最新美国发明专利第2012-11-13期 - 专利汇|PatentHub专利检索|专利查询网|发明专利查询分析

Document	Document Title
US08309688B2	Monkey homolog of human oncostatin M and methods of use thereof Cytokine oncostatin M nucleic acids from Cynomolgus monkey are useful for expression of oncostatin M proteins that are functional homologs of human oncostatin M. The nucleic acids and proteins produced therefrom are useful in screening and safety testing of oncostatin M, the generation and testing of oncostatin M modulators and related activities.
US08309684B2	Synthetic analogues of neural regeneration peptides Embodiments of this invention include synthetic compounds (NRP analogues) of peptides termed neural regeneration peptides (NRPs). NRP analogues are made by substituting amino acids in the native peptide sequence, modifying amino acids chemically, by replacing amino acids with synthetic moieties, by stabilizing β-turns, acetylation of terminal glycine residues or by cyclization. NRP analogues can be used to treat a variety of conditions involving degeneration of neural cells, and includes treating disorders of the nervous system, including peripheral neuropathy, multiple sclerosis, diabetic peripheral neuropathy, neurotoxin-induced neurodegeneration, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
US08309679B2	Polyquaternium-1 synthesis methods The present embodiments relate to a novel method of making quaternary ammonium polymers comprising the steps of: a) mixing 1,4-bis-dimethylamino-2-butene, triethanolamine, water and an acid; and b) introducing a 1,4-dihalo-2-butene to the mixture so as to initiate a reaction resulting in the quaternary ammonium polymer.
US08309678B2	Aromatic compound and polyarylene copolymer having nitrogen-containing heterocycle including sulfonic acid group in side chain Provided is a solid polymer electrolyte having increased heat resistance and high proton conductivity and a proton conductive membrane composed of the electrolyte. Also provided is a copolymer having a sulfonic acid group. The copolymer includes a repeating unit represented by Formula (1): (in the formula, Y denotes at least one kind of structure selected from the group consisting of —CO—, —SO2—, —SO—, —CONH—, —COO—, —(CF2)l— (l is an integer of 1 to 10), and —C(CF3)2—; W denotes at least one kind of structure selected from the group consisting of a direct bond, —CO—, —SO2—, —SO—, —CONH—, —COO—, —(CF2)l— (l is an integer of 1 to 10), —C(CF3)2—, —O—, and —S—; Z denotes a direct bond or at least one kind of structure selected from the group consisting of —(CH2)l— (l is an integer of 1 to 10), —C(CH3)2—, —O—, —S—, —CO—, and —SO2—; R30 denotes a nitrogen-containing aromatic ring having a substituent represented by —SO3H, —O(CH2)hSO3H, or —O(CF2)hSO3H (h is an integer of 1 to 12); p is an integer of 0 to 10; q is an integer of 0 to 10; r is an integer of 1 to 5; and k is an integer of 0 to 4).
US08309677B2	Reactor with optimized internal tray design A system for processing large quantities of a reaction medium while maintaining the reaction medium in sheets. The system includes a reactor having a plurality of vertically-spaced downwardly-sloped trays over which the reaction medium flows while it is subjected to reaction conditions. The slope of the trays increases downwardly to accommodate for the increased viscosity of the reaction medium while the reaction medium flows downwardly through the reactor. An upper portion of the trays have a uni-directional configuration, while a lower portion of the trays have a bi-directional configuration. Further, the orientation of flow across the uni-directional trays is rotated by 90 degrees in at least one location as the reaction medium flows down the uni-directional trays.
US08309670B2	Optical film, protection film for polarizer, polarizing plate fabricated therefrom, and display device employing thereof The present invention relates to an optical film, comprising a copolymer that comprises (a) a (meth)acrylic monomer, (b) an aromatic vinyl monomer, (c) at least one monomer of an acid anhydride monomer and an unsaturated organic acid monomer, and (d) a vinylcyan monomer, a protection film for a polarizer, a polarizing plate fabricated therefrom, and a display device employing the same.
US08309669B2	Use of swellable polymer for sealing A method for producing a swellable polymer by polymerizing a composition containing at least one polyalkylene glycol di(meth)acrylate having a weight-average molecular weight from 2500 g/mol to 10000 g/mol, wherein the polymer contains at least 50.0% by weight based on the total weight of the polymer of said at least one polyalkylene glycol di(meth)acrylate.
US08309668B2	Superabsorbent polymers and methods of making the same The present invention relates to a process for producing a superabsorbent a polymer comprises (I) producing a pure (meth)acrylic acid comprising the steps of (a) synthesizing a crude (meth)acrylic acid phase; (b) distillatively working-up the crude (meth)acrylic acid phase to obtain a (meth)acrylic acid phase and a dimer phase comprising (meth)acrylic acid dimers or (meth)acrylic acid oligomers or both; (c) splitting at least a part of the (meth)acrylic acid dimers or of the (meth)acrylic acid oligomers or both from the dimer phase to obtain a (meth)acrylic acid-comprising low boiling phase and a high boiling phase comprising less (meth)acrylic acid than the low boiling phase; (d) separating at least a part of the (meth)acrylic acid from the low boiling phase to obtain a pure (meth)acrylic acid, and a residue; (II) polymerizing a monomer phase comprising the pure (meth)acrylic acid to obtain a polymer phase; and (III) working-up the polymer phase to obtain the polymer.
US08309666B2	Amine functional adducts and curable compositions comprising same A multi-component curable composition which is reactive upon admixing of the components and wherein the composition comprises a first component which comprises a first amine functional adduct and a second amine functional adduct; and a second component which comprises at least one compound having an average of more than 2.0 groups per molecule which are reactive with amines.
US08309663B2	Water-entrained-polyimide chemical compositions for use in high-performance composite fabrication Water-entrained compositions comprising colloidal or suspensoidal solutions comprising polyimide pre-polymers/oligomers are described. These compositions are obtained in water by initial dispersion of the resin constituents in water to from colloids or suspensoids. The water-entrained polyimide compositions can be applied to numerous surfaces or more beneficially used for composite fabrication. The coated surfaces or polyimide-pre-polymer impregnated reinforcing materials are subsequently cured and are ideal for providing thermal protection.
US08309660B2	Perfluoroelastomer seal material The present invention provides a perfluoroelastomer seal material in which adhesive strength, contamination, corrosion and color change of a contacted surface with a seal material are improved, and an amount of an uncrosslinked polymer component is at most 1% by weight, measured under specific conditions, and a process for preparing the same. The present invention relates to a perfluoroelastomer seal material, wherein a rate of weight decrease is at most 1% by weight when the seal material is immersed into perfluoro(tri-n-butyl) amine at 60° C. for 70 hours and is dried at 90° C. for 5 hours, 125° C. for 5 hours and 200° C. for 10 hours after taken out of the emersion. And, the present invention also relates to a process for preparing a perfluoroelastomer seal material comprising a step of treating with a solvent having at least 50% of a swelling rate based on said molded article, when said molded article is immersed at 60° C. for 70 hours.
US08309651B2	Binder composition A binder composition comprising an emulsion copolymer, and a polyol crosslinker.
US08309649B2	Silylated amino resins The present invention relates to silylated amino resins, to processes for preparing them, to their use, and to coating compositions comprising them.
US08309645B2	Thermally stable composite material formed of polyimide A composite material includes a polyimide matrix material and an exfoliated graphite material dispersed within the polyimide matrix material. The composite material exhibits a Thermal Stability Index of at least about 20 and has a particle distribution in which 90% of the particles have a particle size not greater than 500 micrometers.
US08309640B2	High dielectric constant laser direct structuring materials High dielectric constant thermoplastic compositions that are capable of being used in a laser direct structuring process. The compositions include a thermoplastic base resin, a laser direct structuring additive, and at least one ceramic filler. The compositions provide a high dielectric constant, low loss tangent thermoplastic composition. The compositions can be used in a variety of applications such as personal computers, notebook and portable computers, cell phone antennas and other such communications equipment, medical applications, RFID applications, and automotive applications.
US08309638B2	Connecting film, and joined structure and method for producing the same To provide a connecting film including an organic resin layer which contains a color-erasing pigment, a curable organic resin, a curing agent and a conductive particle.
US08309635B2	Solid alkylaryl phosphite compositions and methods for manufacturing same The invention is directed to various alkylaryl phosphite compositions that ideally are suitable for use as secondary antioxidants in polymers. In one aspect, the phosphite composition comprises a tris(monoalkylaryl)phosphite in an amount from 51 to 95 weight percent; and at least one of: a bis(monoalkylaryl)dialkylaryl phosphite; a bis(dialkylaryl)monoalkylaryl phosphite; and a tris(dialkylaryl)phosphite. The inventive phosphite composition is a solid at ambient conditions. The invention also relates to alkylate compositions and processes for forming such alkylate compositions and such phosphite compositions.
US08309630B2	Polymer-encapsulated pigment A polymer-encapsulated pigment and a method of modifying a pigment use functional groups of an interface layer to attach a polymer to a pigment composition. The polymer-encapsulated pigment includes a pigment composition, a polymer and an interface layer. In the polymer-encapsulated pigment and the method, the interface layer is covalently attached to an outer surface of the pigment composition. The polymer is attached to the interface layer with a linking group. The linking group is attached to the interface layer by a covalent bond of a functional group. The linking group includes a nucleophilic carbon atom to which the polymer is covalently attached.
US08309623B2	Biodegradable copolymer and thermosensitive material The disclosed is a biodegradable copolymer, an amphiphilic diblock copolymer, composed of a hydrophilic segment and a hydrophobic segment. The hydrophilic segment is an endcapped PEG or derivatives thereof. The hydrophilic segment is a random polymer polymerized of lactone or cyclic C3-C6 molecule and lactic acid/glycolic acid. There is no coupling agent between the hydrophilic and hydrophobic segments, and the biodegradable copolymer is formed by one-pot ring-opening polymerization. The biodegradable copolymer can be dissolved in water to form a thermosensitive material having a phase transfer temperature of 25 to 50° C., thereby being applied to biological activity factor delivery, tissue engineering, cell culture and biological glue.
US08309622B2	Enhanced oxygen-scavenging polymers, and packaging made therefrom Oxygen-scavenging polymers and packaging for holding oxygen-sensitive products. A heat treatment process has been found to significantly increase the oxygen-scavenging performance of the polymer. The enhanced scavenging polymer can be effectively incorporated into various packaging, including transparent multilayer containers for beer and juice. In one embodiment, a multilayer package made from the scavenger provides an actual reduction in oxygen content of a contents of the package, over a long period of time (e.g., 24 weeks). The package can be stored unfilled for an extended period (without significant loss of scavenging capability) and will scavenge substantially immediately upon filling with a liquid product. The package may incorporate a relatively low weight percentage of the scavenger, thus providing enhanced scavenging in a cost-effective manner.
US08309621B2	Curable phase change inks Disclosed is a radiation curable solid ink composition comprising: (a) a curable wax; (b) at least one curable monomer, oligomer, or prepolymer; (c) at least one photoinitiator; and (d) a pigment colorant; wherein the ink is a solid at a first temperature of about 25° C. or lower; and wherein the ink is a liquid at a second temperature of about 40° C. or higher; said ink being curable by free-radical polymerization.
US08309620B2	Lignite-based urethane resins with enhanced suspension properties and foundry sand binder performance Described herein, in the preferred embodiment, is a leonardite-based polyurethane resin binder that may be used, among other applications, as a binder in combination with foundry aggregate, e.g., sand, for molding or casting metal parts. The binders described herein comprise a humic substance, preferably leonardite, combined with a polymerizable isocyanate, a polymerizable polyol, and a polymerization catalyst to make a polyurethane resin binder in situ in a foundry aggregate, such as sand.
US08309618B2	Catalytic depolymerization of polymers containing electrophilic linkages using nucleophilic reagents The disclosure relates to methods and materials useful for depolymerizing a polymer. In one embodiment, for example, the disclosure provides a method for depolymerizing a polymer containing electrophilic linkages, wherein the method comprises contacting the polymer with a nucleophilic reagent in the presence of a guanidine-containing compound. The methods and materials of the disclosure find utility, for example, in the field of waste reclamation and recycling.
US08309617B2	Recycling methane-rich purge gas to gasifier A process for improving the overall carbon conversion efficiency of a gasification process, as well as improving the suitability of a syngas containing 0.5-10% methane for use as a feedstock for chemical production. A gasification reactor converts carbonaceous feedstock to syngas that is, in turn, utilized for a chemical production process in a chemical production reactor. An off-gas from this chemical production reactor is directed to a selective membrane that separates the off-gas into methane-rich and hydrogen-rich fractions. The hydrogen-rich fraction, is re-utilized as feedstock for the chemical production process, while the methane-enriched fraction is returned to the gasification reactor to form additional syngas.
US08309613B2	Solid pharmaceutical dosage form A solid pharmaceutical dosage form providing improved oral bioavailability is disclosed for inhibitors of HIV protease. In particular, the dosage form comprises a solid dispersion of at least one HIV protease inhibitor and at least one pharmaceutically acceptable water-soluble polymer and at least one pharmaceutically acceptable surfactant, said pharmaceutically acceptable water-soluble polymer having a Tg of at least about 50° C. Preferably, the pharmaceutically acceptable surfactant has an HLB value of from about 4 to about 10.
US08309612B2	Method for treating age-related macular degeneration An object of the present invention is to find a novel medicinal use of 2-phenyl-1,2-benzisoselenazol-3(2H)-one or a salt thereof. 2-Phenyl-1,2-benzisoselenazol-3(2H)-one or a salt thereof exhibits an excellent inhibitory effect on neovascularization in the choroid and also has a protective effect on retinal pigment epithelial cell damage, and therefore is useful as a prophylactic or therapeutic agent for age-related macular degeneration.
US08309610B2	Crystalline forms of (1RS,3RS,6RS)-6-dimethylaminomethyl-1-(3-methoxyphenyl)cyclohexane-1,3-diol hydrochloride This invention relates to solid crystalline forms of (1RS,3RS,6RS)-6-Dimethylaminomethyl-1-(3-methoxy-phenyl)cyclohexane-1,3-diol hydrochloride (1), methods of producing 1, methods of use of 1, use of 1 as analgesics and pharmaceutical compositions comprising 1.
US08309609B2	Use of benzylideneaminoguanidines and hydroxyguanidines as melanocortin receptor ligands The present invention relates to the use of compounds of general formula (I) as ligands to the melanocortin receptors and/or for treatment of disorders in the melanocortin system: wherein X is H or OH; R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 are the same or different and are selected from hydrogen, halogen, alkyl having 1 to 5 carbon atoms, electron donor groups such as alkoxy having 1-5 carbon atoms or hydroxy, electron acceptor groups selected from cyano, nitro, trifluoroalkyl or amide; alkylamino, benzoyloxy, nitroxy, phenyl or sulpho; and the pharmacologically active salts thereof.
US08309607B2	Rapid release irbesartan-containing pharmaceutical composition The present invention relates to an irbesartan-containing pharmaceutical composition, in particular a tablet thereof, which comprises the active ingredient, a disintegrant with at least one low-substituted hydroxypropyl cellulose.
US08309600B2	GPR120 receptor agonists and uses thereof GPR120 agonists are provided. These compounds are useful for the treatment of metabolic diseases, including Type II diabetes and diseases associated with poor glycemic control.
US08309598B2	Cooling compounds A method of providing a cooling sensation to the skin or the mucous membranes of the body, comprising the application thereto of at least one compound of the Formula I in which X is selected from S and O, R1 is selected from H and OMe, R2 is selected from OH, OMe and OEt, and R3 is selected from H and OH. Some of the compounds provide simultaneously cooling and sweetening effects.
US08309595B2	Hydrazone modulators of cannabinoid receptors Hydrazone compounds which modulate cannabinoid receptors are presented. Pharmaceutical compositions containing these compounds, methods of using these compounds as modulators of cannabinoid receptors and processes for synthesizing these compounds are also described herein.
US08309592B2	Fungicidal N-cycloalkyl-benzyl-thiocarboxamides or N-cycloalkyl-benzyl-N′-substituted-amidine derivatives The present invention relates to N-cycloalkyl-benzyl-thiocarboxamide or N-cycloalkyl-benzyl-N-substituted-carboximidamide amide derivatives of formula (I) wherein A represents a carbo-linked, unsaturated or partially saturated, 5-membered heterocyclyl; T represents S, N—Ra, N—ORa, N—NRaRb or N—CN; Z1 represents a C3-C7-cycloalkyl and Z2; Z3, X and n represent various substituents; their process of preparation; their use as fungicide active agents, particularly in the form of fungicide compositions and methods for the control of phytopathogenic fungi, notably of plants, using these compounds or compositions.
US08309591B2	Transmucosal veterinary composition comprising detomidine The present invention relates to a veterinary composition in a semisolid form adapted for transmucosal administration for providing sedation and analgesia in large animals such as horses and cattle. The semisolid transmucosal composition of the invention comprises detomidine or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof as an active ingredient. The composition provides a rapid onset of action while having low irritation potential in the oral mucosa.
US08309586B2	Glucokinase activators and pharmaceutical compositions containing the same as an active ingredient Disclosed are new compounds of formula (1) exhibiting excellent activity for glucokinase, pharmaceutical compositions having the same as an active ingredient, and a method of using the same as an active ingredient for lowering blood glucose level: in which the substituents are as defined herein.
US08309584B2	Sulfur containing pyrazole-heterocycle derivatives as cannabinoid CB1 receptor antagonists A novel sulfur containing heteroaryl-pyrazole compound of formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof is effective as a cannabinoid CB1 receptor inverse agonist or antagonist, which is useful for preventing or treating obesity and obesity-related metabolic disorders. The prevention also provide a method for preparing same, a pharmaceutical composition containing same, and a method for preventing or treating obesity and obesity-related metabolic disorders.
US08309582B2	Small molecule Bcl-Xl/Bcl-2 binding inhibitors Bcl-xL/Bcl-2 binding inhibitors useful in the treatment of unwanted proliferating cells, including cancers and precancers, in subjects in need of such treatment. Also provided are methods of treating a subject having unwanted proliferating cells comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of a Bcl-xL/Bcl-2 binding inhibitor described herein to a subject in need of such treatment. Also provided are methods of preventing the proliferation of unwanted proliferating cells, such as cancers and precancers, in a subject comprising the step of administering a therapeutically effective amount of a Bcl-xL/Bcl-2 binding inhibitor described herein to a subject at risk of developing a condition characterized by unwanted proliferating cells.
US08309573B2	Salt of isoquinoline compound and crystal thereof The invention provides a salt of (R)-3-[2-(2-hydroxymethylpyrrolidin-1-yl)ethyl]-5-methyl-2H-isoquinolin-1-one and a crystal thereof. (R)-3-[2-(2-Hydroxymethylpyrrolidin-1-ypethyl]-5-methyl-2H-1-isoquinolin-1-one monophosphate is a compound which is chemically stable, has high solubility, and shows less weight change due to humidity as compared to a free form and monohydrochloride dihydrate, and is superior as a bulk drug for pharmaceutical products.
US08309571B2	Heterobicyclic compounds useful as kinase inhibitors A compound of Formula (I) and enantiomers, diastereomers and pharmaceutically-acceptable salts thereof. Also disclosed are pharmaceutical compositions containing compounds of Formula I, and methods of treating conditions associated with the activity of p38 kinase.
US08309570B2	Treatment of central neuropathic pain Central neuropathic pain is treated with an analgesic composition that consists essentially of an N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist. In one embodiment, the invention includes chronic administration of the (NMDA) receptor antagonist. In another embodiment, the invention is use of an NMDA receptor antagonist or component thereof for the manufacture of a medicament than includes an analgesic component that consists essentially of an NMDA receptor antagonist for the chronic treatment of central neuropathic pain.
US08309564B2	Tricyclic compounds having antimitotic and/or antitumor activity and methods of use thereof The present invention provides tricyclic compounds, pharmaceutically acceptable salts, prodrugs, solvates, or hydrates thereof, having antimitotic activity, anti-multidrug resistance activity, for example P-glycoprotein inhibition, and antitumor activity, and which inhibit paclitaxel sensitive and resistant tumor cells. Also provided are methods of utilizing these compounds for treating tumor cells and inhibiting mitosis of cancerous cells.
US08309558B2	Compounds for the treatment of hepatitis C The disclosure provides compounds of formula I, including their salts, as well as compositions and methods of using the compounds. The compounds have activity against hepatitis C virus (HCV) and may be useful in treating those infected with HCV.
US08309554B2	Hypoxia activated drugs of nitrogen mustard alkylators Hypoxia activated drug compounds having a structure of formula (I) are useful in the treatment of cancer and other hyperproliferative diseases.
US08309543B2	Compositions useful as inhibitors of voltage-gated sodium channels The present invention relates to compounds useful as inhibitors of voltage-gated sodium channels. The invention also provides pharmaceutically acceptable compositions comprising the compounds of the invention and methods of using the compositions in the treatment of various disorders.
US08309536B2	Implant improving local bone formation A bone implant comprises an active agent on at least a portion thereof. The active agent is locally deliverable to bone proximate the implant in at least a two-phased release scheme. A first phase rapidly releases a first quantity of the active agent, and at least a second phase gradually releases a second quantity of the active agent, whereby bone formation stimulated by the active agent is modulated. In one embodiment, a porous implant comprises a porous portion coated with a calcium phosphate compound and which is contacted with a bisphosphonate compound to form a bisphosphonate layer chemically bound to the calcium phosphate at the surface of the porous portion and to form bisphosphonate molecules being non-chemically attached inside the pores of the porous portion. The non-chemically attached bisphosphonate molecules are released in the subject at a rate greater than that of the chemically bound bisphosphonate layer.
US08309535B2	Compositions and methods to treat recurrent medical conditions The invention describes methods and compositions for alleviating recurrent medical afflictions for which anxiety may cause or exacerbate the affliction. A subject suffering from the affliction is treated with a combination of a pharmaceutical that enhances learning, and a second pharmaceutical recognized to be useful for treatment of the affliction. Representative afflictions include insomnia, erectile dysfunction, female sexual dysfunction, neuropathic pain, attention deficit disorder, and depression.
US08309533B2	Allele-specific RNA interference Human diseases caused by dominant, gain-of-function mutations develop in heterozygotes bearing one mutant and one wild-type copy of a gene. Because the wild-type gene often performs important functions, whereas the mutant gene is toxic, any therapeutic strategy must selectively inhibit the mutant while retaining wild-type gene expression. The present invention includes methods of specifically inhibiting the expression of a mutant allele, while preserving the expression of a co-expressed wild-type allele using RNAi, a therapeutic strategy for treating genetic disorders associated with dominant, gain-of-function gene mutations. The invention also includes small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) and small hairpin RNAs (shRNAs) that selectively suppress mutant, but not wild-type, expression of copper zinc superoxide dismutase (SOD1), which causes inherited amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The present invention further provides asymmetric siRNAs and shRNAs with enhanced efficacy and specificity and mediating RNAi.
US08309529B2	Tumour growth inhibitory compounds and methods of their use Specific CpG oligonucleotide sequences, when given subcutaneously and in particular when administered on a mucous membrane, e.g. intranasally, intravaginally, or rectally, have a profound effect on various human cancer forms as confirmed in vivo, in animal studies, and in vitro, in human PBMCs collected from blood from healthy subjects and from patients suffering from CLL or FL. The compounds are also preferably used in combination with a cancer therapy chosen among radiation treatment, hormone treatment, surgical intervention, chemotherapy, immunological therapies, photodynamic therapy, laser therapy, hyperthermia, cryotherapy, angiogenesis inhibition, or a combination of any of these, and is most preferably an immunological treatment and comprises the administration of an antibody to the patient.
US08309525B2	Treatment of type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, myocardial injury and neurodegeneration with humanin and analogs thereof Provided are methods of using humanin and humanin analogs to treat a mammal exhibiting or at risk for insulin resistance, increase insulin sensitivity in a mammal exhibiting or at risk for insulin resistance, treat type-2 diabetes mellitus, metabolic syndrome, and neurodegeneration, treat and prevent myocardial injury, and determine longevity.
US08309522B2	Neuromedin and FN-38 peptides for treating psychiatric diseases Methods and compositions for treating psychiatric diseases and disorders are disclosed. The methods provided generally involve the administration of an NMX peptide, an FNX peptide, or an NMX receptor agonist, or analogs or derivatives thereof, to a subject in order to treat psychiatric diseases and disorders, and conditions associated with psychiatric diseases and disorders.
US08309519B2	Compositions and methods for inhibiting vascular permeability Compounds, compositions and methods for inhibiting vascular permeability and pathologic angiogenesis are described herein. Methods for producing and screening compounds and compositions capable of inhibiting vascular permeability and pathologic angiogenesis are also described herein. Pharmaceutical compositions are included in the compositions described herein. The compositions described herein are useful in, for example, methods of inhibiting vascular permeability and pathologic angiogenesis, including methods of inhibiting vascular permeability and pathologic angiogenesis induced by specific angiogenic, permeability and inflammatory factors, such as, for example VEGF, bFGF and thrombin. Methods for treating specific diseases and conditions are also provided herein.
US08309518B2	Drug delivery matrices to enhance wound healing Bioactive molecules are entrapped within a matrix for the controlled delivery of these compounds for therapeutic healing applications. The matrix may be formed of natural or synthetic compounds. The primary method of entrapment of the bioactive molecule is through precipitation of the bioactive molecule during gelation of the matrix, either in vitro or in vivo. The bioactive molecule may be modified to reduce its effective solubility in the matrix to retain it more effectively within the matrix, such as through the deglycosylation of members within the cystine knot growth factor superfamily and particularly within the TGFβ superfamily. The matrix may be modified to include sites with binding affinity for different bioactive molecules, for example, for heparin binding.
US08309516B2	Insecticidal proteins Compositions and methods for controlling plant pests are disclosed. In particular, novel engineered hybrid insecticidal proteins (eHIPs) having toxicity to at least corn rootworm are provided. By fusing unique combinations of complete or partial variable regions and conserved blocks of at least two different Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) Cry proteins or a modified Cry proteins an eHIP having activity against corn rootworm is designed. Nucleic acid molecules encoding the novel eHIPs are also provided. Methods of making the eHIPs and methods of using the eHIPs and nucleic acids encoding the eHIPs of the invention, for example in transgenic plants to confer protection from insect damage are also disclosed.
US08309515B2	Poly(ethylene oxide)-block-poly(ester) block copolymers The present invention relates to micelle-forming poly(ethylene oxide)-block-poly(ester) block copolymers having reactive groups on the polyester block therein. The biodegradability of these copolymers and their biocompatibilities with a large number of bioactive agents make them suitable as carriers for various bioactive agents. The bioactive agents, such as DNA, RNA, oligonucleotide, protein, peptide, drug and the like, can be coupled to the reactive groups on the polyester block of the copolymer.
US08309513B2	Approach to the treatment of compartment syndrome The present invention relates to the use of an antisecretory protein or a derivative, homologue, and/or fragment thereof, having antisecretory activity, and/or a pharmaceutically active salt thereof, for the manufacture of a pharmaceutical composition and/or a medical food for the treatment and/or prevention of compartment syndrome. A compartment syndrome may be caused by or a cause of a variety of other conditions which are also encompassed by the present invention, such as viral and bacterial infections. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for the treatment and/or prevention of compartment syndrome in a mammal in need thereof.
US08309509B2	Fast dissolving solid detergent A solid block or unit dosed detergent composition as described which can be utilized in a variety of applications for cleaning surfaces and objects, removing suspending soils, and rinsing easily. The detergent composition, when exposed to an aqueous solution such as water, dissolves quickly and completely to create the use solution.
US08309508B2	Fibrous substrate with a solid hypohalite precipitate formed therein A cleaning substrate which comprises at least one layer of a solid hypohalite precipitate, wherein the hypohalite precipitate is formed in situ on the layer of substrate material. A process for making a fibrous cleaning substrate comprising the steps of: a) providing at least one layer of fibrous material; b) exposing the fibrous layer to an aqueous alkaline earth salt solution; c) treating the fibrous layer with a hypochlorite solution; d) allowing the aqueous alkaline earth salt solution combine with the hypochlorite solution to form a solid hypochlorite precipitate around the fibers in the fibrous material and a liquid phase, and e) removing at least 65% of the liquid phase from the fibrous substrate.
US08309500B2	Food grade lubricant compositions Novel non-aqueous water soluble food grade lubricant compositions comprising: (a) About 5% to about 50% of a polyalkylene glycol comprised of an ethylene oxide/propylene oxide copolymer, or polymer of propylene oxide, having molecular weight greater than 1,500; and (b) About 50% to about 95% of a polyethylene glycol having molecular weight of from about 200 to about 600; wherein said lubricating compositions have viscosities of about 28 to about 100% at 40° C. The novel non-aqueous water soluble food grade lubricant compositions are particularly useful in food processing and packaging equipment applications where low viscosity food grade lubricants with low pour points are desired, and in applications where there is a need for equipment and spill cleanup. These food grade lubricant compositions are also environmentally friendly due to their water solubility, rapid biodegradability, and low aquatic toxicity.
US08309497B1	High performance drilling fluids with submicron-size particles as the weighting agent Drilling fluids comprising a carrier fluid; a weighting agent that comprises sub-micron precipitated barite; a particle having a specific gravity of greater than about 2.6; and, a bridging agent that is not the submicron-precipitated barite or the particle. The weighting agent has a particle size distribution such that at least 10% of particles in the sub-micron precipitated barite have a diameter below about 0.2 microns, at least 50% of the particles in the sub-micron precipitated barite have a diameter below about 0.3 microns and at least 90% of the particles in the sub-micron precipitated barite have a diameter below about 0.5 microns. The particle has a specific gravity of greater than about 2.6 is not sub-micron precipitated barite. The ratio of the sub-micron precipitated barite to the particle is about 10:90 to about 99:1. The bridging agent comprises a degradable material.
US08309496B2	Methods for photolithographic synthesis of polymer arrays utilizing anti-reflective coatings The present invention provides novel processes for the large scale preparation of arrays of polymer sequences wherein each array includes a plurality of different, positionally distinct polymer sequences having known monomer sequences. The methods of the invention combine high throughput process steps with high resolution photolithographic techniques in the manufacture of polymer arrays.
US08309490B2	Low VOC and stable plant growth regulator liquid and granule compositions The invention relates to low VOC plant growth regulator compositions comprising less than about 25% of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The compositions comprise forchlorfenuron (CPPU). Also provided are methods of using the compositions.
US08309485B2	Methods for producing metal-containing sulfated activator-supports The present invention provides metal-containing sulfated activator-supports, and polymerization catalyst compositions employing these activator-supports. Methods for making these metal-containing sulfated activator-supports and for using such components in catalyst compositions for the polymerization of olefins are also provided.
US08309482B2	High zirconia refractory material Fused and cast refractory product including on oxides basis in percent by weight and for a total of 100%: ZrO2+HfO2 complement to 100%; 3.5% to 6.0% SiO2; 0.7% to 1.5% Al2O3; 0.10% to 0.43% Na2O+K2O; 0.05% to 0.80% B2O3; less than 0.4% CaO+SrO+MgO+ZnO; less than 0.05% P2O5; less than 0.55% Fe2O3+TiO2; less than 1.5% other species. The ratio of percentages by weight of Al2O3/(Na2O+K2O) being greater than or equal to 3.5 and the ratio of percentages by weight of B2O3/(Na2O+K2O) being between 0.3 and 2.5.
US08309481B2	Optical glass and optical apparatus using the same An optical glass includes a substance A generating light of a wavelength λ2 when irradiated with light of a wavelength λ1 and a substance B generating light of a wavelength λ3 when irradiated with light of the wavelength λ1 in the case where the relation between the wavelength λ1, the wavelength λ2, and the wavelength λ3 is assumed to be λ1<λ2<λ3 with respect to a 100% of basic glass composition containing at least, 2-20% SiO2, 5-45% B2O3, and 10-29% La2O3, by weight, or with respect to a 100% of basic glass composition containing; at least, 2-20% SiO2, 5-45% B2O3, 10-29% La2O3, 0-45% RO (R=Zn, Sr, Ba), 0-10% Ln2O3 (Ln=Y, Gd), and 1-20% total of ZrO2+Nb2O5+TiO2+Ta2O5, by weight.
US08309480B2	Crystallizable glass and crystallized glass obtained by crystallizing the same To provide crystallizable glass that is less likely to be devitrified even when formed into shape by a float process, causes no breakage during a forming step and a crystallization step and is capable of precipitating LAS-based crystals as main crystals by subjecting the glass to heat treatment after being formed into shape, and crystallized glass obtained by crystallizing the crystallizable glass. The crystallizable glass of the present invention is characterized by substantially containing neither As2O3 nor Sb2O3 and having a composition of, in percent by mass, 55.0 to 73.0% SiO2, 17.0 to 27.0% Al2O3, 2.0 to 5.0% Li2O, 0 to 1.5% MgO, 0 to 1.5% ZnO, 0 to 1.0% Na2O, 0 to 1.0% K2O, 0 to 3.8% TiO2, 0 to 2.5% ZrO2, 0 to 0.6% SnO2, and 2.3 to 3.8% TiO2+ZrO2.
US08309479B2	Metal coated nano fibres The present invention relates to metal coated nano-fibers obtained by a process that includes electrospinning and to the use of said metal coated nano-fibers. The process is characterized in that a polymer nano-fiber with functional groups providing the binding ability to a reducing reagent is prepared by electrospinning at ambient conditions. Then this is contacted with a reducing agent, thereby opening the epoxy ring on the surface of polymer nano-fiber and replacing with the reducing agent and the reducing agent modified film is reacted with metal solution in alkaline media. Finally the electrospun mat is treated with water to open the epoxy rings in the structure and crosslinking the chains to provide integrity.
US08309478B2	Consolidated fibrous structure A consolidated fibrous structure including a multiplicity of fibrous layers. Each fibrous layer comprises tape fibers, wherein the tape fibers contain a polypropylene core and a skin layer. At least a portion of the skin layers of the fibers in each fibrous layer are fused to at least a portion of other skin layers of fibers within the same fibrous layer and at least a portion of the skin layers of the fibers of each fibrous layer are fused with at least a portion of the skin layers of the fibers in an adjacent fibrous layer.
US08309477B2	Laminate structure with an interlayer A laminate structure comprising at least a first layer joined to a second layer by an intermediate layer. The material of the first layer is different to the material of the second layer, and the intermediate layer is composed of fibers of interwoven different first and second materials. An adhesive is provided between the intermediate layer and at least one of the first layer and second layer.
US08309474B1	Ultrafast laser annealing with reduced pattern density effects in integrated circuit fabrication Systems and methods for performing ultrafast laser annealing in a manner that reduces pattern density effects in integrated circuit manufacturing are disclosed. The method includes scanning at least one first laser beam over the patterned surface of a substrate. The at least one first laser beam is configured to heat the patterned surface to a non-melt temperature Tnonmelt that is within about 400° C. of the melt temperature Tmelt. The method also includes scanning at least one second laser beam over the patterned surface and relative to the first laser beam. The at least one second laser beam is pulsed and is configured to heat the patterned surface from the non-melt temperature provided by the at least one first laser beam up to the melt temperature.
US08309473B2	Method for purifying acetylene gas for use in semiconductor processes Acetylene is treated to remove some residual storage solvent that may be present with the acetylene in a source of acetylene such as a container. Such treatment may be performed prior to supplying the acetylene to a deposition chamber or other reactor where acetylene is a reactant. After treatment, the acetylene gas stream has a relatively constant concentration of storage solvent, regardless of how much acetylene has been released from the acetylene source. The treatment may involve condensing the storage solvent from the gas stream at a certain temperature and separating the storage solvent from the gas stream.
US08309471B2	Method of manufacturing semiconductor device A layer to be etched is first formed in a substrate. Then, a mask pattern is formed over the layer to be etched. Then, the layer to be etched is wet-etched using the mask pattern as a mask. In the procedure of performing wet etching, the substrate is dipped into an etching bath with the mask pattern downward.
US08309467B2	Manufacturing method of device and planarization process A manufacturing method of a device is provided. In the manufacturing method, a substrate is provided. The substrate has a plurality of patterns and a plurality of openings formed thereon, and the openings are located among the patterns. A first liquid supporting layer is formed on the patterns, and the openings are filled with the first liquid supporting layer. The first liquid supporting layer is transformed into a first solid supporting layer. The first solid supporting layer includes a plurality of supporting elements formed in the openings, and the supporting elements are formed among the patterns. A treatment process is performed on the patterns. The first solid supporting layer that includes the supporting elements is transformed into a second liquid supporting layer. The second liquid supporting layer is removed.
US08309465B2	System and method for producing devices including a semiconductor part and a non-semiconductor part A system produces devices that include a semiconductor part and a non-semiconductor part. A front end is configured to receive a semiconductor part and to process the semiconductor part. A back end is configured to receive the processed semiconductor part and to assemble the processed semiconductor part and a non-semiconductor part into a device. A transfer device is configured to automatically handle the semiconductor part in the front end and to automatically transfer the processed semiconductor part to the back end.
US08309464B2	Methods for etching the edge of a silicon wafer The present disclosure generally relates to the manufacture of silicon wafers, and more particularly to edge etching apparatus and methods for etching the edge of a silicon wafer.
US08309461B2	Double-sided monolithically integrated optoelectronic module with temperature compensation An optoelectronic module includes a semiconductor structure with a substrate having a first side and a second side, a first layered structure deposited on the first side, and a second layered structure deposited on the second side. The optoelectronic module also includes driver circuitry fabricated of the first layered structure and a diode laser fabricated of the second layered structure. The driver circuitry produces a drive electrical signal supplied to the diode laser, and the diode laser produces an optical output in response to the drive electrical signal. In a preferred embodiment, the optoelectronic module also includes a temperature-sensitive element fabricated of the first or the second layered structure. The temperature-sensitive element produces a temperature dependent control signal related to the diode laser temperature.
US08309458B2	Semiconductor device comprising variable-sized contact, method of forming same, and apparatus comprising same A semiconductor device comprises an electrical contact designed to reduce a contact resistance. The electrical contact has a size that varies according to a length of a region where the contact is to be formed.
US08309445B2	Bi-directional self-aligned FET capacitor A method of forming a field effect transistor (FET) capacitor includes forming a channel region; forming a gate stack over the channel region; forming a first extension region on a first side of the gate stack, the first extension region being formed by implanting a first doping material at a first angle such that a shadow region exists on a second side of the gate stack; and forming a second extension region on the second side of the gate stack, the second extension region being formed by implanting a second doping material at a second angle such that a shadow region exists on the first side of the gate stack.
US08309444B2	System and method of dosage profile control A system and method for controlling a dosage profile is disclosed. An embodiment comprises separating a wafer into components of a grid array and assigning each of the grid components a desired dosage profile based upon a test to compensate for topology differences between different regions of the wafer. The desired dosages are decomposed into directional dosage components and the directional dosage components are translated into scanning velocities of the ion beam for an ion implanter. The velocities may be fed into an ion implanter to control the wafer-to-beam velocities and, thereby, control the implantation.
US08309439B2	Nitride nanowires and method of producing such The present invention relates to the growing of nitride semiconductors, applicable for a multitude of semiconductor devices such as diodes, LEDs and transistors. According to the method of the invention nitride semiconductor nanowires are grown utilizing a CVD based selective area growth technique. A nitrogen source and a metal-organic source are present during the nanowire growth step and at least the nitrogen source flow rate is continuous during the nanowire growth step. The V/III-ratio utilized in the inventive method is significantly lower than the V/III-ratios commonly associated with the growth of nitride based semiconductor.
US08309436B2	Method of producing epitaxial substrate with gettering for solid-state imaging device, and method of producing solid-state imaging device using same substrate A method of producing an epitaxial substrate for a solid-state imaging device, comprising: forming a gettering sink by injecting laser beam to a semiconductor substrate through one surface thereof, condensing the laser beam to an arbitrarily selected portion of the semiconductor substrate, thereby causing multi-photon absorption process to occur in the portion, and forming a gettering sink having a modified crystal structure; and epitaxially growing at least two epitaxial layers on the semiconductor substrate in which the gettering sink is formed.
US08309432B2	Epitaxial lift off stack having a universally shrunk handle and methods thereof Embodiments of the invention generally relate to epitaxial lift off (ELO) thin films and devices and methods used to form such films and devices. In one embodiment, a method for forming an ELO thin film is provided which includes depositing an epitaxial material over a sacrificial layer on a substrate, adhering a universally shrinkable support handle onto the epitaxial material, wherein the universally shrinkable support handle contains a shrinkable material, and shrinking the support handle to form tension in the support handle and compression in the epitaxial material during a shrinking process. The method further includes removing the sacrificial layer during an etching process, peeling the epitaxial material from the substrate while forming an etch crevice therebetween, and bending the support handle to have substantial curvature.
US08309430B2	Semiconductor manufacturing apparatus and semiconductor manufacturing method According to one embodiment, a first substrate and a second substrate are pressed from an opposite surface of a joint surface of the second substrate such that a joint surface of the first substrate and the joint surface of the second substrate are in contact with each other. The second substrate is restrained by a member to provide a gap between the joint surfaces. It is determined, based on a temporal change of a joint interface calculated based on an image imaged from the opposite surface side of the joint surface, whether joining is normally performed.
US08309427B2	Manufacturing method for FIN-FET having floating body A manufacturing method for a FIN-FET having a floating body is disclosed. The manufacturing method of this invention includes forming openings in a poly crystalline layer; extending the openings downward; forming spacers on sidewalls of the openings; performing an isotropic silicon etching process on bottoms of the openings; performing deposition by using TEOS to form gate oxide.
US08309425B2	Method of manufacturing semiconductor device A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device may include, but is not limited to the following processes. A semiconductor substrate is prepared. The semiconductor substrate has a first region and a second region other than the first region. A first mask is formed over the first region. The first mask has a first line-and-space pattern extending in a first direction. A first removing process is performed. The first removing process selectively removes the first region with the first mask to form a first groove extending in the first direction. The first removing process removes an upper part of the second region while a remaining part of the second region having a first surface facing upward. The bottom level of the first groove is higher than the level of the first surface.
US08309415B2	Methods and apparatus for increasing memory density using diode layer sharing Methods of forming memory cells are disclosed which include forming a pillar above a substrate, the pillar including a steering element and a memory element, and performing one or more etches vertically through the memory element, but not the steering element, to form multiple memory cells that share a single steering element. Memory cells formed from such methods, as well as numerous other aspects are also disclosed.
US08309414B2	Semiconductor device and method of manufacturing semiconductor device A first transistor includes a first gate insulating film, a first gate electrode, and a first sidewall. A second transistor includes a second gate insulating film, a second gate electrode, and a second sidewall. A capacitive element is connected to one side of source and drain regions of the second transistor. The first gate insulating film has the same thickness as that of the second gate insulating film, and the first gate electrode has the same thickness of that of the second gate electrode. The width of the second sidewall is larger than the width of the first sidewall.
US08309410B2	Power MOSFET with a gate structure of different material A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor layer of a first conductivity type and a first doping concentration. A first semiconductor region, used as drain, of the first conductivity type has a lower doping concentration than the semiconductor layer and is over the semiconductor layer. A gate dielectric is over the first semiconductor region. A gate electrode over the gate dielectric has a metal-containing center portion and first and second silicon portions on opposite sides of the center portion. A second semiconductor region, used as a channel, of the second conductivity type has a first portion under the first silicon portion and the gate dielectric. A third semiconductor region, used as a source, of the first conductivity type is laterally adjacent to the first portion of the second semiconductor region. The metal-containing center portion, replacing silicon, increases the source to drain breakdown voltage.
US08309406B2	Method for manufacturing semiconductor device Electric characteristics of a thin film transistor including a channel formation region including a microcrystalline semiconductor are improved. The thin film transistor includes a gate electrode, a gate insulating film formed over the gate electrode, a microcrystalline semiconductor layer formed over the gate insulating film, a semiconductor layer which is formed over the microcrystalline semiconductor layer and includes an amorphous semiconductor, and a source region and a drain region which are formed over the semiconductor layer. A channel is formed in the microcrystalline semiconductor layer when the thin film transistor is placed in an on state, and the microcrystalline semiconductor layer includes an impurity element for functioning as an acceptor. The microcrystalline semiconductor layer is formed by a plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition method. In forming the microcrystalline semiconductor layer, a process gas is excited with two or more kinds of high-frequency electric power with different frequencies.
US08309405B2	Three dimensional semiconductor memory device and method of fabricating the same Methods of forming vertical nonvolatile memory devices may include forming an electrically insulating layer, which includes a composite of a sacrificial layer sandwiched between first and second mold layers. An opening extends through the electrically insulating layer and exposes inner sidewalls of the first and second mold layers and the sacrificial layer. A sidewall of the opening may be lined with an electrically insulating protective layer and a first semiconductor layer may be formed on an inner sidewall of the electrically insulating protective layer within the opening. At least a portion of the sacrificial layer may then be selectively etched from between the first and second mold layers to thereby define a lateral recess therein, which exposes an outer sidewall of the electrically insulating protective layer.
US08309400B2	Leadframe package structure and manufacturing method thereof The package structure includes a metal sheet having a first central block, a plurality of first metal blocks, a second central block and a plurality of second metal blocks, a first finish layer and a second finish layer, at least a chip disposed on the metal sheet and a package body encapsulating the chip. The package structure may further include at least an area block for wire routing.
US08309399B2	Power semiconductor module and method of manufacturing the same Disclosed herein is a power semiconductor module. The module includes metal plates each having a first through hole, with an anodic oxidation layer formed on a surface of metal plates and an interior of the first through hole. A cooling member has a second through hole at a position corresponding to the first through hole, and the metal plates are attached to both sides of the cooling member. A circuit layer is formed on the anodic oxidation layer and performs an interlayer connection through a via formed in the first and second through holes. A power device is connected to the circuit layer. A resin encapsulant encloses the circuit layer and the power device. A housing is installed to each of the metal plates to form a sealing space for the resin encapsulant.
US08309397B2	Integrated circuit packaging system with a component in an encapsulant cavity and method of fabrication thereof A method for fabricating an encapsulant cavity integrated circuit package system includes: providing an interposer; forming a first integrated circuit package with an inverted bottom terminal having an encapsulant cavity and the interposer; and attaching a component on the interposer in the encapsulant cavity.
US08309396B2	System and method for 3D integrated circuit stacking A method and system of stacking and aligning a plurality of integrated circuits. The method includes the steps of providing a first integrated circuit having at least one funnel-shaped socket, providing a second integrated circuit, aligning at least one protrusion on the second integrated circuit with the at least one funnel-shaped socket, and bonding the first integrated circuit to the second integrated circuit. The system includes a first integrated circuit having at least one funnel-shaped socket, a metallization-diffusion barrier disposed on the interior of the funnel-shaped socket, and a second integrated circuit. The at least one funnel-shaped socket is adapted to receive a portion of the second integrated circuit.
US08309389B1	Photovoltaic semiconductor devices and associated methods Photovoltaic semiconductor devices and associated methods are provided. In one aspect, for example, a method of making a photovoltaic semiconductor device having enhanced electromagnetic radiation absorption can include applying a damage removal etch (DRE) to a semiconductor material to an RMS surface roughness of from about 0.5 nm to about 50 nm and texturing a single side of the semiconductor material. The texturing further includes irradiating a target region of the semiconductor material with laser radiation to create features having a size of from about 50 nm to about 10 microns.
US08309386B2	Process of forming a microphone using support member A method of forming a microphone forms a backplate, and a flexible diaphragm on at least a portion of a wet etch removable sacrificial layer. The method adds a wet etch resistant material, where a portion of the wet etch resistant material is positioned between the diaphragm and the backplate to support the diaphragm. Some of the wet etch resistant material is not positioned between the diaphragm and backplate. The method then removes the sacrificial material before removing any of the wet etch resistant material added during the prior noted act of adding. The wet etch resistant material then is removed substantially in its entirety after removing at least part of the sacrificial material.
US08309384B2	Process for packaging components, and packaged components A wafer level packaging process for packaging components is provided. The process includes permanently connecting a functional side of a base substrate to a covering substrate at wafer level so that a plurality of functional regions on the functional side are in each case packaged to form a wafer level package, the plurality of functional regions being spaced apart from one another on the functional side; producing contact-connection recesses in the base substrate to uncover contact surfaces on the base substrate from a back surface of the base substrate; dividing the base substrate into body regions and connection regions; thinning the body regions or the connection regions until the wafer level package has different thicknesses in the body regions and the connection regions; and dicing wafer level package into chips along predefined cutting lines between the plurality of functional regions.
US08309383B2	Solid-state imaging device and camera A camera with a solid-state imaging device which includes a plurality of pixels in an arrangement, each of the pixels including a photoelectric conversion element, pixel transistors including a transfer transistor, and a floating diffusion region, in which the channel width of transfer gate of the transfer transistor is formed to be larger on a side of the floating diffusion region than on a side of the photoelectric conversion element.
US08309381B2	Group III nitride semiconductor light-emitting device and production method therefor A method for producing a light-emitting device including a growth substrate made of Group III nitride semiconductor, and a Group III nitride semiconductor layer stacked on the top surface of the growth substrate, includes forming, between the growth substrate and the semiconductor layer, a stopper layer exhibiting resistance to a wet etchant, and wet-etching the bottom surface of the growth substrate until the stopper layer is exposed.
US08309374B2	Advanced platform for processing crystalline silicon solar cells The present invention generally provides a batch substrate processing system, or cluster tool, for in-situ processing of a film stack used to form regions of a solar cell device. In one configuration, the film stack formed on each of the substrates in the batch contains one or more silicon-containing layers and one or more metal layers that are deposited and further processed within the various chambers contained in the substrate processing system. In one embodiment, a batch of solar cell substrates is simultaneously transferred in a vacuum or inert environment to prevent contamination from affecting the solar cell formation process.
US08309370B2	Plasmon resonant particles, methods and apparatus A method and apparatus for interrogating a target having a plurality of plasmon resonant particles (PREs) distributed in the target are disclosed. In the method, a field containing the target is illuminated, and one or more spectral emission characteristics of the light-scattering particles in the field are detected. From this data, an image of positions and spectral characteristic values in the field is constructed, allowing PREs with a selected spectral signature to be discriminated from other light-scattering entities, to provide information about the field. Also disclosed are a novel PRE composition for use in practicing the method, and a variety of diagnostic applications of the method.
US08309365B2	Method for evaluating target molecules A method for evaluating a target molecule bound to a probe molecule provided with a marker includes: applying AC voltage between a working electrode provided on a substrate and a counter electrode; and using a signal obtained from the marker on the probe molecule bound to the working electrode when a frequency of the AC voltage is varied, or an average value of the signal, to determine at least one of a Stokes radius or molecular weight of the target molecule, a binding rate between the probe molecule and the target molecule, a binding rate constant therebetween, a dissociation rate therebetween, and a dissociation rate constant therebetween.
US08309364B2	Method of performing an immunoassay in blood An electrochemical immunosensor system with reduced interference, comprising: a first immunosensor that generates an electrochemical signal based on the formation of a sandwich between an immobilized antibody, a target analyte and a labeled antibody, wherein a portion of the signal arises from non-specific binding of the labeled antibody in the region of the first immunosensor, and a second immunosensor that acts as an immuno-reference sensor and generates a signal that is the same as or predictably related to the degree of non-specific binding which occurs in the region of the first immunosensor, and has an immunocomplex between an immobilized antibody and an endogenous or exogenous protein that is in the sample and that is not the target analyte.
US08309361B2	Method for quantification of analytes in a titanium, tin or silicon tetrachloride sample This disclosure relates to a method for detecting at least one analyte in a tetrachloride sample comprising titanium, tin or silicon tetrachloride; comprising, (a) adding a mixture of water and acid, typically hydrochloric acid, to the sample under conditions effective for forming an aqueous solution of the sample; (b) introducing the aqueous solution of the sample into an inductively coupled mass spectrometer having a cell selected from the group of a reactive cell and a collision cell or both and producing an analyte ion comprising an interfering species; (c) contacting the analyte ion with a gas to produce a product which is substantially free from the interfering species; and (d) detecting and measuring at least one signal from the analyte in the solution. This disclosure further relates to a method for making an aqueous titanium, tin or silicon tetrachloride sample suitable for analysis in using inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy.
US08309352B2	Human cord blood as a source of neural tissue repair of the brain and spinal cord The present invention relates to the use of umbilical cord blood cells from a donor or patient to provide neural cells which may be used in transplantation. The isolated cells according to the present invention may be used to effect autologous and allogeneic transplantation and repair of neural tissue, in particular, tissue of the brain and spinal cord and to treat neurodegenerative diseases of the brain and spinal cord.
US08309351B2	Methods of identifying agents that inhibit angiogenesis The presently disclosed subject matter relates to the identification of markers of endothelial cells which are in a quiescent or activated state, and more specifically to beta tubulin isotypes as markers which are differentially expressed between endothelial cells in these states. The beta tubulin isotypes can be used for the identification of candidate agents which selectively bind quiescent or activated endothelial cells, and to identify candidate agents which inhibit or promote angiogenesis and/or vascular function.
US08309350B2	Photoreactive regulator of protein function and methods of use thereof The present invention provides a synthetic regulator of protein function, which regulator is a light-sensitive regulator. The present invention further provides a light-regulated polypeptide that includes a subject synthetic regulator. Also provided are cells and membranes comprising a subject light-regulated polypeptide. The present invention further provides methods of modulating protein function, involving use of light. The present invention further provides methods of identifying agents that modulate protein function.
US08309349B2	Cell line The invention provides a cell line complementing HSV ICP4, ICP27, and UL55 genes.
US08309345B2	Method for detecting an antigen Provided is a method for detecting an antigen without use of a labeled-antibody. A support having an antibody and a multi-copper oxidase CueO immobilized thereon is brought into contact with a first buffer solution containing the antigen, a current is measured by a potentiostat method using the support and a second buffer solution, and when the measured current is greater than or equal to 1.5×(blank value), it is determined that the antigen exists. The second buffer solution contains a substrate of the CueO and has an ionic strength falling within a range of not less than 0.3 mM and not more than 1.0 mM.
US08309343B2	Apparatus and method for processing biological material The application discloses an apparatus and method for processing biological material, including a suspension of cells.
US08309342B2	Apparatus and methods for cell isolation A unitary apparatus for isolating cells from adipose tissue including a lipid separation processor with a dispersing head equipped with a plurality of ports and a digestion chamber for dissociation of the constituent cells disposed in adipose tissue. The lipid separating apparatus is useful for the separation of lipids and adipocytes from a mixed cell population. A cell seeding chamber may be attached to the cell isolation apparatus. The components of the apparatus may be packaged in modular kit form.
US08309338B2	Polypeptides having endoglucanase activity and polynucleotides encoding same The present invention relates to isolated polypeptides having endoglucanase activity and isolated polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides. The invention also relates to nucleic acid constructs, vectors, and host cells comprising the polynucleotides as well as methods for producing and using the polypeptides.
US08309333B1	Regioselective alkane hydroxylation with a mutant AlkB enzyme AlkB from Pseudomonas putida was engineered using in-vivo directed evolution to hydroxylate small chain alkanes. Mutant AlkB-BMO1 hydroxylates propane and butane at the terminal carbon at a rate greater than the wild-type to form 1-propanol and 1-butanol, respectively. Mutant AlkB-BMO2 similarly hydroxylates propane and butane at the terminal carbon at a rate greater than the wild-type to form 1-propanol and 1-butanol, respectively. These biocatalysts are highly active for small chain alkane substrates and their regioselectivity is retained in whole-cell biotransformations.
US08309327B2	Method of producing an immunogenic composition The present invention relates to a method for purifying bacterial cytolysins such as pneumococcal pneumolysin. A single chromatography step produces excellent purification of the cytolysin by binding soluble aggregated cytolysin to a hydrophobic interaction chromatography material in the presence of detergent and high salt.
US08309326B2	Intergenic regions as insertion sites in the genome of modified vaccinia virus ankara (MVA) The present invention relates to novel insertion sites useful for the integration of exogenous sequences into the Modified Vaccinia Ankara (MVA) virus genome. The present invention further provides plasmid vectors to insert exogenous DNA into the genome of MVA. Furthermore, the present invention provides recombinant MVA comprising an exogenous DNA sequence inserted into the new insertion site as medicine or vaccine.
US08309324B2	Promoters and proteins from Clostridium thermocellum and uses thereof The present invention relates to an inducible and a high expression nucleic acid promoter isolated from Clostridium thermocellum. These promoters are useful for directing expression of a protein or polypeptide encoded by a nucleic acid molecule operably associated with the nucleic acid promoters. The present invention also relates to nucleic acid constructs including the C. thermocellum promoters, and expression vectors and hosts containing such nucleic acid constructs. The present invention also relates to protein isolated from Clostridium thermocellum, including a repressor protein. The present invention also provides methods of using the isolated promoters and proteins from Clostridium thermocellum, including methods for directing inducible in vitro and in vivo expression of a protein or polypeptide in a host, and methods of producing ethanol from a cellulosic biomass.
US08309319B2	Fluorescent probe for measurement of UDP-glucuronosyltransferase A fluorescent probe for measurement of UDP-glucuronosyltransferase, which comprises a fluorescein derivative, wherein in the fluorescein derivative, the 2-carboxy group on the benzene ring of fluorescein is replaced with another monovalent substituent, provided that said substituent is a substituent other than sulfo group, and the substituent does not have carboxy group or sulfo group, and wherein the fluorescein derivative may have an arbitrary substituent at a position on the benzene ring other than the 2-position, and the fluorescein derivative may have a substituent selected from the group consisting of an alkoxy group and a halogen atom at the 2-position and/or the 7-position of fluorescein.
US08309316B2	Methods and compositions for risk stratification The present invention provides an approach for the simultaneous determination of the activation states of a plurality of proteins in single cells. This approach permits the rapid detection of heterogeneity in a complex cell population based on activation states, and the identification of cellular subsets that exhibit correlated changes in activation within the cell population. Moreover, this approach allows the correlation of cellular activities or properties. In addition, the use of potentiators of cellular activation allows for characterization of such pathways and cell populations.
US08309314B2	Agonists of bitter taste receptors and uses thereof The present invention relates to agonists of the human bitter-taste receptors hTAS2R14, hTAS2R10 and hTAS2R4 and their role in bitter taste transduction. The invention also relates to methods for identifying molecules that modulate, e.g. suppress, or enhance hTAS2R14, hTAS2R10 and hTAS2R4 bitter taste transduction or bitter taste response.
US08309313B2	Glycated peptides and methods of use The invention provides glycated peptides and glycated fragments and glycated variants thereof, antibodies and aptamers which bind thereto, compositions and kits comprising the same, related conjugates, and a database comprising data indicating the concentration of glycated peptides present in diabetic and non-diabetic persons. The invention also provides a method of monitoring glycemic control, a method of treating or preventing diabetes, a method of preventing a complication of diabetes, a method of monitoring the status of diabetes, a method of determining the efficacy of a diabetes treatment, as well as methods of detecting diabetes or a predisposition thereto.
US08309312B2	Means for detection and purification of CD8+ T lymphocyte populations specific to peptides presented in the context of HLA The invention concerns multimers developed from recombinant proteins analogues of MHC class I.
US08309308B2	Method for determining the amount of template nucleic acid present in a sample A method for determining the amount of template nucleic acid present in a sample comprising the steps of: i) bringing into association with the sample all the components necessary for nucleic acid amplification, and all the components necessary for a bioluminescence assay for nucleic acid amplification and subsequently: ii) performing the nucleic acid amplification reaction; iii) monitoring the intensity of light output from the bioluminescence assay; and iv) determining the amount of template nucleic acid present in the sample.
US08309306B2	Detection composition The invention provides methods, kits, devices and compositions for detecting one or more target analytes. In some embodiments, the invention provides binding elements and labeling elements capable of being joined through a plurality of joining elements.
US08309303B2	Reverse transcription and amplification of RNA with simultaneous degradation of DNA The invention relates to a method for processing RNA, in particular, a RNA reaction method and kits for carrying out said RNA reaction method.
US08309297B2	Methods of lithographically patterning a substrate A method of lithographically patterning a substrate that has photoresist having removal areas and non-removal areas includes first exposing at least the non-removal areas to radiation effective to increase outer surface roughness of the photoresist in the non-removal areas at least post-develop but ineffective to change photoresist solubility in a developer for the photoresist to be cleared from the non-removal areas upon develop with the developer. Second exposing of radiation to the removal areas is conducted to be effective to change photoresist solubility in the developer for the photoresist to be cleared from the removal areas upon develop with the developer. The photoresist is developed with the developer effective to clear photoresist from the removal areas and to leave photoresist in the non-removal areas that has outer surface roughness in the non-removal areas which is greater than that before the first exposing. Other implementations and embodiments are contemplated.
US08309296B2	Method for processing workpiece with photoresist layer A method for processing a workpiece (10) having a photoresist layer (12) using an exposure device (30) is disclosed. A transparent sheet (20) which allows transmission of light emitted from the exposure device (30) is disposed between an object lens (35a) of the exposure device (30) and the photoresist layer (12), and the photoresist layer (12) is exposed to the light through the transparent sheet (20).
US08309293B2	Coated carriers The present disclosure provides carriers for use with toner compositions. In embodiments, a carrier may include a core, having a dry powder polymer coating. In embodiments, the coating may also include a colorant, such as carbon black. Processes for coating such carriers with the dry powder polymer coatings are also provided.
US08309291B2	Polyester for toner A polyester for a toner, obtainable by polycondensing an alcohol component and a carboxylic acid component containing a (meth)acrylic acid-modified rosin; and a toner containing the polyester for a toner. The polyester for a toner of the present invention is usable as a resin binder for a toner usable in, for example, developing electrostatic latent images formed in electrophotography, electrostatic recording method, electrostatic printing method or the like.
US08309288B2	Color toner and preparation method thereof A color toner is provided which has a dielectric strength equal to or lower than that of a black toner containing carbon black, and which has an improved charging rate and charge stability against changes in the environment.
US08309287B2	Developing roller, electrophotographic process cartridge and electrophotographic image-forming apparatus A developing roller has a mandrel, an elastic layer and a cover layer as a surface layer. The cover layer includes a silicon oxide film containing a carbon atom chemically bonded to a silicon atom. In the silicon oxide film, the proportion of the total number of the elements of silicon, oxygen, carbon and hydrogen to the number of all detected elements, as detected with a high-frequency glow discharge light-emission surface analysis method, is 90% or more. The silicon oxide film has an abundance ratio of an oxygen atom chemically bonded to a silicon atom to silicon atoms, (O/Si), of 0.65 or more but 1.95 or less and an abundance ratio of a carbon atom chemically bonded to a silicon atom to silicon atoms, (C/Si), of 0.05 or more but 1.65 or less, and has a ratio of the maximum value to the minimum value of the (C/Si) in a thickness direction of the cover layer, of 1.50 to 33.00.
US08309283B2	Method and apparatus for writing A writing method includes calculating a proximity effect-corrected dose for correcting a proximity effect in charged particle beam writing, for each first mesh region made by virtually dividing a writing region of a target object into a plurality of first mesh regions of a first mesh size, calculating a fogging effect-corrected dose by using the proximity effect-corrected dose calculated and an area density in the first mesh size with respect to a part of a calculation region for calculating the fogging effect-corrected dose for correcting a fogging effect in the charged particle beam writing, and by using an area density in a second mesh size larger than the first mesh size with respect to a remaining part of the calculation region, synthesizing the fogging effect-corrected dose and the proximity effect-corrected dose for the each first mesh region, and writing a pattern on the target object by using a charged particle beam based on a synthesized correction dose.
US08309282B2	Apparatus and method for aligning mask An apparatus and method for aligning a mask that includes disposing and firstly aligning a mask over a first substrate, with a space interposed therebetween, bringing the mask into contact with the first substrate and then measuring the alignment state of the mask with respect to the first substrate to detect an alignment error, secondly aligning the mask with respect to the first substrate based on the alignment error, transferring the first substrate to the next process, disposing and thirdly aligning the mask over a second substrate with the space interposed therebetween, and bringing the mask into contact with the second substrate.
US08309281B2	Photosensitive polymeric networks The present invention related to amorphous photosensitive networks. The networks are characterized by good shape memory properties.
US08309280B2	Positive-type photosensitive resin composition, cured film, protective film, insulating film, and semiconductor device A positive-type photosensitive resin composition includes (A) a polyamide resin that includes a structural unit shown by the following formula (1) and a structural unit shown by the following formula (2), and (B) a photosensitive compound, the polyamide resin (A) having a weight average molecular weight (Mw) of 5000 to 80,000, and a cured film obtained by curing the positive-type photosensitive resin composition at 250° C. having a tensile modulus of elasticity of 2.0 to 4.0 GPa and a tensile elongation of 10 to 100%. According to the present invention, a positive-type photosensitive resin composition that can be cured at a low temperature and a highly reliable semiconductor device including a cured film of the positive-type photosensitive resin composition can be provided.
US08309279B2	Pellicle for lithography There is provided a pellicle in which the mask-bonding adhesive is formed to have a corner-rounded cross section in a shape akin to a trapezoid whose upper parallel side represents the face of the mask-bonding adhesive layer by which the adhesive layer is attached to the pellicle frame, and whose lower parallel side is not shorter than the upper parallel side, and the base angles of the trapezoid are 90 degrees or smaller but not smaller than 75 degrees, when the lower parallel side is assumed to be the base of the trapezoid.
US08309275B2	Membrane electrode assembly (MEA), method for its manufacturing and a method for preparing a membrane to be assembled in a MEA A method for preparing a membrane to be assembled in a membrane, electrode assembly includes the step of swelling an ion-conducting membrane in a liquid containing at least one solvent or to an atmosphere containing the vapor phase of at least one solvent by controlling the content of the solvent in the ion-conducting membrane. A method for manufacturing a membrane electrode assembly using an ion conducting membrane includes the steps of: providing an ion-conducting membrane in a pre-swollen state; coating the ion-conducting membrane on both sides with an electrode layer to form a sandwich; and hot-pressing the sandwich to form an ion-conducting bonding of the layers of the sandwich. Furthermore, a membrane electrode assembly is disclosed including a hot pressed sandwich having an electrode layer, a ion-conducting membrane and again an electrode layer, thereby using the ion-conducting membrane in its pre-swollen status prior to the hot-pressing.
US08309274B2	Separator plates formed by photopolymer based processes A separator plate for a fuel cell is provided, including a substrate having a radiation-cured first flow field layer disposed thereon. A method for fabricating the separator plate is also provided. The method includes the steps of providing a substrate; applying a first radiation-sensitive material to the substrate; placing a first mask between a first radiation source and the first radiation-sensitive material, the first mask having a plurality of substantially radiation-transparent apertures; and exposing the first radiation-sensitive material to a plurality of first radiation beams to form a radiation-cured first flow field layer adjacent the substrate. A fuel cell having the separator plate is also provided.
US08309264B2	Fuel cell flow field having strong, chemically stable metal bipolar plates A bipolar plate (30) for use in a fuel cell stack (10) includes one or more first metal layers (40a) having a tendency to grow an electrically passive layer in the presence of a fuel cell reactant gas and one or more second metal layers (40b) directly adjacent the one or more first metal layers (40a). The second metal layer has a tendency to resist growing any oxide layer in the presence of the fuel cell reactant gas to maintain a threshold electrical conductivity. The second metal layer also has a section for contacting an electrode (12, 14) and providing an electrically conductive path between the electrode (12, 14) and the first metal layer.
US08309261B2	Fuel cell with control unit for recirculating fuel This invention provides a fuel cell system which can render the distribution of water in an electrolyte membrane even without lowing the pressure of a fuel system (1) comprises an electrolyte membrane (11), an oxidant electrode provided on one side of the electrolyte membrane (11), and a fuel electrode provided on the other side of the electrolyte membrane (11). An oxidant gas flow passage (14) for supplying an oxidant gas along the face of the oxidant electrode and a fuel gas flow passage (15) for supplying a fuel has along the face of the fuel electrode are provided so that the flow direction of the oxidant gas faces the flow direction of the fuel gas. A control unit (50) conducts control so that, when the electrolyte membrane (11) is dry, the flow rate of the fuel gas which flows through the fuel gas flow passage (15) is increased.
US08309259B2	Electrochemical cell, and particularly a cell with electrodeposited fuel The present invention relates to a method for charging the cell by electrodeposition of metal fuel on the anode thereof.
US08309252B2	Anode active material, method of preparing the same, and anode and lithium battery containing the material Silicon oxide based composite anode active materials including amorphous silicon oxides are provided. In one embodiment, the amorphous silicon oxide is represented by SiOx (where 0
US08309246B2	Terminal of rechargeable battery and method of manufacturing the same A terminal of a rechargeable battery, which can provide a current path having reduced resistance between a bus bar and the terminal by separately forming a collector terminal and a coupling terminal while increasing a coupling force between the bus bar and the collector terminal, and a method of manufacturing the same are provided. In one embodiment, the terminal includes a collector terminal electrically connected to an electrode assembly disposed at the inside of a case and protruding toward the outside of the case, a lower fixing member having the collector terminal passing therethrough, a coupling terminal coupled to the lower fixing member in a sliding manner and protruding toward the outside of the lower fixing member, and an upper fixing member allowing the coupling terminal to pass therethrough and to be coupled thereto and covering the lower fixing member.
US08309245B2	Battery pack and connector By being embedded in a portable computing device, a battery pack is made essentially inaccessible to unauthorized users, thereby allowing for a battery pack that can be made smaller and of lighter construction material, thereby facilitating greater component density within the portable computing device, lower cost to manufacture, and more environmentally secure.
US08309244B2	High-voltage battery comprising a connector unit, and connector unit for such a battery A high-voltage battery comprising a number of cells (2) that are arranged in rows, a support structure (3), and a cover plate on which high-current connectors (24) for the individual cells and a cell monitoring unit (9) are mounted. In order to reduce production, assembly, and logistics costs, the cover plate (6) is embodied as a multilayer printed board encompassing at least two conducting layers (15, 17). The first conducting layer (15) is mounted on the side of the printed board facing the cells (2) and has a considerable thickness in order to form the high-current connectors (24), while the second conducting layer (17) has a small thickness and forms the connecting lines (20) to the cell monitoring unit (9). The two layers (15, 17) are interconnected at certain points by means of conducting bores (19) that penetrate the printed board.
US08309242B2	Battery cell A battery cell including: an anode configured to operate as a source of cations during discharge of the battery cell; and an electrolyte configured to transport the cations from the anode to the a cathode during discharge of the battery cell, wherein the cathode includes material that is configured to enable the reversible insertion of transported cations during discharge of the battery cell and that has optical properties that are dependent upon cation insertion and that is viewable by a user.
US08309240B1	Encapsulated fire-retardant materials to improve battery safety This invention provides a battery, such as a lithium-ion battery, that includes an encapsulated fire-retardant material. In some embodiments, stable polymer spheres are used to encapsulate an effective fire-retardant material. Under normal operating conditions, the fire-retardant material does not contact the electrolyte, cathode, or anode, thus minimizing performance reduction that occurs when fire-retardant materials are in the direct presence of the electrolyte. Under thermal runaway or excessive temperatures, the fire retardant material vaporizes through the melted encapsulating phase, thereby releasing fire-retardant material to minimize or prevent flammability in the battery.
US08309236B2	Protective alumina film and production method thereof Provided is a protective alumina film mainly containing alumina in the α-crystal structure and fine crystal grains in which one or more regions containing additionally an element other than aluminum formed along the planes in the direction almost perpendicular to the thickness direction of the protective film are present intermittently in the thickness direction inside the protective film.
US08309230B2	Multilayer nanocomposite barrier structures A multilayer barrier structure includes a plurality of relatively thin nanocomposite layers separated by one or more relatively thick intermediate layers selected from synthetic elastomers or non-elastomeric polymers. The composites exhibit remarkably long breakthrough and lag-times and are useful for packaging or protective apparel.
US08309228B2	Coatings containing polysilazanes for metal and polymer surfaces The invention relates to the use of polysilazanes as a permanent coating on metal and polymer surfaces for preventing corrosion, increasing scratch resistance and to facilitate easier cleaning. The invention comprises a solution of a polysilazane or a blend of polysilazanes of the general formula 1 —(SiR′R″—NR′″)n— (1) where R′, R″ and R′″ are identical or different and independently of one another represent hydrogen or an optionally substituted alkyl, aryl, vinyl or (trialkoxysilyl)alkyl group and n represents a whole number and is calculated in such a way that the polysilazane has a numerical average molecular weight of 150 to 150 000 g/mol, in a solvent. The invention also relates to a method for producing the coating.
US08309219B2	Multi-function tape for a semiconductor package and method of manufacturing a semiconductor device using the same A multifunction tape for a semiconductor package and configured to bond to a device-formed side of a semiconductor substrate having a plurality of devices thereon while performing a process of grinding a side of the semiconductor substrate opposite to the device-formed side and a process of dicing the semiconductor substrate into individual chips with a dicing tape having a UV-curable adhesive layer bonded to the ground side of the semiconductor substrate, the multifunction tape being bonded to the individual chips while the individual chips, separated from each other by the dicing process, are picked up and die-attached and a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device using the same, the multifunction tape including a base film; a UV-curable adhesive layer on one side of the base film; and first and second bonding layers on the adhesive layer.
US08309217B2	Easy adhesion film Disclosed is an easy adhesion film which attains sufficient adhesiveness in various processings without using any crosslinking agent such as a melamine resin to possibly pollute the environment and has a primer layer excellent in high-temperature hot water resistance. In the easy adhesion film, a coating film including a polyester resin and a crosslinking agent component in a content of 0.1% by mass or less, inclusive of 0% by mass, is formed on at least one side of a substrate film. The sum of the acid number and the hydroxyl number of the polyester resin is 50 to 200 mg KOH/g, wherein the acid number is 20 to 60 mg KOH/g and the hydroxyl number is 30 to 150 mg KOH/g. The amount of the oligomers contained in the polyester is 2.0% by mass or less. The thickness of the coating film is 0.001 to 0.5 μm.
US08309209B2	Ribbon crystal string for increasing wafer yield A ribbon crystal has a body with a width dimension, and string embedded within the body. The string has a generally elongated cross-sectional shape. This cross-section (of the string) has a generally longitudinal axis that diverges with the width dimension of the ribbon crystal body.
US08309207B2	Adhesive articles with improved air egress The disclosed technology provides an adhesive article with repositionability and air egress characteristics. The adhesive article comprises an adhesive layer having a surface comprising a plurality of spaced apart non-adhesive forms. The non-adhesive forms are arranged in a pattern comprising one or more lanes defined by adjacent rows of non-adhesive forms and a pattern of non-adhesive forms disposed in an area adjacent the lanes. The spacing between the non-adhesive forms in the area adjacent the lanes is larger than the spacing between the non-adhesive forms defining the lanes. The non-adhesive forms disposed within the area adjacent the lanes prevents sticking of the article prior to applying pressure. Upon application of pressure, air entrapped within the areas adjacent the lanes flows to the lanes, and the lanes provide the article with air egress.
US08309206B2	Method and apparatus for manufacturing a transversely oriented film of thermoplastic polymer material and products obtainable by the same method A method of manufacturing an oriented film of thermoplastic polymer material comprises extrusion of a film in tubular form from an extrusion die, orienting the film in a main direction of orientation during the haul-off from the die while in molten or semi-molten state, the direction being at an angle between 0 and 45-to the axis of the tube, followed by cutting of the tube at an angle to its main degree of orientation to form a web having an orientation of no less than 20 to its longitudinal direction, which method involves segmental stretching of the film to form an array of linear bosses (1), being of thicker material, integrally connected by thinner webs (2), said bosses and webs extending in a direction which is generally parallel with the direction of orientation, forming an acute angle to the longitudinal direction of the web, the method involving, after segmental stretching and cutting, shearing of the bosses along one another under re-orientation in the connecting webs, to increase the angle at which the bosses and webs extend relative to the direction of orientation. The bosses are separated from one another by no more than 3 mm. The shearing operation may be carried out by segmental rollers (5).
US08309204B2	Absorbent sheet with unique embossing pattern A cut or precut absorbent sheet intended in particular for wiping includes at least two plies or groups of plies of creped absorbent paper with a basis weight ranging between 12 and 35 g/m2 per ply, at least one of the plies having an embossed pattern made up of protrusions directed towards the inside of the sheet and forming cavities between them. Some of the protrusions are distributed over at least one of the plies in such a way as to define portions of curves which in particular form concentric circles around or near the geometric center of the outline of the sheet; and the set of protrusions belonging to one ply of the sheet forms alignments which constitute an embossed pattern with central symmetry with respect to the geometric center of the outline of the sheet.
US08309199B2	Honeycomb structure The honeycomb structure comprising a plurality of columnar honeycomb segments in which two kinds of plural through-holes different in end face area are formed side by side by being surrounded by partition walls, each honeycomb segment having, at one end face, an inlet side of high opening ratio, wherein through-holes of smaller end face area are plugged and, at other end face, an outlet side of low opening ratio and wherein through-holes of larger end face area are plugged, the plurality of honeycomb segments being bonded to each other via a bonding material in the longitudinal direction of each honeycomb segment. The bonded width of the bonding material is larger at the inlet side end face of the honeycomb structure than at the outlet side end face is presented.
US08309198B2	Rugs with a mat portion A rug is configured from a cover attached to an underlying, non-slip, non-absorbent mat by an interlocking mechanical connection. The interlocking mechanical connection is formed in a first embodiment by hook and loop material of the type sold under the trademark VELCRO, and in a second embodiment by a layer of grit material on the mat, and in a third embodiment by a resinous material which has projections that interlock with the bottom surface of the cover. When it is desired to separate the cover from the mat, the cover is simply pulled and stripped away from the mat so that the cover may be washed in a washing machine and the mat may also be manually washed or otherwise cleaned. If desired, the cover may be replaced with covers of different designs or textures.
US08309197B2	Integral abradable seals Devices, systems and methods for fabricating improved ceramic composite turbine shrouds with abradable seals are disclosed. A high temperature seal with an abradable coating is provided. The seal comprises a three-dimensional, high-density woven composite base structure recessed below the abradable coating, with loops incorporated in and protruding from the base structure. The abradable coating is integrally attached to the base structure via the loops. Additionally, a graded density seal is provided with a three-dimensional, low-density woven composite structure. The low-density structure is abradable. A three-dimensional, high-density woven composite base structure is recessed below the low-density structure, with the low-density structure integrally attached to the base structure via weaving.
US08309196B2	Optical recording medium, optical recording material and metal complex compound An optical recording medium having excellent light resistance that includes a substrate; and a recording layer which is provided on the substrate directly or on another layer provided on the substrate, wherein the recording layer is capable of recording and/or reading information by irradiating light thereon, the recording layer including a metal complex compound comprising an azo compound having a coupler component with a Meldrum's acid structure and a diazo component with a nitrogen-containing heterocyclic aromatic ring structure, and a metal ion coordinated to the azo compound.
US08309195B2	Read-only optical information recording medium An optical information recording medium of the present invention is a read-only optical information recording medium in which at least one reflective film formed of an Al-based alloy and at least one light transmission layer are successively laminated on a substrate. The arithmetical mean roughness of the reflective film is 0.5 nm or less, and the thickness of the reflective film is 25 nm or more. The optical information recording medium of the present invention is the read-only optical information recording medium including the reflective film which has a high reflectivity and low jitter, preferably has excellent durability, and is used particularly appropriately in an optical disc using a blue laser such as BD-ROM or HD DVD-ROM.
US08309192B2	Continuous band for manufacturing bags for horticultural products and such like A continuous band for producing bags for fruit and vegetable products is formed from a continuous plastic sheet which has been die-cut to produce a series of small holes which are closed using mesh or net fragments fixed along the periphery of the holes by heat-sealing, gluing or any other conventional manner. An area of the continuous sheet intended to contain a handle is provided with a transverse patch of pre-determined hardness in order to reinforce the area used to hold the bag once it has been filled, such that the thickness of the band-forming plastic sheet can be significantly reduced, specifically by a value of the order of 40%, without affecting the performance of the bag in terms of mechanical strength since the area in which the greatest strains are concentrated corresponds exactly to the area containing the handle.
US08309190B2	Rotational molded article formed from high molecular weight polyamides The invention relates to an article formed by a rotational molding process, having at least one layer formed from a high molecular weight polyamide. The high molecular weight polyamide is one having a molecular weight in the range of 20,000 to 35,000 and also having an inherent viscosity of 1.05-1.60 dL/g. Rotomolded articles having a high molecular weight polyamide layer have better low-temperature impact performance compared to articles formed from lower molecular weight polyamides.
US08309188B2	Pull up tree system A pull up artificial tree system is adapted to change from a collapsed storage state to an expanded operable state. The pull up tree system includes a base system, a trunk, and a first tree assembly. The first tree assembly includes a top portion; a plurality of frame assemblies comprising a collar, a plurality of outwardly extending support braces, a perimeter, and branch assemblies; and a connection assembly. The collars are slidably disposed upon the trunk, such that they can be pulled upwardly. The pull up tree system can support a regularly arranged artificial tree and/or an inverted tree. In addition, the pull up tree system can be stored in a shell that is slidably disposable within a storage container.
US08309177B2	Method for treatment of chemically passivated galvanized surfaces to improve paint adhesion A method of treating a zinc-galvanized metal surface, which has been chemically passivated, the treatment providing increased resistance to corrosion and improved adherence to a subsequently applied organic coating comprising contacting a chromium passivated, zinc-galvanized metal surface with a coating solution bath comprising from about 1 to about 10 parts per thousand, based on fluorine content, of an inorganic acid or ion that contains fluorine; at least 0.5 parts per thousand, based on transition metal cation content, of an oxide and/or a salt of nickel; and optionally, from about 0 to about 3.0 grams per liter of a polymer selected from the group consisting of polyacrylic acid, polymethacrylic acid, and C1 to C8 alkanol esters thereof; wherein the pH of the solution is from about 2.0 to 3.6 and the temperature of the solution is at least 60° C.; and thereafter sealing the treated surface.
US08309175B2	Barrier film producing method for a semiconductor A film forming method for producing a barrier film for a semiconductor. A metallic material gas and a reactive gas are alternatively introduced into a vacuum chamber. A back-flow preventing gas and an auxiliary gas are also introduced into the vacuum chamber. The reactive gas and the auxiliary gas are moved with a flow of the back-flow preventing gas, and radicals are produced by being in contact with a catalytic material. The metallic material gas is not in contact with the catalytic material, and the catalytic material is not degraded. A shower plate may be disposed between a radical producing chamber and a reaction chamber, so that the radicals are fed into the reaction chamber through holes.
US08309172B2	Method and device for coating hollow cylindrical member A method and a device for coating a hollow cylindrical member. The method includes radially coating an entire inner surface of the hollow cylindrical member with a first coating material discharged by a first slit nozzle and simultaneously circularly coating an entire outer surface of the hollow cylindrical member with a second coating material discharged in an axial direction of the hollow cylindrical member by a second slit nozzle located opposite the first slit nozzle with the hollow cylindrical member therebetween. The first slit nozzle and the second slit nozzle discharge the first coating material and the second coating material, respectively, to a same height of the hollow cylindrical member relative to the inner surface and the outer surface thereof.
US08309171B1	Bright noble metal preparation A bright noble metal preparation for firing on ceramic/porcelain surfaces at a minimum temperature of 900° C. The preparation has at least one organic noble metal compound including at least one of an organic gold, platinum, silver, and palladium compound, at least one flux that consists of organometallic compounds including Cr in the form of at least one organic compound, such that a Cr content is 0.01 to 1.0 mole per mole of noble metal, and at least one vehicle. The bright noble metal preparation is rhodium-free and has a noble metal content of 6 to 20 wt. %, based on the preparation.
US08309169B2	Variable thickness shingle A method of manufacturing roofing shingles is provided. The method includes the step of coating a continuously supplied shingle mat with roofing asphalt to make an asphalt-coated sheet. The asphalt-coated sheet has at least one prime portion and at least one headlap portion. The thickness of the asphalt-coated sheet is varied by passing the asphalt coated sheet through compression rollers configured to compress the asphalt-coated sheet and form a formed sheet such that the prime portion of the formed sheet has a first thickness and the headlap portion has a second thickness, different from the first thickness. The formed sheet is passed under a film applicator configured to supply a film to the headlap portion thereby forming a filmed sheet. Granules are applied to the filmed sheet to form a granule-covered sheet such that granules do not adhere to the headlap portion. The granule-covered sheet is cut into shingles.
US08309166B2	Memory cell having nonmagnetic filament contact and methods of operating and fabricating the same A magnetic cell structure including a nonmagnetic filament contact, and methods of fabricating the structure are provided. The magnetic cell structure includes a free layer, a pinned layer, an insulative layer between the free and pinned layers, and a nonmagnetic filament contact in the insulative layer which electrically connects the free and pinned layers. The nonmagnetic filament contact is formed from a nonmagnetic source layer, also between the free and pinned layers. The filament contact directs a programming current through the magnetic cell structure such that the cross sectional area of the programming current in the free layer is less than the cross section of the structure. The decrease in the cross sectional area of the programming current in the free layer enables a lower programming current to reach a critical switching current density in the free layer and switch the magnetization of the free layer, programming the magnetic cell.
US08309163B2	High-throughput printing of semiconductor precursor layer by use of chalcogen-containing vapor and inter-metallic material A high-throughput method of forming a semiconductor precursor layer by use of a chalcogen-containing vapor is disclosed. In one embodiment, the method comprises forming a precursor material comprising group IB and/or group IIIA particles of any shape. The method may include forming a precursor layer of the precursor material over a surface of a substrate. The method may further include heating the particle precursor material in a substantially oxygen-free chalcogen atmosphere to a processing temperature sufficient to react the particles and to release chalcogen from the chalcogenide particles, wherein the chalcogen assumes a liquid form and acts as a flux to improve intermixing of elements to form a group IB-IIIA-chalcogenide film at a desired stoichiometric ratio. The chalcogen atmosphere may provide a partial pressure greater than or equal to the vapor pressure of liquid chalcogen in the precursor layer at the processing temperature.
US08309161B2	Aluminum oxide coated implants and components The invention provides a medical implant device or component thereof comprising a metal substrate, an intermediate coating, and an outer coating of aluminum oxide, as well as a method of making such a medical implant device or component thereof.
US08309159B2	Process for obtaining legume protein fractions of moderate molecular weight, legume protein fractions and use thereof A process for producing coagulated leguminous protein fractions of MW>14, comprising: initial charging of fruit juice; coagulation of the leguminous protein; removal of a leguminous protein fraction whose majority has an MW of from >14 kD to approx. 600 kD; optionally, washing the coagulated leguminous protein fraction thus obtained; and optionally, drying the leguminous protein fraction, and to the use of the leguminous protein fraction as a food, food additive, medicament additive, animal feed, in cosmetics, as industrial protein, and/or as an adhesive.
US08309158B2	Composition for reducing the NaCl content in food products The present invention relates to a solid particle, and to a composition including a plurality of the solid particles, for reducing the sodium chloride content in food products. The solid particle(s) includes: a) a fatty oil, wherein the fatty oil is suitable for consumption; b) a solid core particle selected from potato powder; manioc powder; tapioca; cereal powder; dietary fiber; solid fats; solid waxes; crystalline sugar; and fruit powder; and c) a salt including sodium chloride. The solid core particle is wholly or partly wetted with the fatty oil and the salt adheres to the surface of the solid core particle wetted with fatty oil.
US08309156B2	Compositions comprising one or more phytosterols and/or phytostanols, or derivatives thereof, and high HLB emulsifiers A composition for use in foods, beverages and nutraceuticals that includes one or more non-sterol emulsifiers, each having an HLB value of greater than 14 and one or more sterols or stanols or mixtures thereof.
US08309151B2	Device to efficiently cook food Deep fryers and associated accessories providing increased efficiency and convenience in the production of deep-fried, steamed and boiled foods. Multiple cooking cycles and versatile food support means to fully cook foods are provided. Special advantages for larger unitary foods, such as for example, a large turkey, are provided. Advantages include without limitation minimizing countertop usage; reduction in the use of frying oil; compact storage; reduced shipping costs; reduced warehousing and manufacturing costs; and being lighter and more easy to handle in the kitchen. Accessory items simplify and facilitate production of deep fried foods, including cutting foods into shapes appropriate to produce French fries and blooming onions. Other accessories facilitate the transference and maintenance of frying oil including: returning frying oil to original containers for storage and disposal; and filtering frying oil to prolong its useful life. Methods are disclosed which help purify oil for extended life without use of filtration.
US08309150B2	Method of producing chlorogenic acid composition The present invention provides a method for obtaining a chlorogenic acid composition which contains high concentration of chlorogenic acids and a reduced amount of caffeine at a high yield.A method of producing a chlorogenic acid composition, which comprises allowing a water-soluble composition extracted from raw coffee beans or roasted coffee beans to be adsorbed to a column filled with an adsorbent and then eluting a chlorogenic acid composition by passing a 0.5 to 20 vol % ethanol aqueous solution.
US08309147B2	Method for selecting lipolytic enzyme A method of screening lipolytic enzymes is used to identify candidates for a baking additive which can improve the properties of a baked product when added to the dough. The screening method involves contacting the enzyme with N-acyl phosphatidyl ethanolamine (APE) or N-acyl lyso-phosphatidyl ethanolamine (ALPE), and detecting hydrolysis of an ester bond in the APE or ALPE.
US08309146B2	Deer attractant and nutrient The embodiments of the Deer Attractant and Nutrient is a deer attractant and feed comprising rice hulls; calcium carbonate; manganese; copper sulfate; zinc sulfate; trace amounts of cobalt carbonate; EDDI; mono DICAL; selenium; and power sweet. Because of the balanced nutritional components of the Deer Attractant and Nutrient the product enhances overall deer growth including antler growth in bucks. The Deer Attractant and Nutrient also acts as a deer attractant, causing the deer to move toward a supply of the attractant.
US08309145B2	Treatment of vegetation liquors derived from oil-bearing fruit The present invention relates to processes for the treatment of liquors derived from oil-bearing fruit, for example from oil palm fruit, and to products therefrom. Typically a process involves removal of undissolved solids, oleaginous parts, colloids and higher weight molecules from the vegetation liquor to give an aqueous fraction containing phytochemicals, for example, flavonoids, phenolic acids and hydroxy acids. Subsequently, pH adjustment and solvent extraction upon said aqueous fraction realise an extract rich in hydroxy acids or phenolic acids or flavonoids or any combination thereof. Applications of the substances subject of this invention are to be found in drinks, edible products, tonics, health supplements, antioxidant additives, cosmetics, soaps, shampoos, detergents, drugs or medicinal products.
US08309144B2	Use of a cruciferous protein hydrolysate as a depigmentation agent or for a cosmetic and/or pharmaceutical composition The use of an effective quantity of a protein hydrolysate from plants belonging to the crucifer family, as whitening and/or depigmenting skin agent, for the preparation of a cosmetic and/or dermatological and/or pharmaceutical composition. In a preferred embodiment, the hydrolysate is obtained from rapeseed proteins. Also the composition may contain the aforementioned hydrolysate in a cosmetically and/or pharmaceutically acceptable excipient chosen between glycerol, propanediol and butylene glycol.
US08309143B2	Hair and scalp care formulations for treating and preventing acne and related skin conditions The present invention is directed to skin treatment formulations having salicylic acid and other secondary ingredients. The secondary ingredients may include: non-comedogenic essential oils and plant extracts and sebum reducing agents. Salicylic acid and the secondary ingredients are provided in amounts effective to provide a sufficiently aggressive skin treatment for unclogging pores and reducing inflammation, while maintaining levels of sebum on the exterior of the skin to form an operative water barrier on the skin and hair. Additionally, a method is provided that unclogs pores, reduces inflammation, and controls levels of sebum on the exterior of the skin to maintain an operative water barrier on the skin and hair. The method may include, applying a sufficiently aggressive product comprising salicylic acid, non-comedogenic plant extracts and essential oils, and a sebum reducing agent to hair and its surrounding areas.
US08309135B2	Radioactive gold nanoparticles and methods of making and using them Methods of preparing a composition comprising non-ionic, radioactive gold nanoparticles (R-GNPs) are disclosed. The method comprises: a) providing an aqueous composition comprising gold (Au-197) ions in the absence of a template; and b) exposing the aqueous composition in the absence of the template to neutron irradiation to generate the composition comprising the non-ionic R-GNPs. Alternatively, the method comprises: a) providing an aqueous composition comprising gold (Au-197) nanoparticles (GNPs) in the absence of a template; and b) exposing the aqueous composition comprising the GNPs in the absence of the template to neutron irradiation and thereby generating the composition comprising the non-ionic R-GNPs. Compositions that comprises mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) and non-ionic R-GNPs encapsulated within pores and/or channels and further anchored to the surfaces of the MSNs, and methods of making the same are also disclosed.
US08309132B2	Bioabsorbable polyesteramides and uses thereof Novel biodegradable polyesteramides derived from optionally functionalized diacids and optionally functionalized diamines or from compounds having both optionally functionalized acid and optionally functionalized amine moieties, their preparation, and absorbable surgical articles fabricated therefrom, such as monofilament and multifilament sutures, films, sheets, plates, clips, staples, pins, screws, stents, stent coatings, packaging materials, and other implantable surgical devices, and the like, are described herein.
US08309131B2	Absorbable putty-like implants and methods for their use for mechanical hemostasis of bone and for the treatment of osseous defects The present invention relates to mechanically hemostatic body-absorbable compositions having a putty-like consistency comprising a finely powdered, carboxylic acid salt, a liquid block copolymer of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide, and a tocopherol.
US08309128B2	Stabilized milnacipran formulation It is intended to provide a milnacipran formulation which is more stable than a conventionally known milnacipran formulation, and a method of stabilizing a milnacipran formulation. The object could be achieved by using a milnacipran-containing composition in which milnacipran or a salt thereof is allowed to exist in a porous carrier, packing a powder containing milnacipran or a salt thereof in an HPMC capsule, or combining an additive which does not cause an interaction with milnacipran with time.
US08309121B2	Dermatological compositions comprising avermectin nanocapsules Compositions and nanoemulsions containing lipid nanocapsules dispersed in a hydrophilic phase, such nanocapsules including at least one avermectin compound, are useful for the treatment of dermatological pathologies, e.g., rosacea.
US08309120B2	Transdermal therapeutic system for administering lipophilic and/or sparingly skin- permeable active substances A transdermal therapeutic system for administering lipophilic, poorly water-soluble and/or sparingly skin-permeable pharmaceutical active substances. The active substance is present in a multi-component enhancer system consisting of 4 components and each component of the multi-component enhancer system is selected from a different one of the substance groups: a) terpenes, b) cyclic glucitol ethers, c) medium-chain triglycerides of capric and caprylic acid and/or of linoleic acid; and d) longer-chain alcohols having a chain length of 8 or more carbon atoms.
US08309117B2	Method for making medical devices having antimicrobial coatings thereon The present invention provides a method for preparing a medical device, preferably a contact lens, having an antimicrobial metal-containing LbL coating on a medical device, wherein the antimicrobial metal-containing LbL coating comprises at least one layer of a negatively charged polyionic material having —COOAg groups and/or silver nanoparticles formed by reducing Ag+ ions associated with the —COO− groups of the negatively charged polyionic material. In addition, the present invention provides a medical device prepared according to a method of the invention.
US08309110B2	Biocide composition and sterilization method using the same The present invention relates to antibacterial and antifungal compositions having 3-isothiazolone and polyhexamethyleneguanidine phosphate. These new antiseptic compositions demonstrate a superior degree of effectiveness on a wide spectrum of pathogens. The present invention also relates to the use of these new antiseptic compositions to kill and/or restrain the growth of bacteria and fungi in a variety of applications.
US08309109B2	Cosmetic and method for production thereof A cosmetic in an emulsified state, in which a titanium dioxide microparticle coated with hydrous silicic acid and/or a hydrous silicate compound, a higher alcohol, an oily component other than the higher alcohol, and a polysaccharide are contained, and the polysaccharide containing at least one of fucose, glucose, glucuronic acid and rhamnose as a constituent monosaccharide, and having fucose and/or rhamnose in a side chain is contained in an amount of 0.01% by weight to 1% by weight relative to the total amount of the cosmetic. And a cosmetic containing the higher alcohol, the oily component and the polysaccharide in an emulsified state, in which the higher alcohol is composed of two or more kinds of higher alcohols having different molecular weights, and is contained in the cosmetic in an amount of 1% by weight to 20% by weight relative to the total amount of the cosmetic. The oily component is contained in an amount of 1% by weight to 20% by weight relative to the total amount of the cosmetic, and the polysaccharide is contained in an amount of 0.01% by weight to 1% by weight relative to the total amount of the cosmetic, and a producing method thereof.
US08309107B2	Stable solutions of orlistat for pharmaceutical dosage forms Liquid orlistat-containing fill materials suitable for encapsulating in hard or soft capsules are described herein. The fill material contains orlistat dissolved in one or more medium chain triglycerides or medium chain partial triglycerides, one or more citrate esters, and combinations thereof. The fill material can also contain one or more pharmaceutically acceptable excipients. In one embodiment, the fill material is substantially free of surfactants. The fill material can be encapsulated in hard or soft, gelatin or non-gelatin capsules. The capsules may be coated to modify release of orlistat from the capsule. Alternatively, the fill material can be encapsulated in an enteric capsule, wherein the enteric polymer is a component of the capsule shell, rather than a coating over the capsule shell. The fill materials are stable at elevated temperatures over an extended period of time and allow for high loadings of orlistat (e.g., 20% w/w or higher).
US08309106B2	Composition for repair of defects in osseous tissues Tissue repair compositions, particularly bone repair compositions, containing demineralized bone fragments and homogenized connective tissues. The compositions can be used in the form of an injectable gel, an injectable paste, a paste, a putty, or a rehydratable freeze-dried form.
US08309104B2	Oral controlled release formulation for sedative and hypnotic agents The present invention relates to a novel controlled release dosage form that releases therapeutic amounts of a sedative or hypnotic agent rapidly after administration and maintains therapeutic levels for about eight hours after administration.
US08309102B2	Methods and compositions for immunizing against Chlamydia infection The present invention relates, in part, to methods and compositions for immunizing against infection by Chlamydia trachomatis. The methods and compositions rely, in part, on administering an immunogenic composition comprising one or more peptides derived from C. trachomatis major outer membrane protein (MOMP) to a subject to be immunized. In some embodiments, the compositions comprise a chimeric immunogens, expression vectors comprising the polynucleotides, and kits comprising the compositions are also provided.
US08309094B2	Antibody-drug conjugates Disclosed are anti-5T4 antibody drug conjugates and methods for preparing and using the same.
US08309091B2	CEACAM8-related method for treating autoimmune diseases The invention relates to the use of substances which are specific to CEACAM8 for the manufacture of a medicament for the prophylactic or therapeutic treatment of human autoimmune diseases and/or gout. Another object of the invention concerns the use of CEACAM8-specific substances for apoptosis induction in-vitro. The invention also relates to a method for screening substances which induce apoptosis and a method for inducing apoptosis in human granulocytes.
US08309089B2	Human cytomegalovirus neutralising antibodies and use thereof The invention relates to neutralizing antibodies which are specific for human cytomegalovirus and bind with high affinity as well as immortalized B cells that produce such antibodies. The invention also relates to the epitopes that the antibodies bind to as well as the use of the antibodies and the epitopes in screening methods as well as the diagnosis and therapy of disease.
US08309086B2	Antibodies which bind factor VIII The invention, in general, features a method of treatment and/or prevention of a thrombotic pathological condition, in a mammal, which includes administering to the mammal in need of such treatment a therapeutically effective amount of a composition including an antibody directed against the C1 domain of Factor VIII, which is a partially inhibitory antibody of Factor VIII.
US08309080B2	Metallo-protein and tocotrienol (MP-T3) compositions and uses thereof Metallo-proteins including but not limited to lactoferrin (LF), transferrin (TF) and ovotransferrin (OTF) (all members of transferrin family), ceruloplasmin (CP) and metallo-thionein (MT) were found to stabilize and enhance the bio-functional activity of tocotrienol (T3), T3 mixtures or derivates. The synergism between MP and T3 also promote the intestinal transfer and the ultimate bio-availability of T3 and T3-derivatives for physiological functions. Such functional synergism includes hypocholesterolemic, anti-thrombotic, antioxidant, anti-athermogenic, anti-inflammatory and immuno-regulatory activities of T3 agents. These T3 compositions are useful as pharmaceuticals, in cosmetics, in foods and as nutritional supplements.
US08309079B2	Use of fructanases in feed of hoofed animals, preferably to prevent diseases Laminitis is defined as an inflammation of the sensitive laminae of the hoof, especially in horses. It has been surprisingly found that fructanases such as 2,1-β-D-fructan hydrolase are highly effective as therapeutic and prophylactic agents against laminitis in horses. The fructanases may be used as enzyme compositions in horse feed, as additives for horse feed or as oral preparations for the therapy and prophylaxis of laminitis. Because of its effectiveness in hydrolyzing fructans, which seem to play an important role in the aetiology of laminitis, the administration of fructanases in combination with an increased intake of fructans or with an increased availability of fructans is particularly advantageous.
US08309078B2	Method for conversion of uric acid to allantoin and related enzymes A polypeptide molecule able to selectively modulate uric acid conversion into S(+)- allantoin is described. A pharmaceutical composition for treating uric acid related disorders and a process to selectively modulate uric acid conversion into S(+)-allantoin are also disclosed.
US08309075B2	Edible product containing ginseng polysaccharides and beneficial bacteria One aspect of the present invention relates to an edible product containing: • probiotic bacteria in an amount of at least 103 bacteria per gram; and • at least 0.5 mg/g of ginseng polysaccharides containing at least 2 monosaccharide units, preferably at least 4 monosaccharide units. Another aspect of the invention relates to the use of the aforementioned product in therapeutic and prophylactic treatments. The present invention further provides a method of producing a packaged liquid edible product containing probiotic bacteria and ginseng polysaccharides in the aforementioned amounts.
US08309074B2	Use of a fermented milk containing L. casei for the manufacture of a composition for the prevention or treatment of a delayed-type hypersensitivity reaction The present invention relates to the field of probiotics. More particularly, the invention pertains to the use of a particular strain, Lactobacillus casei CNCM I-1518, which is present in Actimel®, for alleviating the symptoms of a delayed-type hypersensitivity reaction.
US08309073B2	Combination of probiotics The invention relates to a probiotic combination comprising different combinations of lactobacilli, propionic acid bacteria and/or bifidobacteria. The probiotics are preferably combined with a suitable prebiotic to form a synbiotic. The combination of the invention can be consumed as such or combined with a suitable foodstuff or pharmaceutical product, and it is therapeutically useful for example for stimulating the immune system and for general health improvement.
US08309069B2	Human serum albumin-free stabilized interferon liquid formulations A stabilized HSA-free liquid pharmaceutical composition is described, which comprises an interferon (IFN), wherein said formulation is a solution that comprises a buffer, a surfactant, an isotonicity agent and an antioxidant. Preferably the interferon is human recombinant IFN-beta.
US08309067B2	Hair straightening composition comprising a disaccharide A hair straightening composition comprising at least one hydroxide ion generator and a disaccharide.
US08309066B2	Cationic benzoxazine (co)polymers Cationic benzoxazine (co)polymers wherein at least 5% of all nitrogen atoms are in the form of quaternary nitrogen atoms, and to a method for producing said polymers. The invention also relates to a washing and cleaning agent, a textile treatment agent or a cosmetic agent containing at least one cationic benzoxazine (co)polymer according to the invention.
US08309060B2	Abuse-proofed dosage form An abuse-proofed, thermoformed dosage form containing, in addition to one or more active ingredients with abuse potential optionally together with physiologically acceptable auxiliary substances, at least one synthetic or natural polymer with a breaking strength of at least 500 N and to a process for the production thereof.
US08309059B2	Reactive cyanine compounds The invention provides compounds and compositions of Formulas I-VII, and methods of using the compounds. The compounds can be used to prepare dye conjugates that are uniformly and substantially more fluorescent on proteins, nucleic acids or other biopolymers, than conjugates labeled with structurally similar known carbocyanine dyes. In addition to having more intense fluorescence emission than structurally similar dyes at virtually identical wavelengths, and decreased artifacts in their absorption spectra upon conjugation to biopolymers, the compounds can have greater photostability and/or higher absorbance (extinction coefficients) at the wavelength(s) of peak absorbance than such structurally similar dyes.
US08309056B2	Method for determination of oxidative stress Provided is a biomarker that enables easy and rapid detection of oxidative stress on a living organism and enables prevention of tissue damage or cell necrosis by drug administration, and which is a powerful marker for the study of toxicity and pharmacokinetics of various agents. Oxidative stress is determined by measuring blood concentration of ophthalmic acid, which is a substance that varies in blood depending on the variation of reduced glutathione (GSH) concentration in a biological sample with the use of an analyzer such as a capillary electrophoresis-mass spectrometer. Further, an anti-oxidative stress agent is screened by administering an anti-oxidative stress candidate agent to a non-human animal under oxidative stress conditions, measuring blood concentration of ophthalmic acid, and evaluating the degree of decrease in the ophthalmic acid concentration.
US08309052B2	Carbon heat-treatment process Methods for producing devolatilized and/or activated carbon in a reactor or reaction vessel of a heat treatment system from a suitable carbonaceous feedstock by introducing the feedstock into the reactor tangentially at a rotational velocity of at least 90 RPM. The methods include the steps of providing a combination of conveying means and a gas flow having various compositions and creating distinct carbonaceous feedstock material flow patterns and process conditions such that the feedstock is conveyed through the reactor or reaction vessel and heated via combustion, thereby producing activated carbon or other heat-treated carbons while concurrently avoiding adverse reaction conditions. Single and two-stage heat treatment systems may be used to heat a carbon feedstock, to which one or more industrial minerals may be added to co-produce compositions such as lime with the heat-treated carbon.
US08309049B2	Molten metal reactor and method of forming hydrogen, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide using the molten alkaline metal reactor A molten metal reactor for converting a carbon material and steam into a gas comprising hydrogen, carbon monoxide, and carbon dioxide is disclosed. The reactor includes an interior crucible having a portion contained within an exterior crucible. The interior crucible includes an inlet and an outlet; the outlet leads to the exterior crucible and may comprise a diffuser. The exterior crucible may contain a molten alkaline metal compound. Contained between the exterior crucible and the interior crucible is at least one baffle.
US08309048B2	Process for producing ammonium salts The invention relates to a process for producing an ammonium salt composition. The process comprises the step of providing a process stream comprising sulfuric acid, methylene dichloride, and a tertiary amine or a precursor thereof. The process further comprises the step of contacting the process stream with ammonia to form a product stream and a waste stream. The product stream comprises the ammonium salt and the waste stream comprises water, methylene dichloride, ammonia, and the tertiary amine. The process further comprises the step of deriving from the waste stream an off gas stream comprising ammonia and a first amount of methylene dichloride. The process also comprises the step of contacting at least a portion of the off gas stream or a derivative thereof with an adsorbent to separate at least a portion of the off gas into a methylene dichloride stream comprising methylene dichloride.
US08309045B2	System and method for controlling emissions in a combustion system A system includes an emissions control system. The emissions control system includes a chemical injection conduit. The emissions control system also includes a chemical injector coupled to the chemical injection conduit, wherein the chemical injector is configured to output an emissions control chemical into the chemical injection conduit. The emissions control system further includes a wave generator coupled to the chemical injection conduit, wherein the wave generator is configured to output multiple waves that propagate through the chemical injection conduit into a flow path of combustion products to drive improved mixing of the emissions control chemical with the combustion products.
US08309043B2	Recovery of Li values from sodium saturate brine The present invention provides a process for recovering Li values from a sodium saturated brine. The process includes recovering Li values from a sodium saturated brine which contains LiX. The process includes concentrating the sodium saturated brine to at least 9000 mg/l LiX, passing the concentrated brine through a bed of polycrystalline hydrated alumina pellets until the pellets are loaded with LiX from the concentrated brine, displacing brine held-up in the bed by using concentrated NaX, unloading LiX from the pellets by flowing through the bed an aqueous solution of LiX which is not saturated, displacing the LiX from the bed using concentrated NaX, and repeating the steps at least one additional time to provide the Li values.
US08309039B2	Valve structure for consistent valve operation of a miniaturized fluid delivery and analysis system A valve structure of a fluid delivery and analysis system having an upper substrate, a lower substrate and an intermediate layer with at least one opening and at least one open cavity having a first touch point between the upper substrate and the intermediate layer and a second touch point between the lower substrate and the intermediate layer where the first touch point and the second touch point are offset to create a torque so that when intermediate layer is compressed between the upper substrate and the lower substrate that the torque deforms the intermediate rubber layer in the direction of the opening for better sealing.
US08309037B2	Method and apparatus for processing tissue samples using a sensor An apparatus and a method for processing tissue samples are described. The apparatus comprises: at least one retort for accommodating tissue samples; at least one container for storing alcohol or xylene; a valve adapted to connect the at least one retort with the at least one container depending on an operating position of the valve; and at least a first sensor that is arranged in flow direction between the container and the retort for measuring a value of a parameter that represents a purity level of the alcohol or xylene; wherein the first sensor and the valve are configured to replace the alcohol or xylene depending on the value of the parameter that represents the purity level. The method comprises for the alcohol or xylene conducting between the container and the retort; automatically measuring the purity level and replacing depending on the purity level.
US08309034B2	Compositions, methods and devices for control and clean-up of hazardous spills Disclosed are methods for treating hazardous materials, such as those which result from an unwanted spill or leak, which comprise one or more of the steps or effects of: neutralizing the dispersed material; solidifying the dispersed material; immobilizing the material; and/or reducing the evolution of harmful or unwanted gaseous forms from the spillage, preferably using a binding agent which comprises a polyacrylate-polyacrylamide cross-linked copolymer.
US08309031B2	Gas hydrate production apparatus A gas hydrate production apparatus capable of reacting a raw gas with a raw water to thereby form a slurry gas hydrate and capable of removing water from the slurry gas hydrate by means of a gravitational dewatering unit. The gravitational dewatering unit is one including a cylindrical first tower body; a cylindrical dewatering part disposed on top of the first tower body; a water receiving part disposed outside the dewatering part; and a cylindrical second tower body disposed on top of the dewatering part, wherein the cross-sectional area of the second tower body is continuously or intermittently increased upward from the bottom.
US08309030B2	Control scheme for enhanced filtered water systems An enhancement control system that can be used as part of an enhanced water system to produce enhanced filtered water is described. The enhancement control system includes at least one enhancement delivery element that can dispense an enhancement(s) into filtered water in response to an enhancement delivery instruction(s). The enhancement control system can also include an input element that can enable transmittal of the enhancement delivery instruction(s) from a user to the enhancement delivery element(s). The control system can also include a memory element that can store information about the user and the user's preferences and information about the enhanced water system. The control system can also include a communication element that can provide information from the enhanced water system to the user. The control system can also include a monitor element that can gather data from outside the enhanced water system, such as user health information or environmental information, and provide the data to the enhanced water system. In some embodiments, a control logic element can be used to coordinate and control operation of the elements of the enhanced water system.
US08309029B1	Virus and particulate separation from solution An improved system for collecting, detecting, and classifying submicron-sized particles in a sample comprising an Integrated Virus Detection System (IVDS) of the type wherein the detecting means includes a differential mobility analyzer (DMA) and condensation particle counter (CPC), the improvement comprising positioning an aerosol collector or an electrostatic collector between the differential mobility analyzer and the condensation particle counter wherein submicron-sized particles from the environmental sample are collected for further analysis.
US08309028B2	Chemiresistor for use in conducting electrolyte solution The present invention provides a chemiresistor-based sensor for measuring the presence or amount of analyte in an electrolyte solution; said chemiresistor comprising (i) a chemiresistor film wherein the impedance of said nanoparticle film changes in the presence of an analyte; and (ii) two electrically conducting electrodes in electrical contact with said nanoparticle film; wherein said electrically conducting electrodes are adapted to be connected to a device for measuring the impedance of said chemiresistor film under a voltage signal and wherein the impedance of the double layer capacitor formed by the two electrically conducting electrodes in the presence of the electrolyte solution, is larger than the impedance of the chemiresistor film either before or after exposure of the chemiresistor film to the analyte. A method of using said chemiresistor-based sensor to measure the presence or amount of analyte is also provided. Further provided is a method of determining the partition coefficient of an analyte using said chemiresistor-based sensor.
US08309018B2	Earth-boring rotary drill bits and methods of manufacturing earth-boring rotary drill bits having particle-matrix composite bit bodies Methods of forming bit bodies for earth-boring bits include assembling green components, brown components, or fully sintered components, and sintering the assembled components. Other methods include isostatically pressing a powder to form a green body substantially composed of a particle-matrix composite material, and sintering the green body to provide a bit body having a desired final density. Methods of forming earth-boring bits include providing a bit body substantially formed of a particle-matrix composite material and attaching a shank to the body. The body is provided by pressing a powder to form a green body and sintering the green body. Earth-boring bits include a unitary structure substantially formed of a particle-matrix composite material. The unitary structure includes a first region configured to carry cutters and a second region that includes a threaded pin. Earth-boring bits include a shank attached directly to a body substantially formed of a particle-matrix composite material.
US08309017B2	Off-gas heat recovery and particulate collection An exhaust stream buffering system is described to temper a temperature profile and reduce a particulate load to permit heat recovery and cleaning. The buffering system may reduce the volatile temperature profile to even the temperature spikes, and produce a more even cyclical temperature profile. When used in steel making facilities, the buffered stream may also be augmented by blast furnace gases to provide additional energy for a heat recovery system.
US08309016B2	Shaft furnace and method for operating a furnace The present invention relates to a shaft furnace as well as a method for operating a shaft furnace. For example, the present invention relates to methods for operating a shaft furnace which include charging an upper region of the shaft furnace with raw materials; the raw materials sink in the shaft furnace under the influence of gravity and a part of the raw materials is smelted an/or at least partially reduced under the effect of the atmosphere prevailing within the shaft furnace. The methods further comprise admitting an addition gas via at least one addition opening spaced from a lower admission opening and/or discharging a shaft furnace gas via a shaft furnace gas line to provide discharge of gaseous reaction products from the interior of the shaft furnace.
US08309014B2	Method of trimming unfired pottery using a turntable apparatus A rotatable turntable tool is used in trimming wheel-thrown pottery. The turntable tool includes a base portion, a bearing member, and a cap portion which is rotatably attached to the base portion. A method of trimming an unfired clay workpiece includes steps of inverting the workpiece and placing it at a central portion of a wheel head on a potter's wheel; placing the turntable tool on top of a central portion of the inverted workpiece; pressing downwardly on the cap portion of the turntable tool while rotating said wheel head to stabilize the workpiece, whereby the base portion of the turntable tool rotates with the workpiece, while the cap portion is substantially restrained from rotating; and applying a trimming tool to an edge of the workpiece to remove unwanted clay therefrom.
US08309010B2	Process for production of heat-resistant hollow article made of polylactic acid containing resin A process for production of a heat-resistant hollow article made of a polylactic acid containing resin by using a mold which includes a female mold portion having a concavity, a male mold portion having a convexity and a stripper plate having an edge-forming part. The surface of the mold facing the cavity is heated to a temperature corresponding to a crystallization temperature of the polylactic acid containing resin. The male mold portion and the stripper plate are moved away from the female mold portion when a temperature T(° C.) of the resin detected by an infrared temperature sensor is in the range of T=(t+3.5)±1.5 (t(° C.) is the surface temperature of the mold). Gas is introduced between an inner surface of the hollow article and the male mold portion, and the hollow article is taken out of the mold by advancing the stripper plate toward the hollow article.
US08309009B2	Thermoplastics forming process for molding articles with complex shapes The method and system for rapid press forming and consolidation of a sheet of thermoformable material provides for molding of articles with complex shapes. The sheet of thermoformable material is suspended on a movable frame and transferred on a track to a preheating and preconsolidation station, where it is heated, and rapidly transferred suspended on the movable frame via the track to a molding and consolidation station for rapid press forming and consolidation with a hydraulic punch that applies pressure uniformly in all directions, to substantially eliminate wrinkles in the formed product.
US08309006B2	Method of producing composite plant fiber material The object of the present invention is to provide a method for producing a composite plant fiber material capable of achieving both of higher lightweight and better mechanical characteristics. The method of producing a composite plant fiber material having a structure wherein plant fibers (kenaf fibers, etc.) are bonded together via a thermoplastic resin (a polypropylene-based resin, etc.) and containing 30% to 95% by weight of the plant fibers referring the total amount of plant fibers and thermoplastic resin as to 100% by weight, which comprises, in this order, a spinning process for melt-spinning a thermoplastic resin (a polypropylene-based resin) containing an acid-modified thermoplastic resin (maleic anhydride-modified polypropylene, etc.) to give thermoplastic resin fibers; a fiber-mixing process for combining plant fibers (kenaf fibers, etc.) with the thermoplastic resin fibers to give a fiber mixture; and a heating process for melting the thermoplastic resin fibers in the fiber mixture.
US08309002B2	Method for molding golf ball cover over soft core A method for compression molding a thin cover layer over a large or soft core golf ball, wherein the process includes mold press speed of closure, pressure within the mold cavities, temperature of materials being molded, and the movement of the compression press is controlled by as the mold position rather than any fixed amounts of time. A Ram press is moved in a very controlled fashion during the low pressure stage by a servo controller, and is governed by data fed to a control computer by a linear potentiometer, which allows for a very deliberate movement, especially over the last 0.4 inches of closing. A pressure transducer and thermocouples determine the flow point of the cover layer. Once the cover material starts to flow, the Ram press is triggered into a high pressure close wherein the cover layer is formed and then finally cooled.
US08308999B2	Systems and methods for producing contact lenses from a polymerizable composition Methods for producing contact lenses from a polymerizable composition are provided. The methods generally include providing a carrier carrying a plurality of molds each of which contains a polymerizable composition. A chamber is provided which contains a light source providing light to the chamber effective to facilitate polymerization of the polymerizable composition. The molds in the carrier are exposed to the light in the chamber. During this exposing, the light source is monitored, for example, using digital addressable lighting interface (DALI) technology.
US08308997B2	Fire resistant cellulosic materials and method of making the same The invention relates to a fire resistant composition and a method of making fire resistant cellulosic materials comprising the fire resistant composition. More specifically, the invention relates to liquid compositions, including liquid compositions comprising urea and a boron -containing compound for imparting fire resistance to cellulosic products. The boron-containing compound typically comprises boric acids; borates (i.e., boric acid salts); boric oxides (i.e., any compound containing boron and oxygen), and mixtures thereof.
US08308991B2	Low temperature bonding electronic adhesives Provided are adhesive compositions comprising a mixture of a maleimide terminated polyimide resin, a thermoplastic resin compatible with the maleimide terminated polyimide resin, a liquid rubber, and a thermally activated free radical curing agent. Various embodiments add one or more of a silane coupling agent, an ethylenically unsaturated compound with acid functionality, electrically conductive particles, and electrically conductive scrim. Methods of using the compositions also are provided.
US08308984B2	Method of producing nano-scaled inorganic platelets The present invention provides a method of exfoliating a layered material (e.g., transition metal dichalcogenide) to produce nano-scaled platelets having a thickness smaller than 100 nm, typically smaller than 10 nm. The method comprises (a) dispersing particles of a non-graphite laminar compound in a liquid medium containing therein a surfactant or dispersing agent to obtain a stable suspension or slurry; and (b) exposing the suspension or slurry to ultrasonic waves at an energy level for a sufficient length of time to produce separated nano-scaled platelets. The nano-scaled platelets are candidate reinforcement fillers for polymer nanocomposites.
US08308983B2	Process to prepare a gas mixture of hydrogen and carbon monoxide The invention is directed to a process to prepare a gas mixture of hydrogen and carbon monoxide from an ash containing carbonaceous feedstock. The process involves a partial oxidation obtaining liquid ash and a gas mixture comprising hydrogen, carbon monoxide and solids. The liquid ash is separated from the gas mixture and the temperature of the gas mixture is reduced in the absence of the separated ash. The gas mixture is passed through a vertically positioned diptube wherein water is added to the gas mixture flowing through the diptube to obtain a gas/water mixture. The liquid is separated from the gas/water mixture. The gas thus obtained is passed together with an amount of liquid water through a venturi mixer and scrubbed.
US08308980B2	Light emitting device A light emitting device is disclosed. The light emitting device may include a light emitting diode (LED) for emitting light and phosphor adjacent to the LED. The phosphor may be excitable by light emitted by the LED and may include a first compound having a host lattice comprising first ions and oxygen. In one embodiment, the host lattice may include silicon, the copper ions may be divalent copper ions and first compound may have an Olivin crystal structure, a β-K2SO4 crystal structure, a trigonal Glaserite (K3Na(SO4)2) or monoclinic Merwinite crystal structure, a tetragonal Ackermanite crystal structure, a tetragonal crystal structure or an orthorhombic crystal structure. In another embodiment, the copper ions do not act as luminescent ions upon excitation with the light emitted by the LED.
US08308979B2	Ink for organic electroluminescent device, manufacturing method of organic electroluminescent device, organic display panel, organic display apparatus, organic electroluminescent apparatus, ink, forming method of functional layer, and organic electroluminescent device An ink for an organic electroluminescent device includes a functional material, a first solvent, a second solvent, and a third solvent. The functional material is for forming a functional layer of the organic electroluminescent device. The first solvent is for dissolving the functional material. The second solvent has a diester backbone and a second boiling point that is at most equal to a first boiling point of the first solvent or greater than the first boiling point of the first solvent by at most 20° C. The third solvent is an aliphatic alcohol and has a third boiling point that is less than the first boiling point of the first solvent and less than the second boiling point of the second solvent.
US08308977B2	Methods and systems for monitoring and controlling surfactant concentration in liquid crystal colloidal dispersions There are provided methods and systems for precisely controlling the surfactant concentration and character of ferroelectric nanoparticles in a ferroelectric liquid crystal dispersion. In an aspect, the invention provides an efficient FTIR technique to characterize the status and measure the distribution of the surfactant in ferroelectric particle dispersion. This allows for establishing a reproducible fabrication process for ferroelectric nanoparticle liquid crystal dispersions. The methods also maintain the nanoparticles ferroelectricity, which is provided by the addition of surfactant during a comminution process. The invention therefore optimizes both the milling time (to achieve small particle size and narrow size distribution) and surfactant concentration (to maintain the ferroelectricity during milling).
US08308976B2	Oxygen-scavenging materials and articles formed therefrom An oxygen-scavenging composition is provided that includes an oxygen-scavenging component and a catalyst. The oxygen-scavenging component, which in preferred embodiments is suitable for use in packaging articles, includes two or more oxygen-scavenging groups having different scavenging properties. In one embodiment, one of the oxygen-scavenging groups is an unsaturated bicyclic group.
US08308975B2	Polyol formed from an epoxidized oil A polyol includes the reaction product of an epoxidized oil and an organic acid. The epoxidized oil and the organic acid are reacted in the presence of a Lewis base catalyst including at least one of a phosphorous atom or a nitrogen atom. The polyol is formed by a method that includes the step of reacting the epoxidized oil with the organic acid in the presence of the Lewis base catalyst.
US08308974B2	Liquid dispersion and thermoplastic compositions comprising the same An additive composition comprises a liquid medium and a clarifying agent. The liquid medium is either a liquid hydrocarbon or a surfactant having an HLB of about 6 or less. The clarifying agent is dispersed in the liquid medium. In certain particular embodiments, the additive composition comprises both the liquid hydrocarbon and the surfactant, with the liquid hydrocarbon providing the medium for the additive composition. A thermoplastic polymer composition comprises a thermoplastic polymer and an additive composition of the invention. A method for producing a thermoplastic polymer composition comprises the steps of providing a thermoplastic polymer, providing an additive composition, and mixing the thermoplastic polymer and the additive composition to produce the thermoplastic polymer composition.
US08308970B2	Acid-base mixture and ion conductor comprising the same An acid-base mixture composed of a base component and an acid component wherein at least either the base component or the acid component is composed of at least two different compounds is characterized in that at least one base in the base component is represented by the formula (1) below. An ion conductor is characterized by being composed of an acid-base mixture which is composed of a base component composed of a base represented by the formula (2) below and an acid component. (In the formula (1), R1, R2 and R3 represent a hydrocarbon group having 1-20 carbon atoms or a hydrogen atom, and at least one of them is a hydrocarbon group.) (In the formula (2), R1, R2 and R3 represent a hydrocarbon group having 1-20 carbon atoms or a hydrogen atom, and R1 and R3 are not the same.)
US08308969B2	Plasma system for improved process capability A plasma system for substrate processing comprising, a conducting electrode (b, bb) on which one or more substrates (d) can be held; a second conducting electrode (a) placed adjacent but separated from the substrate holding electrode on the side away from the side where the substrates are held; and a gas mixture distribution shower head (e) placed away from the conducting electrode on the side where the substrates are held for supplying the gas mixture (f) needed for processing the substrates in a uniform manner; such that a plasma configuration initiated and established, between the conducting electrode holding the substrates and the second conducting electrode envelops the electrode holding the substrate, is kept away from the shower head activating and distributing the gas mixture through orifices (ee) in the shower head, thereby providing the advantages of improved uniformity, yield and reliability of the process.
US08308958B2	Fluid clarification system, method, and apparatus A fluid clarification system and method is described in which fluid is passed through one or more settling compartments, each having a solids outlet at the base of the compartment. The base of each compartment includes inclined surfaces for guiding settled solids to the outlet. Also described is a polymer reaction trough including baffles to promote gentle mixing of inflow fluid with flocculant. The system is designed to reduce costs of transportation, flocculant, and solids handling. The system is preferably arranged to facilitate transport on a skid or trailer, while maximizing fluid handling capabilities and minimizing costs.
US08308956B1	Method for membrane fluid filtration and remediation A method for membrane fluid filtration and remediation is described herein. The method can include flowing a slurry into a scalping shaker and separating a first particulate from the slurry, forming a first effluent. Free oil can be removed from the first effluent using a first weir, forming a cleaned effluent that can be discharged using a second weir. The cleaned effluent can flow through an absorbent material disposed over a circulation tank for removing more free oil from the cleaned effluent, forming a circulation effluent. A sludge can settle from the circulation effluent within the circulation tank, forming a cleaned circulation stream. The cleaned circulation stream can flow through an ultra-filtration membrane which can separate the cleaned circulation stream, forming a clean permeate and a dirty concentrate. The dirty concentrate can flow back to the circulation tank for further processing.
US08308955B2	Carbon nanotube separation by reversible gelation Embodiments described herein generally relate to the separation of carbon nanotubes by reversible gelation.
US08308953B2	Methods of dynamic filtration using centrifugal force and methods of making a dynamic filtration device The present invention generally relates to a filtration system having one or more apparatuses for filtering gases, liquids, or fluids (e.g., water) to remove particulate matter, and methods of making and using the apparatus. More particularly, embodiments relate to apparatuses and methods for applying centrifugal force(s) to push a fluid or gas to be filtered through a porous membrane or filter within the apparatus to separate particulate matter therefrom. The present invention takes advantage of the Coriolis effect within a cylindrical filter radiating out from a rotating central body. The filtration apparatus provides an energy efficient system for microfiltration (or other filtration process) to remove contaminants from gases and fluids, such as waste water.
US08308949B1	Methods of extracting neutral lipids and producing biofuels Methods for selective extraction and fractionation of algal lipids and algal products are disclosed. A method of selective removal of products from an algal biomass provides for single and multistep extraction processes which enable efficient separation of algal components. Among these components are neutral lipids synthesized by algae, which are extracted by the methods disclosed herein for the production of renewable fuels.
US08308945B2	Integrated bio-digestion facility Methods and systems for processing organic waste material are provided. These methods and systems include integrating an anaerobic bio-digester and nutrient recovery module with a bio-production facility, which can locally provide feedstock for the bio-production facility, and can locally provide organic material for the anaerobic bio-digester. Methods and systems for integrating an anaerobic bio-digester with a gas cleaner are also provided, which can recover nutrients while cleaning the biogas produced by the anaerobic bio-digester.
US08308943B2	Hollow fiber membrane module and fuel cell system In a humidifying membrane module, a humidifying membrane having plural hollow fiber membranes bundled together is housed in a humidifying membrane chassis having a cylindrical outer periphery, and the humidifying membrane chassis is housed in an assembly chassis having a cylindrical inner periphery. The assembly chassis has an inlet port for taking air that is made to flow into hollow parts of the humidifying membrane, an outlet port for discharging the air, an inlet port for taking an off-gas that is made to flow in gaps in the humidifying membrane, and an outlet port for discharging the off-gas. The air and the off-gas flow in flow paths formed by utilizing the humidifying membrane chassis and the assembly chassis, but are not mixed with each other at positions other than the humidifying membrane owing to annular sealing members provided between the humidifying chassis and the assembly chassis.
US08308942B2	Filter system with removable enhancement media A water filter system including a base configured for receiving water from a faucet and a filter cartridge seated in the base. The filter cartridge defines a first chamber having at least one filter element, and a second chamber in fluid communication with the first chamber. An enhancement cartridge is removably inserted in the second chamber and includes an enhancement material for adding minerals to the water. The enhancement cartridge is removable from the system separate from the filter cartridge.
US08308941B2	Oil soluble additive injection apparatus A lubricant additive dispensing apparatus comprising a base providing a manifold distribution to present lubricant to a series of dispensing chambers. The dispensing chambers are fabricated having a porous sidewall formed in a tubular shape. Additive is stored within a reservoir formed by the tubular shape. A delivery piston is provided proximate and in fluid communication with the manifold. The lubricant applies pressure to the delivery piston. The delivery piston applies pressure to the stored additive. The pressure forces a small volume of additive to pass through the porous sidewall, blending the additive with the flowing lubricant. The reservoir can be formed between an outer tubular member and an inner tubular member. Lubricant can pass through an interior of the inner tubular member, existing a flow discharge port located proximate an end cap assembled to a distal end of the reservoir.
US08308938B2	Three-way diverter assembly for a fuel cell system A three-way diverter assembly with a movable member is provided. The three-way diverter assembly includes a housing having a first inlet, a second inlet, a first outlet, and a second outlet. The first inlet and the second inlet are adapted to receive a fluid. The movable member, disposed in the housing adjacent the first inlet, is rotatable about an axis from a first positional limit to a second positional limit, and selectively positional therebetween. Fuel cell systems having the three-way diverter assembly for regulating temperature and humidity of a fuel cell stack are also provided.
US08308937B2	Grey water diversion system A grey water diversion system is provided. An interceptor includes an inlet, a filter, an outlet, and an orifice. The filter is located along a bottom of a water flow path from the inlet to the outlet and delivers water to the orifice as filtered water. A gas pump, connected to a filter stem, delivers gas to the filter via the stem when the system detects the presence of the water. The gas rises through the filter to raise debris from the filter to the water flow path. A water overflow delivers the debris to the outlet. A suction manifold, including a sensor, receives the filtered water from the orifice. The sensor detects the presence of the filtered water. A water pump receives the filtered water from the manifold, activates when the sensor detects the presence of the filtered water, and delivers the filtered water into a water usage system.
US08308934B2	Method of recovering valuable metals from IZO scrap Provided is a method of recovering valuable metals from IZO scrap in which valuable metals are recovered as indium and zinc metals or suboxides by performing electrolysis using an insoluble electrode as an anode and an IZO scrap as a cathode. Specifically, this method enables the efficient recovery of indium and zinc from IZO scrap such as an indium-zinc oxide (IZO) sputtering target or IZO mill ends that arise during the manufacture of such a sputtering target.
US08308933B2	Method of recovering valuable metals from IZO scrap Provided are a method of recovering valuable metals from IZO scrap, wherein valuable metals are recovered as hydroxides of indium and zinc by using an insoluble electrode as an anode or a cathode and an IZO scrap as the other cathode or anode as the opposite electrode, and performing electrolysis while periodically reversing polarity; and a method of recovering valuable metals from IZO scrap, wherein the hydroxides of indium and zinc obtained by the electrolysis are roasted and valuable metals are recovered as oxides of indium and zinc. Specifically, provided is a method which enables the efficient recovery of indium and zinc from IZO scrap such as a spent indium-zinc oxide (IZO) sputtering target and IZO mill ends arising during the manufacture of such a sputtering target.
US08308922B2	Electrochemical transducer array and use thereof Electrochemical transducer arrays are already known from the prior art. According to the invention, the transducer array is provided with at least one flexible, planar metal substrate on which at least one flexible insulator having a firm connection between the metal surface and the insulator surface is disposed. The metal substrate and the insulator disposed thereon are structured in such a manner as to give metal areas which are electrically insulated the one from the other and which serve as sensor areas. The metal substrate used is self-contained so that the structured metal areas can be contacted from the lower side.
US08308921B1	Mask for increased uniformity in ion beam deposition A shaper mask for particle flux includes a central portion extending from a body of the shaper mask along a first axis to block at least a first portion of a particle flux through the shaper mask from a first direction. The mask also includes at least one off-axis portion. Each off-axis portions extends from the body of the shaper mask along a respective second axis different from the first axis. Each off-axis portion is shaped to block a respective second portion of the particle flux traveling through the shaper mask from a second direction different from the first direction.
US08308915B2	Systems and methods for magnetron deposition Systems and methods are disclosed for face target sputtering to fabricate semiconductors by providing one or more materials with differential coefficients of expansion in the FTS chamber; and generating a controlled pressure and size with the one or more materials during sintering.
US08308913B2	Apparatus for recovering acrylic acid Disclosed is an apparatus for recovering an acrylic acid from a mixture containing acrylic acid, acrylic acid dimer and impurities with high boiling point, including: an acrylic acid recovering device that comprises an acrylic acid distillation unit being present within an acrylic acid dimer pyrolysis tank, and is operated under reduced pressure; a separation column for removing impurities with high boiling point from the mixture which is introduced into the acrylic acid recovering device; and a line for introducing the mixture into the acrylic acid recovering device.
US08308912B2	Method for pyrogasification of organic waste A method for pyrogasification of organic wastes that employs a vertical furnace filled with metal masses in the shape of metal toroids (2) previously raised to a high temperature (500 to 1100° C.) and organic materials to be pyrolyzed. It also employs a furnace for heating toroids transported by an Archimedes screw driven by a gear motor, as well as a separator for recovering the mineral residues, whereby separation between the toroids and residues is effected with the aid of a screen and an Archimedes screw driven by a gear motor.
US08308906B2	Unidirectional discharge grate assembly A discharge grate assembly for at least partially guiding slurry from a mill shell chamber in a rotating mill shell to a discharge trunnion thereof via a pulp lifter chamber. The discharge grate assembly includes a body having a number of apertures for permitting the slurry to flow from the mill shell chamber into the pulp lifter chamber. The discharge grate assembly also includes a number of louvers movable between a closed position, in which the apertures in the body are at least partially covered by the louvers, and an open position, in which the apertures are at least partially unobstructed by the louvers.
US08308902B2	Retention and drainage in the manufacture of paper A method of improving retention and drainage in a papermaking process is disclosed. The addition of an associative polymer, a poly(vinylamine) and optionally a siliceous material to the papermaking slurry to improve retention and drainage is disclosed. Additionally a method to improve retention and drainage comprising addition of an organic microparticle, a poly(vinylamine) and optionally a siliceous material to the papermaking slurry is disclosed. A composition comprising an associative polymer, and a poly(vinylamine) and optionally further comprising cellulose fiber is disclosed.
US08308899B2	Shatter jet nozzle with multiple steam sources and method for disrupting smelt flow to a boiler A method to disrupt a smelt flow including: arranging a shatter jet nozzle assembly to direct a jet of disrupting fluid against the smelt flowing from a recovery boiler to a dissolving tank; supplying the disrupting fluid to the shatter jet nozzle assembly from a first source of disrupting fluid to form the jet directed against the smelt flow while a second source does not provide disrupting fluid to the shatter jet nozzle, and supplying the disrupting fluid from both the first source and the second source flow to the shatter jet nozzle assembly to form the jet of disrupting fluid directed against the smelt flow.
US08308896B2	Methods to remove films on bevel edge and backside of wafer and apparatus thereof A method of cleaning a bevel edge of a substrate in an etch processing chamber is provided. The method includes placing a substrate on a substrate support in a processing chamber. The method also includes flowing a cleaning gas through a gas feed located near a center of a gas distribution plate, disposed at a distance from the substrate support. The method further includes generating a cleaning plasma near a bevel edge of the substrate to clean the bevel edge by powering a bottom edge electrode or a top edge electrode with a RF power source and grounding the edge electrode that is not powered by the RF power source, the bottom edge electrode surrounds the substrate support and the top edge electrode surrounds the gas distribution plate.
US08308894B2	Substrate etching apparatus A substrate etching apparatus includes a supporting unit for supporting substrate in a vertical position and an etching solution supply unit disposed above the substrate to supply an etching solution to the top of the substrate such that the etching solution runs down both of faces of the substrate from the top of the substrate.
US08308891B2	Method for forming dye sublimation images in solid substrates A method for forming a dye sublimation image in a plastic substrate with a sheet having an image formed thereon of a sublimatic dyestuff is provided. The image on the sheet with a treatment that deposits a silicon compound is placed against a first surface of the substrate. The sheet is heated to a sublimation temperature, which causes the image of the sheet to sublimate into the substrate. The sheet is cooled to a release temperature. The sheet is removed from the substrate.
US08308890B2	Method of applying a durable process mark to a product, more particularly glass A method of applying a durable process mark to a glass article using a laser. A transfer sheet is applied to the glass substrate, the transfer sheet includes a carrier layer with a first adhesive layer, adhered partially to a bottom side of the carrier layer. On the face of the carrier layer there are a first and a second pigment layer. The transfer sheet is lased, forming a durable process mark in the glass article.
US08308888B1	System to make a ballistic material A system for making a ballistic material resistant to penetration from bullets, shrapnel, debris, and other lethal missiles, comprising: means for dyeing a flexible conformable low surface energy fabric; a roll coating device for continuously coating a top surface of the dyed fabric with an acrylic based adhesive; an extruder for applying a liner; at least one nip roller for receiving the liner and the coated fabric and applying the liner to the coated fabric; at least one displacement slitter for cutting the coated lined fabric; a fabric printer for printing the cut lined fabric with a fast drying acrylic ink forming a ballistic material up to 300% thicker than the flexible conformable low surface energy fabric; and a continuous cutter for cutting the ballistic material into a desired shape.
US08308886B2	Donor elements and processes for thermal transfer of nanoparticle layers The invention discloses processes for thermal transfer patterning of a nanoparticle layer and a corresponding proximate portion of a carrier layer, and optionally additional transfer layers, together onto a thermal imaging receiver. The invention is useful for dry fabrication of electronic devices. Additional embodiments of the invention include multilayer thermal imaging donors comprising in layered sequence: a base film, a carrier layer and a nanoparticle layer. The carrier layer can be a dielectric or conducting layer. When the carrier layer is a dielectric layer, the base film includes a light attenuating agent in the form of a dye or pigment.
US08308875B2	High-strength wire rod excellent in drawing characteristics and method of manufacturing the same The invention provides wire rod excellent in drawability and steel wire made from the wire rod as starting material with high productivity at good yield and low cost. A hard steel wire rod of a specified composition is hot rolled, the hot-rolled steel is coiled in a specified temperature range, and the coiled steel is subjected to patenting at a predetermined cooling rate, thereby affording a high-carbon steel wire excellent in workability. It is high-strength steel wire excellent in drawability comprising a pearlite structure of an area ratio of 97% or greater and the balance of non-pearlite structures including bainite, degenerate-pearlite and pro-eutectoid ferrite and having a pearlite block size of not less than 20 μm and not greater than 45 μm. The invention also provides a high-carbon steel wire excellent in ductility, which is manufactured by subjecting the wire rod to intermediate patenting and cold drawing and has a tensile strength of 2800 MPa or greater.
US08308873B2	Method of processing steel and steel article A method of processing steel includes carburizing a martensitic stainless steel work piece to produce a carburized case by utilizing in combination, (i) a composition of the martensitic stainless steel work piece, (ii) a preselected carbon concentration in the carburized case, and (iii) a preselected grain size of the martensitic stainless steel work piece such that the carburized case predominately forms carbides of composition M6C, M2C, M23C6 or combinations thereof. The martensitic stainless steel work piece is then heated to substantially solution the metal carbides. The work piece is then quenched at a cooling rate that is sufficient to avoid substantial precipitation of any carbides during cool down to the martensite start temperature, then given a low temperature temper. In so doing, the carburized case hardened martensitic stainless steel will have balanced mechanical, tribological and corrosion resistance properties for high performance bearing and gear components.
US08308872B2	Feed tube assembly for a dishwasher, and associated apparatus and method A spray arm feed tube assembly for a dishwasher is provided, comprising an elongate tubular member adapted to extend from a sump of the dishwasher, through an interface, and along a tub wall of a tub portion disposed outwardly of the sump. A banding member is operably engaged with the tubular member about the interface, wherein the banding member is adapted to cooperate with the tub portion and at least one separator member, about the interface, to prevent particulate matter from passing into the sump from the tub portion about the tubular member. An associated apparatus and method are also provided.
US08308870B2	Cleaning apparatus, cleaning method and recording medium Disclosed are a cleaning apparatus and a cleaning method, which can collect a chemical liquid without reducing the throughput after a substrate is subjected to a cleaning treatment and dried by using a drying solvent, such as IPA. The disclosed cleaning apparatus carries out a chemical liquid cleaning treatment, a rinsing treatment, and a drying treatment with IPA, in order, on a wafer W while rotating wafer W, and includes a cleaning liquid supply device for supplying a cleaning liquid for cleaning the drain cup and the drain tube to the drain cup in a state where the cleaning liquid is not supplied to the wafer. Also, the apparatus further includes a control unit for controlling respective components of the cleaning apparatus. The control unit, after the cleaning treatment and then the rinsing treatment of wafer W, at the time when the drying treatment is performed by IPA, controls the cleaning liquid to be supplied to the drain cup.
US08308867B2	Device for the temperature control of the surface temperatures of substrates in a CVD reactor The invention relates to a CVD reactor having a plurality of rotary tables (2) supported on a rotationally driven susceptor (1) on dynamic gas cushions (3), wherein each gas cushion (3) is formed by an individually controlled gas flow and each gas flow, dependant on a surface temperature measured by a temperature measuring device (4), can be varied by an individual actuator (5). The invention further comprises a carrier (6), carrying the susceptor (1) and rotating with the susceptor (1). A common gas supply line (7) ending in the carrier (6) is key to the invention and provides the actuators (5) arranged on the carrier (6) with the gas that forms the gas flow.
US08308866B2	Vapor deposition apparatus for an organic vapor deposition material and a method for producing an organic film A vapor deposition apparatus is provided, which does not cause changes in composition, decomposition and quality change of an organic vapor deposition material. The organic vapor deposition material is placed on a conveying unit by an amount for a single substrate, and conveyed into a vapor deposition vessel preliminarily heated. Since a small amount of the organic vapor deposition material is heated and exhausted through generation of an organic material vapor under heating condition for each substrate, neither decomposition nor quality change with moisture occurs because heating time is short. Even though different organic compounds are mixed, no change in composition occurs so that an organic vapor deposition material in which a base material is mixed with a coloring substance can be pooled in a pooling tank and then placed in the conveying unit.
US08308865B2	Showerhead for chemical vapor deposition and chemical vapor deposition apparatus having the same A showerhead for chemical vapor deposition (CVD) includes a head storing reaction gas flowing thereinto and feeding the stored reaction gas to a reaction chamber, and at least one support member passing through and coupled with the head and the reaction chamber so as to support the head.
US08308858B2	Electroless deposition process on a silicon contact Embodiments as described herein provide methods for depositing a material on a substrate during electroless deposition processes, as well as compositions of the electroless deposition solutions. In one embodiment, the substrate contains a contact aperture having an exposed silicon contact surface. In another embodiment, the substrate contains a contact aperture having an exposed silicide contact surface. The apertures are filled with a metal contact material by exposing the substrate to an electroless deposition process. The metal contact material may contain a cobalt material, a nickel material, or alloys thereof. Prior to filling the apertures, the substrate may be exposed to a variety of pretreatment processes, such as preclean processes and activations processes. A preclean process may remove organic residues, native oxides, and other contaminants during a wet clean process or a plasma etch process. Embodiments of the process also provide the deposition of additional layers, such as a capping layer.
US08308857B2	Filter cassette for allowing a leak therein to be detected and method thereof A filter cassette and a method for allowing a leak to be detected are disclosed, in which the filter cassette comprises a main body defining a first chamber. The main body includes an inlet and an outlet, a filter separating the first chamber into first and second sub-chambers, the inlet being in fluid communication with the first sub-chamber and the second sub-chamber being in fluid communication with the outlet. The main body also includes a second chamber is defined by the main body and the filter, wherein in absence of a leak the second chamber is substantially not in fluid communication with the first chamber. The main body further includes a port in fluid communication with the second chamber, whereby measuring a fluid characteristic in the second chamber by means of the port allows a detection of a leak, i.e. an external leak or a bypass leakage.
US08308856B2	Air separator, external functional means, blood circuit, and treatment apparatus The present invention relates to an air separator for an extracorporeal blood circuit for separating out air from a fluid flowing through the air separator, comprising an air separation chamber having at least one inflow passage and at least one outflow passage. It further relates to an external functional apparatus, a blood circuit, and a treatment apparatus.
US08308853B2	Gate or damper structure in wet electrostatic precipitator A damper arrangement is described which provides for selective separation of the insulator compartments from the main body of a wet electrostatic precipitator (WESP), permitting maintenance to be performed on the insulator in the compartment while process gas continues to flow through the WESP.
US08308846B2	Method and device for precipitating impurities from a stream of gas Liquid and/or particle-shaped impurities are precipitated from a stream of gas, for example, from a stream of gas that originates from a crankcase of an internal combustion engine and is directed to the engine's intake side. The stream of gas is passed through a gas discharge section between two electrodes. The stream of gas is passed between an emission electrode which is formed by electrode tips and an opposing electrode at a distance therefrom. A direct voltage which exceeds the breakdown voltage is applied to the electrodes using a direct current high voltage source, and the current which occurs over the gas discharge section between the electrodes is limited. A stable low energy direct current plasma is formed in the space between the two electrodes. The impurities are electrically charged and attracted to the opposing electrode by means of electrical field forces.
US08308840B2	Continuous method and production device for producing hydrolysis-resistant stable ionic titanium A continuous method and a production device for producing hydrolysis-resistant stable ionic titanium (Ti4+) are provided. The method comprises six steps: (i) carrying out a redox reaction between metal titanium and excess strong acid; (ii) carrying out primary chelation; (iii) diluting; (iv) adjusting pH value for the first time; (v) carrying out secondary chelation; and (vi) adding microelement and adjusting pH value for a second time. The device includes a reaction kettle, multiple metering pumps, a chelation kettle, dilution tank, multiple precise mixing reaction kettles, a first chelator storage tank, a pure water storage tank, an alkali liquor storage tank, a second chelator storage tank, multiple microelements storage tanks, a control center, etc. The method uses a multi-point, spiral, reverse and atomization spraying technique synchronously to carry out digital fully automatic continuous production and reach the effect of elaborately mixing the material. Also, the method greatly shortens the inter-dissolving time of the materials, easily controls the pH of the solution, and improves the stability of the product.
US08308838B2	Organic fertilizer The invention relates to organic fertilizers that satisfy the standards in both the United States and the European Union to be labeled as organic. The organic fertilizer comprises oilseed extract and/or corn steep liquor in combination with whey and/or other protein supplements, which provide a natural, nitrate free, nitrogen to the fertilizer. Additionally, a method of manufacturing an organic fertilizer comprising heating an oilseed extract, dissolving whey in the heated extract, and filtering the resultant mixture for use domestically and abroad.
US08308834B2	Composite filter media A composite filter media structure includes, in an exemplary embodiment, a base substrate that includes a nonwoven synthetic fabric formed from a plurality of fibers with a spunbond process. The base substrate has a minimum filtration efficiency of about 50%, measured in accordance with ASHRAE 52.2-1999 test procedure A nanofiber layer is deposited on one side of the base substrate. The composite filter media structure has a minimum filtration efficiency of about 75%, measured in accordance with ASHRAE 52.2-1999 test procedure.
US08308833B2	Nonwoven fabric for filters This invention relates to a nonwoven fabric for filters, in which a melt blown nonwoven fabric formed of polybutylene terephthalate or polypropylene terephthalate fibers with an average fiber diameter of 1 to 8 μm and a spunbonded nonwoven fabric formed of polyester-based fibers with an average fiber diameter of 10 to 30 μcm are laminated for integration.
US08308831B2	Filter cleaning mechanisms In one aspect, the present invention provides a filter cleaning mechanism comprising: a filter material (37) for filtering out dust and dirt particles from air passing therethrough; a frame (32, 34, 35, 38, 39) for supporting said filter material (37); devices (31, 296; 25a, 25b, 25c, 25d) for mechanically agitating said filter material to dislodge dust and dirt particles therefrom; wherein the devices for mechanically agitating said filter material comprises elements (31, 296; 25a, 25b, 25c, 25d) for deforming said frame within its elastic limit and elements (31, 296; 25a, 25b, 25c, 25d) for rapidly releasing said frame from said deformation to cause said frame to relax to an undeformed state. The present invention also provides a hand-holdable vacuum cleaner comprising such a filter cleaning mechanism, as well as a method of cleaning a filter assembly (30) comprising a filter material (37) and a frame (32, 34, 35, 38, 39) for supporting said filter material (37), wherein the method comprises the steps of deforming the frame within its elastic limit and rapidly releasing the frame from said deformation, thereby causing the frame to relax to an undeformed state.
US08308830B2	Coated cBN The invention relates to a coated boron or nitrogen containing superhard abrasive material selected from cBN, boron suboxide and boron carbide comprising: cBN, boron suboxide and/or boron carbide superhard abrasive material substrate; a primary layer of a carbide/nitride/boride forming metal, such metal preferably being Ti and preferably being substantially in the form of the carbide, nitride or boride; a secondary layer of a high melting point metal selected from W, Mo, Cr, Ni, Ta, Au, Pt, Pd and alloys thereof; and an overcoat of Ag, Ni, Cu, Au, Pd, Pt, Rh, Os, Ir, Re, combinations and alloys thereof such as bronze (Cu/Sn), silver/bronze and silver/tin, the metal of the secondary layer being different to the metal of the overcoat. The invention further relates to methods for the manufacture of such material, use of such materials in tools and tools including such material.
US08308827B2	Diesel fuel composition A diesel fuel containing a soot dispersant additive which is a grafted and derivatized low molecular weight copolymer of ethylene and at least one C3-C10 alpha monoolefin is provided. Also provided is a method for improving the fuel economy of a diesel engine which comprises operating the diesel engine with a fuel composition comprising (a) a major amount of a diesel fuel and (b) a minor fuel economy improving effective amount of the soot dispersant additive.
US08308824B2	Composition and method for levelling hair colour The present invention relates to an aqueous composition and a method of levelling hair color especially the hair lighter colored or including lightened streaks or bleached streaks or bleached as a whole and after certain period of time contrast-difference in color-between the re-growth and formerly lightened parts is clearly visible. Compositions comprising (1) at least one fatty acid salt, (2) an in-situ formed ammonium or substituted ammonium salt and (3) one or both of (a) cationic or cationizable surfactants and (b) a quaternary ammonium surfactant.
US08308816B2	Sealing liner and lock for prosthetic limb Locking systems for prosthetic sockets utilizing integrated vacuum and mechanical coupling are disclosed. Some example embodiments may include a flexible liner shaped to accept a portion of a patient's residual limb, the flexible liner including a liner distal end including at least one surface feature; a plunger pin extending distally from the liner distal end; and a locking mechanism for mounting within a prosthetic limb socket approximate a socket distal end, the locking mechanism including a central opening sized to receive the plunger pin, the locking mechanism releasably engaging the plunger pin when the residual limb and the liner are inserted into the socket, wherein a proximal end of the locking mechanism includes at least one surface feature for releasably and sealingly engaging the at least one surface feature of the distal end of the flexible liner.
US08308807B2	Implant with differential anchoring An implant (10) for anchoring on a bone (1) has a plurality of anchoring pins (20) which extend away from a fastening side of the implant and are provided for anchoring the implant in the bone. In different areas of the fastening side of the implant, the pin arrangement and/or the geometry of the pins are chosen differently. In particular, in different areas of the fastening side of the implant, the volume of the anchoring pins (20) per unit of surface area of the fastening side of the implant is different, preferably in such a way that the geometry and/or arrangement of the pins (20) is chosen according to the proportion of bone tissue in the total tissue of the bone substance, opposite which the area of the fastening side is provided, in such a way that, in areas where there is a relatively higher proportion of bone tissue as a whole, less tissue is displaced by the anchoring pins than in areas where there is a relatively smaller proportion of bone tissue.
US08308803B2	Methods and instruments for endoscopic interbody surgical techniques This invention relates to methods and instruments for performing a surgical procedure in a disc space between adjacent vertebrae. A cannula is inserted to create a working channel through the skin and tissue of a patient using a transformational approach to the disc space. A viewing element is used to visualize working end of the cannula and the disc space. A facetectomy is performed through the working channel to access the disc space. The disc space is prepared with various instruments, such as distractors, shims, chisels and distractor-cutters that extend through the working channel. At least implant is inserted into the disc space. The procedure allows bi-lateral support of the adjacent vertebrae with the at least one implant inserted via a unitary, minimally invasive approach to disc space.
US08308799B2	Modular intraocular lens injector device An intraocular lens (IOL) injection device is modularized to enable cleaning of internal components after surgery. The device includes first and second housing modules. These modules collectively define a passageway along which an injector rod moves between a retracted position and an extended position. The first module is further configured to accommodate a lens cartridge module. The cartridge module has disposed therein an IOL, in alignment with the passageway. Thus as the rod moves from the retracted position to the extended position, a front portion of the rod that is substantially surrounded by the first module in the retracted position moves into the cartridge module and displaces the IOL. This causes the front portion of the rod to accumulate on it viscoelastic substances. The first module, though, is configured to detach from the second module, to thereby expose the front portion of the rod in the retracted position for cleaning.
US08308797B2	Percutaneously implantable replacement heart valve device and method of making same The present invention comprises a percutaneously implantable replacement heart valve device and a method of making same. The replacement heart valve device comprises a stent member made of stainless steel or self-expanding nitinol, a biological tissue artificial valve means disposed within the inner space of the stent member. An implantation and delivery system having a central part which consists of a flexible hollow tube catheter that allows a metallic wire guide to be advanced inside it. The endovascular stented-valve is a glutaraldehyde fixed bovine pericardium which has two or three cusps that open distally to permit unidirectional blood flow. The present invention also comprises a novel method of making a replacement heart valve by taking a rectangular fragment of bovine pericardium treating, drying, folding and rehydrating it in such a way that forms a two- or three-leaflet/cusp valve with the leaflets/cusps formed by folding, thereby eliminating the extent of suturing required, providing improved durability and function.
US08308795B2	Drug-delivery endovascular stent and method of forming the same An intravascular stent and method for inhibiting restenosis, following vascular injury, is disclosed. The stent has an expandable, linked-filament body and a drug-release coating formed on the stent-body filaments, for contacting the vessel injury site when the stent is placed in-situ in an expanded condition. The coating releases, for a period of at least 4 weeks, a restenosis-inhibiting amount of a monocyclic triene immunosuppressive compound having an alkyl group substituent at carbon position 40 in the compound. The stent, when used to treat a vascular injury, gives good protection against clinical restenosis, even when the extent of vascular injury involves vessel overstretching by more than 30% diameter. Also disclosed is a stent having a drug-release coating composed of (i) 10 and 60 weight percent poly-dl-lactide polymer substrate and (ii) 40-90 weight percent of an anti-restenosis compound, and a polymer undercoat having a thickness of between 1-5 microns.
US08308794B2	Instrumented implantable stents, vascular grafts and other medical devices Several different smart stent structures are described for placement in vessel of a mammal. The stents can be advantageously used to perform measurements of the conditions in the vessel and transmit the measurements wireless out from the patient. In some embodiments, the stent performs therapy within the vessel and may be controlled with a microprocessor, which may or may not communicate wirelessly. Some implantable devices comprise a drug delivery system based, for example, on either a microelectromechanical structure or a cover that opens upon application of an electrical current. Smart devices can be used, for example, the detect deposits in a vessel, aneurysms in the vessel or other modifications of flow in the vessel.
US08308788B2	System and method for leak detection in external cooling pad An externally-applied heat exchange pad has three layers laminated together, an inner and outer non-conductive layer and a middle conductive layer. A leak in the inner layer causes coolant to contact the middle layer and change impedance, which can be sensed and used as an indication of an impending total leak of the pad.
US08308781B2	Multiple lumen sensor attachment A cranial bolt secured to a skull of a patient includes a threaded portion and a lumen portion. Threaded portion has an inner surface forming a central passageway which extends throughout the threaded portion. The inner surface includes a connector mating with the lumen portion. The lumen portion includes a stem portion that enters the central passageway and engages the mating connector. A fluid tight seal is formed between the inner surface of the threaded portion and the stem portion. At least two lumens are disposed through the stem portion and the base portion. The lumens have a proximal end opening outside the skull and a distal end opening inside the skull. One embodiment includes sensor lumens diverging from the centerline and another allows the lumen portion to rotate independent of the threaded portion.
US08308778B2	Longitudinal implant The longitudinal implant is fastened to bones on either side of a damaged area through a connecting device. Said implant is comprised of a filament or fiber composite material and said connecting device is made of a material harder than said longitudinal implant. The longitudinal implant is preferably made of a carbon filament composite material, wherein the filament are encapsulated in a polymer matrix.
US08308777B2	Method and apparatus for removable spinal implant extending between at least two adjacent vertebral bodies Disclosed are surgical tools, tool sets and methods for percutaneously accessing and preparing treatment sites within the spine for subsequent treatment procedures. The treatment site may be an inter-vertebral motion segments in the lumbar and sacral regions of the spine. The tool set may comprise introducer tools and bone dilators for accessing and tapping into a targeted site, such as, for example, the anterior surface of the S1 vertebral body. The tool set may also comprise cutters and extractors for preparing the treatment site for subsequent treatment procedures. The tool set may additionally comprise a bone graft inserter, an exchange system, and/or a temporary distraction tool for further preparing the treatment site for subsequent treatment procedures.
US08308776B2	Devices and methods for dynamic fixation of skeletal structure The disclosed screw assemblies include a screw that attaches onto the bone, a housing member that connects and inter-locks the bone screw to the rod, and one or more locking members that permit immobilization of various components of the assembly relative to one another while still permitting some relative movement. The bone screws and bone screw assemblies described herein permit flexible stabilization of the spine.
US08308774B2	Spinal rod reducer and cap insertion apparatus A medical instrument apparatus and method is provided for positioning and securing a spinal rod to a coupling device anchored to a vertebra. A reducer assembly shifts the spinal rod into place within the coupling device and a cap inserter assembly shifts a cap member into locking engagement with the coupling device to secure the spinal rod therein.
US08308771B2	Methods and apparatus for locking a band A surgical fastening mechanism for releasably locking an implantable tether includes a housing having a central channel. The housing has an entry aperture, an exit aperture and a side channel extending therebetween. A roller element has a sidewall with an aperture therethrough and the roller is slidably disposed at least partially in the central channel such that the entry and exit apertures are at least partially aligned with the roller aperture. This permits passage of the tether therethrough. Rotation of the roller element in a first direction winds the tether around the roller thereby creating a friction interface between the roller element, the housing and the tether. A locking mechanism is operably connected with either the housing or the roller element and is adapted to prevent rotation of the roller in the central channel and also adapted to prevent release of the tether from the roller.
US08308769B2	Implant device and method for interspinous distraction Improved implant devices and methods for interspinous distraction distribute the load of interspinous distraction so that the entire load is not bearing on the interspinous surfaces. The implant device has a narrow midsection and two wider, flange-shaped outer sections. The wider, flange-shaped outer sections can be tightened to bear against the thicker bony portions of the spinous processes to support some of the load. Optionally, the wider, flange-shaped outer sections can be configured with pins that will penetrate and engage the thicker bony portions of the spinous processes, which will increase the load bearing potential of the wider, flange-shaped outer sections. Additionally, the wider, flange-shaped outer sections and the pins will help to stabilize the joint. The joint stabilization may help to prevent further dislocation of the vertebra that occurs with spondylolisthesis.
US08308762B2	Medical closure device A medical closure device (1; 20) comprising an inner member (2; 23), which is adapted to be positioned against an inner surface of a tissue wall, and a retaining member (3; 13; 21), which is attached to the inner member, wherein the retaining member is in the form of a loop made up by multiple coils of at least one filament, the coils lying side-by-side one another such that when increasing tension is applied in the loop, at least one of the at least one filament breaks apart before side-by-side portions of the at least one filament slide readily with respect to one another.
US08308758B2	Closure device The invention provides a closure device (1) for sealing an incision channel leading through a vessel wall and into the vessel. The closure device (1) comprises a haemostatic material (3), which is contained in the distal end of an elongated insertion assembly (2). The insertion assembly (2), which comprises a stationary part (4) and a retractable part (5) being slidably movable with regard to each other, is adapted to be attached to an introducer (7) being in position in the incision channel, so that the insertion assembly (2) can be slid along the introducer (7) until the distal end of the insertion assembly (2) is in contact with the vessel wall, where the haemostatic material (3) is delivered in the incision channel by a retracting movement of the retractable part (5).
US08308751B2	Foldable vaso-occlusive member Vaso-occlusive devices for occlusion of a body cavity are provided. The vaso-occlusive devices include an elongate vaso-occlusive member having one or more fold lines. Methods of using the vaso-occlusive devices are also described.
US08308750B2	Removable intravascular devices and methods of making and using the same An intravascular device, which may be a filter, that may include a plurality of elongate members, each or several of the elongate members may have one or more inwardly facing edges disposed at and near the part of the intravascular device configured to contact the vessel wall for cutting through the intima or other encapsulating tissue, each of the elongate member may also include an anchoring member or other desired components.
US08308749B2	Catheter with disruptable guidewire channel The present invention is a catheter device that includes a disruptable guidewire channel. The guidewire channel is configured to provide necessary trackability of the catheter along the guidewire during introduction of the catheter to a treatment site. Once treatment is completed, the guidewire channel can then be disrupted so as to free the guidewire from the catheter in situ. The apparatus of the present invention provides distinct advantages over existing over-the-wire and rapid exchange catheter introduction methods, including the ability to achieve much faster treatment implement exchanges, the ability to rapidly deliver multiple treatment implements in series, and the ability to maintain multiple treatment implements simultaneously at a treatment site using a single guidewire.
US08308748B2	Collapsible lancing device Disclosed herein are embodiments of lancing devices for use with a lancet having a lancet body and a sharp tip covered by a removable cap. One lancing device comprises a housing having a first end and a second end opposite the first end, a drawer received within the housing at the first end and movable between an open position and a closed position, the drawer having a drawer face and a drawer body, the drawer body configured to receive the lancet, and a decapping arm disposed within the housing and connected to the housing via a pivot at the second end of the housing, the decapping arm movable about the pivot between a storage position and a decapping position.
US08308742B2	Device for elastic ligature of tissues A device for elastic ligature of tissues has a first and a second element, one of which exhibits a support portion for at least a rubber ring. The elements are slidably coupled to one another such that a reciprocal sliding between the elements determines a release of a rubber ring from the support portion. A trigger is manually maneuverable by an operator and acts on the second element for realising a reciprocal sliding between the elements. A connecting portion is connected to the trigger and to the second element and is elastically deformable in order to enable a reciprocal change of orientation between the trigger and the second element.
US08308737B2	Small gauge surgical instrument with support device A small gauge surgical instrument assembly is shown with advantages such as diminished “play” at the tip. A surgical instrument assembly is also shown with support along a length of the instrument that can be selected by the surgeon. In particular, very small and flexible instruments for vitreous surgery are shown with selectable stiffness, thus providing control as well as access to all parts of the vitreous cavity. Embodiments as shown are safer, and increase the variety of cases for which these instruments can be used.
US08308736B2	Automated intraocular lens injector device An intraocular lens injection device comprises a tubular housing with a plunger longitudinally disposed within the tubular housing. An electric drive system longitudinally translates the plunger so that its tip engages an insertion cartridge to fold and displace an intraocular lens disposed within and to inject the folded lens into the lens capsule of an eye. A control circuit is configured to start translation of the plunger, responsive to user input, to detect at least one fault condition based on a counter-electromotive force produced by the electric motor, and to stop translation of the plunger assembly responsive to the detected fault condition, which may comprise excessive resistance to forward or rearward translation of the plunger or insufficient resistance to forward translation of the plunger.
US08308735B2	Phacoemulsification tip with internal oriented structures A phacoemulsification tip is formed from a tube that encloses an aspiration lumen surrounded by and generally concentric with a structure section. The structure section has a plurality of structures (ridges, vanes, ribs, or fins). The plurality of structures project inward from an inner wall of the tube at the distal end of the tube. The plurality of the structures are disposed at an angle with respect to a face of the distal end of the tube. Alternatively, the plurality of the structures are disposed at a non-perpendicular angle with respect to a plane that is tangent to a curved outer surface of the tube.
US08308733B1	Device and method for locking intramedullary nails The device with an adjustable bi-rotatable base assembly, aligns the central longitudinal axis of a drilling device with the axis of an x-ray beam that is coaxial with the axis of a line that extends through the distal openings of an intramedullary nail that has been inserted into the cavity of a tubular bone.
US08308729B2	Rod reduction device A rod reduction device includes a housing defining a longitudinal axis. The housing has first and second arms extending distally therefrom. The distal ends of the arms are configured to releasably attach to a bone anchor. An anvil is operatively associated with the first and second arms of the housing and translatable along the longitudinal axis for facilitating the insertion of a spinal rod into the bone anchor. The anvil and each arm are positionable between an open position and a closed position.
US08308725B2	Reverse sealing and dissection instrument The invention relates to a device and related method for sealing and/or dissecting body tissue using a reverse action instrument. The devices and methods described permit laparoscopic or natural body orifice access to an anatomical space and facilitate sealing portions of tissue together, dissecting tissue or combinations thereof. A surgical instrument for sealing and dissecting body tissue is described having distal and proximal ends with an elongated body. The body includes a jaw member positioned at the distal end that is defined by a stationary arm and a pivotable arm. A moveable closure sleeve is disposed at least partially about the body and the closure sleeve is configured such that coaxial movement of the sleeve along the longitudinal axis of the body causes the jaw member to open or close.
US08308722B2	Hollow conductive coaxial cable for radio frequency based tissue ablation system A hollow coaxial cable adapted for conduction of radio frequency (RF) energy, particularly microwave energy, has a proximal end and a distal end and comprises coaxial inner and outer conductors extending substantially the entire length of the cable from the proximal end to a distal end portion of the cable with a dielectric medium disposed between the inner and outer conductors. The inner conductor comprises an elongated electrically conductive tubular member having a hollow, axially extending lumen, and the outer conductor comprises an elongated electrically conductive tubular member disposed in a substantially coaxial relationship over at least a portion of the inner conductor. An ablating member which delivers radio frequency energy, particularly microwave energy, to body tissue is disposed at a distal end portion of the cable.
US08308721B2	Surgical system and surgical method A surgical system includes: a treatment portion for treating living body tissue targeted for treatment; an ultrasound supplying section for supplying ultrasound via ultrasound transducers which produce ultrasound vibration; a radio-frequency electrical power supplying section for supplying, to the treatment portion, radio-frequency electrical power having an output wave-form defined by a base frequency and a repetition frequency; and a controlling section for controlling at least one of a voltage root-mean-square value and a crest factor, so that the voltage peak value of the output wave-form of the radio-frequency electrical power does not exceed a fixed value.
US08308720B2	Cardiac electrosurgery A method of accessing a pericardial cavity of a heart is disclosed, comprising delivering electrical energy to a pericardium in a manner which creates a channel substantially through a parietal pericardium and does not substantially affect myocardial tissue.
US08308719B2	Apparatus and method for ablating tissue A control system alters one or more characteristics of an ablating element to ablate tissue. In one aspect, the control system delivers energy nearer to the surface of the tissue by changing the frequency or power. In another aspect, the ablating element delivers focused ultrasound which is focused in at least one dimension. The ablating device may also have a number of ablating elements with different characteristics such as focal length.
US08308716B2	Apparatus and method for auto-titrating a laser An apparatus and method for auto-titrating a surgical laser are disclosed. One embodiment of the method comprises: providing an algorithm, wherein the algorithm is operable to configure the laser based on one or more user inputs; providing a first user input operable to cause the algorithm to execute and fire the laser in a defined pattern; providing a second user input, in response to an observed condition, operable to cause the laser to stop firing and to cause the algorithm to determine one or more laser parameter values and configure the laser based on the one or more laser parameter values, wherein a final laser power value when the laser stops firing is an input to the algorithm and wherein the algorithm determines the one or more laser parameters based on the final laser power value. The method can further comprise placing the laser in a “ready” (surgical) mode, either automatically by the auto-titration algorithm or via another user input. Once in a ready mode, a user, such as a surgeon, can perform a surgical procedure with the automatically configured laser. The user inputs can be provided by activating a control switch, such as the footswitch typically used by ophthalmic surgeons to control the operation of an ophthalmic surgical laser.
US08308713B2	Medical catheter assembly including multi-piece connector A medical catheter assembly including a multi-piece connector. In one embodiment, the medical catheter assembly is a PEG implanting assembly comprising a tubular dilator and a silicone feeding tube having an internal bolster at its rear end. The assembly also comprises a multi-piece connector comprising an inner ring, a fitting and an outer ring. The inner ring has an outer diameter greater than the inner diameter of the feeding tube and is coaxially disposed within the feeding tube by a friction-fit. The fitting comprises a front portion, an intermediate portion and a rear portion, the intermediate portion including a shoulder having an outer diameter greater than the inner diameter of the feeding tube. The front portion of the fitting is inserted through the rear end of the dilator and is secured to the dilator by a plurality of barbs. The shoulder and the rear portion of the fitting are inserted into the feeding tube through its rear end, with the rear portion of the fitting being inserted into the inner ring and secured thereto by mating threads. The outer ring is inserted over the feeding tube and is positioned between the shoulder and the inner ring, the outer ring being sized to securely retain the feeding tube between the outer ring and the inner ring and between the outer ring and the shoulder.
US08308712B2	Composite laminated catheter with flexible segment and method of making same A medical catheter including a composite laminated shaft having a segment that is mechanically deformed to have reduced stiffness.
US08308710B2	High flow-low pressure irrigation system A high-flow low-pressure irrigation system for directing a fluid to and recovering the fluid from an area within a body, the irrigation system comprising a sheath defining a sheath lumen and a flexible catheter disposed in and through the sheath lumen. The catheter defines a catheter lumen and comprises a plurality of apertures at a distal portion that curls in a pigtail configuration. The fluid is directed and outputted to the body area through the catheter lumen and the apertures, and the outputted fluid is recovered and returned through the sheath lumen.
US08308708B2	Deployment system for myocardial cellular material A catheter-based deployment system for deploying cellular material (22) into the heart muscle (25). The deployment system includes a guiding catheter (19) and a needle assembly (31) capable of sliding within the guiding catheter. The needle assembly (31) terminates in a tip (34) having at least one side with an opening (43) in communication with a lumen (20) disposed within the needle assembly (31). Once the guiding catheter (19) is positioned, the needle assembly (31) is advanced until the tip (34) penetrates the muscle wall (25). At a predetermined depth the cellular material (22) may be deployed into the muscle wall (25) via a push rod (46) disposed through the lumen of the needle assembly (31).
US08308704B2	Liquid collection system and related methods Various embodiments of a fluid collection system having multiple storage chambers are disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment, the system may include a first chamber in fluid communication with a suction source and a second chamber in fluid communication with the first chamber. The second chamber may have a volume less than a volume of the first chamber. The second chamber may also comprise an inlet port for connecting to an external tube. The system may be configured to selectively drain liquid from the second chamber into the first chamber.
US08308702B2	Foaming porous pad for use with a motorized device A foaming porous pad suitable for coupling to a hand-held device and for application to human skin includes a porous pad substrate and a foaming composition disposed on the porous pad substrate. The porous pad substrate includes a nonwoven pile fabric having a nonwoven backing layer and a pile comprising individual fibers extending from the backing layer. The nonwoven pile fabric has fibers having a denier of less than about 9. Other aspects of the disclosure include a kit including a foaming porous pad and a motorized handheld device, methods of making the foaming porous pad, and methods of using the foaming porous pad.
US08308701B2	Methods for deploying intraocular shunts The present invention generally relates to methods for deploying intraocular shunts without the use of an optical apparatus that contacts an eye, such as a goniolens. In certain embodiments, methods of the invention involve inserting into an eye a deployment device configured to hold an intraocular shunt, determining that a distal portion of the device is properly positioned within the eye without use of an optical apparatus that contacts the eye, and deploying the shunt from the device.
US08308700B2	Eye coloring systems A novel system for an iris of the human eye includes drying the tissue surface, applying colorant to the dried surface, and then drying the applied colorant. The system avoids tattooing, implanting, and corneal modification. Permanent results may be obtained. Colorants may be coatings or stains. Blown gas is controllably infused to maintain a constant pressure in the anterior chamber, and the blown gas is turned on and off by opening a path to the outside of the eye and closing such path, respectively.
US08308695B2	Automatic injection device with actively triggered syringe withdrawal The present invention relates to an injection device, comprising a housing (10) including a container carrier (16) having a medicament container (18) and a needle (22) attached to the medicament container, a needle shield (12), means for initiating a penetration; penetration means for automatic penetration of needle, means for automatically injecting medicament, means for an automatically withdrawing the needle. The invention is characterized in an active triggering withdrawal mechanism capable of allowing the means for automatically withdrawing the needle to be triggered when the injection device starts to be removed from an injection site.
US08308693B2	Bone penetrating needle with angled ports Bone-penetrating needles for delivering a quantity of fluid to bone marrow of a bone or providing access to remove fluids from a target site is provided. The bone penetrating needles each includes at least one side port disposed at an angle away from the direction of rotation. Some of the bone penetrating needles are operable to attach to a cartridge assembly.
US08308692B2	Introducer for use in inserting a medical device into a body vessel and method for same In at least one embodiment of the present invention, an introducer for use in inserting a medical device into a body vessel of a patient is provided. The introducer comprises a housing having a proximal opening, a distal opening and a chamber extending therebetween. A seal in diaphragm form is disposed in the chamber. The seal is formed of polymeric material having a first phase transition temperature higher than about body temperature and a second phase transition temperature that is less than the first phase transition temperature but is greater than about room temperature. The seal is in a first configuration and has an opening formed therethrough when at about room temperature for advancing the medical device through the seal. The seal self-configures to a second configuration when at a temperature of at least the second phase transition temperature for obstructing the body fluid from flowing through the opening of the seal.
US08308690B2	Device and method treatment or evacuation of intervertebral disc A method of positioning an arcuate device against the inner walls of the disc, and particularly on the posterior and postero-lateral portions of the inner annulus of the disc. The arcuate device retains its predetermined arcuate shape when no pressure or force is applied to the catheter. In an embodiment, an arcuate cutter is used to remove tissue from the inner annulus of the disc. In another embodiment an arcuate device is used to progressively remove material from the interior of the mammalian intervertebral disc. In yet another embodiment, an arcuate device is used to remove the entire intervertebral disc and place supports to maintain a disc space.
US08308684B2	Method of coating a folded medical device A non-polymeric or biological coating applied to a radially expandable interventional medical device in a collapsed, wrapped, or folded configuration, the coating applied within at least one fold. Properties of the coating material applied to the medical device are adjusted or varied to result in a desired combination of coverage of the surface of the medical device, drug loading, and coating thickness. The coating is sterile, and is capable of being carried by a sterile medical device to a targeted tissue location within the body following radial expansion. The therapeutic coating transfers off the medical device due in part to a biological attraction with the tissue and in part to a physical transference from the medical device to the targeted tissue location in contact with the medical device.
US08308683B2	Perfusion catheter having array of funnel shaped membranes An agent delivery catheter configured to deliver an agent to an inner surface of a patient's body lumen wall by forming an array of cells defining agent containment chambers at multiple locations along the catheter's shaft, while minimizing ischemic conditions during the procedure.
US08308681B2	Device for mixing and delivering fluids for tissue repair A device for mixing and delivering a mixture of fluids to a target site includes a tube for containing the mixture. A compressible auger for mixing the fluids is movably disposed within the tube, one end of the auger being free at the distal end of the tube. A plunger is also movable within the tube in communication with the other end of the auger. When the plunger is moved axially within the tube the auger also moves axially and the auger is compressed to dispense the fluid. The mixing and delivery device can be used with an apparatus for the arthroscopic delivery of a tissue repair material to a repair site. The apparatus includes a first sheath and a second sheath removably attached to the first sheath for delivering the tissue repair material to the repair site.
US08308678B2	Pre-filled applicator device A device for delivering a medicated product or the like to a bodily cavity is provided. The device includes a barrel member having a distal end. The barrel member is sized to contain the medicated product. The device includes a plunger sized to extend into the barrel member. A cap is adapted to move between a sealing position, in which the cap is positioned adjacent to the barrel member and seals the distal end of the barrel member, and a dispensing position, in which the cap is moved in a direction away from the barrel member. The cap includes at least one opening sized to allow the medicated product to flow through the cap when the cap is in the dispensing position. A retainer mechanism is provided for retaining the cap on the barrel when the cap is in the dispensing position.
US08308677B2	Ultrasound catheter for disrupting blood vessel obstructions Ultrasound catheter devices and methods provide enhanced disruption of blood vessel obstructions. Generally, an ultrasound catheter includes an elongate flexible catheter body with one or more lumens. An ultrasound transmission member or wire extends longitudinally through the catheter body lumen and, in many embodiments, a guide wire tube also extends through the same lumen. A distal head is fixed to or otherwise mechanically coupled with the distal end of the ultrasound transmission member or wire and is positioned adjacent the distal end of the catheter body. Although the distal end of the catheter body overlaps the distal head, the distal head is not directly affixed to the distal end of the catheter body. Thus, the distal tip may move freely, relative to the distal end of the catheter body when ultrasonic energy is applied through the ultrasound transmission member. Such a freely floating distal head enhances the efficiency of an ultrasound catheter, enabling the catheter to ablate calcific occlusions and increasing the useful life of the ultrasound transmission member and catheter.
US08308675B2	Applicator device An applicator device capable of housing an insertable element includes a plunger member that is slideably engaged with the insertion member and has an insertion end and a gripper end. The gripper end of the plunger member consists of a locking mechanism having a diameter greater than the diameter of the plunger member. The insertion member also includes a locking mechanism that is capable of engaging the locking mechanism of the plunger member that may prevent the plunger member from withdrawal.
US08308673B2	Methods and devices for removal of a medical agent from a physiological efferent fluid collection site Methods and devices for selectively removing an agent from a physiological site, e.g., a physiological efferent fluid collection site, are provided. Aspects of the invention include fluid removal (e.g., aspiration) devices having a fluid removal element and a flow modulator positioned at a distal end of the fluid removal element. The flow modulator is configured to converge intersecting fluid flow paths into the fluid removal element. Also provided are systems and kits for performing the subject methods. The subject invention finds use in a variety of different applications, including the selective removal of both therapeutic and diagnostic agents from a variety of different physiological sites.
US08308672B2	Device for passively removing a target component from blood or lymph of a vertebrate subject Devices, systems, and methods are described herein for controlling or modulating the levels of one or more target components in the blood and/or lymph of a vertebrate subject. Devices and systems are provided that include a body defining at least one lumen configured for fluid flow; at least one controllable flow barrier to fluid flow into the at least one lumen; at least one first reservoir disposed within the body and configured to include one or more bifunctional tags, wherein the one or more bifunctional tags are configured to selectively bind to one or more target components in one or more of blood fluid or lymph fluid of a vertebrate subject; at least one treatment region disposed within the at least one lumen; and at least one second reservoir disposed in the at least one treatment region and configured to include one or more reactive components, wherein the one or more reactive components are configured to sequester the one or more bifunctional tags when bound to the one or more target components.
US08308670B2	Adjustable extension compression posterior spinal orthosis and method A spinal orthosis and method of applying extension and compression forces onto a user spine includes a lumbo-sacral compression unit conforming to a portion of a user's torso and exerting an encircling compressive force to provide a hydraulic lift. A posterior spinal frame member is secured by the lumbo-sacral compression unit to be cantilevered upward along the user's spine. A pair of adjustable shoulder strap assemblies are connected to an upper portion of the posterior spinal frame member and adjacent a lower portion of the posterior spinal frame member to enable a user to adjustably apply a thoracic force with adjustable controlled buckles and straps positioned on the user's chest.
US08308668B1	Scapulothoracic interface medical device The invention relates to a medical device and method for evaluating and treating scapulothoracic mobility disorders. The invention facilities examination and treatment of the scapulothoracic motion interface.
US08308666B2	Neuromuscular therapeutic device Apparatus and method for delivering audible, electrical or mechanical tones having a specific characteristic to a human vestibular system to achieve thereby a therapeutic result.
US08308665B2	Method and apparatus for improving human balance and gait and preventing foot injury A method and wearable system and for enhancing human balance and gait and preventing foot injury through neurological stimulation of the foot and the ankle. Subthreshold stimulation for neurosensory enhancement is provided via electrodes or vibrational actuators, or combination thereof, disposed in or on a wearable a platform, such as an insole, sock shoe, removable shoe insert, or applied without the support of a platform, to the skin surface of an individual. Suprathreshold stimulation for therapeutic purposes, such as improving blood flow, is also provided by the vibrational actuators. The actuators and electrodes are driven by bias signals generated by a bias signal generator that is coupled to a controller. The signal generator under the control of the controller is adapted to generate a non-deterministic random signal, a repetitive pattern or series of patterns. The controller optionally includes a communication port for interfacing with an external computer for purposes of optimizing and programming the controller. The wearable system is powered by a power source.
US08308655B2	Transbronchial needle aspiration device Transbronchial needle aspiration (TBNA) device. In one embodiment, the device comprises a handle and a flexible catheter, the handle having a bore, the proximal end of the catheter being fixed within the handle bore. A protective tubular hub having a flared distal end is press-fit coaxially within the distal end of the catheter, the distal end of the catheter being sealed around the distal end of the hub so as to define a distal opening. A hollow needle having a sharp tip at its distal end is disposed within the catheter, the needle tip being sized for insertion through the distal opening of the catheter. The distal end of a flexible wire is coupled to the proximal end of the needle, the proximal end of the wire extending through the handle bore and coupled to a button slide accessible through a slot in the handle. The button slide is movable between a distal position in which the needle tip extends through the distal opening of the catheter and a proximal position in which the needle tip is disposed within the hub. When in either its distal position or its proximal position, a pawl on the button slide releasably engages a corresponding notch on the handle to lock the button slide in place.
US08308650B2	System and method for generating baseline data for automated management of cardiovascular pressure A system and method for generating baseline data for automated management of cardiovascular pressure is disclosed. Collected device measures are accumulated to record raw physiometry for a patient, wherein the patient is regularly monitored by an implantable medical device, beginning with an initial observation period. Derived device measures are generated to provide derivative physiometry determined at least in part from the collected device measures. A patient status indicator is determined by analyzing the collected and derived device measures to diagnose a pathophysiology indicative of an absence, onset, progression, regression, and status quo in cardiovascular pressure, wherein the collected and derived device measures and the patient status indicator originating from the initial observation period include baseline data.
US08308649B2	Implantable cardiac device and method for monitoring the status of a cardiovascular disease An implantable cardiac device has a heart stimulator for electrically stimulating the heart of a patient, detector that measures a physiologic parameter that is affected by the status of a cardiovascular disease associated with sympathetic activation, a signal processor that determines at least one of a low frequency, LF, and a very low frequency, VLF, Mayer wave component in the measured parameter, and analyzer that automatically analyzes the determined Mayer wave component in relation to a predetermined reference value to determine the status of the cardiovascular disease. The detector is a cardio-mechanical parameter detector that measures, as said physiologic parameter, a mechanical change in at least one of the four chambers of the heart. In a corresponding method for monitoring the status of a cardiovascular disease associated with sympathetic activation of a patient having an implantable electric heart stimulator a physiologic parameter affected by the cardiac disease is measured. At least one of a low frequency, LF, and a very low frequency, VLF, Mayer wave component in the parameter is determined, and the wave component is analyzed in relation to a predetermined reference value to determine the status of the cardiovascular disease. A mechanical change in at least one of the four chambers of the heart is measured as the physiologic parameter.
US08308648B2	Electronic blood pressure measurement device calculating blood pressure value A blood pressure measurement bladder (50) has a predetermined amount of air introduced and sealed therein. A CPU (30) measures in advance the P-V property. The blood pressure measurement bladder (50) is wrapped around a measurement site. By exerting pressure from the outer side to the blood pressure measurement bladder (50), the internal pressure in the blood pressure measurement bladder (50) is increased to exert pressure on the blood vessel. During this process, the cuff pressure in the blood pressure measurement bladder (50) generated by volumetric change of the blood vessel by changing the pressure exerted from the outer side to the blood pressure measurement bladder (50), and the pressure pulse wave data are detected. By adding the cuff compliance property obtained by the P-V property that was measured in advance to the detected data as a correction value of the pressure pulse wave, blood pressure is calculated.
US08308645B2	Ultrasonic scanhead An ultrasonic scanhead including an encoder, a pivot, a voice coil motor, and a transducer is provided. The encoder includes a fixed element and a rotary element. The rotary element is disposed at the fixed element and capable of rotating about a first axis. The pivot is through the encoder and capable of rotating with the rotary element. The pivot extends along a second axis and has a first end and a second end opposite to the first end. The voice coil motor includes a stator and a mover. The first end of the pivot is connected to the mover. The mover is capable of moving linearly along a third axis. The first axis, the second axis, and the third axis are substantially perpendicular to each other. The transducer is disposed at the second end of the pivot and capable of emitting an ultrasonic wave.
US08308641B2	Biometric monitor with electronics disposed on or in a neck collar A highly portable biometric monitor is disclosed. At least one remote sensor member (12, 12′) includes one or more biometric sensors (20, 22, 24, 25) configured for operative coupling with a patient. A neck collar (14, 114, 214, 314, 414) includes electronics (36, 40, 42, 44, 46, 48) for operating the at least one remote sensor member. The at least one remote sensor member is separate from and not disposed on the neck collar. Optionally, the collar also includes one or more biometric sensors (53). A communication link (18) operatively connects the remote sensor member and the electronics of the neck collar. A motion sensor (26) and position sensor (28) may be disposed with the one or more biometric sensors to sense movement and position, and the electronics (36, 40, 42, 44, 46, 48) configured to account for error in a signal produced by the one or more biometric sensors due to movement sensed by the motion sensor or position sensed by the position sensor. The electronics (36, 40, 42, 44, 46, 48) may log patient activity and body position.
US08308637B2	Endoscope An endoscope includes light emitting devices arranged in the distal end portion of its insertion unit, and at least one elongated heat-radiating member. One end of the radiating member is arranged in the vicinity of the light emitting devices and the other end is arranged in a predetermined position adjacent to the proximal end of the insertion unit. In observation using the endoscope, a decrease in the amount of illumination rays or the occurrence of image noise can be prevented, the decrease and the noise being caused due to heat generated by LED illumination lights arranged at the distal end of the insertion unit. Therefore, observation can be performed for a long time in good conditions.
US08308628B2	Magnetic-based systems for treating occluded vessels Some embodiments provide a system for external manipulation of magnetic nanoparticles in vasculature using a remotely placed magnetic field-generating stator. In one aspect, the systems and methods relate to the control of magnetic nanoparticles in a fluid medium using permanent magnet-based or electromagnetic field-generating stator sources. Such a system can be useful for increasing the diffusion of therapeutic agents in a fluid medium, such as a human circulatory system, which can result in substantial clearance of fluid obstructions, such as vascular occlusions, in a circulatory system resulting in increased blood flow.
US08308625B2	Apparatus configured to manufacture a roll of interleaved bags In an embodiment of the invention, a cut/weld apparatus is configured to provide optimal and limited tension of bag material even during high-speed operation. The limited tension may contribute to stronger plastic welds. Another embodiment of the invention, which may be used in combination with the first embodiment, provides a roll discharge stage in a bag manufacturing apparatus that includes a retracting spindle and may include a rotating tray. The improved discharge stage requires less floor space than conventional side-discharge manufacturing equipment.
US08308621B2	Multi-spindle machining machine with tool changing mechanism A multi-spindle machining machine with a tool changing mechanism comprising a base; a carrier including a seat to move in Z axis, a rotary shaft fixed on the seat laterally to drive the seat to rotate in A axis, and a fixing holder coupled to an end portion of the rotary shaft to fix a workpiece; a tool changing mechanism including a mount mounted to the rotary shaft to rotate with the rotary shaft and a monitor fixed on the seat to measure a length of the tool clamped on the driving spindle, and including a plurality of slots to receive the tools respectively; a working head moving above the carrier and the tool changing mechanism in X and Y axes and including a driving spindle mounted on a lower end thereof to rotate axially, and the lower end of the driving spindle allowing to engage and disengage the tool.
US08308620B2	Three-point adjustment multi-purpose exercise machine A multipurpose exercise machine requiring only three points of adjustment centrally located. It has a one point height adjustment and two adjustments for the rotating arm assemblies. Dip and chin up bars are attached to the arm assemblies. The machine contains an integrated swingable workout bench. Through the use of a pulley system and counter balance assembly, the cable system maintains tension and provides a constant length of cable.
US08308618B2	Treadmill with integrated walking rehabilitation device A treadmill for providing walking rehabilitation to a rehabilitee is provided including a base including a belt and a walking rehabilitation device interconnected with the base. The walking rehabilitation device includes a user engagement structure extending at least partially above the belt and being configured to be removably secured relative to one or more locations of a rehabilitee's lower extremities. The walking rehabilitation device further includes a plurality of drive systems coupled to the user engagement structure. The drive systems include at least a first drive system controlling the rehabilitee's motion in a first direction and a second drive system controlling the rehabilitee's motion in a second direction. The treadmill further includes one or more motors coupled to and driving the plurality of drive systems. The motion from the drive systems is transferred to the rehabilitee by the user engagement structure, allowing the rehabilitee to walk along the belt.
US08308614B2	Rehabilitation device for arms A rehabilitation device for arms has an operating module, a control module and an inductive module. The operating module has a base, a body and multiple operating segments. The operating segments are connected to the body and each has a lever, a resisting panel and a resisting device. The control module is connected to the operating module and has a switch, a microcomputer, a resistance controller, an import interface, an export interface and a monitor. The resisting control device is electrically connected to the microcomputer and the operating segments. The inductive module is electrically connected to the operating module and the control module and has an inductive segment and a counter segment. The inductive segment is electrically connected to the microcomputer and has multiple pressure sensors. The counter segment is electrically connected to the inductive segment and the microcomputer and has multiple photoelectric sensors.
US08308612B2	Drive unit and vehicle A drive unit that includes a solenoid device that includes: a solenoid section having a movable portion that abuts on a case to arrive at an initial state when de-energized; a pump section axially sliding in association with a movement of the movable portion by an electromagnetic force of the solenoid section and pumping a hydraulic fluid by reciprocation; and an elastic member biasing the pump section in a direction counter to the electromagnetic force of the solenoid section; and a control unit that controls the solenoid device so that a current applied to the solenoid section is repeatedly increased and decreased between an upper limit value and a lower limit value that is greater than 0.
US08308606B2	Hydraulic supply system for a hydraulically-actuated automatic transmission A hydraulic supply system for a hydraulically-operated automatic transmission includes a primary pump that is driven by an internal combustion engine of a vehicle. An electrically-driven auxiliary pump is provided to supply the system with hydraulic pressure when the primary pump is off or to supplement the primary pump when the primary pump does not deliver sufficient pressure. A discharge line from the auxiliary pump is connected to a control line of the hydraulic supply system and to the hydraulic system supply line under system pressure. Check valves are provided in the respective lines from the auxiliary pump. An additional check valve is provided in a line that extends from the control line to a torque sensing chamber of the automatic transmission.
US08308604B2	Omni-wheel based driving device with belt transmission mechanism An omni-wheel based driving mechanism includes a spherical wheel, a pair of first omni wheels, and a pair of second omni wheels. The first omni wheels are arranged at two sides of the spherical wheel to space from each other by a predetermined distance in a first direction, so that the spherical wheel is rollably positioned between the first omni wheels. The second omni wheels are arranged at another two sides of the spherical wheel to space from each other by a predetermined distance in a second direction, so that the spherical wheel is rollably positioned between the second omni wheels. Therefore, a good driving efficiency can be obtained between the spherical wheel and the first omni wheels and the second omni wheels.
US08308603B2	Linear actuator A linear actuator comprising a spindle (5) with a spindle nut (6), where the spindle (5) is driven by an electric motor (2) via a transmission (3,4), comprising a planetary gear (4). The construction is constructed in such a way that the spindle (5) is lead through the transmission (3,4) and is embedded by means of a ball bearing (20) in connection with a rear mounting (10), causing the axial forces to be lead through the transmission (3,4) via the spindle (5) and the ball bearing (20) to the rear mounting (10). This means that the construction is simpler and less voluminous and that the axial forces, moreover, are not transferred to the transmission.
US08308602B2	Gear mounting A gear mounting has a spindle (11) extending substantially normal to a carrier (12) and capable of radial excursions from an initial position, when under load. The spindle and carrier have generally conical abutment surfaces (23, 24) normals to which extend substantially through the centroid of a projecting portion of the spindle, and in the initial position of the spindle there is a gap between the abutment surfaces.
US08308601B2	Differential gear device A differential gear device includes a case in which a housing portion is formed, and which rotates around a rotation center line; a first protruding portion that is located at a position away from the rotation center line, and protrudes from an inner surface of the case toward the rotation center line, wherein the first protruding portion tapers in a direction from the inner surface of the case toward the rotation center line; a first gear that is provided around the first protruding portion, and that is rotatable; a second gear that engages with the first gear, and that is connected with a first output shaft; and a third gear that engages with the first gear, and that is connected with a second output shaft.
US08308598B2	Controlled differential actuator A controlled differential actuator particularly adapted for differential applications for motor vehicle powertrains. The differential operator incorporates an electromagnetically applied first or primary clutch coupled to a second multi-disc clutch pack through a ball ramp operator. Energization of the solenoid coil selectively applies the main clutch pack which is coupled to a differential carrier and one of the axle half shafts connected with the differential assembly. Modulation of current applied to the solenoid coil allows a selective frictional coupling between the differential axle half shafts which provides desirable traction features for the associated motor vehicle.
US08308597B2	Speed change transmission system In order to provide a speed change transmission system which can be obtained compactly, while obtaining output at steplessly varied speeds over a large speed change range only by carrying out a simple shifting operation, the speed change transmission system has a hydrostatic stepless transmission to which engine drive is inputted. A planetary transmission device (P) has a plurality of planetary transmission mechanisms, for combining output of the stepless transmission and engine drive not undergoing speed change action by the hydrostatic stepless transmission. A plurality of transmission shafts are provided with a plurality of speed range setting clutches switchable for converting the combined driving force from the planetary transmission device (P) to a driving force in a plurality speed ranges, and transmitting it to an output rotary member. The plurality of transmission shafts are juxtaposed and arranged in parallel.
US08308596B2	Transmission mechanism with intermittent output movement A transmission mechanism with intermittent output movement includes an output shaft rotatably mounted to first and second cams and a sun gear mounted to the output shaft. A first rocker includes a first planet gear meshed with the sun gear and first and second rollers rotatably mounted on opposite sides of the first planet gear and respectively in contact with the first and second cams. A second rocker includes a second planet gear meshed with the sun gear. An end of a first connecting rod is mounted to the first rocker. An end of a second connecting rod is mounted to the second rocker. Two ends of a link are rotatably mounted to the other ends of the first and second connecting rods. A planet gear carrier is mounted to an input shaft coaxial to the input shaft and includes an end rotatably mounted to the first rocker.
US08308592B2	Treadmill belt with foamed cushion layer and method of making The present invention is directed to a treadmill belt with foamed cushion layer and method of making same. In one embodiment, the treadmill belt includes a fabric base layer and a foamed cushion layer foamed on and integral with the fabric base layer. The foamed cushion layer includes a thermoplastic composition and has a Shore A hardness of about 20 to about 80. In one example, the first foamed cushion layer is from about 0.05 inches to about 0.35 inches thick. The thermoplastic composition, prior to being foamed, includes about 1 part to about 5 parts of a foaming agent, e.g., a chemical foaming agent, based on 100 parts thermoplastic material, e.g., polyvinyl chloride. An outer wear layer is securely adhered on the foamed cushion layer to sandwich the foamed cushion layer between the fabric base layer and outer wear layer thereby defining the treadmill belt.
US08308588B2	Timing chain pivoting guide having a rubber spring element The rubber element is positioned in the drive end of the chain guide and provides dampening and noise reduction for the guide, thereby reducing the overall noise from the meshing of the chain and the guide.
US08308586B2	Golf balls having a low modulus HNP layer and a high modulus HNP layer The present invention is directed to golf balls consisting of a multi-layer core and a cover. The multi-layer core consists of a center and an outer core layer that are both soft relative to a hard intermediate core layer. The outer core layer is preferably thin relative to the center and the outer core layer. The multi-layer core includes at least one layer formed from a low modulus HNP composition and at least one layer formed from a high modulus HNP composition.
US08308584B2	Multilayer core golf ball having hardness gradient within and between each core layer The present invention is directed to an improved multi-layered core golf ball wherein each core layer comprises its own specific hardness gradient (positive, negative or a combination) in addition to an overall specific hardness gradient from one core layer to the next.
US08308581B2	Water repellent golf club leather grip and manufacturing method thereof A golf club grip having an outer leather layer that includes a low water absorption leather and a polymeric protection coat. The low water absorption leather has a static water absorption range from about 30% by weight to 20% by weight after completely immersed in water for one hour and a range from 45% by weight to 35% by weight after completely immersed in water for six hours in the test method according to ASTM D6015. The protection coat is bonded to a grain surface of the low water absorption leather to retard the penetration of water and to protect the leather from damages. The outer leather layer is configured either as a single sheet or as a strip, wrapped and adhered onto a lining sleeve to cover a sleeve body of the lining sleeve to form a water repellent leather grip.
US08308579B2	Suspension device for electric swing and electric swing comprising the same A suspension device for an electric swing including a supporting bracket, a supporting beam, a suspended swing stem, a swing push rod, a gear motor, an electromagnetic clutch, a torque output plate, a direction switching pendulum weight, a swing direction monitor, a safety switch, and a microcomputer controller. The shaft of the gear motor is fixedly connected with the electromagnetic clutch. Two end surfaces of the electromagnetic clutch are fixedly provided with two rigid pins clamped at two sides of the torque output plate. The torque output plate pushes the direction switching pendulum weight. The direction switching pendulum weight pushes the swing push rod and the swing push rod pushes the suspended swing stem and the suspended body to swing. The gear motor and the electromagnetic clutch are electrically connected with the microcomputer controller. The device has a simple structure, reliable and silent operation, and is easy to carry.
US08308577B2	Bearing arrangement for a universal joint A secured bearing arrangement for at least one journal of a universal joint, said journal being rotatable about an axis of rotation while being mounted in a housing. The bearing arrangement comprises at least one universal joint housing that is provided with at least one bore which extends in the direction of an axis and has an internal surface as a bearing surface. A bearing bush which has a bearing axis and inside which the journal is mounted so as to be rotatable about its axis or rotation, is mounted on the internal surface within the bore. A securing element allows the bearing bush to be secured within the bore in one axial direction of the bearing axis, said one axial direction facing away from the journal. The securing element is disposed between the mounted bearing bush and the universal joint housing in a radial direction of the bearing axis while being connected to the universal joint housing between the mounted bearing bush and the universal joint housing.
US08308573B2	Gaming device for multi-player games The present Gaming Device For Multi-Player Games provides the end user with a private bidirectional link to the gaming site to enter their moves, to optionally receive private data from the gaming site to enable the end user's device to display private data that is hidden from the other players, and to communicate privately with another member or members of a sub-group. The Gaming Device For Multi-Player Games comprises a content display for displaying content that is transmitted to the plurality of end users on the unidirectional forward path, a plurality of controls for enabling an end user to generate data for transmission to at least one of the multicasting system and the plurality of end users, and a message display for displaying end user private communications received at the end user device.
US08308569B2	Reward for resurrecting teammate in a multiplayer game Teamwork in a multiplayer video game is encouraged by rewarding game characters who resurrect killed teammates with spendable cash that may be used to purchase additional capabilities or tools to enhance the players' ability to progress through the game. Resurrected teammates are tied to the game character who performed the resurrections by splitting their future earnings accumulated during gameplay with that game character. If a resurrected game character goes on to resurrect other teammates then he will be entitled to a portion of the future earnings of those other resurrected teammates. But the resurrected teammate will also give a portion of those earnings to the original game character who resurrected him in the first place. A resurrection chain is thus created in which game characters can be resurrected and go on to resurrect other teammates while sharing earnings with other game characters that are above them in the chain using a pyramid payment system.
US08308565B2	Program, information storage medium, game device for generating an image in which a moving object slides down a slope according to an inclination of a controller A game device calculates a shift angle A based on a magnitude of a velocity vector S of a moving object MO and inclination information that indicates an inclination of a controller, calculates a direction D of the moving object on a slope based on a direction of the velocity vector S of the moving object and the shift angle A, calculates a first force vector P1 in the direction intersecting at right angles on the slope with the direction D of the moving object on the slope based on the inclination information, calculates a second force vector P2 based on a slope angle of the slope, calculates a resultant force vector PS by combining the first force vector P1 and the second force vector P2, updates the velocity vector S of the moving object based on the resultant force vector PS, and updates a position of the moving object MO based on the updated velocity vector.
US08308564B2	Storage medium having game program stored thereon and game apparatus Game data variable in accordance with the state of an input device and usable for game processing is sequentially obtained. Next, it is determined whether or not a predetermined condition for the game processing has been fulfilled based on the game data. Information on an indicated position on a game image, which is calculated from the game data when the predetermined condition has been fulfilled, is obtained. A moving speed of the input device which is calculated from the game data is also obtained. When the obtained moving speed is equal to or greater than a predetermined speed, an object which appears in a virtual game space and is related to the indicated position is processed.
US08308560B2	Network system, information processing apparatus and information processing program A network system includes a plurality of information processing apparatuses. Each information processing apparatus arranges an own character and a partner character within a virtual space, and outputs an image of the virtual space on a monitor when a message is transmitted and received from the information processing apparatus of a chatting partner. Furthermore, an index indicating a direction from the own character to the partner character is generated, and it is determined whether or not the partner character is included in a predetermined range defined within the virtual space, and it is determined whether or not a message is being transmitted or received. When the partner character is out of the predetermined range, and the message is being transmitted or received, the index is output to the monitor.
US08308559B2	Paradise box gaming system A system for playing a casino game and a slot machine game is disclosed.
US08308556B2	Normalizing skill-based wagering games In some embodiments, a method comprises initiating a plurality of skill-based bonus games across a plurality of wagering game machines; collecting game result data associated with the plurality of skill-based bonus games; during a normalization process for one of the plurality of skill-based bonus games, determining a rate of awarding a secondary economy asset for the skillbased bonus game is not within a range based on the game result data; adjusting parameters of the skill-based bonus game to normalize the rate of awarding the secondary economy asset across the plurality of skill-based bonus games; and deploying the skill-based bonus game with the adjusted parameters across one or more of the wagering game machines.
US08308555B2	Gaming machine A gaming machine is provided so as to comprise: a display device for displaying symbols variably and statically; a starting device for an operation to start a variable display of the symbols; a storage device for storing a plurality of predictive effect images corresponding to respective payout levels; and a processor being operable to: conduct an internal lottery to determine a combination of symbols to be displayed statically; select one of the predictive effect images corresponding to a predetermined winning combination when it is determined that the determined combination to be displayed statically matches the predetermined winning combination; and cause the selected one predictive effect image to be displayed as well as the variable display of symbols, wherein the plurality of predictive effect images indicate a degree of the payout levels such that a payout level to be awarded can be expected before an operation to stop the variable display.
US08308552B2	Game system, and game apparatus and event processing apparatus constituting the game system The present invention is to be capable of inhibiting the occurrence of an instance where the enjoyment of a player who plays with the game apparatus by the total event is decreased when a single total event is carried out among two or more game apparatuses.The present game system includes: two or more game apparatuses, each of which comprises a game progress control unit for performing game progress control; and an event processing apparatus for performing a process for carrying out a single total event at the same timing by the plurality of game apparatuses. The event processing apparatus and each game apparatus are connected in a manner to enable communication. The event processing apparatus comprises: an event timing determining unit for determining an event timing at which the total event is carried out according to a predetermined event timing determining condition; and a control command transmitting unit for transmitting to each game apparatus an event control command used for carrying out the total event at the event timing determined by the event timing determining unit. The game progress control unit of each game apparatus performs the game progress control so that at the event timing relating to the event control command from the event processing apparatus, a game progress situation of each game apparatus is caused to be a previously set situation where the total event can be carried out.
US08308551B2	Method and system for managing probability of an outcome in a random generation event A lottery game system and methodology involves, for each play of the game, a player choosing a number of player indicia from a field of the indicia. A subset of the indicia is randomly generated, and the player's indicia is compared to the subset to determine a winning game play. The number of indicia in the subsets is varied between different game plays such that a blend of the winning probabilities for each subset for all of the game plays produces a desired overall winning probability.
US08308543B2	Reshuffle timing A method and/or device is set forth for playing a game. In some embodiments, an inventory of data representing playing cards is arranged in a random but established, serial order. In some embodiments, for each hand of play the player makes a wager and cards are displayed, according to the rules of the game, in order from the inventory to define a winning or losing outcome. In some embodiments, a display, as hands are played, displays the remaining constituency of the inventory and the player, before any hand, can order re-shuffling and re-constitute of the inventory. In some embodiments, re-shuffling may be triggered by a card or hand count or certain pre-defined triggers. Other embodiments are described.
US08308541B2	Gaming machine for betting card game including main card game and auxiliary card game, and controlling method thereof A gaming machine for a betting card game including a main card game and an auxiliary card game and a method of controlling the same, including: by a controller, accepting a bet of a first wager for participation in the main card game; accepting a bet of a second wager as an option for participation in the auxiliary card game; determining an outcome of the main card game in accordance with a game rule for the main card game on a basis of at least two cards being displayed and disclosed for the main card game after termination of acceptance of a bet of the first wager; and determining an outcome of the auxiliary card game in accordance with a game rule for the auxiliary card game on a basis of first and second cards being displayed for the main card game after termination of acceptance of a bet of the second wager.
US08308536B2	Ventilating device for providing a zone of clean air The present invention relates to a ventilating device for providing a zone (1) of clean air between the ventilating device and a workplace region (2), which ventilating device comprises air supply units (3) adapted to generating laminar air flows intended to constitute said clean air zone. The ventilating device comprises at least three air supply units (3) disposed in a closed pattern and air stop and guide units (4) which prevent or hinder air with bacteria-bearing and other pollutant particles which surrounds the clean air zone (1) from being drawn in between the air supply units and into the clean air zone. The air stop and guide units (4) are also configured to guide parts of the air flows from adjoining air supply units (3) outwards from the centre of the clean air zone instead of towards the air supply units, and other parts of the air flows from adjoining air supply units in towards the centre of the clean air zone instead of towards the air supply units, thereby minimizing the increased downward velocity which occurs when the air flows from mutually adjacent air supply units meet in an uncontrolled manner.
US08308535B2	Method and device for processing part of a slaughtered poultry carcass A device for processing a carcass part of slaughtered poultry in a processing line is provided. The carcass part is supported on a carrier that moves in the processing line. The device includes device for cutting and/or removing of the wishbone from the carcass part. The device is arranged such that the device for cutting and/or removing of the wishbone can be a knife equipped to cut the wishbone and disconnect it from the membrane and/or ligament with an increased yield of meat that is retained on the carcass part.
US08308534B1	Device for killing wounded fowl A plier type of device can quickly and humanely kills wounded fowl. The device may be applied to either side of the temple of the fowl and a quick squeeze may crush the temple and quickly kill the wounded fowl. The device may include a handle end that may be squeezed together to cause a head gripper end to close. The head gripper end may include points, typically cone shaped, that may be pointed toward each other and may approach each other as the head gripper end closes.
US08308533B2	System and method for allowing a quality check of sausage-shaped products The invention relates to a system for allowing a quality check of sausage shaped products. The system includes a filling tube for feeding filling material into a tubular packing casing. The system further includes a clipping machine having a displacer unit with at least two pairs of displacer elements for gathering the filled tubular packing casing and for providing a plait-like portion. The system further includes a clipping unit for applying two closure means to the plait-like portion of the tubular packing casing, and a feeding unit for feeding flexible suspension elements to the clipping unit. The system further comprises a discharge device for by-passing the transportation unit by at least one of the sausage-shaped products and for discharging the by-passed sausage-shaped product out of the clipping machine.
US08308526B2	Masking method for edge profile finishing A mask for performing high speed media finishing on airfoils includes a thicker portion and a thinner portion. The thicker portion is spaced further from an edge that will become a leading edge in the final airfoil than the thinner portion. The media is redirected by the thicker portion toward the edge where the finishing is to occur.
US08308524B2	Pectoral shoulder joint toy figure A torso assembly that enables forward and backward shoulder movement for a toy action figure is disclosed. The torso assembly includes a central section and shoulder sections disposed at either side. The central section includes front and back shells. Each shoulder section includes a side shell that partially overlaps the front and back shell portions, and a hinge assembly. Hinge assemblies couple the first and second shoulder sections to each other within the central section, and allow each shoulder section to pivot forward and backward relative to the central section. In some embodiments, the torso assembly may be incorporated into an action figure or doll by movable joints that connect the torso assembly to a lower abdomen and/or pelvis.
US08308521B2	Lamp electrode and method of fabricating the same A lamp electrode includes a sealed tube for generating light when powered by an external power supply and a pair of electrodes formed on the ends of the sealed tube. Solder is filled into the space between each electrode and the sealed tube, and formed on the surface of the exterior surface of the electrodes. A method for forming the lamp electrode includes forming a cylindrically shaped electrode on an end of a sealed tube; maintaining a supply of solder in the liquid state; and dipping the end of the tube on which the electrode is formed into the solder.
US08308514B1	SIM card holder A subscriber identity model (SIM) card holder for fixing and connecting a SIM card with a circuit board is disclosed. The SIM card holder comprises a tray, a terminal rack, and electrically conductive terminals. A bottom surface of the tray defines a first card slot. A bottom surface of the first card slot defines a second card slot. The second slot penetrates the first card slot as well as a top surface of the tray. When the SIM card is contained in the first card slot and/or a micro-SIM card is contained in the second card slot, metal contacting parts of the SIM card are positioned directly under metal contacting parts of the micro-SIM card. The SIM card holder of the present invention is capable of containing the SIM card and the micro-SIM card.
US08308510B2	Wire harness and method of manufacturing the same A wire harness includes a cable, a connector including an outer housing including a resin, a cable insertion hole into which an end portion of the cable is inserted, and a concave portion formed on an insertion side of the cable insertion hole, and a welding member including a resin to provide air-tightness between the outer housing and the cable by being welded to the outer housing by ultrasonic welding. The welding member is formed around the cable so as to surround the cable while allowing a gap portion to have a predetermined clearance from the cable, and fitted into the concave portion of the outer housing. Melted resin of the welding member is to flow into the gap portion to form an airtight seal about the cable.
US08308504B2	Connecting device for connection to a solar module and solar module with such a connecting device A connecting device for connection to an electrical connection system of a solar module comprises a connector housing for arranging on an outer face of the solar module and current-carrying components arranged in the connector housing, which components comprise at least one contact for connection to a conductor of the electrical connection system of the solar module, which conductor leads out from the solar module. A connection device, which may be arranged inside the connector housing, for positioning the conductor which leads out from the solar module is also provided, it being possible for the connection device and the contact to be arranged relative to one another in such a way that the contact is initially guided contactlessly along the conductor which leads out, so as to contact said conductor which leads out, and contacts the conductor which leads out in an end position. Reliable contact is thus possible without displacing the conductor which leads out.
US08308499B2	Duplex profile connector assembly having retention means for assembling upper and lower connectors thereof together A double-deck connector assembly comprises an unitary insulating housing defining upper and lower connection ports slightly offset from each other in a front-to-back direction thereof for respectively receiving upper and lower modules therein. The upper connection port has a pair of holding arms extending from two opposite ends thereof. The lower connection port has a pair of lower latching arms extending from two opposite ends thereof. The lower latching arms extend in a same direction with the holding arms and each has a sliding slot at an outside thereof. The sliding slots can match with the holding arms to assemble the upper and lower connection ports together.
US08308498B2	Plug connector with latch guard and removal tools A modular connector is provided comprising: a connector plug, which may be inserted into an associated socket in a first longitudinal direction; a resilient leg, depending at a first end thereof from the connector plug, and having a depressible part, distal therefrom, depressible towards the connector plug; and a guard cover, configured to prevent access to the depressible part of the resilient leg in its direction of depression, but to permit access to the resilient leg in the longitudinal direction through an access aperture, the access aperture being aligned with the depressible part of the resilient leg on an axis parallel with the longitudinal direction, to allow depression of the resilient leg through the access aperture directly. A corresponding extraction tool and methods, loopback connector, blanking plug, blanking plate and patch panel are also provided.
US08308496B2	Electrical charger There is provided an electrical charger including a base unit and an adaptor unit. The base unit is configured for being coupled to an electronic device. The adaptor unit is configured for being coupled to a power supply. The base unit includes an electrical connector plug. The external surfaces of the base unit and the adaptor unit include co-operating external geometries that provide a visual indication whether the electrical connector plug is disposed, relative to the adaptor unit, in the electrically coupled state or in an electrically uncoupled state.
US08308495B2	Push-push card connector A card connector (100) comprises an insulative housing (1), a plurality of contacts (2) retained in the insulative housing (1) and an ejecting mechanism (4). The insulative housing (1) defines an interface (14) in front and a receiving space (10) extending backwardly from the interface (14). The ejecting mechanism (4) comprises a slider (41), a spring (42) sandwiched between the slider (41) and the insulative housing (1), and a pole (43) for controlling the slider (41). The slider (41) defines a heart-shape groove (414) and a heart-shape block (415) located in the heart-shape groove (414). The heart-shape groove (414) includes a first slot (4141). The heart-shape block (415) includes a mucro (4154) at a rear end thereof. The mucro (4154) and the first slot (4141) define an escaping space (4153) therebetween. When the pole (43) moves aslant, the escaping space (4153) will receive the pole (43) for avoiding the pole (43) colliding with the mucro (4153).
US08308488B2	Modular taxidermy mannequin ear assembly The present invention is a taxidermy mannequin which includes an optional ear engagement area formed on a head portion, a lock plate which is secured to the ear engagement area, and an ear liner which is connected to the lock plate. The connection between the lock plate and the ear liner is such that a taxidermist may work with the ear and animal skin before securing the ear liner to the lock plate. Furthermore, a multiple ear butt system is provided where the taxidermist may select from multiple ear butts, wherein different ear butts position the ear in different orientations relative the head.
US08308487B2	Model human eye A model human eye suitable for practicing surgical procedures, comprising a hemispherical-shaped bottom assembly having a bowl-shaped substrate disposed therein, a retinal layer disposed on the bowl-shaped substrate, and a hemispherical-shaped top portion attached to the bottom portion, the top portion comprising a visually transparent cornea portion and a visually opaque sclera portion, wherein the cornea portion and the sclera portion are integrally molded, wherein the cornea portion comprises a posterior corneal surface, wherein a distance from the posterior corneal surface to the retinal layer is an axial length. The model human eye is particularly suited for practicing A-scan ultrasound biometry and optical coherence biometry.
US08308486B2	Surgical-training device for providing three-dimensional-tactile feedback, and method of operation thereof A surgical-training device for measuring roughness (non-delicate manipulation) during a simulated-surgical technique is described. The device has a housing, a platform, and a sensor module. The platform is movably coupled to the housing, and is configured for three-dimensional motion relative to the housing. The platform is further configured to move from a start position to a displaced position when a force is applied to the platform as a result of a user performing a simulated-surgical technique on the platform. A sensor module, coupled to the housing, is configured to determine when the platform moves a distance (from the start position to the displaced position) that exceeds a preset-threshold distance. If the preset-threshold distance is exceeded, sensor module indicates (by visual and/or auditory alarms within the device, and/or computerized counting and scoring reports) that the user applied excessive force, and was therefore too rough when performing the simulated-surgical technique. A method of manufacturing a surgical-training device is also provided.
US08308483B2	Rotatable drawing device A rotatable drawing device intended for children. The top and sides of said device are attached and are formed to accept drawing mediums such as chalk, water or dry erase marker used to color, write and draw upon this device. The top of the drawing device has a recessed portion to hold the drawing medium when not in use. The drawing device rests upon and is attached to a base platform on which it rotates. The drawing unit is spaced above the base platform so that the drawing cylinder may rotate about its center axis. Feet adhered to the bottom of the base hold the invention off the floor.
US08308482B2	Personal under fire trainer for security and military personnel A personal under fire trainer includes a harness holding a wireless receiver and plural electrode leads. The harness can be donned by a trainee and the leads connected to electrodes attached to the trainee's body. A trainer can operate a remote transmitter to send a signal to the receiver, activating one or more electrodes which contract the trainee's muscles, forcing the trainee to react under simulated gun fight conditions while receiving simulated gunshot wounds.
US08308474B2	Air guide shaft An air guide shaft capable of filling to the air guide holes of a mold for guiding air and prevent large particles from flowing out comprises a stop being a round cylinder for stopping material; an air guide having a plurality of axial trenches extending from a body of the air guide; one end of the air guide being a taper end; the air guide serving for guiding air to flow out; and a neck connected between the stop and the air guide; and The air guide shaft is tightly engaged into an air releasing hole of a mold. Thus, large particles of the material within the mold will not flow out from the hole, while air within the mold will flow out from the hole. The final product molded from the mold has a perfect outer side.
US08308472B2	Device for the production and/or handling of a highly pure object A method of manufacturing or handling a substantially pure object includes shielding the substantially pure object from the environment by substantially enveloping the object in a fluid. A system for manufacturing a substantially pure object includes a mold for forming the object, and a machine adapted to remove the object from the mold. The machine includes a handling device for gripping the object and removing it from the mold. The handling device includes at least one nozzle through which fluid is delivered to substantially envelope the object during, for example, removal of the object from the mold. The object may be a medical object, such as a syringe, or a component or part thereof, such as a syringe barrel or plunger. In a preferred aspect, a molding process is conducted in a room exhibiting less than Class 100 conditions and/or in such a way that the object does not need to be subsequently cleaned or rinsed, as by air or water washing.
US08308471B2	Mold, mold production process, processing apparatus, and processing method A mold for imprinting a pattern onto a member to be processed. The mold includes a mold body having a front surface, at which an imprint pattern is formed, and a rear surface opposite from the front surface. A coating layer covers the front surface of the mold body, and a coating layer covers the rear surface of the mold body. An alignment mark as an object to be subjected to optical observation is provided at the front surface of the mold body. The coating layer for covering the rear surface includes (i) a hole for observation of the alignment mark and (ii) a stress adjusting pattern corresponding to a density of the imprint pattern. The hole for observation is formed at the rear surface of the mold body opposite from the alignment mark, and the stress adjusting pattern is formed at the rear surface of the mold body opposite from the imprint pattern.
US08308470B2	Extrusion of cementitious material with different curing rates A cementitious material delivery system comprising may include a flow divider, a first and second chemical agent, a first and second mixer, and a nozzle. The flow divider may be configured to divide a flow of cementitious material into a first stream and a second stream that is separate from the first stream. The first chemical agent may cure the cementitious material at a first rate when mixed with the cementitious material. A first mixer may be configured to mix the first chemical agent with the first steam of cementitious material to produce a first mixed stream of cementitious material. A second chemical agent may be configured to cure the cementitious material at a second rate when mixed with the cementitious material which is faster than the first rate. A second mixer separate may be configured to mix the second chemical agent with the second steam of cementitious material to produce a second mixed stream of cementitious material. A nozzle may be configured to extrude the first mixed stream of cementitious material and the second mixed stream of cementitious material separate from the first mixed stream of cementitious material.
US08308468B2	Apparatus and method for loading a tread press An apparatus and method for loading a tread press are provided. More specifically, the present invention provides for loading a tread band onto a tread press while suspending the tread band above the mold elements as the tread band is moved into the proper longitudinal position within the tread press. Lateral positioning can also be provided using the present invention.
US08308466B2	Apparatus for producing a three-dimensional object The invention concerns an apparatus (1) for producing a three-dimensional object layer by layer using a powdery material which can be solidified by irradiating it with an energy beam, such as electromagnetic radiation or an electron beam, said apparatus (1) comprising: a working area (3) onto which layers of powdery material are to be placed; a powder storage unit (11) comprising a base surface (13) for supporting a supply of powder (2); and a powder distribution member (6); wherein the base surface (13) extends along a side of the working area (3), wherein the distribution member (6) extends in a direction along the base surface (13) and said side of the working area (3) and is arranged to be moveable in a plane above, and substantially parallel to, the base surface (13) and the working area (3), and wherein the distribution member (6) is arranged to be moveable into a supply of powder (2) placed onto the base surface (13) such as to bring about a transfer of a portion of powder from a side of the distribution member (6) facing away from the working area (3) to an opposite side of the distribution member (6) facing the working area (3), said distribution member (6) further being arranged to be moveable towards and across the working area (3) so as to distribute the portion of powder onto the working area (3). The invention is characterized in that at least a part (15) of the base surface (13) is arranged to be resilient in a vertical direction.
US08308462B2	Pump assembly with radial clutch for use in power transmission assemblies A power transmission device includes a rotatable shaft having an axis of rotation. A lubrication pump includes an inner rotor and an outer rotor in meshed engagement with one another. A clutch continuously drivingly couples one of the inner rotor and the outer rotor and the shaft to limit the power transferred from the shaft to the lubrication pump. The clutch includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced-apart protrusions biasedly engaged with the shaft.
US08308460B2	Scroll compressor A scroll compressor includes a fixed scroll having a fixed wrap, and an orbiting scroll having an orbiting wrap engaged with the fixed wrap to define a first compression chamber between an inner surface of the fixed wrap and an outer surface of the orbiting wrap, and to define a second compression chamber between an inner surface of the orbiting wrap and an outer surface of the fixed wrap. A rotation shaft is provided with an eccentric portion at one end thereof to drive the orbiting scroll. A protruding portion protrudes inwardly from an inner end of the fixed wrap, and contacts the orbiting wrap. A distance between a center of the eccentric portion and a tangent line at a contact point between the protruding portion and the orbiting wrap at an end of the first compression chamber is smaller than a radius of the eccentric portion.
US08308459B2	Moineau pump A Moineau pump or Moineau compressor includes a conically designed inner (4) and a conically designed outer (8) element, whose longitudinal axes (X1, X2) run at an angle to one another and intersect at a point. The pump or compressor has at least two sections (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d) in the axial direction. A part (4b) of the inner element (4) located in a second section (2b) is arranged rotated with respect to a part (4a) of the inner element located in a first section (2a) about the longitudinal axis (X1) of the inner element (4). A part (8b) of the outer element (8) located in the second section (2b) is arranged rotated with respect to an other part (8a) of the outer element (8) located in the first section (2a) about the longitudinal axis (X2) of the outer element (8).
US08308454B2	Fluid conveyance device A fluid conveyance device includes a substrate, and a disk-shaped piezoelectric element arranged in a bendable manner on the substrate. A plurality of substantially circular concentric segment electrodes are provided on the piezoelectric element, and are provided with voltages with phases that are shifted. A wavy ring deformation is thus produced on the piezoelectric element. A pocket produced between the piezoelectric element and the substrate is moved in a radial direction so as to convey a fluid from an outer substantially circular portion to a central portion and to discharge the fluid from the central portion.
US08308452B2	Dual chamber valveless MEMS micropump A valveless MEMS micropump capable of improved efficiency and performance is disclosed. The micropump includes two adjoining chambers separated by a piezoelectric actuated pump membrane. The micropump moves fluid through the chambers through diffuser elements characterized by differential directional resistance to fluid flow by piezoelectric actuation of the pump membrane.
US08308446B2	Smart blow-down system for variable frequency drive compressor units A method and apparatus for blowing down a compressed air system when temperature is at or below a predefined temperature threshold is provided. Temperature sensors in the compressed air system monitor temperature and a control processor determines when the temperature is at or below the predefined temperature threshold. When it is determined temperature is at or below the predefined temperature threshold, the control processor operates a solenoid blow-down valve that depressurizes the compressed air system.
US08308445B2	Fan A fan assembly for creating an air current includes a bladeless fan assembly including a nozzle and a device for creating an air flow through the nozzle. The nozzle includes an interior passage and a mouth receiving the air flow from the interior passage. A Coanda surface located adjacent the mouth and over which the mouth is arranged to direct the air flow. The fan provides an arrangement producing an air current and a flow of cooling air created without requiring a bladed fan, that is, the air flow is created by a bladeless fan.
US08308444B2	Fluid pressure exchange mechanism and method of operating same A device and method configured to exchange pressures between fluid streams as a way to reuse the pressure energy of one of the fluids. The device includes a rotatable valve that fluidly cooperates with pressure exchange ducts so that a high pressure fluid stream flows into a high pressure exchange duct to displace a duct piston contained therein so that a fluid within this duct that is downstream of the piston is pressurized. At the same time, a low pressure fluid stream is introduced into a low pressure exchange duct to displace a duct piston contained therein so that a fluid within this duct that is downstream of its piston is pressurized. Rotation of the valve fluidly couples the pressurized fluid from the high pressure duct to the low pressure duct while the fluid from the low pressure duct becomes fluidly coupled to the high pressure duct.
US08308441B2	Robust PID control for BLDC motor controller When controlling an air compressor (13) for a pneumatic braking system on a large hybrid commercial vehicle (e.g., a bus, a package delivery truck, etc.), PID control of an air compressor motor (12) is employed during normal system operation such as when the motor shaft is spinning, and state machine control is employed during startup or upon a system disturbance such as a shaft seizure or stall. In this manner, stalling events that occurs due to PID control inability to correct for unexpected disturbances are mitigated by employing state machine control.
US08308440B2	Vacuum processing apparatus, method of controlling vacuum processing apparatus, device manufacturing method, and storage medium A vacuum processing apparatus having a vacuum chamber includes a gate valve arranged in the vacuum chamber and including a valve body which moves in a direction relative to an exhaust port of the vacuum chamber to open/close the exhaust port, and a driving unit configured to move the valve body, a connecting portion having one end connected to the exhaust port of the vacuum chamber and formed in a direction inclined from a moving direction of the valve body, and an exhaust pump connected to an opposite end of the connecting portion and capable of evacuating an interior of the connecting portion. The driving unit includes (i) a rod serving as a driving shaft which drives the valve body in a direction to close the exhaust port or a direction to open the exhaust port, and (ii) a cylinder driving the rod, and the rod extends parallel to a moving direction of the valve body and supports the valve body at one end. In addition, the connecting portion is connected to the exhaust port of the vacuum chamber in a direction inclined at a predetermined angle from an axial direction of the rod, and the cylinder is arranged outside the connecting portion and connected to an opposite end of the rod.
US08308438B2	Wind power generator A wind power generator is provided in which a reduction in weight is achieved by reducing the wall thickness of a nacelle, and an increase in the amount of heat input to the interior of the nacelle from sunlight is suppressed. In a wind power generator in which driving/power-generating mechanisms linked to a rotor head to which wind-turbine blades are attached are accommodated and installed inside a nacelle, a coating of high-reflectivity paint is formed on at least part of the outer wall that receives sunlight.
US08308434B2	Wind turbine generator A wind turbine generator according to the present invention includes: a rotor head equipped with wind turbine blades to constitute a wind turbine rotor blade; a nacelle that bears a rotation shaft of the rotor head and houses a generator that generates electricity by a rotation of the rotor head; a tower that supports the nacelle; a rotor head cover that covers the rotor head; an outside-air intake that is provided on a distal end part of the rotor head cover and takes in the outside wind; an outside-air delivery communicating parts that delivers the outside air, which has been taken into the rotor head cover from the outside-air intake, to an inside of the nacelle; and cooling air outlets that are provided in a region of the outer surface of the nacelle that experiences a negative pressure due to the outside wind.
US08308433B2	System and method for controlling wind turbine blades A wind turbine system is presented. The wind turbine system includes a blade comprising an airfoil and a sensing device disposed on a surface of the airfoil, wherein the sensing device generates signals that are representative of pressure deflection on the surface of the airfoil. The wind turbine system further comprises a processing subsystem that receives location details of the sensing device and a transfer function corresponding to the airfoil, determines a location of a stagnation point on the surface of the airfoil based upon the signals and the location details, and determine an angle of attack (AOA) on the surface of the airfoil based upon the location of the stagnation point and the transfer function.
US08308430B2	Wind turbine/generator set having a stator cooling system located between stator frame and active coils A wind turbine comprising an electrical generator that includes a rotor assembly. A wind rotor that includes a wind rotor hub is directly coupled to the rotor assembly via a simplified connection. The wind rotor and generator rotor assembly are rotatably mounted on a central spindle via a bearing assembly. The wind rotor hub includes an opening having a diameter larger than the outside diameter of the central spindle adjacent the bearing assembly so as to allow access to the bearing assembly from a cavity inside the wind rotor hub. The spindle is attached to a turret supported by a tower. Each of the spindle, turret and tower has an interior cavity that permits personnel to traverse therethrough to the cavity of the wind rotor hub. The wind turbine further includes a frictional braking system for slowing, stopping or keeping stopped the rotation of the wind rotor and rotor assembly.
US08308429B2	Axial compressor An axial compressor comprises a stator component and a rotor component, which cooperate to perform work on a fluid flow in a primary flow-passage defined by the stator and rotor components, the stator component and the rotor component further defining a secondary flow-passage which interconnects a higher pressure region and a lower pressure region of the primary flow-passage, the rotor component being provided with at least one secondary rotor element which, in normal operation of the machine, pumps a bypass flow of fluid through the secondary flow passage from the lower pressure region to the higher pressure region.
US08308427B2	Vacuum pump A vacuum pump according to the invention includes a cylindrical pump casing for accommodating a rotor, a ring fitting part provided at an inlet area of the pump casing, a C-shaped ring of character C configuration devoid of portion of a ring member, fitted to the ring fitting part, and a protective net for stopping foreign matter, fitted to the inlet area by means of the C-shaped ring. As both ends of the C-shaped ring are formed so that the ends of the C-shaped ring are arranged overlapping each other in a circumferential direction in a state where the C-shaped ring is fitted to the pump casing, the deformation of the protective net for prevention of foreign matters is suppressed when air rushes into a pump casing, and therefore the dropping off of the protective net can be prevented.
US08308425B2	Minipump The present invention discloses an adhesion rotary disc pump comprising a housing embedding therein at least one adhesion-propelling disc mounted on a rotatable shaft that is drivable by a drive, wherein fluids engaging with said at least one adhesion-propelling disc are transportable from at least one inlet to at least one outlet. In embodiments, the pump employs a scraping unit operative to scrape off fluid adherent on both sides of each of the at least one rotatable adhesion-propelling disc and that the scraped-off fluid is being channeled directly or indirectly to the at least one outlet.
US08308420B2	Centrifugal compressor, impeller and operating method of the same A centrifugal compressor is equipped with an impeller having a blade angle distribution that makes it possible to achieve a relatively wide operating range. The blade angle of a shroud side facing a circular plate of a blade is termed a first angle and a blade angle of a hub side disposed at the circular plate is a second. The shroud side is formed in a curved shape having an angle distribution from a front area in a shaft direction toward a centrifugal direction in which the first angle is the local maximum point before a substantially middle portion and the local minimum point after the substantially middle point. The hub side is formed in a curved shape having an angle distribution from the front area in the shaft direction toward the centrifugal direction in which the second angle is the maximum local point before the substantially middle portion.
US08308419B2	Robot system using robot to load and unload workpiece into and from machine tool A robot includes a base member, which is installed at a position offset from the front of a door of a machine tool to the side, as viewed in a direction vertical to the surface where the door is provided and is fixed to a surface of a base slanted so as to face the door side. A rotary member is coupled to the base member so as to be rotatable about a first axis extending vertical to the slanted surface. A first arm member is coupled to the rotary member so as to be able to swivel about a second axis vertical to the first axis, and a second arm member is coupled to the first arm member so as to be able to swivel about a third axis parallel to the second axis.
US08308418B2	High efficiency buffer stocker A high-efficiency buffer stocker is disclosed. The buffer stocker includes an overhead transport track for supporting overhead transport vehicles carrying wafer containers and at least one conveyor system or conveyor belt provided beneath the overhead transport track for receiving the wafer containers from the overhead transport vehicles on the overhead transport track. The buffer stocker is capable of absorbing the excessive flow of wafer containers between a processing tool and a stocker, for example, to facilitate the orderly and efficient flow of wafers between sequential process tools in a semiconductor fabrication facility, for example.
US08308414B2	Medication dispensing apparatus with bulk bin loading A medication dispenser provides automation to the steps of locating and acquiring medications to be administered to a patient. The medication dispenser includes an enclosure providing a secure environment for storing medications in multiple sized medication storage bins. The medication storage bins are hung in storage racks located within the enclosure. A robot system is also provided within the enclosure for moving bins between the storage racks and a medication dispensing area. The medication dispensing area includes doors configured to open to define an opening for passing a selected bin through the enclosure. The medication storage bin includes a bulk bin loading drawing for loading medication storage bins into the medication dispensing apparatus.
US08308411B2	Unitary void filling apparatus for use with various pallet sizes and loads, and method of using the same A unitary void filling apparatus for use as a lengthwise void spacer which is capable of preventing movement of a load disposed on a pallet, protecting the load from end-to-end forces, and acting as a dust cover. The apparatus consists of a frame folded to make a central area, which fits on top of the load, and two vertical sides, which hangs over opposite ends of the load. Attached to each vertical side are covered void fillers, each adapted to substantially fill any lengthwise underhang and protect the load from end-to-end forces. The central area of the frame supports the vertical sides to which the void fillers are attached, thereby holding the void fillers in the proper position and also preventing dust from accumulating on the cargo.
US08308410B2	Tie down winch system and associated methods A tie-down winch system includes a tie-down winch and a winch bar member. The tie-down winch includes frame, a cylinder member rotatably carried by the frame, a first lock member connected to a second end of the cylinder member, and a second lock member pivotally connected to the frame adjacent the second end of the cylinder member and moveable between an engaged position and a disengaged position. The engaged position is defined as a portion of the second lock member engaging a portion of the first lock member to prevent rotation of the cylinder member, and the disengaged position is defined as the second lock member being spaced apart from the first lock member so that the cylinder member is freely rotatable with respect to the frame.
US08308407B2	Rack for pressurized gas bottles A rack assembly for transportation of pressurized gas bottles in a vehicle has a first rack on one side and a second rack on the other side each supporting five upright bottles in a row, together with a rigid transverse brace structure connecting between an upper part of the first rack and an upper part of the second rack to hold the first and second rack members in braced position at said first and second sides. Each of the racks is formed by an inner and an outer plate member each having five part circular cut outs in the adjacent surfaces surrounded by a resilient strip for clamping the bottles side by side by an over-center latch which tightens the members together.
US08308401B2	Cutter for machining counterbore in engine block A tool for resurfacing a counterbore of a cylinder bore in an engine block includes a holder fixedly attached to the engine block using existing threaded holes, and a cutter rotatably supported by the holder and axially movable while being rotated. The cutter is positioned to cut and resurface a counterbore in the top of the cylinder bore. A plurality of springs bias the cutter head axially toward the engine block while rotating the cutter, thus providing a uniform force while cutting and resurfacing the counterbore. A ratchet wrench matably engages the upper end of the shaft to rotate the cutter, with the ratchet wrench extending in a single lateral direction from the shaft. A related method is also discussed.
US08308398B2	Cutting tool having an adjustment mechanism A cutting tool has an adjustment mechanism for adjusting the location of a cutting insert seated therein. The cutting tool has a tool body provided with an adjustment bore and an abutment member bore intersecting the adjustment bore, and also has an abutment member and a worm screw. The abutment member is located in the abutment member bore and the worm screw is located in the adjustment bore and screw threaded into the worm screw bore. The abutment member is located in a first location along the abutment member bore when the worm screw is in a first screw rotated position and the abutment member is located in a second location along the abutment member bore when the worm screw is in a second screw rotated position.
US08308386B2	Pencil-shaped cosmetic container Disclosed is a pencil type cosmetic container, in particular to a pencil type cosmetic container which is directed to discharging cosmetic stuff to the outside by pressing upwards a button installed at a side surface of a cosmetic container, resulting in an easier use along with a simple construction for thereby decreasing a manufacture cost. In addition, it is easier to use since cosmetic stuff can be discharged by pressing upwards a button installed at a lateral side surface of a cosmetic container using one hand.
US08308385B2	Atomizer having auxiliary dispenser and manufacturing method of the same An atomizer having an auxiliary dispenser is provided. The atomizer is coupled to a container filled with a liquid. The auxiliary dispenser is designed according to a preferred dispensing manner of the liquid so that the liquid is more efficiently appropriately dispensed. The auxiliary dispenser includes a connecting member disposed on an atomizer body, and a dispensing unit having a coupling portion for coupling with the connecting member. The liquid is released from the connecting member. The dispensing unit receives and further dispenses the liquid.A manufacturing method of the atomizer is further provided. A second outlet is disposed on the atomizer body, and the connecting member is configured at the second outlet. A series of different dispensing units are manufactured according to the types and preferred dispensing manners of different liquids, and each dispensing unit includes a coupling portion for coupling to the connecting member.
US08308381B2	Substrate processing method, computer-readable storage medium, and substrate processing system The substrate processing system includes a measuring apparatus that measures any of film thickness, a refractive index, an absorption coefficient, and warpage. The system includes an apparatus for performing photolithography on the substrate to form a resist pattern and an etching apparatus that etches a processing film. A control unit includes a first relation between an initial condition and a dimension of the pattern of the processing film and a second relation between a processing condition of the predetermined processing and the dimension of the pattern of the processing film. The control unit estimates a dimension of the pattern of the processing film after the etching treatment from the first relation based on a measurement result and corrects the processing condition of the predetermined processing in the photolithography or the etching from the second relation based on an estimation result of the dimension of the pattern.
US08308380B2	Lens barrel assembly A lens barrel assembly that is attached to and detached from a camera includes: a lens barrel, which surrounds a lens and includes an inlet through which an external light enters; and an outlet through which light, which has passed through the lens, exits; a rotating unit, which is attached to the lens barrel such that the rotating unit rotates in a circumferential direction of the lens barrel; a shield plate, which has a first side rotatably connected to the rotating unit and a second side rotatably connected to the lens barrel and moves between a position of closing the outlet and a position of opening the outlet as the rotating unit rotates; and a driving unit, which contacts the camera when the lens barrel is attached to the camera, generates rotation force from friction force, and rotates the rotating unit.
US08308375B2	Optical signal measurement devices A device includes a female connector to receive a male network connector of a network conduit, and a first male connector optically communicating with the female connector, where the first male connector includes a first indicator that identifies a first wavelength optical signal. The device also includes a second male connector optically communicating with the female connector, where the second male connector includes a second indicator that identifies a second wavelength optical signal. The device further includes a wavelength splitter to receive an optical signal from the network conduit via the female connector, provide the optical signal to the first male connector when the optical signal corresponds to the first wavelength optical signal, and provide the optical signal to the second male connector when the optical signal corresponds to the second wavelength optical signal.
US08308374B2	Mating of optical fibers having angled end faces A method for mating optical fibers, a fiber optic connector, and a fiber optic subassembly are provided in which mating fibers have angled end faces joined by index matching fluid, but in which the angled end faces of the fibers are positioned relative to one another in rotationally misaligned relationship. Applicants discovered unexpectedly that optical fibers can be spliced, to provide satisfactory optical connections, without the need for matched cleaves, and without the need for precise rotational alignment of the cleaves, provided that angled end faces are provided on both the launch and receive fibers and that index matching gel is provided between the angled end faces. Thus, the fibers are mated in positions other than in the precise rotationally aligned position previously believed essential to adequate optical performance. Angled end faces may be positioned less than 165 degrees out of phase.
US08308370B2	Sealing device for bearing In a sealing device for a bearing, a sub-seal lip is configured such that a slide contact surface is formed like an annular band. As the rotation speed of the bearing increases, the width of the slide contact surface is reduced by a centrifugal force. Thus, sliding friction can effectively be minimized. The torque of the bearing can be prevented from increasing at high-speed rotation. Even when the centrifugal force increases somewhat, only reduction in the width of the slide contact surface is caused. Thus, a slide-contacted state can be maintained. Consequently, the problem of floating-up of the sub-seal lip from a slinger is difficult to occur.
US08308369B2	Roller bearing with differential rigidity in the instrumented areas in deformation A roller bearing includes a stationary member, a rotary member and at least one row of rolling bodies arranged between the members so as to enable their relative rotation. The stationary member includes a circumferential surface that is resiliently deformable by the forces induced by the passage of the rolling bodies when the rotary member rotates. The surface has at least one instrumented area on which at least one gauge for measuring the deformations is attached. The instrumented area is circumferentially surrounded on each side by a non-instrumented area, and the rigidity of the instrumented area is strictly greater than the rigidity of the non-instrumented areas.
US08308367B2	Compensation of rotational shaft inclination Bearing arrangement for a shaft rotatable around an axis of rotation comprising a bearing including an inner bearing part for coupling to an end of the shaft and an outer bearing part for coupling to a mounting structure, and a retaining and pivoting element, which is connectable to the inner bearing part or the outer bearing part, wherein the retaining and pivoting element is designed for securing the end of the shaft against movement in a direction in parallel with the axis of rotation (4) in relation to the bearing and for permitting the end of the shaft to be pivoted with respect to the axis of rotation, and an arrangement comprising the bearing arrangement and the shaft, as well as an oscillator comprising said arrangement.
US08308365B2	Air purging for a fluid dynamic bearing A robust spindle motor is provided having improved shock resistance for fluid containment, as well as enhanced air purging characteristics. In an aspect, axial displacement of relatively rotating components is restricted by utilizing a limiter situated adjacent to a limiter bushing forming an axial limiter gap therebetween. A fluid channel, at least partially diverging, extends from a hydrodynamic bearing to the axial limiter gap, and continues to a region beyond the axial limiter gap. In an aspect, an axially diverging slot is situated adjacent to the axial limiter gap. Power is reduced by reducing viscous drag between relatively rotating components, hydrodynamic bearing length is increased, and higher stiffness of the hydrodynamic bearing is provided. Fluid volume may be increased, thereby offsetting fluid evaporation losses and allowing for the use of lower viscosity lubricants.
US08308362B2	Quality assurance phantom for digital dental imaging and related method A quality assurance phantom for intraoral digital dental imaging and related method. The quality assurance phantom measures three different physical properties of an imaging system: dynamic range, contrast detectability, and spatial resolution. The phantom comprises a dynamic range portion having a plurality of steps, each step of the plurality of steps having a different thickness from the other steps; a contrast detail portion having a uniform thickness and a plurality of wells formed therein; a spatial resolution portion having a plurality of line sets, each line set of the plurality of line sets having different line spacing from the other line sets; an attenuating body having uniform thickness positioned between the source and the contrast detail portion and the spatial resolution portion; and a lead mass adjacent to the dynamic range portion.According to the method of the present invention, a series of images is created and analyzed, either manually or automatically with a computer, to determine a baseline quality assurance exposure (BQAE). At subsequent monitoring intervals therefrom, an image is created using the same exposure parameters as the BQAE and compared to the baseline image to ascertain changes.
US08308354B2	Mechanism of monitoring unit of electric rotating machinery and monitoring method of electric rotating machinery A mechanism of a monitoring unit of an electric rotating machinery covered in a housing that intercepts photoelectron transmission, the mechanism has: a monitoring window penetrating a part of the housing and configured to allow passage of photoelectrons and not to allow passage of gas; a camera arranged outside the monitoring window and configured to receive radiated photoelectron generated in the housing and passing through the monitoring window and to generate image data from the radiated photoelectron; and a computing unit configured to process the image data. The computing unit has reference image data storage means for storing image data resulting from blackbody radiation occurring in a reference state in the housing, as reference image data, and temperature calculating means for comparing the image data with the reference image data, thereby to calculate the temperature in the housing.
US08308352B1	Thermal shock apparatus for simulating one-sided operational thermal gradients An apparatus for single-side, thermal shock testing of a specimen may comprise a base and thermal insulation. The base may comprise an internal cavity disposed within the base. The internal cavity may extend through a first outer surface of the base. A specimen-supporting surface may be recessed within the first outer surface for supporting a specimen within the base to substantially close the internal cavity. The thermal insulation may not substantially cover the first outer surface, but may substantially cover other outer surfaces of the base.
US08308350B2	Method of determining thermal property of substrate and method of deciding heat treatment condition [Problem] To provide a method that can determine a thermal property of a substrate in a short time and a method that can determine a thermal process condition of an open-loop step.[Solving Means] In accordance with the substrate thermal property determining method of the present invention in a rapid thermal processing apparatus 1 comprising lamps 9 for heating a wafer W and temperature sensors T1 to T7 arranged so as to oppose the lamps 9, temperature data sequentially outputted from the temperature sensors T1 to T7 is obtained, while subjecting the wafer W arranged between the lamps 9 and temperature sensors T1 to T7 to pulsed heating with the lamps 9. Thereafter, the thermal property of the wafer W is determined by using the temperature data.
US08308343B2	Beater for mixing A beater for a mixer includes a shaft (14) including a mixer attachment portion (16), the shaft defining a rotational axis (A) of the beater. A first stabilizing arm (18) extends outwardly from the shaft and a second stabilizing arm (20) extends outwardly from the shaft and spaced circumferentially from the first stabilizing arm. A first blade (22) has an upper end connected to the first stabilizing arm at a location spaced from the shaft, a lower end located proximate the rotational axis of the beater and a leading face (40) that transitions from a substantially vertical orientation at the lower end to a downwardly angled orientation at the upper end. A second blade (24) has an upper end connected to the second stabilizing arm at a location spaced from the shaft, a lower end located proximate the rotational axis of the beater and a leading face (42) that transitions from a substantially vertical orientation at the lower end to a downwardly angled orientation at the upper end.
US08308336B2	Multi-segmented light guide for keypad and display apparatus A multi-segmented light guide for keypad and display apparatus has been disclosed. The light guide film may comprise a plurality of light segments configured to transmit light independently. The boundaries of the light segments may be defined by a plurality of micro-optic structures. The micro-optic structures may have a height at least half the thickness of the light guide.
US08308334B2	Light emitting panel assemblies A light emitting assembly comprises a plurality of light sources and a solid light emitting panel member having a light input edge and a transition area between the light sources and the light input edge. Light from the light sources enters the transition area and mixes within the transition area prior to entering the panel member. Refractive surfaces on the transition area redirect the light into the panel member. A film is maintained in spaced relation from the panel member by spacers at a perimeter of the film to form a hollow layer between the panel member and the film. Deformities on or in the panel member cause light to be extracted from the panel member and pass through the hollow layer and out through the film.
US08308333B2	Surgical lamp with illuminated handles A surgical lamp that includes a carrying system, a lamp body, and at least one handle having an illuminant. The handle is at least partially formed of a translucent material.
US08308332B1	System and method for illuminating a sports field A system for illuminating a sports field covered with turf. The system includes: a plurality of light arrays configured to be positioned in a spaced-apart manner under a portion of the turf and oriented to emit light upwards through the turf; and a control system for selectively controlling activation of the light arrays to provide illuminated markers on the sports field.
US08308328B2	Electronic device and method for attaching light guide lens An electronic device includes a design panel 12 made of a resin and a light guide lens 16 that is attached to the design panel 12 so as to guide light from a light source to the outside. An insert hole 20 that is a through hole whose shape is commensurate with the light guide lens 16 is formed in the design panel 12. The light guide lens 16 is inserted into the insert hole 20 by elastically deforming a rim of the insert hole 20 when the light guide lens 16 is pushed into the insert hole 20, to thus be attached to the design panel 12. Auxiliary grooves 22 that promote elastic deformation are formed in a neighborhood of the rim of the insert hole 20.
US08308325B2	Image pickup device-equipped rear-view mirror The present invention is intended to provide an image pickup device-equipped rear view mirror with improved image pickup performance, glare prevention and appearance (design) in addition to improved performance as a vehicle mirror. A mirror element is formed by forming a reflecting film consisting of high refractive index material films and a low refractive index material film on a back surface of a transparent glass substrate. The integrating sphere reflectance of the mirror element in the visible range is 40% to 60% and the near-infrared transmittance is no less than 70% for the whole or part of the band belonging to the near-infrared range within the entire sensitive wavelength range of the near-infrared camera. A black mask member is attached to an entire back surface of the reflecting film. The near-infrared camera is arranged behind the black mask member. The region corresponding to the area for the image-pickup by the near-infrared camera within the entire region of the black mask member is formed of a visible-light absorption and near-infrared transmission filter. The near-infrared transmittance of the visible-light absorption and near-infrared transmission filter is no less than 70% for the whole or part of the band belonging to the near-infrared range within the entire sensitive wavelength range of the near-infrared camera.
US08308323B2	Magnetic light clip A light clip is disclosed comprising: a base; a magnet attached to the base; two or more strand engagement members extending from the base, wherein a space is defined between the two or more strand engagement members, and the space is of sufficient size so that a bulb socket may be positioned between two or more strand engagement members; and a groove defined in each of the strand engagement members; the groove configured to engage a cord.
US08308322B2	Recessed can with spring loaded retainer clips A recessed ceiling light fixture with spring biased retainer clips that retract flush or are biased away from the side of the can housing for installation is disclosed. The fixture includes a housing having a side wall, a top wall, and an open bottom. Two rigid retainer clips are mounted diametrically opposed on the housing. Each retainer clip has a mounting tab inside the housing extending into a leg that passes out of the housing, which leg is bent to form an elbow, which elbow extends to a strut passing back into the housing, wherein the mounting tab selectively engages the side wall to limit movement of the spring clip. A bolt and coiled spring create compliance and bias in the spring clip by passing loosely through a slotted opening in the top wall at one end and joining the mounting tab at the other end.
US08308315B2	Hand-held glow writing apparatus A hand-held glow writing apparatus constructed for use with an ultraviolet sensitive surface to produce images that glow in the dark and will fade over a time period. The device including a plurality of LED lights arrange in a parallel line. The device includes a selector switch for electively choosing an image pattern stored on a memory. The LED lights when activated, turn on and off in accordance with a predetermined sequence timed for a movement of the writing apparatus across ultraviolet sensitive surface whereby the selected image pattern will imprint an image on the ultraviolet sensitive surface that fades over the time period.
US08308314B2	Surface light source system and light source unit A surface light source system capable of emitting light without producing non-uniform luminance and non-uniform color distributions is provided. The surface light source system comprises a lenticular lens sheet having unit lenses with convexity on the light-exiting side, and a light source unit having emission sources of two types or more that are different in the wavelength range of light they emit. The unit lenses are arranged in one direction at approximately regular intervals. Emission sources of each type are arranged in the one direction at approximately regular intervals. The intervals at which the respective emission sources of two types or more arranged in the one direction are nearly the same in length.
US08308307B2	Illuminator and projector An illuminator includes: a first light source and a second light source that are disposed substantially symmetrically with respect to an illumination optical axis, wherein each of the first and second light sources includes an arc tube, a first reflector disposed to surround part of the entire space around the optical axis of the arc tube, the first reflector reflecting the light emitted from the arc tube toward an object to be illuminated, and a second reflector disposed on the opposite side of the optical axis of the arc tube to the first reflector, the second reflector reflecting the light emitted from the arc tube toward the first reflector.
US08308301B2	Optical unit Disclosed is an optical unit for an image display device, the unit including: one or a plurality of light sources; one or a plurality of optical elements that control a spread of light; a combining element that combines the beams of light emitted from the light sources; and a scanning element, wherein the light from each of the light sources generates an elliptical beam spot on a screen and the spot has a major axis substantially perpendicular to a scanning direction, the result is that the unit is simple in structure, inexpensive, compact, lightweight, and capable of providing high-resolution image quality, thus providing the display device reduced dimensionally and in weight. Such an image display device using the optical unit is also disclosed.
US08308297B2	Connection adapter, optical tomographic imaging apparatus, program for executing imaging method and memory device for the program A connection adapter constituting an optical tomographic imaging apparatus has a small installation space and high use efficiency. The connection adapter is disposed between a fundus camera main body portion and a camera portion to be attached to the fundus camera main body portion for imaging a surface image of a fundus as an object in an optical tomographic imaging apparatus, and connects them in a detachable manner. The connection adapter includes: a first light guide unit for guiding tomographic image measuring beams guided from the fundus camera main body portion for imaging the tomographic image to a tomographic imaging portion; and a second light guide unit for guiding fundus image measuring beams guided from the fundus camera main body portion for imaging the surface image of the fundus to the camera portion.
US08308284B2	Recording apparatus A recording apparatus which transports a recording material onto a recording support unit, ejects ink from a recording head to perform recording on the recording material, includes: a hot air generating unit which is provided at a holding member of the recording head on one side of the recording head; and an exhaust unit which is provided at the holding member on the other side of the recording head. Here, the recording apparatus is configured to form a first air stream in which hot air blown out from the hot air generating unit passes between the recording head and the recording support unit so as to reach the exhaust unit when the exhaust unit is in operation.
US08308281B2	Heated ink delivery system An ink umbilical provides different colors of heated ink to multiple print heads in an integrated structure. The ink umbilical includes a first plurality of ink carrying conduits mounted on one side of a heater and a second plurality of conduits mounted on a second side of the heater opposite the first side of the heater. The heater is operated to keep the ink in the conduits on each of the heater in a predetermined temperature range.
US08308272B2	Image forming apparatus and carriage docking mechanism An image forming apparatus including a first carriage movable in a main scanning direction, a second carriage separatably dockable with the first carriage, a first positioning unit to position the second carriage relative to the first carriage in a sub-scanning direction, a second positioning unit to position the second carriage relative to the first carriage in a rotary direction, and a third positioning unit to position the second carriage relative to the first carriage in the main scanning direction. The first positioning unit includes a reference shaft and notched positioning members to engage the reference shaft. The second positioning unit contacts one of the first and second carriages in the rotary direction upon docking of the first and second carriages. The third positioning unit includes a positioning member, parallel grooved members in the sub-scanning direction, and parallel shafts extending in the sub-scanning direction to engage the grooved members.
US08308271B2	3D inkjet printer A 3D inkjet printer includes an inkjet head and a medium holder configured to hold a medium having a three-dimensional shape. A Y-axial driving mechanism is capable of moving the inkjet head along a Y-axial. A Z-axial supporting mechanism supports the medium holder so as to be movable along a Z-axial direction. An X-axial driving mechanism is capable of moving the Z-axial supporting mechanism along an X-axial direction. A Z-axial driving mechanism is capable of moving the medium holder along the Z-axial direction. The medium holder includes an A-axial driving mechanism capable of swinging the medium along an A-axial direction. The A-axial direction is a rotational direction about a shaft disposed along the Y-axial direction. A B-axial driving mechanism is capable of rotating the medium along a B-axial direction. The B-axial direction is a rotational direction about a shaft disposed perpendicular to the Y-axial direction.
US08308269B2	Print head A print head assembly includes a print head and a print head cover disposed around the print head. The print head cover includes a face and a print opening disposed in the face. The print opening disposed adjacent an ejection point of the print head. A perforated area is disposed on the face.
US08308266B2	Liquid droplet ejecting apparatus, liquid droplet ejecting method and computer readable medium storing a program A liquid droplet ejecting apparatus includes a liquid ejecting module and a measurement section. The liquid ejecting module includes a pressure chamber that has a piezoelectric element and an ejecting nozzle, and a supply passage that supplies liquid into the pressure chamber, and the liquid ejecting module configured to eject, from the ejecting nozzles, liquid which is supplied to the pressure chamber through the supply passage. The measurement section measures an admittance or a phase difference between a voltage applied to the piezoelectric element and a current through the liquid ejecting module when the voltage is applied.
US08308265B2	Inkjet printing apparatus An inkjet printing apparatus includes: an array of inkjet heads; a set of heating elements each in a corresponding one of the inkjet heads and each configured to heat ink; an ink circulation route configured to circulate ink through the inkjet heads; an inlet thermometer configured to measure, as first temperatures, ink temperatures of ink each flowing into a corresponding one of the inkjet heads; an outlet thermometer configured to measure, as second temperatures, ink temperatures of ink each flowing out of a corresponding one of the inkjet heads; a heating unit configured to heat ink being circulated; and a controller configured to work with a temperature difference between a first temperature and a second temperature for each same inkjet head to determine allocation of an available power for heating ink to the heating elements and the heating unit.
US08308264B2	Printing assembly calibration A printing assembly includes a transport system configured to transport items on a transport path and a printer rotatably disposed on a support. The printer includes a plurality of printing elements disposed sequentially along the transport path. A method of calibrating the printing assembly includes aligning a first reference associated with the printer with a second reference associated with the support, transporting an item on the transport path, printing a pattern on the item using a first printing element and a second printing element, determining a correction value from the pattern, and rotating the printer relative to the support in an amount corresponding to the correction value to substantially align the printing elements with the transport path.
US08308263B2	Droplet ejecting apparatus A droplet ejection apparatus includes droplet ejection units each including a supply port and an ejection port, a common supply flow path, a common discharge flow path, supply flow paths that connect the supply port to the common supply flow path, openable mechanisms provided at the supply flow paths, discharge flow paths that connect the ejection port to the common discharge flow path, one-way valves provided at the discharge flow paths, a pressure applying unit, and a controller. When performing a maintenance operation of a selected droplet ejection unit, the controller applies a pressure with the pressure applying unit so that the pressure in the plural discharge flow paths at the common discharge flow path side with respect to the respective one-way valves is higher than the other side, and opens only the openable mechanism corresponding to the selected droplet ejection unit.
US08308262B2	Image forming apparatus and image forming method An image forming apparatus includes an image forming portion to form an image on a sheet using an erasable ink, a sheet supply tray to load the sheet on which the image was formed using the erasable ink, a mark detecting portion to detect a mark indicating that the image formed on the sheet conveyed from the sheet supply tray includes a confidential information, and an overwriting portion to overwrite so as not to make recognizable the image of at least an area including the confidential information out of the image formed on the sheet, in case that the mark is detected by the mark detecting portion.
US08308261B2	Image recording apparatus and controlling method thereof An image recording apparatus, in which a line head is configured by arranging a plurality of nozzles, some of which are made to overlap, of short nozzle rows each having a jetting nozzle row arranged in one direction relative to a conveyance direction of a recording medium being conveyed by a conveyance mechanism and which forms records an image by jetting ink from the jetting nozzles onto the recording medium, comprises a conveyance information generating unit which generates conveyance information indicating a conveyance distance of the recording medium, a recording medium detecting unit which detects an edge of the recording medium being conveyed, and a controlling unit which performs a density correction of an image recorded by an overlapping portion of the short nozzle rows on the basis of a detection result of the recording medium detecting unit and the conveyance information obtained from the conveyance information generating unit.
US08308259B2	Driving device for liquid droplet jetting device, liquid droplet jetting device, image forming apparatus, and computer readable medium A driving device for a liquid jetting apparatus includes an application unit and a controller. The application unit generates and applies a first voltage of a first waveform to a first pressure generating unit and generates and applies a second voltage of a second waveform to the second pressure generating unit to jet a liquid droplet outside a nozzle after pulling liquid inside the nozzle. The second waveform includes at least one of a third waveform corresponding to a jetting angle for changing a jetting direction from a reference direction by deforming a liquid level of liquid pulled inside the nozzle in a direction of pushing the liquid level outside the nozzle, or a fourth waveform corresponding to a jetting angle for changing the jetting direction from the reference direction by deforming the liquid level of liquid pulled inside the nozzle in a direction of further pulling the liquid level.
US08308251B2	Elastic force adjustment device for slide assembly An elastic force adjustment device for slide assembly includes a fixing member, a movable member, an adjustment member and at least one elastic member. The fixing member includes a threaded rod and a longitudinal body. A longitudinal guiding portion is located between two ends of the longitudinal body. The adjustment frame has a mounting portion connected to the threaded rod. The adjustment member contacts the adjustment frame and has a threaded portion threadedly connected to the threaded rod. The at least one elastic member has two ends which are respectively connected to the movable member and the adjustment frame. A force of the at least one elastic member or the position of the movable member is adjusted by rotating the adjustment member on the threaded rod.
US08308248B2	Method for operating a vehicle brake system and vehicle brake system A method for operating a vehicle brake system and a corresponding vehicle brake system, particularly for motor vehicles. The vehicle wheels of the motor vehicle associated with an axle are at least partially driven by ‘WV’ an electric motor that can be operated as a generator during regeneration of braking energy, thus exerting a braking regeneration el torque on the respective axle. To prevent overbraking on the rear axle, the regeneration torque acting on at least one rear axle (HA) is limited such that the slippage present on the at least one vehicle wheel of the rear axle (HA) does not exceed or only negligibly exceeds a first slippage threshold individually associated with the respective vehicle wheel.
US08308246B2	Method for manufacturing toothbrush and toothbrush manufactured by the method A method of producing a bundle of bristles is provided and includes collecting a plurality of bristles substantially close together and fusing and subsequently hardening ends of the collected bristles to each other by cutting to thereby fuse the ends of the collected bristles using a heated cutter to thus produce a bundle of bristles.
US08308245B2	Amusement device seat assembly An amusement device seat includes a seat and a bar construction, moveable between an access position to a passenger fixation position, in which the passenger is fixed in the seat. The assembly further includes a locking device to lock the bar construction at the passenger fixation position. The locking device includes an engagement device to engage and disengage with the bar construction and a guide for the engagement device allowing the engagement device to assume an engagement position between the access position and the passenger fixation position, and allowing the engagement device and the engaged bar construction to move between the engagement position to the passenger fixation position. The locking device includes a fixation device for fixing the engagement device and the engaged bar construction at multiple passenger fixation positions along the guide to accommodate passengers of different sizes.
US08308242B2	Fold flat seat assembly with rearward folding motion A seat assembly is provided for supporting an occupant above a floor in an automotive vehicle. The seat assembly includes a seat cushion that is adapted to be pivotally coupled to the floor. The seat assembly also includes a seatback that is operatively coupled to the seat cushion for movement between an upright position and a folded position overlying the seat cushion. A linkage system is operatively coupled between the seatback, seat cushion, and the floor. The linkage system automatically moves the seat cushion downwards and forward and translates the seatback downward and rearward in response to movement of the seatback between the upright position and the folded position.
US08308236B2	Vehicular seat A vehicular seat capable of effectively mitigating lateral direction vibrations is provided. In the present vehicular seat (10), a pair of leg portions (32A) of a headrest frame (32) are coupled to a seatback frame (20) to be relatively turnable about a longitudinal direction axis of a seatback (18). Joint portions 32C are provided between the pair of leg portions (32A) and a middle portion (32B) of the headrest frame (32). Thus, the headrest (14) is made turnable to left and right with respect to the seatback (18). Furthermore, the headrest (14) is urged toward a middle position of the range of turning with respect to the seatback (18) by rubber members that are provided between a headrest support (24) and a support bracket (20C). Thus, when lateral direction vibrations are applied to the present vehicular seat (10), the headrest (14) functions as a dynamic damper.
US08308231B2	Child safety seat A child safety seat having storage space includes a seating base whereon an engaging slot is formed, an armrest base, and a storage structure. The armrest base is disposed on a side of the seating base and is detachably coupled with the engaging slot. The storage structure is disposed on the armrest base. A first storage space is formed inside the storage structure.
US08308227B2	Structure for side portion of vehicle body A side part structure of a vehicle body capable of reliably dispersing a collision load applied from the side of a vehicle is disclosed. A bulkhead arranged in a rocker has an outer bulkhead joined to an outer rocker and an inner bulkhead joined to an inner rocker. Facing walls of the outer bulkhead and the inner bulkhead are provided with proximity portions which are engageable with each other, which allow a collision load at a side collision to be reliably transmitted from the outer rocker to the inner rocker via the proximity portions formed on the mutually facing walls, thereby reliably dispersing the collision load from the side of the vehicle.
US08308221B2	Roller assembly for sliding vehicle closure A roller assembly for a sliding vehicle closure includes a bracket secured to an associated sliding vehicle closure and a ball-type roller secured to the bracket at a location spaced apart from the associated sliding vehicle closure. The ball-type roller is fixed in position relative to the associated sliding vehicle closure during opening and closing thereof.
US08308217B2	Automobile sun visor with electromechanical sun shade and methods of use thereof An automobile sun visor with an electromechanical sun shade device preferably comprising an elongated housing with a generally tear-shaped profile that is adapted for pivotally-adjustable installation at essentially any location proximate the interior roof of a vehicle and that attractively accommodates all necessary elements of the device therewithin, a scissor-type extension mechanism with interdependent, multi-stage frame support layers that evenly and supportively extend and adjust to a plurality of lengths, a two-layer screening system that surrounds the extension mechanism on all sides via a releasable connector, and that is adapted for preferential variation of interior versus exterior display during deployment, and a motorized control system with guide elements.
US08308215B2	Lower structure of vehicle body rear part A lower structure of a vehicle body rear part, when receiving a load from a rear side of the vehicle, prevents deformation of a spare tire housing toward a front side of the vehicle and displacement of the front end of a spare tire toward the front side of the vehicle, and also facilitates the tipping up of a rear portion of the spare tire. In particular, a lower structure of a vehicle body rear part 1 has a spare tire housing 3 formed in a rear floor 2 of the vehicle body rear part 1; a rear cross member 5 which joins paired side frames 4 arranged respectively on a left side and a right side in a vehicle width direction, and which is provided at a location frontward of the spare tire housing 3; and a hook reinforcement 6 for a tow hook 14, extending in a vehicle front and rear direction and arranged at a center, in the vehicle width direction, of a bottom surface of the spare tire housing 3, wherein a front end of the hook reinforcement 6 is attached to the rear cross member 5, the hook reinforcement 6 forms a closed cross section in cooperation with the rear floor 2 and is formed such that the closed cross section is larger on a rear side than on a front side, and the hook reinforcement 6 is divided into a reinforcement front portion 6b and a reinforcement rear portion 6c (FIG. 2).
US08308214B2	Lower structure of vehicle body rear part A lower structure of a vehicle body rear part includes a spare tire housing formed on a rear floor, a rear cross member disposed in front of the spare tire housing to connect side frames, and a hook reinforcing member disposed in the center in the vehicle width direction on the lower surface of the spare tire housing and extending in the vehicle longitudinal direction. The front end portion of the hook reinforcing member is connected to the rear cross member, and the rear end portion thereof extends to the rear end portion of the rear floor. The side frame at the vehicle rear of the rear cross member is divided into a frame front part and a frame rear part in the vehicle longitudinal direction, and the hook reinforcing member is divided into a reinforcing member front part and a reinforcing member rear part in the vehicle longitudinal direction. The frame front part has a rigidity higher than that of the frame rear part, and the reinforcing member rear part has a rigidity higher than that of the reinforcing member front part, and the two division positions coincide with each other in the longitudinal direction.
US08308211B2	Gripper for clamping plates, used in combination with a manipulator arm, and offset balancing module A gripper is disclosed. The gripper has a frame which is connected to a mobile subassembly including a fixed end and a mobile end respectively secured to a fixed arm and a mobile arm, and an actuator supported on the fixed arm for moving the mobile arm and end relative to the fixed arm and end, along a first degree of freedom, in translation or rotation, and a balancing module introducing an additional degree of freedom, in translation or rotation, which is offset outwards of the assembly formed by the mobile subassembly and the frame.
US08308209B1	Air conditioning filter replacement system A system comprising a handle having a gripping end and a working end. The system also comprising a filter engagement tool. The filter engagement tool is coupled to the handle. The filter engagement tool has a filter engagement means.
US08308207B2	Energy absorption device, especially for non-axial loads The invention relates to an energy absorption device which can be arranged to absorb energy by deformation between a support structure of a vehicle and a damper, the energy absorption device carrying a deformable main profile which has a hollow body-type cross-section. The aim of the invention is to improve an energy absorption device of the aforementioned type in such a manner that the energy can be well carried off even if the forces produced by an accident impact the energy absorption device at an angle. For this purpose, a deformable supplementary profile is provided on the cross-section of the main profile.
US08308206B2	Crash element The invention relates to a rear crash element for the rear bumper of a motor vehicle in the area of the number plate recess, having an impact element seated on the crossbeam of the motor vehicle, behind which, with respect to the driving direction of the motor vehicle, a shock absorbing element is arranged. The shock absorbing element is arranged behind the bumper cladding and is covered by a plastic covering, such as a horn cladding or the like. Because the impact element is a plastic part with a large surface area which fills out approximately the entire height of the number plate recess and borders the bumper cladding, preferably over a gap, and the shock absorbing element is seated from the outside on the front side of the bumper cladding flush to the impact element, a breakthrough for the impact element on the bumper cladding is not a consideration, and the impact surface of the impact element to the crossbeam and to the bumper cladding is enlarged such that the energy applied to the bumper is better absorbed.
US08308203B1	Rotary mechanical latch A rotary mechanical latch for positive latching and unlatching of a rotary device with a latchable rotating assembly having a latching gear that can be driven to latched and unlatched states by a drive mechanism such as an electric motor. A cam arm affixed to the latching gear interfaces with leading and trailing latch cams affixed to a flange within the drive mechanism. The interaction of the cam arm with leading and trailing latch cams prevents rotation of the rotating assembly by external forces such as those due to vibration or tampering.
US08308198B2	Water-based fluorescent ink, recorded image using the same, and judging method The present invention relates to a water-based fluorescent ink for the purpose of measurement or judgment of the fluorescence emission in a visible light region by an excitation wavelength in a predetermined ultraviolet range, containing water, a coloring material dissolved or dispersed in water, and an organic solvent, having a plurality of fluorescent groups in the coloring material structure of the coloring material, and using a water-soluble coloring material having a sulfonic acid group as the water-soluble group in the state of a free acid, capable of improving the water resistance and the light resistance, dramatically increasing the content of the fluorescent coloring material in the ink, which has conventionally been included only by a small amount in the ink due to the concentration quenching problem, obtaining preferable fluorescence emission and water resistance of the recorded image, and providing preferable adhesion resistance to the recording medium of the coloring material and reliability.
US08308191B2	Airbag apparatus An airbag apparatus includes a gas generator that generates gas, and an airbag inflated and deployed by the gas supplied from the gas generator. The airbag restrains an occupant in a first state in which the occupant's chin is positioned on the airbag apparatus or the occupant in a second state in which the occupant's chin is positioned on a steering wheel. The airbag includes one main exhaust port, a vent cover provided to cover the one main exhaust port, and at least one sub exhaust port without a vent cover. The sub exhaust port exhausts the gas without using the main exhaust port in a state in which the vent cover blocks the main exhaust port due to a folded state of the airbag in an initial stage of an inflating and deploying operation performed to restrain the occupant in the first state or in the second state.
US08308190B2	Buckle airbag An occupant safety mechanism for an occupant of a vehicle includes a buckle assembly, an airbag cushion, an inflator, and webbing. The airbag cushion is coupled to the buckle assembly, such as in a buckle assembly housing, and is configured to deploy from the buckle assembly. The webbing is coupled to the buckle assembly and substantially fixed points disposed on the vehicle, on a seat, or both, so as to restrain the occupant a seat during a dynamic vehicle event. The inflator is configured to deploy the airbag cushion upon occurrence of a dynamic vehicle event.
US08308189B2	Knee airbag for vehicle A knee airbag is provided to the lower part of a glove box door, and an airbag door provided to the glove box door opens in both upward and downward directions when the knee airbag expands. As the knee airbag expands, the rigidity of the lower part of the glove box door decreases, and this causes a relatively small reaction force, which corresponds to a relatively small load generated when the knees of an occupant having a relatively small body build make contact with the lower part, to be generated on the lower part of the glove box door. On the other hand, because the knee airbag is not provided to the upper part of the glove box door, the upper part can generate a relatively large reaction force which corresponds to a relatively large load generated when the knees of an occupant having a relatively large body build make contact with the upper part via the knee airbag.
US08308188B2	Passenger airbag apparatus An airbag apparatus for a vehicle includes an airbag having a left airbag section and a right airbag section inflatable at left and right sides in a front area of an occupant, a retainer for retaining the airbag, and a first deployment-limiting sheet having one end coupled to the airbag or the retainer. The first deployment-limiting sheet at least partly overlaps the airbag and extends along the airbag from a rear portion to a front portion of the airbag. The first deployment-limiting sheet extends along the rear portion of the airbag during inflation thereof.

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