulate cartilage formation at a tissue site of a mammal. |
| US08197797B2 |
Compositions for oral hygiene and method for using same
The present invention generally relates to oral compositions such as toothpastes, toothpowders, liquid dentrifices, mouthwashes, rinses, dental floss, denture cleansers, chewing gums, lozenges and the like. In particular, it relates to such oral compositions that include cesium and rubidium salts. In one aspect of the present invention, a composition for oral use is provided. The composition includes a cesium or rubidium salt and water having a surface tension ranging between 45 and 70 dynes per cm2. In another aspect of the present invention, a method for improving oral hygiene in a mammal is provided. The method involves taking a volume of a solution into the mammal's mouth, where the solution includes a cesium or rubidium salt and water having a surface tension ranging between 45 and 70 dynes per cm2, swishing the solution around and expelling the solution. |
| US08197792B2 |
Reduced generation of ammonia in nickel catalyst of reformer
Reformation of natural gas without excessive production of ammonia, even if the natural gas includes as much as 14% nitrogen, is achieved in reformers including tubes (75) having outer chambers (78) with catalysts therein, a first stage (80) of catalyst having between about 10% and about 25% nickel, a second stage (81) of catalyst having less than 10% nickel, and a final stage (82) having 2% or less rhodium catalyst of a low concentration. |
| US08197791B2 |
Aluminium oxide powder, dispersion and coating composition
Aluminum oxide powder in the form of aggregates of primary-particles, which has a BET surface area of from 10 to 90 m2/g and comprises as crystalline phases, in addition to gamma-aluminum oxide and/or theta-aluminum oxide, at least 30% of delta-aluminum oxide. It is prepared by vaporizing aluminum chloride and burning the vapor together with hydrogen and air, the ratio of primary air/secondary air being 0.01 to 2, the exit speed vB of the reaction mixture from the burner being at least 10 m/s, the lambda value being 1 to 4, the gamma value being 1 to 3 and the value of gamma*vB/lambda being greater than or equal to 55. Dispersion comprising the aluminum oxide powder. Coating composition comprising the dispersion. |
| US08197783B2 |
Method for separating and recovering conversion reaction gas
Provided is a method for separating and recovering conversion reaction gas, wherein after a conversion reaction process for producing trichlorosilane from hydrogen gas and silicon tetrachloride comprising; condensing step of cooling discharged gas, separating step of silicon tetrachloride from the condensed liquid, and recovering disilicon hexachloride. For example, the method includes a first distillation process for distilling trichlorosilane from the condensed liquid, a second distillation process for distilling silicon tetrachloride from residual liquid of the first distillation process, and a third distillation process for distilling disilicon hexachloride from residual liquid of the second distillation process. |
| US08197781B2 |
Sputtering target of Li3PO4 and method for producing same
A method of forming a lithium orthophosphate sputter target or tile and resulting target material is presented. The target is fabricated from a pure lithium orthophosphate powder refined to a fine powder grain size. After steps of consolidation into a ceramic body, packaging and degassing, the ceramic body is densified to high density, and transformed into a stable single phase of pure lithium orthophosphate under sealed atmosphere. The lithium orthophosphate target is comprised of a single phase, and can preferably have a phase purity greater than 95% and a density of greater than 95%. |
| US08197780B2 |
Method of producing a boron suboxide material
A method of producing a boron suboxide composite material having improved fracture toughness. |
| US08197779B2 |
Catalyst for removing nitrogen oxides from exhaust gas, method for preparing the same and method for removing nitrogen oxides using the same from exhaust gas
The present invention relates to a catalyst for removing nitrogen oxides from an exhaust gas, a method for preparing the same and a method for removing nitrogen oxide in an exhaust gas using the same, and more particularly, to a catalyst for removing nitrogen oxides from the exhaust gas in which a ceramic fiber carrier is treated by hydrothermal reaction prior to washcoating to improve the hydrothermal stability of catalyst, a method for preparing the same and a method for removing nitrogen oxide in an exhaust gas using the same. The catalyst prepared according to the present invention has excellent hydrothermal stability and an activity of the catalyst remains for a long time. Further, by using this catalyst to remove nitrogen oxides in an exhaust gas, a removal ratio of the nitrogen oxides is greatly enhanced. |
| US08197778B2 |
Handling of acids from compressed oxyfuel-derived CO2
Sulfur dioxide (SO2) is removed from a carbon dioxide feed gas by maintaining the feed gas at elevated pressure(s) in the presence of oxygen (O2), water and NOx for a period of time sufficient to convert SO2 to sulfuric acid and NOx to nitric acid and produce SO2-depleted, NOx-lean carbon dioxide gas. The invention resides in separating the sulfuric and nitric acids from said SO2-depleted, NOx-lean carbon dioxide gas, and then neutralizing the acids by reaction with an alkaline sorbent in an acid/sorbent reactor system to produce sorbent-derive sulfate. The method has particular application in the removal of SO2 and NOx from flue gas produced by oxyfuel combustion of a carbonaceous fuel. |
| US08197777B2 |
Microcombustors, microreformers, and methods involving combusting or reforming liquids
The invention describes combustors and steam reformers and methods of combustion and steam reforming. For example, integrated combustion reactors are described in which heat from combustion is transferred to an endothermic reaction. Thermally efficient reactors and methods of alcohol steam reforming are also described. Also described is an integrated combustor/reformer containing a methanation catalyst. |
| US08197776B2 |
Reaction vessel and method for the handling thereof
A cuvette (10) for an automatic analyzing apparatus according to the invention includes at least two positions (20), for each position pair one separating wall (22) connecting the positions (20), and brackets (24), which are at the outermost positions (20) and which guide the cuvette (10) into a curved shape. In a handling method of a cuvette (10) according to the invention a cuvette (10) is transported from its brackets (24) to an incubator (30) and bent into a curved shape. In the method the cuvette (10) is then loaded into an opening (34) of the incubator (30), in which opening (34) it remains by its own spring back factor, until the cuvette (10) is removed from the opening (34) after the analysis. |
| US08197774B2 |
Microchip
A microchip is provided, in which dead space provided only for holding excess fluid is made smaller. The microchip is formed by joining at least a first substrate with a trench formed on the substrate surface and a second substrate, and it has a fluid circuit formed by the trench and a surface of the second substrate facing the first substrate. The first substrate and/or the second substrate has a projection for moving fluid and/or air in a direction opposite to the direction of gravity during an operation of the microchip, and the projection is provided near an end portion of a through hole and/or an air vent. |
| US08197769B2 |
Extruded body devices and methods for fluid processing
Disclosed is a device for processing fluids, the device comprising an extruded body having multiple elongated cells therein, the body having a first fluidic passage therethrough defined principally within at least some of said cells, the first fluidic passage having a longitudinally serpentine path back and forth along the at least some of said cells. |
| US08197768B2 |
Apparatus for conversion of materials including asbestos
A method of heating asbestos containing materials and changing their structure from crystal fibrous to that deprived of fiber structure using an electromagnetic field is provided and is characterized by crumbling of utilized material. Crumbled material is being transported to microwave reactor. During transportation and the crumbling process, material chunks are being mixed with a heating facilitating agent. The device includes a utilized materials' crusher (1), crumbled material chunks's worm (2), heating facilitating agent's feeder (3) and microwave thermal reactor (4). The feeder (3) is adjoined to the crusher (1) and/or to the worm (2). The reactor (4) has a heating chamber (9) made of materials that do not absorb microwave radiation which is located at the transporter's (2) outlet. |
| US08197767B2 |
Honeycomb structure
A disclosed honeycomb structure includes at least one honeycomb unit having parallel through holes separated by partition walls and extending in the longitudinal direction, the honeycomb unit including a first SOx-occluding agent, first inorganic particles, and an inorganic binder; and coating layers formed on the partition walls and including a second SOx-occluding agent and second inorganic particles. In the honeycomb structure, the basicity of the honeycomb unit is higher than that of the coating layers. |
| US08197762B2 |
Method of dispensing a volatile material
A method of dispensing a volatile material comprises the steps of providing power to a volatile material diffuser having a diffusion element. The method further includes the step of operating the diffusion element for a randomly determined period of time, wherein the diffusion element is continuously activated and deactivated during the period of time at a randomly determined duty cycle. |
| US08197758B2 |
Zwitterionic dyes for labeling in proteomic and other biological analyses
The invention relates to compositions and methods useful in the labeling and identification of proteins. The invention provides for highly soluble zwitterionic dye molecules where the dyes and associated side groups are non-titratable and maintain their net zwitterionic character over a broad pH range, for example, between pH 3 and 12. These dye molecules find utility in a variety of applications, including use in the field of proteomics. |
| US08197749B2 |
Methods for cleaning luer connectors
Illustrative pairs of caps are disclosed, each of the caps being sized and shaped to provide a protective union about a separated medical connector. A pair of caps can include a male cap and a female cap, each of which is configured to be coupled to the other cap in an assembly. The assembly is sealed until the caps are separated for use, thereby maintaining sterility of the internal surfaces of the caps. Related methods are also disclosed. |
| US08197744B2 |
Method and apparatus for blow molding
A method and apparatus for blow molding an article wherein a parison is positioned between substantially opposed mold closures. The opposed mold closures and at least one other mold closure are advanced, wherein the at least one other mold closure is advanced into abutment with at least one of another of the substantially opposed mold closures, and another of the at least one other mold closure. Thereafter, a gas may be injected within the interior of the parison to form a molded article, the mold closures retracted along their respective axes, and the molded article removed. |
| US08197743B2 |
Hydrogel constructs using stereolithography
A preferred embodiment of the present invention provides a method and system for building cost-efficient biocompatible hydrogel constructs using stereolithography. Hydrogel constructs may be used in, for example, multi-lumen nerve regeneration conduits and other tissue engineering scaffolds with embedded channel architecture that facilitate tissue regeneration through possible incorporation of precisely located bioactive agents, cells, and other desired inert and/or active chemical agents and devices. Another preferred embodiment of the present invention provides a method of fabricating a hydrogel construct comprising: solidifying a first solution into a first construct layer with a first energy dosage using stereolithography, the first solution comprising: a first polymer; and a first photoinitiator, wherein the first polymer and first photoinitiator are of a first concentration. |
| US08197742B2 |
Laser ablation process for removing a portion of dilation element from a balloon
A method is provided for a ablating dilation beads on a balloon with a laser. The laser removes integral dilation beads from the neck regions and/or the tapered regions of a blow molded balloon. Part of the neck portions of the dilation beads may remain on the body of the balloon after the dilation beads have been removed. |
| US08197740B2 |
Method and apparatus for molding a laminated trim component without use of slip frame
An apparatus for producing a molded product from a sheet-form raw material blank has first and second mold tools that each respectively include a respective inner core mold and a respective outer edge mold laterally adjacent thereto. Drive elements drive the outer edge molds relative to a machine frame, and drive the inner core molds relative to the outer edge molds. A molding process involves closing the outer edge molds to hold an edge rim of the material blank while allowing slippage thereof, and then closing the inner core molds to three-dimensionally deform and mold a central portion of the material blank while pulling required additional material by slippage through the outer edge molds. A separate slip frame is not used. The edge rim held by the outer edge molds remains as a permanent mounting rim or flange of the finished molded product. Edge waste is minimized. |
| US08197737B2 |
Reinforced stripper rubber body and method of making same
A reinforced stripper rubber assembly with a stripper rubber body including a drillstring engaging portion having a drillstring bore extending axially therethrough. The drillstring engaging portion of the stripper rubber body is made from an elastomeric material, has an inner surface that engages a drillstring when the drillstring is dispose therein and has a reinforcing insert receiving recess within an exterior surface thereof extending at least partially around the drillstring bore. A reinforcing insert is disposed within the reinforcing insert receiving recess. The reinforcing insert includes an elastomeric material bonded to the stripper rubber body within the reinforcing insert receiving recess. A support structure is disposed within a support structure engaging portion of the stripper rubber body. The support structure includes a central opening generally aligned with the drillstring bore thereby allowing the drillstring to pass jointly through the central opening and the drillstring bore. |
| US08197725B2 |
Thermal curing methods and systems for forming contact lenses
Contact lens curing systems and methods are described. A contact lens curing system includes an oven that has a plurality of curing zones, a mold advancement system for moving the contact lens mold assemblies between the plurality of zones, and a controlled atmosphere within the curing zones that provides a substantially chemically inert environment in which contact lens precursor materials can be polymerized in contact lens mold assemblies located in the curing zones. Methods of producing contact lenses include curing contact lens precursor materials in contact lens mold assemblies in the lens curing system. As an example, an oven for curing contact precursor materials in molds, the curing process being done in an inert atmosphere, includes a plurality of heating zones, such as three heating zones 106, 107, 108 or two heating zones 307, 308 and a mold advancement system for moving the molds between the plurality of zones, wherein a first zone and second zone of the plurality of zones are maintained at different temperatures 106, 107 or 307, 308. |
| US08197723B2 |
Curable resins and articles made therefrom
Optical devices of excellent optical and physical properties produced from cured resins are disclosed. The resins and/or the cured hybrid polymer material made with the resins are characterized by a high level of cycloaliphatic-containing groups. Specific additives that can participate in crosslinking the curable polysiloxane provide additional physical property advantages. |
| US08197722B2 |
Two-photon or higher-order absorbing optical materials and methods of use
Compositions capable of simultaneous two-photon absorption and higher order absorptivities are provided. Compounds having a donor-pi-donor or acceptor-pi-acceptor structure are of particular interest, where the donor is an electron donating group, acceptor is an electron accepting group, and pi is a pi bridge linking the donor and/or acceptor groups. The pi bridge may additionally be substituted with electron donating or withdrawing groups to alter the absorptive wavelength of the structure. Also disclosed are methods of generating an excited state of such compounds through optical stimulation with light using simultaneous absorption of photons of energies individually insufficient to achieve an excited state of the compound, but capable of doing so upon simultaneous absorption of two or more such photons. Applications employing such methods are also provided, including controlled polymerization achieved through focusing of the light source(s) used. |
| US08197721B2 |
Thermochromic coatings II
The invention provides improved conditions for atmospheric pressure chemical vapor deposition (APCVD) of vanadium (IV) oxide. Specifically, higher quality vanadium oxide (particularly in the form of films) can be obtained by employing concentrations of precursors in the APCVD reaction which are substantially less than those used previously. These conditions improve the reproducibility of the films obtained by APCVD and also prevent particulate formation in the manufacturing apparatus, which in previous work had caused blockages. The films obtained have improved visual appearance, especially color, and/or have improved adhesion to a substrate. The obtained films also show a greater difference in transmission above and below the switching temperature than previous films. The invention also provides doped vanadium oxide, particularly with tungsten. Substrates (e.g. glass substrates) coated with a film of vanadium oxide are also provided. The vanadium oxide of the invention is useful for intelligent window systems, infrared modulators and data storage devices. |
| US08197717B2 |
Metal ink for ink-jet printing
The present invention relates to a metal ink that comprises metal nano particles that are capped by a capping material; and an organic solvent that has a solubility parameter for swelling the capping material. In addition, the present invention relates to a method for producing a metal wire, which comprises the steps of jetting the metal ink by using an ink-jet nozzle, drying the metal ink, and firing the metal ink. |
| US08197715B2 |
Thermoplastic moulding compositions having improved ductility
Thermoplastic molding compositions comprising A) from 40 to 96% by weight of a semiaromatic polyamide, B) from 2 to 30% by weight of a copolymer composed of B1) from 35 to 89.9% by weight of ethylene, B2) from 10 to 60% by weight of 1-octene or 1-butene or propylene or a mixture of these, and B3) from 0.05 to 5% by weight of functional monomers, where the functional monomers have been selected from the group of the carboxylic acid groups, carboxylic anhydride groups, carboxylic ester groups, carboxamide groups, carboximide groups, amino groups, hydroxy groups, epoxy groups, urethane groups, or oxazoline groups, or a mixture of these, C) from 1 to 50% by weight of fibrous or particulate fillers, or a mixture of these, D) from 0.1 to 10% by weight of D1) at least one highly branched or hyperbranched polycarbonate with an OH number of from 1 to 600 mg KOH/g of polycarbonate (to DIN 53240, part 2), or D2) at least one highly branched or hyperbranched polyester of AxBy type, where x is at least 1.1 and y is at least 2.1, or a mixture of these, E) from 0 to 15% by weight of an electrically conductive additive, F) from 0 to 30% by weight of further additives, where the total of the percentages by weight of components A) to F) is 100%. |
| US08197714B2 |
Electrically conductive composite
The invention provides an electrically conductive composite having high conductivity, hermeticity, high mechanical strength, low surface roughness, lightweight, and thin profile. The composite comprises a rubber modified with vinyl ester resin. After curing in mold, the composite may serve as a bipolar plate in a fuel cell. For example, the bipolar plate is combined with a membrane electrode assembly (MEA) to form a proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC). |
| US08197713B2 |
Fluorescent powder, process for producing the same, and light emitting device, display device, and fluorescent lamp containing fluorescent powder
According to the present invention, a fluorescent powder composed mainly of an acicular or fibrous zinc oxide single crystal with an aspect ratio of 5 or higher is produced by the following steps: a step of producing a raw material solution selected from the group consisting of a raw material solution (A) that is an alkali solution containing zing ions, a raw material solution (B) that is a solution containing zinc ions and ions of dopant element, and a mixed solution of the raw material solution (A) and the raw material solution (B); and a hydrothermal reaction step wherein a hydrothermal reaction of the mixed solution is carried out in a hermetically sealed vessel at a subcritical or supercritical temperature and at a subcritical or supercritical pressure. A zinc oxide single crystal powder can be produced at low cost without the need for a pulverization step or a similar step and high-density orientation can be realized by such crystal powder. Such crystal powder is most suitable for light emitting devices, display devices, fluorescent lamps, and the like. |
| US08197709B2 |
Liquid-crystalline compounds
The present invention relates to chemical compounds containing five or more benzene rings arranged in a linear manner and two bridging units between these rings, where at least one of these units represents a —CF2O— bridge. The invention additionally relates to liquid-crystalline media and to high-frequency components comprising these media, in particular antennae, especially for the gigahertz range. |
| US08197707B2 |
Lithium-porous metal oxide compositions and lithium reagent-porous metal compositions
The invention relates to lithium metal/porous metal oxide compositions. These lithium metal compositions are prepared by mixing liquid lithium metal with a porous metal oxide in an inert atmosphere under exothermic conditions sufficient to absorb the liquid lithium metal into the porous metal oxide pores. The lithium metal/porous metal oxide compositions of the invention are preferably loaded with lithium metal up to about 40% by weight, with about 20% to 40% by weight being the most preferred loading. The invention also relates to lithium reagent-porous metal oxide compositions having RLi absorbed into a porous oxide. The preparation and use of these compositions are also described. |
| US08197702B2 |
Manufacturing method of printed circuit board
Disclosed is a method of manufacturing a printed circuit board. The method of manufacturing a printed circuit board having a via for interlayer connection can include forming a circuit pattern on one side of a carrier, pressing one side of the carrier into one side of the insulator, removing the carrier, forming a hole penetrating through the insulator by processing one end of the circuit pattern, and forming a conductive material inside the hole to have the conductive material correspond to the via. |
| US08197698B2 |
Methods for removing impurities from water
A method for removing undesired substances from liquid water may comprise the steps of: subjecting an oxygen-containing substance to an environment; increasing a temperature within said environment; ionizing said oxygen-containing substance; forming an electrostatically enhanced oxygen species; transferring at least some of said electrostatically enhanced oxygen species to said liquid water; processing said liquid water by action of said electrostatically enhanced oxygen species; creating a charged negatively electrostatically enhanced water species by the presence of said electrostatically enhanced oxygen species in said liquid water; and removing said undesired substances from said liquid water through action of said charged negatively electrostatically enhanced water species in said liquid water, perhaps with the goal of purifying water. Such water may be used in a variety of manners, including but not limited to reuse of the purified water in a closed loop system as a cleaning agent. |
| US08197697B2 |
Method for thickening and thickening apparatus
The invention relates to a method and apparatus for thickening liquids carrying suspended particles, such as slurry containing minerals, by using a thickening apparatus (1) comprising a tank (2) whereby pulp of higher relative density tends to settle towards the bottom of the tank, forming a bed of thickened pulp (3), and dilute liquid (9) of lower relative density is thereby displaced towards the top of the tank, a feedwell (4), which includes a chamber having means for receiving fed material (5), such as slurry and at least one outlet in fluid communication with the tank and means for distributing the material in the tank, at least one feedpipe (8) for feeding the material (5), at least slurry, into the feedwell, when the feedpipe cross-sectional area for the fed material (5) is constantly varying when the flowrate inside the feedpipe (8) varies. |
| US08197696B1 |
Methods to control the precipitation of inorganic materials and/or to scrub flue gas
Methods are disclosed for the precipitation of magnesium hydroxide in a standalone basis or in conjunction with the precipitation of calcium in different forms from saline streams. Methods are also disclosed for flue gas scrubbing in conjunction with the precipitation methods or in a standalone basis. Among the benefits of the disclosed methods is that their resulted spent saline stream and/or gas can be used, for instance, to feed seawater desalination plants and/or to enhance hydrocarbons recovery. |
| US08197695B2 |
Absorbents
An absorbent composition suitable for removing mercury, arsenic or antimony from fluid streams includes 5-50% by weight of a particulate sulphided copper compound, 30-90% by weight of a particulate support material, and the remainder one or more binders, wherein the metal sulphide content of the absorbent, other than copper sulphide, is below 5% by weight. |
| US08197692B2 |
Porous materials for solid phase extraction and chromatography and processes for preparation and use thereof
Embodiments of the present invention are directed to porous materials for use in solid phase extractions and chromatography. The materials feature at least one hydrophobic component, at least one hydrophilic component and at least one ion-exchange functional group. The materials exhibit superior wetting and ion-exchange performance. |
| US08197690B2 |
Method and apparatus for biological wastewater purification
A biological wastewater is mixed in an activated sludge tank with activated sludge that is concentrated in the activated sludge tank to a predetermined value. The mixture of wastewater and activated sludge running off in a drain of the activated sludge tank is then sieved to effect an incomplete solid/liquid separation that leaves a separated solid phase in the activated sludge tank. The liquid phase including a remnant of solids is then removed from the tank. |
| US08197689B2 |
Wastewater treatment
A wastewater treatment system includes wastewater having nitrogen-containing compounds, an anoxic zone having denitrifying bacteria, and an aerobic zone having nitrifying bacteria. The anoxic zone is coupled to the aerobic zone, and wastewater flows from the anoxic zone to the aerobic zone or vice versa. The wastewater treatment system is configured to accept heat from a heat engine to heat the wastewater. Treating wastewater can include flowing wastewater having nitrogen-containing compounds into a biological reactor having an anoxic zone and an aerobic zone, and heating the wastewater with heat from a heat engine to facilitate denitrification reactions in the anoxic zone and to facilitate nitrification reactions in the aerobic zone. In some cases, the wastewater is heated with a three phase fluidized bed heat exchanger having porous particulates in contact with heat exchange tubes, with bacteria coupled to an interior of the porous particulates. |
| US08197686B2 |
Fuel filter cartridge and keyed end cap
A filter cartridge has a keyed end cap which is configured and shaped for unlocking an associated valve mechanism that comprises a latch device and a valve. In this manner, when the fuel filter cartridge is placed into a fuel filter housing having such a latch and valve mechanism, the fuel filter cartridge is operable therein to filter fluid and pass the fluid into a standpipe contained within the fuel filter housing. The fuel filter cartridge of this type generally includes pleated filter paper which is disposed between two opposed end caps. The keys may be provided along the bottom end cap. |
| US08197685B2 |
Filter element, securing ring and method for filtering
The invention relates to a filter element for a press filter comprising first and second filtering means, each having at least one opening for the passage of a slurry to be filtered, and first and second connecting means for connecting the openings of the first and second filtering means. Each of the first and second connecting means comprises a flange portion and a tubular portion, wherein the flange portion of the first connecting means is fixedly attached to the first filtering means and the flange portion of the second connecting means is fixedly attached to the second filtering means, and wherein the tubular portion of the first connecting means is insertable into the tubular portion of the second connecting means. A securing ring is provided, which is insertable into the tubular portion of the first connecting means and is adapted to exert a radial force on the tubular portion of the first connecting means, pressing the tubular portion of the first connecting means against the tubular portion of the second connecting means. |
| US08197684B2 |
Desalination device using selective membranes and magnetic fields
Device designed to desalinate brackish water which performs said function by the combined action of magnetic fields generated inside the device and ion-selective membranes, thus obtaining two separate water currents, one with a low salt concentration and the other reject current with a high salt concentration. It comprises an external cylindrical body of magnetized iron (1), an inner body also cylindrical and made of the same material (2) and an intermediate chamber (3) in which are placed a series of ion-selective membranes (6 and 7) arranged radially around the axle common to all of the bodies, and placed alternately such that each negative-ion selective membrane has a positive-ion selective membrane on either side. |
| US08197679B2 |
Particle separation assembly
A particle separation assembly comprises a vessel provided with an inlet, a first outlet and a second outlet. The assembly is arranged such that the flow rate of fluid through the inlet is greater than the flow rate of fluid through the first outlet such that there is a resultant fluid flow of lighter particles up the vessel and through the second outlet. Flow adjustment means are provided to enable the velocity of this resultant fluid flow to be adjusted, said means comprising a pivotable flap in one example. |
| US08197677B2 |
Process and system for heating or cooling streams for a divided distillation column
One exemplary embodiment can be a system for separating a plurality of naphtha components. The system can include a column, an overhead condenser, and a side condenser. Generally, the column includes a dividing imperforate wall with one surface facing a feed and another surface facing at least one side stream. Typically, the wall extends a significant portion of the column height to divide the portion into at least two substantially vertical, parallel contacting sections. Typically, the overhead condenser receives an overhead stream including a light naphtha from the column. Usually, a side condenser receives a process stream from the column and returns the stream to the column to facilitate separation. A cooling stream may pass through the overhead condenser and then the side condenser. |
| US08197676B2 |
Method for tailings solvent recovery
A tailings solvent recovery vessel substantially without conventional internals utilizes nozzles for forming very fine solvent-containing hydrocarbon droplets from a solvent-containing tailings feedstream. The hydrocarbon droplets are discrete from water droplets. The hydrocarbon droplets are small enough to result in a large surface area and a desired fall residence time but sufficiently large that they are not entrained with the rising vapor in the vessel. The feedstream is introduced to the vessel with a pressure drop to result in an initial flashing of the solvent from the solvent-containing droplets. Heat from the vessel atmosphere or from steam flowing countercurrent to the falling hydrocarbon droplets is transferred to the falling hydrocarbon droplets resulting in vaporization of any residual solvent therefrom. A substantially solvent-depleted pool is collected in the bottom of the vessel and retained only so long as is required to pump the underflow stream from the vessel. |
| US08197673B2 |
Converting heavy sour crude oil/emulsion to lighter crude oil using cavitations and filtration based systems
A process for converting heavy sulfur-containing crude oil into lighter crude oil with lower sulfur content and lower molecular weight is provided. The process is a low-temperature process using controlled cavitation. |
| US08197671B2 |
Methods for upgrading of contaminated hydrocarbon streams
A method of upgrading a heteroatom-containing hydrocarbon feed by removing heteroatom contaminants is disclosed. The method includes contacting the heteroatom-containing hydrocarbon feed with an oxidant and an immiscible acid to oxidize the heteroatoms, contacting the oxidized-heteroatom-containing hydrocarbon feed with caustic and a selectivity promoter, and removing the heteroatom contaminants from the heteroatom-containing hydrocarbon feed. The oxidant may be used in the presence of a catalyst. |
| US08197670B2 |
Process for upgrading hydrocarbons and device for use therein
A process is disclosed using a dispersion of supercritical fluid and oil to upgrade a hydrocarbon feedstock such as a heavy oil into an upgraded hydrocarbon product or synthetic crude with highly desirable properties such as low sulfur content, low metals content, lower density (higher API), lower viscosity, lower residuum content, etc. The process utilizes a capillary mixer to form the dispersion. The process does not require external supply of hydrogen nor does it use externally supplied catalysts. |
| US08197668B2 |
Process and apparatus for upgrading steam cracker tar using hydrogen donor compounds
A process and apparatus are provided for upgrading steam cracker tars from steam crackers. The invention also relates to a steam cracking process and apparatus for reducing yields of tars produced from steam cracking while increasing yields of higher value products by heating steam cracker tar, in the presence of hydrogen donor compounds, e.g., tetralin. The hydrogen donor compounds can be provided in a hydrogen donor-rich hydrocarbon stream, e.g., light cycle oils, or low sulfur vacuum tower bottoms. The treated tar can be separated into gas oil, fuel oil and tar streams. |
| US08197667B2 |
Method to recover crude oil from sludge or emulsion
Recovering crude oil by separating and removing valuable hydrocarbon, water and solid components from sludge or an emulsion. A sludge or an emulsion with added reagents of predefined ratio is received to form a mixture for treatment. The mixture is processed to break a micelle structure of the sludge or the emulsion. The mixture is agitated to allow homogenization thereof. The processed mixture is centrifuged to separate hydrocarbons, water and solids from the sludge or the emulsion. The separated hydrocarbons are tested to ensure separated solids are disposed as environmentally safe materials. Basis solids and water contents of separated hydrocarbons are tested. The separated hydrocarbons are separated, and the filtered hydrocarbons (i.e., the recovered crude oil) are stored. The crude oil is thereby recovered from sludge or emulsion through a chemical exothermic reaction and centrifugation to resolve the emulsion into free water, solids and hydrocarbons. |
| US08197666B2 |
Method and apparatus for the manufacture of one or more gases
A method serves the production of one or more gases, in particular of oxyhydrogen. A liquid, preferably water (9), is electrolytically treated in the method. To improve the efficiency of a method of this type, a substance is present in the liquid (9) to which the or one of the gases to be produced adheres, in particular an ion exchanger (10) (single FIGURE). |
| US08197662B1 |
Deposit morphology of electroplated copper
The present invention provides improved methods and devices for electroplating copper on a wafer. Some implementations of the present invention involve the pre-treatment of the wafer with a solution containing accelerator molecules. Preferably, the bath into which the wafer is subsequently placed for electroplating has a reduced concentration of accelerator molecules. The pre-treatment causes a reduction in roughness of the electroplated copper surface, particularly during the initial phases of copper growth. |
| US08197656B2 |
Device for separating micro particles and a method for fabricating the device
A device for separating micro particles is provided. The separating device comprises a sample inlet into which a sample containing micro particles is injected; fluid inlets into which fluid is injected to form a flow sheath for the sample; a plurality of outlets through which the micro particles are separated and discharged out; a channel through which the sample and the fluid flow; and a first electrode and a second electrode longitudinally disposed in parallel in the channel. The first and the second electrodes are provided in such a manner that an electrode gap between the first and the second electrodes has a curved shape. The micro particles in the sample are easily separated using a dielectrophoresis characteristic. |
| US08197655B2 |
System and method for detecting interaction between substances by superimposingly applying sinusoidal voltage
Disclosed herein is a system for detecting interaction between substances includes a reaction field for allowing the interaction to proceed between the substances, and a voltage application section for applying a voltage to a working electrode arranged facing the reaction field such that a predetermined electrodynamic effect is given to the reaction field. The voltage application section is provided with a section for superimposingly applying two sinusoidal voltages of different frequencies to generate a beat. Also disclosed herein is a method for detecting interaction between substances in a procedure of allowing the interaction to proceed between the substances by making use of a predetermined electrodynamic effect, the method includes the step of applying two sinusoidal voltages of different frequencies superimposingly to generate a beat such that an electrochemical reaction is suppressed in a reaction field where the interaction is allowed to proceed. |
| US08197654B2 |
Methods for preparing an electrodepositable coating composition
Methods for preparing an electrodepositable coating composition are provided comprising: (a) mixing a flatting agent with an electrodepositable resin; (b) combining the mixture of (a) with a pigment paste to form a flatting agent-pigment paste mixture; and (c) combining the flatting agent-pigment paste mixture of (b) with an electrodepositable resin. Methods of coating articles including electrodepositable coating compositions prepared by these methods, as well as processes for coating electroconductive substrates with compositions prepared by these methods are also provided. |
| US08197649B2 |
Ion exchange membrane electrolytic cell
[Problems] The liquid pressure of an anode chamber in a two-chamber ion exchange membrane electrolytic cell using a gas diffusion electrode are different among one another depending on depths so that the liquid pressures are applied on an anode or an ion exchange membrane, thereby introducing damage or deformation of the elements.[Means for Solving] A cushion material 10 is accommodated between a cathode gas chamber back plate 9 and a gas diffusion electrode 7 of an ion exchange membrane electrolytic cell 1 such that a repulsive force of the cushion material at the bottom part of the cathode gas chamber is larger than that at the top part. The excessive pressure applied to an ion exchange membrane is suppressed to prevent the generation of scratches or the like by decreasing the repulsive force of the cushion material toward the top in accordance with a differential pressure between an anode chamber pressure and a cathode gas chamber pressure. |
| US08197648B2 |
Method for depositing electrically insulating layers
A method for producing a low-conductivity layer on at least one workpiece by vacuum coating is provided. The method includes operating an electrical arc discharge between an anode and a cathode of an arc source in an atmosphere containing a reactive gas. A small external magnetic field is generated to be essentially perpendicular to a target surface of a target, which is electrically connected to the cathode, to assist an evaporation process. A degree of recoating of the target surface by other coating sources in a vacuum coating installation is less than 10%, and the magnetic field is generated by a magnet system with an axially-polarized coil having a geometry similar in size to that of the target.Excitation current for the electrical arc discharge is supplied through the axially-polarized coil. |
| US08197646B2 |
Processes for continuous fractional distillation of mixtures comprising morpholine, monoaminodiglycol, ammonia and water
Process for the continuous fractional distillation of mixtures including morpholine (MO), monoaminodiglycol (ADG), ammonia and water obtained by reaction of diethylene glycol (DEG) with ammonia, which includes separating off ammonia at the top of a first distillation column K10, feeding the bottoms from K10 to a second distillation column K20 in which water and organic products are separated off at the top at a temperature at the top in the range from 45 to 198° C. and a pressure in the range from 0.1 to 15 bar, feeding the bottoms from K20 to a third distillation column K30 in which MO and organic products having a boiling point of <140° C. (1.013 bar) are separated off at the top or at a side offtake and ADG and organic products having a boiling point of >190° C. (1.013 bar) are separated off at the bottom, feeding the MO including stream which is separated off at the top or at a side offtake of the column K30 to a fourth column K40 in which organic products having a boiling point of ≦128° C. (1.013 bar) are separated off at the top and MO and organic products having a boiling point of ≧128° C. (1.013 bar) are separated off at the bottom and the bottoms from K40 are fed to a fifth distillation column K55 in which MO is separated off at the top and organic products having a boiling point of ≧128° C. (1.013 bar) are separated off at the bottom. |
| US08197645B2 |
Process for separating propylene glycol from aqueous compositions
The present invention relates to a process for separating at least one propylene glycol from a mixture (M) comprising water and said propylene glycol, said process comprising (I) evaporating the mixture in at least two evaporation and/or distillation stages at decreasing operating pressures of the evaporators and/or distillation columns obtaining mixture (M′) and mixture (M″); (II) separating the mixture (M′) obtained in (I) in at least one further distillation step, obtaining a mixture (M-I) comprising at least 70 wt.-% of water and a mixture (M-II) comprising less than 30 wt.-% of water. |
| US08197641B2 |
Preparation of aqueous slurries of finely divided fillers and their use for the production of papers having a high filler content and high dry strength
Process for treating aqueous slurries of finely divided fillers, an aqueous dispersion of at least one latex and an aqueous slurry of at least one starch being metered separately from one another into an aqueous slurry of at least one finely divided filler. |
| US08197635B2 |
Plasma processing apparatus including etching processing apparatus and ashing processing apparatus and plasma processing method using plasma processing apparatus
A diameter of a mounting unit of the stage of an ashing processing apparatus is less than a diameter of a mounting unit of the stage of an etching processing apparatus, and the diameter of the mounting unit of the stage of the etching processing apparatus is less than a diameter of an objective item. |
| US08197632B2 |
Method for producing fuel cell electrolyte membrane and method for producing membrane-electrode assembly
According to the present invention, an electrolyte membrane having recesses and projections on the surface thereof is obtained. In addition, a membrane-electrode assembly comprising the electrolyte membrane, in which the effective contact area between the electrolyte membrane surface and an electrode catalyst layer is increased, is obtained. An electrolyte membrane 1 which comprises a fluorine-based electrolyte is heated and pressed with the use of plates 10a and 10b each having recesses and projections 11 on the surface thereof such that recesses and projections 2a and 2b are formed on the surface of the electrolyte membrane 1. Thereafter, the electrolyte membrane 1 is subjected to a treatment for imparting ion exchange properties to an electrolyte polymer, such as hydrolysis, such that an electrolyte membrane 3 having recesses and projections on the surface thereof is obtained. Electrode catalyst layers 21a and 21b are separately laminated on the both surfaces of the electrolyte membrane 3 such that a membrane-electrode assembly 20 is obtained. |
| US08197631B2 |
Method of transfer printing, and print originals for these purposes
The present invention relates to a method of transfer printing on substrates that comprises the steps of printing a UV-curing substance onto a polymeric release layer of a transfer material at regions not intended for transfer to the substrate. This release layer has at least one image which is printed from conventional inks, or it is a colored film. The method further comprises at least partial transfer of the image or the colored film or a combination of the aforementioned to the substrate under the action of heat and pressure, and removal of the transfer material from the substrate. The regions of the polymeric release layer coated with the UV-curing substance are detached from the substrate, and the image-bearing regions of the polymeric release layer or the colored film regions, or the combination thereof, remain joined to the substrate. |
| US08197624B2 |
Welding of functional components to polymer composite components
A method for joining functional components with at least a thermoplastic components to thermosetting composites with at least some thermoplastic surface. The thermosetting composite has a functional thermoplastic surface layer attached by a process of selection of a compatible thermoplastic, heating the combined materials to allow migration of uncured thermosetting polymer into the thermoplastic polymer, then cooling the combined materials to provide a strongly attached thermoplastic surface. The thermosetting composite component may have a polymeric material coating. The present invention subsequently relates to the joining of the functional component and thermosetting polymer composite components, using high-speed oscillating relative displacement or high-speed continuous relative displacement. |
| US08197623B1 |
Thermal and vacuum assessment method
A thermal and vacuum assessment method includes providing a composite part having a repair area, installing a vacuum bag over the repair area, drawing a vacuum on the vacuum bag, testing for air leaks in the vacuum bag, heating the vacuum bag and obtaining a thermal image of the repair area. |
| US08197621B2 |
Method for manufacturing planar heating element using carbon micro-fibers
A planar heating element using for carbon micro-fibers and its manufacturing method have developed. The high-resistant carbon micro-fibers and carbon powder are efficiently coated to completely replace a conventional heating element using resistance heat of a nichrome wire. A single heating element is possibly formed to have a large width and an ultra thin heating element without temperature restriction by overcoming drawbacks of a carbon powder printed heating element serving as an initial module of the planar heating element. Thus, it is possible to produce the various convenient heating elements or heating modules using DC and AC electricity without restriction by solving problems in installation and use, for example, space restriction, thereby various convenient heating elements. |
| US08197618B2 |
Ni3A1-based intermetallic compound including V and Nb, and having dual multi-phase microstructure, production method thereof, and heat resistant structural material
An Ni3Al-based intermetallic compound of the present invention comprises greater than 5 at % and not greater than 13 at % of Al, not less than 9.5 at % and less than 17.5 at % of V, not less than 0 at % and not greater than 5 at % of Nb, not less than 50 weight ppm and not greater than 1000 weight ppm of B, and the remaining portion consisting of Ni and inevitable impurities, and has a dual multi-phase microstructure comprising a primary L12 phase and an (L12+D022) eutectoid microstructure. |
| US08197617B2 |
High-strength steel sheet having excellent elongation, stretch flangeability and weldability
The present invention provides a high-strength steel sheet which has a 980 MPa class tensile strength as well as has excellent elongation, stretch flangeability and weldability, and also has excellent anti-delayed fraction property. The high-strength steel sheet comprises steel satisfying: C: 0.12 to 0.25%, Si: 1.0 to 3.0%, Mn: 1.5 to 3.0%, P: 0.15% or less, S: 0.02% or less, Al: 0.4% or less, and comprising the remnant made from iron and unavoidable impurities, wherein a ratio of the contents of Si and C (Si/C) is within the range from 7 to 14 in terms of a mass ratio, and a microstructure in a longitudinal section comprises, by an occupancy ratio based on the entire structure, 1) bainitic ferrite: 50% or more, 2) lath-type residual austenite: 3% or more, and 3) block-type residual austenite: 1% or more to ½×occupancy ratio of lath-type residual austenite, and 4) average size of block-type second phase is 10 μm or less. |
| US08197616B2 |
Manufacturing method of carbon steel sheet superior in formability
A carbon steel sheet having high formability due to a microscopic and uniform carbide distribution and having a good characteristic of final heat treatment, and a manufacturing method thereof. The carbon steel sheet having excellent formability, includes, in wt %, C at 0.2-0.5%, Mn at 0.1-1.2%, Si at less than or equal to 0.4%, Cr at less than or equal to 0.5%, Al at 0.01-0.1%, S at less than or equal to 0.012%, Ti at less than or equal to 0.5×48/14×[N]% when the condition of B(atomic %)/N(atomic %)>1 is satisfied or by 0.5×48/14×[N]% to 0.03% when the condition of B and N is not satisfied, B at 0.0005-0.0080%, N at less than or equal to 0.006%, Fe, and extra inevitable elements; an average size of carbide is less than or equal to 1 μm; and an average grain size of ferrite is less than or equal to 5 μm. |
| US08197613B2 |
Nanoparticle surface treatment
The present invention relates to methods and compositions for reducing damaging oxidation of metals. In particular, the present invention relates to nanoparticle surface treatments and use of nanoparticle surface treatments to reduce the damaging oxidation and corrosion of stainless steel and other alloy components in oxidating and corrosive conditions. |
| US08197610B2 |
Electric interface for water-bearing household devices
An electric interface for water-bearing household devices is provided comprising a program control for economically controlling, in a flexible and modular arrangement, hydraulic and electrical components which are required for the operational control of the water-bearing household device. At least one part of the electronic components and the magnetic valve is integrated into a component group that is connected to the program control of the water-bearing device. The necessary electric connections are reduced between the individual magnetic valves and the program control due to the integration of hydraulic magnetic valves with electronic components that are used to control the magnetic valves in a component group. The complexity of the cable form for the electric connection of the hydraulic component and the electronic components is reduced, thus enabling modular construction of the related components. The equipment of the component groups can be varied according to each household device design. |
| US08197609B2 |
Automated detection and control system and method for high pressure water wash application and collection applied to aero compressor washing
The present invention relates to a system and method for washing gas turbine engines comprising a manifold comprising one or more tubes; a pumping system for providing pressurized washing liquid to the manifold, the pumping system comprising a pump, and one or more valves; and a control unit for regulating the pumping system according to washing parameters associated to a particular engine. |
| US08197606B2 |
Substrate cleaning method, substrate cleaning apparatus, control program, and computer-readable storage medium
Disclosed is a substrate cleaning method for prevent damage to a pattern formed on a substrate. The substrate cleaning method includes cleaning the substrate by striking cleaning particulates carried in a flow of dry air or inert gas against a surface of the substrate, and removing the cleaning particulates. |
| US08197602B2 |
Ultrasonic jet-pump cleaner
A method of in-situ cleaning of a portion of a boiling water reactor nuclear power plant. In one aspect, the method includes identifying a jet pump for the boiling water reactor nuclear power plant for cleaning, providing an ultrasonic cleaning tool that has a transducer, inserting at least a portion of the transducer into or adjacent to the interior cavity of the jet pump, in-situ, and energizing the transducer to a desired energy level. |
| US08197599B2 |
Gas head and thin-film manufacturing apparatus
A gas head that, at low cost, is capable of suppressing any deactivation of radical gas and capable of uniformly introducing a raw material gas on a substrate; and a relevant thin-film manufacturing apparatus are provided. A gas head (13) according to the present invention includes a reactive gas introduction port (30A) for introduction of a reactive gas, a plurality of raw material gas introduction ports (30B) for introduction of a raw material gas, and a dispersion board (32) for dispersing the raw material gas, wherein the plurality of the raw material gas introduction ports (30B) are disposed so as to surround the periphery of the reactive gas introduction port (30A). The reactive gas having been introduced in the reactive gas introduction port (30A) is mixed with the raw material gas having been introduced through a plurality of raw material gas introduction ports (30B) and dispersed by means of the dispersion board (32). Although the plurality of raw material gas introduction ports (30B) are disposed around the reactive gas introduction port (30A), they are not required to be minute holes such as shower holes. |
| US08197597B2 |
Gallium trichloride injection scheme
The present invention is related to the field of semiconductor processing equipment and methods and provides, in particular, methods and equipment for the sustained, high-volume production of Group III-V compound semiconductor material suitable for fabrication of optic and electronic components, for use as substrates for epitaxial deposition, for wafers and so forth. In preferred embodiments, these methods are optimized for producing Group III-N (nitrogen) compound semiconductor wafers and specifically for producing GaN wafers. Specifically, the method includes reacting an amount of a gaseous Group III precursor as one reactant with an amount of a gaseous Group V component as another reactant in a reaction chamber under conditions sufficient to provide sustained high volume manufacture of the semiconductor material on one or more substrates, with the gaseous Group III precursor continuously provided at a mass flow of 50 g Group III element/hour for at least 48 hours. A system for conducting the method is also provided. |
| US08197587B2 |
Sizing composition for mineral wool comprising a monosaccharide and/or a polysaccharide and an organic polycarboxylic acid, and insulating products obtained
A sizing composition for insulating products based on mineral wool, in particular on rock or glass, the composition including at least one dextrin, at least one organic polycarboxylic acid having a molar mass of less than or equal to 1000, and a catalyst chosen from Lewis acids and bases, phosphorus-comprising compounds and compounds including fluorine and boron. |
| US08197586B2 |
Polyfluoroalkylphosphonic acid, method for producing the same and mold-releasing agent comprising the same as active ingredient
Disclosed is a polyfluoroalkylphosphonic acid represented by the general formula: CnF2n+1(CH2CF2)a(CF2CF2)b(CH2CH2)cP(O)(OH)2, wherein n is an integer of 1 to 6, a is an integer of 1 to 4, b is an integer of 1 to 3, and c is an integer of 1 to 3, or a salt thereof, which is a compound having a perfluoroalkyl group containing 6 or less carbon atoms, which is said to have low bioaccumulation potential, and being usable as an active ingredient of a mold-releasing agent. The polyfluoroalkylphosphonic acid is produced by hydrolyzing a polyfluoroalkylphosphonic acid diester represented by the general formula: CnF2n+1(CH2CF2)a(CF2CF2)b(CH2CH2)cP(O)(OR)2, wherein R is a C1-C4 alkyl group, n is an integer of 1 to 6, a is an integer of 1 to 4, b is an integer of 1 to 3, and c is an integer of 1 to 3. |
| US08197585B2 |
Friction material and process for the production thereof
A process for the in-situ formation of a lubricating phase comprising sulphur and tin in a friction material, wherein reaction of a sulphur source with a tin source in said friction material results in the formation of said lubricating phase, and wherein said reaction is initiated or effected by heat resulting, in use, from the generation of friction, wherein said sulphur source is selected from one or both of sulphur and/or a metal sulphide selected from one or more of iron, copper, zinc, titanium and bismuth, and wherein said tin source is selected from one or more of tin, a tin-containing compound and/or a tin-containing alloy. |
| US08197584B2 |
Methods for preparing curable pigment inkjet ink sets
A curable pigment inkjet ink set includes a cyan inkjet ink, a yellow inkjet ink, and a magenta inkjet ink, wherein the yellow inkjet ink having ABS(Y)momo <5 and ABS(Y)400-500>60 includes one or more yellow pigments; the cyan inkjet ink includes one or more β-copper phthalocyanine pigments; and the magenta inkjet ink contains a mixed crystal including a first quinachdone and a second quinacridone in a ratio of the first quinacridone over the second quinacridone such that ABS(M)500-530>20 and ABS(M)500-600 >60. ABS(Y)500-530 represents the absorbance of the yellow inkjet ink between 500 and 530 nm; ABS(M)500-530 represents the absorbance of the magenta inkjet ink between 500 and 530 nm; ABS(Y)400-500 represents the absorbance ot the yellow inkjet ink between 400 and 500 nm; and ABS(M)500-600 represents the absorbance of the magenta inkjet ink between 500 and 600 nm. |
| US08197578B2 |
Liquid degasser for a space device
A liquid degasser for a space device including a gas permeable material configured for contact with a flow of liquid to be de-gassed on one side and a vacuum on the other side, and wherein the gas permeable material allows gas in the liquid to diffuse to the vacuum to remove the gas from the liquid. |
| US08197571B2 |
Air filter with improved structural support
An air filter having an improved structural support. A pleated air filter having a plurality of truncated pleat tips and sloping side surfaces along a front face and rear face. The truncated pleat tips are orientated perpendicular to the direction of pleating. A reinforcing support member oriented in the direction of pleating and substantially contouring and connecting to the face of the pleated air filter and thereby having truncated pleat tips orientated perpendicular to the direction of pleating. A reinforcing strip connected to the truncated pleat tips of the reinforcing member along the face of the air filter and another reinforcing strip located on the opposite face of the air filter and connected to the truncated pleat tips of the filter to form a truss structure. |
| US08197569B2 |
Waved filter media and elements
Various high performance, high efficiency filter media are provided that are cost effective and easy to manufacture. In particular, various filter media are provided having at least one layer with a waved configuration that results in an increased surface area, thereby enhancing various properties of the filter media. The filter media can be used to form a variety of filter elements for use in various applications. |
| US08197562B2 |
Modification of rheological properties of coal for slurry feed gasification
The feeding of coal slurries into a gasifier for the production of synthesis gas is improved by modifying the rheological properties of the coal particles so that conventional liquid transfer equipment can be used in the feed transfer process to the gasifier. The coal particle surface modification is accomplished by adsorbing asphaltenes derived from petroleum onto the surfaces of coal particles prior to and/or during contact with the slurry liquid. The coal particles with their surfaces thus modified exhibit lower particle-particle interaction in the liquid slurries to form a shear independent Newtonian fluid or a weakly shear thickening pseudoplastic fluid. The rheological properties of the slurries permit them to be transported reliably into a pressurized, entrained feed gasifier vessel using convention slurry pumps with a low potential expenditure of energy. |
| US08197553B2 |
Composite scaffolds and methods using same for generating complex tissue grafts
A composite scaffold for engineering a heterogeneous tissue is provided. The composite scaffold includes: (a) a first scaffold being capable of supporting formation of a first tissue type thereupon; and (b) a second scaffold being capable of supporting formation of a second tissue type thereupon; wherein the first scaffold and the second scaffold are arranged with respect to each other such that when the first scaffold supports the first tissue type and the second scaffold supports the second tissue type, a distance between any cell of the second tissue type and the first tissue type does not exceed 200 μm. |
| US08197550B2 |
Method and apparatus for use of porous implants
An orthopedic prosthesis for implantation into a bone of a patient includes a porous metal shell adapted to be affixed within the bone. The porous metal shell includes an outer surface adapted to receive bone ingrowth and an inner surface adapted to engage a liner. The porous metal shell is porous from the outer surface to the inner surface. A non-porous member may be affixed to the porous metal shell. The non-porous member may include a piercing member extending from the outer surface, the piercing member adapted to penetrate the bone in an implanted position. The non-porous member may include spikes or fins. In one example, the piercing member may define a reduced material cross section at an interface with the outer surface of the porous metal shell. The piercing member may be adapted to be broken at the reduced material cross section and removed from the porous metal shell. |
| US08197549B2 |
System and method for prosthetic fitting and balancing in joints
A system and method for prosthesis fitting in joints comprising an artificial condyle and a spacer which cooperates with the condyle to form an artificial joint. The spacer embedded with at least one sensor which is responsive to a force generated between the condyle and the spacer. The artificial joint is adapted to move between a flexed position and an extended position defining a range of motion. The sensor is responsive to the force and generates an output representative of that force. The output is transmitted, either wirelessly or other, to a processor which utilizes an analysis program to display a representation of the forces applied. A practitioner utilizing the displayed analysis may intraoperatively determine the adjustments and balancing required within the artificial joint. The system may also utilize a ligament tension sensor which generates generates data representative of tension on a ligament of the artificial joint, and a joint angle sensor responsive to the range of motion of the artificial joint. The processor may be adapted to store the outputted sensor data to provide the practitioner with statistically relevant historical data. |
| US08197546B2 |
Corpectomy implant
The present invention describes an expandable vertebral implant and the method of use. The longitudinally expandable vertebral implant includes telescoping sections adapted for incremental expansion and ease of securement at any desired increment in situ, and constructed and arranged to engage opposing vertebrae. The corpectomy device is a distractible vertebral body replacement for the thoracic and lumbar spine. The device is cylindrical shaped having an inner and outer sleeve made adjustable by use of locking pads formed integral with the outer sleeve for use in engaging parallel circumferential locking grooves formed along the outer side surface of the inner sleeve. |
| US08197537B2 |
Implantable textile prostheses having PTFE cold drawn yarns
The present invention provides an implantable prosthesis and more specifically, an implantable tubular textile prosthesis comprising a biocompatible fabric having inner and outer surfaces and first and second ends; the fabric having a textile construction comprising cold drawn PTFE yarns having a substantially uniform denier and high molecular orientation. Use of cold drawn PTFE yarns result in implantable prostheses that have excellent abrasion resistance, strength and lubricity properties. Useful textile constructions include weaves, knits, braids, filament windings, spun windings and combinations thereof. The prostheses of the present invention are lubricious and have characteristics that closely resemble the properties of a natural body lumen. |
| US08197536B2 |
Method for placing a medical device at a bifurcated conduit
A method for treating a diseased body conduit at a bifurcation point is provided. A system having devices mounted thereon is advanced into the bifurcated region of the conduit. The system includes a delivery means, such as a catheter having a shaft with varying torsional properties along its length and a delivery apparatus mounted at its distal end. A distal end of the delivery means can be inserted into the main branch and at least one side branch of a vessel bifurcation. The distal end includes at least two expansion members having expandable devices or prostheses mounted thereon. One device is configured such that one expansion member extends through the length of the scaffold while the other expansion member extends through the side-structure of the scaffold. A second scaffold is mounted on the expansion member extending through the side-structure of the first scaffold. The devices are positioned within the main and side branches of the bifurcation and are expanded. |
| US08197531B2 |
Intraluminal stent graft
A method of making a tubular intraluminal graft in the form of a tubular diametrically adjustable stent having a tubular covering of porous expanded polytetrafluoroethylene which is less than 0.10 mm thick. The covering may be on the exterior surface of the stent, or on the interior surface of the stent, or both. The covering may be affixed to the stent by an adhesive which is preferably fluorinated ethylene propylene. |
| US08197528B2 |
Low profile medical stent
The present invention relates to a medical prosthesis having a low profile for delivery into a body lumen. The stent includes a plurality of geometric cells defining the stent, which has first and second opposed open ends; and a plurality of wire strands woven to form a plurality of crossed regions defining the geometric cells. Each wire strand has strand ends and the strand ends are disposed at the second end of the stent. |
| US08197525B2 |
Full body split access blanket
A full body blanket has a central bonded strip that extends from a distal end of an upper portion of the blanket to the foot end of the blanket to divide the main body of the blanket into two longitudinal portions. A discontinuous slit or tearable line is provided along the length of the strip to enable the longitudinal portions to be separable from each other by a user applying a force along the tearable strip. The strip may be torn anywhere along its entire length so that the longitudinal portion to be removed from the patient may be folded back anywhere along the length of the strip to selectively expose particular body parts of the patient. The blanket is inflated by heated air, and the heated air is circulated by channels that extend longitudinally along each of the longitudinal portions. Rows of apertures provided along the channels at the layer of the blanket that makes contact with the patient output the heated air to warm the patient. |
| US08197524B2 |
Energy irradiation device and method, control device and control method
An energy irradiation device for medical use to irradiate a living body with energy includes a data storage for storing data indicative of correlations between information about bloodstream quantities and amounts of tissue necrosed in living bodies for a plurality of living bodies differing in bloodstream quantity that are irradiated with a predetermined quantity of the energy, a calculation unit for calculating a quantity of the energy with which to irradiate a predetermined living body based on the data stored in the data storage, the information about the bloodstream quantity in the predetermined living body, and the amount of tissue to be necrosed in the predetermined living body. |
| US08197523B2 |
Bone screw for positive locking but flexible engagement to a bone
A bone screw having a head portion and an adjoining shaft portion is described. The shaft portion has a front, a mid, and a neck section, where at least two of the sections having complementary features and/or attributes to facilitate positive-locking, but flexible engagement of the bone screw to a bone. |
| US08197517B1 |
Frictional polyaxial screw assembly
Various embodiments are provided with a polyaxial spinal screw assembly that comprise a threaded screw having a bulbous or curvate head, and a receiver for receiving the head of the screw, and a slotted collet between the receiver and the screw head. The collet may, in an un-locked condition, bear against the head of the screw to frictionally retain the screw's angular position. The collet may have a lip that may engage with a corresponding internal feature of the receiver. The screw head may be able to be inserted into the receiver through the bottom of the receiver. The screw may be cannulated and also may be fenestrated. Embodiments may also include a bone screw having fenestration holes that include a component in the rotational direction, such as backward-facing with respect to the forward-rotational direction of the screw. |
| US08197513B2 |
Facet fixation and fusion wedge and method of use
A spinal implant including an at least one screw disposed within a wedge body is herein provided. The implant can be configured for placement with a facet joint in an intra-facet delivery. Furthermore, the implant can include a fusion-promoting bioactive material thereby providing a single device capable of spinal stabilization and/or fusion. Furthermore, a method of placing such an implant within a facet joint in an intra-facet orientation is hereby provided. |
| US08197510B2 |
Suturing device and method
A suturing device and method allows a physician to remotely suture biological tissue. The device includes an elongate body, first and second arms operably connected to the elongated body, whereby each arm mounts an end portion of a suture, and first and second needles, each needle having a distal end and being mounted such that the distal end of the needle is movable to engage respective end portions of said suture. The suturing apparatus further includes an actuator which drives the needles to engage the suture. The suturing apparatus further includes an occluding device operably connected to the elongate body such that the occluding device may be advanced from the distal end of the elongate body to temporarily occlude the incision to be sutured. |
| US08197509B2 |
Suture anchor with improved torsional drive head
The present invention provides a suture anchor that includes an elongate shank defining a longitudinal axis and having at least one engaging member for applying the suture anchor within the bone and securing the suture anchor in the bone once implanted formed thereon, and a drive head having a proximal end, a distal end and a radial cross-sectional geometry, where the drive head is mated to the elongate shank, includes at least one suture attachment element formed in a portion thereof and at least one anti-rotational member integral therewith, suture anchor kits utilizing the suture anchors and methods of attaching bone to gone. |
| US08197508B2 |
Fused loop of filamentous material and apparatus for making same
A fused loop of an elongated material, such as a surgical suture, and apparatus for making the loop. Portions of one or more segments to be joined together are fused in a welding process to form a welded joint. The shear area of the fused portion of the joint determines the strength of the joint and is thus preferably relatively large. Various configurations for the welding apparatus facilitate the creation of relatively large fused portions of the joint by maximizing contact between at least one of the welding members of the apparatus and at least one of the segments to be joined. |
| US08197506B2 |
Wound closing device
A wound (50) is closed using a first adhesive shoe (10) adhesively affixed adjacent to a first edge (51) of the wound, a second adhesive shoe (20) adhesively affixed adjacent to a second opposite edge (52) of the wound, a forceps device (100) comprising a first leg (101) adapted to couple with the first adhesive shoe and a second leg (102) adapted to couple with the second adhesive shoe; and a locking mechanism (150) adapted to draw the first and second forcep legs together and hold legs in the desired closed position after they are drawn together. |
| US08197505B2 |
Balloon catheter system for treating vascular occlusions
The present invention provides a balloon catheter comprising: a hollow inner shaft disposed within a hollow outer shaft; a balloon attached at its proximal end to said outer shaft and at its distal end to said inner shaft; wherein the inner shaft is constructed such that following radial expansion of the balloon to a first expanded state, said inner shaft is capable of responding to further longitudinal expansion of the balloon to a second expanded state by increasing its length from a resting value, and of responding to subsequent partial deflation back to said first expanded state by reducing its length back to said resting value. |
| US08197501B2 |
Control for a powered surgical instrument
A surgical instrument is provided for cutting bone and other tissue. The instrument includes a housing. A plurality of sensors are located in the housing in a spaced apart orientation from each other. A collar is moveably mounted to the housing into a plurality of different collar orientations on the housing. A lever comprising an actuator is moveably coupled to the collar and, with the collar located in any one of the plurality of different collar orientations, the lever is operable to move the actuator relative to one of the plurality of sensors in order to vary a signal produced by that sensor. |
| US08197499B2 |
Compositions and methods for joining non-conjoined lumens
Disclosed are compositions, methods, and kits for joining together non-conjoined lumens in a patient's body including vascular lumens. More particularly, in various aspects, this invention provides compositions, methods, and kits for joining such non-conjoined lumens, including small lumens typically requiring microsurgical technique. |
| US08197498B2 |
Gastric bypass devices and procedures
Methods and devices for treating obesity are provided, and more particularly, methods and devices for performing gastric bypasses are disclosed. In one exemplary embodiment a gastric bypass procedure is provided that includes forming a gastro-entero anastomosis between a stomach and an intestine and forming an entero-entero anastomosis between a portion of the intestine distal to the gastro-entero anastomosis and a portion of the intestine proximal to the gastro-entero anastomosis. A surrogate path is formed between the esophagus and the gastro-entero anastomosis to at least partially direct fluid from the esophagus to the intestine by way of the gastro-entero anastomosis, thereby bypassing the stomach. Devices useful in gastric bypass procedures that include anastomotic devices coupled to or integrally formed with a shunt. The devices can include a plurality of tubular bodies that are configured to have an adjustable length. |
| US08197495B2 |
Biopsy targeting cube with elastomeric edges
A biopsy system comprises a control module, a localization assembly, a biopsy device, and a targeting cube. The biopsy device comprises a holster portion and a probe. The probe and/or other associated components are configured to selectively couple with a targeting cube that is configured to selectively couple with a grid plate having apertures for receiving the targeting cube. The targeting cube comprises a body defined by faces. The targeting cube further comprises guide holes that originate and terminate at the faces and pass through the body of the targeting cube to provide passageways through the targeting cube. The intersections of the faces of the targeting cube comprise edges that are comprised of elastomeric material. The elastomeric edges allow for compression and may thus provide a secure fit with a wide range of grid plates having openings of various shapes and sizes. |
| US08197494B2 |
Medical device position guidance system with wireless connectivity between a noninvasive device and an invasive device
A medical device position guidance system having a noninvasive medical device communicable with an invasive medical device. The system provides outputs useful to assess the position of an invasive medical device in an animal, such as a human. A magnetic field is used to gather information about the position of the invasive device. Radio waves are used to communicate this information between the noninvasive device and the invasive device. |
| US08197490B2 |
Non-invasive adjustable distraction system
A spinal distraction system includes a distraction rod having a first end and a second end, the first end being configured for affixation to a subject's spine at a first location, the distraction rod having a second end containing a recess having a threaded portion disposed therein. The system further includes an adjustable portion configured for affixation relative to the subject's spine at a second location remote from the first location, the adjustable portion comprising a housing containing a magnetic assembly, the magnetic assembly affixed at one end thereof to a lead screw, the lead screw operatively coupled to the threaded portion. A locking pin may secure the lead screw to the magnetic assembly. An o-ring gland disposed on the end of the housing may form a dynamic seal with the distraction rod. |
| US08197486B2 |
Surgical cutting guide
A surgical cutting guide is adapted to receive a cutting instrument during a surgical procedure. The surgical cutting guide comprises at least one body portion including a bone engaging surface. A plurality of separate plates are secured to the at least one body portion. At least one cutting slot is formed in the surgical cutting guide between the plurality of separate plates. The at least one cutting slot is configured to receive the cutting instrument and orient the cutting instrument for the surgical procedure. The at least one body portion is comprised of a first material, such as a plastic material, and the plurality of separate plates are comprised of a second material, such as a metal material. |
| US08197484B2 |
Assembly for minimally invasive reduction of hip fracture
An assembly includes a holder having a first arm and a second arm, the holder being movable between a first configuration and a second configuration. The assembly further includes an actuator movable in relation to the holder between a first position and a second position. Movement of the actuator from the first position to the second position causes movement of the holder from the first configuration to the second configuration. The first arm has a first bone plate contact portion, and the second arm has a second bone plate contact portion. The first bone plate contact portion and the second bone plate contact portion are separated by a first distance when the holder is in the first configuration. The first bone plate contact portion and the second bone plate contact portion are separated by a second distance when the holder is in the second configuration. The first distance is greater than the second distance. The assembly further includes a bone plate having a plurality of fastener openings defined therein. The holder retains the bone plate between the first bone plate contact portion of the first arm and second bone plate contact portion of the second arm when the holder is positioned in the second configuration. |
| US08197483B2 |
Surgical bone punch
In a surgical bone punch having a stationary shaft joined to a handgrip, a slide shaft mounted for longitudinal displacement on this stationary shaft, and a motorized drive in the handgrip for displacement of the slide shaft from a proximal inoperative position to a distal operative position with a preset forward displacement force, in order to control the effective forward displacement force of the slide shaft, it is proposed that the slide shaft carry a stop, which, during displacement of the slide shaft to the operative position, strikes an elastic spring element, which is supported on the stationary shaft, and, during displacement of the slide shaft, counteracts the forward displacement force of the drive. |
| US08197481B2 |
Adjustable length tap and method for drilling and tapping a bore in bone
The present invention is directed to an adjustable self drilling tap assembly and method for drilling and tapping bores in bone for use in orthopedic procedures to treat bone. The adjustable length tap assembly includes a shaft having cutting threads for drilling holes in bone, a stop collar configured and dimensioned to be translatable along the longitudinal axis of the shaft, and a locking collar comprising a member configured and dimensioned to be received over at least a portion of the stop collar. The locking collar preferably is configured and dimensioned to engage with the stop collar to adjustably set the effective length for the cutting threads and to prevent movement of the stop collar along the longitudinal axis of the shaft. |
| US08197478B2 |
Apparatus and method for electrically induced thrombosis
An apparatus and method for electrically induced thrombosis. The surgical device includes a first electrode and a second electrode. The first electrode is for placement adjacent to, near, or within a treatment site of a patient. The second electrode can be movable with respect to the first electrode. When the electrodes are charged by an electricity source, negatively charged blood components are attracted to the positively charged electrode while being repelled from the negatively charged electrode. Due to the electric potential between the adjacent electrodes, thrombosis is induced. The negatively charged blood and components form a thrombus or a clot adjacent to the positively charged electrode. The surgical device can be used to induce the otherwise natural process of thrombosis. When the surgical device is used in a treatment site such as a puncture or incision, the thrombosis can seal the opening created by the treatment site. |
| US08197469B2 |
Inserter joint and inserter
A controlled relative motion system comprising a base support, a manipulable support, and a plurality of hinged doubled pivoting links rotatably coupled to the base support and rotatably coupled to the manipulable support. A plurality of force imparting members has at least one coupled to one of the plurality of doubled pivoting links so as to be able to cause it to rotate. Also, at least one is coupled to the base support so as to be able to cause that base support to move toward or away.This joint can be used with a similar control joint, coupled thereto by coupling shafts held apart by a slidable separator, to form an extended length inserter for inserting an object positionable by the insertion joint in an obstructed location reached along a constricted passageway. These structures, positioned within a barrel, can rotate together but an activator slider, positioned at least partially about that barrel though not rotatable therewith, is coupled to the separator to cause sliding thereof. |
| US08197466B2 |
Connector and infusion tube set
A connector includes a male connector section having a cavity, a female connector section having a cavity to which another male connector section the same as the male connector section can be connected, a male lock section or a female lock section, disposed adjacent to the male connector section so that the connection direction thereof is parallel to that of the male connector section, a female lock section disposed adjacent to the female connector section so that the connection direction thereof is parallel to that of the female connector section, and to which another male lock section the same as the male lock section can be coupled, or a male lock section disposed adjacent to the female connector section so that the connection direction thereof is parallel to that of the female connector section, and to which another female lock section the same as the female lock section can be coupled, and a seal member formed from an elastic material, for maintaining liquid-tightness of the connection between the other male connector section and the female connector section in a locked condition where the other male lock section and the female lock section are coupled to each other, wherein an unlocking sound, which enables recognition of unlocking, is generated at a time of unlocking when the locked condition is released. |
| US08197465B2 |
Magnet cuff for vascular catheters and bloodlines
A catheter (100) having a catheter body (102) having a proximal end (106) and a distal end (104) and a proximal portion fixedly connected to the proximal end. A magnet (120,220,320) is disposed around the catheter body (112) distally of the proximal portion and may be contained within a hub (208, 308). |
| US08197464B2 |
Deflecting guide catheter for use in a minimally invasive medical procedure for the treatment of mitral valve regurgitation
A deflecting guide catheter for use in minimally invasive medical procedures such as the treatment of mitral valve regurgitation by reshaping the mitral valve annulus using one or more plications of annular or adjacent tissue each fixed by a retainer is described. The catheter includes an elongated tubular portion having various durometers along its length and at least one puller wire attached to an anchor band near the distal end. The deflecting guide catheter is used to provide a means for guiding a plication device or other medical instrument into a desired position within the vasculature or heart chambers of a patient. |
| US08197462B1 |
Method and system for mitigating effects of biomechanical forces on cell, particle and drug based therapies
A medical practitioner can specify certain parameters for a procedure that involves delivering a therapeutic agent, while leaving other parameters open. The therapeutic agent can be sensitive to biomechanical forces (or other influences) associated with delivery. The procedure can involve regenerative medicine, for example delivering progenitor or stem cells to a diseased heart using a catheter, whereby unbridled transport in the catheter may compromise efficacy. The open parameters can influence efficacy of the agent and thus therapeutic outcome. A computer-based system can apply stored information, such as from databases, to narrow the possible values of the open parameters. From the narrowed possibilities, an optimization routine can determine suitable or optimized values for the open parameters. The determined values can manage biomechanical forces incurred by the therapeutic agent, thereby promoting efficacy and healing. The optimized parameters can guide the practitioner in the procedure. |
| US08197459B2 |
Self-sealing medical fluid transfer device
Embodiments of the invention relate to a transfer device for a container whose interior is under negative pressure and which is closed by means of an elastic stopper. The device has a receiving cap and a piercing mandril for piercing the stopper. Relative to its direction of piercing, the piercing mandril is provided with a front piercing portion and with a rear sealing portion which is of greater diameter. In the position in which a bead of the container is inserted into the receiving cap, the sealing portion contacts the stopper. In this way, a tear in the stopper, which tear has been formed by eccentric application of the device onto the container, can be sealed off. |