Document Document Title
US08236994B2 Process for the biological production of 1,3-propanediol from glycerol with high yield
The present invention provides a method for the anaerobic production of 1,3 propanediol, by culturing a Clostridium strain in an appropriate culture medium comprising glycerol as a source of carbon, wherein said Clostridium strain does not produce substantially other products of the glycerol metabolism selected among the group consisting of: butyrate, lactate, butanol and ethanol, and recovering of 1,3-propanediol.
US08236992B2 Preparation of purified hydroquinone
Hydroquinone devoid of impurities is prepared from a crude hydroquinone essentially containing hydroquinone and small amounts of impurities including at least resorcinol, pyrogallol and traces of pyrocatechol and comprises at least the following steps: dissolving the crude hydroquinone in water, crystallizing the hydroquinone, separating the purified hydroquinone, and, optionally, drying the purified hydroquinone.
US08236991B2 Process for the preparation of substantially pure (2S,3S,5S)-5-amino-2-N,N-dibenzylamino-3-hydroxy-1,6-diphenylhexane
The present invention relates to the purification of (2S,3S,5S)-5-amino-2-N,N-dibenzylamino-3-hydroxy-1,6-diphenylhexane (III) by making its crystalline acid addition salt, which can be used as such to produce Lopinavir/Ritonavir with high purity and yield. Formula III
US08236989B2 Method for obtaining an aminoindan mesylate derivative
The invention relates to processes for preparing rasagiline mesylate that avoid the use of alcohol solvents, thereby producing rasagiline mesylate five of any alkyl mesylates, including isopropyl mesylate. The invention further relates to processes for purifying rasagiline mesylate to obtain a product free of alkyl mesylates, and to the thus obtained rasagiline mesylate.
US08236986B2 Process for preparing acylsulfamoylbenzamides
The invention relates to a process for the preparation of a compound of formula (I): Which comprises reaction of a compound of formula (II) with a compound of the formula (III) in the presence of a chlorinating agent, followed by reaction of the resultant compound of the formula (IV) with a compound of formula (V) in the presence of a base: wherein the various symbols are as defined in claim 1.
US08236985B2 Compounds and uses thereof
There is provided a compound of formula (I) wherein R1a, R2a, R3, X1 to X6, a, b and c have meanings given in the description, which compounds are useful as, or are useful as prodrugs of, inhibitors of HDAC enzyme activity, and thus, in particular, in the treatment of conditions where inhibition of HDAC enzyme activity is required.
US08236984B2 Compound and use thereof in the treatment of amyloidosis
The present invention relates to compounds of formula (I) for stabilizing the tetrameric form of transthyretin, compounds for use in the treatment or prevention of amyloidosis, and agents and medicaments comprising such compounds. wherein X, Y, R1, R2, R3, R4, m, n, p, q, and the linker are as defined herein.
US08236982B2 Process for production of terephthalic acid
A method for producing terephthalic acid comprising: subjecting a p-phenylene compound to a liquid-phase oxidation reaction by the use of a molecular-oxygen-containing gas in the presence of a catalyst at least containing a heavy metal compound and a bromine compound, and hydrous acetic acid having a water content of 1 to 15 mass %, to thereby yield a slurry; regulating the temperature of the slurry to 35 to 140° C., to thereby cause terephthalic acid to precipitate; removing the terephthalic acid through solid-liquid separation, to thereby recover a mother liquor; and recovering the catalyst from the mother liquor through a series of operations (1) to (4), as described, for reusing at least a portion of the catalyst in the liquid-phase oxidation reaction.
US08236973B2 Adsorption separation processes for ionic liquid catalytic processes
Presently disclosed are methods and apparatus for separation of reaction products from reaction mixtures in an ionic liquid catalysis process, particularly in conversion of biomass, cellulose, and sugars into chemical intermediates such as 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF). In one embodiment an ion exclusion adsorption mechanism is used for the separation process. The process comprises (i) mixing the ionic liquid-containing reaction mixture with de-ionized water, (ii) flowing the water solution mixture into an adsorption column, (iii) eluting the column with a water- and/or alcohol-based fluid, and (iv) collecting separated fractions at different elution times.
US08236972B2 Molecular mass enhancement of biological feedstocks
The instant invention involves a process for enhancing molecular mass of biomass reactants. The process comprises first forming a substituted or unsubstituted furfural from a biomass. The substituted or unsubstituted furfural is then reacted with an activated methylene compound in the presence of a catalyst and, if desired, a solvent to form a Knoevenagel product. The product may then be hydrogenated to products containing an alcohol, ether, aldehyde, or ketone functional groups or to an olefinic or aliphatic species wherein as much as all of the oxygen and/or nitrogen has been removed.
US08236970B2 Vanillin acetals
The invention relates to a sensory stimulant composition containing one or more of vanillin acetals represented by the general formula (1), and a flavor and fragrance composition, a beverage or food product, a fragrance or cosmetic product, a daily utensil product, an oral composition, or a pharmaceutical product containing the sensory stimulant composition with a warming sensation agent or cooling sensation substance, if necessary. Vanillin acetals represented by the general formula (1) show an excellent pungent and/or warming sensation effect and a cooling sensation-emphasizing effect.
US08236958B2 Polymorphic forms of a GABAA agonist
Two new crystalline monohydrates and two new crystalline anhydrates of gaboxadol are disclosed together with methods for preparing them.
US08236944B2 RNA interference mediated inhibition of gene expression using chemically modified short interfering nucleic acid (siNA)
The present invention concerns methods and reagents useful in modulating gene expression in a variety of applications, including use in therapeutic, diagnostic, target validation, and genomic discovery applications. Specifically, the invention relates to synthetic chemically modified small nucleic acid molecules, such as short interfering nucleic acid (siNA), short interfering RNA (siRNA), double-stranded RNA (dsRNA), micro-RNA (miRNA), and short hairpin RNA (shRNA) molecules capable of mediating RNA interference (RNAi) against target nucleic acid sequences. The small nucleic acid molecules are useful in the treatment of any disease or condition that responds to modulation of gene expression or activity in a cell, tissue, or organism.
US08236943B2 Compositions and methods for silencing apolipoprotein B
The present invention provides compositions and methods for the delivery of interfering RNAs that silence APOB expression to liver cells. In particular, the nucleic acid-lipid particles provide efficient encapsulation of nucleic acids and efficient delivery of the encapsulated nucleic acid to cells in vivo. The compositions of the present invention are highly potent, thereby allowing effective knock-down of APOB at relatively low doses. In addition, the compositions and methods of the present invention are less toxic and provide a greater therapeutic index compared to compositions and methods previously known in the art.
US08236940B2 Constitutive strong promoter and use thereof
Disclosed herein are an aldolase gene promoter and the use thereof, more particularly, disclosed are a promoter of aldolase gene derived from Lactobacillus casei, having a base sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1, an expression vector containing said promoter, and a recombinant microorganism transformed with said expression vector. The recombinant microorganism transformed with the expression vector containing the disclosed promoter can effectively express a target protein on the surface thereof, and thus will be useful as vaccine vehicles and the like.
US08236939B2 Micrornas and uses thereof
Described herein are polynucleotides associated with prostate and lung cancer. The polynucleotides are miRNAs and miRNA precursors. Related methods and compositions that can be used for diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of those medical conditions are disclosed. Also described herein are methods that can be used to identify modulators of prostate and lung cancer.
US08236935B2 Gem-difluorinated C-glycoside compounds derived from podophyllotoxin, their preparation and their applications
The invention relates to a gem-difluoride glycoconjugated compound with formula (I): where R represents II or a benzyl, acetyl, benzoyl alkyl group, R1 and R2 may be identical or different and represent H or an alkyl, benzyl, benzoyl, acetyl, pivaloyl, trialkylsilyl, tertiobutyldiphenylsilyl protective group or an acetal group of the CR′R′ type, where R′ and R′ may be identical or different and represent H or an alkyl, aryl, benzyl or thiophene group, R3 represents H or an alkyl, benzyl, benzoyl, acetyl, pivaloyl, trialkylsilyl or tertiobutyldiphenylsilyl protective group, R4 represents OR″, NGR′GR′, N3, or a phthalimide, where R″ represents H or an alkyl, benzyl, benzoyl, acetyl, pivaloyl, trialkylsilyl or tertiobutyldiphenylsilyl protective group, GR′ and GR′ may be identical or different and represent II or an alkyl, benzyl, benzoyl, acetyl, alkyloxycarbonyl, allyloxycarbonyl or benzyloxycarbonyl group, R5 represents a free or protected hydroxyl group or a halogen, R6 represents H or an alkyl, acetyl, benzyl, PO3H or PO3Na group. It is applicable to the preparation of compounds that can be used particularly for the treatment of cancer.
US08236934B2 Agents that engage antigen-presenting cells through dendritic cell asialoglycoprotein receptor (DC-ASGPR)
The present invention includes compositions and methods for making and using anti DC-ASGPR antibodies that can, e.g., activate DCs and other cells.
US08236933B2 Modified animal lacking functional PYY gene, monoclonal antibodies that bind PYY isoforms and uses therefor
The present invention provides transgenic animals having a reduced level of expression of peptide YY (PYY) and drug screening platforms using the transgenic animals for identifying agonists and antagonists of PYY. The present invention further provides monoclonal antibodies that bind specifically to full-length PYY[1-36] or the processed form thereof i.e., PYY[3-36] and to diagnostic and drug screening platforms using the monoclonal antibodies. The invention has particular utility for the diagnosis of a predisposition or risk of a subject becoming obese, developing one or more pathologies associated with obesity, or developing a disease/disorder of bone tissue.
US08236932B2 High affinity antibodies that neutralize Staphylococcus enterotoxin B
This invention provides antibodies that specifically bind and neutralize Staphylococcus enterotoxin B. In addition, nucleic acids encoding such antibodies, and cells that express such antibodies are provided. Also provided are methods for treating diseases mediated by, and for neutralizing Staphylococcus enterotoxin B.
US08236922B2 Polyamide polymer
The instant invention provides polyamides, processes for making the polyamides, and articles comprising the polyamides.
US08236921B1 Integrated co-production of dicarboxylic acids
The invention provides improved energy content in and shaft power recovery from off-gas from xylene oxidation reactions while at the same time minimizing wastewater treatment cost. More shaft power is produced using off-gas than is required to drive the main air compressor, even with preferred, relatively low oxidation temperatures. Simultaneously, an amount of wastewater greater than byproduct water from oxidation of xylene is kept in vapor form and treated along with off-gas pollutants in a self-sustaining (self-fueling) gas-phase thermal oxidative destruction unit. Optionally, off-gas is combined from multiple xylene oxidation reactors, comprising primary and/or secondary oxidation reactors and forming TPA and/or IPA.
US08236919B2 Process for preparing a polyether ether ketone
A process for preparing a polyether ether ketone. Sodium carbonate is used alone as the condensation agent, and 4,4′-difluorodibenzophenone, p-benzenediol and biphenyldiol are subjected to polymerizing. After the corresponding prepolymer is obtained, the reaction temperature is elevated and p-benzenediol is further added as a chain extender to react for a period of time to produce high-viscosity polyether ether ketone.
US08236918B2 Polyether-functional siloxanes, polyether siloxane-containing compositions, methods for the production thereof and use thereof
The present invention provides a linear, cyclic or branched polyether-functional siloxane or a mixture of polyether-functional siloxanes of the general formula (I) R[—O(3-h)/2Si(R1)(OR)h]x[—O(3-i-j)/2Si(R2)(R3)i(OR)j]y, (II) in which groups R are identical or different and R is essentially H, methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, isobutyl, t-butyl, 2-methoxyethyl or 2-hydroxyethyl or, in the case of cyclic siloxanes, may be a silyl radical of the silyl units of the formula (I), groups R1 are identical or different and R1 is a terminally blocked polyether group of the formula (II), R4—O[—R5—O]n[(—R6)m]— (II) and groups R2 are identical or different and R2 is a linear, branched or cyclic, optionally substituted alkyl group having 1 to 18 carbon atoms or a mercaptoalkyl group or an alkenyl group having 2 to 8 carbon atoms or an alkenyl group having 2 to 8 carbon atoms or an aryl group having 6 to 12 carbon atoms or an aminoalkyl group or the general formula (III) H2N(CH2)d[(NH)e(CH2)f]g—(CH2)3— (III) The present invention further provides aqueous and/or alcoholic compositions which comprise a polyether siloxane according to formula (I), to methods for the production of said systems, and to the use thereof.
US08236915B2 Hydrosilylation catalysts
Disclosed herein are manganese, iron, cobalt, or nickel complexes containing terdentate pyridine diimine ligands and their use as efficient and selective hydrosilylation catalysts.
US08236914B2 Self-assessing mechanochromic materials
A mechanochromic material includes a polymer having a backbone containing a mechanophore.
US08236911B2 Water-soluble resin, hair cosmetic material containing the same, and silicone oil adsorption assistant
Provided is a water-soluble resin which gives a conditioning effect when it is used in a hair cosmetic material containing an anionic surfactant, or the like. A water-soluble resin having a structure corresponding to a copolymer of a monomer mixture containing a vinylic monomer (A) having a hydroxyl group and an amido bond, and a vinylic monomer (B) having a cationic group.
US08236907B2 Neutral bimetallic transition metal phenoxyiminato catalysts and related polymerization methods
A catalyst composition comprising a neutral bimetallic diphenoxydiiminate complex of group 10 metals or Ni, Pd or Pt is disclosed. The compositions can be used for the preparation of homo- and co-polymers of olefinic monomer compounds.
US08236903B2 Transition metal crosslinking of acid-containing polymers
An acid-functional polymer is reacted with a transition metal compound having an average particle size small enough to react with the polymer at a temperature below the glass transition temperature of the polymer, e.g., at room temperature, to produce cross-linked polymer. The process produces a liquid polymer product that dries to a cross-linked film without the required presence of volatile ligands. Improved coatings such as floor polishes that can be formed from these cross-linked polymers are also disclosed.
US08236902B2 Fluorocarbon mediated polymer blends and methods for making thereof
The present invention discloses a method for making blended polymers by utilizing fluorophilic inter-polymer associative interactions between perfluorocarbon functional groups attached on the constituent polymers. The method of the present invention is capable of forming blended polymers from otherwise incompatible polymers. Also disclosed are blended polymers obtained by the method thereof. Methods and devices utilizing novel blended polymer of the present invention including chromatography, catalysis, photonic and sensor applications are also provided.
US08236901B2 Fluorinated compound, fluoropolymer and method for producing the compound
Provided is a novel fluorinated compound, a fluoropolymer, and a method for producing the compound. A monomer of the compound has a formula F2═CFCF2C(X)(C(O)OZ)(CH2)nCR═CHR, wherein X is a hydrogen atom, a cyano group, or a group of formula —C(O)OZ; Z is a hydrogen atom or a C1-20 monovalent organic group, n is 0, 1, or 2; and R is a hydrogen atom or a C1-20 monovalent organic group.
US08236898B2 Fluoropolymer composition
A melt-mixed composition of non-melt flowable polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and melt-fabricable perfluoropolymer is provided that exhibits thixotropy at increasing shear rate in the molten state and high elongation at break even at PTFE concentrations well above 4 wt %, based on the combined weight of the PTFE and the perfluoropolymer, e.g. at least 200% up to at least 30 wt % PTFE, the composition also exhibiting the structure of a dispersion of submicrometer-size particles of the PTFE in a continuous phase of the melt-fabricable perfluoropolymer.
US08236896B2 Powdery processing aid for polyolefin resins, method for producing the same, resin composition and shaped article
Disclosed are a powdery processing aid for polyolefin resins, containing an alkyl methacrylate polymer which has alkyl methacrylate units having an alkyl group with 2 to 6 carbon atoms as a main component and has a mass average molecular weight of 150,000 to 20,000,000, having good handling properties as a powder, having good dispersibility in polyolefin resins, and being able to improve shaping processability of polyolefin resins; and a polyolefin resin composition having improved shaping processability, which contains a powdery processing aid for polyolefin resins and a polyolefin resin.
US08236895B2 Paint compositions, a method of finish-painting and painted objects
Disclosed is a finish paint composition having a hydroxyl group containing resin (A) comprising a hydroxyl group value of 80 to 220 mgKOH/g, a glass transition temperature of −50° or above but below 0° C., and 25 to 55 mass% of units of 4-hydroxybutyl (meth)acrylate origin, a hydroxyl group containing resin (B) with a hydroxyl group value of 80 to 220 mgKOH/g, and a glass transition temperature of 0 to 50° C., and a crosslinking agent (C) comprising polyisocyanate compound having isocyanate groups, wherein the proportions of hydroxyl group containing resin (A) and hydroxyl group containing resin (B) are, as a ratio of solid fraction masses, from 95/5 to 50/50, and the proportion of isocyanate groups of the crosslinking agent (C) with respect to the hydroxyl groups in total of the hydroxyl group containing resin (A) and the hydroxyl group containing resin (B), as the NCO/OH mol ratio, is 0.5 to 1.5.
US08236887B2 Fluorine-containing polymer having heteroaromatic ring
There is provided a fluorine-containing polymer having an ionic group which has a heteroaromatic ring and is useful as a material comprising various heteroaromatic ring compounds having a stable fluorine-containing heteroaromatic ring, and further a fluorine-containing polymer having a heteroaromatic ring which is useful as a starting material of the above-mentioned polymer or a curing agent. Also, there is provided a fluorine-containing polymer having a heteroaromatic ring such as imidazole in its side chain, a polymer salt thereof, and a polymer composition comprising such a polymer and a polymer salt and a nano filler.
US08236885B2 Exterior paint formulation
The present invention provides increased stain resistance, tannin blocking, adhesion, and various other properties. A composition in accordance with the principles of the present invention comprises at least two binders, nanoparticle pigment, and pigmentary titanium dioxide. In one embodiment, the present invention relates to a coating on a substrate wherein the coating has two binders, nanoparticle metal oxide pigment, and pigmentary titanium dioxide. Various additives may be included to formulate paint as known in the art.
US08236882B2 Rubber mixtures
A rubber mixture which exhibits reliable processability contains (A) a rubber or mixture of rubbers, (B) a filler, (C) at least one organosilane, (D) a thiuram accelerator, and (E) a nitrogen-containing co-activator. A weight ratio of thiuram accelerator (D) to nitrogen-containing co-activator (E) is equal to or greater than 1.
US08236876B2 Superabsorbent polymer compositions having color stability
The invention relates to absorptive, crosslinked polymeric compositions that are based on partly neutralized, monoethylenically unsaturated monomer carrying acid groups wherein the absorptive, crosslinked polymeric composition further includes an antioxidant and is color stable.
US08236872B2 Adhesive composition and optical member
A photocationically polymerizable adhesive composition and an optical member, the photocationically polymerizable adhesive composition including about 75 to about 99.8 parts by weight of a compound including one of aliphatic epoxy, alicyclic epoxy, oxetane, and vinyl ether compounds, about 0.1 to about 5 parts by weight of a titanate coupling agent, and about 0.1 to about 20 parts by weight of a photopolymerization initiator, wherein a sum of weights of the compound, the titanate coupling agent, and the photopolymerization initiator is 100 parts by weight.
US08236871B2 Polymerizable compositions containing salts of barbituric acid derivatives
This invention relates to polymerizable compositions comprising a salt of a barbituric acid derivative. The compositions are typically shelf-life stable and may be polymerized through mixing of an acidic component with the salt of a barbituric acid derivative.
US08236869B2 Polyether polyol, rigid polyurethane foam and processes for production thereof
Highly-functionalized, low-viscosity polyether polyols are obtained by dehydration condensation reaction of alcohols.The polyether polyols are obtained by dehydration condensation of glycerin and monohydric and/or dihydric alcohol with the glycerin percentage being more than 50 mol % relative to 100 mol % of the total of the glycerin and alcohol. The glycerin may be crude glycerin obtained by hydrolysis or alcoholysis of natural fat and oils.
US08236868B2 Process for producing polyurethane elastomer foams
Polyurethane elastomer foams can be prepared by mixing an isocyanate-terminated prepolymer obtained by reaction of a polyol with 3,3′-dimethylbiphenyl-4,4′-diisocyanate, with a foaming agent comprising a mixture of water, a low-molecular weight glycol having a molecular weight of 48-200, and a high-molecular weight glycol having a number average molecular weight Mn of 1000-3000 under stirring to conduct foaming reaction. The polyurethane elastomer foams so produced can have a high durability, particularly under a high load, even though a low-cost, easy-to-handle diisocyanate compound is used.
US08236867B2 Polymer complex having channels and method for chemically modifying inner surfaces of channels of polymer complex
An embodiment of the present invention includes a method for chemically modifying inner surfaces of channels capable of further regulating characteristics of the internal environment of channels, by forming a polymer complex having a specific channel group B, the channel environmental characteristics of which are regulated by substituents A, followed by utilizing the channels of the channel group B as a reaction field to convert the substituent A to a different substituent. The method may comprise including a guest molecule in the channel of the channel group B in which the substituents A are arranged; and reacting the guest molecule with the substituent A in the channel to convert the substituent A to a substituent A′, and to arrange the substituent A′ regularly directing to the inside of the channel of the channel group B or any channel of other channel groups.
US08236864B2 Saponified fatty acids as breakers for viscoelastic surfactant-gelled fluids
Fluids viscosified with viscoelastic surfactants (VESs) may have their viscosities affected (increased or reduced, e.g. gels broken) by the indirect or direct action of a composition that contains at least one fatty acid that has been affected, modified or reacted with an alkali metal base, an alkali earth metal base, ammonium base, and/or organic base compound, optionally with an alkali metal halide salt, an alkali earth metal halide salt, and/or an ammonium halide salt. The composition containing the resulting saponification product is believed to either act as a co-surfactant with the VES itself to increase viscosity and/or possibly by disaggregating or otherwise affecting the micellar structure of the VES-gelled fluid. In a specific, non-limiting instance, a brine fluid gelled with an amine oxide surfactant may have its viscosity broken with a composition containing naturally-occurring fatty acids in canola oil or corn oil affected with CaOH, MgOH, NaOH and the like.
US08236862B2 Therapeutic compositions comprising monoterpenes
This invention provides a compositions for transport of a therapeutic agent. The compositions contain a therapeutic agent and a monoterpene or an analog thereof. In one aspect, the monoterpene is perillyl alcohol (POH) or an analog thereof. In one aspect, the therapeutic agent is provided in an amount effective to treat the disease or subject of choice.
US08236860B2 Inhibition of the survival of pancreatic cancer by cyclohexenone compounds from Antrodia camphorata
The present invention relates to a novel application of a compound. The compound 4--2,3-dimethoxy-6-methyl-5-(3,7,11-trimethyl-dodeca-2,6,10-trienyl)-cyclohex-2-enone of the invention is isolated and purified from the extracts of Antrodia camphorata, which can be applied for inhibiting the survival of pancreatic cancer cells and be used as a pharmaceutical composition to inhibit the pancreatic tumor growth.
US08236858B2 Substituted aryl-indole compounds and their kynurenine/kynuramine-like metabolites as therapeutic agents
This invention is directed to substituted aryl compounds, which are linked to a substituted indole moiety by various linkers, and the kynurenine/kynuramine-like metabolites of these agents, their preparation and pharmaceutical compositions containing these compounds. This invention further is directed to the pharmaceutical use of the compounds for inhibiting GSK3β kinase and/or modulating N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) channel activities for the treatment of neurodegenerative and other disorders.
US08236857B2 Extended-release formulation for reducing the frequency of urination and method of use thereof
Methods and compositions for reducing the frequency of urination are disclosed. One method comprises administering to a subject in need thereof an effective amount of a pharmaceutical composition comprising an analgesic agent formulated in an extended-release formulation. Another method comprises administering to a subject in need thereof an effective amount of a pharmaceutical composition comprising multiple active ingredients formulated for extended-release. Yet another method comprises administering to a subject in need thereof an effective amount of a diuretic followed with another administration of an pharmaceutical composition comprising an analgesic agent formulated for extended-release.
US08236855B2 Methods of treating metabolic disorders
A method of increasing the insulin sensitivity of insulin resistant cells includes administering to the cells an amount of all-trans-retinoic acid effective to activate transcription factor perosixome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) β/δ of the cells.
US08236851B2 Microspherules containing a pleuromutilin derivative
The provision of animal feed pellets is described, which pellets comprise, as antibiotic, a pleuromutilin derivative is stabilized form, namely in the form of microspherules. The pleuromutilin derivatives in question have the general formula (I) wherein R1 is ethyl or vinyl, there is either a double bond or a single bond between carbon atoms 1 and 2, Ra and Rb are each independently of the other hydrogen or halogen, and T is a short or long-chain organic radical.
US08236848B2 Diindolylmethane for the treatment of HPV infection
New methods and compositions are disclosed that comprise the phytochemical Diindolylmethane, alone or in combination with immune potentiating steroids. These methods and compositions are utilized to treat subjects suffering from common cutaneous warts (verrucae) and Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) related conditions of the oropharynx, larynx, genitalia, and uterine cervix.
US08236845B2 Heterocyclyl-substituted-tetrahydro-naphthalen-amine derivatives, their preparation and use as medicaments
The present invention relates to heterocyclyl-substituted-tetrahydro-naphthalen-amine compounds of general formula (I) and compositions thereof, methods for their preparation, and the use of said compounds for the treatment or prophylaxis of various disorders of humans or animals.
US08236842B2 Salt and process for producing acid generator
A salt represented by the formula (I0): wherein Q1 and Q2 each independently represent a fluorine atom or a C1-C6 perfluoroalkyl group, L1 represents a divalent C1-C17 hydrocarbon group in which one or more —CH2— can be replaced by —O— or —CO—, m represents 1 or 2, and Zm+ represents m-valent organic or inorganic cation.
US08236841B2 Fused heterocycle derivative
A fused heterocycle derivative represented by the general formula (I): (wherein R1 represents optionally substituted lower alkyl, or the like; R2 represents an optionally substituted aliphatic heterocyclic group, or the like; R3 represents —C(═Z)NR5R6 (wherein R5 and R6 represent optionally substituted lower alkyl, or the like, and Z represents an oxygen atom or the like), or the like; n represents an integer of 1 to 3; and W represents C—R5 (wherein R5 represents a hydrogen atom or the like)) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and the like are provided.
US08236837B2 Tricyclic compound and pharmaceutical use thereof
The present invention provides a compound represented by the formula which is useful as an agent for the prophylaxis or treatment of diseases related to the action of melatonin, or a salt thereof and the like.
US08236832B2 Thiazoles, imidazoles, and pyrazoles useful as inhibitors of protein kinases
The present invention relates to compounds useful as inhibitors of protein kinase. The invention also relates to pharmaceutically acceptable compositions comprising the compounds, to methods of using the compounds and to the compositions in the treatment of various disease, conditions, or disorders. The invention also relates to processes for preparing compounds of the inventions.
US08236830B2 Pesticide composition comprising propamocarb-fosetylate and an insecticidally active substance
The present invention relates to a pesticide composition intended for protecting plants, crops or seeds against phyto-pathogenic fungi or damaging insects, and the corresponding methods of treatment using the said composition. More precisely, the subject of the present invention is a pesticide composition based on propamocarb-fosetylate, an insecticide active substance and optionally a further fungicide active substance.
US08236821B2 Substituted N-phenyl-5-phenyl-pyrazolin-3-yl amides as cannabinoid receptor antagonists/inverse agonists useful for treating obesity
The present invention provides novel pyrazolines that are useful as cannabinoid receptor antagonists/inverse agonists and pharmaceutical compositions thereof and methods of using the same for treating obesity, diabetes, dyslipidemias, cardiovascular disorders, hepatic disorders, and a combination thereof.
US08236820B2 Anti-inflammatory compounds and uses thereof
Compounds of the general formula are disclosed with activity towards treating diseases related to inflammation, such as cancer, neurodegenerative and cardiovascular diseases. Pharmaceutical compositions and methods of use are also described.
US08236818B2 Substituted imidazopyridine derivatives as melanocortin-4 receptor antagonists
The present invention relates to substituted imidazopyridine derivatives as melanocortin-4 receptor (MC-4R) modulators, in particular as melanocortin-4 receptor antagonists. The antagonists are useful for the treatment of disorders and diseases such as cancer cachexia, muscle wasting, anorexia, amytrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), anxiety and depression.
US08236817B2 Polymorphs of 1-cyclopropy1-7-([s,s])-2,8-diazadicyclo[4.3.0]non-8-yl)-6-fluoro-1,4-dihydro-8-methoxy-4-oxo-3-quinoline carboxylic acid hydrochloride and methods for the preparation thereof
Two novel crystalline forms, designated form A and form B of the antibacterial agent 1-cyclopropyl-7-(S,S)-2,8-diazabicyclo[4.3.0]non-8-yl)-6-fluoro-1,4-dihydro-8-methoxy -4-oxo-3-quinoline carboxylic acid hydrochloride of formula, the preparation thereof, and their pharmaceutical compositions are described. These crystalline forms, which are characterized by greater ability and ease of preparation and of formulation, can be produced by industrially applicable methods which comprises the steps of: a) suspending 1-cyclopropyl-7-(S,S)-2,8-diazabicyclo-[4.3.0]non-8-yl)-6-fluoro-1,4-dihydro -8-methoxy-4-oxo-3-quinoline carboxylic acid hydrochloride in a solvent selected from an alcohol and a polyalcohol, b) heating the mixture under reflux, c) cooling, d) isolating the product which is separated, (form A) and, additionally, e), reslurrying the solid at reflux in a solvent selected from alcohols and polyols or mixtures thereof, in which the resulting mixture has an overall water content of between 2.5% and 0.01% by weight, f) isolating the product (form B).
US08236816B2 2×2×2 week dosing regimen for treating actinic keratosis with pharmaceutical compositions formulated with 3.75 % imiquimod
Pharmaceutical formulations and methods for the topical or transdermal delivery of 1-isobutyl-1H-imidazo[4,5-c]-quinolin-4-amine or 1-(2-methylpropyl)-1H-imidazo[4,5-c]quinolin-4-amine, i.e., imiquimod, to treat actinic keratosis with short durations of therapy, than currently prescribed for the commercially available ALDARA 5% imiquimod cream, as now approved by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (“FDA”), are disclosed and described. More specifically, lower dosage strength imiquimod formulations to deliver an efficacious dose of imiquimod for treating actinic keratosis with an acceptable safety profile and dosing regimens that are short and more convenient for patient use than the dosing regimen currently approved by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (“FDA”) for ALDARA 5% imiquimod cream to treat actinic keratosis are also disclosed and described.
US08236815B2 Ion channel modulators and methods of uses
The invention relates to ion channel modulators of formula Ia, pharmaceutical compositions thereof, and to methods of treating diseases using such compounds where activation or hyperactivity of calcium and/or sodium ion channels is implicated in the disease state.
US08236814B2 Composition and method for treatment of warts
Provided is a composition comprising 5-FU and salicylic acid. This composition is useful as a treatment for warts. As opposed to conventional compositions and methods, this composition need only be applied once a day. Also provided are methods for the preparation and use of the composition for treatment of warts.
US08236809B2 Substituted 1,2,3-triazolopyrimidines for the inhibition of NAD(P)H oxidases and platelet activation
The invention relates to compounds of formula het-X-AB containing a N-heteroaryl moiety “het”, which is linked via X=sulfur to the 1,2,3-triazolo[4,5-d]pyrimidine-7-yl moiety AB of the formula (II). The invention also relates to a process for the preparation of said compounds and the use thereof in drugs for the treatment of NAD(P)H oxidase-related diseases and disorders and inhibition of platelet activation.
US08236806B2 Piperazinyl-propyl-pyrazole derivatives as dopamine D4 receptor antagonists, and pharmaceutical compositions containing the same
The present invention relates to a novel piperazinyl-propyl-pyrazole derivative, a method of its preparation and a pharmaceutically acceptable composition comprising the same. The novel piperazinyl-propyl-pyrazole derivative of the present invention has superior selective affinity for dopamine D4 receptor, can effectively inhibit psychotic behavior (cage climbing) induced by apomorphine, and has relatively low adverse effects in mouse rotarod test. Therefore, it can be developed as a therapeutic agent for the treatment and prevention of central nervous system (CNS) disorders, in particular, schizophrenia, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, depression, stress diseases, panic disorder, phobia, obsessive-compulsive disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder, cognitive disorder, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, anxiety, paraphrenia, mania, seizure disorder, personality disorder, migraine, drug addiction, alcohol addiction, obesity, eating disorder, and sleeping disorder.
US08236803B2 Aza-bicycloalkyl ethers and their use as alpha7-nAChR agonists
The present invention relates to 1-aza-bicycloalkyl derivatives of formula I, wherein X is CH2 or a single bond; Y is a group of formula and wherein R has the meanings as defined in the specification, which compounds are alpha 7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) agonists; to processes for their production, their use as pharmaceuticals and to pharmaceutical compositions comprising them.
US08236800B2 Facially amphiphilic polymers and oligomers and uses thereof
The present invention discloses methods of use of facially amphiphilic polymers and oligomers, including pharmaceutical uses of the polymers and oligomers as antimicrobial agents and antidotes for hemorrhagic complications associated with heparin therapy. The present invention also discloses novel facially amphiphilic polymers and oligomers and their compositions, including pharmaceutical compositions. The present invention further discloses the design and synthesis of facially amphiphilic polymers and oligomers.
US08236799B2 Biaryl compositions and methods for modulating a kinase cascade
The invention relates to compounds and methods for modulating one or more components of a kinase cascade. The invention relates to compounds of the formula I: or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. The compounds of the invention are useful for methods of protecting against or treating hearing loss, osteoporosis, cell proliferative disorders, obesity, diabetes, eye disease, stroke, atherosclerosis, neuropathic pain or hepatitis B.
US08236794B2 Treatment of mesothelioma
A method of treating mesothelioma in a mammal, whereby a methylol-containing compound is administered to the mammal intrapleurally.
US08236791B2 Assays for S100 inhibitors
Provided are methods of determining whether a compound is an inhibitor of an S100 protein. The methods utilize a biosensor that comprises the S100 protein that has a covalently bound fluorescent dye at an amino acid residue of the S100 protein that becomes less exposed to the aqueous solution upon activation of the S100 protein, where the fluorescent dye has decreased fluorescence when exposed to the aqueous solution than when protected from exposure to the aqueous solution. Also provided are methods of treating a subject having metastatic cancer.
US08236789B2 1-adamantyl azetidin-2-one derivatives and drugs containing same
It is to provide a novel compound useful for preventing and/or treating diseases that involves 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 1, particularly diabetes, insulin resistance, diabetes complication, obesity, dyslipidemia, hypertension, fatty liver, or metabolic syndrome. It is an 1-adamantyl azetidin-2-one derivative represented by the following general formula (1) or salt thereof, or their solvate. [wherein A ring represents C6-10 aryl group, 5- to 14-membered heteroaryl group, R1 is a hydrogen atom, halogen atom, C1-6 alkoxycarbonyl group, hydroxyl group, carboxyl group or carbamoyl group; R2 and R3 are the same or different and are a C1-6 alkyl group; R4, R5, and R6 are same or different, and are a hydrogen atom, halogen atom, C1-6 alkyl group, C1-6 alkoxy group, C6-10 aryl group, or R4 and R5, or R5 and R6 may together form a C1-3 alkylenedioxy group, R7 and R8 are the same of different and represent a hydrogen atom or C1-6 alkyl group, or may together form a C3-6 cyclic hydrocarbon group, n represents an integer of 0 or 1].
US08236779B2 Antiviral nucleosides
Compounds having the formula I wherein R1, R2 and R3 are as defined herein are Hepatitis C virus NS5b polymerase inhibitors. Also disclosed are compositions and methods for treating an HCV infection and inhibiting HCV replication.
US08236777B2 MicroRNA (miRNA) and downstream targets for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes
The present invention relates to a promoter region of a microRNA, the use of a microRNA, in particular miR-21, and related elements for the diagnosis and for the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment and/or prevention of fibrosis and/or fibrosis related diseases. Additionally, the invention concerns antisense oligonucleotides against targets of miR-21. A cell deficient for miR-21, the promoter region and targets of miR-21 and a knock-out organism thereof are also encompassed. Finally, the invention is directed to a method for diagnosing fibrosis and/or fibrosis related diseases and to a method for screening a pharmaceutically active compound for the treatment of fibrosis and/or fibrosis related diseases. The present invention further relates to compositions for use in the treatment, amelioration, and/or prevention of fibrosis. In certain embodiments, the compositions modulate the activity of a miRNA for the treatment, amelioration, and/or prevention of fibrosis. In certain embodiments, the compositions inhibit the activity of miR-21 for the treatment, amelioration, and/or prevention of fibrosis.
US08236768B2 Topical antiviral formulations
The disclosure provides novel topical antiviral pharmaceutical compositions comprising one or more antiviral compounds and 2-deoxy-D-glucose in the form of lip-balms, creams and ointments. A specific embodiment discloses a lip-balm composition comprising acyclovir and 2-deoxy-D-glucose.
US08236753B2 RAP variants for drug delivery and methods of use thereof
The present invention relates to stabilized RAP variants and methods of use thereof. Conjugates of stabilized RAP variants to therapeutic compounds and stabilized RAP fusion proteins comprising therapeutic polypeptides are also presented.
US08236749B2 Acetals as perfuming ingredients
Acetal derivatives of 2,2,3,6-tetramethyl-1-cyclohexane/ene-carbaldehyde of formula (I): for use in the perfumery industry as well as the resulting compositions or articles containing one or more of these compounds. In formula (I), one dotted line indicates the presence of a carbon-carbon single or double bond and the other dotted line indicates the presence of a carbon-carbon single bond, R1 represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl or ethyl group; and each R, taken alone, simultaneously or independently, represents a C1-3 alkyl or alkenyl group, or the R groups, taken together, represent a C2-6 hydrocarbon group optionally including an oxygen atom.
US08236740B2 Lubricating oil composition
The present invention provides a refrigerating machine oil, a compressor oil composition, a hydraulic oil composition, a metalworking oil composition, a heat treating oil composition, a lubricating oil composition for machine tools and a lubricating oil composition which comprise a lubricating oil base oil having % CA of not more than 2, % CP/% CN of not less than 6 and an iodine value of not more than 2.5.
US08236738B2 Control of particulate entrainment by fluids
An aqueous slurry composition for use in industries such as petroleum and pipeline industries that includes: a particulate, an aqueous carrier fluid, a chemical compound that renders the particulate surface hydrophobic, and a small amount of an oil. The slurry is produced by rendering the surface of the particulate hydrophobic during or before the making of the slurry. The addition of the oil greatly enhances the aggregation potential of the hydrophobically modified particulates once placed in the well bore.
US08236737B2 Particles comprising a fluorinated siloxane and methods of making and using the same
Particles, including proppants, comprising a fluorinated siloxane. The particles are useful as proppants in fractured a subterranean geological formation comprising hydrocarbons.
US08236735B2 Oligoglycerol fatty acid ester lubricant additives for drilling fluids
The use is described of oligoglycerol fatty acid esters, produced from (a) an acid component, selected from (a1) fatty acids of the general formula (I) R—COOH  (I) in which R stands for a saturated or unsaturated, branched or linear alkyl- or alkenyl radical with 7 to 21C atoms, and/or (a2) dicarboxylic acids and/or (a3) dimer fatty acids and/or (a4) oligomer fatty acids and/or (a5) hydroxy fatty acids with (b) a polyol component, which is selected from oligoglycerols or alkoxylates of oligoglycerols, as additive to oil-based drilling mud compositions to improve the lubricating effect of these mud systems.
US08236733B2 Method of forming a precursor solution for metal organic deposition and method of forming superconducting thick film using the same
A method for forming a precursor solution for metal organic deposition includes dissolving an additive-free first precursor composed of a rare earth element, a second precursor comprising barium, and a third precursor composed of copper into an acid to form a compound solution; dissolving the compound solution into a solvent to form a pre-precursor solution; and evaporating the solvent from the pre-precursor solution to form a precursor solution having an increased viscosity; wherein at least one of the first precursor, the second precursor, and the third precursor is dissolved into a fluorine-free acid. A method for forming a superconducting thick film from the above precursor solution includes forming a thick film by a one-time coating of the precursor solution having an increased viscosity onto a biaxially-textured base followed by heat treating to form the superconducting thick film having a thickness of about 0.2 μm or more and having no cracking.
US08236731B2 Herbicide compatibility improvement
A herbicidal composition comprises an aqueous solution of one to a plurality of salts of glyphosate at a total glyphosate a.e. concentration not less than about 360 g/l, wherein (a) said glyphosate is in anionic form accompanied by low molecular weight non-amphiphilic cations in a total molar amount of about 110% to about 120% of the molar amount of said glyphosate; and (b) a major amount to substantially all of the low molecular weight non-amphiphilic cations are potassium cations. The composition exhibits improved tank-mix compatibility with a phenoxy-type herbicide salt formulation by comparison with an otherwise similar composition having a lower molar amount of said low molecular weight non-amphiphilic cations.
US08236730B2 Aqueous herbicidal concentrate comprising a betaine type surfactant
The present invention concerns an aqueous phytopathological formulation comprising a hydrosoluble salt of at least one aminophosphate or aminophosphonate type herbicide; at least one principal surfactant selected from alkylbetaines and alkyl(amidoalkyl)betaines, and at least one additive selected from at least one of the following compounds: (i) amines or etheramines comprising at least one hydrocarbon radical containing 2 to 24 carbon atoms, optionally polyalkoxylated; (ii) acid or non acid phosphate mono- or di-esters, optionally polyalkoxylated; (iii) alkali metal, alkaline-earth metal, ammonium, alkylammonium, alkanolammonium, iron, zinc or manganese salts of a mineral acid; and (iv) alkylmonoglycosides or alkylpolyglycosides.
US08236725B2 Gold carbon monoxide oxidation catalysts with etched substrate
Applicant discloses multifunctional, highly active oxidation catalysts and methods of making such catalysts. Such methods include providing nanoparticles comprising titanium-oxo and zinc-oxo compositions, such as crystalline anatase titania nanoparticles with zinc-oxo domains on their surfaces, and etching the nanoparticles. The method also includes depositing catalytically active gold onto the nanoparticles, by, for example, physical vapor deposition.
US08236722B2 Aluminum oxide sintered product and method for producing the same
An aluminum oxide sintered product including a layer phase containing a rare-earth element and fluorine among grains of aluminum oxide serving as a main component, or a phase containing a rare-earth element and fluorine along edges of grains of aluminum oxide serving as a main component. The product includes a phase containing a rare-earth element and a fluorine element among grains of aluminum oxide, the phase not being in the form of localized dots but in the form of line segments, when viewed in an SEM image. The product can be readily adjusted to have a volume resistivity in the range of 1×1013 to 1×1016 Ω·cm, the volume resistivity being calculated from a current value after the lapse of 1 minute from the application of a voltage of 2 kV/mm to the aluminum oxide sintered product at room temperature.
US08236719B2 Sintered and doped product based on zircon + Nb2O5 or Ta2O5
Sintered product produced from a starting charge containing 75 to 99% zircon, and having the following average chemical composition by weight, the percentages by weight being based on the oxides: 60%
US08236716B2 Photochromic benzopyrano-benzopyrans with further fusing
The present invention relates to photochromic benzopyranobenzopyrans with additional fusion and to the use thereof in plastics of all types, in particular for ophthalmic purposes. The compounds according to the invention are photochromic benzopyran compounds which can also be regarded as derived from 9-oxa-9,10-dihydrophenanthrene.
US08236712B2 Flame resistant filler cloth and mattresses incorporating same
A filler cloth includes cellulosic fibers treated with a flame retardant chemistry such that the filler cloth has a char length of less than about nine inches when tested in accordance with NFPA 701, such that thermal shrinkage of the filler cloth at 400° F. is less than about 35% in any direction, and such that the filler cloth maintains flame and heat resistant integrity when impinged with a gas flame in accordance with testing protocols set forth in Technical Bulletin 603 of the State of California Department of Consumer Affairs. The filler cloth cellulosic fibers are treated with a flame retardant chemistry such that the filler cloth has a Frazier air permeability of less than about 400 cfm and a thermal resistance rating of at least about 3 when tested according to NFPA 2112.
US08236711B1 Flexible spike and knife resistant composite
A flexible spike and knife resistant composite incorporating a stack of at least ten consolidated layer groupings. Each layer grouping has a normalized stiffness of less than about 5 g/g/m2 as tested by a modified ASTM Test Method D6828-02 and contains one or two spike resistant textile layers, an adhesive layer, and one or two knife resistant textile layers. The spike resistant textile layers contain a plurality of interlocked yarns or fibers, where the yarns or fibers have a tenacity of about 8 or more grams per denier and the fiber size is less than ten denier per filament. The knife resistant textile layers contain monoaxially drawn fiber elements, where the fiber elements have an aspect ratio of greater than one and have a size greater than 100 denier per filament. The fiber elements of the knife resistant textile layer are bonded to each other or to the spike resistant layer.
US08236710B2 Technique to create a buried plate in embedded dynamic random access memory device
A method for forming a trench structure is provided for a semiconductor and/or memory device, such as an DRAM device. In one embodiment, the method for forming a trench structure includes forming a trench in a semiconductor substrate, and exposing the sidewalls of the trench to an arsenic-containing gas to adsorb an arsenic containing layer on the sidewalls of the trench. A material layer is then deposited on the sidewalls of the trench to encapsulate the arsenic-containing layer between the material layer and sidewalls of the trench.
US08236709B2 Method of fabricating a device using low temperature anneal processes, a device and design structure
A method of fabricating a device using a sequence of annealing processes is provided. More particularly, a logic NFET device fabricated using a low temperature anneal to eliminate dislocation defects, method of fabricating the NFET device and design structure is shown and described. The method includes forming a stress liner over a gate structure and subjecting the gate structure and stress liner to a low temperature anneal process to form a stacking force in single crystalline silicon near the gate structure as a way to memorized the stress effort. The method further includes stripping the stress liner from the gate structure and performing an activation anneal at high temperature on device.
US08236708B2 Reduced pattern loading using bis(diethylamino)silane (C8H22N2Si) as silicon precursor
Aspects of the disclosure pertain to methods of depositing dielectric layers on patterned substrates. In embodiments, dielectric layers are deposited by flowing BIS(DIETHYLAMINO)SILANE (BDEAS), ozone and molecular oxygen into a processing chamber such that a relatively uniform dielectric growth rate is achieved across the patterned substrate surface. The deposition of dielectric layers grown according to embodiments may have a reduced dependence on pattern density while still being suitable for non-sacrificial applications.
US08236707B2 Method of manufacturing a semiconductor device
A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device according to the present invention includes the steps of: (a) introducing hydrogen and oxygen on a SiC substrate; and (b) subjecting the hydrogen and the oxygen to a combustion reaction on the SiC substrate to form a gate oxide film being a silicon oxide film on a surface of the SiC substrate by the combustion reaction.
US08236706B2 Method and apparatus for growing thin oxide films on silicon while minimizing impact on existing structures
Plasma assisted low temperature radical oxidation is described. The oxidation is selective to metals or metal oxides that may be present in addition to the silicon being oxidized. Selectivity is achieved by proper selection of process parameters, mainly the ratio of H2 to O2 gas. The process window may be enlarged by injecting H2O steam into the plasma, thereby enabling oxidation of silicon in the presence of TiN and W, at relatively low temperatures. Selective oxidation is improved by the use of an apparatus having remote plasma and flowing radicals onto the substrate, but blocking ions from reaching the substrate.
US08236699B2 Contact patterning method with transition etch feedback
A method for forming a contact hole in a semiconductor device and related computer-readable storage medium are provided, the method and program steps of the medium including measuring a percentage of oxygen in an etching chamber, and controlling the percentage of oxygen in the etching chamber to enlarge a temporary inner diameter near a top of the contact hole.
US08236698B2 Method for forming non-aligned microcavities of different depths
The invention relates to a method for forming microcavities (118) of different depths in a layer (102) based on at least an amorphous or monocrystalline material, comprising at least the following steps in which: at least one shaft and/or trench is formed in the layer (102) so as to extend through one face (101) thereof, such that two sections of the shaft and/or the trench, in two different planes parallel to the face (101), are aligned in relation to one another along an alignment axis forming a non-zero angle with a normal to the plane of said face (101); and the layer (102) is annealed in a hydrogenated atmosphere so as to transform the shaft and/or trench into at least two microcavities (118).
US08236697B2 Method for manufacturing semiconductor device
A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device which includes fine patterns having various critical dimensions (CDs) by adjusting a thickness of spacer used as an etching mask in Spacer Patterning Technology (SPT). The method for manufacturing a semiconductor device includes forming spacers at a different level over an etching target layer and etching the etching target layer exposed among the spacers.
US08236693B2 Methods of forming silicides of different thicknesses on different structures
The gate and active regions of a device are formed and alternating steps of applying and removing nitride and oxide layers allows exposing silicon in different areas while keeping silicon or polysilicon in other area covered with nitride. Metal layers are deposited over the exposed silicon or polysilicon and annealing forms a silicide layer in the selected exposed areas. The oxide and/or nitride layers are removed from the covered areas and another metal layer is deposited. The anneal process is repeated with silicide of one thickness formed over the second exposed areas with additional thickness of silicide formed over the previous silicide thickness.
US08236689B2 Method for applying a structure to a semiconductor element
A method for applying a predetermined structure of a structural material to a semiconductor element. The method includes the following steps: A) partially covering a surface of the semiconductor element with a masking layer, B) applying a film of a structural material to the masking layer and to the surface of the semiconductor element in the zones that are devoid of the masking layer and C) removing the masking layer together with the structural material present on the masking layer. The method according to the invention provides that between process steps B and C, the film of structural material is partially removed in a process step B2.
US08236687B2 Die-bonding method of LED chip and LED manufactured by the same
A die-bonding method is suitable for die-bonding a LED chip having a first metal thin-film layer to a substrate. The method includes forming a second metal thin film layer on a surface of the substrate; forming a die-bonding material layer on the second metal thin film layer; placing the LED chip on the die-bonding material layer with the first metal thin film layer contacting the die-bonding material layer; heating the die-bonding material layer at a liquid -solid reaction temperature for a pre-curing time, so as to form a first intermetallic layer and a second intermetallic layer; and heating the die-bonding material layer at a solid-solid reaction temperature for a curing time for performing a solid-solid reaction. The liquid-solid reaction temperature and the solid-solid reaction temperature are both lower than 110° C., and a melting point of the first and second intermetallic layers after the solid-solid reaction is higher than 200° C.
US08236686B2 Dual metal gates using one metal to alter work function of another metal
Methods of forming dual metal gates and the gates so formed are disclosed. A method may include forming a first metal (e.g., NMOS metal) layer on a gate dielectric layer and a second metal (e.g., PMOS metal) layer on the first metal layer, whereby the second metal layer alters a work function of the first metal layer (to form PMOS metal). The method may remove a portion of the second metal layer to expose the first metal layer in a first region; form a silicon layer on the exposed first metal layer in the first region and on the second metal layer in a second region; and form the dual metal gates in the first and second regions. Since the gate dielectric layer is continuously covered with the first metal, it is not exposed to the damage from the metal etch process.
US08236682B2 Method of forming contact structure
Provided is a method of forming a contact structure. The method includes forming a conductive pattern on a substrate. An interlayer insulating layer covering the conductive pattern is formed. The interlayer insulating layer is patterned to form an opening partially exposing the conductive pattern. An oxide layer is formed on substantially the entire surface of the substrate on which the opening is formed. A reduction process is performed to reduce the oxide layer. Here, the oxide layer on a bottom region of the opening is reduced to a catalyst layer, and the oxide layer on a region other than the bottom region of the opening is reduced to a non-catalyst layer. A nano material is grown from the catalyst layer, so that a contact plug is formed in the opening.
US08236681B2 Manufacturing method of semiconductor integrated circuit device
In a formation process of a semi-global interconnect in a Cu damascene multilayer wiring structure, it is the common practice, upon formation of the damascene wiring structure, to remove an etch stop insulating film from a via bottom by dry etching and then carry out nitrogen plasma treatment to reduce carbon deposits on the surface of the via bottom. Study by the present inventors has revealed that when a sequence of successive discharging for the removal of electrostatic charge by using nitrogen plasma and transportation of the wafer is performed, a Cu hollow is generated on the via bottom at the end of the via chain coupled to a pad lead interconnect having a length not less than a threshold value. According to the invention, in a via hole formation step in a damascene semi-global interconnect or the like, dry etching treatment of a via-bottom etch stop film is performed and then, after nitrogen plasma treatment in the same treatment chamber, electrostatic charge removal treatment by using argon plasma is performed.
US08236678B2 Tunable spacers for improved gapfill
A device that includes a substrate with an active region is disclosed. The device includes a gate disposed in the active region and tunable sidewall spacers on sidewalls of the gate. A profile of the tunable sidewall spacers includes upper and lower portions in which width of the spacers in the upper portion is reduced at a greater rate than the lower portion.
US08236677B2 RTA for fabrication of solar cells
A method of semiconductor junction formation in RTA process for fabrication of solar cells provides for delivery of inert gases in the vicinity of the Si wafer while dopant species are being driven form a dopant source into the surface of the wafer irradiated by a laser beam. The laser beam is emitted by CW- or pulsed operated lasers including fiber lasers operative to provide annealing and diffusion operation. Optionally, the passivation of the surface and formation of the antireflection coating are performed simultaneously with the penetration the dopant species.
US08236676B2 Integrated circuit having doped semiconductor body and method
An integrated circuit and method for making an integrated circuit including doping a semiconductor body is disclosed. One embodiment provides defect-correlated donors and/or acceptors. The defects required for this are produced by electron irradiation of the semiconductor body. Form defect-correlated donors and/or acceptors with elements or element compounds are introduced into the semiconductor body.
US08236674B2 Substrate processing method and semiconductor device manufacturing method including a proton injection step and a laser irradiation step
A substrate micro-processing method and a semiconductor device manufacturing method in which a stained part does not remain in a finished product even if a residual ion-injected part stays in the finished product. The substrate micro-processing method is one that carries out processing of a substrate by dividing the substrate depthwise, and comprises a proton injection step S11 in which protons are injected from one principal surface side of the substrate and an irradiation step S12 in which the substrate is irradiated with light having the wavelength nearly equal to the absorption wavelength of the defect level formed within the substrate due to the proton injection in order to divide the substrate.
US08236673B2 Methods of fabricating vertical semiconductor device utilizing phase changes in semiconductor materials
A method of fabricating a vertical NAND semiconductor device can include changing a phase of a first preliminary semiconductor layer in an opening from solid to liquid to form a first single crystalline semiconductor layer in the opening and then forming a second preliminary semiconductor layer on the first single crystalline semiconductor layer. The phase of the second preliminary semiconductor layer is changed from solid to liquid to form a second single crystalline semiconductor layer that combines with the first single crystalline semiconductor layers to form a single crystalline semiconductor layer in the opening.
US08236670B2 Method of applying a pattern of metal, metal oxide and/or semiconductor material on a substrate
A method of applying a pattern of metal, metal oxide, and/or semiconductor material on a substrate, a pattern created by that method, and uses of that pattern.
US08236669B2 High-temperature spin-on temporary bonding compositions
New compositions and methods of using those compositions as bonding compositions are provided. The compositions are preferably thermoplastic and comprise imides, amideimides, and/or amideimide-siloxanes (either in polymeric or oligomeric form) dispersed or dissolved in a solvent system, and can be used to bond an active wafer to a carrier wafer or substrate to assist in protecting the active wafer and its active sites during subsequent processing and handling. The compositions form bonding layers that are chemically and thermally resistant, but that can also be softened to allow the wafers to slide apart at the appropriate stage in the fabrication process.
US08236668B2 Method for manufacturing SOI substrate
An object of the present invention is to provide a method for manufacturing an SOI substrate provided with a semiconductor layer which can be used practically even where a substrate having a low upper temperature limit such as a glass substrate is used. The manufacturing method compromises the steps of preparing a semiconductor substrate provided with a bonding layer formed on a surface thereof and a separation layer formed at a predetermined depth from the surface thereof, bonding the bonding layer to the base substrate having a distortion point of 700° C. or lower so that the semiconductor substrate and the base substrate face each other, and separating a part of the semiconductor substrate at the separation layer by heat treatment in order to form a single-crystal semiconductor layer over the base substrate. In the manufacturing method, a substrate which shrinks isotropically at least by the heat treatment is used as the base substrate.
US08236667B2 Silicon on insulator (SOI) wafer and process for producing same
Ion injection is performed to a single crystal silicon wafer to form an ion injection layer, with the ion injection surface of the single crystal silicon wafer and/or the surface of the transparent insulation substrate are/is processed using plasma and/or ozone. The ion injection surface of the single crystal silicon wafer and the surface of the transparent insulation substrate are bonded to each other by bringing them into close contact with each other at room temperature. A silicon on insulator (SOI) wafer is obtained by mechanically peeling the single crystal silicon wafer by giving an impact to the ion injection layer, to form an SOI layer on the transparent insulation substrate, and thermal processing for flattening the SOI layer surface is performed to the SOI wafer, under an atmosphere of an inert gas, a hydrogen gas, and a mixture gas of them.
US08236665B2 Method for manufacturing semiconductor device with SEG film active region
A semiconductor device and a method for manufacturing the same are provided. A barrier film is formed in a device separating structure, and the device separating structure is etched at a predetermined thickness to expose a semiconductor substrate. Then, a SEG film is grown to form an active region whose area is increased. As a result, a current driving power of a transistor located at a cell region and peripheral circuit regions is improved.
US08236664B2 Phase change memory device accounting for volume change of phase change material and method for manufacturing the same
A phase change memory device includes a silicon substrate including a plurality of active regions which extend in a first direction and are arranged at regular intervals in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. Switching elements are formed in each active region of the silicon substrate and are spaced apart from one another. Phase change patterns are formed in the second direction and have the shape of lines in such that the phase change patterns connect side surfaces of pairs of switching elements which are placed adjacent to each other in a direction diagonal to the first direction.
US08236661B2 Self-aligned well implant for improving short channel effects control, parasitic capacitance, and junction leakage
A method of forming a self-aligned well implant for a transistor includes forming a patterned gate structure over a substrate, including a gate conductor, a gate dielectric layer and sidewall spacers, the substrate including an undoped semiconductor layer beneath the gate dielectric layer and a doped semiconductor layer beneath the undoped semiconductor layer; removing portions of the undoped semiconductor layer and the doped semiconductor layer left unprotected by the patterned gate structure, wherein a remaining portion of the undoped semiconductor layer beneath the patterned gate structure defines a transistor channel and a remaining portion of the doped semiconductor layer beneath the patterned gate structure defines the self-aligned well implant; and growing a new semiconductor layer at locations corresponding to the removed portions of the undoped semiconductor layer and the doped semiconductor layer, the new semiconductor layer corresponding to source and drain regions of the transistor.
US08236657B2 Replacing symmetric transistors with asymmetric transistors
A semiconductor structure includes a symmetric metal-oxide-semiconductor (MOS) transistor comprising a first and a second asymmetric MOS transistor. The first asymmetric MOS transistor includes a first gate electrode, and a first source and a first drain adjacent the first gate electrode. The second asymmetric MOS transistor includes a second gate electrode, and a second source and a second drain adjacent the second gate electrode. The first gate electrode is connected to the second gate electrode, wherein only one of the first source and the first drain is connected to only one of the respective second source and the second drain.
US08236655B2 Fuse link structures using film stress for programming and methods of manufacture
A method of forming a programmable fuse structure includes forming at least one shallow trench isolation (STI) in a substrate, forming an e-fuse over the at least one STI and depositing an interlevel dielectric (ILD) layer over the e-fuse. Additionally, the method includes removing at least a portion of the at least one STI under the e-fuse to provide an air gap below a portion of the e-fuse and removing at least a portion of the ILD layer over the e-fuse to provide the air gap above the portion of the e-fuse.
US08236651B2 Shielded gate trench MOSFET device and fabrication
A method for fabricating a semiconductor device includes forming a plurality of trenches, including applying a first mask, forming a first polysilicon region in at least some of the plurality of trenches, forming a inter-polysilicon dielectric region and a termination protection region, including applying a second mask, forming a second polysilicon region in the at least some of the plurality of trenches, forming a first electrical contact to the first polysilicon region and forming a second electrical contact to the second polysilicon region, including applying a third mask, disposing a metal layer, and forming a source metal region and a gate metal region, including applying a fourth mask.
US08236649B2 Semiconductor memory device with spacer shape floating gate and manufacturing method of the semiconductor memory device
A semiconductor memory device is provided including: a spacer shaped floating gate formed on a semiconductor substrate; a dielectric layer spacer formed at one side wall of the floating gate; a third oxide layer formed over the floating gate and the dielectric layer; and a control gate formed over the third oxide layer. According to an embodiment, the structure of the floating gate in a plate shape whose center is concave is improved to the spacer structure, making it possible to minimize the size of the semiconductor memory device and to improve density. Moreover, a LOCOS process can be excluded while forming the floating gate, making it possible to more efficiently fabricate the device.
US08236642B2 Fully isolated high-voltage MOS device
A semiconductor structure includes a semiconductor substrate; an n-type tub extending from a top surface of the semiconductor substrate into the semiconductor substrate, wherein the n-type tub comprises a bottom buried in the semiconductor substrate; a p-type buried layer (PBL) on a bottom of the tub, wherein the p-type buried layer is buried in the semiconductor substrate; and a high-voltage n-type metal-oxide-semiconductor (HVNMOS) device over the PBL and within a region encircled by sides of the n-type tub.
US08236629B2 Method for manufacturing thin film integrated circuit, and element substrate
Application form of and demand for an IC chip formed with a silicon wafer are expected to increase, and further reduction in cost is required. An object of the invention is to provide a structure of an IC chip and a process capable of producing at a lower cost. A feature of the invention is to use a metal film and a reactant having the metal film as a separation layer. An etching rate of the metal film or the reactant having metal is high, and a physical means in addition to a chemical means of etching the metal film or the reactant having metal can be used in the invention. Thus, the IDF chip can be manufactured more simply and easily in a short time.
US08236628B2 Array substrate and manufacturing method
A method of manufacturing an array substrate comprising: forming a data line and a gate line which are crossed with each other and a gate electrode on a base substrate, and the data line is discontinuously disposed so as to be separated from the gate line or the gate line is discontinuously disposed so as to be separated from the data line; forming an active layer and a gate insulating layer including bridge via holes and a source electrode via hole on the base substrate, and the bridge via holes are located at positions respectively corresponding to adjacent discontinuous sections of the data line or adjacent discontinuous sections of the gate line, and the source electrode via hole is located at a position corresponding to the data line; and forming a pixel electrode, a source electrode, a drain electrode and a bridge line on the base substrate, and the pixel electrode and the drain electrode are formed integrally, and the source electrode is connected to the data line through the source electrode via hole, and the bridge line connects the adjacent discontinuous sections of the data line or the adjacent discontinuous sections of the gate line through the bridge via holes.
US08236624B2 Method for producing a thyristor
In a method for producing an electronic component, a first doped connection region and a second doped connection region are formed on or above a substrate; a body region is formed between the first doped connection region and the second doped connection region; at least two gate regions separate from one another are formed on or above the body region; at least one partial region of the body region is doped by means of introducing dopant atoms, wherein the dopant atoms are introduced into the at least one partial region of the body region through at least one intermediate region formed between the at least two separate gate regions.
US08236620B2 Method of manufacturing a semiconductor device
To solve a problem in that a die processing cost increases when employing a method involving providing a suction hole in the die to fix an island onto a bottom surface, provided is a semiconductor device, which includes: a semiconductor chip, an island having a first surface, on which the semiconductor chip is mounted, and a second surface opposing to the first surface, a hanger pin extended from the island, a branch portion extended from one of the island and the hanger pin, and a resin encapsulating the semiconductor chip, the island, the hanger pin and the brunch portion while exposing the second surface of the island.
US08236616B2 Semiconductor device and manufacturing method thereof
There is provided a low-cost semiconductor device that commercial and quality-assured (inspected) chip size packages can be stacked and has a small co-planarity value and a high mounting reliability. A semiconductor device in which a flexible circuit substrate is adhered to at least a part of a lateral side of a semiconductor package, and the flexible circuit substrate, which is on a side facing solder balls of the semiconductor package, is folded at a region inside of an edge of the semiconductor package.
US08236613B2 Wafer level chip scale package method using clip array
A method for wafer level chip scale package comprises providing a wafer with semiconductor chips formed thereon, forming a groove alongside each chip, providing a wafer size clip array with a plurality of clip contact areas each extending to a down set connecting bar, connecting the plurality of clip contact areas to a plurality of the electrodes disposed on a top surface of the chips with down set connecting bars disposed inside the grooves, encapsulating top of wafer in molding compound, thinning the bottom portion of the wafer and dicing the thin wafer into single chip packages. The chip has source and gate electrodes on a top surface connected to a first and second clip contact areas extending to a first a second down set connecting bars respectively, with the bottom surfaces of the down set connecting bars substantially coplanar to a drain electrode located at the chip bottom surface.
US08236612B2 Partially patterned lead frames and methods of making and using the same in semiconductor packaging
A method of making a lead frame and a partially patterned lead frame package with near-chip scale packaging lead-count, wherein the method lends itself to better automation of the manufacturing line and improved quality and reliability of the packages produced therefrom. A major portion of the manufacturing process steps is performed with a partially patterned strip of metal formed into a web-like lead frame on one side so that the web-like lead frame is also rigid mechanically and robust thermally to perform without distortion or deformation during the chip-attach and wire bond processes, both at the chip level and the package level. The bottom side of the metal lead frame is patterned to isolate the chip-pad and the wire bond contacts only after the front side, including the chip and wires, is hermetically sealed with an encapsulant. The resultant package being electrically isolated enables strip testing and reliable singulation.
US08236611B1 Die singulation method and package formed thereby
A method is disclosed for singulating die from a substrate having a sacrificial layer and one or more device layers, with a retainer being formed in the device layer(s) and anchored to the substrate. Deep Reactive Ion Etching (DRIE) etching of a trench through the substrate from the bottom side defines a shape for each die. A handle wafer is then attached to the bottom side of the substrate, and the sacrificial layer is etched to singulate the die and to form a frame from the retainer and the substrate. The frame and handle wafer, which retain the singulated die in place, can be attached together with a clamp or a clip and to form a package for the singulated die. One or more stops can be formed from the device layer(s) to limit a sliding motion of the singulated die.
US08236608B2 Stacking package structure with chip embedded inside and die having through silicon via and method of the same
The semiconductor device package structure includes a first die with a through silicon via (TSV) open from back side of the first die to expose bonding pads; a build up layer coupled between the bonding pads to terminal metal pads by the through silicon via (TSV); a substrate with a second die embedded inside and top circuit wiring and bottom circuit wiring on top and bottom side of the substrate respectively; and a conductive through hole structure coupled between the terminal metal pads to the top circuit wiring and the bottom circuit wiring.
US08236607B2 Integrated circuit packaging system with stacked integrated circuit and method of manufacture thereof
A method of manufacture an integrated circuit packaging system includes: providing a substrate; attaching a base component to the substrate by a first interconnect; attaching a stack component connected by a second interconnect to the substrate and partially over the base component, the second interconnect different from the first interconnect; molding an encapsulation over the base component, the first interconnect, the stack component, and the second interconnect; and removing the substrate to partially expose the first interconnect and the second interconnect from the encapsulation.
US08236605B2 Method for separating semiconductor wafer into chips
A method for separating a semiconductor wafer into chips includes the steps of sandwiching a soluble spacer between a wafer and a substrate to form a laminate, etching the wafer into a plurality of chips attached on the spacer, positioning the laminate in a chamber of an apparatus in a way that the etched wafer faces a stage of the apparatus, and introducing a solvent into the chamber to dissolve the soluble spacer so as to facilitate the chips to be supported on the stage.
US08236603B1 Polycrystalline semiconductor layers and methods for forming the same
A semiconductor structure may include a polycrystalline substrate comprising a metal, the polycrystalline substrate having substantially randomly oriented grains, as well as a buffer layer disposed thereover. The buffer layer may comprise a plurality of islands having an average island spacing therebetween. A polycrystalline semiconductor layer is disposed over the buffer layer.
US08236600B2 Joining method for preparing an inverted metamorphic multijunction solar cell
A method of manufacturing a solar cell by providing a first semiconductor substrate and depositing a first sequence of layers of semiconductor material to form a first solar subcell, including a first bond layer disposed on the top of the first sequence of layers. A second semiconductor substrate is provided, and on the top surface of the second substrate a second sequence of layers of semiconductor material is deposited forming at least a second solar subcell. A second bond layer is disposed on the top of said second sequence of layers. The first solar subcell is mounted on top of the second solar subcell by joining the first bond layer to the second bond layer in an ultra high vacuum chamber, and the first semiconductor substrate is removed.
US08236598B2 Layered contact structure for solar cells
Formulations and methods of making semiconductor devices and solar cell contacts are disclosed. The invention provides a method of making a semiconductor device or solar cell contact including ink-jet printing onto a silicon wafer an ink composition, typically including a high solids loading (20-80 wt %) of glass frit and preferably a conductive metal such as silver. The wafer is then fired such that the glass frit fuses to form a glass, thereby forming a contact layer to silicon.
US08236595B2 Nanowire sensor, nanowire sensor array and method of fabricating the same
A method of fabricating a sensor comprising a nanowire on a support substrate with a first semiconductor layer arranged on the support substrate is disclosed. The method comprises forming a fin structure from the first semiconductor layer, the fin structure comprising at least two supporting portions and a fin portion arranged there between; oxidizing at least the fin portion of the fin structure thereby forming the nanowire being surrounded by a first layer of oxide; and forming an insulating layer above the supporting portions; wherein the supporting portions and the first insulating layer form a microfluidic channel. A nanowire sensor is also disclosed. The nanowire sensor comprises a support substrate, a semiconducting fin structure arranged on the support substrate, the fin structure comprising at least two semiconducting supporting portions and a nanowire arranged there between; and a first insulating layer on a contact surface of the supporting portions; wherein the supporting portions and the first insulating layer form a microfluidic channel.
US08236593B2 Methods for improving the quality of epitaxially-grown semiconductor materials
The invention provides methods which can be applied during the epitaxial growth of two or more layers of semiconductor materials so that the qualities of successive layer are successively improved. In preferred embodiments, surface defects present in one epitaxial layer are capped with a masking material. A following layer is then grown so it extends laterally above the caps according to the known phenomena of epitaxial lateral overgrowth. The methods of the invention can be repeated by capping surface defects in the following layer and then epitaxially growing a second following layer according to ELO. The invention also includes semiconductor structures fabricated by these methods.
US08236588B2 Method for manufacturing a multi-wavelength integrated semiconductor laser
An object is to provide a multi-wavelength integrated semiconductor laser device which can reduce variations in emission point distance, can be formed by simplified manufacturing processes, and can provide improve electric characteristics.A first semiconductor laser element 100 having an active layer AL1 for emitting a laser beam of a first wavelength from its light-emitting point X1 and a second semiconductor laser element 200 having an active layer AL2 for emitting a laser beam of a second wavelength from its light-emitting point X2 are bonded to each other via an adhesive layer MC made of metal. At least either one of the semiconductor laser elements has a ridge waveguide made of an n-type semiconductor. The semiconductor laser elements 100 and 200 are bonded via the metal adhesive layer MC at the sides of their respective p-type semiconductors. A submount SUB is bonded to the first semiconductor laser element 100 via metal at a side where its ridge waveguide is formed.
US08236585B2 Method of making diode having reflective layer
A method of forming a light emitting diode includes forming a transparent substrate and a GaN buffer layer on the transparent substrate. An n-GaN layer is formed on the buffer layer. An active layer is formed on the n-GaN layer. A p-GaN layer is formed on the active layer. A p-electrode is formed on the p-GaN layer and an n-electrode is formed on the n-GaN layer. A reflective layer is formed on a second side of the transparent substrate. A scribe line is formed on the substrate for separating the diodes on the substrate. Also, a cladding layer of AlGaN is between the p-GaN layer and the active layer.
US08236582B2 Controlling edge emission in package-free LED die
Light emitting diode (LED) structures are fabricated in wafer scale by mounting singulated LED dies on a carrier wafer or a stretch film, separating the LED dies to create spaces between the LED dies, applying a reflective coating over the LED dies and in the spaces between the LED dies, and separating or breaking the reflective coating in the spaces between the LED dies such that some reflective coating remains on the lateral sides of the LED die. Portions of the reflective coating on the lateral sides of the LED dies may help to control edge emission.
US08236580B2 Copper contamination detection method and system for monitoring copper contamination
A method of monitoring copper contamination. The method includes method, comprising: (a) ion-implanting an N-type dopant into a region of single-crystal silicon substrate, the region abutting a top surface of the substrate; (c) activating the N-type dopant by annealing the substrate at a temperature of 500° C. or higher in an inert atmosphere; (c) submerging, for a present duration of time, the substrate into an aqueous solution, the aqueous solution to be monitored for copper contamination; and (d) determining an amount of copper adsorbed from the aqueous solution by the region of the substrate.
US08236579B2 Methods and systems for lithography alignment
Methods and systems for lithographically exposing a substrate based on a curvature profile of the substrate.
US08236576B2 Magnetic logic element with toroidal multiple magnetic films and a method of logic treatment using the same
A magnetic logic element with toroidal magnetic multilayers (5,6,8,9). The magnetic logic element comprises a toroidal closed section which is fabricated by etching a unit of magnetic multilayers (5,6,8,9) deposited on a substrate. Optionally, the magnetic logic element may also comprise a metal core (10) in the closed toroidal section. Said magnetic multilayers (5,6,8,9) unit is arranged on the input signal lines A, B, C and an output signal line O, and then is made into a closed toroidal. Subsequently, on the toroidal magnetic multilayered unit (5,6,8,9), the input signal lines A′, B′, C′ and an output signal line O′ are fabricated by etching. This magnetic logic element can reduce the demagnetization field and the shape anisotropy effectively, leading to the decrease of the reversal field of magnetic free layer. Furthermore, this magnetic logic element has stable working performance and long operation life of the device.
US08236574B2 Ultra-sensitive detection of molecules or particles using beads or other capture objects
The present invention relates to systems and methods for detecting analyte molecules or particles in a fluid sample and in some cases, determining a measure of the concentration of the molecules or particles in the fluid sample. Methods of the present invention may comprise immobilizing a plurality of analyte molecules or particles with respect to a plurality of capture objects. At least a portion of the plurality of capture objects may be spatially separated into a plurality of locations. A measure of the concentration of analyte molecules in a fluid sample may be determined, at least in part, on the number of reaction vessels comprising an analyte molecule immobilized with respect to a capture object. In some cases, the assay may additionally comprise steps including binding ligands, precursor labeling agents, and/or enzymatic components.
US08236569B2 Multi-dimensional integrated detection and analysis system (MIDAS) based on microcantilvers
The present invention is a multidimensional integrated detection and analysis system (MIDAS) for any gas or fluid that transfers or accepts electronic charge (including but not limited to CH4, CO2, CO, NOx, SOx, H2O, NH3, NHx). MIDAS allows for the development of a highly sensitive, selective, and expedient sensor platform capable of uniquely identifying adsorbed molecules based on simultaneous measurement of truly orthogonal responses based on work function (φ), capacitance (C), and/or conductance (σ) changes.
US08236567B2 Method and apparatus for automated determining of chemical oxygen demand of a liquid sample
A method and apparatus for automated determining of the chemical oxygen demand of a liquid sample, comprising steps as follows: mixing the liquid sample with sulfuric acid; introducing a carrier gas, especially air, into the liquid sample-sulfuric acid mixture; adding an oxidizing agent to the liquid sample-sulfuric acid mixture to form a reaction mixture; heating (especially under reflux conditions) the reaction mixture at the boiling temperature of the reaction mixture for a predetermined time period; photometrically determining consumption of an oxidizing agent in the reaction mixture; and ascertaining therefrom the chemical oxygen demand of the liquid sample, wherein all steps are automatedly performed in an analytical system with the assistance of an evaluating and control unit.
US08236564B2 Automated titration method for use on blended asphalts
A system for determining parameters and compatibility of a substance such as an asphalt or other petroleum substance uses titration to highly accurately determine one or more flocculation occurrences and is especially applicable to the determination or use of Heithaus parameters and optimal mixing of various asphalt stocks. In a preferred embodiment, automated titration in an oxygen gas exclusive system and further using spectrophotometric analysis (2-8) of solution turbidity is presented. A reversible titration technique enabling in-situ titration measurement of various solution concentrations is also presented.
US08236563B2 Methods of differentiating and protecting cells by modulating the p38/MEF2 pathway
The present invention provides a method of differentiating progenitor cells to produce a population containing protected neuronal cells. A method of the invention includes the steps of contacting the progenitor cells with a differentiating agent; and introducing into the progenitor cells a nucleic acid molecule encoding a MEF2 polypeptide or an active fragment thereof, thereby differentiating the progenitor cells to produce a population containing protected neuronal cells. In one embodiment, the MEF2 polypeptide is human MEF2C or an active fragment thereof.
US08236556B2 Method of modulating gene expression using an ecdysone receptor-based inducible gene expression system
This invention relates to the field of biotechnology or genetic engineering. Specifically, this invention relates to the field of gene expression. More specifically, this invention relates to a novel ecdysone receptor/chimeric retinoid X receptor-based inducible gene expression system and methods of modulating gene expression in a host cell for applications such as gene therapy, large-scale production of proteins and antibodies, cell-based high throughput screening assays, functional genomics and regulation of traits in transgenic organisms.
US08236555B2 Multiplexed assay methods
The present invention is directed to methods for conducting multiplexed assays. The methods are particularly well suited for measuring a plurality of analytes that may be present in very different abundances. The invention also relates to systems, devices, equipment, kits and reagents for use in such methods.
US08236554B2 Biogas plant for methanizing biomass having a high solids fraction
A biogas plant for methanizing biomass having a high solids fraction includes a digestion tank system having a plurality of digestion tanks adapted to be closed in a gas- and liquid-tight manner, each of which includes a charging and withdrawing opening for charging with biomass and withdrawing the biomass, a biogas discharge means, a percolate reservoir, a percolate drainage means for discharging percolate from the plurality of digestion tanks and supplying the percolate to the percolate reservoir, a percolate distributing means for distributing the percolate from the percolate reservoir over the biomass in the plurality of digestion tanks, and a percolate regulating means for regulating the percolate level in the plurality of digestion tanks. The percolate reservoir includes a first and a second percolate container, and supplying and discharging of percolate to/from the first and/or the second percolate container takes place with the aid of the percolate regulating means.
US08236553B2 Apparatus, system and method for purifying nucleic acids
Methods and devices for isolating nucleic acids from a mixture containing such nucleic acids and extraneous matter are provided. In one embodiment, the method of the invention comprises passing the mixture through a glass frit under conditions effective to separate the nucleic acids from the extraneous matter. In a more specific embodiment, the glass frit is a sintered glass frit.
US08236552B2 Production of isoprenoids
The invention provides a biological method of producing isoprenoids.
US08236549B2 Bacillus amylollquefaciens strain
The present disclosure relates to a strain of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens bacteria that hyperproduces amylase enzyme and protease enzyme. The strain is also suitable for producing lipase for the degradation of oleaginous materials such as fats, greases and cooking oils. The strain also has excellent fungicidal and/or fungistatic qualities. The strain of the present disclosure and the enzymes produced thereby have a number of applications, including agricultural uses, laundry and dish detergents, drain cleaners and spot removers, and among other things, baking applications.
US08236539B2 Methods for increasing product yields
A non-naturally occurring microbial organism includes a microbial organism having a reductive TCA or Wood-Ljungdahl pathway in which at least one exogenous nucleic acid encoding these pathway enzymes is expressed in a sufficient amount to enhance carbon flux through acetyl-CoA. A method for enhancing carbon flux through acetyl-CoA includes culturing theses non-naturally occurring microbial organisms under conditions and for a sufficient period of time to produce a product having acetyl-CoA as a building block. Another non-naturally occurring microbial organism includes at least one exogenous nucleic acid encoding an enzyme expressed in a sufficient amount to enhance the availability of reducing equivalents in the presence of carbon monoxide or hydrogen, thereby increasing the yield of redox-limited products via carbohydrate-based carbon feedstock. A method for enhancing the availability of reducing equivalents in the presence of carbon monoxide or hydrogen includes culturing this organism for a sufficient period of time to produce a product.
US08236535B2 Processing biomass
Biomass (e.g., plant biomass, animal biomass, and municipal waste biomass) is processed to produce useful products, such as fuels. For example, systems can use feedstock materials, such as cellulosic and/or lignocellulosic materials, to produce ethanol and/or butanol, e.g., by fermentation.
US08236534B2 Process for producing ethanol
A process for producing ethanol including a combination of biochemical and synthetic conversions results in high yield ethanol production with concurrent production of high value coproducts. An acetic acid intermediate is produced from carbohydrates, such as corn, using enzymatic milling and fermentation steps, followed by conversion of the acetic acid into ethanol using esterification and hydrogenation reactions. Coproducts can include corn oil, and high protein animal feed containing the biomass produced in the fermentation.
US08236532B2 Multibase delivery for long reads in sequencing by synthesis protocols
Methods for obtaining nucleic acid sequence information including the steps of (a) providing a first sequencing reagent to a target nucleic acid in the presence of a polymerase, wherein the first sequencing reagent includes at least two different nucleotide monomers and no more than three nucleotide monomers, wherein the nucleotide monomers are simultaneously in the presence of the target nucleic acid, (b) providing a second sequencing reagent to the target nucleic acid, wherein the second sequencing reagent comprises one or more nucleotide monomers, at least one of the one or more nucleotide monomers being different from the nucleotide monomers present in the first sequencing reagent, and wherein the second sequencing reagent is provided subsequent to providing the first sequencing reagent, and optionally (c) repeating (a) and (b) for said target nucleic acid, whereby sequence information for at least a portion of the target nucleic acid is obtained.
US08236529B2 Vectors, methods, systems and kits for protein purification
Disclosed herein are autocleaved peptide linkers for producing purified proteins. The autocleaved peptide linkers are inserted between a chitin binding protein (CBP) and a target protein to form a fusion protein. Upon expression of the fusion protein, it is allowed to pass a chitin matrix so that the CBP portion of the fusion protein may be bound with the chitin matrix, the peptide linker then undergoes auto-cleavage in a buffer solution at a pH value of about 5.5-7.5 to release the target protein. The chitin matrix may be regenerated with another buffer solution at a pH value of about 3-4, that is, to release the bound CBP and return to its unbound form. The chitin matrix may be reused for at least 6 times without losing its function.
US08236528B2 Method for methanol independent induction from methanol inducible promoters in Pichia
A method for producing a polypeptide in a methylotrophic yeast host cell is described, where expression of the polypeptide is controlled by a methanol inducible promoter, including: i) expression of a positive regulator from a non-native promoter, the positive regulator activating transcription from the methanol inducible promoter, and ii) no addition of methanol.
US08236527B2 Recombinant production of authentic human proteins using human cell expression systems
The present invention relates to novel expression cassettes and vectors for efficiently producing authentic recombinant human proteins from stable cultures of novel human cell lines, the authentic recombinant proteins produced therefrom, and antibodies raised against those authentic recombinant proteins.
US08236524B2 Modified microorganism
To provide a microorganism with enhanced secretory production of a protein or polypeptide and a method of producing the protein or polypeptide using the microorganism. A modified microorganism that has been genetically modified to delete 60 to 80 carboxyl-terminal amino acids of SecA.
US08236518B2 Highly sensitive immunoassays and antibodies for detection of blood factor VIII
Disclosed are antibodies that selectively bind to blood coagulation factor FVIII, and highly sensitive immunological assays comprising these antibodies. Preferred assays can detect FVIII at about 3500-fold below the normal physiological levels, and have a wide array of applications including accurate monitoring of FVIII concentration in pharmaceutical products for treatment of blood coagulation disorders, and determination of FVIII levels in plasma of human patients, including those with blood coagulation disorders such as hemophilia.
US08236516B2 Determining cholesterol directly on skin surface
A process is provided for analyzing a specimen of biological material in any of a number of biochemical or immunological tests for an analyte which involves subjecting the specimen to treatment which develops a color correlating to the amount of analyte in the specimen. According to the invention at least one defined color characteristic selected from hue angle, chroma, saturation and lightness of the developed color is measured and the results of that measurement analyzed to determine the presence or concentration of the analyte in the specimen. Particular applications are to the detection of cancerous or pre-cancerous abnormalities from the analysis of lung mucus, throat mucus, cervical mucus or seminal fluid.
US08236512B1 Methods of developing terpene synthase variants
The present disclosure relates to methods of developing terpene synthase variants through engineered host cells. Particularly, the disclosure provides methods of developing terpene synthase variants with improved in vivo performance that are useful in the commercial production of terpene products. Further encompassed in the present disclosure are superior terpene synthase variants and host cells comprising such terpene synthase variants.
US08236509B2 Method for preparing antibody monolayers which have controlled orientation using peptide hybrid
The present invention relates to a method for preparing an protein monolayer using a peptide hybrid for protein immobilization, more precisely a peptide hybrid for protein immobilization which has improved solubility by introducing a PEG linker and a proper reaction group to the oligopeptide having specific affinity to selected types of proteins and is designed to provide enough space between solid substrates and proteins immobilized, whereby various solid substrates treated by the hybrid catch specific proteins effectively on. The peptide hybrid for protein immobilization of the present invention facilitates the control of orientation of an antibody on various solid surfaces and immobilization of various antibodies of different origins or having different isotypes with different affinity. Therefore, the surface treatment technique using the peptide hybrid of the invention can be effectively used for the production of various immunosensors and immune chips.
US08236508B2 Detecting and measuring live pathogens utilizing a mass detection device
Extremely minute amounts of live pathogens are rapidly detected using a piezoelectric cantilever sensor. A single pathogen is detectable in about 30 minutes. Pathogen-specific antibodies are immobilized on the sensor surface. The sensor is exposed to a medium that potentially contains the target pathogen. When target pathogens are contained in the medium, both dead and live pathogen cells bind to the immobilized antibody on the sensor surface. The attached target pathogen cells are exposed to a pathogen discriminator capable of discriminating between live cells and dead cells by increasing the mass of live cells. Example pathogens include Escherichia coli, Listeri monocytogene, and Salmonella enteritidis. Example antibodies include those that bind to the pathogenic bacteria designated as ATCC 43251, ATCC 700375, and ATCC 31194. Example pathogen discriminators include intracellular pH indicating molecules.
US08236506B2 Method for the in vitro diagnosis of bronchopulmonary carcinoma by detection of major alternative transcripts of the KLK8 gene encoding kallikrein 8 and use thereof for prognosticating survival
The present invention relates to a method for the in vitro diagnosis of bronchopulmonary carcinoma, in particular of non-small cell bronchial carcinoma, characterized in that it comprises the stage of detecting, in a biological sample derived from a patient suspected to be suffering from said bronchopulmonary carcinoma, at least one of the major alternative transcripts of the KLK8 gene encoding kallikrein 8. This method is particularly useful for the survival prognostication of patients suffering from bronchopulmonary carcinoma.
US08236504B2 Systems and methods for fluorescence detection with a movable detection module
A fluorescence detection apparatus for analyzing samples located in a plurality of wells in a thermal cycler and methods of use are provided. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a support structure attachable to the thermal cycler and a detection module movably mountable on the support structure. The detection module includes one or more channels, each having an excitation light generator and an emission light detector both disposed within the detection module. When the support structure is attached to the thermal cycler and the detection module is mounted on the support structure, the detection module is movable so as to be positioned in optical communication with different ones of the plurality of wells. The detection module is removable from the support structure to allow easy replacement.
US08236501B2 Apparatus, system and method for purifying nucleic acids
Methods and devices for isolating nucleic acids from a mixture containing such nucleic acids and extraneous matter are provided. In one embodiment, the method of the invention comprises passing the mixture through a glass frit under conditions effective to separate the nucleic acids from the extraneous matter. In a more specific embodiment, the glass frit is a sintered glass fit.
US08236500B2 Promoter variants of the alpha-7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor
The present invention is directed to methods and compositions related to α7 acetylcholine nicotinic receptor genes, in particular, the human α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor gene. The human α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor gene is associated with the pathophysiological aspects of the disease schizophrenia. The present invention further provides methods and compositions to screen populations for abnormal α7 alleles, as well as methods and compositions for development of therapeutics.
US08236499B2 Methods and compositions for nucleic acid sample preparation
Provided are methods and compositions for the production of linear single-stranded nucleic acids, which can be used as templates in high-throughput sequencing systems. Also provided are methods and compositions for the production of closed single-stranded nucleic acid loops, which can be used as templates in high-throughput sequencing systems.
US08236497B2 Methods of diagnosing cardiovascular disease
Methods are disclosed for diagnosing increased risk of cardiovascular disease in a subject.
US08236487B2 Tumor specific oligosaccharide sequences and use thereof
The present invention describes oligosaccharide sequences, which are specifically expressed by human tumors. The present invention is related to a method of determining an oligosaccharide sequence, which comprises a tumor specific terminal N-acetylglucosamine residue, in a biological sample, the presence of said sequence in said sample being an indication of the presence of cancer. The present invention provides antigenic substances comprising said oligosaccharide sequences in a polyvalent form and it further provides diagnostic agents, pharmaceutical compositions and cancer vaccines comprising said oligosaccharide sequences or substances binding to said oligosaccharide sequences. The present invention is also related to methods for the treatment of cancer.
US08236479B2 Method for printing a pattern on a substrate
A pattern of ink is printed on a substrate, such as corrugated paperboard with a relief printing form made from a photosensitive element. An in-situ mask is formed for the photosensitive element, the element is exposed to actinic radiation through the in-situ mask in an environment having an inert gas and a concentration of oxygen between 190,000 and 100 ppm, and the exposed element is treated to form the relief printing form having a pattern of printing areas. Printing is accomplished by securing the relief printing form to a print press, applying the ink to the printing areas on the printing form, and contacting the ink from the printing areas to the substrate to transfer the pattern of ink onto the substrate.
US08236477B2 Positive resist composition and method of forming resist pattern
A positive resist composition including a base component (A) which exhibits increased solubility in an alkali developing solution under action of acid and an acid-generator component (B) which generates acid upon exposure, the base component (A) including a polymeric compound (A1) containing a structural unit (a0) represented by general formula (a0-1), a structural unit (a1) derived from an acrylate ester containing an acid dissociable, dissolution inhibiting group, and a structural unit (a3) derived from an acrylate ester containing a hydroxy group-containing aliphatic hydrocarbon group represented by general formula (a3-1), and the amount of the structural unit (a3) based on the combined total of all structural units constituting the polymeric compound (A1) being in the range of 1 to 30 mol %.
US08236472B2 Image forming method
Provided is a method for forming an image with a set of electrostatic charge image developing toners using a digital electrophotographic method, provided that the set of electrostatic charge image developing toners comprises a black toner and a light gray toner, the method comprising the steps of: forming an electrostatic latent image on an image support; developing the electrostatic latent image with the black toner to form a black toner image; developing the electrostatic latent image with the light gray toner to form a light gray toner image; and fixing the black toner image and the light gray toner image, wherein the black toner and the light gray toner each independently contains a wax having an endothermic peak in the range of 60 to 105° C.; and the light gray toner has a transmittance in the range of 40 to 90%.
US08236470B2 Toner
A toner containing a resin binder and a colorant, wherein the resin binder contains a polyester (A) having a softening point Tm(A) of from 100° to 160° C., and a polyester (B) having a softening point Tm(B) of from 80° to 120° C., the softening point of which is lower than that of the polyester (A) by 5° C. or more, each polyester obtained by polycondensing an alcohol component and a carboxylic acid component, wherein the polyester (A) and/or (B) is a polyester obtained by polycondensing an alcohol component consisting essentially of an aliphatic alcohol, wherein the alcohol component contains a dihydric alcohol component containing 1,2-propanediol in an amount of 65% by mol or more, and a carboxylic acid component. The toner of the present invention is usable in the development or the like of a latent image formed in electrophotography, electrostatic recording method, electrostatic printing method, or the like.
US08236468B2 Organic photoreceptor, image forming apparatus, and process cartridge
In the present invention, an objective is to provide an organic photoreceptor exhibiting extremely high moire resistance, but also to provide an organic photoreceptor capable of acquiring a high quality image to realize no generation of image defects such as black spots or the like. Also disclosed is an organic photoreceptor possessing a conductive support and layered thereon, an intermediate layer, a charge generation layer and a charge transport layer in this order, wherein the intermediate layer possesses porous silica in which metal oxide is encapsulated.
US08236467B2 Exposure method, exposure apparatus, and device manufacturing method
An exposure method comprises: forming an immersion region on a substrate; exposing the substrate by irradiating the substrate with an exposure light via a liquid of the immersion region; and preventing an integration value of a contact time during which the liquid of the immersion region and a first region on the substrate are in contact, from exceeding a predetermined tolerance value.
US08236466B2 Photochromic materials incorporated in polymer backbone
Exemplary embodiments provide compositions and methods for making and using an erasable medium that can include a photochromic layer disposed over a substrate. The photochromic layer can include one or more photochromic molecule-polymer systems, wherein each of the one or more photochromic molecule-polymer systems can include a photochromic molecule covalently bonded within a polymer main chain, the photochromic molecule including one or more photochromic moieties (PM) linked together via a linker.
US08236464B1 Method for fabricating a mask
A method for making a mask, in which, an imprinting lithography process is employed to form a pattern in a first region of a mask substrate, and an E-beam writing process is employed to form another pattern in a second region of the mask substrate. Furthermore, these two patterns may be well stitched through an optical alignment process in an E-beam writing chamber.
US08236460B2 Fuel cell system
A fuel cell system includes: an AC impedance measuring unit which measures an AC impedance of a fuel cell at a scavenging start and measures an AC impedance of the fuel cell when a predetermined time has elapsed from the scavenging start; a scavenging execution time estimation unit which estimates a scavenging execution time based on the AC impedance measured at the scavenging start, the AC impedance measured at the time when the predetermined time has elapsed from the scavenging start and the predetermined time; and a limit unit which limits the scavenging execution time to a predetermined maximum scavenging time if the scavenging execution time exceeds the maximum scavenging time.
US08236459B2 Hybrid type power supplying apparatus
Disclosed is a hybrid-type power supplying apparatus which may use a fuel cell device as a main power supplier for a robot and a rechargeable battery as an auxiliary power supplier for the robot. In the hybrid-type power supplying apparatus, when the power consumption of the robot exceeds the selected amount of power generation of the fuel cell device, the loads of the rechargeable battery and the fuel cell stack can be managed in such a manner that power is supplied from the rechargeable battery to the robot as an auxiliary power for the robot supplementing the main power for the robot.
US08236457B2 Electronics cabinet with waste water management system for backup power fuel cell
A waste water management system for a fuel cell cabinet is provided. The waste water management system includes a sealed device that collects and manages the flow of the water from a fuel cell. The sealed device manages a flow of the water from the fuel cell to one of a container and an exterior of the fuel cell cabinet.
US08236456B2 Bidirectional water separator
A flow shifting fuel cell with water separator. The water separator is used to control the amount of moisture that passes through the anode flowpath of one or more fuel cells in one or more fuel cell stacks. The water separator is made up of a housing to direct the flow of a moisture-bearing fluid as well as act as a collection and container for separated moisture. Fluid that is cyclically passing through the fuel cell stack as part of its flow shifting mode of operation oscillates back and forth across a separation chamber formed within the water separator, thereby allowing bidirectional control of the moisture content within the fluid. A drain is formed in the separation chamber to allow removal of condensed water.
US08236455B2 Method for operating a direct oxidation fuel cell and corresponding arrangement
The invention relates to a method for operating a direct oxidation fuel cell in which the fuel cell is supplied generally with methanol via a transport device for the fuel. The invention likewise relates to a corresponding arrangement comprising a direct oxidation fuel cell, a fuel reservoir and at least one device for transporting the fuel through the fuel cell.
US08236453B2 Carbon-coated Li-containing powders and process for production thereof
The invention provides a new route for the synthesis of carbon-coated powders having the olivine or NASICON structure, which form promising classes of active products for the manufacture of rechargeable lithium batteries. Carbon-coating of the powder particles is necessary to achieve good performances because of the rather poor electronic conductivity of said structures. For the preparation of coated LiFePO4, sources of Li, Fe and phosphate are dissolved in an aqueous solution together with a polycarboxylic acid and a polyhydric alcohol. Upon water evaporation, polyesterification occurs while a mixed precipitate is formed containing Li, Fe and phosphate. The resin-encapsulated mixture is then heat treated at 700° C. in a reducing atmosphere. This results in the production of a fine powder consisting of an olivine LiFePO4, phase, coated with conductive carbon. When this powder is used as active material in a lithium insertion-type electrode, fast charge and discharge rates are obtained at room temperature and an excellent capacity retention is observed.
US08236450B2 Lithium insertion electrode materials based on orthosilicates derivatives
A lithium insertion-type positive electrode material based on an orthosilicate structure and electrical generators and variable optical transmission devices of this material are provided.
US08236444B2 Electrochemical cell having low volume collector assembly
A low volume collector assembly and an electrochemical cell employing a collector assembly are provided. The electrochemical cell includes an electrically conductive can having inner and outer electrodes disposed therein. The cell also includes a collector assembly assembled to an open end of the can to provide closure to the open end of the can. The collector assembly includes a seal and a cover assembled to the seal to provide a sealed closure to the open end of the can. The cover includes an integrally formed current collector portion that contacts one end of the inner electrode. The cover serves as a current collector and also serves as a contact terminal of the cell.
US08236441B2 Battery cell design and methods of its construction
In some embodiments, a battery cell can include an assembly having an anode sheet and a cathode sheet separated by separator membranes, each sheet having an electroactive layer on a current collector. At least one of the current collectors can be in electrical communication with conducting tabs that extend from at least one of the anode sheet and the cathode sheet, the conducting tabs extends from an end face of the spirally wound assembly. In addition, the cell can include a first tab insulator having concentrically positioned outer and inner members, each of the outer and inner members having at least one slot that allows one or more of the plurality of conducting tabs to pass through. The inner and outer members are adjustable with respect to relative angular orientation of the at least one slot on the outer and inner members of the first tab insulator.
US08236440B2 Partial flow cell
A partial flow cell may include a cathode chamber, an anode chamber, and a separator arrangement sandwiched between the cathode and anode chambers. The separator arrangement may be configured to permit ionic flow between electroactive materials disposed within the cathode and anode chambers. One of the cathode and anode chambers may be configured to permit an electroactive material to flow through the chamber during operation. The other of the cathode and anode chambers may be configured to hold an electroactive material fixed within the chamber during operation.
US08236439B2 Rechargeable battery
A rechargeable battery according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes an electrode assembly, a case containing the electrode assembly, and a cap assembly. The electrode assembly includes a first electrode, a second electrode, and a separator between the first and second electrodes. The cap assembly is coupled to the case. The cap assembly includes a tab that is electrically connected to the first electrode and a deformable plate that is electrically connected to the second electrode. The deformable plate also includes a notch that is opened due to an increase of pressure. The deformable plate deforms as a result of increased pressure and electrically contacts the first tab, short circuiting the rechargeable battery.
US08236432B2 Wetting resistant materials and articles made therewith
Ceramic materials with relatively high resistance to wetting by various liquids, such as water, are presented, along with articles made with these materials, methods for making these articles and materials, and methods for protecting articles using coatings made from these materials. One particular embodiment is an article that comprises a coating having a surface connected porosity content of up to about 5 percent by volume. The coating comprises a material that comprises a primary oxide and a secondary oxide, wherein (i) the primary oxide comprises a cerium cation, and (ii) the secondary oxide comprises a cation selected from the group consisting of the praseodymium and neodymium. The material is transparent to electromagnetic radiation of at least one type selected from the group consisting of ultraviolet radiation, visible light, and infrared radiation.
US08236429B2 Adhesive compositions
Polydiorganosiloxane polyoxamide, linear, block copolymers and methods of making the copolymers are provided. The method of making the copolymers involves reacting a diamine with a polydiorganosiloxane precursor having oxalylamino groups. The polydioroganosiloxane polyoxamide block copolymers are of the (AB)n type.
US08236427B2 Moistureproof cellulose ester film, polarizer-protective film, and polarizer
A moistureproof cellulose ester film which has satisfactory optical performances, excellent moisture permeability, and excellent dimensional stability; and a protective film for polarizers which comprises the film. This moistureproof cellulose ester film comprises: a cellulose ester film and, deposited on at least one side thereof in the following order, one or more adhesion layers each having a carbon content in terms of atom number concentration of 1-40% and comprising an inorganic compound as the main component, one or more barrier layers each having a carbon content in terms of atom number concentration of 0.1% or lower, comprising silicon oxide as the main component, and having a film density of 2.16-2.60, and one or more protective layers each having a carbon content in terms of atom number concentration of 1-40% and comprising an inorganic compound as the main component. The total thickness of these deposit layers on one side is 1-100 nm. It is characterized in that the barrier layers on one side have a thickness of 0.1-30 nm.
US08236423B2 Method for the modification of the surface of shaped parts made of plastic by fluorine-initialized oxidation
The invention relates to a method for the modification of the surface of shaped parts made of plastic by treatment with a gas mixture which comprises fluorine and oxygen. The surface tension of the modified surface of the shaped part is more than 25 mN/m greater than that of a surface comprising non-modified plastic material. The ratio of the partial pressure of fluorine to the partial pressure of oxygen is 1:10 or lower and the shaped part has a fluorine occupancy of less than 0.5 μg/cm2 as a result of the treatment.
US08236422B2 Diazonium functionalized nanoparticles and methods for binding nanoparticles to metallic surfaces
In one embodiment, a functionalized particle includes a n inorganic particle with diazonium functional group attached. In some embodiments, the largest dimension of the inorganic particle ranges between about 10 nm and 1000 μm. In another embodiment, a substrate with a hydrophobic surface includes a substrate, and a first plurality of inorganic particles with at least one diazonium functional group attached to the substrate. The largest dimension of the first plurality of inorganic particles ranges between about 10 nm and 1000 μm. One embodiment includes a second plurality of particles with at least one phenol functional group attached to the inorganic particle. In a further embodiment, a fluorinated functional group is attached to the second plurality of particles. In some embodiments, the material has a hydrophobic surface with a water contact angle greater than about 150°.
US08236420B2 Ferromagnetic powder composition and method for its production
A ferromagnetic powder composition is described comprising soft magnetic iron-based core particles, wherein the surface of the core particles is provided with a first inorganic insulating layer and at least one metal-organic layer, located outside the first layer, of a metal-organic compound having the following general formula: (R1[(R1)x(R2)y(MOn-1)]nR1, wherein M is a central atom selected from Si, Ti, Al, or Zr; O is oxygen; R1 is a hydrolysable group; R2 is an organic moiety and wherein at least one R2 contains at least one amino group; wherein n is the number of repeatable units being an integer between 1 and 20; wherein the x is an integer between 0 and 1; wherein y is an integer between 1 and 2; wherein a metallic or semi-metallic particulate compound having a Mohs hardness of less than 3.5 is adhered to at least one metal-organic layer; and wherein the powder composition further comprises a particulate lubricant. A process is additionally provided for producing the composition and a method for the manufacturing of soft magnetic composite components prepared from the composition, as well as the obtained component.
US08236419B2 Amorphous silicon-containing material with hierarchical and organized porosity
Material with hierarchical porosity consisting of at least two elementary spherical particles, each one of said particles comprising a matrix based on silicon oxide, mesostructured, having a mesopore diameter ranging between 1.5 and 30 nm and exhibiting amorphous and microporous walls of thickness ranging between 1.5 and 50 nm, said elementary spherical particles having a maximum diameter of 200 microns. The matrix based on silicon oxide can contain aluminium. The preparation of said material is also described.
US08236416B2 Adhesive sheet and process for producing electric components using the sheet
An adhesive sheet and a method for producing electronic components using the sheet are provided.An adhesive sheet comprising a substrate layer; an antistatic layer formed on one surface of the substrate layer and containing an organic binder, an antistatic agent, an antifriction agent and a curing agent; and an adhesive layer formed on the other surface of the substrate layer; and a method for producing electronic components using the adhesive sheet.
US08236414B2 Refractory ceramic material having a high solidus temperature, its manufacturing process and structural part incorporating said material
A refractory ceramic material possessing a solidus temperature between 2500° C. and 2800° C., having a compactness greater than 85%, and a microstructure such that the material is composite of: (a) hafnium dioxide HfO2 grains having a monoclinic structure (1); (b) hafnium dioxide HfO2 grains having a cubic structure (2) which is stabilized by yttrium oxide Y2O3, the yttrium oxide Y2O3 representing 0.5 mol % to 8 mol % relative to the total number of moles of hafnium dioxide HfO2; (c) closed pores (3); (d) non-interconnected open pores. The process of manufacturing the material and a structural part incorporating the material are also set forth.
US08236410B2 Reinforcing fiber base material for preforms, process for the production of laminates thereof, and so on
The invention provides (1) a reinforcing fiber base material having a weave constituted of both reinforcing fiber filaments arranged in one direction in parallel with each other and auxiliary yarns arranged in another direction, which satisfies the relationship: L=H/cos θ (wherein L is the length of auxiliary yarn covering one reinforcing fiber filament and H is the width of the filament as determined in such a state where the reinforcing fiber filaments are unified only with the auxiliary yarns; and 3°≦θ (in-plane shear strain)≦30°) and wherein 2 g/m2 to 40 g/m2 of an adhesive resin having a glass transition temperature between 0° C. and 95° C. is adhesed to at least one side thereof in spots, lines, or discontinuous lines; (2) a laminate obtained by laminating layers of the above reinforcing fiber base material, wherein the adhesive resin adhesed to each layer of base material partially bonds to a facing layer of base material over the whole surface thereof, with the maximum length of each bonding joint being not less than 1 mm and not more than the width H of a reinforcing fiber filament; and (3) a preform, obtained by shaping the laminate, having a reinforcing fiber volume fraction (Vpf) of 45% to 62%.
US08236409B2 Gussets for strengthening CMC fillet radii
A ceramic matrix composite (CMC) structure (50) with first (26) and second (28) CMC walls joined at an intersection (34) containing continuous fibers (53). A gusset (52) is formed in the intersection by an inward bending of some or all ceramic fibers (53) of the intersection, resulting in a diagonal brace between the first and second CMC walls. This creates a depression (54) or void (59) in the intersection. One or more ceramic reinforcement devices fill or span the depression to prevent distortion of the gusset. The reinforcement devices may include a ceramic filler (60) or core (61), a CMC rod or cord (56), and a CMC tape (62). The ceramic filler (60) may be continuous with a ceramic insulation layer (36) on an outer surface of the first CMC wall.
US08236407B2 Process and apparatus for fabricating precise microstructures and polymeric molds for making same
There is disclosed a method and apparatus for producing a polymeric film that accurately replicates a complex mold surface at least a portion of which surface has microstructured or nano-structured dimensions. A polymeric powder is electrodeposited on an underlying mold surface. Then the powder is cured to create a polymeric film. Finally the film is removed from the mold surface.
US08236402B1 Dual trapezoidally-shaped urinal collecting pad
An inexpensive and disposable urine collecting pad for placement on a floor surface directly below a urinal for collecting fluid not deposited within the confines of the urinal which would otherwise drip on the floor. Fluid collected by the pad is prevented from reaching the underlying floor area thereby eliminating the problems associated with fluids being deposited on the floor. The pad includes an upper fluid collecting layer of material and a lower non-skid fluid impervious layer of material that are glued together. The configuration of the pad includes a dual end, each end having a trapezoidal shape with flat parallel ends and tapered sides so that the urine collecting pad cannot be improperly aligned during installation. The trapezoidal and tapered side edges allow a person to stand in front of the urinal without the person's shoes standing on the collecting pad.
US08236401B2 Vacuum insulator
The vacuum insulator includes an internal structure; a filler for filling empty spaces of the internal structure; and an envelope having an upper envelope composed of a metal layer and a polymer layer formed on the metal layer to surround an upper surface of the internal structure, and a lower envelope composed of a metal layer and a polymer layer formed on the metal layer to surround a lower surface of the internal structure, wherein the metal layer of the upper envelope and the metal layer of the lower envelope being opposite to each other, wherein at an area facing the internal structure in an end of the envelope, the upper envelope and the lower envelope are adhered by a heat adhesion part, and at an area opposite to the internal structure in the end of the envelope, the upper envelope and the lower envelope are adhered by polyurethane.
US08236398B2 Cup-type polypropylene container and method of molding the same
A cup-type polypropylene container obtained by compression-molding a polypropylene and having at least a body portion and a bottom portion, wherein the body portion has a thickness of not larger than 1.0 mm and a value K1 relating to peak intensity ratio and/or a value K2 relating to diffraction intensity ratio as defined herein. The cup-type polypropylene container features improved falling strength in the body portion and at the open end such as flange, improved pressure strength and excellent mechanical strength in the body portion. Also disclosed is a method of molding the cup-type polypropylene container.
US08236396B2 Intermediate transfer member, manufacturing apparatus of intermediate transfer member, manufacturing method of intermediate transfer member and image forming apparatus
An intermediate transfer member which holds a toner image transferred from a first toner image carrier and secondarily transfers the toner image to a surface of an image forming material, wherein the intermediate transfer member comprises a substrate having thereon at least a hard carbon-containing layer.
US08236395B2 Inkjet recording medium
The inkjet recording medium herein provided has at least: a support; and an ink-receiving layer provided on the support, the ink-receiving layer comprising inorganic fine particles, two polyvinyl alcohols having a degree of saponification different from each other, and a low molecular weight polyvinyl alcohol having an average degree of polymerization of 2000 or less.
US08236386B2 Nanowire and microwire fabrication technique and product
A method of fabricating nanowires or microwires employs a robust conductive surface whose edges define electrodes for promoting electrochemical deposition of nanowire material at those edges. Controlled deposition times and thin conductive layers allow extremely small diameter wires to be created and then removed without destruction of the pattern and the wires to be applied to a second substrate or used for composite materials.
US08236383B2 Abrasion resistant plastic glazing with in-mold coating
This invention relates to plastic glazing assemblies for vehicle tops, windows, headlamps, and taillights, as well as residential and commercial glazing, aircraft glazing, and sunglasses. More specifically, a method of manufacturing a plastic glazing assembly exhibiting a high level of weatherability and abrasion resistance is disclosed which integrates the in-mold application of a coating and the subsequent deposition of an abrasion resistant layer to a molded plastic part.
US08236372B2 Methods of forming capacitors having dielectric regions that include multiple metal oxide-comprising materials
Capacitors and methods of forming capacitors are disclosed, and which include an inner conductive metal capacitor electrode and an outer conductive metal capacitor electrode. A capacitor dielectric region is received between the inner and the outer conductive metal capacitor electrodes and has a thickness no greater than 150 Angstroms. Various combinations of materials of thicknesses and relationships relative one another are disclosed which enables and results in the dielectric region having a dielectric constant k of at least 35 yet leakage current no greater than 1×10−7 amps/cm2 at from −1.1V to +1.1V.
US08236371B2 Method of manufacturing electrophoretic display device, electrophoretic display device and electronic device
A method of manufacturing an electrophoretic display device is provided. The method comprises: preparing a plate-shaped first electrode provided on a first base portion, and the first electrode having a surface; preparing plate-shaped second electrodes provided on a second base portion; forming a first binder layer on the surface of the first electrode; supplying a plurality of microcapsules on the first binder layer, the plurality of microcapsules each having an internal space, the internal space filled with an electrophoretic dispersion liquid, the electrophoretic dispersion liquid containing electrophoretic particles having different colors, and the plurality of microcapsules including properly-sized microcapsules and improperly-sized microcapsules; fixing the properly-sized microcapsules to the surface of the first electrode through the first binder layer to obtain an electrophoretic display sheet; removing the improperly-sized microcapsules which are not brought into contact with the first binder layer from the electrophoretic display sheet; forming a second binder layer on the first binder layer so as to cover the properly-sized microcapsules; and providing the second electrodes on the second binder layer to obtain the electrophoretic display device. The method is capable of efficiently manufacturing the electrophoretic display device having high display performance by arranging microcapsules on electrodes so that the microcapsules are not overlapped with each other. Further, an electrophoretic display device and an electronic device are also provided.
US08236367B2 Method of chemically modifying polymer surfaces intended for immobilizing molecules
The method comprises chemical modification of an optionally metallized polymer surface, for example a polycarbonate surface or a polymethacryllate surface functionalized with amino groups, said surfaces being optionally metallized, by treating said polymer surface with a mercaptoalkanoic acid or the salts or derivates thereof. The surfaces obtained by said method may be used as solid supports for immobilizing biomolecules, such as nucleic acids, proteins or membranes.
US08236366B2 Flavorful waterless coffee
Traditionally, coffee would be prepared in one of the four basic recipes; black, with sugar, with cream, or with both sugar and cream to be enjoyed as a beverage drink. It is the object of this invention to bring coffee consumption to a new solid foundation so that one can have his/her coffee and eat it too in a delicious and chewy recipe that contains all the ingredients and flavorings that coffee drinkers love but without the hot water.
US08236362B2 Heat-stable concentrated milk product
The invention provides a stable concentrated dairy liquid, such as concentrated milk, with improved flavor, color, and mouthfeel, and a method of production thereof. The method utilizes specific thermal treatments to produce the stable concentrated dairy liquid to which a stabilizer and mouthfeel enhancer are added. The resulting products have a sterilization value Fo of at least 5 that is also resistant to gelling and browning during high temperature sterilization and is also resistant to gelling and browning during storage for greater than six months. The method balances such thermal treatments with addition of stabilizer and enhancer to achieve the desired flavor/mouthfeel and sterilization and to achieve reduced level of soluble protein in the concentrated milk prior to concentration to resist gelation and minimize browning. Moreover, such processing may be utilized in a milk that is concentrated to a factor of 2.7 fold or higher and contains at least 8.5 percent protein.
US08236361B2 Method for producing fermented milk and fermented milk
Disclosed is a method for producing fermented milk by promoting fermentation without adding any fermentation-promoting substance and novel fermented milk with a thick and smooth mouth feel and a mild flavor. The method enhances fermentation efficiency by reducing the dissolved oxygen in a mix of raw materials for fermented milk at the start of fermentation through substitution with inert gases.
US08236357B2 Mild composition for skin disinfection
The present invention discloses compositions for aqueous skin disinfection comprising hydrogen peroxide in a concentration of at least 0.1% to 10% (w/w), preferably 0.2-6%, and an N-acylated amino acid and/or peptide in the range of 0.1-20% (w/w), preferably 0.1-10%, more preferably 0.2-8%, and most preferably 0.2-5% (w/w). The N-acylated amino acid composition may be N-acylated glutamic acid and/or an N-acylated wheat protein hydrolysate, or a salt thereof.
US08236355B2 COX-2 inhibitor
The present invention relates to an agent having COX-2 inhibition activity. In particular the present invention relates to a COX-2 inhibitor separated from a mixture of denatured plasma and at least one metal, metal ion or metal salt thereof.
US08236354B1 Use of immunomodulators for the treatment of cancer
A method for treating a cancer, by determining a patient to have an ECOG (Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group) score of 0 or 1 and selecting that patient for treatment, and administering to the patient an effective amount of an immunomodulating composition comprising small molecular weight components of less than 3000 daltons, and having the following properties: (i) is extracted from bile of animals; (ii) is capable of stimulating monocytes and/or macrophages; (iii) is capable of modulating tumor necrosis factor production and/or release; (iv) contains no measurable level of IL-1α, IL-1β, TNF, IL-6, IL-8, IL-4, GM-CSF or IFN-γ; (v) is not cytotoxic to human peripheral blood mononuclear cells; and (vi) is not an endotoxin.
US08236352B2 Glipizide compositions
The present invention is directed to nanoparticulate compositions comprising glipizide. The glipizide particles of the composition preferably have an effective average particle size of less than about 2 microns.
US08236349B2 Taste-masked drugs in rupturing multiparticulates
A pharmaceutical composition comprises multiparticulates comprising a drug, a matrix material, and swelling agent. In one aspect, the multiparticulates comprise a core comprising a drug, and a coating surrounding the core. The coating is selected from the group consisting of (i) a water-permeable, substantially drug-impermeable coating, and (ii) an anti-enteric coating.
US08236345B2 Composition and use
A pharmaceutical composition, comprising a thiazolidinedione, such as Compound (I), metformin hydrochloride and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, wherein the thiazolidinedione and metformin hydrochloride are each dispersed within its own pharmaceutically acceptable carrier in the pharmaceutical composition and the use of such a composition in medicine.
US08236344B2 Engineered proteins, and methods of making and using
The present invention provides engineered proteins and biomedical products made from the engineered proteins. The biomedical products include lenses useful for ophthalmic purposes.
US08236337B2 Anti-microbial orthodontic compositions and appliances and methods of production and use thereof
The presently disclosed and claimed invention is directed to anti-microbial orthodontic apparatus and anti-microbial orthodontic compositions comprising an effective amount of a selenium compound, kits containing same, and methods of producing and using said anti-microbial orthodontic apparatus and anti-microbial orthodontic compositions.
US08236336B2 Adjuvant composition for use with herbicides, pesticides, insecticides, ovicides and fungicides and method of application
An adjuvant for use with systemic herbicides, pesticides, insecticides, ovicides and fungicides and method of application on animals, birds, trees, plants, fruits and vegetables to enhance the action and effect of systemic herbicides, pesticides, insecticides, ovicides and fungicides with which the adjuvant is combined wherein the adjuvant comprises at least one surfactant and at least one high terpene containing natural oil.
US08236333B2 Active agent delivery and/or odor retentive composition and methods of use thereof
An active agent delivery and/or odor retentive composition including a surfactant and wax spheres formed from at least one of beeswax and soy wax and methods of use thereof. The composition is particularly useful in the cosmetics and medical industry for delivering/carrying a particular ingredient to one's skin, scalp or hair; for absorbing odor causing materials, such as fuel byproducts from a skin surface; and/or for providing exfoliating properties to the skin. The delivery system/carrying system is also useful in binding to certain nutritional materials, such as vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and the like for ingestion and release into the body.
US08236330B2 Cancer cell targeting using nanoparticles
The present invention generally relates to polymers and macromolecules, in particular, to polymers useful in particles such as nanoparticles. One aspect of the invention is directed to a method of developing nanoparticles with desired properties. In one set of embodiments, the method includes producing libraries of nanoparticles having highly controlled properties, which can be formed by mixing together two or more macromolecules in different ratios. One or more of the macromolecules may be a polymeric conjugate of a moiety to a biocompatible polymer. In some cases, the nanoparticle may contain a drug. Other aspects of the invention are directed to methods using nanoparticle libraries.
US08236326B2 Klebsiella antigens
The present invention relates to isolated nucleic acid molecules which encode an antigen, a vector which comprises such nucleic acid molecule, and a host cell comprising such vector. Furthermore, the invention provides antigens from a Klebsiella species, as well as fragments and variants thereof, a process for producing such antigens, and a process for producing a cell, which expresses such antigen. Moreover, the present invention provides antibodies binding to such antigen, a hybridoma cell producing such antibodies, methods for producing such antibodies, a pharmaceutical composition comprising such nucleic acid molecule, antigen, vector or antibody, the use of such nucleic acid molecule, antigen, vector or antibody for the preparation of a pharmaceutical composition, methods for identifying an antagonist capable of binding such antigen or of reducing or inhibiting the interaction activity of such antigen, methods for diagnosing an infection and methods for the treatment or prevention of an infection. More specifically such antigens are produced by or associated with bacterial pathogens causing nosocomial infections or bacterial infections caused by Klebsiella pneumoniae.
US08236325B2 S. epidermidis antigens
Hyperimmune serum reactive antigens and fragments thereof are disclosed. In addition, methods for isolating such antigens and specific uses thereof, including the treatment of S. epidermidis infections, are disclosed.
US08236318B2 Antibodies that bind human dendritic and epithelial cell 205 (DEC-205)
Isolated monoclonal antibodies which bind to human DEC-205 and related antibody-based compositions and molecules are disclosed. Also disclosed are pharmaceutical compositions comprising the antibodies, as well as therapeutic and diagnostic methods for using the antibodies.
US08236316B2 Anti-factor XI monoclonal antibodies and methods of use thereof
The present invention relates to compositions and methods for inhibiting thrombosis without compromising hemostasis. Compositions include anti-factor XI monoclonal antibodies (aXIMabs) capable of binding to an epitope on the heavy chain of human FXI, particularly the A3 domain of the heavy chain of human FXI. Compositions also include epitope-binding fragments, variants, and derivatives of the monoclonal antibodies, cell lines producing these antibody compositions, and isolated nucleic acid molecules encoding the amino acid sequences of the antibodies. The invention further includes pharmaceutical compositions comprising the anti-factor XI monoclonal antibodies of the invention, or epitope-binding fragments, variants, or derivatives thereof, in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. Methods of the invention comprise administering the compositions described above to a subject in need thereof for the purpose of inhibiting thrombosis, reducing a required dose of an antithrombotic agent in the treatment of thrombosis, treating metastatic cancer, or treating an acute inflammatory reaction. Methods for making an anti-factor XI monoclonal antibody, or epitope-binding fragments, variants, or derivatives thereof, are also provided.
US08236314B2 Agonist antibody to human thrombopoietin receptor
This invention provides an agonist antibody to a human thrombopoietin receptor (human c-Mpl), and pharmaceutical compositions comprising the same for use in treatment of thrombocytopenia. The disclosed agonist antibody comprises (1) antibody constant regions comprising heavy and light chain constant regions, each of which may optionally contain domain substitutions, or may contain deletions, substitutions, additions, or insertions of amino acid residues, and (2) antibody variable regions capable of binding to and activating a human thrombopoietin receptor. The-agonist antibody further induces colony formation at a concentration of 10,000 ng/ml or lower, and has a maximal activity at least 50% higher than that of PEG-rHuMGDF and an 50% effective concentration (EC50) of 100 nM or less.
US08236308B2 Composition comprising cross-species-specific antibodies and uses thereof
The present invention relates to uses of bispecific antibodies exhibiting cross-species specificity for evaluating the in vivo safety and/or activity and/or pharmacokinetic profile of the same in non-human species and humans. The present invention moreover relates to methods for evaluating the in vivo safety and/or activity and/or pharmacokinetic profile of said bispecific anti-bodies exhibiting cross-species specificity. The present invention also relates to methods of measuring the biological activity and/or efficacy of such bispecific antibodies exhibiting cross-species specificity. In addition, the present invention relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising bispecific single chain antibodies exhibiting cross-species specificity and to methods for the preparation of pharmaceutical compositions comprising said bispecific single chain antibodies exhibiting cross-species specificity for the treatment of diseases.
US08236302B2 Compositions and methods of using chondroitinase ABCI mutants
One aspect of the present invention relates to mutants of chondroitinase ABCI. Such chondroitinase ABCI mutants exhibit altered chondroitin lyase activity or increased resistance to inactivation from stressors including exposure to UV light or heat. Methods of using chondroitinase ABCI mutant enzymes are also provided.
US08236300B2 In vivo and ex vivo gene transfer into renal tissue using gutless adenovirus vectors
A method for treating a renal disease in a subject is disclosed. The method includes administering into a kidney of the subject with an effective amount of a gutless adenoviral vector containing a polynucleotide encoding a therapeutic agent. The gutless adenoviral vector contains the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:13 or SEQ ID NO:15 and expresses the therapeutic agent in a kidney tissue of the subject.
US08236282B2 Benzothiazole derivative compounds, compositions and uses
This invention provides benzothiazole derivative compounds, compositions comprising such compounds, methods of preparing such compounds, and methods of using such compounds for detecting amyloid deposit(s) and for diagnosing a disease, disorder or condition characterized by amyloid deposit(s).
US08236281B1 Pharmaceutical composition of nanoparticles
The invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition of nanoparticles, wherein the nanoparticles comprise positively charged chitosan, a negatively charged substrate, optionally a zero-charge compound, and at least one bioactive agent for treating diabetes of an animal subject.
US08236279B2 Bisaminoethanethiol-targeting ligand conjugates and compositions
The invention provides, in a general sense, a new labeling strategy employing 99mTc chelated with ethylenedicysteine (EC). EC is conjugated with a variety of ligands and chelated to 99mTc for use as an imaging agent for tissue-specific diseases. The drug conjugates of the invention may also be used as a prognostic tool or as a tool to deliver therapeutics to specific sites within a mammalian body. Kits for use in tissue-specific disease imaging are also provided.
US08236277B2 Process for producing nanoparticles
A process comprises (a) combining (1) at least one base and (2) at least one metal carboxylate salt comprising (i) a metal cation selected from metal cations that form amphoteric metal oxides or oxyhydroxides and (ii) a carboxylate anion comprising from one to four alkyleneoxy moieties, or metal carboxylate salt precursors comprising (i) at least one metal salt comprising the metal cation and a non-interfering anion and (ii) at least one carboxylic acid comprising from one to four alkyleneoxy moieties, at least one salt of the carboxylic acid and a non-interfering, non-metal cation, or a mixture thereof; and (b) allowing the base and the metal carboxylate salt or metal carboxylate salt precursors to react.
US08236274B2 Carbon black, method of producing carbon black, and device for implementing the method
The invention relates to a carbon black having an aggregate size distribution which has a (d90-d10)/d50 ratio of less than or equal to 1.1. The carbon blacks are produced by admixing hot air if desired to a gas mixture comprising a carrier gas and a carbon black feedstock, passing the gas mixture into a burner pipe, burning the gas mixture at the burner pipe openings, and drawing the flames under suction, together with the ambient air drawn in freely under suction from the outside, through a cooled, narrowing gap, and carrying out cooling, the cooled, narrowing gap having a height (h) to width (b) ratio of 1-100, the width (b) being 0.5 to 10 mm, and the flow rate at the narrowest point of the gap being 10-200 m/s. The carbon blacks of the invention can be used as non-reinforcing filler, reinforcing filler, UV stabilizer, conductive black, pigment or reducing agent.
US08236271B2 Process for producing hydrogen gas and carbon nanotubes from catalytic decomposition of ethanol
The present invention relates to a process for the production of hydrogen gas and carbon nanotubes from catalytic decomposition of ethanol. More particularly, the invention relates to a process for preparing hydrogen gas and carbon nanotubes from catalytic decomposition of bioethanol over Ni/La203 catalyst is obtainable by H2 reduction of a LaNi03 perovskite catalyst precursor. Additionally, the present invention relates to the use of a Ni/La203 catalyst obtainable by H2 reduction of a LaNi03 perovskite catalyst precursor in the manufacture of hydrogen gas and carbon nanotubes from gaseous ethanol.
US08236266B2 Method and apparatus for purifying metallurgical silicon for solar cells
A method for improving yield of an upgraded metallurgical-grade (UMG) silicon purification process is disclosed. In the UMG silicon (UMGSi) purification process, in a reaction chamber, purification is performed on a silicon melt therein by one, all or a plurality of the following techniques in the same apparatus at the same time, including: a crucible ratio approach, the addition of water-soluble substances, the control of power, the control of vacuum pressure, the upward venting of exhaust, isolation by high-pressure gas jet, and carbon removal by sandblasting, thereby reducing oxygen, carbon and other impurities in the silicon melt, meeting a high-purity silicon standard of solar cells, increasing yield while maintaining low cost, and avoiding EMF reduction over time. An exhaust venting device for purification processes is also disclosed, which allows exhaust to be vented from the top of the reactor chamber, thereby avoiding backflow of exhaust into the silicon melt and erosion of the reactor.
US08236263B2 Methods for reducing airborne formaldehyde
Provided is a method for scavenging airborne formaldehyde. The method comprises contacting the airborne formaldehyde with a formaldehyde scavenger of the formula I: where R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, and RA are as defined herein.
US08236257B2 Biological component-measuring device and method for calibrating the same
This invention provides a biological component-measuring device, enabling the operator to easily calibrate the entire device and capable of measuring biological components accurately, and a method for calibrating the device. The device measures a sample including a body fluid taken through a body fluid sampler by sending it with a pump through a sample channel to a sensor. The device further includes a calibrating liquid channel through which a calibrating liquid can be supplied to the sensor via the sample channel by a switching of a first flow path changeover valve placed in the sample channel at a location upstream of the pump and connected to the channel. The method includes introducing the calibrating liquid in the calibrating liquid channel, via other channels, into the sensor by switching the valve.
US08236255B2 Slide treatment apparatus and methods for use
An apparatus for treating slides has a base with a cavity, and a heater is located on a surface of the cavity. A tank, which supports a slide rack with the slides submerged in a slide treatment solution, is placed in the cavity with a tank surface immediately adjacent the heater. A temperature sensor is mounted in the base and is operable to provide a feedback signal representing a temperature of the liquid in the tank. A cover is removably hinged on the base to cover the tank. A control system is connected to the heater and the temperature sensor and has a user input/output that is operable to select a set temperature of the liquid and a cycle time.
US08236252B2 Collecting main for tubular cracking furnaces
Collecting line for removing hot process gases conducted in process gas tubes from tubular reformers, wherein the collecting line has on the inside at least one insulation layer made of fire-resistant concrete or fire-resistant brick, and on the outside a wall made of a metallic outer tube, comprises a plurality of stubs via which the process gas tubes of the tubular furnace can be connected to the collecting line, wherein in the region of the stubs, the process gas tubes are at least in part conducted in guide tubes, and each gas outlet connected to the respective process gas tube projects into the collecting line, by means of which the process gas is introduced into the collecting line in correct functioning, and at least one gas outlet is constructed as a pipe bend.
US08236250B2 Gas treatment device
Exhaust gas treatment is based on metal foams using catalytic coatings. A catalytic converter for diesel and gasoline engines includes oxidation catalysts, 3-way catalysts, de-NOx catalysts, NH3 slip catalysts. Foam high surface areas and high mixing rates enhance catalytic performance. Particulate filtration in both diesel and direct injection gasoline engines uses deep bed filtration. A multiple-pass radial flow uses more than one foam segments, separated by a diaphragm. Filtration, pressure drop and catalytic performance are enhanced using variable foam porosities in axial and radial flow directions and non-uniform catalyst coatings. More than one catalytic functionalities may be incorporated in a single shell. Secondary foam segments are placed within main foam segments. Diaphragms at the entrance and exit of the external shell allow the flow to be divided between the main and the secondary foam segments according to the respective flow resistances.
US08236249B2 Particle separator and method for removing particles from an exhaust gas stream of an internal combustion engine
A particle separator and method for removing particles from an exhaust gas stream of an internal combustion engine. A prescribed number of flow cells are formed in the particle separator. The exhaust gas stream flows into and/or out of the flow cells via, as viewed in a main direction of flow of the exhaust gas stream, side wall regions of the flow cells. At least one storage space is formed in the flow cells for storing particles removed from the exhaust gas stream, which flows through at least portions of the particle separator.
US08236248B2 Sulfur-resistant exhaust gas aftertreatment system for the reduction of nitrogen oxides
An arrangement for aftertreatment of exhaust gas for lean-burn internal combustion engines such as diesel engines and Otto engines with direct injection has a NOx storage catalyzer installed in the exhaust gas train for reducing nitrogen oxides and at which nitrogen oxides are stored in lean operating phases and these stored nitrogen oxides are reduced in rich operating phases. At least one molecular sieve which keeps sulfur dioxide away from the at least one NOx storage catalyzer is arranged upstream of the NOx storage catalyzer.
US08236241B2 Treating biological tissues to mitigate post-implantation calcification
A method of treating a biological tissue including crosslinking with glutaraldehyde; immersing the biological tissue in a first solution containing glutaraldehyde and heat in the first solution to a temperature of about 50° C. for a first period of time; immersing the biological tissue in a second solution containing a mixture of a crosslinking agent, a denaturing agent and a surfactant; and immersing the biological tissue in a sterilizing solution containing glutaraldehyde and heating the sterilizing solution to a temperature of 37.5±2.5° C. for a sterilizing period of time. The method may include a terminal sterilization step in a method for fixation of biological tissues, and bioprosthetic devices may be prepared by such fixation method. The fixation method may include the steps of A) fixing the tissue, B) treating the tissue with a mixture of i) a denaturant, ii) a surfactant and iii) a crosslinking agent, C) fabricating or forming the bioprosthesis (e.g., forming the tissue and attaching any non-biological components thereto) and D) subjecting the bioprosthesis to the terminal sterilization method.
US08236239B2 Sterilizing compositions comprising phosphors for converting electromagnetic radiation to UVC radiation and methods for using the same
There is disclosed a composition for converting electromagnetic energy to ultraviolet C (UVC) radiation or radiation of a shorter wavelength, the composition comprising at least one phosphor capable of converting an initial electromagnetic energy (A) to an electromagnetic energy (B) comprising UVC radiation or radiation of a shorter wavelength, and an organic or inorganic media containing said phosphor. There is also a method of sterilizing an article by exposing it to UVC radiation or radiation of a shorter wavelength for a time sufficient to deactivate or kill at least one microorganism and/or for a time sufficient to inhibit abnormal cell growth within the body, when said composition is in an implantable medical device. A method of coating an article with such compositions is also disclosed.
US08236237B2 Method and apparatus for destruction of biological and chemical agents
A device and method for inactivating infectious biological or chemical agents using microwave-activated diazoluminomelanin (DALM). The agents are typically vacuumed into a load cavity, which is at least partially filled with DALM. The load is irradiated with microwaves via a cylindrical waveguide disposed under the load cavity, thereby inactivating or destroying the agents. The system is preferably temperature controlled and operation is preferably automated.
US08236236B2 Method of sterilizing
A bio-air sterilization system and method of use thereof is provided that can remove and render benign harmful contaminants and particulates, such as bacteria, viruses, and molds, from air within an enclosed area, as well as, in principle, from the exposed surfaces located within the enclosed area. In one aspect, the sterilization system includes a self contained, mobile sterilization unit that includes at least an ultraviolet array, an air flow control mechanism for diverting the air flow within the system through either a filter or through an ozone removal zone, an ozone generator, and a blower apparatus to pull the air through the system and out through ports, such as a nozzle system, to the surrounding environment.
US08236234B2 Container for molten metal
A container for molten metal includes an outlet for outflow of the molten metal from the container and a temperature measuring device fixed in a wall of the container. The temperature measuring device includes a plug, an outer protective sheath having a closed end, and an inner protective tube having a closed end. The inner protective tube is arranged within the outer protective sheath. A thermocouple is arranged within the inner protective tube. The plug includes a substantially refractory material and the outer protective sheath consists essentially of substantially refractory metal oxide and graphite. The outer protective sheath extends away from the first end of the plug and projects into a recessed portion of the wall of the container. The closed end of the outer protective sheath is arranged in the recessed portion. A junction of the thermocouple is proximate to the closed end of the inner protective tube.
US08236225B2 Device and method for fabricating flat display device
Disclosed are a device and method for fabricating a flat display device which can minimize an error of alignment of an imprinting mold and a substrate. The device for fabricating a flat display device includes a stage for seating a substrate; an imprinting mold bonded with the substrate to form a thin film pattern on the substrate, the imprinting mold comprises projections and grooves; and a mold holder for holding sides of the imprinting mold when the substrate and the imprinting mold are bonded with each other.
US08236219B2 Resin infusion potting
A process for forcibly infusing liquid potting compound into the strands of a cable in order to attach an anchor to the cable. The process uses a strand cavity within an anchor that encloses the exposed strands. The strand cavity is sealed. Liquid potting compound is then forced into the strand cavity, where it runs around and through the exposed strands. A second venting passage is preferably employed, so that the liquid potting compound flows through the mold without trapping any substantial air pockets.
US08236218B2 Methods of manufacturing integral elastic supports
The present invention is applicable to the field of sport and leisure accessories and particularly relates to a process for making integral elastic supports as well as to integral elastic supports obtainable by such process. The invention also relates to a mold for making such supports, as well as a molding apparatus including such mold, for carrying out the above process. The process includes the step of forming at least one pad element from a resilient material, to be associated to a frame made of a substantially rigid or semirigid material whose outer edge defines a peripheral portion in combination with said pad. The process is characterized further includes the step of forming a bead from a substantially waterproof material near the peripheral portion to prevent any undesired infiltration into such portion.
US08236217B2 Prestressing fixture to eliminate automotive P.S.I.R. door-chute vibration weld visibility
A method of manufacturing an automotive instrument panel for eliminating distortion in an area of vibration welded air bags comprises: providing a weld fixture including at least one pre-stressor protrusion; placing the at least one pre-stressor protrusion against an instrument panel; generating a force to press the weld fixture against the instrument panel to create compression in a first surface of the instrument panel where the weld fixture contacts the instrument panel and to create tension in a second surface of the instrument panel, the second surface opposite to the first surface; and vibration welding an air bag chute to the instrument panel such that a weld bar of the air bag chute is welded to the second surface of the instrument panel.
US08236209B1 Method of making an engraved scannable marking code
An engraved scannable marking code produced by providing a substrate of transparent material having a first side and a second side and an index of refraction greater than one; and forming a plurality of lenses on the first side of the substrate in pre-selected portions thereof, wherein the plurality of lenses and selected reminder portions form a desired marking code pattern operable for being read by a code reading apparatus.
US08236204B1 Corrosion inhibitor compositions comprising tetrahydrobenzotriazoles solubilized in activating solvents and methods for using same
A composition with one or more tetrahydrobenzotriazoles and one or more one or more tetrahydrobenzotriazole activating solvents, wherein the tetrahydrobenzotriazoles are solubilized in the activating solvents in an amount effective to inhibit corrosion of a metal or metal alloy which is corrodible in the presence of copper or copper corroding agents. Also a method of using this composition to inhibit corrosion of a metal component which has a metal or metal alloy which is corrodible in the presence of copper or copper corroding agents.
US08236203B2 Corrosion protection coatings and methods of making the same
A corrosion protection composition includes a mixture of three different silanes selected to interact and form a coating on metal substrates that has improved adhesion and durability as well as UV protection properties. Methods of manufacturing the corrosion protection composition include mixing the silanes together and further combining the silane mixture with other mixtures to arrive at the corrosion protection composition. Sonication may be a preferred manner of mixing together the various components of the mixtures.
US08236199B2 Phosphorescent/fluorescent compositions and methods
Phosphor and fluorescent compositions and methods of producing them are provided.
US08236197B2 Liquid crystal composition and liquid crystal display device
The subject is to provide a liquid crystal composition that satisfies at least one characteristic of characteristics such as a high maximum temperature of a nematic phase, a low minimum temperature of a nematic phase, a small viscosity, a suitable optical anisotropy, a negatively large dielectric anisotropy, a large specific resistance, a high stability to ultraviolet light and a high stability to heat, or that is suitably balanced regarding two characteristics thereof. The subject is to provide an AM device that has a short response time, a large voltage holding ratio, a large contrast ratio, a long service life and so forth.The invention provides a liquid crystal composition having a negative dielectric anisotropy that contains a specific compound having negatively large dielectric anisotropy as the first component, a specific compound having negatively large dielectric anisotropy and a low minimum temperature as the second component, a specific compound having a high maximum temperature and a small viscosity as the third component, and a specific compound having a negatively especially large dielectric anisotropy as the fourth component, and provides a liquid crystal display device containing the composition.
US08236192B2 Ferromagnetic nanoparticles with high magnetocrystalline anisotropy for MICR ink applications
An ink including stabilized magnetic single-crystal nanoparticles, wherein the value of the magnetic anisotropy of the magnetic nanoparticles is greater than or equal to 2×104 J/m3. The magnetic nanoparticle may be a ferromagnetic nanoparticle, such as FePt. The ink includes a magnetic material that minimizes the size of the particle, resulting in excellent magnetic pigment dispersion stability, particularly in non-aqueous inkjet inks. The smaller sized magnetic particles of the ink also maintains excellent magnetic properties, thereby reducing the amount of magnetic particle loading required in the ink.
US08236183B2 Methods and systems for filtration
Methods and systems for filtration are disclosed. A feed mixture including at least one liquid component and at least one solid component and a flow of gas may be directed to a filter element and filtrate and gas may be passed through a filter medium from a feed fluid side to a filtrate side. The gas loosens and removes foulants accumulating within and on the upstream surface of the filter medium. The gas and filtrate may be separated from one another after passing through the filter medium.
US08236182B2 Separating sand from fluids produced by a well
A settling system may be used to separate and/or remove solid particles, such as sand, from fluids produced by wells. The container of the settling system may be cleaned without need for manned-entry.
US08236179B2 Method and installation for regulating the modifier level in chromatography or supercritical extraction with recycling
A chromatography or supercritical extraction method is disclosed, in which the eluent comprises a mixture of a fluid and a modifier and in which the fluid is recycled. One exemplary method comprises an operation consisting in determining at least one quantity linked to the level of modifier that is mixed with the recycled fluid and, if necessary, a correction operation in order to limit variations in the level of modifier in the eluent at the inlet of the column or the extractor. The disclosure also relates to a chromatography or extraction installation.
US08236177B1 Spiral wound filter
A spiral wound filter is formed which decreases the cross-sectional area over which the feed fluid flows in order to provide sufficient flow rates across the membrane with less energy consumption, and one embodiment includes a housing that is sealed against substantially the entire outer surface of the filter element.
US08236173B2 Biomass pretreatment for fast pyrolysis to liquids
Aspects of the present invention relate to methods, systems, and compositions for preparing a solid biomass for fast pyrolysis. The method includes contacting the solid biomass with an inorganic material present in an effective amount for increasing fast pyrolysis yield of an organic liquid product (e.g., bio-oil). In various embodiments, the inorganic material is selected from the group consisting of aluminum sulfate, aluminum nitrate, aluminum chloride, aluminum hydroxide, ammonium hydroxide, magnesium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, and combinations thereof.
US08236171B2 Process for improving quality as a fuel of hydrotreated hydrocarbon blends
A process is described for improving the quality as a fuel of hydrotreated hydrocarbon blends by reaction with hydrogen in the presence of a bifunctional catalytic system comprising one or more metals selected from Pt, Pd, Ir, Ru, Rh and Re, and a silico-aluminate of an acidic nature, selected from a micro-mesoporous silico-alumina and a zeolite belonging to the MTW family. The process of the invention produces an increase in the cetane index and a decrease in the density and T95.
US08236166B2 No calibration analyte sensors and methods
A meter and sensors, for use in combination, where no calibration code has to be entered by the user or is read by the meter. The meter is configured with a predetermined slope and y-intercept built into the meter. If the slope and y-intercept of the sensor are within a predetermined area or grid, or otherwise close to the slope and y-intercept of the meter, the batch of sensors is acceptable for use with that meter for providing accurate analyte concentration results.
US08236163B2 Anode media for use in electroplating processes, and methods of cleaning thereof
A method for cleaning anode media, the method comprising removing the anode media from an electroplating system, and removing scale coatings from substrates of the anode media by vibrational polishing the anode media with abrasive particles.
US08236161B2 Apparatus for electrolyzing sulfuric acid, method of performing electrolysis, and apparatus for processing a substrate
An apparatus for electrolyzing sulfuric acid, the apparatus comprising an electrolytic cell comprising a cathode chamber having a cathode and an anode chamber having an anode, the cathode chamber and the anode chamber being separated by a diaphragm, a sulfuric acid tank configured to store the sulfuric acid, a supply pipe connecting the sulfuric acid tank to an inlet port of the anode chamber, a connection pipe connecting an outlet port of the cathode chamber to the inlet port of the anode chamber, a first supply pump provided on the supply pipe and configured to supply the sulfuric acid from the sulfuric acid tank to the cathode chamber through the supply pipe, and a drain pipe connected to an outlet port of the anode chamber and configured to supply to a solution tank a solution containing an oxidizing agent generated by electrolysis in the anode chamber.
US08236158B2 Method for desalinating saltwater using concentration difference energy
Described herein are a method and system for desalinating saltwater using concentration difference energy. A “five stream” dialytic stack is described that can be used to desalinate saltwater at a relatively high recovery ratio. The dialytic stack may include, for example, one or more drive cells having a paired concentrate and a diluent-c chamber in ionic communication with a product chamber that is adjacent to an anion and a cation discharge chamber each filled with diluent-p. The drive cell applies a drive voltage across the product chamber, and when the drive voltage exceeds a desalination voltage of the product chamber, the saltwater in the product chamber is desalinated. The diluent-p may be at a lower ionic concentration than the diluent-c, which may be at a lower concentration than the concentrate. The relatively high concentrations of the concentrate and the diluent-c facilitate a relatively high recovery ratio, while the relatively low concentration of the diluent-p facilitates a relatively low desalination voltage. The dialytic stack may accept brine discharged from a first desalination plant and may use this brine as a source of the concentrate, diluent-c, or diluent-p. Alternatively, the dialytic stack may accept the brine as saltwater to be desalinated, and may then output desalinated brine back to the first desalination plant for further desalination. Processing the brine in the dialytic stack may decrease its volume, decreasing costs associated with treating or otherwise disposing of the brine.
US08236157B2 Organic solvent free pigment dispersant for waterborne electrocoating
A pigment dispersing resin is disclosed along with pigment dispersion, electrodepositable coating compositions using the pigment dispersing resin, and methods for applying the electrodepositable coating composition. The pigment dispersing resin consists essentially of the carboxylic acid salt of an aminated bisphenol epoxy resin and an alkoxylated styrenated phenol. Pigment dispersions made from the dispersing resin are especially useful for forming low or no volatile organic content electrocoating baths.
US08236152B2 Deposition system
A deposition system includes a chamber, a plurality of targets in a center region in the chamber and a plurality of substrates in the chamber. The targets are sequentially positioned when viewed in a first direction. At least one of the targets includes a sputtering surface facing outward. The substrates are sequentially positioned when viewed in the first direction. At least one of the substrates includes a deposition surface configured to receive material sputtered off the sputtering surface.
US08236148B2 Electrolysis device for preparation of hypochlorous water
An electrolysis device for preparation of hypochlorous water is provided, comprising an electrolytic cell, and cathodic and anodic electrolytic sheets arranged in the electrolytic cell, wherein the electrolytic cell is separated to form an inner tank for containing hydrochloric acid and an outer tank for circulating tap water, a central portion of the inner tank is sealed and separated relative to the outer tank, and a chlorine discharge outlet connected to the outer tank is provided at the upper end of the inner tank; the cathodic and anodic electrolytic sheets are located on both sides of the inner tank. The electrolysis device without a membrane utilizes tap water and hydrochloric acid as raw materials, having an inner tank for containing hydrochloric acid and an outer tank for circulating tap water. Chlorine generated through electrolysis of hydrochloric acid is discharged from the chlorine discharge outlet and combined with tap water in the outer tank to generate hypochlorous acid. This electrolysis device has simple structure, and can effectively improve productivity of hypochlorous water. Hypochlorous water produced by this electrolysis device has functions of sterilization and environmental protection.
US08236146B2 Photoelectrochemical cell and energy system using the same
A photoelectrochemical cell (100) includes: a semiconductor electrode (120) including a conductor (121) and an n-type semiconductor layer (122); a counter electrode (130) connected electrically to the conductor (121); an electrolyte (140) in contact with the surfaces of the n-type semiconductor layer (122) and the counter electrode (130); and a container (110) accommodating the semiconductor electrode (120), the counter electrode (130) and the electrolyte (140). The photoelectrochemical cell (100) generates hydrogen by irradiation of the n-type semiconductor layer (122) with light. In the semiconductor electrode (120), relative to the vacuum level, (I) the band edge levels of the conduction band and the valence band in the surface near-field region of the n-type semiconductor layer (122), respectively, are equal to or higher than the band edge levels of the conduction band and the valence band in the junction plane near-field region of the n-type semiconductor layer (122) with the conductor (121), (II) the Fermi level of the junction plane near-field region of the n-type semiconductor layer (122) is higher than the Fermi level of the surface near-field region of the n-type semiconductor layer (122), and (III) the Fermi level of the conductor (121) is higher than the Fermi level of the junction plane near-field region of the n-type semiconductor layer (122).
US08236143B2 Controlling chemical reactions by spectral chemistry and spectral conditioning
This invention relates to novel methods for affecting, controlling and/or directing various reactions and/or reaction pathways or systems by exposing one or more components in a holoreaction system to at least one spectral energy pattern. In a first aspect of the invention, at least one spectral energy pattern can be applied to a reaction system. In a second aspect of the invention, at least one spectral energy conditioning pattern can be applied to a conditioning reaction system. The spectral energy conditioning pattern can, for example, be applied at a separate location from the reaction vessel (e.g., in a conditioning reaction vessel) or can be applied in (or to) the reaction vessel, but prior to other reaction system participants being introduced into the reaction vessel.
US08236142B2 Process for transporting and quenching coke
A method and apparatus for transporting and quenching coke, useful in quenching a batch of coke produced in one of a plurality of coke ovens forming a coke oven battery, is disclosed. A hot car defining a substantially planar receiving surface is positioned adjacent a coke oven of the coke oven battery, and a unitary cake of unquenched coke is placed onto the hot car receiving surface. The hot car and unquenched coke are transported to a transfer station having a dust collection system. A quenching car is positioned at the transfer station adjacent the hot car, under the dust collection system. The unitary cake of unquenched coke is dumped into the quenching car receptacle, thereby separating the unitary cake. At least a portion of the dust generated by separation is collected. The quench car is then transported to a quenching station, where the separated coke is quenched.
US08236141B2 Industrial roll with sensors having conformable conductive sheets
An industrial roll includes: a substantially cylindrical core having an outer surface and an internal lumen; a polymeric cover circumferentially overlying the core outer surface; and a sensing system. The sensing system includes: a plurality of sensors at least partially embedded in the cover, the sensors configured to sense an operating parameter of the roll and provide signals related to the operating parameter; and a processor operatively associated with the sensors that processes signals provided by the sensors. Each of the plurality of sensors includes: a first electrode overlying the top surface of a substrate and a second electrode underlying the bottom surface of the substrate, wherein the first electrode overlies the top surface of the substrate and the second electrode underlies only a portion of the bottom surface of the substrate, thereby forming a gap adjacent the bottom surface and a side surface of the substrate; a first sheet of conductive material attached to the first electrode and the side surface of the substrate and extended in a first direction away from the bottom surface of the substrate; and a second sheet of conductive material attached to the second electrode and extended in a second direction away from the bottom surface of the substrate, the second surface being opposite the first direction.
US08236140B2 Advanced dewatering system
A belt press for a paper machine, the belt press including a roll having an exterior surface and a permeable belt. The permeable belt including a first side being guided over a portion of the exterior surface of the roll. The permeable belt having a tension of at least approximately 30 kN/m. The first side of the belt having an open area of at least approximately 25% and a contact area of at least approximately 10%. A web travels between the permeable belt and the exterior surface of the roll.
US08236137B2 Headbox for a machine for producing a fibrous web
The invention relates to a headbox which comprises a feed device feeding the at least one fiber suspension, a perforated distribution pipe plate arranged immediately downstream thereof and having a plurality of channels arranged in lines and columns, an intermediate channel arranged downstream thereof, extending over the width of the headbox and having a plurality of means for dosing a fluid in partial fluid streams to the at least one fiber suspension in a preferably adjustable/controlled manner, the means being spaced apart from each other in the width direction of the headbox and the individual means comprising a plurality of dosing channels having respective dosing channel openings and an opening center line, arriving at different levels and being connected to a common supply channel. The headbox further comprises a downstream turbulence generator having a plurality of flow channels arranged in lines and columns and a headbox nozzle which is directly contiguous to the turbulence generator and which has a nozzle gap. The headbox according to the invention has a system pressure loss which is substantially composed of a first pressure loss between the feed device and the intermediate channel and a second pressure loss in the turbulence generator, the second pressure loss and the first pressure loss being in a ratio ranging from 8:1 to 1:1, preferably from 4:1 to 1:1, particularly from 2:1 to 1:1.
US08236136B2 Coating compositions comprising alkyl ketene dimers and alkyl succinic anhydrides for use in paper making
Additives for paper making are disclosed herein. Specifically, the additives are wax-free alternatives to conventional coatings, including ASA, AKD and optionally an acrylic containing composition. Other additives may be included in the coating, such as cationic particles or compositions. The coatings may be used at a variety of points during the paper making process, including on the calender stack and in the wet end.
US08236135B2 Multi-ply tissue products
A multi-ply paper product is disclosed. The multi-ply paper product is provided with a first play and a second ply. The first ply is a lotioned fibrous structure having a wet burst of less than about 100 grams. The second ply is a non-lotioned fibrous structure having a wet burst of greater than about 100 grams.
US08236117B2 Chucks and use in processing toroidal structures
A chuck and a chuck system, and a method for processing a toroidal structure such as a tire carcass. The carcass includes an internal circumference and tapered ends. The chuck system comprises a plurality of chucks wherein each chuck includes a circumferential or substantially circumferential external surface and a plurality of friction reducing members positioned on the external surface. The friction reducing members are positioned to engage the internal circumference of the toroidal structure such as a tire. The method of processing a tire carcass includes positioning the tire carcass on fixed diameter chucks having friction reducing members on the external surface.
US08236113B2 Fuel component for an explosive and method for its production
The invention relates to a fuel component for an explosive, in which case the fuel component contains a volume-expanded molecularly dispersed hydrocarbon, and a method for its production. Furthermore, the invention relates to an explosive formed of the fuel component and an oxidizer, an explosive body filled with the explosive as well as an explosion method.
US08236108B1 Inertial masking assembly
An inertial masking assembly that allows multiple thin film structures to be deposited on a single substrate by rotation of a shadow mask relative to the substrate. The assembly rotates the position of the shadow mask by the conservation of momentum. The substrate is seated on means for rotating the substrate in a confined orbit within the mask. Abruptly changing the angular velocity of the mask causes the mask to rotate under the substrate, which is mediated by a combination of friction and the substrate's inertia.
US08236103B2 Group III nitride semiconductor crystal, production method thereof and group III nitride semiconductor epitaxial wafer
A method for producing a Group III nitride semiconductor crystal includes a first step of supplying a Group III raw material and a Group V raw material at a V/III ratio of 0 to 1,000 to form and grow a Group III nitride semiconductor on a heated substrate and a second step of vapor-phase-growing a Group III nitride semiconductor crystal on the substrate using a Group III raw material and a nitrogen raw material.
US08236100B2 Method of characterizing the self-healing properties of a set cement based material in contact with hydrocarbons
Methods of characterizing the self-healing properties of a set cement based material in contact with hydrocarbons in an oil- and/or gas-well are described. The methods comprise: providing a test cell (10); providing said test cell (10) with a sample (31, 40) of the set cement based material; damaging the sample to simulate a loss of zonal isolation resulting from damages made to the set cement based material in the oil- or gas-well; injecting a hydrocarbon fluid in the test cell; allowing the cement based material to heal by itself; measuring the differential pressure (ΔP) across the sample (31, 40); and characterizing the self-healing properties of the cement based material from the measure of said differential pressure (ΔP).
US08236099B2 Cement slurry with low water to cement ratio
A cement slurry comprising a mixture of a cement blend and water, wherein the cement blend comprises at least about 70% by volume of blend of cementitious particulate material and water is present in the mixture in an amount of not more than 50% by volume of the slurry.
US08236097B2 Composition and method for low temperature deposition of silicon-containing films
This invention relates to silicon precursor compositions for forming silicon-containing films by low temperature (e.g., <300° C.) chemical vapor deposition processes for fabrication of ULSI devices and device structures. Such silicon precursor compositions comprise at least one disilane derivative compound that is fully substituted with alkylamino and/or dialkylamino functional groups.
US08236096B2 Ink set for inkjet recording
The ink set for inkjet recording of the invention has at least: an aqueous ink composition containing at least a pigment; and a reaction liquid containing at least a reactant that produces an aggregate when contacted with the aqueous ink composition. The static surface tension of the reaction liquid is 40 mN/m or higher. The dynamic surface tension γ0.1 is from 40 mN/m to 50 mN/m and the ratio γ0.1/γ10, that is a ratio of the dynamic surface tension and is sometimes referred to as γ, is from 1.01 to 1.10, in which the dynamic surface tension of the reaction liquid at a surface lifetime of 100 ms and 10000 ms is γ0.1 and γ10, respectively, according to the maximum bubble pressure technique. The aqueous ink composition aggregates by contacting the reaction liquid to form an image.
US08236095B1 Vacuum-pressure swing absorption concentrator
A vacuum-pressure swing absorption concentrator includes a motor driven compressor having pressure and vacuum heads that are connected to a pressure reservoir and a vacuum reservoir respectively. The pressure and vacuum reservoirs are selectively and alternately interconnected in sequence through a main valve to a pair of nitrogen filtering sieve beds. A controller operates the valve to alternately and cyclically interconnect the sieve beds to the pressure and vacuum reservoirs respectively. During each cycle, a respective bed is pressurized and enriched oxygen is produced and delivered to a tank for use by a patient. At the same time, the other bed is evacuated through the vacuum reservoir. A crossover valve delivers oxygen from a pressurized bed to an evacuated bed to facilitate purging of impurities previously collected in the evacuated bed.
US08236090B2 Process and apparatus for producing metals and/or primary metal products
The invention relates to a process and an associated apparatus for producing metals and/or primary metal products, in particular pig iron and/or primary pig iron products, in which a metal-containing charge material, in particular in fine particle form, is introduced, using pneumatic conveying, by means of a carrier gas stream, in the form of a stream of medium formed from the charge material and the carrier gas stream, into a melting unit, in particular a melter gasifier, for further processing. According to the invention, the charge material is introduced after the carrier gas stream has been separated off and separately at at least two introduction points, so that at least two partial quantities of the charge material can be introduced independently of one another and continuously or in stacked form.
US08236085B1 Method for enhancing soil growth using bio-char
A method is described for rendering char from a biomass fractionator apparatus (BMF char) suitable for addition to soil in high concentrations, the method relying on multiple processes comprising removing detrimental hydrocarbons from BMF char, removing adsorbed gases from BMF char, introducing microorganisms to the BMF char, and adjusting soil pH.
US08236083B2 Wall-flow honeycomb filter having high storage capacity and low backpressure
A wall-flow honeycomb filter comprising a ceramic monolith having a plurality of porous walls formed therein. The plurality of porous walls define a plurality of inlet cells and a plurality of outlet cells extending between an inlet end face and an outlet end face of the monolith. The inlet cells are open at the inlet end face and plugged at or near the outlet end face. The outlet cells are open at the outlet end face and plugged at or near the inlet end face. The monolith has a ratio of a combined cross-sectional area of the inlet cells to a combined cross-sectional area of the outlet cells greater than 1. The monolith has at least one inlet cell cluster which contains an N×M group of inlet cells, N and M being integers greater than 1, each inlet cell cluster consisting of a plurality of inlet cells separated by inlet cluster walls.
US08236074B1 Superabrasive elements, methods of manufacturing, and drill bits including same
Methods of manufacturing a superabrasive element are disclosed. In one embodiment, a substrate and a preformed superabrasive volume may be at least partially surrounded by an enclosure and the enclosure may be sealed in an inert environment. Further, the enclosure may be exposed to an elevated pressure and preformed superabrasive volume may be affixed to the substrate. Polycrystalline diamond elements are disclosed. In one embodiment, a polycrystalline diamond element may comprise a preformed polycrystalline diamond volume bonded to a substrate by a braze material. Optionally, such a polycrystalline diamond element may exhibit a compressive stress. Rotary drill bit for drilling a subterranean formation and including at least one superabrasive element are also disclosed.
US08236073B2 Hydrogen supplying apparatus and method for controlling hydrogen supplying apparatus
A hydrogen supply apparatus includes a hydrogen supply path by which hydrogen released from a hydrogen tank reaches a hydrogen supply target, a branching path from the hydrogen supply path, in which a part of hydrogen released from the hydrogen tank flows, addition means for adding an odorizing agent to the hydrogen flowing in the branching path, a buffer tank storing the hydrogen to which the odorizing agent is added by the addition means, and supplying means for supplying the odorizing agent treated hydrogen in the buffer tank to the hydrogen supply path.
US08236072B2 System and method for producing substitute natural gas from coal
The present invention provides a system and method for producing substitute natural gas and electricity, while mitigating production of any greenhouse gasses. The system includes a hydrogasification reactor, to form a gas stream including natural gas and a char stream, and an oxygen burner to combust the char material to form carbon oxides. The system also includes an algae farm to convert the carbon oxides to hydrocarbon material and oxygen.
US08236070B2 Heat exchanger, heat-exchange reformer, and methods of producing heat-exchanger and heat-exchange reformer
A heat exchanger includes: a stacked core formed by stacking a plurality of unit plate members in each of which passage formation portions are formed independently of each other to extend from a heat-exchange passage formation portion along a plane; a case formed in accordance with the outer shape of the stacked core, and which houses the stacked core such that heat-exchange media flow into and flow out of the stacked core; and a join portion that serves as a sealing mechanism that supports the stacked core such that the stacked core does not contact the case, and that forms a heat-insulation layer between the case and the stacked core, wherein the heat-insulation layer is a closed space separated from the outside.
US08236064B2 Method of producing safety textiles in one of the colors fluorescent yellow, orange-red and fluorescent red
The invention relates to a process for producing safety textiles in one of the following colors: fluorescent yellow, fluorescent orange-red or fluorescent red. In a first step a textile starting material is pre-dyed in the desired color such that the pre-dyed fluorescent material has a specified first minimum luminance factor and the color is situated within an associated color diamond. After that the pre-dyed material is cross-dyed with a mixture of a luminescent pigment dye and a binder in such a way that the cross-dyed fluorescent material has a specified second minimum luminance factor and the color of the cross-dyed material continues to be situated within the color diamond. Subsequently the cross-dyed material is dried.
US08236063B2 Coloring agent with surfactant/emulsifier combination
Agent for oxidative coloring of keratinic fibers comprising a specific combination of non-ionic emulsifiers with a differing degree of ethoxylation and a specific combination of interfacially active substances comprising at least one anionic, at least one zwitterionic and at least one amphoteric surfactant. The agents provide good coloring characteristics while simultaneously protecting against damage to human hair. In particular the agents allow for colors with high color intensity and an improved gray coverage. The agents also provide significant advantages with regard to viscosity stability during storage and use and an improvement in shear sensitivity.
US08236062B2 Prosthetic foot with tunable performance
A prosthetic foot and lower part of leg has a semi-rigid, resilient foot keel extending in a longitudinal direction and a semi-rigid, resilient leg portion attached at a lower end to the foot keel. The leg portion includes a plurality of resilient leaf spring type members which are spaced apart in the sagittal plane intermediate their upper and lower ends and which are coupled together at their upper and lower end portions. The members are anterior facing convexly curved at their lower ends forming an ankle joint area and extend upwardly above in a substantially anterior facing convexly curve to a substantially vertically oriented upper end which is displaced substantially in the longitudinal direction in amputee gait for improved dynamic response.
US08236060B2 Tethered joint bearing implants and systems
An implant for resurfacing at least a portion of an articulation surface of a bone includes a body having a first side with a top articular surface and an opposing second side with a bone apposition surface. The bone apposition surface is adapted to bias against a natural or resected articulation surface of a bone. An elongated flexible first line is coupled to and extends from the body.
US08236057B2 Inflatable multi-chambered devices and methods of treatment using the same
Inflatable multi-chambered devices are provided for repairing or replacing spinal discs and distracting neighboring vertebral elements. Also included are cushioning devices that may be used in a joint replacement device cushioning system. Further included are kits and systems for making such devices, and methods of treating patients in need of such devices. Examples further include cosmetic augmentation and restoration devices.
US08236053B1 2-amino benzophenone UV-absorbers for ophthalmic lens materials
Ophthalmic device materials comprising 2-amino benzophenone UV-absorbing compounds are disclosed. The ophthalmic device materials are particularly useful in intraocular lenses.
US08236046B2 Bioerodible endoprosthesis
An endoprosthesis can include a body including an underlying portion and a surface portion overlying the underlying portion. The underlying portion can include a bioerodible metal in the form of a matrix and corrosion enhancing deposits within the matrix. The surface portion including the bioerodible metal of the matrix. The surface portion having a first erosion rate when exposed to a physiological environment and the underlying portion having a second erosion rate when exposed to a physiological environment that is greater than the first erosion rate.
US08236045B2 Implantable prosthetic valve assembly and method of making the same
An implantable prosthetic valve assembly having a support stent, or frame, having circumferential struts with multiple bends forming obtuse angles when the valve assembly is expanded to its functional size. The frame can be manufactured with one or more of the circumferential struts in a partially collapsed state and a flexible valve member can be mounted to the partially collapsed frame. The partially collapsed struts can be formed with multiple bends having angles selected to facilitate crimping of the frame to a profile suitable for percutaneous delivery. When the frame is expanded, the bends can expand to form obtuse angles, thereby enhancing the rigidity of the frame to better resist closing forces exerted on the valve assembly.
US08236042B2 System and method for delivering and deploying an occluding device within a vessel
A system and method for deploying an occluding device that can be used to remodel an aneurysm within the vessel by, for example, neck reconstruction or balloon remodeling. The system comprises an introducer sheath and an assembly for carrying the occluding device. The assembly includes an elongated flexible member having an occluding device retaining member for receiving a first end of the occluding device, a proximally positioned retaining member for engaging a second end of the occluding device and a support surrounding a portion of the elongated flexible member over which the occluding device can be positioned.
US08236041B2 Noncylindrical stent deployment system for treating vascular bifurcations
A device and method for treating pathological narrowing of fluid-carrying conduits of the human body (such as blood vessels) in an area of a bifurcation is disclosed. In particular, a stent system carries a self expandable noncylindrical stent, which is particularly suited for treating a widened portion of a blood vessel immediately proximal to a bifurcation. A stent delivery system is also disclosed, for delivering the stent such that a larger expanded diameter end of the stent faces the bifurcation, and a smaller expanded diameter end of the stent faces proximally in the main vessel.
US08236040B2 Bifurcated graft deployment systems and methods
A deployment catheter for deploying an endoluminal vascular prosthesis that has at least a main graft portion and a first branch graft portion. The deployment catheter preferably comprises an elongate, flexible catheter body having a proximal end and a distal end, and an outer sheath and an inner core that is axially moveable with respect to the outer sheath. The catheter preferably comprises a main graft restraint that has a main graft release mechanism comprising a main graft sheath and a suture threaded through a plurality of the openings in the main graft sheath. The catheter further comprises at least one branch graft restraint comprising at least one branch graft release mechanism.
US08236037B2 Scalar laser therapy apparatus
There is disclosed a new low-level laser therapy apparatus and method of treating tissue. The invention includes a laser system that uses laser diodes and/or alternatively light emitting diodes (LED's), or both, and a digital interface that gives the operator the ability to generate sine waves or scalar waves as opposed to the simple on/off square waves. The invention also enables the operator to modulate not only the frequency, but also other wave characteristics such as the amplitude and phase. In one aspect, the invention involves modulating the phase relationship between multiple waves by taking one channel or wave which is pulsed through the laser system and then running a second channel or wave in relationship to the first channel, thereby creating a phased relationship, which has been discovered to provide a therapeutic and quantum healing effect on tissue. In one exemplary embodiment, the laser system of the invention may have a phase relationship of approximately 180 degrees which provides a beneficial therapeutic and quantum healing effect and, in particular, neutralizes or deletes cellular memory.
US08236036B1 Optical dermatological and medical treatment apparatus having replaceable laser diodes
Semiconductor diode lasers are tiny sources of light powered by electricity. These are used extensively in medical and aesthetic applications. This patent application covers the concept of replaceable laser diodes for a wide range of applications. Historically, the high power laser sources have been prohibitively expensive to contemplate such an idea. However, as technology advances the price per Watt continues to fall dramatically. Somewhat analogous to the Gillette safety razor concept, this patent application describes how diodes can be replaced in a manner akin to the ordinary razor blade. Simply put, this invention describes replaceable laser light sources for aesthetic and medical applications.
US08236031B2 Flexible and static interspinous/inter-laminar spinal spacers
Interspinous/inter-laminar spinal spacers (spinal spacers) are configured to be placed between bony structures (i.e. transverse and spinous processes) of adjacent vertebrae of a spine. In one form, flexible spinal spacers are defined by a unitary body that is configured to be placed between bony structures of adjacent vertebrae of a spine. The unitary body has a flex portion that provides for motion between the adjacent vertebrae to which it is coupled. The flex portion is configurable to provide for various degrees of angulation, flexion, extension and/or compression of the present flexible spinal spacer. In another form, static spinal spacers are defined by a unitary body that is configured to be placed between bony structures of adjacent vertebrae of a spine. The unitary body has saddle-shaped ends each defining a pocket that is configured to receive a bony structure of a vertebra. The pockets may or may not be textured and/or may or may not include teeth, serrations or ridged surfaces to secure the spinal spacer to the bony structure.
US08236028B2 Spinal rod connector
A rod connector for joining a first rod and a second rod includes bore holes that are offset and/or non-parallel to each other. The rod connector provides an offset or non-parallel connection between the rods that allows for the rods to match the contour of a patient's body without requiring bending of the rods. The rod connector may include a first bore hole for receiving the first spinal rod and a second bore hole for receiving the second spinal rod that is adjustable relative to the first bore hole to adjust the position and/or orientation of the second spinal rod relative to the first spinal rod. The rod connector may comprise a first housing component defining the first bore hole and a second housing component that is movable relative to the first housing component and defining the second bore hole.
US08236026B2 Closure device and methods for making and using them
A clip for engaging tissue includes a generally annular-shaped body defining a plane and disposed about a central axis extending normal to the plane. The body includes alternating inner and outer curved regions, defining a zigzag pattern about a periphery of the clip. The body is biased towards a planar configuration lying in the plane and deflectable towards a transverse configuration extending out of the plane. Tines extend from the inner curved regions, the tines being oriented towards the central axis in the planar configuration, and parallel to the central axis in the transverse configuration. The tines may include primary tines and secondary tines that are shorter than the primary tines. The primary tines may be disposed on opposing inner curved regions and oriented towards one another such that they overlap in the planar configuration.
US08236023B2 Apparatus and method for volume adjustment of intragastric balloons
A gastric balloon and method of adding and removing fluid therefrom are disclosed. The gastric balloon includes a shell, a receiver, and a retractable tubing housed in the receiver and extendable from the stomach of a patient to the mouth of the patient. The shell is inflated and deflated from outside the body of the patient. The method of adding or removing fluid from the implanted gastric balloon includes steps of inserting a gastroscopic tool into the stomach of a patient and grasping an end of a retractable tubing housed in a receiver of the gastric balloon. Further steps of the method include withdrawing at least a portion of the retractable tubing from the stomach and out of a patient's mouth and adding or removing fluid from the gastric balloon via the retractable tubing withdrawn from the patient.
US08236022B2 Implantable device for the treatment of obesity
An implant for placement within a hollow body organ. The implant has a member with distal and proximal ends. The member has an undeployed shape for delivery to the hollow body and a deployed shape for implantation therein. The implant has at least one tensioning tether with a first end attached to at least one of the distal and proximal end and a second ends attached to the member between the distal and proximal ends. Wherein applying tension to the tether moves the member towards the deployed shape. The member preferably has a first rate at which it initially resists bending, and a second substantially higher rate at which it resists further bending.
US08236018B2 Ultrasonic therapeutic devices
An ultrasonic surgical instrument comprises an ultrasonic transducer producing ultrasonic vibration, a transmission member transmitted ultrasonic vibration from the proximal end to the distal end, a sheath in which the transmission member is inserted, a procedural unit provided to the distal end of the transmission member so that it projects from the distal end of the sheath, and treating a surgical target portion using ultrasonic vibration, a procedural unit main body provided in the procedural unit, a procedural member provided in the sheath so that it projects from the distal end of the sheath to treat the surgical target portion, and a procedural member main body provided at the distal end of the procedural member. In the ultrasonic surgical instrument, the procedural member main body overlaps with the procedural unit main body, and thereby, the procedural member main body and the procedural unit main body treat the portion.
US08236011B2 Method for deploying fasteners for use in a gastric volume reduction procedure
A method for deploying fasteners including the steps of providing a device having a handle and at least one actuator. The handle is connected to an elongated hollow housing having distal and proximal ends. The device has a first cartridge containing at least one fastener releasably connectable to the handle and an elongated pusher movable through the hollow housing from the distal to the proximal end for deploying the fastener from the distal end. The method includes increasing the stiffness of the pusher at a distal end thereof and advancing the pusher through the elongated housing to deploy the fasteners.
US08236010B2 Surgical fastener and cutter with mimicking end effector
Methods and devices are provided for controlling movement of a working end of a surgical device. In one embodiment, methods and devices are provided for moving an end effector on a distal end of a surgical fastening device. Movement can include rotational movement of the end effector about an axis of the shaft, articulation of the end effector relative to the shaft, and actuation of an end effector, e.g., closing, firing, and/or cutting. In other embodiments, a single cable actuator is provided and is movable between a first position, in which it is effective to rotate an end effector without actuating (i.e., closing and firing) the end effector, and a second position, in which it is effective to actuate the end effector without rotating the end effector. In other aspects, methods and devices are provided for moving a flexible neck formed on a distal end of an accessory channel for use with an endoscope. Movement of the flexible neck can be used to control positioning of a tool extending through the flexible neck.
US08236009B2 Needle assembly for tissue manipulation
Needle assemblies for tissue manipulation are described herein. In creating tissue folds within the body of a patient, a tissue manipulation assembly may generally have an elongate tubular member, an engagement member slidably disposed through the tubular member and a distal end adapted to engage tissue via a helical member, tissue stabilizing members positioned at the tubular member distal end which are adapted to stabilize tissue therebetween, and a delivery tube pivotable about the tissue stabilizer. A needle deployment assembly is deployable through the tissue manipulation assembly via a handle assembly, through the tubular member, and into or through tissue. An elongate pusher is translationally disposed within a sheath of the needle deployment assembly and can be urged distally for deploying an anchor assembly from the sheath distal end. The anchor assembly is positioned distally of the pusher within the sheath.
US08236008B2 Microdermabrasion treatment heads
An abrasive tip is used to exfoliate skin and tissue through abrasive materials integrated in the tip. The tip also delivers fluid to the skin and vacuums the fluid and abraded tissue during treatment. Treated skin will look younger and healthier in appearance. In an implementation, the tip is replaceable and disposable.
US08236001B2 Instrument for preparing and/or machining a femoral head
The invention relates to an instrument for preparing and/or machining a femoral head (11) embodied on a femoral neck (19). Said instrument comprises tactile forceps (91) that are provided with two forked levers (13, 15) and two tactile jaws (23, 25), each of which is assigned to one of the forked levers (13, 15). The forked levers are interconnected at a fulcrum (93). The inventive instrument features a manipulating end and a working end. The tactile jaws are located at the working end of the instrument. A guiding element (28) is provided which encompasses a centering pin (21) and is mounted and/or guided at least at two points (105, 107) spaced apart from each other in the direction of the centering pin (21) in such a way that the centering pin (21) always lies on a central plane (12) of the tactile forceps (91) regardless of an opening angle of the tactile forceps (91), said central plane (12) containing the fulcrum (93). The bearing and/or guiding points (105, 107) are directly and/or indirectly hinged to the tactile forceps (91).
US08235999B2 Configured and sized cannula
A dilator retractor and the dilators that are used for minimally invasive spinal surgery or other surgery are configured to accommodate the anatomical structure of the patient as by configuring the cross sectional area in an elliptical shape, or by forming a funnel configuration with the wider end at the proximate end. In some embodiments the distal end is contoured to also accommodate the anatomical structure of the patient so that a cylindrically shaped, funnel shaped, ovoid shaped dilator retractor can be sloped or tunneled to accommodate the bone structure of the patient or provide access for implants. The dilator retractor is made with different lengths to accommodate the depth of the cavity formed by the dilators.
US08235998B2 Instruments and methods for in situ bending of an elongate spinal implant
Systems, instruments and methods are provided for bending an elongate spinal implant used in a medical procedure. In one form, an instrument for bending an elongate spinal implant includes a proximal handle portion and a bending mechanism having an implant engaging member movably coupled to the proximal handle portion. The bending mechanism is operable to articulate the implant engaging member relative to the proximal handle portion while a second implant engaging member associated with the articulating implant engaging member holding the elongate spinal implant in position. In another form, systems and methods are provided to bend in situ an elongate spinal implant associated with an orthopedic construct.
US08235997B2 Rod locking instrument
Instruments and methods are provided for securing a spinal rod in one or more coupling devices secured to the spine by one or more anchor members. The instruments include members for grasping the coupling device and members for shifting one or more elements along a linear path to fix the position of an anchor member and/or fix the position of the rod with respect to the vertebra.
US08235993B2 Insulating boot for electrosurgical forceps with exohinged structure
An electrosurgical forceps includes a shaft having a pair of jaw members at a distal end thereof that are movable about a pivot from a first position wherein the jaw members are disposed in spaced relation relative to one another to a second position wherein the jaw members are closer to one another for grasping tissue. A movable handle is included that actuates the shaft to move the jaw members relative to one another. One or both of the jaw members are adapted to connect to a source of electrical energy such that the jaw members are capable of conducting energy to tissue held therebetween. An insulating boot is disposed on at least a portion of an exterior surface of one or both jaw members, about the pivot and at a distal end of the shaft. The insulating boot includes an inner flexible portion and an outer shell that is operably engaged with one or both of the pair of jaw members.
US08235991B2 Electrosurgical apparatus and method for coagulative treatments through radiofrequency
An apparatus for electrosurgery (1) comprising a plurality of adjacent electrodes (2-5) arranged aligned and an electrosurgical current generator (6), connected or connectable to the electrodes (2-5) to induce the flowing of an electrosurgical current through the tissue portions interposed thereamong, wherein said generator (6) powers the electrodes (2-5) so that each electrode lies at a potential (V3-V5) greater than that of the electrode preceding it in the sequence.
US08235989B2 Method and device for non-thermal electrically-induced closure of blood vessels by occlusion
Methods and devices for the non-thermal, electrically-induced temporary or permanent closure of blood vessels. Methods and devices employ pulsed electrical energy according to a defined regime to effect controlled occlusion of targeted blood vessels without heating the vessel and with minimal damage to adjacent tissue. The extent of vessel closure, i.e., temporary (vasoconstriction) or permanent (thrombosis), is controlled based on the manipulation of various parameters of the electrical stimulation regime as well as the configuration of the electrodes used to apply the regime.
US08235987B2 Thermal penetration and arc length controllable electrosurgical pencil
An electrosurgical pencil is provided, which includes an elongated housing, an electrocautery electrode supported within the housing and extending distally from the housing. The electrocautery electrode is connected to a source of electrosurgical energy. The pencil also includes at least one voltage divider network supported on the housing and electrically connected to the source of electrosurgical energy for controlling intensity, frequency, and/or mode of electrosurgical energy being delivered to the electrocautery electrode.
US08235983B2 Systems and methods for delivering energy to passageways in a patient
Systems and methods for delivering energy to passageways in a patient, such as airways in the lung of a patient for treating asthma. One embodiment of a method for delivering energy to a passageway comprises positioning an access device in a lung airway of a patient and advancing an elongated body of a treatment device along the access device until an energy delivery unit at a distal portion of the elongated body projects from the access device. The method can further include expanding the energy delivery unit such that energy delivery elements contact a sidewall of the airway and activating an energy supply coupled to the treatment device such that energy is delivered to the sidewall of the airway. A single person physically operates both the access device and the treatment device while expanding the energy delivery unit and activating the energy supply.
US08235982B2 Electrosurgical system having a sensor for monitoring smoke or aerosols
An electrosurgical system includes an evacuator apparatus and a sensor. The evacuator apparatus evacuates aerosol and smoke generated during application of electrosurgical energy. The sensor is operatively coupled to the evacuator apparatus and senses the aerosol and smoke generated during application of the electrosurgical energy. The sensor generates data in response to the sensed aerosol and smoke. The sensor operatively communicates the data to the evacuator apparatus and the evacuator apparatus evacuates the aerosol and smoke as a function of the data.
US08235981B2 Electrosurgical devices with directional radiation pattern
A device for directing energy to a target volume of tissue includes an antenna assembly and an elongated body member. The elongated body member includes a proximal end portion and a distal end portion, wherein the proximal and distal end portions define a longitudinal axis. The elongated body member has a chamber defined therein that extends along the longitudinal axis, and a body wall surrounding the chamber. An antenna assembly is disposed in the chamber. The elongated body member also includes an opening in the body wall to allow energy radiated from the antenna assembly to transfer into the target volume of tissue.
US08235976B2 Cryo-temperature monitoring
Devices and methods for cold-treating lesions within the body. A temperature monitoring device for use with a cryo therapy apparatus may include a cryo therapy apparatus, one or more tubular members coupled to the cryo therapy apparatus, and a temperature monitoring member coupled to the tubular member. The temperature monitoring member may comprise a retractable needle, an infrared sensor, an ultrasound transmitter, or a stent having a plurality of spikes.
US08235974B2 Method for hair removal
A method for hair removal from a skin area by selective photo-inactivation of the pilo-sebaceous apparatus using derivatives of ALA with alkylene-glycol chains. Selectivity of the method is further enhanced by treatment of the epidermis by agents reducing PpIX levels in the epidermis. Side effects are diminished by using short drug/light intervals.
US08235970B2 Device affixing tubes to a cannula
A medical device including: a cannula, a first tube joined to the cannula; a second tube joined to the cannula; and a unitary fastener secured to the first tube, cannula and second tube, the fastener being subject to opposing forces from the first and second tubes.
US08235967B2 Safety assembly for a syringe
A safety support device for a syringe comprises a support sheath (16) for the body (10) of the syringe and an inner sheath (18) suitable for sliding relative to the support sheath between a waiting, retracted position and the extended position for protecting the needle (14) of the syringe. The device has means for holding the syringe body (10) relative to the support sheath (16) and retaining means (30, 32, 22) suitable for being activated to retain the inner sheath in the waiting, retracted position inside the support sheath and for being deactivated by the piston (12) of the syringe to allow the inner sheath (18) to extend into its protective, extended position.
US08235964B2 Pant-like absorbent article and a method for making it
A pant-type absorbent article having a first body panel and a second body panel, the first and second body panels being interconnected by side panels. The respective side panel is formed by a bridge member having a first longitudinal edge portion attached to the first body panel and a second longitudinal edge portion attached to the second body panel, the bridge before use of the article being folded in an accordion-like fashion and can be extended and unfolded when the article is to be used so as to form the side panels of the article. In one embodiment at least one of the bridge members is refastenably attached to one body panel, wherein a first fastening member is arranged on the bridge member at or close to one longitudinal edge portion thereof and a complementary second fastening member is arranged on the respective body panel.
US08235962B2 Absorbent pant garments having optimized leg opening shape
An absorbent pant garment having a leg opening shape and fastener placement that, together, minimize the likelihood of fastener pop-opens during use. The garment includes a pair of front and back side panels on opposite transverse sides of the garment, with a refastenable seam formed between the front and back side panels including a fastening component on the front side panel and a mating fastening component on the back side panel, with elasticity in the front and/or back side panel. Each of the front and back side panels includes a waist end edge and a leg end edge, with a portion of the waist end edge and a portion of the leg end edge substantially parallel to one another adjacent a distal edge for a distance greater than a transverse width of the fastening component or mating fastening component bonded thereto. These parallel portions of the side panel edges space the fastening components and mating fastening components away from major stress points of the garment, thereby reducing the likelihood of fastener pop-opens.
US08235961B2 Disposable pants-type diaper
A disposable pants-type diaper of the present invention comprises a diaper main body including a front portion, a back portion, and a crotch portion positioned therebetween, and having a waist opening and a pair of leg openings formed by joining the front portion and the back portion; an absorbent core disposed in the crotch portion; a first elastic means disposed along an upper part of an edge of the both leg openings; and a second elastic means disposed in a middle part in a front-back direction of the crotch portion, extending in a diaper width direction to near the edge of the both leg openings, and having straight side edge portions. According to the disposable pants-type diaper of the above, a foot is hardly caught by the edge of the leg opening in wearing, resulting in easily wearing; and a fitting property of the crotch portion is excellent.
US08235960B2 Absorbent product
In an absorbent product in which an absorbent sheet member having an opening and a back sheet are overlapped, a rear pocket is formed between a rear absorbent core of the absorbent sheet member and the back sheet, and side pockets are formed on both sides of the opening. By contracting elastic members bonded to a core covering sheet on the both sides of the opening, the core covering sheet of the absorbent sheet member and the back sheet largely stand up in each side pocket, and the rear absorbent core is raised upward. Thus, it is possible to keep the distance large in a thickness direction between the absorbent sheet member and the back sheet in the vicinity of the opening and to fit a portion around the opening of the absorbent sheet member to a wearer.
US08235958B2 Absorbent article and method for producing absorbent article
The invention provides an absorbent article that is small and that can be easily worn by a user and a method for producing the absorbent article.The absorbent article that is used in abutment against a user's body includes: an absorbent body for absorbing fluid; and an absorbent-article main body whose face on a side close to the user's body in use is joined to the absorbent body. The absorbent body has a longitudinal direction, a width direction, and a thickness direction. One end section of the absorbent body in the longitudinal direction is undetachably joined to the absorbent-article main body, and another end section of the absorbent body in the longitudinal direction is detachably joined to a portion inside an outer edge of the absorbent-article main body. The absorbent body has a non-joined section that is not joined to the absorbent-article main body, between the joined section on a side close to the other end section and the outer edge of the absorbent-article main body.
US08235957B2 Absorbent article with sublayer
An absorbent article includes a backsheet and a sublayer. The sublayer including at least a first acquisition layer and a second acquisition layer. The sublayer includes one or more areas with a plurality of combined holes. The combined holes are formed by holes extending through the first acquisition layer and holes in or extending through the second acquisition layer, or by holes in or extending through the second acquisition layer and indentations in the first acquisition layer. The combined holes have an average smallest dimension of at least 2 mm, and the surface areas of the holes through the first layer, or of the indentations in the first layer, are less than the corresponding surface areas of the holes in or through the second layer.
US08235953B2 Metering device and method for operating same
A metering device, a metering element, and a method for operating same, the metering element having a storage container open on one side for receiving the substances to be metered and a plunger which is axially movable and reversibly seals the opening of the storage container and which preferably has at least one centrally located metering opening for metering the substances provided in the storage container, the plunger including a separation device for particles.
US08235952B2 Auto injector
The present invention relates to a disposable injection device for delivering a dose of medicament, comprising a generally elongated housing (10), a container (14) containing medicament to be injected through a needle (16), force means (34) acting on said container and capable of, upon activation, move said container and said needle for penetration and subsequently expelling medicament through said needle, activating means (26) arranged to activate said force means, characterized in that said activating means comprises a needle shield (12) arranged slidable in relation to said housing, a collapsible holding member (58) connected to the inner end of said needle shield, whereby, upon movement of said needle shield, said collapsible holding member collapses when a certain force is applied by the needle shield, and whereby further movement of said needle shield activates said activation means, which in turn releases said force means initiating an injection of medicament.
US08235951B2 Attachment for a syringe or cartridge
The invention relates to an attachment for a syringe or cartridge having a cannula, wherein the attachment comprises a sealing element, which is molded onto the cannula.
US08235945B2 Safety device to cover the needle tip of intravenous catheter apparatus
A safety device for the needle of intravenous catheter apparatus comprising of a tip blocker which blocks the needle tip, a spring assembled in compressed state held by a disc inside the groove of the tip blocker which pushes the tip blocker downwards and a bush fitted in the needle passageway which does not allow the needle to come out of the safety device. The safety device is capable of locking inside it and covering the needle tip so that the needle of intravenous catheter apparatus can be disposed of safely.
US08235937B2 Device and method for delivering micronized therapeutic agents in the body
The present invention provides a catheter and catheter assembly for delivering micronized therapeutic agents to a target site in the body and, in particular, to a target site in the heart. The micronized therapeutic agents are delivered in aerosol form or dry powder form. The present invention also provides a method of delivering micronized therapeutic agents to a target site in the body by placing the therapeutic agents in a catheter, positioning the catheter in the target site, and exposing the therapeutic agents to an energizing mechanism sufficient to create supersonic flow to carry the therapeutic agents from a stationary state in the catheter to a mobile state towards the target site.
US08235934B2 Functional thin tube device
The object of the invention is to provide a functional thin tube device in which a pump and a liquid drawing device are constituted to be not separate without a sophisticated channel design and to correspond to various applications. A functional thin tube device includes a hollow tubular body, a plurality of vibrating ring bodies mounted as being kept in contact with the tubular body spaced an interval along an axial direction on an outer circumference of the tubular body, and an energy supply means of energy for vibrating the vibrating ring bodies. The energy supply means is constituted to supply energy such that the displacement caused by vibrations is mutually different among the vibrating ring bodies.
US08235931B2 Waste balancing for extracorporeal blood treatment systems
One or more waste balancing systems may be used in a fluid circulating system for medical use. The fluid circulating system may be part of a blood treatment system for a patient suffering renal failure. A waste balancing system may include a pressure element operable to maintain a constant fluid pressure created by the combined weight of waste removed from a patient and replacement fluid for providing to a patient. Multiple evaluation characteristics or control parameters may be evaluated or controlled for safety and accuracy. At least part of the waste balancing system may be incorporated into a disposable cartridge.
US08235926B2 Brace for restraining shoulder movement
A shoulder brace comprises a girdle, at least one tether connected to the girdle, and an arm band connected to the at least one tether. In one embodiment, the girdle includes at least one pad holder in the form of a pocket. The at least one tether is fastened at one end to the girdle. The opposite end of the tether is fastened to an arm band. The arm band of the brace may be provided as part of a separate flexible strip of material or may be integral with the opposite end of the tether. The arm band is fashioned to wrap around the arm of an athlete. With the tether secured to both the girdle and the arm band, the range of movement of the athlete's arm and shoulder is restricted.
US08235923B2 Compression device with removable portion
A device for applying compression treatment to a part of a wearer's body comprises first and second inflatable bladders spaced apart from one another along an axis of the device. A line of weakness in a connecting section between the first and second bladders extends generally transverse to the axis of the device for selectively separating the inflatable bladders from one another. The device includes an overlying layer in generally opposing relationship to one of the first and second bladder layers. The overlying layer is discontinuous generally adjacent to the line of weakness to define terminal edge margins of the overlying layer extending generally along the line of weakness. Each of the terminal edge margins are connected to at least one of the first and second bladder layers on an opposite side of the line of weakness from the other terminal edge margin.
US08235921B2 Computerized portable device for the enhancement of circulation
A portable limb-mounted device for enhancing blood and/or lymph flow in a limb and/or for preventing stasis related disorders, the device comprising an energy generating device, an actuator, one or more compressing elements for generating squeezing forces on the limb of a user, a sensor located adjacent to the body of the user and coupled to a transceiver device, and a transceiver device coupled to the sensor to receive signals generated by the sensor, to transfer the signals received from the sensor device to a computing device. The device further comprises a computerized control system including a microcontroller and a memory device to store activity related information for subsequent downloads to an external computer-based monitoring device.
US08235919B2 Ultrasonic method and device for wound treatment
An apparatus and method are provided for generating ultrasonic energy from a non-contact distance from the surface of the wound; and delivering the generated ultrasonic energy to the wound through a gaseous medium. The generated ultrasonic energy has a significantly large amplitude such that the ultrasonic energy has an intensity capable of penetrating the wound tissue to a beneficial depth to provide a therapeutic effect for decreasing the healing time for the wound.
US08235916B2 System and method for manipulating insertion pathways for accessing target sites
A method for accessing a target site in the body by transferring a guidewire from an initial insertion site on the body to a different insertion site on the body is provided. In one aspect, a method for transferring a medical device or component, such as a sensor lead, from an initial insertion site to another insertion site is also provided. A guidewire of sufficient length, pliancy and deformability to perform a transfer from one insertion site to another insertion site is provided. In one aspect, the guidewire comprises a removable core mandrel to increase rigidity, facilitate insertion and/or improve steerability. A kit or system, comprising introducers, guidewires and catheters for performing a guidewire or device transfer is also provided.
US08235912B2 Segmenting a cardiac acoustic signal
The invention relates to segmentation of cardiac acoustic signals, such as the heart sound signal, based on statistical algorithms. A duration-dependent Hidden Markov Model is disclosed which models the shifting states of the heart, based on the cardiac acoustic signal and the time spent in the given states relating to physiological events, e.g. the various states of the heart during the heart beat cycle.
US08235909B2 Method and system for controlled scanning, imaging and/or therapy
A method and system for three dimensional scanning, imaging and/or therapy are provided. In accordance with one aspect, an exemplary method and system are configured to facilitate controlled scanning within one-degree of freedom. For example, an exemplary method and system can enable multiple two-dimensional image planes to be collected in a manner to provide an accurate and computationally efficient three-dimensional image reconstruction while providing the user with a user-friendly mechanism for acquiring three-dimensional images. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, an exemplary scanning and imaging system comprises an imaging probe, a control system, a positioning system and a display system. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the positioning system comprises a guide assembly and a position sensing system. The guide assembly is configured to provide pure rectilinear or rotational motion of the probe during scanning operation while the position sensing system is configured to detect the direction and position of the probe during scanning.
US08235908B2 Blood vessel sensing catheter having working lumen for medical appliances
Devices and methods are disclosed for providing a sensing element to scan tissue and detect the presence of structures within the tissue to avoid the structures when performing a procedure on the tissue. A catheter includes a blood vessel sensing assembly and a working lumen adapted to receive a medical appliance or instrument for performing various medical procedures.
US08235906B2 System and method for accelerated focused ultrasound imaging
A system and method for performing accelerated ultrasound imaging provides significant increases in image acquisition speed using substantially simultaneous transmission of a plurality of ultrasound beams into an object being imaged. The resulting acquired echo signal contributions resulting from the reflection of the simultaneously transmitted beams off different features of the object being imaged are separated by employing a spatial decoding scheme. The spatial decoding scheme characterizes how received signals from features within the object being imaged are measured differently by each of the elements of an ultrasound transducer. The present invention may further include a temporal encoding and decoding scheme, which includes the modulation of a potion of the ultrasound beams transmitted during a portion of ultrasound data acquisition periods, to provide improved separation of the signal components from different features.
US08235903B2 Remotely controlled implantable transducer and associated displays and controls
An implantable, remotely controlled medical device that incorporates an imaging/therapy ultrasound system may be minimally invasive and equipped with an anchoring portion for securing the device within a human body. Transducers for imaging/therapy may be manipulated remotely using motors and/or selectively actuated to obtain different fields of view and stereoscopic imaging. The implantable medical device can be in the shape of a disc, double disc, sphere or pellet, for example, and may be implanted during open surgery using a manipulatable tool or using a minimally invasive image-guided sheath or catheter. The imaging system comprises one or more ultrasound transducers and can be used to provide therapy to or obtain ultrasound images of a target and surrounding volumes or focal points. The device may be controlled and report data by wired or wireless means and, if wireless, permanently worn inside the body as the patient follows their normal daily routine.
US08235902B2 System and method for tissue change monitoring during HIFU treatment
A method and apparatus is disclosed for determining the presence of tissue change due to exposure to HIFU Therapy.
US08235897B2 Device for non-invasively measuring glucose
In order to increase the accuracy of non-invasive glucose measurement, the device uses a combination of three non-invasive methods: ultrasonic, electromagnetic and thermal. The non-invasive glucose monitor comprises a Main Unit, which drives three different sensor channels (one per technology), located on an external unit configured as an ear clip attached to the subject's ear lobe. To effect the ultrasonic channel, ultrasonic piezo elements are positioned on opposing portions of the ear clip and thus opposite sides of the ear lobe. For implementation of the electromagnetic channel, capacitor plates are positioned on opposing portions of the ear clip and the ear lobe serves as the dielectric. The thermal channel includes a heater and a sensor positioned on the ear clip in close juxtaposition to the ear lobe.
US08235896B2 Analyte monitoring device and methods of use
An analyte monitor includes a sensor, a sensor control unit, and a display unit. The sensor has, for example, a substrate, a recessed channel formed in the substrate, and conductive material disposed in the recessed channel to form a working electrode. The sensor control unit typically has a housing adapted for placement on skin and is adapted to receive a portion of an electrochemical sensor. The sensor control unit also includes two or more conductive contacts disposed on the housing and configured for coupling to two or more contact pads on the sensor. A transmitter is disposed in the housing and coupled to the plurality of conductive contacts for transmitting data obtained using the sensor. The display unit has a receiver for receiving data transmitted by the transmitter of the sensor control unit and a display coupled to the receiver for displaying an indication of a level of an analyte. The analyte monitor may also be part of a drug delivery system to alter the level of the analyte based on the data obtained using the sensor.
US08235892B2 Laryngoscope dental protection device
A dental protection device for a laryngoscope includes an elongated pad with a top surface and a bottom surface, an adhesive applied to the bottom surface and a pull-tab attached to the pad.
US08235887B2 Endoscope assembly with retroscope
An endoscope includes an insertion tube having a distal end and an imaging device with a steerable extension. The proximal end of the extension is attached to the distal end of the insertion tube. An endoscope includes an insertion tube having a distal end region and a rear-viewing imaging device at least partially disposed inside the distal end region. An endoscope includes an insertion tube having a distal end cap, an imaging device, and a link that couples the imaging device to the distal end cap of the insertion tube.
US08235886B2 Implantable fixation assembly for removably securing medical device
An implantable fixation assembly (30) for removably securing a (medical) device in a human body is disclosed. The assembly includes: an anchor portion (1) securable to bone; a pair of spaced apart legs (15), at least one leg (15) being resiliently flexible, the ends (15a) of the legs (15) attached to the anchor portion (1); a clamp portion (2) attached towards or at the ends (15a) of the legs (15); a screw and nut combination having an axis of rotation longitudinal to the legs, the combination operably engaging at least one of the legs (15) so as to pull them together or push them apart thereby actuating the clamp portion (2) to secure the device, wherein the actuating is reversible for selectively gripping and releasing the device.
US08235884B2 Cardiac tissue energy dispersion device
An electromagnetic cardiac assembly adapted to assist ventricular output in a human heart includes a magnetic mat adapted for mounting inside a human body near the heart. The mat is made from a material responsive to application of an electromagnetic field so as to be movable into compressive relation with the heart in response to application of the electromagnetic field thereto and movable out of said compressive relation to permit the heart to relax when application of the electromagnetic field is discontinued. The assembly also includes an electromagnetic subassembly adapted for mounting on the human body in functionally cooperative relation with respect to the mat, and an energy dispersion device adapted for mounting between the mat and the heart. The energy dispersion device is constructed and arranged to disperse energy between the mat and the heart.
US08235883B2 Sharps disposal system
A sharps disposal system for safely collecting and disposing of medical sharps includes a cabinet defining an enclosure for receiving a removable used sharps receptacle therein. The cabinet includes a passageway through which sharps may be deposited in the sharps receptacle. A single lock, double door design facilitates safe removal and disposal of sharps deposited in the sharps receptacle.
US08235882B2 Decanter centrifuge with a hinged lid
A centrifuge housing has a lid with a hinge with two hinge parts and a horizontal hinge axis. The lid is able to rotate between a closed position, in which the lid's centre of gravity is positioned on one side of a vertical plane through the hinge axis, and a fully opened position, in which the centre of gravity is positioned on the other side of the vertical plane. A longitudinal spring is connected to a connection member for urging it longitudinally. The connection member is connected at a hinge point at a distance from the hinge axis. The spring assists raising the lid initially during opening and closing the lid initially during closing from the fully opened position. The lid has a position of stable equilibrium in an intermediate position between the closed position and a vertical position.
US08235881B2 Folder with signature support and method
A method for folding signatures is provided. The method includes the steps of forcing a trail edge of a first signature away from a folding cylinder using a signature support, tucking a second signature held by a gripper using a tucker at a first fold location and performing a mode change to tuck a further signature at a second fold location different from the first fold location, the mode change including moving the gripper and the signature support automatically with respect to the tucker. A signature support is also provided.
US08235880B2 Apparatus and methods of packaging golf balls
Embodiments include a golf ball packaging box that can be converted into a putting aid. The golf ball packaging box is configurable to be positioned in a first configuration to package golf balls for sale and is configurable to be positioned in a second configuration to present a putting aid.
US08235870B2 Method and apparatus for integrating physical exercise and interactive multimedia
A physical exercise apparatus comprises a mat/cushion device and accessories designed for fitness interactivity using an array of variations of graphics specifically placed on the mat. The locations of the graphics are provided as an aid to guide proper body positions or postures, placement and alignment in yoga and physical exercise, and for the use of creative sequencing of movement, proper technique, and body mechanics. The apparatus is a foundation and map for physical exercise programs, games, interactive play, physical therapies and methods. The apparatus contains graphics with anthropometric measurements that may be synchronized with instruction, audio and/or video displays, and/or video games containing and delivering corresponding graphics for body placement and timing. The method through instruction and gaming can be delivered auditorially and/or visually, through interactive multimedia systems, on a timed and/or touch sensitive system, as well as an array of different technologies such as the internet.
US08235868B2 Clutch control apparatus for vehicle
A clutch control apparatus for a vehicle provided with a hydraulic clutch in the middle of a power transmission path between an engine and a drive wheel. Before the clutch of the vehicle is brought into an engagement state, intermittent hydraulic pressure Y is applied to the clutch while maintaining the clutch in a disengagement state, and thereafter a predetermined hydraulic pressure is applied to the clutch to bring it into the engagement state. A solenoid valve is provided to control hydraulic pressure supplied to the clutch. Before the clutch is brought into the engagement state, a pulsed drive current D is supplied to the solenoid valve. The clutch control apparatus so configured suppresses a motion delay at the time of engaging the clutch, thereby allowing a quick and smooth start and shifting of the clutch.
US08235861B2 Split torque compound planetary drivetrain for wind turbine applications
A compound planetary gear transmission unit includes a second stage with axially staggered planets.
US08235855B2 Hydraulic control apparatus for automatic transmission
A hydraulic control apparatus for an automatic transmission includes linear solenoid valves each configured to control a line pressure in accordance with an electromagnetic force of a solenoid. The linear solenoid valves each include a spool and are controlled under a normal hydraulic control mode or a current consumption decrease mode. The spool is actuated in accordance with the electromagnetic force. An output fluid pressure is controlled to be a maximum output fluid pressure from a minimum output fluid pressure with the spool at a balanced position under the normal hydraulic control mode. A current consumption for generating the electromagnetic force is decreased to make the fluid pressure equal to or lower than the minimum output fluid pressure under the normal hydraulic control mode and to hold the fluid pressure within a range corresponding to the balanced position under the current consumption decrease mode.
US08235853B2 Hybrid transmissions with planetary gearsets
A transmission for use in a motor vehicle having an engine and a driveline is provided. The transmission includes an input shaft driven by the engine, an output shaft adapted for connection to the driveline, a mainshaft, a first planetary gearset, a motor/generator and a second planetary gearset. The first planetary gearset includes a first input member driven by the input shaft, a first output member driving the mainshaft and a first reaction member. The second planetary gearset includes a second input member, a second output member fixed to the output shaft and a ring gear operable to drive or be driven by the motor/generator. A rotor of the motor/generator circumscribes and is fixed to the ring gear.
US08235852B2 Power transmission belt
A power transmission belt having a body with a rubber layer defining spaced friction drive surfaces at laterally oppositely facing side surfaces. Short reinforcing fibers are embedded in the rubber layer in an amount of 15-50 parts by weight per 100 weight percent of rubber in the rubber layer. The short reinforcing fibers include polyamide short reinforcing fibers that make up at least 50 weight percent of the short reinforcing fibers embedded in the rubber layer. A plurality of the polyamide short reinforcing fibers project from the friction drive surfaces and have exposed, flattened ends. Flat particles of inorganic powder are adhered to the friction drive surfaces to reside captively between the flattened ends of the polyamide short reinforcing fibers and locations on the friction drive surfaces at which the short reinforcing fibers do not project.
US08235850B2 Multiple sprocket assembly
A multiple sprocket assembly for a bicycle includes a larger diametrical sprocket and a smaller diametrical sprocket. The larger diametrical sprocket includes at least one auxiliary guiding portion for facilitating a bicycle chain to shift from the smaller diametrical sprocket to the larger diametrical sprocket.
US08235849B2 Combined chain ring protector and chain guide
A combined chain guide and chain ring protector for a bicycle for off-road use having a lower bracket sleeve, a chain ring around which a drive chain extends and a chain ring outer radius. The protector includes a mounting bracket secured at the lower bracket sleeve and a guard mounted thereto. An outer edge of the guard extends beyond the outer radius of the chain ring, thereby protecting a portion of the chain ring from inadvertent impacts. The chain guide extends from the mounting bracket along a path of the drive chain, and preferably includes an upper guide having an inner barrier positioned inboard of the bicycle chain an outer barrier positioned outboard of the inner barrier and an upper barrier positioned above the bicycle chain for preventing the chain from derailing from the chain ring in an upward direction.
US08235848B2 Vehicle transmission having continuously variable transmission ratio
A vehicle transmission with continuously variable transmission ratios, which has a first conical disk pair arranged on a first shaft, and a second conical disk pair arranged on a second shaft, a belt arranged between the conical disk pairs, and an input shaft which has an output wheel mounted rotatably thereon. The input shaft can optionally be rotationally engaged with the first or second shaft and the output wheel can be rotationally engaged with the respectively other shaft. Also, a multi-disk clutch transmits a rotational force between the input shaft and the first or second shaft and the output wheel can be rotationally engaged with the other shaft by way of a dog clutch. The first multi-disk clutch and the first dog clutch can be actuated by a first hydraulically actuated device and the second multi-disk clutch and the second dog clutch can be actuated by a second hydraulically actuated device.
US08235845B2 Variable density core golf balls
A golf ball is provided having a modified density gradient among the inner layers to produce a desired high or low moment of inertia and controlled spin rate is disclosed. The golf ball has three or more inner layers in addition to a cover, and the density of the inner layers is selected such that the layers inside the cover have a density progression from the core to the cover or from the cover to the core.
US08235843B1 Golf club head with composite weight port
A golf club head having a face component, a crown, and a composite sole or a composite body patch with one or more weight ports for receiving one or more weight inserts is disclosed herein. At least part of each of the weight ports is integrally formed in the composite sole or composite body patch, and each of the weight ports include a weight receiving region for receiving a weight and a screw receiving region for receiving a screw that secures the weight in the weight port.
US08235839B2 Interchangeable shaft system
A golf club incorporating an interchangeable shaft system includes a shaft, a shaft sleeve, a club head. The shaft sleeve is coupled to an end of the shaft and is received in a hosel included in the club head. The shaft sleeve is removably coupled to the club head. Hosel and shaft sleeve alignment features provide discreet orientations between the shaft and club head.
US08235838B2 Temporary golf club shaft-component connection
A temporary shaft-component connection for assembling a selected golf club shaft with a club head and/or hand grip segment, to facilitate custom club design and fitting to suit the needs and preferences of an individual golfer. The temporary shaft-component connection is particularly designed for use with nonmetallic club shafts formed from a graphite-based composite material or the like having a range of different lengths and stiffness (whip) characteristics. In a shaft-head connection, a metal adapter insert is mounted onto a lower end of the club shaft and includes one or more flat surfaces for reception into a matingly shaped socket in the hosel of a selected club head to prevent relative rotation between the club shaft and head. A compression nut carried on the shaft is threaded onto the hosel to axially engage and retain a thrust flange on the shaft or adapter or adapter insert, to prevent axial separation of the club head and shaft.
US08235837B2 Interchangeable shaft system
A golf club incorporating an interchangeable shaft system includes a shaft, a shaft sleeve, a club head. The shaft sleeve is coupled to an end of the shaft and is received in a hosel included in the club head. The shaft sleeve is removably coupled to the club head. Hosel and shaft sleeve alignment features provide discreet orientations between the shaft and club head.
US08235833B2 Transitioning hollow golf clubs
The present invention relates to a set of golf club irons in which some of the club heads have a hollow space, and some of the club heads do not have a hollow space. The hollow space is preferably defined by a lower portion of the front face, a portion of the sole, and a rear wall. The presence of the hollow space moves the club head center of gravity back (away from the face) and down (toward the sole), making it easier to get a golf ball airborne. The volumes of the hollow spaces generally transition or get progressively smaller with an increase in the club loft angle, thus altering the center of gravity location and moments of inertia by different amounts for different clubs. The hollow spaces may be empty or filled, in whole or part.
US08235832B2 Set of iron clubs with constant ground roll
A set of iron clubs where each club in the set has the same or substantially the same ground roll. The set is produced by adjusting at least two club design characteristics of the clubs based upon measured or assumed player swing data. The design characteristics of the clubs include club length, static clubhead loft, location of the center of gravity, shaft flexibility, and groove volume. Preferably, club length and static clubhead loft are adjusted for coarse adjustments, while the other characteristics are used to fine-tune the design.
US08235827B2 Compliant joint
Disclosed is a compliant joint achieving passive compliance. The compliant joint includes a housing and a rotating member mutually rotatably provided; and a cam provided between the housing and the rotating member, and connected to the housing and the rotating member respectively. The cam is connected to the rotating member to rotate together with the rotation of the rotating member, or be independent of the rotating member so as to move in the axial direction of the rotating member separately from the rotating member. The cam is connected to the housing such that the cam can maintain the connection with the housing when external force below a designated value is applied to the rotating member, and release the connection with the housing in the case that external force more than the designated value is applied to the rotating member.
US08235825B2 Smart card holder for automated gaming system and gaming cards
Methods and systems for intelligent tracking and/or play and/or management of card gaming use an intelligent card distribution or holding device with detectors for determine the value and unique identity of individual cards and for recording card play. In specific embodiments, the system utilizes various types of sensors and electronic circuits and software to scan, track, monitor, compute, and interface with electronic devices, to enable the automatic operation of Casino table games. The system can scan playing cards, scan gaming chips, indicate a players win/loss/draw, increase and or decrease player betting positions. Compute awards to players based on their playing activity, photograph individual players, and transmit player's images to casino security/surveillance departments and or other authorized casino personnel. The system may activate table displays that indicate each player's win/loss/draw of their bets, and or dealers card count, indicate in the game of blackjack when a dealer has blackjack, or any other significant event that occurs such as indicating when a player has a winning/loss/draw on specific card combinations.
US08235820B2 Gaming device system allowing photos to be downloaded as game indicia on gaming device and method of use
A system and method for allowing users to select photos from social networking websites (e.g., Facebook®) or other dedicated websites for use with select gaming devices wherein the selected photos are used as game indicia (e.g., game reel indicia). Thus, instead of cherries and bars, the gaming device may depict photos of a player's girlfriend and pet. “Friends” of the player may also be able to observe the real-time gaming activities of the player via the social networking website or other dedicated website.
US08235815B1 Capture and utilization of real-world data for use in gaming systems such as video games
A portable sensor unit for capturing motion and/or other data may be securely mounted on objects such as a user's limb, a vehicle, or other items. The sensor unit may then collect motion and/or other data from the object to which it is affixed, and may provide this data to a data logger which stores the data. The data logger may subsequently communicate the data to a gaming system which may tailor the motion characteristics of a virtual object to resemble those of the real-world object from which the motion data was captured. Thus, a user can (for example) capture motion data from a vehicle, with this data being supplied to a video gaming unit which provides a virtual vehicle having the same acceleration/deceleration, handling, and other characteristics.
US08235812B2 Gaming system having multiple player simultaneous display/input device
A game table having a multiplayer interactive display/input device which enables multiple players to simultaneously play primary or base wagering games and/or secondary or bonus games using the display/input device. The display/input device enables multiple players to simultaneously interact with the game table and the various games using the same display/input device. The game table enables multiple players to manipulate displayed objects (such as virtual cards or other game symbols) displayed by the display/input device at the same time. This enables the display/input device to simultaneously display the same game to multiple players in an integrated seamless manner without the need for multiple different sets of display devices and input devices for each of the players.
US08235809B2 Gaming machine allowing a player to change the volatility of a game based on an amount of play history
The present invention is a gaming machine for playing a game and paying out an award according to play results, comprising a detector which recognizes a play history of a player, an analyzer which analyzes the play history, a controller which changes a volatility of the game according to the play history, and an initiator which initiates the game with changed volatility.
US08235807B1 System for managing accounting
A method for managing game accounting on at least one gaming machine comprising one or more active games is provided. The method comprises providing a memory means operatively connected to the gaming machine, wherein the memory means comprises a set of active game meters for each active game on the gaming machine, and one set of removed game meters accumulating data corresponding to all games removed from the gaming machine. Active game data is received and stored in applicable active game meters. For any removed game, the game state data is captured prior to the game's removal and is stored in the applicable accumulating removed game meters. The stored game data is accessed in the active and removed game meters and a theoretical win value is used to determine the overall gaming machine performance.
US08235805B2 Cashless computerized video game system and method
A system and method for operating one or more games for a plurality of players including identifying at least two players participating in a selected one of the games at the expiration of a predetermined time period, and establishing a wager pool corresponding to a total of wager amounts from each of the identified players. The wager pool is reduced by a takeout amount. One or more random numbers are generated, and one or more winners of the selected game are determined based on the one or more random numbers. Funds are distributed from the wager pool to the determined one or more winners of the selected game.
US08235803B2 Gaming machines with normalized power consumption
An exemplary power manager is adapted to supply power from a power supply to a first component of a gaming machine. The first component consumes a larger amount of current during a second time interval than during a first time interval, where the first component alternates between the first and second time intervals during operation. A rechargeable energy storage device is used to supply a substantial portion of the current to the first component during the second time interval from energy stored in the energy storage device prior to the start of the second time interval. This causes the current supplied from the power supply to the power manager during the second time interval to be less than the total current required by the first component during the second time interval and thus reduces the peak current load of the power supply during the second time interval.
US08235801B2 Gaming system and method for providing enhanced player opportunities for depositing monetary amounts above a designated level
An apparatus and method providing at least one input device which enables a player to deposit an amount of money into a gaming device and a memory device configured to store the deposited amount of money. The gaming device displays the amount of money deposited by the player on a credit meter or display. The gaming device includes a game operable upon a wager. The gaming device further includes at least one input device for enabling the player to initiate a play of the game by inputting the wager using the deposited funds. The game includes a plurality of award opportunities. The gaming device determines which of the award opportunities will be employed based on the amount of money deposited by the player. In one embodiment, the gaming device provides an enhanced award opportunity if the amount of money deposited by the player is at or above a designated amount of money. In one embodiment, the deposited amounts are on a gaming system, such as a gaming system accessed through the internet.
US08235800B2 System and method for substantially removing chance from a mixed contest of chance and skill
The system and methods of the present application comprise one or more computers for substantially removing the element of chance in a contest that would normally be on whose outcome would be determined by a mixture of chance and skill. The system comprises one or more computers that interact with a user in order to reduce or eliminate the elements of chance, thereby forcing the contest to obey the law of averages within a finite number of iterations of the contest, thereby reducing variance and increasing the success of skillful players.
US08235792B2 Game method using community lines
The claimed embodiments contemplate methods, systems and apparatuses directed to gaming machines that provide a common reel display for multiple players. Various combinations of reel lines, utilized to determine possible wins from symbols across multiple reels, of the reel display, may be available to the players. For example, a first player may be permitted to bet on one set of reel lines and a second player may bet on another set of reel lines. Also, for example, both players may bet on some reel lines and other reel lines may only be available to certain players. A community reel line may also be made available to both players or perhaps just one player upon satisfaction of certain conditions. The ability to have multiple players bet on a common reel display advantageously adds to the excitement and enjoyment of a gaming session.
US08235790B2 Slot machine
A slot machine includes a display device for displaying a symbol matrix display region in which plural types of symbols are displayed; a memory for storing data concerning a number of predetermined symbols arranged in the symbol matrix display region; and a processor for controlling the display device and the memory, the processor being programmed to: (a) execute a basic game; (b) rearrange the plural types of symbols in the symbol matrix display region during the basic game; (c) cumulatively store in the memory, the data concerning the number of the predetermined symbols from among the plural types of symbols, the predetermined symbols being rearranged in the symbol matrix display region during the basic game; (d) determine a number of times in executing a free game by executing a sub game by a number of times equal to the number of the predetermined symbols rearranged in the symbol matrix display region by referring to the data concerning the number of the predetermined symbols stored in the memory; and (e) execute the free game based on the number of times determined in the itemized (d).
US08235788B1 Integrated display and input system
A display and input system 10 provides an enhanced means for displaying service and system information 14 from a system network 18 to a player and to a casino employee. The display and input system 10 enables part or all of a video display screen 40 in a gaming device 50, which had previously been used only as a gaming interface 30, to be utilized as a systems interface 20 for data entry and retrieval of the service and system information 14. This provides a dramatic improvement over traditional system components 60 (input/output peripherals) that have been used as in the past to access service and system information 14 from the system network 18, such as 2-line, 20 character VF displays and 12-digit keypads. The display and input system 10, does not control game play itself (e.g., game play betting, game play flow, or game play operation). Rather, the system 10 provides a limited form of game play monitoring, indirectly, with respect to the monitoring player points.
US08235783B2 Wagering games utilizing a play or pass methodology related application data
A monitor screen is provided on which symbols may be provided for use in video wagering games, including poker games, card games, slot games, bingo and keno. The player makes a wager to purchase a block of sequentially-playable games. The wager is the aggregate total of the wagers placed on each individual game. This aggregate total wager becomes the wager for the first game. A first partial (or intermediate) outcome of the first game is displayed. The player, having certain information about the potential final outcome from the partially displayed outcome, may choose to either: (a) play the partial first game to a final conclusion, or (b) pass by forfeiting the wager for the individual game. If the player decides to play the first game to its conclusion, the player will either lose the aggregate total wager, or win according to a predetermined paytable, in either case terminating any further play of the remaining games. If the player passes, the individual game wager is forfeited, and the partial outcome of the next sequential game in the block is displayed. The wager on this next or second game is the aggregate total wager minus the first single game wager. The process is repeated, subtracting individual passed game wagers from the aggregate total wager, until the player plays a game to its conclusion.
US08235779B2 Gaming machine determining payout symbol in second game requiring more player's involvement
The present invention provides a gaming machine which: displays a moving symbol on a main display in a case where a plurality of specific symbols are displayed; displays a plurality of score symbols associated with scores on a second display from a first side edge to a second side edge of the second display; displays the moving symbol in a direction that intersects with a moving direction of the score symbols displayed on the second display in response to each input from an input device; and, in a case where the moving symbol is determined to superimpose any one of the plurality of score symbols, provides an award corresponding to a score of the score symbol being superimposed.
US08235774B2 Poultry wing portioner
A poultry wing portioner is provided for separating poultry wings. The portioner includes a loop conveyor, a wing holder, a circular saw, and driving means for the loop conveyor and the circular saw. The portioner is configured to allow a user to place poultry wings onto the holder, which is conveyed past the circular saw. The circular saw cuts poultry wings into the portions of a drumette, a midwing, and a wingtip.
US08235772B2 Method and device for pin removal in a confined space
A method for drilling or cutting a pin surrounded by solid material includes the use of a water jet tool having a nozzle that is arranged at an angle with respect to a main body of the water jet tool. The water jet is directed over a portion of the surface of the pin, and removes that portion thereby fragmenting the pin. In order to minimize damage to the surrounding material, the portions removed touches the interface between the pin and the surrounding solid material at a minimal number of points and over a minimal extent of the interface. The method is applicable in particular to the removal of pins used in a press-fit for the securing of blades on a turbine rotor. The method facilitates “in situ” removal of pins within a confined space in a short time and at reduced cost.
US08235766B2 Full torso maternity garment
A maternity garment, which provides mild support to shape a woman's body and to act as a suspender for bottoms such as pants, shorts, or skirts that may be ill fitting due to body changes as a result of pregnancy, wherein the preferred garment has at least one shoulder strap, a belly panel, a hip band, two side panels, and a back panel, and is made of high performance fabric with varying degrees of compression.
US08235763B1 Fighting purr game call
A turkey game call includes a housing assembly and a striker assembly to generate fighting purr sounds. The housing assembly may include a base, a wall surrounding the periphery of the base, and a beam extending across the base. The striker assembly may include a control handle, a central hub connected to said handle, and a pair of striker plates connected to said central hub. Two posts are connected to the base proximate said striker plates, with each striker plate engaging one of said corresponding posts to generate the fighting purr sounds.
US08235757B2 Plug
An electrical connector for terminating a cable formed of twisted pairs, including a termination assembly having a divider for dividing and guiding the pairs to a respective termination location and a pair of contacts positioned adjacent each location where wires of each pair are separated for termination. The electrical connector is preferably an RJ plug and the divider is preferably mounted on a printed circuit board which is provided with a laser trimmed tuneable circuit to compensate for crosstalk.
US08235753B2 Contact, and card adaptor and card connector having the same
In a contact of the present invention, a first plate spring piece portion 11c having a first fulcrum portion 11b in one side extends in a cantilevered manner from the first fulcrum portion 11b in a direction opposite to a card insertion direction so as to be elastically deformable in a thickness direction of the card. A second plate spring piece portion 11e having in one side a second fulcrum portion 11d which is the other side of the first plate spring piece portion 11c is formed in a shape where the second plate spring piece portion extends at an inclination angle from the second fulcrum portion 11d in the card insertion direction so as to be elastically deformable in the card thickness direction. The other side of the second plate spring piece portion 11e is to be contacted with the contact pad 2 of the card 1.
US08235751B2 Coaxial cable port locking terminator and method of use thereof
Disclosed herein is a coaxial cable interface port locking terminator including an outer terminator housing and an inner connector body housed within the outer terminator housing. The coaxial cable interface port locking terminator further includes a ratcheting device in operable communication with the outer terminator housing and the inner connector body, the ratcheting device preventing rotation of the outer terminator housing with respect to the inner connector body when the outer terminator housing is rotated in the first direction, the ratcheting device including at least one separate component from the outer terminator housing and the inner connector body. Furthermore, rotation of the outer terminator housing in a second direction does not cause rotation of the inner connector body in the second direction.
US08235748B2 External quick connect modular plug for a wiring device
The modular electrical wiring device includes an electrical wiring device and an external plug that is electrically coupled by one or more wires to the wiring device. The modular plug is releasably coupled to a connector in a male-female relationship. Both the modular plug and connector include internal contacts for electrically coupling one to the other. The connector is electrically coupled to and directly terminates one or more building wires, which are used to provide power to one or more of the wiring devices. The external plug is removably coupled to the connector to provide electrical power to the wiring device by establishing and electrical pathway from a source of electrical power, through the building wires, the connector and the modular plug to the wiring device.
US08235744B1 Electrical connection system including connector body with integral primary and secondary latch
A first connector is matable to a second connector in an electrical connection system. The first connector has a connector body that contains a primary and a secondary latch. The respective latches and the connector body of the first connector are molded to form a single unitary piece. The single unitary piece is constructed to define a space intermediate the primary latch and the connector body. The space is adapted to fit a latch position assurance lock to prevent displacement of the primary latch. The primary and the secondary latch respectively communicate with at least one primary and at least one secondary latch ramp disposed on the second connector when at least the first connector is unmated from the second connector. A method to assemble an electrical connection system using the single unitary piece of the first connector is also provided.
US08235739B2 Electrical connector
An electrical connector comprising a housing provided with an opening through which an FPC is inserted into the housing, a plurality of conductive contacts arranged on the housing for coming into contact with signal connecting terminals on the FPC inserted in the housing, and a conductive shell mounted on the housing and provided therein with a holding member operative to hold the FPC inserted in the housing and a releasing member extending from the holding member to be operative to release the FPC from holding by the holding member, wherein the holding member includes an engaging projection for engaging with an engaging edged portion provided on the FPC inserted in the housing and the releasing member includes a handle portion positioned on the outside of the housing to be handled for causing the engaging projection of the holding member to disengage from the engaging edged portion on the FPC inserted in the housing.
US08235736B2 Connector
A connector is connectable to a cable having a plurality of signal wires and a drain wire. Each of the signal wires includes a signal conductor. The connector comprises a plurality of contacts, a holding member and a shell. The holding member is provided with an accommodating portion configured to accommodate an end part of the drain wire. The accommodating portion extends through the holding portion along a predetermined direction. The contacts configured to be connected to the signal conductors, respectively. The contacts are held by the holding member so that connection works between the contacts and the signal conductors are performable along the predetermined direction. The shell covers, at least in part, the holding member. The shell has a fixing portion exposed in the accommodating portion so that the end part of the drain wire is fixable to the fixing portion within the accommodating portion.
US08235734B2 Electrical connector
An electrical connector that includes: an insulating body, having a plurality of receiving holes disposed thereon, a plurality of solder balls, respectively received in one of the receiving holes, a plurality of terminals, in which each terminal has a base correspondingly received in one of the receiving holes, a first extending portion and a second extending portion extend downwards from the base, a first hook extends laterally from an end of the first extending portion, a second hook extends laterally from an end of the second extending portion, and the first hook and the second hook respectively hook a periphery of the solder ball under a horizontal center line of the solder ball.
US08235733B2 Electrical connector for circuit board
In an electrical connector to be attached to a circuit board, a terminal has a contact section on one free end side to contact with a terminal of a mating connector and has a connecting section on the other free end side to be connected by soldering to a circuit portion of a circuit board. The terminal has a holding section and a connecting section. The holding section has a face-contact section, a backside section, and a side-face section. The terminal has a low solder wetting area at least on a part of a circumferential area of the holding section in the longitudinal direction, and the contact section is formed above the upper end of the low solder wetting area on the backside section. The upper end of the low solder wetting area is provided below the upper end at the side-face sections and the contact-face section.
US08235732B2 Battery system
A high voltage connector for a battery system includes an upper body having a first portion and a second portion. The first portion of the upper body is located internal to a battery system housing and configured to receive at least one contact from the battery system. The second portion is located external to the battery system housing and is configured to receive at least one contact from a vehicle. The high voltage connector also includes a lower body coupled to the upper body and at least one connecting member provided between the upper body and the lower body. The connecting member is configured to conductively connect the contact of the battery system to the contact of the vehicle.
US08235729B2 Connector
A connector has an insulating housing of which two opposite ends extended frontward to form a pair of supporting arms, terminals mounted in the insulating housing having soldering portions projected out of a bottom of the insulating housing, and a positioning member. The positioning member has a base slice. A rear of a side edge the base slice is extended downward to form a holding slice movably received in a through slot recessed at the supporting arm. A front of the side edge of the base slice is extended downward and then bent perpendicularly to form a soldering slice. As the height between the base slice and the soldering slice is bigger than that of the supporting arm, the positioning member is capable of moving up-and-down to adjust the relative position between the soldering slice and the soldering portions of the terminals.
US08235728B2 Apparatus for practicing ophthalmologic surgical techniques
An apparatus for teaching and practicing an ophthalmologic surgical technique of creating the continuous curvilinear capsulorhexis comprises a flexible and removable cellophane-type cover, which is wrapped substantially around a putty-like malleable body to mimic the human anterior lens capsule and lens anatomy.
US08235726B2 Process and system for simulation or digital synthesis of sonographic images
The invention relates to a method for the simulation or digital synthesis of echographic images, characterized by the direct transformation in real time, or quasi real time, of the information contained in an IRM-type medical or veterinary image, without delimitation or segmentation of the bodies or structures contained in the volume of data of the IRM image, according to at least one two-dimensional observation window which can be modified in real time, or quasi real time, in terms of the dimension, position, direction and orientation thereof, the characteristics thereof depending on the type of virtual echographic probe determined, and reproducing all of the attenuation, reflection, refraction and dispersion effects, and the regulation effects of a real echographic image, each echographic image supplied cumulating the results of the simulations of the pre-cited effects.
US08235725B1 Computerized method of assessing consumer reaction to a business stimulus employing facial coding
A computerized method of assessing an individual's reaction to a business stimulus. The method involves (a) visually recording facial expressions of a human subject as the subject is exposed to a business stimulus so as to generate a chronological sequence of recorded facial images; (b) automatically detecting and recording expressional repositioning of each of a plurality of selected facial features by conducting a computerized comparison of the facial position of each selected facial feature through sequential facial images, (c) automatically coding contemporaneously detected and recorded expressional repositionings to at least one of an action unit, one or more emotions, or a combination of an affiliation value and a motivation value, and (d) reporting a tally of at least one of the coded action units, coded emotions or coded combination of an affiliation value and a motivation value over a given time period along with an identification of the business stimulus to which the subject was exposed during that given time period.
US08235723B2 Flight simulator yoke
A flight simulator yoke is provided having a single handle having a handgrip and yoke shaft operable from a left side of a user, wherein a neutral position for the handle is at a 45 degree angle. The yoke may further include two trim axes traverse to each other; and two moveable spring devices. The spring devices are operatively coupled to the trim axes, each spring device having a positive center detent, wherein the positive center detent requires a predetermined amount of force in order to move the yoke along each trim axis. The flight simulator yoke may simulate a yoke of a Cirrus aircraft.
US08235721B2 Dental implants for implantation in a human or animal jawbone and methods of manufacturing same
The subject matter of the invention is, in one example, a dental implant for implantation in a human or animal jawbone with an implant for receiving a dental prosthesis. Providing a dental implant that can be implanted with less discomfort for the patient is achieved in that the implant is at least in parts surrounded with bone substance of the patient, said bone substance not originating from the place in the jaw of the patient at which the dental implant is intended to be implanted.
US08235712B1 High temperature heat-shrink steam tunnel
A device intended to assist in the accurate and controlled shrinkage of thermo-shrinkable container-jacketing material. Said device producing at least an elevated temperature in a heated processing zone. Heat energy available in said heated processing zone primarily derived from a first heat source, preferably pressurized steam. Said first heat source steam exhibiting preferred characteristics related to the controlled shrinking of thermo-shrinkable materials. A second heat source, other than steam, acting in cooperative relationship with said first heat source steam, delaying the decay of one or more preferred characteristics of said first heat source steam. Said first heat source steam, urging said heat-shrinkable materials to shrink, substantially conforming to receiving containers in a preferred manner along one or more axis.
US08235710B2 Device and method for continuously and catalytically removing binder, with improved flow conditions
The apparatus for the continuous catalytic removal of binder from metallic and/or ceramic shaped bodies produced by powder injection molding, which comprises a binder removal furnace through which the shaped bodies pass in a transport direction and are brought to a suitable process temperature, a feed facility for introduction of a process gas which is required for binder removal and comprises a reactant, at least one facility for the introduction of a protective gas into a reaction space of the binder removal furnace and a flare to burn the gaseous reaction products obtained in binder removal, wherein one or more devices which lead to a flow of the process gas directed transversely to the transport direction in the apparatus are present.
US08235709B2 Multi-output valve and burner useful to promote non-stationary flame
A valve useful in distributing gas received in one inlet to several outlets in a sequence, and burner apparatus including this valve for feeding material in sequence to outlets of a burner thereby forming a non-stationary flame at the burner.
US08235708B2 Heater configured to operate with a first or second fuel
A heater can be configured to operate with either a first fuel at a first pressure or a second fuel at a second pressure and can include an elongated tubular combustion chamber, a first combustion chamber nozzle outlet, a second combuston chamber nozzel outley, and a fluid flow controller. In some embodiments, the fluid flow controller is configured to direct the first fuel to the first combustion chamber nozzle outlet and then to the second combustion chamber nozzle ourlet when the controller is in a first position. In a second position, the fluid flow controller is configured to direct the second fuel to the second combustion chamber nozzle outlet.
US08235705B2 Apparatus for producing a sulfur concrete substance
A sulfur-containing material in a melt state is stored in material hopper 1 heated to a temperature within a preset temperature range of which a lower limit is equal to or above a melting point of sulfur. The stored sulfur-containing material is sucked by pressure generators 2a, 2b and pulled out into cylinders 11a, 11b heated to a temperature within the preset temperature range. The pulled out sulfur-containing material is pushed out from the cylinders under predetermined pressure applied by the pressure generator, and thereafter, the resultant material is injected from injection port 24 into mold 5 having therein a cavity which can be hermetically sealed and the mold being heated to a temperature within the preset temperature range. The injection port of the mold after the sulfur-containing material is fully injected in the cavity is closed. By stopping heating of the mold, the sulfur-containing material injected in the cavity is slowly cooled. After that, a modified sulfur concrete substance formed by cooling and solidifying the sulfur-containing material in the cavity is taken out from the mold.
US08235703B2 Apparatus for transferring doses
An apparatus for transferring doses includes a forming arrangement for forming an object from a dose of flowable material and a transferring arrangement for transferring the dose to the forming arrangement. The transferring arrangement has a recess for receiving the dose. The recess is provided with a rolling arrangement for guiding the dose inside the transferring arrangement.
US08235702B2 Apparatuses and methods for processing doses of flowable material
An apparatus comprises an extruding device having a dispensing opening for extruding a flowable material along an exit direction through the dispensing opening, and a cutting arrangement for separating a dose from the flowable material, the cutting arrangement being movable with a motion component that is parallel to the exit direction.
US08235696B2 In-mold forming apparatus, in-mold forming method, in-mold formed article manufacturing method, and dust collector
An in-mold forming apparatus including a first mold and a second mold for injection molding and a film feeding mechanism for feeding in-mold foil between the first mold and the second mold. A transfer foil is formed on the in-mold foil. The in-mold forming apparatus further includes a mold closing mechanism for closing the first mold and the second mold, thereby to fix the in-mold foil inside a cavity formed between the first mold and the second mold, a resin injection forming mechanism for injecting fused resin into the cavity, thereby to unit the transfer foil formed on the in-mold foil with the resin, and a charger arranged in the neighborhood of at least one of the first mold, the second mold, and the in-mold foil. The charger includes a charging unit for freeing ions and charging particles in the neighborhood of the in-mold foil, and an electrode for adsorbing the particles charged by the ions.
US08235695B2 Pattern forming device, pattern forming method, and device manufacturing method
Six auxiliary sheet holders SH2 and SH3 temporarily holding a sheet S are minutely driven in the −Z-axis direction by a control device so that holding surfaces thereof are positioned on the slightly lower side (−Z side) of the holding surface of the sheet holder SH1. Accordingly, an appropriate tension is applied to the sheet S in the width direction (Y-axis direction) and the longitudinal direction, so that the center portion of the sheet S is fixed onto the holding surface of the sheet holder SH1. That is, in the state where an XY two-dimensional tension is applied to a separate area SAi of the sheet S, a rear surface portion corresponding to the separate area SAi of the sheet S is changed in accordance with the flat shape of the holding surface of the sheet holder SH1. In addition, in the state where the tension is applied to the predetermined area in the longitudinal direction and the width direction, the rear surface portion corresponding to the predetermined area of the sheet material S is changed in accordance with the flat reference surface so as to be flattened. In addition, the predetermined area of the flattened sheet material is irradiated with an energy beam so as to form a pattern thereon.
US08235694B2 Injection mold for forming a light guide plate
An injection mold for forming a light guide plate including a first block, a second block configured to face the first block, a forming portion included between the first and second blocks facing each other and having a shape of the light guide plate, an injection portion formed at the first block and configured to receive injected resin for forming the light guide plate, and a gate portion configured to guide the injected resin from the injection portion to the forming portion. Further, a width of a first end portion of the gate portion that is connected to the forming portion is 50%-80% of a width of the forming portion.
US08235693B2 Power supply device for electrically driven injection molding machine and electrically driven injection molding machine
A power supply device for supplying an electric power to a servo amplifier is configured by an AC/DC converter and a power accumulating device. Among a molding cycle, during a process where an amount of consumed power is small, a DC voltage is supplied to the servo amplifier from the AC/DC converter and a power is accumulated in the power accumulating device. In a process such as an injection process where a large power is required, a high DC voltage is supplied to the servo amplifier from the power accumulating device in place of the AC/DC converter.
US08235691B2 Dual displacement external gear pump
An external gear pump which has a certain flow rate or volumetric capacity at a given speed can be taken apart and the parts rearranged and assembled into a second pump operating at the same speed with a flow rate or volumetric capacity that is different from the original pump. No new parts are required for the second pump configuration and all original parts are used. With this structure, pumps with different flow rates can be built using fewer parts than conventional designs.
US08235684B2 Air pump capable of inflating and deflating an inflatable product
An air pump includes a sliding member disposed movably a housing and cooperating with the housing and a partition casing in the housing to define first and second chambers thereamong. The air pump is operable between a deflation state, where air from an inflatable product connected to an air nozzle on the housing into an air impeller chamber in the partition casing through the first chamber and an air inlet in the partition casing is driven by rotation of an air impeller to flow outside the air pump through an air outlet in the partition casing, the second chamber and an first vent unit in housing, and an inflation state, where air flowing from the outside into the air impeller chamber through a second vent unit in the sliding member, an air pipe of the sliding member and the air inlet is driven to flow into the inflatable product through the air outlet, the first chamber and the air nozzle.
US08235682B2 Pump including an insertion valve sleeve having at least one orifice
Pump, in particular a servo steering pump for motor vehicles, having a flow control valve and a valve sleeve which has inflow openings to the flow control valve and a pressure connection to a hydraulic load.
US08235677B2 Compressing diaphragm pump having automatic air expelling and pressure abnormal-preventing features for spray use
A compressing diaphragm pump having automatic air expelling and pressure abnormal-preventing features for spray use has a hollow tubular air discharge assembly having a plunger body and compressed spring as well as an air passage pierced at the wall of the water exit port and an air discharge orifice pierced of the central top surface of the air discharge assembly for connecting with the plunger body. When air is mixed within the pressurized water, the resilient force of the compressed spring is bigger than the water pressure of the pressurized water. This allows the air mixed in the pressurized water to get into the air passage and pass the plunger opening of the plunger body via through pore, and is dispelled out of the upper hood via the air discharge orifice of the air discharge assembly.
US08235676B2 Net-displacement control of fluid motors and pumps
Methods for controlling the net-displacement of a rotary fluid pressure device are disclosed. One of the net-displacement control methods (47) includes obtaining a desired input parameter (23) and a relative position (21) of a first member (43) and a second member (35) of a fluid displacement mechanism. A determination of a first and second output value is then made for each of a plurality of volume chambers (45) when the volume chambers (45) are supplied with fluid at fluid inlet and fluid outlet conditions, respectively. A total output value is then computed for each of a plurality of control valve configurations (63) and compared to the desired input parameter (23). The control valve configuration (63) with the total output value most similar to the desired input parameter (23) is then selected. A plurality of control valves (15) are then actuated in accordance with the selected control valve configuration (63).
US08235672B2 Fan
A fan includes a hub and a plurality of blades formed on the hub with a rake angle. In an axial direction of the hub, no part of a trailing edge of any of the blades is disposed past an air outlet end of the hub at more than a distance approximately equal to 25% of a diameter of the hub.
US08235671B2 Wind turbine blade shear web connection assembly
A wind turbine blade has upper and lower shell members with a respective spar cap configured on an internal face of the shell members. A shear web extends between the spar caps along a longitudinal length of the blade. A connection assembly is configured between the transverse ends of the shear web and the spar caps and includes a channel structure configured on the spar cap. The channel structure includes rigid side walls that extend from the spar cap along the longitudinal sides of the shear web. Bond paste is disposed between the channel structure side walls and the longitudinal sides of the shear web.
US08235669B2 Axial flow hydraulic turbine with blade mounting
A hydraulic turbine has a runner blade fixedly mounted to a runner hub. The runner blade has a mounting flange having a generally rectangular shape held in contact with a complementary generally rectangular shaped outside surface portion of the runner hub. The complementary rectangular shapes increases surface contact area between the blade mounting flange and the hub over that of circular shaped flanges and thereby reduces the stress levels between the blade flange and the hub. Further, the surface contact area between the blade mounting flange and the blade root is increased to thereby reduce the stress level in the blade root fillets.
US08235668B2 Multiblade air blower
A multiblade air blower has a multiblade impeller, an orifice, an axially overlaid portion, and an airflow collision prevention device. The multiblade impeller includes a main plate and a blade. The blade is provided at the main plate to form a blade inner periphery. The orifice has an open end and an orifice inner periphery. The open end is positioned toward the main plate from a blade end face. The orifice inner periphery has an inner diameter larger than that of the blade inner periphery, and guides air to the multiblade impeller. The axially overlaid portion is a part where the orifice and the blades are overlaid. The airflow collision prevention device is provided at the blade and at an inner side of the orifice inner periphery. The multiblade air blower suppresses loss of air distribution efficiency and increased noise.
US08235662B2 Wind turbine metrology system
A wind turbine and system for controlling a wind turbine using a nosecone mounted metrology system is disclosed. The wind turbine comprises at least one wind sensor for determining at least one wind characteristic. The wind sensor is mounted on a boom and located at a predetermined distance outward from the wind turbine nosecone.
US08235659B1 Lance and slit seamed housing and method of manufacture
A lanced and/or slit seamed housing and method of manufacture having a peripheral rolled and lanced or punched seam between a wrapper and the housing panels. The method of manufacture utilizes similar or dissimilar sheet materials in a variety of material thicknesses and with or without coatings applied prior to formation whereby a housing is formed quickly and safely. The rolling and lancing method manufactures a blower housing with an assured and positive sealed seam between the panels and wrapper of the housing. The lances or slits maintain the integrity of the seam and prevent slippage between the wrapper and panels.
US08235656B2 Catenary turbine seal systems
In one embodiment, a catenary seal structure may be mechanically supported only by two adjacent rotor wheels to isolate a volume between the two adjacent rotor wheels. The catenary seal structure may be annularly disposed about the rotational axis of the adjacent rotor wheels.
US08235644B2 Personal mobility vehicle lift
A personal mobility vehicle lift mounted to the rear portion of a vehicle to transport a personal mobility vehicle from location to location comprising a platform assembly configured to support a personal mobility vehicle thereon operatively coupled to a lift assembly to selectively raise and lower the platform assembly with or without a personal mobility vehicle thereon and a mount assembly coupled to the lift assembly to mount the personal mobility vehicle lift to the rear portion of a vehicle.
US08235642B2 Systems and methods for handling a load
Disclosed is a load handling system including: a trailer capable of being hitched to a towing vehicle and/or to other trailers in order to form a conveyor train. Wheels and a shaft support a chassis equipped with a loading and unloading module for a load-bearing dolly. The loading and unloading module includes a conveyor defining a first incline for positioning the dolly, whereby the dolly is no longer in contact with the ground and is held in position on the trailer, and a second incline, the second incline having a symmetric position with respect to the first incline. The conveyor enables loading and unloading of the dolly on the first side of the trailer and on the second side of the trailer.
US08235640B2 Apparatus for moving containers
An apparatus for moving containers into or from a chamber provided with at least a supporting surface for the containers, comprises a pushing element for engaging the containers and a driving arrangement for moving the pushing element through the chamber along a sliding direction, the driving arrangement comprising, a modular rod assembly for supporting the pushing element and including a set of rod elements which can be mutually and removably associated, an assembling arrangement for connecting or disconnecting the rod elements to or from the modular rod assembly so as to change a length thereof and to move the pushing element.
US08235637B2 Anti-loosen self-tapping screw
The anti-loosen self-tapping screw includes a head, rod and a thread. The rod extends from the head and an end of the rod forms a conic tapping tip. The thread is around the rod from the tapping tip to a position near the head. The thread is provided with an axial groove to cut off the thread. The divided ends along one side of the groove are separately provided with expanded portions whose cross-sections are expanded.
US08235635B1 Wall and ceiling anchor with fins and hinge
An anchoring fastener comprises a shaft (100) with straight and tapered portions, a tip (105) at the front, cam follower surfaces (110, 111) at the rear, a body (120) with a bore, a head (125) with a hole, and fins (115). There is a bendable region by the fins. The anchor is inserted into a wallboard (600) until the head contacts the wallboard. The fins slice into the wallboard, thereby preventing rotation during and after insertion. An activating member (900), a screw or a pin, is inserted into the hole and urged against the cam follower surfaces, thereby forcing the shaft to rotate until it comes into contact with the inner surface (615) of the wallboard. An object-holding washer (905), restrained by the activating member, is secured to the anchor which in turn is secured to the wallboard.
US08235631B2 Bag for retaining wall
A bag for retaining structures, includes a plurality of cells aligned side-by-side in a continuous manner and configured to be filled with a filling material. Each cell of the bag includes a bottom wall, a first side wall, a second side wall, a back wall, and a front wall, the front wall being longer than the back wall. Furthermore, the first and second side walls each include a) a first corner located where the back wall connects with the bottom wall, said first corner being substantially 90 degrees; and b) a second corner located where a respective top edge of each side wall connects with the rear wall, said second corner being substantially 90 degrees.
US08235627B2 System and method for detecting and remediating contamination
A system for detecting and remediating a discharge of fuel from a fuel source facility is disclosed. The system can comprise a contamination detection subsystem configured to detect a discharge of fuel from the fuel source facility and a remediation subsystem configured to remediate contamination due to the discharge of fuel. A controller can automatically activate the remediation subsystem upon detection of a discharge by the contamination detection subsystem. The controller can automatically send a notification that a contamination has been detected and the remediation system has been activated. Alternatively or in addition, the controller can automatically send a notification that a contamination has been detected and the remediation system has been activated.
US08235624B2 Restrictor plate with securing system
A restrictor plate assembly is disclosed. The assembly is adapted for being positioned within a catch basin throat so that the throat extends rearward of the assembly. The assembly has a longitudinally extending restrictor plate and a restrictor plate securing system, which includes a first clamp arm, pivotally positioned against the restrictor plate, for engaging a first throat surface of the catch basin; a second clamp arm pivotally positioned against the restrictor plate, for engaging a second throat surface of the catch basin, the second throat surface opposing the first throat surface; and an urging member which simultaneously urges the first and second clamp arms against the first and second throat surfaces, respectively.
US08235620B2 Fluid applicator
Applicators for fluids such as paints utilizing a roller are known and more recently utilization of an incrementally displaceable piston in order to force fluid flow to a roller has been disclosed. In order to ensure appropriate presentation of the fluid, that is to say paint, to the roller an appropriate gap between the roller and the housing is required. By position of a cam and/or flap control of a housing to roller gap is achieved.
US08235618B2 Sample dose with applicator
Device for distributing a low volume or dose of product includes a reservoir defined by a joining area of two groups and that contains a distribution orifice, and an applicator including a grasping organ and a distribution organ composed of a rod, whose end is fitted with a distribution nozzle and whose other end is included in the grasping organ, at least one of the groups being a shell including a cavity having a collar that the joining area in part of and at least one of the groups has a collar including a trough; the distribution orifice communicating with the reservoir by a neck formed by the space between the two groups, the trough forming its wall at least partially; the neck including a breakable structure, breaking an area opening the orifice.
US08235616B2 Safety closure for nail polish bottle
A molded, plastic safety closure adapted for use on a nail polish bottle. Closure includes an inner cap, and an overcap that fits over the inner cap in a telescoping manner. Inner cap includes a hollow cylindrical section, a top wall, a plurality of teeth spaced about the top wall, a post extends upwardly from said top wall, and pawls are spaced around the post. Overcap includes a plurality of complementary teeth spaced about its interior, and vanes spaced around the interior of the overcap. The two sets of teeth are normally maintained apart by spring fingers that provide an upwardly directed biasing force. When the closure is subjected to a downwardly directed force, the two sets of teeth are brought in alignment, and the vanes and pawl cooperate to provide a ratchet mechanism. The inner cap and outer cap are rotated as a unit, and provide sufficient torque to unseat the closure, and allow access to the contents of the nail polish bottle.
US08235613B2 Label printer having a cutter mechanism for cutting a strip-form printing medium
A label printer includes a cutter mechanism, a main body frame, and an upper cover. The cutter mechanism includes an upper blade which is a fixed blade and a lower blade which is a moving blade that advances and retreats relative to the upper blade, and that cuts a printing medium by causing the lower blade to advance and retreat relative to the upper blade. The lower blade is attached to the main body frame. The upper blade is attached to the upper cover, which opens and closes an upper portion of the main body frame. The upper blade is separated from the lower blade when the upper cover is opened.
US08235612B2 Printing apparatus to prevent multifeed related printing errors and method thereof
A printing apparatus includes a multifeed sensor to detect whether printing paper sheets are multifed, a measuring unit to measure an interval between the multifed paper sheets, if the multifeed sensor detects that the printing paper sheets are multifed, and a control unit to delay printing using the measured interval so that a lastly fed printing paper sheet is printed. As a result, a printing error due to multifeed of two or more printing paper sheets can be avoided.
US08235611B2 Key structure of a keyboard
A key structure of a keyboard, comprising: a backplane and a plurality of key caps. The backplane is concaved a plurality of grooves. A frame is deposed on the groove, and outside of the frame two fixed bases and two positioning columns are correspondingly deposed on the opposite sides. A clamp is deposed on the fixed base. A link bar, consists of a cross bar and two struts. The cross bar and the struts are mutually perpendicular and shown as an upside-down U shape. A key cap, in which a convex column is extended from the inside of the key cap, and two clips are protruded respectively on the opposite sides of the convex column, as well as a slot is deposed on the clip. The clips are adapted to position the cross bar of the link bar to a clamp of a fixed base on the backplane. And two struts are adapted to be held by the positioning column, so that the two struts only can be moved up and down and will not mismatch. Moreover, combining the key cap with the backplane to make the convex column plugging into the frame, therefore the two slots of the clip are adapted to be combined with the two struts. No matter what position of the key cap surface is pressed, the key cap will be affected by the link bar; such will make the key being pressed down completely.
US08235604B2 Optical connector and fiber module
An optical connector that permits an optical fiber ribbon to be led out in multiple directions and an optical fiber module that uses the optical connector are provided. The optical connector comprises a connector main body and a guide groove formed on the connector main body in which an optical fiber ribbon is arranged, wherein the guide groove is comprised of an end face holding slot, a vertical guiding face, an arcuate guiding face formed in arc-shape, and a positioning face for widthwise positioning and fixing the optical fiber ribbon and wherein the vertical guiding face and the arcuate guiding face and the positioning face define a space that opens toward a top face of the connector main body; and the optical fiber module comprises the optical fiber ribbon and the optical connector.
US08235602B2 System and method for positioning a probe
An adapter couples a length of optical fiber to a hollow probe and to an optical coherence tomography instrument. The length of optical fiber may be greater than the length of the adapter itself. The optical fiber is fixed to an optical coupler at a proximal end of the adapter and may be maintained in a curved configuration by features located in an internal cavity of the adapter. An optical fiber advance mechanism be used to advance and/or retract the length of optical fiber to align it within the hollow probe.
US08235600B2 Method for manufacturing one-piece LC type optical fiber adapter
The present invention generally relates to a method for manufacturing a one-piece LC type optical fiber adapter, more particularly to a method that is simpler and easier to assemble the LC type optical fiber adapter.
US08235599B2 Hydrodynamic tapered roller bearings and gas turbine engine systems involving such bearings
Tapered roller bearings and gas turbine engine systems involving such bearings are provided. In this regard, a representative bearing cage for a gas turbine engine includes: an outer cage rim and an inner cage rim; the outer cage rim having a rounded edge at a location of contact between the outer cage rim and a roller.
US08235598B2 Bearing apparatus
A bearing apparatus includes two split outer ring halves disposed in close contact with each other and a plurality of rollers. A circumferential end of each of the split outer ring halves has a concave-and-convex shape including a first slope portion inclined with respect to a line extending along an axial direction of the split outer ring halves and a second slope portion inclined in an opposite direction to that of the first slope portion. Each of the rollers is provided with crowning so as to be shaped in barrel form, and an amount of crowning is set such that an apex of a projecting portion at the concave-and-convex shape of each of the split outer ring halves is located on an axially outer side of a rolling surface of the roller rolling on an inner peripheral surface of each of the split outer ring halves.
US08235597B2 Combined radial-axial roller bearing
A combined radial-axial rolling bearing for rotatably mounting a rotary body in the region of a diameter step. The rolling bearing has a radial bearing unit which is assigned to a circumferential surface of the rotary body and which at least has a radial bearing ring, and an axial bearing unit which is assigned to an axial surface of the rotary body and which at least has an axial bearing ring. To mount the rotary body radially in the region of the larger diameter, the radial bearing unit is assigned to a circumferential surface which has the larger diameter. The radially outer rim of the axial bearing ring is latched to a rim of the radial bearing ring which faces toward the radially outer rim, such that the two bearing rings form a structural unit which can be assembled in one work step, but otherwise remain functionally separate.
US08235595B2 Guide rail and method for manufacturing same
A guide rail includes a base rail with at least one finger extending from a first portion of the base rail, and at least one finger extending from a second portion of the base rail. A race insert is mounted against the fingers. A first race way is associated with the at least one finger extending from the first portion of the base rail. A second race way is associated with the at least one finger extending from the second portion of the base rail. The first and second race ways have different load transmission directions. The load transmission direction of the first race way is non-parallel to the at least one finger extending from the first portion of the base rail. The load transmission direction of the second race way is non-parallel to the at least one finger extending from the second portion of the base rail.
US08235594B2 Alignment fixture for X-ray images
An alignment fixture for taking X-ray images of a patient, such as an image of the patient's hip region preparatory to hip arthroplasty. The alignment fixture comprises multiple support legs for resting on the patient at known positions, such as upon known bony prominences, in combination with aiming marks used for anatomically aligning the patent's pelvis under an X-ray beam. A ruled grid plate on the fixture is adjustably positioned between an image beam source and the patient, as a function of patient thickness in the pelvic region, so that a ruled grid overlays the anatomical region of interest and exhibits an apparent parallax image magnification corresponding with the parallax image magnification of a centerline of the anatomical region, such as the hip joint. X-ray images taken by use of the alignment fixture can be viewed and/or scaled to select a properly sized prosthesis for the specific patient.
US08235588B2 Method for automated testing of a material joint
In a method for automated, contactless and non-destructive testing of a material joint (4), a dynamic threshold value is varied between a minimum threshold value and a maximum threshold value, with regions of a heat flow dynamics through the material joint (4) being determined which represent values of the heat flow dynamics exceeding the dynamic threshold value. The regions of the heat flow dynamics are examined with respect to an abrupt change in perimeter. An Abrupt change in perimeter occurs if a boundary (7) between a molten zone (5) and a non-molten but still adhering zone (6) of the material joint (4) is being crossed.
US08235587B2 Portable device and portable watch
A portable device, such as a wristwatch, has a push-button that includes an engaging portion, and the push-button is mounted on a watch sheath. A locking member and a leaf spring are arranged on the watch sheath. The locking member is movable between a locked position in which the push-button is held at a predetermined position by engagement with the engaging portion and an unlocked position where operation of the push-button is allowed. The locking member is urged by the leaf spring toward the unlocked position. A circular operating ring surrounds an hour plate mounted on the watch sheath and the operating ring is rotatably mounted to the watch sheath from the front side. The movement of the locking member between the locked position and the unlocked position is interlocked with a rotating operation of the operating ring.
US08235584B2 Chronograph control device
The present invention concerns a chronograph control device including a first, pivotably mounted lever, which is activated by a first push-button and whose movement in the direction of the first push-button is limited by a first stop member, and a second, pivotably mounted lever, which is activated by a second push-button and whose movement is limited in the direction of the second push-button by a second stop member. A spring is mounted on the second lever. The first lever is associated with an arm, provided with a beak. The beak cooperates with the spring such that, when one or other of the two levers is activated by one of the push-buttons, the beak and the spring move relative to each other in such a way that the beak is subjected to the return force of the spring.
US08235583B2 Mixing blade with removable wearing element
The invention relates to a mixing blade (6) consisting, of a base part (15) fixable to a shaft and a removable wearable element (12). The aim of said invention is to develop a more economical mixing blade. For this purpose, the wearable element (12) and the base part (15) overlap on at least 30% of the base part length and define different cross-sections of the mixing blade (6) in said area.
US08235581B2 Mixing device comprising a rotor rib
The present invention relates to a mixing device for mixing a liquid, such as water, with an instant ingredient to form a beverage. The mixing device comprises a mixing chamber and a rotor which, during rotation about the axis of rotation, defines a surface of revolution extending along the circumference of the rotor. The rotor is arranged in the mixing chamber. The mixing chamber comprises a peripheral wall zone having a substantially circular cross section. The peripheral wall zone surrounds the surface of revolution. An outlet duct for discharging the mixture formed is connected to the mixing chamber. The inlet of the outlet duct is provided at the rotor. At least one rotor rib is provided at the peripheral wall zone. This rotor rib extends from the peripheral wall zone in the direction of the surface of revolution of the rotor. The invention furthermore relates to a beverage-making device comprising a mixing device according to the invention, as well as to the use of a mixing device according to the invention.
US08235580B2 Reclaim function for semiconductor processing systems
In one embodiment, a method of controlling fluids in a semiconductor processing system includes mixing two or more chemical compounds in a blender to produce a solution and supplying the solution to a reclaim tank, where the solution is dispense to a process station. The solution can be monitored at a location between the tank and the process station to determine whether at least one of the chemical compounds is at a predetermined concentration. Upon determining that the at least one chemical compound in the solution is at the predetermined concentration the solution is flowed to the process station. The method further includes removing at least a portion of the solution from the process station and returning the removed portion of the solution to the reclaim tank. The removed portion of the solution is monitored at a location between the process station and the reclaim tank to determine whether at least one of the chemical compounds in the removed portion of the solution is at a predetermined concentration. Upon determining that the at least one chemical compound in the removed portion of the solution is at the predetermined concentration, the removed portion of solution is flowed to the process station.
US08235579B2 Device for introducing ultrasound into a flowable medium
The invention relates to a method and a device for introducing ultrasound into a flowable medium using a sonotrode, wherein the flowable medium is not in direct contact with the sonotrode. Disclosed is a method comprising the following steps: placing a film (8) on the sonotrode (4) in such a way that the contact force by means of which the film (8) is pressed on the sonotrode (4) is always so great that the film (8) follows the lifting motions of the sonotrode (4) in the corresponding frequency and amplitude; applying ultrasound power through the film (8) into the medium (2) and transmitting the wear phenomena onto the film (8).
US08235578B2 Agitation vessel
Provided here is an agitation vessel which enhances energy transmission efficiency in an agitation apparatus and an analysis apparatus, simplifies the structure of the agitation apparatus and the analysis apparatus, and allows for downsizing and improved maintenanceability. An agitation vessel (5) agitates retained liquid by sound waves. A sound wave generating member (24) which generates sound waves is provided integrally with the agitation vessel (5). The agitation vessel (5) includes a bottom wall (5d) and plural side walls (5c) made of an optically transparent material, and a part of the opposing side walls among the plural side walls (5c) is a photometric window (5b) that optically measures the liquid agitated. The sound wave generating member (24) is arranged on the side wall (5c), on which the photometric window (5b) is arranged, among the plural side walls (5c).
US08235576B2 Concrete cooling injection unit and method of injecting a coolant into a concrete mixture
A method and apparatus for cooling a mixture with an injection system. The injection system is adjustable to accommodate the relative position and particular specifications of a given container (e.g., concrete mixer). In one embodiment, the injection system is operable to inject a coolant directly into the mixture while in the mixing process.
US08235575B2 LED light board
Disclosed is a light emitting diode (LED) light board. The LED light board includes: a light guide panel (LGP) shaped as a rectangle; an LED module disposed at a lateral side of the LGP and including a plurality of LEDs; a first frame having the LED module embedded therein and coupled to one side of an edge of the LGP; a second frame coupled to the other side of the edge of the LGP perpendicular to both ends of the first frame; and a corner finishing end on which the first frame and the second frame are connected to each other and corners of the first frame and the second frame are finished. The first and second frames include a sidewall formed at one edge of the LGP, an upper wing bent on an end of a sidewall, and a lower wing bent on the other end of the sidewall.
US08235567B2 Illuminated interior trim component
A lighting system is provided that includes an interior trim component having a light transmissive element. The interior trim component is configured to move between a first position and a second position. The vehicle lighting system also includes a light source optically coupled to the light transmissive element at least while the interior trim component is located in the first position. The light source is configured to illuminate a region of a vehicle interior.
US08235566B2 Straddle-type vehicle
A motorcycle is provided with a head light and an auxiliary light that are arranged along an up and down direction of a vehicle, and is provided with a front cover that can cover at least a portion of the legs of a rider. The respective lenses of the head light and the auxiliary light are arranged to be exposed in a forward portion of the vehicle. The front cover has an outside cover that is formed on both sides of the head light and the auxiliary light, and a head light cover that is formed in a portion closer to a center of the front cover than the outside cover. The head light and the auxiliary light protrude forward of the front edge of the outside cover. The head light cover protrudes forward of the outside cover.
US08235563B2 LED lamp
An LED lamp includes a bracket and an LED module. The bracket includes a mounting body configured for fixing the LED lamp at a desired position and a heat dissipation portion extending from the body. The LED module includes a circuit board thermally attached to the heat dissipation portion and an LED connected to the circuit board. A lamp cover is secured to the heat dissipation portion and covers the LED module.
US08235558B1 Artificial candles with realistic flames
An artificial candle has a delicate glowing shroud or sock that can flutter like a candle flame, and the shroud may surround a “wick” that can be seen through the shroud to glow. Such a diaphanous shroud can be actuated by a fan, air pump, solenoid or conductor, which can be provided adjacent to the shroud or distanced from the shroud, for example in a central body of a chandelier. The wick may be lighted by a light emitting diode (LED), and the shroud can include fluorescent material that absorbs and reradiates some of the light from the wick. The wick and the shroud can be coupled to a shaft that simulates a wax candle body. A standard threaded fitting can be provided so that the artificial candle can thread into a socket to replace a light bulb.
US08235555B2 Multiple use LED light fixture
The invention provides a multi-use light fixture that includes a light engine, a rugged housing, and an external power supply removeably embedded within an optional external enclosure. The light fixture includes several novel heat management features designed to reduce the risk of failure and thereby increase the reliability of the light fixture. The light engine includes groups of light modules, each having a light emitting diode (LED) and a zener diode. The housing includes an internal gap defined between the a circuit board and the housing. The housing also includes an arrangement of external fins and vents that dissipate heat generated by the light engine. The lens cover includes a plurality of inlets to supply ambient air into the fixture. During operation, heat is generated by the light modules, namely the LEDs, and then is transferred along a first flow path through a main body portion of the housing and the fins for dissipation to ambient and a second air flow path whereby ambient air flows through the light engine to increase the performance and efficiency of the light engine.
US08235554B2 LED reflector fixture
Provided is a light fixture having a first elongate body defining a mounting surface. A light module is disposed adjacent the mounting surface and includes a module body and a plurality of light emitting devices disposed on the mounting body. The light emitting device defines an emitting axis about which light is emitted. The fixture further includes a first reflector member and a second reflector member disposed on opposed sides of the emitting axis for reflecting light emanated by the light emitting devices. The first reflector member and the second reflector member are pivotable to vary the angle at which light is emitted from the light fixture.
US08235552B1 Cordless flashlight and radio device
A portable battery-powered device comprises a lamp unit pivotably attached to a front side of a housing. A radio unit is disposed within the housing. At least one speaker is electrically coupled to the radio unit and is disposed on the front side of the housing such that the lamp unit and the speaker face the same direction. A battery pack holder is disposed on a bottom side of the housing and is configured to retain a rechargeable battery pack.
US08235544B2 Solar light assembly for street and park lighting
The present solar light assembly uses a unique housing having a light that can be adjustably rotated and tilted for park and street lighting applications. Once assembled, the housing is covered by a solar panel that charges a remotely located battery and acts as a protective lid over the housing. Rather than removing the solar panel to access the contents of the housing, the housing can be accessed by excessively tilting the light until a shroud swings away from an opening in the housing designed to accommodate the light. The shroud, which can retract into the housing, protects the contents of the housing from inclement weather and from view. When the light is excessively tilted, the shroud swings away from the housing to expose wires, electronics and other contents of the housing that may require servicing. Because a solar light system is pole mounted at least several meters above ground level, being able to easily access the housing from below without needing to remove any heavy or awkward parts provides a much safer alternative than other solar light systems.
US08235542B2 Illumination device for paved floor
An illumination device for illuminating a paved floor comprising a container, which comprises a box creating a cavity therein and a first frame, integrally connected to the upper rim of the box; an illumination set comprising at least one light source (e.g. LED), where the illumination set is installed inside the container, where at least one light source enables illumination of the illumination device; a cover, which is adapted to be seated within the first frame, where the cover enables light from the illumination set to be transferred therethrough; a second frame, enabling to hold the cover between the first and the second frame; and at least two fastening means enabling to fasten the second frame to the first frame to hold the cover therebetween. The illumination device may be configured to be installed in the paved floor as one of the floor's tiles.
US08235541B2 Backlight module and display device
A backlight module including a circuit board, at least one first light emitting diode (LED) device, at least one second LED device, and a reflection device is provided. The first and second LED devices are disposed on a carrying surface of the circuit board and electrically connected to the circuit board. The brightness of the first LED device is greater than that of the second LED device. The reflection device is disposed on the circuit board and exposes the first and second LED devices. The reflection device has at least one first reflection region disposed around the first LED device and at least one second reflection region disposed around the second LED device. The reflection ratio of the first reflection region opposite to the light-emitting energy of the first LED device is smaller than that of the second reflection region opposite to the light-emitting energy of the second LED device.
US08235539B2 Elongated LED lighting fixture
The invention provides an elongated lighting fixture with multiple light emitting diodes (LEDs) arrayed in two groups that are angled to each other. The fixture provides an extremely broad light emitting angle and includes an elongated housing having a pair of side walls with at least one fin to dissipate heat. Each side wall has a support member extending upward at angle from the side wall, wherein the side walls terminate at a central wall. A generally transparent cover is connected to the housing and extends between opposed ends of the housing. A first elongated fastener and a second elongated fastener are utilized to mount a first group of LEDs and a second group of LEDs to the first support member and the second support member, respectively. First and second interconnection board assemblies are affixed to respective support members beneath the group of LEDs by the first and second fasteners. When the first and second interconnection board assemblies are energized by an internal power source, current travels from each interconnection assembly through the fasteners to each group of LEDs for illumination.
US08235538B2 LED device with high color-rendering index
An LED device with high color-rendering index includes a substrate; three white light units arranged on the substrate, each of the white light units being an LED element that combines a blue light chip with fluorescent glue to produce a mixed light; and a red light unit arranged on the substrate among the three white light units and being an LED element that combines a red light chip with fluorescent powder to produced a mixed light. With the specific arrangement of positioning the red light unit among three white light units, a mixed light produced by the LED device is a visually comfortable warm white light with high color-rendering index. Therefore, the LED device can be used in an environment where a large quantity of LEDs are needed, so largely reduces the users' eye discomfort.
US08235537B2 Plasmonic retroreflectors
An article having: a retroreflective optical element and a plasmonic material on the optical element. A method of: performing an optical measurement on a substrate having a plurality of the articles.
US08235536B2 High intensity image projector using sectional mirror
Image projectors with increased light intensity and methods for providing brighter images are provided. Image projectors, described herein, can provide the brightness while still providing any or all of compactness, low power consumption, and long lifetime. To increase brightness, sectional mirrors are used to respectively compress the light from two light sources into a single pupil (e.g. an aperture) of an imaging device. The compression can be accomplished by regions (e.g. sections) of the mirror having different angles with respect to the pupil. Relatively little light may be lost in the compression since minima for a light intensity pattern from a light source may occur between the regions that reflect the light.
US08235535B2 Projector and control method of projector
A projector which modulates light emitted from a light source and projects the modulated light, includes: a light source drive device which includes a light source drive unit for driving the light source and a light source control unit for controlling operation of the light source drive unit; and a control unit which includes a first communication unit connected with the light source control unit and a second communication unit connected with the light source drive unit, and allows the light source control unit to control operation of the light source drive unit by outputting control command from the first communication unit. The control unit determines whether the control corresponding to the control command has been normally performed, and outputs control information from the second communication unit to control the light source drive unit when it is determined that the control has not been normally performed.
US08235534B2 Projector that projects a correction image between cyclic main image signals
A projector has: light source (1R, 1G, 1B); a light modulation unit (6) that modulates a light emitted from the light source based on image signals; a display control unit (41) that outputs the image signals including main cyclic image signals to the light modulation unit, and controls the display thereof; a projection unit (7) that projects the image based on the light modulated by the light modulation unit; and an imaging unit (40) that captures an image to be displayed based on the light projected from the projection unit, and the display control unit inserts a correction image signal for projecting a correction image, which is visually recognized as a uniform white or gray screen when time integration is performed, between the cyclic main image signals.
US08235531B2 Optical interference reducing element for laser projection
A laser projection system comprising a laser source system configured to emit coherent light, an optical integrating system configured to uniformize coherent light it receives, a randomizing optical element configured to spatially move over time in order to temporally randomize the phase, angle or spatial location of coherent light it receives, an image forming system configured to interact with laser light that has been both uniformized by the optical integrating system and randomized by the randomizing optical element, thereby forming a laser light image, and a projection system configured to project the laser light image onto a viewing screen.
US08235529B1 Unlocking a screen using eye tracking information
Methods and systems for unlocking a screen using eye tracking information are described. A computing system may include a display screen. The computing system may be in a locked mode of operation after a period of inactivity by a user. Locked mode of operation may include a locked screen and reduced functionality of the computing system. The user may attempt to unlock the screen. The computing system may generate a display of a moving object on the display screen of the computing system. An eye tracking system may be coupled to the computing system. The eye tracking system may track eye movement of the user. The computing system may determine that a path associated with the eye movement of the user substantially matches a path associated with the moving object on the display and switch to be in an unlocked mode of operation including unlocking the screen.