最新美国发明专利第2012-12-25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
US08338413B1	Oxazine derivatives and their use in the treatment of neurological disorders The invention relates to novel heterocyclic compounds of the formula in which all of the variables are as defined in the specification, in free form or in salt form, to their preparation, to their medical use and to medicaments comprising them.
US08338403B2	Drug for improving hyperglycemia A compound having a hyperglycemia improving effect and a hemoglobin A1c lowering action such as 4-methylcholest-7-en-3-ol, 4-methylergost-7-en-3-ol and 4-methylstigmast-7-en-3-ol is used as an active ingredient of a drug or food or drink for improving hyperglycemia.
US08338402B2	Scaffold The present invention relates to scaffolds which can be used as medical devices for guided tissue regeneration and repair, in particular the invention is directed to a scaffold comprising fibers having a mean fiber diameter of between from about 1.2 to 4.0 microns, wherein the fibers comprise a glycolide. The invention further relates to the use of the scaffolds for the selective capture of cell populations for a cell source material.
US08338399B2	Use of DHEA derivatives for enhancing physical performance A method is disclosed for administering a DHEA derivative or a physiologically acceptable salt, ester or ether thereof for one of decreasing body weight, reducing adipose tissue, increasing endurance, as an anti-aging compound and generating production of red blood cells.
US08338398B2	Composition and method of treating hearing loss A composition for treating hearing loss includes components that function through different biological mechanisms to provide an additive effect that is equal to or greater than a sum of the effect of the individual components. The composition includes a biologically effective amount of at least one scavenger of singlet oxygen, a donor antioxidant, a third antioxidant, and a vasodilator. A method of treating hearing loss includes the step of internally administering the composition including a biologically effective amount of the at least one scavenger of singlet oxygen, the donor antioxidant, the third antioxidant, and the vasodilator to a mammal within three days of trauma to a middle or inner ear of the mammal.
US08338396B2	Oral contraceptives to prevent pregnancy and diminish premenstrual symptomatology This invention relates to a method of preventing pregnancy and treating PMS including PMDD. More particularly, the invention relates to a method, which involves administering one of several combination oral contraceptive regimens in combination with an antidepressant and a kit containing the same.
US08338393B2	Combination dosage forms and therapies for supporting bone health Combined therapies and oral dosage forms based on genistein for the support of osteoporotic health.
US08338387B2	Small molecule stimulators of neuronal growth Provided herein are small molecule stimulators of neuronal growth, their preparation, and their use for treatment of neurological disorders. In one embodiment, provided herein are methods of treatment, prevention, or amelioration of a variety of medical conditions associated with neurological disorders using the compounds and compositions provided herein.
US08338386B2	Prevention/treatment of ichthyosis vulgaris, atopy and other disorders The present invention relates to the prevention/treatment of ichthyosis vulgaris (IV), atopy and potentially other disorders associated with loss-of-function mutations in the filaggrin gene sequence. The prevention/therapy is based on the use of agents which enable the host's translational machinery to read through a nonsense mutation found in a mutant allele of the filaggrin gene.
US08338383B1	Use of immunomodulators for the treatment of cancer A method for treating a cancer, by determining a patient to have an ECOG (Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group) score of 0 or 1 and selecting that patient for treatment, and administering to the patient an effective amount of an immunomodulating composition comprising small molecular weight components of less than 3000 daltons, and having the following properties: (i) is extracted from bile of animals; (ii) is capable of stimulating monocytes and/or macrophages; (iii) is capable of modulating tumor necrosis factor production and/or release; (iv) contains no measurable level of IL-1α, IL-1β, TNF, IL-6, IL-8, IL-4, GM-CSF or IFN-γ; (v) is not cytotoxic to human peripheral blood mononuclear cells; and (vi) is not an endotoxin. A method of increasing the survival rate of a cancer patient.
US08338380B2	Use of the peptide RFMWMR as a therapeutic agent The present invention is directed to the use of the peptide compound Ac-Arg-Phe-Met-Trp-Met-Arg-NH2 as a therapeutic agent for the prophylaxis and/or treatment of cancer, autoimmune diseases, fibrotic diseases, inflammatory diseases, neurodegenerative diseases, infectious diseases, lung diseases, heart and vascular diseases and metabolic diseases. Moreover the present invention relates to pharmaceutical compositions preferably in form of a lyophilisate or liquid buffer solution or artificial mother milk formulation or mother milk substitute containing the peptide Ac-Arg-Phe-Met-Trp-Met-Arg-NH2 optionally together with at least one pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, cryoprotectant, lyoprotectant, excipient and/or diluent.
US08338379B2	Monoclonal antibody and use thereof An antibody capable of recognizing amyloid β while not recognizing amyloid β precursor proteins, and a method for using the same.A monoclonal antibody characterized by being capable of recognizing the N-terminus peptide of amyloid β while not recognizing amyloid β precursor proteins, an amyloid β assay kit, a therapeutic agent of Alzheimer's disease, and a method for treating Alzheimer's disease using the monoclonal antibody.
US08338378B2	Neurotrophic peptides The present invention relates to a neurotrophic peptide having an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of VGDGGLFEKKL (SEQ ID NO: 1), EDQQVHFTPTEG (SEQ ID NO: 2) and IPENEADGMPATV (SEQ ID NO: 3).
US08338377B2	BMP-ALK3 antagonists and uses for promoting bone growth In certain aspects, the present invention provides compositions and methods for promoting bone growth and increasing bone density and strength. In certain embodiments, the present invention provides ALK3 polypeptides, including ALK3-Fc fusion proteins.
US08338376B2	Compositions comprising variant LT-B-R-IG fusion proteins This invention relates to methods of treating disease with soluble inhibitors of the lymphotoxin pathway having improved properties. This invention also relates to improved LTBR-Ig fusion proteins, and pharmaceutical compositions thereof.
US08338372B2	Dehydroxy vancomycin, the preparation, pharmaceutical composition and the use The present invention provides a deshydroxy vancomycin compound,a method of its preparation and a pharmaceutical composition comprising a pharmaceutically effective amount of the deshydroxy vancomycin and the use of the said composition in the preparation of drugs for the treatment of susceptible bacteria infections. The method includes the following steps: (1) preparing a concentrated vancomycin solution containing the deshydroxy vancomycin by fermentations of Amycolatopsis Orientalis with Deposit No. CGMCCNO.1183; (2) separating and purifing the concentrated vancomycin solution to obtain a refined filtrate of vancomycin hydrochloride containing the deshydroxy vancomycin by column chromatography; and (3) further separating and purifing the refined filtrate to obtain the deshydroxy vancomycin by chromatography. Wherein, separation and purification is processed by column chromatography in a gel chromatography column containing a salt-water mobile phase, separation and purification is processed by chromatography in a macroporous adsorption resin chromatography column containing a buffer-methanol mobile phase.
US08338371B2	Accelerated angiogenesis-inducing protein, compositions inducing accelerated angiogenesis and uses thereof The present invention refers to an angiogenesis-inducing protein, a composition containing it and the uses of said protein.
US08338369B2	Methods for administering long-lasting hypoglycemic agents The present invention relates to methods and pharmaceutical compositions relating to administering hypoglycemic agents and/or GLP-1 agonists wherein the mean maximum plasma concentration (Cmax) and/or Area Under the Curve (AUC) values of the hypoglycemic agent are increased and/or sustained.
US08338365B2	Inhibiting integrin receptor binding with non-native monomeric disintegrin or monomeric disintegrin domains This invention relates to methods of inhibiting binding between a cell expressing integrin receptors specific for one or more integrins selected from the group consisting of αIIbβ3, αvβ3, αvβ5, or α5β1, said method comprising contacting the cell with a monomeric disintegrin or monomeric disintegrin domain which comprises a C-terminal sequence non-native to the disintegrin or disintegrin domain, said C-terminal sequence encoding a functional integrin-binding loop.
US08338361B2	Fragrance composition A novel musk-based fragrance having an excellent musky fragrance is provided. Also provided is a fragrance composition containing, as an active ingredient, a macrocyclic lactone compound represented by the following formula (1): wherein A represents an ethylene group or an ethenylene group; and when A is an ethylene group, R represents an alkyl group having 3 carbon atoms, and n represents an integer from 1 to 6, while when A is an ethenylene group, R represents an alkyl group having 1 to 3 carbon atoms, and n represents an integer from 1 to 6.
US08338358B2	Compositions comprising sulfonated estolides and alkyl ester sulfonates, methods of making them, and compositions and processes employing them Compositions comprising sulfo-estolides and alkyl ester sulfonates are described. Detergent formulations, such as laundry detergents, softeners, and other materials, containing any of these materials are disclosed, as well as personal care formulations, hard surface cleaner formulations, and automatic dishwasher detergent formulations. Laundry methods employing these formulations are also disclosed. These formulations are useful as laundry detergents and can be biodegradable, heavy duty liquids, 2× or 3× and up to 6× concentrates, low foaming, and/or effective in a high efficiency washing machine.
US08338357B2	Multiple dosing ware washing article An article comprises a rack of solid sticks (12) of dishwasher detergent, retained on a backing material (16) and being formable into a nested, preferably cylindrical, form. The nested article is inserted into a holder, which is a plastics body, rigid and substantial. The holder is a permanent article located in use in a dishwasher but the article is a refill. Wastage of material when it is exhausted is minimal.
US08338349B2	Rinse-off personal care compositions The present invention relates to a cleanser composition comprising a) from about 1% to about 20% of fatty acid soap containing from about 8 to about 16 carbon atoms; b) from about 2% to about 20% of a synthetic surfactant; and c) water, wherein the composition comprises a metal ion in a level no more than a predetermined amount to provide a turbidity no higher than about 9NTU.
US08338346B2	Perfume compositions comprising functional perfume components Perfume compositions having functional perfume components for aiding in perfume evaporation. The functional perfume components have a Kovat's index in the range of 900-1400 and an ODT of greater than about 1 ppb. In one embodiment, the functional perfume component may be present in an amount from at least about 10% by weight of the composition. In another embodiment, the composition containing a function perfume component is substantially free of a VOC.
US08338341B2	Process for the production of a granule of a coated oxidizing compound such granule and uses of the granule The invention provides a process for the production of a granule of a coated oxidizing compound which granule has good delayed release properties, said process comprising a) providing cores of an oxidizing compound produced by fluidized bed spray granulation, b) spraying on the oxidizing compound cores an aqueous solution of metal sili-cate in a fluidized bed, said aqueous solution comprising at least 15% by weight metal silicate, and c) drying to form a metal silicate coating layer on the oxidizing compound core, provided that the amount of metal silicate coating layer is at least 8%, preferably at least 10% by weight based on the total weight of the granule. The invention also provides such granule and well treatment fluids including such granule, and processes for use.
US08338338B2	Formulations comprising triazoles and alkoxylated amines The present invention relates to the use of alkoxylated amines to enhance the activity of fungicidal formulations comprising fungicidal triazoles. It also relates to formulations comprising one or more fungicidal triazoles and alkoxylated amines. These formulations are useful for the protection of any living or non-living material, such as crops, plants, fruits, seeds, objects made of wood, thatch or the like, biodegradable material and textiles against deterioration due to the action of fungi.
US08338337B2	Substituted pyridines having a herbicidal effect Substituted pyridines of the formula I in which the variables are defined according to the description, their agriculturally suitable salts, processes and intermediates for preparing the pyridines of the formula I, compositions comprising them and their use as herbicides, i.e. for controlling harmful plants, and also a method for controlling unwanted vegetation which comprises allowing a herbicidally effective amount of at least one pyridine compound of the formula I to act on plants, their seed and/or their habitat.
US08338331B2	Sheet for thermal transcription A sheet for thermal transcription including a substrate (2) and a receiving layer (3) formed on the substrate (2) for receiving a dye. The receiving layer (3) contains a graft polymer of at least one monomer out of acrylic monomers and methacrylic monomers and at least one polyester sort. The sheet for thermal transcription assures satisfactory printing density and satisfactory adhesion performance with respect to a laminate film, while preventing image bleeding or fading and assuring stabilized running performance. Thus, it is possible to generate an image of high quality and high resolution.
US08338328B2	Electrolytic solution and electrochemical device A fuel cell includes a fuel electrode, an oxygen electrode, an electrolytic solution, a fuel flow passage, etc. The fuel electrode and the oxygen electrode are composed of a catalyst layer, a diffusion layer, and a collector, respectively. A methanol aqueous solution, etc. is continuously supplied to the fuel flow passage. Catalyst particulates consisting of platinum, ruthenium, palladium, etc. are in a dispersed state in the electrolytic solution. If a portion of fuel, such as methanol, passes through the fuel electrode as unreacted, and diffuses through the electrolytic solution to move to the oxygen electrode, oxidation reduction reactions between the methanol, and the oxygen which moves to the fuel electrode from the oxygen electrode are efficiently caused by the catalyst particulates so as to cancel each other. From the above are provided an electrolytic solution with high crossover blocking performance suitable for electrochemical devices, such as direct methanol fuel cells, and an electrochemical device using the electrolytic solution.
US08338326B2	Tungsten carbide catalysts, their preparation and application in synthesis of ethylene glycol from cellulose Tungsten carbide catalysts are used in preparation of ethylene glycol by hydrogenating degradation of cellulose. The catalyst includes tungsten carbide as main catalytic active component, added with small amount of one or more transition metals such as nickel, cobalt, iron, ruthenium, rhodium, palladium, osmium, iridium, platinum, and copper as the second metal, supported on one or more porous complex supports such as active carbon, alumina, silica, titanium dioxide, silicon carbide, zirconium oxide, for conversion of cellulose to ethylene glycol. The catalyst realizes high efficiency, high selectivity, and high yield in the conversion of cellulose to ethylene glycol at the temperature of 120-300° C., hydrogen pressure of 1-10 MPa, and hydrothermal conditions. Compared to the existing industrial synthetic method of ethylene glycol using ethylene as feedstock, the invention has the advantages of using renewable raw material resources, environment friendly process, and excellent atom economy.
US08338321B2	Optical glass and optical apparatus using the same An optical glass contains 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 when a relation between the wavelength λ1 and the wavelength λ2 and the wavelength λ3 is assumed to be λ1<λ2<λ3 with respect to 100% of basic glass composition containing 2-10% of SiO2, 5-45% of B2O3, and 30-60% of La2O3 or further containing 0-15% of RO(R=Zn, Sr, Ba), 0-40% of Ln2O3(Ln=Y, Gd), and 0-30% of ZrO2+Nb2O5+Ta2O5, and the substance B generates fluorescent light with the wavelength λ3 of 650 nm or more when excited at the wavelength λ1 of 550 nm or less.
US08338319B2	Composition for high performance glass fibers and fibers formed therewith A composition for the manufacture of high strength glass fibers suitable for manufacture in a refractory lined glass melter is disclosed. The glass composition of the present invention includes 64-75 weight % SiO2, 16-24 weight % Al2O3, 8-11 weight % MgO and 0.25 to 3.0 weight % R2O where R2O is the sum of Li2O and Na2O. A composition of the present invention includes 64-75 weight % SiO2, 16-24 weight % Al2O3, 8-11 weight % MgO and 0.25 to 3.0 weight % Li2O. Another composition includes 68-69 weight percent SiO2, 20-22 weight percent Al2O3, 9-10 weight percent MgO and 1-3 weight percent Li2O. By using oxide based refractory lined furnaces the cost of production of glass fibers is substantially reduced in comparison with the cost of fibers using a platinum lined melting furnace. Fibers formed by the present invention are also disclosed. The fibers have a fiberizing temperature of less than 2650° F., a ΔT of at least 80° F. Further, the glass fibers have a strength in excess of 680 KPSI, in some instances a strength in excess of about 700 KPSI, and in others a strength in excess of about 730 KPSI. The glass fibers will desirably have a modulus greater than 12.0 MPSI, in some instances greater than about 12.18 MPSI, and in certain instances greater than about 12.7 MPSI.
US08338317B2	Method for processing a semiconductor wafer or die, and particle deposition device According to various embodiments, a method for processing a semiconductor wafer or die is provided including supplying particles to a plasma such that the particles are activated by the plasma and spraying the activated particles on the semiconductor wafer or die to generate a particle layer on the semiconductor wafer or die.
US08338313B2	Method for nondestructive lift-off of GaN from sapphire substrate utilizing a solid-state laser A method for nondestructive laser lift-off of GaN from sapphire substrates is disclosed. A solid-state laser is used as the laser source. A small laser-spot having a perimeter length of 3 to 1000 micrometers and a distance of two farthest corners or a longest diameter of no more than 400 micrometers is used for laser scanning point-by-point and line-by-line. The energy at the center of the laser-spot is the strongest and is gradually reduced toward the periphery. A nondestructive laser lift-off with a small laser-spot is achieved. The scanning mode of the laser lift-off is improved. Device lift-off can be achieved without the need of aiming. As a result, the laser lift-off process is simplified, and the efficiency is improved while the rejection rate is reduced. The obstacles of the industrialization of the laser lift-off process are removed.
US08338304B2	Methods to reduce the critical dimension of semiconductor devices and related semiconductor devices A method of forming features on a target layer. The features have a critical dimension that is triple- or quadruple-reduced compared to the critical dimension of portions of a resist layer used as a mask. An intermediate layer is deposited over a target layer and the resist layer is formed over the intermediate layer. After patterning the resist layer, first spacers are formed on sidewalls of remaining portions of the resist layer, masking portions of the intermediate layer. Second spacers are formed on sidewalls of the portions of the intermediate layer. After removing the portions of the intermediate layer, the second spacers are used as a mask to foil the features on the target layer. A partially fabricated integrated circuit device is also disclosed.
US08338299B2	Method of processing a surface of group III nitride crystal and group III nitride crystal substrate There is provided a method of processing a surface of a group III nitride crystal, that includes the steps of: polishing a surface of a group III nitride crystal with a polishing slurry containing abrasive grains; and thereafter polishing the surface of the group III nitride crystal with a polishing liquid at least once, and each step of polishing with the polishing liquid employs a basic polishing liquid or an acidic polishing liquid as the polishing liquid. The step of polishing with the basic or acidic polishing liquid allows removal of impurity such as abrasive grains remaining on the surface of the group III nitride crystal after it is polished with the slurry containing the abrasive grains.
US08338292B2	Body contacts for FET in SOI SRAM array Contact with a floating body of an FET in SOI may be formed in a portion of one of the two diffusions of the FET, wherein the portion of the diffusion (such as N−, for an NFET) which is “sacrificed” for making the contact is a portion of the diffusion which is not immediately adjacent (or under) the gate. This works well with linked body FETs, wherein the diffusion does not extend all the way to BOX, hence the linked body (such as P−) extends under the diffusion where the contact is being made. An example showing making contact for ground to two NFETs (PG and PD) of a 6T SRAM cell is shown.
US08338291B2	Producing transistor including multiple reentrant profiles A method of producing a transistor includes providing a substrate including in order a first electrically conductive material layer and a second electrically conductive material layer. A resist material layer is deposited over the second electrically conductive material layer. The resist material layer is patterned to expose a portion of the second electrically conductive material layer. Some of the second electrically conductive material layer is removed to create a reentrant profile in the second electrically conductive material layer and to expose a portion of the first electrically conductive material layer. The second electrically conductive material layer is caused to overhang the first electrically conductive material layer by removing some of the first electrically conductive material layer.
US08338289B2	Method of manufacturing a semiconductor chip including a semiconductor substrate and a through via provided in a through hole A semiconductor chip includes a semiconductor substrate, a through via provided in a through hole that passes through the semiconductor substrate, insulating layers laminated on the semiconductor substrate, a multi-layered wiring structure having a first wiring pattern and a second wiring pattern, and an external connection terminal provided on an uppermost layer of the multi-layered wiring structure, wherein the through via and the external connection terminal are connected electrically by the second wiring pattern.
US08338286B2	Dimensionally decoupled ball limiting metalurgy A method for reducing stress on under ball metallurgy (UBM) is disclosed. A collar is disposed around the ball to provide support, and prevent solder interaction in the undercut areas of the UBM. In one embodiment, the collar is comprised of photosensitive polyimide.
US08338285B2	Shield contacts in a shielded gate MOSFET A semiconductor structure is formed as follows. Trenches are formed in a semiconductor region and a shield electrode is formed in each trench. Gate electrodes are formed in a portion of the trenches that form an active region. Each gate electrode is disposed over the shield electrode and is isolated from the shield electrode by an inter-electrode dielectric. An interconnect layer is formed extending over the trenches. The interconnect layer is isolated from the gate electrodes in the active region by a dielectric layer and contacts the shield electrodes in a shield contact region separate from the active region. The interconnect layer contacts mesa surfaces between adjacent trenches in the shield contact region.
US08338281B2	Method for fabricating semiconductor device Provided is a method for fabricating a semiconductor device. The method includes: forming a photoresist pattern having a first opening over a substrate; forming a first impurity region inside the substrate exposed to the first opening; partially etching the photoresist pattern by a plasma ashing process using oxygen (O2) gas to form a second opening having a width broader than that of the first opening; and forming a second impurity region inside the substrate exposed through the second opening, wherein the width of the second opening varies according to a plasma ashing time.
US08338279B2	Reduced pattern loading for doped epitaxial process and semiconductor structure A semiconductor substrate having transistor structures and test structures with spacing between the transistor structures smaller than the spacing between the test structures is provided. A first iteratively performed deposition and etch process includes: depositing a first doped epitaxial layer having a first concentration of a dopant over the semiconductor substrate, and etching the first doped epitaxial layer. A second iteratively performed deposition and etch process includes: depositing a second doped epitaxial layer having a second concentration of the dopant higher than the first concentration over the semiconductor substrate, and etching the second doped epitaxial layer. The first concentration results in a first net growth rate over the transistor structures and the second concentration results in a lower, second net growth rate over the test structures than the transistor structures, resulting in reduced pattern loading.
US08338278B2	Method of manufacturing semiconductor device with crystallized semiconductor film To form a semiconductor film with a thickness of 50 nm or less, which includes a large grain crystal by totally melting the semiconductor film with a laser beam. A projection having a triangular cross section is formed on the surface of a semiconductor film. The shape of the projection is a conical shape or a triangular prismatic shape. A laser beam which has entered a projection of the semiconductor film travels toward a substrate while being greatly refracted and totally reflected at the interface between the projection and the air. Further, since the laser beam enters the semiconductor film from a projection, the laser beam which is incident on the interface between an insulating film and a semiconductor is very likely totally reflected. Thus, when a laser beam enters a semiconductor film from a projection, the time during which the laser beam propagates through the semiconductor film is longer, which can increase the absorptance of the semiconductor film.
US08338275B2	Methods of forming a metal contact on a silicon substrate A method of forming a metal contact on a silicon substrate is disclosed. The method includes depositing a nanoparticle ink on a substrate surface in a pattern, the nanoparticle ink comprising set of nanoparticles and a set of solvents. The method also includes heating the substrate in a baking ambient to a first temperature and for a first time period in order to create a densified nanoparticle layer with a nanoparticle layer thickness of greater than about 50 nm. The method further includes depositing an SiNx layer on the substrate surface, SiNx layer having a SiNx layer thickness of between about 50 nm and about 110 nm; exposing the substrate to an etchant that is selective to the densified nanoparticle layer for a second time period and at a second temperature in order to create a via; and forming a metal contact in the via, wherein an ohmic contact is formed with the silicon substrate.
US08338274B2	Transistor device comprising an embedded semiconductor alloy having an asymmetric configuration In sophisticated semiconductor devices, an asymmetric transistor configuration may be obtained on the basis of a strain-inducing semiconductor alloy. To this end, strain relaxation implantation processes may be performed at the drain side according to some illustrative embodiments, while, in other cases, the deposition of the strain-inducing alloy may be performed in an asymmetric manner with respect to the drain side and the source side of the transistor.
US08338272B2	Method for manufacturing a semiconductor device A wafer is mounted on the top surface of the stage having an electrostatic chuck function, and the wafer at 50° C. or more is cooled to a temperature lower than 50° C. In this step, the voltage to be applied to the internal electrode provided in the stage is raised stepwise to gradually increase the contact area between the back surface of the wafer and the top surface of the stage. Finally, a chuck voltage is applied to the internal electrode, so that the entire back surface of the wafer is uniformly attracted to the top surface of the stage. This reduces damage occurring in the top surface of the stage due to rubbing between the back surface of the wafer and the top surface of the stage.
US08338271B2	Laser processing method and chip An object to be processed can be cut highly accurately along a line to cut.An object to be processed 1 is irradiated with laser light while locating a converging point within a silicon wafer 11, and the converging point is relatively moved along a line to cut 5, so as to form modified regions M1, M2 positioned within the object 1 along the line to cut 5, and then a modified region M3 positioned between the modified regions M1, M2 within the object 1.
US08338263B1	Etching narrow, tall dielectric isolation structures from a dielectric layer Methods of forming isolation structures are disclosed. A method of forming isolation structures for an image sensor array of one aspect may include forming a dielectric layer over a semiconductor substrate. Narrow, tall dielectric isolation structures may be formed from the dielectric layer. The narrow, tall dielectric isolation structures may have a width that is no more than 0.3 micrometers and a height that is at least 1.5 micrometers. A semiconductor material may be epitaxially grown around the narrow, tall dielectric isolation structures. Other methods and apparatus are also disclosed.
US08338259B2	Semiconductor device with a buried stressor A semiconductor device, such as a PMOS or NMOS device, having localized stressors is provided. Recesses are formed on opposing sides of a gate electrode. A stress-inducing region is formed along a bottom of the recess, and a stressed layer is formed over the stress-inducing region. By having a stress-inducing region with a larger lattice structure than the stressed layer, a tensile strain may be created in a channel region of the semiconductor device and may be suitable for an NMOS device. By having a stress-inducing region with a smaller lattice structure than the stressed layer, a compressive strain may be created in the channel region of the semiconductor device and may be suitable for a PMOS device. Embodiments may be applied to various types of substrates and semiconductor devices, such as planar transistors and finFETs.
US08338256B2	Multi-gate transistor having sidewall contacts A multi-gate transistor having a plurality of sidewall contacts and a fabrication method that includes forming a semiconductor fin on a semiconductor substrate and etching a trench within the semiconductor fin, depositing an oxide material within the etched trench, and etching the oxide material to form a dummy oxide layer along exposed walls within the etched trench; and forming a spacer dielectric layer along vertical sidewalls of the dummy oxide layer. The method further includes removing exposed dummy oxide layer in a channel region in the semiconductor fin and beneath the spacer dielectric layer, forming a high-k material liner along sidewalls of the channel region in the semiconductor fin, forming a metal gate stack within the etched trench, and forming a plurality of sidewall contacts within the semiconductor fin along adjacent sidewalls of the dummy oxide layer.
US08338254B2	Methods of manufacturing self aligned buried contact electrodes for vertical channel transistors A semiconductor device including vertical field effect transistors may comprise a buried insulating film stacked on a semiconductor substrate and spaced apart first and second active regions vertically penetrating the buried insulating film. The active regions and the buried insulating film are covered with an interlayer insulating film. An upper interconnection is disposed in the interlayer insulating film. A gate electrode extends from a part of the upper interconnection into the buried insulating film between the first and second active regions. A protective film pattern is disposed to cover a top surface of the upper interconnection. First and second buried contact electrodes penetrating the interlayer insulating film to be in contact with top surfaces of the first and second active regions are provided. Related manufacturing methods are also described.
US08338253B2	Forming a buried word line and connection pad for memory apparatus A method for fabricating a semiconductor memory apparatus is provided to minimize failure of the semiconductor memory apparatus and to secure a processing margin. The method also provides for minimizing the deterioration of an operating speed and the operational stability, and minimizing the increase of resistance occurring as a result of a reduced processing margin when forming a gate pattern in a peripheral region of the semiconductor memory apparatus. The method includes forming a connection pad in a peripheral region while forming a buried word line in a cell region, and forming a gate pattern in the peripheral region while forming a bit line in the cell region.
US08338252B2	Non-volatile semiconductor memory device and method of manufacturing the same A non-volatile semiconductor memory device is disclosed, which comprises a memory cell unit including at least one memory cell transistor formed on a semiconductor substrate and having a laminated structure of a charge accumulation layer and a control gate layer, and a selection gate transistor one of the source/drain diffusion layer regions of which is connected to a bit line or a source line and the other of the source/drain diffusion layer regions of which is connected to the memory cell unit. The shape of the source diffusion layer region of the selection gate transistor is asymmetrical to the shape of the drain diffusion layer region thereof below the selection gate transistor.
US08338251B2	Method of manufacture transistor with reduced charge carrier mobility One or more embodiments of the invention relate to a method comprising: treating a fin of a first n-channel access transistor in a static random access memory cell to have a lower charge carrier mobility than a fin of a first n-channel pull-down transistor in a first inverter in the memory cell, the first n-channel access transistor being coupled between a first bit line and a first node of the first inverter; and treating a fin of a second n-channel access transistor in the memory cell to have a lower charge carrier mobility than a fin of a second n-channel pull-down transistor in a second inverter in the memory cell, the second n-channel access transistor being coupled between a second bit line and a second node of the second inverter.
US08338247B2	Semiconductor device and method of manufacturing same To improve the performance of semiconductor devices. Over an n+-type semiconductor region for source/drain of an n-channel type MISFET and a first gate electrode, and over a p+-type semiconductor region for source/drain of a p-channel type MISFET and a second gate electrode, which are formed over a semiconductor substrate, a metal silicide layer including nickel platinum silicide is formed by a salicide process. After that, a tensile stress film is formed over the whole face of the semiconductor substrate, and then the tensile stress film over the p-channel type MISFET is removed by dry-etching, and, after a compression stress film is formed over the whole face of the semiconductor substrate, the compression stress film over the n-channel type MISFET is removed by dry-etching. The Pt concentration in the metal silicide layer is highest at the surface, and becomes lower as the depth from the surface increases.
US08338245B2	Integrated circuit system employing stress-engineered spacers An integrated circuit system that includes: providing a substrate including a first region with a first device and a second device and a second region with a resistance device; configuring the first device, the second device, and the resistance device to include a first spacer and a second spacer; forming a stress inducing layer over the first region and the second region; processing at least a portion of the stress inducing layer formed over the first region to alter the stress within the stress inducing layer; and forming a third spacer adjacent the second spacer of the first device and the second device from the stress inducing layer.
US08338239B2	High performance devices and high density devices on single chip A CMOS chip comprising a high performance device region and a high density device region includes a plurality of high performance devices comprising n-type field effect transistors (NFETs) and p-type field effect transistors (PFETs) in the high performance device region, wherein the high performance devices have a high performance pitch; and a plurality of high density devices comprising NFETs and PFETs in the high density device region, wherein the high density devices have a high density pitch, and wherein the high performance pitch is about 2 to 3 times the high density pitch; wherein the high performance device region comprises doped source and drain regions, NFET gate regions having an elevated stress induced using stress memorization technique (SMT), gate and source/drain silicide regions, and a dual stressed liner, and wherein the high density device region comprises doped source and drain regions, gate silicide regions, and a neutral stressed liner.
US08338237B2	Metal-induced crystallization of amorphous silicon in thin film transistors The invention provides a method for forming thin film transistors including a polycrystalline semiconducting film. The method comprises depositing a first layer of amorphous semiconducting thin film on to a substrate; depositing a second layer of thin film on to the first layer of amorphous semiconducting thin film; patterning the second layer of thin film so that the first layer of amorphous semiconducting thin film is exposed at selected locations; exposing the first and second layers of thin film to a nickel containing compound in either a solution or a vapor phase ; removing the second layer of thin film; and annealing the first layer of amorphous semiconducting thin film at an elevated temperature so the first layer of amorphous semiconducting thin film converts into a polycrystalline semiconducting thin film.
US08338230B2	System and method for multi-chip module die extraction and replacement A system and method are provided in which a first chip in a stacked multi-chip module configuration is affixed via one or more adhesion layers to a first portion of a partitioned interposer unit. Planar partitions of the interposer are physically bonded via multiple solder “bumps,” which possess high tensile strength but low resistance to horizontal shear force or torque. A second chip is affixed via one or more adhesion layers to the second portion of the partitioned interposer. The chips may thus be separated by horizontally and oppositely shearing or twisting the first and second portions of the partitioned interposer away from one another.
US08338228B2	Method of detaching a thin semiconductor circuit from its base In order to provide a method of detaching a thin semiconductor circuit (1) from its base (2), wherein the semiconductor circuit (1) is provided with terminals (3) for electrical contacting, in particular with gold contacts, by means of which method thin semiconductor circuits (1) can also be mounted without damage for example directly on a chip card, it is proposed that a layer of soldering tin (6) is applied to a support substrate (4), the support substrate (4) is soldered to the electrical terminals (3) and the base (2) of the semiconductor circuit (1) is removed.
US08338218B2	Photoelectric conversion device module and manufacturing method of the photoelectric conversion device module A manufacturing method of a photoelectric conversion device module, wherein an insulating layer and a first electrode are formed over a base substrate; a plurality of single-crystal semiconductor substrates having a first conductivity type including embrittlement layers formed inside are attached; the plurality of single-crystal semiconductor substrates are separated at the embrittlement layers so that a plurality of stacked bodies including the insulating layer, the first electrode and a first single-crystal semiconductor layer is formed; a second single-crystal semiconductor layer is formed over the stacked bodies to form a first photoelectric conversion layer; a second photoelectric conversion layer including a non-single-crystal semiconductor layer is formed; a second electrode is formed; and selective etching is conducted to form photoelectric conversion cells which are element-separated, and a connecting electrode is formed to connect the second electrode of one photoelectric conversion cell and the first electrode of the other photoelectric conversion cell.
US08338217B2	Method of fabricating a solar cell A method of fabricating a solar cell is provided. A first type semiconductor substrate having a first surface and a second surface is provided. A second type doped diffusion region is formed in parts of the first type semiconductor substrate. The second type doped diffusion region extends within the first type semiconductor substrate from the first surface. An anti-reflection coating (ARC) in contact with second type doped diffusion region is formed over the first surface. A conductive paste including conductive particles and dopant is formed over the ARC. A co-firing process for enabling the conductive paste to penetrate the ARC to form a first contact conductor embedded in the ARC is performed. During the co-firing process, the dopant diffuses into the second type doped diffusion region and a second type heavily doped diffusion region is formed. A second contact conductor is formed on the second surface.
US08338207B2	Bulk silicon moving member with dimple A method for forming a semiconductor device includes forming a substrate, forming a moveable member of bulk silicon and forming a first dimple structure on a first surface of the moveable member, where the first surface faces the substrate.
US08338206B2	Gas sensitive materials for gas detection and method of making A gas sensitive material comprising SnO2 nanocrystals doped with In2O3 and an oxide of a platinum group metal, and a method of making the same. The platinum group metal is preferably Pd, but also may include Pt, Ru, Ir, and combinations thereof. The SnO2 nanocrystals have a specific surface of 7 or greater, preferably about 20 m2/g, and a mean particle size of between about 10 nm and about 100 nm, preferably about 40 nm. A gas detection device made from the gas sensitive material deposited on a substrate, the gas sensitive material configured as a part of a current measuring circuit in communication with a heat source.
US08338201B2	Method of manufacturing organic lighting device A method of manufacturing an organic lighting device, having a form factor substantially equal to or less than 900 square centimeters, without involving a cutting process is provided. The method includes providing one or more first substrates with a size substantially equal to the form factor. Thereafter, the method includes a high throughput first processing of the one or more first substrates and active layer deposition processing on the one or more first substrates. Further, one or more second substrates having a size substantially equal or less than the form factor are provided. Thereafter, a high throughput second processing is performed on the one or more second substrates. Finally, the method includes encapsulating at least one of the one or more first substrates with at least one of the one or more second substrates to form the organic lighting device having the form factor.
US08338200B2	Frontside-illuminated inverted quantum well infrared photodetector devices and methods of fabricating the same A method of fabricating a frontside-illuminated inverted quantum well infrared photodetector may include providing a quantum well wafer having a bulk substrate layer and a quantum material layer, wherein the quantum material layer includes a plurality of alternating quantum well layers and barrier layers epitaxially grown on the bulk substrate layer. The method further includes applying at least one frontside common electrical contact to a frontside of the quantum well wafer, bonding a transparent substrate to the frontside of the quantum well wafer, thinning the bulk substrate layer of the quantum well wafer, and etching the quantum material layer to form quantum well facets that define at least one pyramidal quantum well stack. A backside electrical contact may be applied to the pyramidal quantum well stack. In one embodiment, a plurality of quantum well stacks is bonded to a read-out integrated circuit of a focal plane array.
US08338198B2	Method of peeling thin film device and method of manufacturing semiconductor device using peeled thin film device There is provided a peeling method capable of preventing a damage to a layer to be peeled. Thus, not only a layer to be peeled having a small area but also a layer to be peeled having a large area can be peeled over the entire surface at a high yield. Processing for partially reducing contact property between a first material layer (11) and a second material layer (12) (laser light irradiation, pressure application, or the like) is performed before peeling, and then peeling is conducted by physical means. Therefore, sufficient separation can be easily conducted in an inner portion of the second material layer (12) or an interface thereof.
US08338196B2	Light-emitting element and light emitting device using the same The present invention provides a light-emitting element having less increase in driving voltage with the accumulation of light-emission time, and provides a light-emitting element having less increase in resistance value with the increase in film thickness. A light-emitting element includes a first layer, a second layer and a third layer between a first electrode and a second electrode. The first layer is provided to be closer to the first electrode than the second layer, and the third layer is provided to be closer to the second electrode than the second layer. The first layer is a layer including an aromatic amine compound and a substance showing an electron accepting property to the aromatic amine compound. The second layer includes a substance of which an electron transporting property is stronger than a hole transporting property, and a substance showing an electron donating property to the aforementioned substance.
US08338193B2	Semiconductor device A semiconductor device includes a substrate, an insulator layer on the substrate, an inductor on the insulator layer, and a film including a ferromagnetic particle on the inductor.
US08338191B2	Centrifugal device and method for performing binding assays The invention relates to a device for performing binding assays. In particular, the invention relates to a centrifugal device for performing such assays. The invention also relates to a method of performing binding assays involving antigen-antibody binding, nucleic acid hybridization, or receptor-ligand interaction.
US08338190B2	Type IV secretion system proteins in sero-detection of Anaplasma phagocytophilum Disclosed are two (2) proteins in the Type IV Secretion System (TIVSS) in Anaplasma phagocytophilum (namely, virB10 and virB11) useful in the ELISA detection of Anaplasma pathogen. The recombinant expression of virB10 and virB11 and their use as kits for ELISA are also disclosed.
US08338187B2	Methods and systems for controlling liquids in multiplex assays Methods and systems for venting a well that receives a liquid. The method includes providing a microplate including a well that has a cavity with an open inlet and a closed end. The cavity extends between the open inlet and the closed end. The cavity is defined by a wall surface having a cross-sectional contour that includes at least one continuous section and at least one discontinuity section. The method also includes depositing a liquid into the open inlet of the well. The liquid enters the cavity and flows toward the closed end to at least partially fill the well. The liquid flows along the continuous section of the wall surface and remains separated from the discontinuity section of the wall surface, thereby maintaining a gas exhaust path along a spacing between the liquid and the discontinuity section as the liquid flows toward the closed end.
US08338182B2	Methods and systems for fluid examination and remediation A system for in situ monitoring within a specified environment includes a housing with an intake inserted into the environment. A plurality of pumps are included in the housing with a number of test beds, each being separately coupled to one of the number of pumps, where each of the number of test beds holds material and where each of the plurality of pumps operate to separately push fluid through a coupled test bed. An effluent storage device is disposed to receive effluent from the number of test beds.
US08338180B2	Methods for treating lentivirus infections The present invention provides methods of identifying an agent that inhibits an activity of a lentiviral Vif protein. The present invention provides methods of identifying an agent that increases the level of active APOBEC3G in a cell. The present invention provides agents identified by a subject screening method; and further provides methods for treating lentivirus infections.
US08338178B2	Mitochondrial enhancement of cells Certain embodiments disclosed herein include, but are not limited to, at least one of compositions, methods, devices, systems, kits, or products regarding rejuvenation or preservation of stem cells. Certain embodiments disclosed herein include, but are not limited to, methods of modifying stem cells, or methods of administering modified stem cells to at least one biological tissue.
US08338175B2	Conjunctival tissue system The present disclosure describes a tissue system with conjunctival cells, including conjunctival stem cells. The conjunctival tissue system is derived from isolated tissue comprising conjunctival cells, and is suitable for restoring ocular surface impairments, particularly those that result from damaged or diseased conjunctiva. The tissue system is generated using a simple single medium culture scheme, and a support material, such as human amniotic membrane. The conjunctival tissue system generate is suitable for transplantation to treat the ocular surface of an eye of a subject that is damaged or diseased.
US08338172B2	Methods for obtaining immortalized antibody secreting cells The present Invention provides novel methods for immortalizing cells that secrete antibodies of one or more specific isotypes. Polyclonal, oligoclonal, and monoclonal populations of cells obtained using the methods of the Invention can be screened on the basis of the functional and/or binding activities of the antibodies they secrete, for example directed to antigens of human or viral origin having medical interest, in cell culture conditions. Using these methods, human B cells that secrete antibodies binding human Cytomegalovirus, Herpes Simplex Virus, or HSP60 protein have been efficiently immortalized with Epstein-Barr virus.
US08338169B2	Cell/ligand marking system, wherein the marker is of Eph type, cell material comprising said system, method for preparing same and proangiogenetic use A cell/ligand specific marking system, the system being characterized in that it comprises: (a) an endothelial precursor cell (EPC) including a cell marker selected from among the group consisting of the Eph (in particular EphB4 or EphB1), and (b) a protein material of structure L-K, which consists of a ligand (L) specific of the marker and is associated or fused with a binding protein (K), the system being capable of providing a proangiogenetic cell material of structure EPC-Eph-L-K. The invention also concerns the cell material as product capable of stimulating angiogenesis, its preparation method and its therapeutic use, in particular with respect to vascular insufficiencies.
US08338163B2	Culture medium for Bifidobacterium longum, composition comprising the same and preparation method The present invention provides a triple vital bacteria composition, including: powder of Bifidobacterium longum, powder of Lactobacillus acidophilus, and powder of Streptococcus faecalis. The present invention further provides a method for preparing the above triple vital bacteria composition, as well as the protection agents, fermenting culture medium and seed culture medium used therein.
US08338161B2	Lactic acid bacteria The present invention relates to bacteria of a genus Lactococcus having bacteriological properties of: (1) fermentability which curdles a 10% (W/W) reconstituted skim milk medium when cultivated at a temperature of 25° C. to 37° C. for 16 hours; (2) Bifidobacterium longum growth-promoting properties which lead to a viable count of Bifidobacterium longum of 5×108 CFU/g or more, when co-cultivated with Bifidobacterium longum in the 10% (W/W) reconstituted skim milk medium, until the pH thereof is 4.4 to 4.6; and (3) Bifidobacterium longum survivability-improving properties during storage, which lead to a survival rate of Bifidobacterium longum of 30% or more, after co-cultivation with Bifidobacterium longum in the 10% (W/W) reconstituted skim milk medium until the pH thereof is 4.4 to 4.6, rapid cooling, and two weeks storage at 10° C.
US08338158B2	Cis-aconitate decarboxylase mutants having improved enzymatic activity Cis-aconitate decarboxylase mutants having one or more mutations in a C-terminal region as compared with a wild-type cis-aconitate decarboxylase of Aspergillus terreus.
US08338156B2	Polypeptides having cellobiohydrolase I activity and polynucleotides encoding same The present invention relates to polypeptides having cellobiohydrolase I activity and polynucleotides having a nucleotide sequence which encodes for the polypeptides. The invention also relates to nucleic acid constructs, vectors, and host cells comprising the nucleic acid constructs as well as methods for producing and using the polypeptides.
US08338152B2	Delta-8 desaturases and their use in making polyunsaturated fatty acids Isolated nucleic acid fragments and recombinant constructs comprising such fragments encoding delta-8 desaturases along with a method of making long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and using these delta-8 desaturases in plants.
US08338150B2	Method for combined parallel agent delivery and electroporation for cell structures an use thereof Disclosed is a method for parallel delivery of agents to and/or into a cell structure, wherein at least two electrolyte-filled tubes are provided together with a counter electrode, the tubes being connected to a voltage or current generator, said agents being introduced into the electrolyte solution contained in the tubes, which are placed close to the cell structure, whereupon the agents are transported through the tubes to said cell structure and into the said structure through pores which have been formed by application of an electric field focused on the cell structure, resulting in electroporation of the cell structure. Also different applications of the method is disclosed, e.g. use of the method in order to transfer cell-impermeant solutes, such as drugs or genes, into the cell structure or out of the cell structure.
US08338148B2	Method of producing 1,3-propanediol using recombinant Klebsiella strain in which glycerol oxidative pathway has been blocked Provided is a method of producing 1,3-propanediol by culturing a recombinant strain in which the glycerol oxidative pathway had been blocked, and more particularly a method of producing 1,3-propanediol by two-step culture of a recombinant strain in which the oxidative pathway that produces byproducts in the glycerol metabolic pathway had been blocked. When the recombinant strain in which the glycerol oxidative pathway that produces byproducts had been blocked is cultured in two steps, 1,3-propanediol can be produced with improved yield without producing products that result in an increase in purification costs.
US08338147B2	Process for producing D-mannitol High concentration of free cells of heterofermentative lactic acid bacteria (LAB) in a resting or slowly growing state are used to convert fructose into mannitol. Efficient volumetric mannitol productivities and mannitol yields from fructose are achieved in a process applying cell-recycle, continuous stirred tank reactor and/or circulation techniques with native LAB cells or with LAB cells with inactivated fructokinase gene(s). Mannitol is recovered in high yield and purity with the aid of evaporation and cooling crystallization.
US08338146B2	Method for producing optically active alcohols using an Azoarcus sp. EbN1 dehydrogenase A process for preparing optically active alcohols of the formula Ia or Ib in which R1,R2 are alkyl, alkenyl, aryl, or alkylaryl groups which may in turn be substituted one or more times by alkyl, halogen, SH, SR2, OH, OR2, NO2, CN, CO, COOR2, NR2R3 or NR2R3R4+X, where R2, R3 and R4 are independently of one another H or a lower alkyl or lower alkoxy radical, and X−is a counter ion, with the proviso that R1 is not equal to R2, by reducing the corresponding ketone, where the reduction is carried out with a dehydrogenase having the polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2 or NO: 4, or with a polypeptide sequence in which up to 25% of the amino acid residues are altered by comparison with SEQ ID NO: 2 or NO: 4 by deletion, insertion, substitution or a combination thereof.
US08338145B2	Methods of manufacturing derivatives of β-hydroxycarboxylic acids Preparation of derivatives of β-hydroxycarboxylic acid, including β-hydroxycarboxylic acid esters, α,β-unsaturated carboxylic acid, esters of α,β-unsaturated carboxylic acid, and alkoxy derivatives.
US08338139B2	Method for production of fermentable sugars from biomass A process for production of fermentable sugars from biomass using multi-enzyme multi-step system is provided herein. The process disclosed in the present invention provides high yielded sugars in less time period. The multi-enzyme system disclosed in the present invention converts celluloses, hemicelluloses and/or mixture thereof to fermentable sugar with higher efficiency and better economics than the process known in the prior art. Cellulose and hemicelluloses fractions derived from natural sources such as any lignocellulosic biomass are saccharified in a shortened time with higher conversion rates of intermediates with modified enzymatic compositions/groups of the Multi-enzyme system to enhance the rate thus providing an economical cellulose and hemicellulose saccharification process.
US08338134B2	Expression of polypeptides from the nuclear genome of Ostreococcus sp A method of producing at least one polypeptide from the nuclear genome of Ostreo-coccus sp., the method including introducing at least one recombinant nucleic acid molecule into the nuclear genome of Ostreococcus sp., wherein the recombinant nucleic acid molecule included a first polynucleotide operatively linked to a second polynucleotide, wherein the second polynucleotide encodes at least one polypeptide and wherein the first polynucleotide comprises a promoter sequence allowing expression of the at least one polypeptide in Ostreoccus sp.
US08338131B2	Amylases and methods for use in starch processing In one aspect, the invention is directed to polypeptides having an amylase activity, polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides, and methods for making and using these polynucleotides and polypeptides. In one aspect, the polypeptides of the invention can be used as amylases, for example, alpha amylases, to catalyze the hydrolysis of starch into sugars.
US08338123B2	Food production process Process for the production of a food product involving at least one heating step, comprising adding one or more enzymes to an intermediate form of said food product in said production process whereby the enzyme is added prior to said heating step in an amount that is effective in reducing the level of amino acids that are present in said intermediate form of said food product which amino acids are involved in the formation of acrylamide during said heating step. The invention also relates to food products obtained from the process of the invention.
US08338119B2	Chondroitinase ABC I and methods of degrading therewith The invention relates to chondroitinase ABC I and uses thereof. In particular, the invention relates to recombinant and modified chondroitinase ABC I, their production and their uses. The chondroitinase ABC I enzymes of the invention are useful for a variety of purposes, including degrading and analyzing polysaccharides such as glycosaminoglycans (GAGs). These GAGs can include chondroitin sulfate, dermatan sulfate, unsulfated chondroitin and hyaluronan. The chondroitinase ABC I enzymes can also be used in therapeutic methods such as promoting nerve regeneration, promoting stroke recovery, treating spinal cord injury, treating epithelial disease, treating infections and treating cancer.
US08338117B2	Compositions and methods for diagnosing patients with acute atherosclerotic syndrome The present invention is in the field of autoimmunity. More specifically, the present invention relates to the detection of autoantibodies to domain 4 of beta 2-glycoprotein I (β2-GPI) as an indicator for atherosclerosis.
US08338116B2	Label free biosensors and cells Disclosed are compositions and methods for using label free optical biosensors for performing cell assays. In certain embodiments the assays can be performed in highthough put methods and can be multiplexed.
US08338110B2	Risk markers for cardiovascular disease Provided herein methods for determining whether a subject, particularly a human subject, is at risk of developing, having, or experiencing a complication of cardiovascular disease, and methods of treating subjects who are identified by the current methods of being at risk for cardiovascular disease. In one embodiment, the method comprises determining levels of one or more oxidized apolipoprotein A-I related biomolecules in a bodily sample from the subject. Also, provided are kits and reagents for use in the present methods. Also provided are methods for monitoring the status of cardiovascular disease in a subject or the effects of therapeutic agents on subjects with cardiovascular disease. Such method comprising determining levels of one or more oxidized apolipoprotein A-I related molecules in bodily samples taken from the subject over time or before and after therapy.
US08338102B2	Method of diagnosing poor survival prognosis colon cancer using miR-181b The present invention provides novel methods and compositions for the diagnosis and treatment of colon cancers. In particular, the present invention provides diagnostics and prognostics for colon (including colon adenocarcinoma) cancer patients, wherein the methods related to measuring miR levels can predict poor survival. The invention also provides methods of identifying inhibitors of tumorigenesis.
US08338099B2	Reference genes for the normalization of gene expression analysis data The present invention relates to reference genes, primers, and probes for the normalization of gene expression analysis data from blood samples of a patient. The invention further relates to a method for the normalization of gene expression analysis data with the aid of reference genes, primers, or probes.
US08338095B2	Compositions and assays to detect influenza virus A and B nucleic acids Methods for detecting influenza virus A and influenza virus B nucleic acids in biological samples by using in vitro amplification and detection are disclosed. Compositions that are target-specific nucleic acid sequences and kits comprising target-specific nucleic acid oligomers for amplifying in vitro influenza virus A or influenza virus B nucleic acid and detecting amplified nucleic acid sequences are disclosed.
US08338094B2	Reduced inhibition of one-step RT-PCR The present invention provides a method for amplifying a nucleic acid molecule. The method involves mixing an RNA template with a composition having a reverse transcriptase, a DNA polymerase and a RT inhibition reducer. The RT inhibition reducer can be Sso7d, Sac7d, Sac7e, Sso7e, AluI methylase, suramin, a phosphorothioate oligodeoxycytosine, a phosphorothioate oligodeoxyadenine, a phosphorothioate oligodeoxythymine or poly(rA)(dT). The mixing forms a mixture that is incubated under conditions sufficient to synthesize a DNA molecule complementary to all or a portion of the RNA template, thereby amplifying the nucleic acid molecule.
US08338092B2	Method and apparatus for spore disruption and/or detection A method and apparatus for spore disruption and/or detection is provided. The method involves irradiating a sample with laser light, conveniently ultraviolet radiation, to disrupt any spores present and collecting any disrupted material for analysis. The disruption can involve breaking the spore open to release intrasporal DNA which is useful for fast screening and detection equipment. The disrupted material may be collected in a collection chamber which can be flushed with an extraction fluid to collect the disrupted material. The sample is preferably concentrated in a nanovial prior to being irradiated to give sample enrichment.
US08338086B2	Method of slimming radiation-sensitive material lines in lithographic applications A method and system for patterning a substrate using a radiation-sensitive material is described. The method and system include forming a layer of radiation-sensitive material on a substrate, exposing the layer of radiation-sensitive material to a pattern of radiation, and then performing a post-exposure bake following the exposing. The imaged layer of radiation-sensitive material is then positive-tone developed to remove a region having high radiation exposure to form radiation-sensitive material lines. An exposure gradient within the radiation-sensitive material lines is then removed, followed by slimming the radiation-sensitive material lines.
US08338085B2	Method to align mask patterns Alignment tolerances between narrow mask lines and wider mask lines in an integrated circuit are increased. The narrow mask lines are formed by pitch multiplication and the wider mask lines are formed by photolithography. The wider mask lines are aligned so that one side of those lines is flush with or inset from a corresponding side of the narrow lines. Being wider, the opposite sides of the wider mask lines protrude beyond the corresponding opposite sides of the narrow mask lines. The wider mask lines are formed in negative photoresist having a height less than the height of the narrow mask lines. The narrow mask lines can prevent expansion of the mask lines in one direction, thus increasing alignment tolerances in that direction. In the other direction, a shadowing effect causes the wider mask lines to be formed with a rounded corner, thus increasing alignment tolerances in that direction.
US08338078B2	Photoresist undercoat-forming material and patterning process A material comprising a novolac resin having a C6-C30 aromatic hydrocarbon group substituted with a sulfo group or an amine salt thereof is useful in forming a photoresist undercoat. The undercoat-forming material has an extinction coefficient sufficient to provide an antireflective effect at a thickness of at least 200 nm, and a high etching resistance as demonstrated by slow etching rates with CF4/CHF3 gas for substrate processing.
US08338075B2	Positive resist composition and method of forming resist pattern A positive resist composition including: a base component (A) which exhibits increased solubility in an alkali developing solution under the action of acid; and an acid-generator component (B) which generates acid upon exposure; dissolved in an organic solvent (S), the organic solvent (S) including an alcohol-based organic solvent having a boiling point of at least 150° C.; and a method of forming a resist pattern including: applying the positive resist composition on a substrate on which a first resist pattern is formed to form a second resist film; and subjecting the second resist film to selective exposure and alkali developing to form a resist pattern.
US08338074B2	Actinic radiation-curable stereolithographic resin composition having improved stability It is intended to provide the following resin composition for stereolithography which is superior in storage stability and aging stability during operation, shows no increase in viscosity upon prolonged storage, has a high light-curing sensitivity and, therefore, makes it possible to produce, upon photo irradiation, an object by stereolithography, which is superior in dimensional accuracy, fabricating accuracy, water resistance, moisture resistance and mechanical properties at a high fabricating speed and a high productivity. A resin composition for stereolithography which is an actinic radiation-curable resin composition containing a cationic-polymerizable organic compound, a radical-polymerizable organic compound, a photo cationic polymerization initiator and a photo radical polymerization initiator, in which the photo cationic polymerization initiator contains a compound represented by the following formula (I) and having a purity of 80% or higher: wherein M represents an antimony atom or a phosphorus atom; and the broken line between S+ and MF6− represents an ionic bond.
US08338068B2	Black toner particles and printing methods A black toner particle for use in a printing toner, the particle comprising: a polymer: carbon black; and a plurality of different colored pigments; wherein the carbon black and pigments are dispersed in the polymer.
US08338061B2	Fluorine-passivated reticles for use in lithography and methods for fabricating the same Fluorine-passivated reticles for use in lithography and methods for fabricating and using such reticles are provided. According to one embodiment, a method for performing photolithography comprises placing a fluorine-passivated reticle between an illumination source and a target semiconductor wafer and causing electromagnetic radiation to pass from the illumination source through the fluorine-passivated reticle to the target semiconductor wafer. In another embodiment, a fluorine-passivated reticle comprises a substrate and a patterned fluorine-passivated absorber material layer overlying the substrate. According to another embodiment, a method for fabricating a reticle for use in photolithography comprises providing a substrate and forming a fluorine-passivated absorber material layer overlying the substrate.
US08338052B2	Method for manufacturing a membrane-electrode assembly, with folding process A method for manufacturing a composite electrolyte membrane including: a first folding process of folding a laminate (10A) obtained by laminating and integrating an electrolyte sheet (11) having an electrolyte as an electrolyte layer and a reinforcing sheet (12) having a porous polymer material as a reinforcing layer, so that a part of a surface of the laminate (10A) lies on another part of the surface; an impregnation process of impregnating the electrolyte of the folded laminate (10B) into the reinforcing layer; and a hydrolysis process of hydrolyzing the electrolyte impregnated in the laminate (10C).
US08338051B2	Electrode catalyst for fuel cell, method for producing the same, and fuel cell using the electrode catalyst This invention relates to an electrode catalyst for a fuel cell comprising catalyst metal particles of noble metal-base metal-Ce (cerium) ternary alloy carried on carbon materials, wherein the noble metal is at least one member selected from among Pt, Ru, Rh, Pd, Ag and Au, the base metal is at least one member selected from among Ir, Co, Fe, Ni and Mn, and the relative proportion (i.e., the molar proportion) of noble metal:base metal:Ce (cerium) is 20 to 95:5 to 60:0.1 to 3. The electrode catalyst for a fuel cell inhibits deterioration of an electrolyte membrane or an electrolyte in an electrode catalyst layer, improves durability, and, in particular, improves the capacity for power generation in the high current density region.
US08338041B2	Reformer and indirect internal reforming high temperature fuel cell To provide a reformer that uses a relatively inexpensive granular catalyst and can provide a more uniform temperature distribution in a catalyst bed while suppressing increase in the size of the reformer and the required power and size of an auxiliary machine, and a more compact indirect internal reforming high temperature fuel cell while suppressing increase in cost. A reformer that produces a hydrogen-containing gas from a hydrocarbon-based fuel by a steam reforming reaction has a reactor vessel and a reforming catalyst bed packed with a granular catalyst having steam reforming activity in the reactor vessel, the reformer has a partition plate that divides the reforming catalyst bed into at least two sections, the partition plate has a thermal conductivity higher than effective thermal conductivity of the catalyst bed, and the partition plate extends in the reactor vessel from a part which is at a higher temperature in a rated operation to a part which is at a lower temperature in rated operation. An indirect internal reforming high temperature fuel cell has the reformer and a high temperature fuel cell that generates electric power using a hydrogen-containing gas, and the reformer is disposed at a position where the reformer receives thermal radiation from the high temperature fuel cell.
US08338040B2	Fuel cell system and method of operating fuel cell system A fuel cell system in which excess water vapor or nitrogen gas is prevented from remaining inside the fuel cell in intermittent operation. The fuel cell system includes an estimation unit that estimates a water vapor amount and a nitrogen gas amount at a plurality of predetermined positions inside the electrolyte membrane and the reaction gas flow channel of at least one unit cell of the fuel cell stack; and an operation control unit that compares, during an operation stop of intermittent operation, the water vapor amount and/or the nitrogen gas amount at each of the predetermined positions with a threshold for each of the predetermined positions, and supplies a gas to the reaction gas flow channel and discharges water vapor and nitrogen gas from inside the fuel cell when the water vapor amount and/or the nitrogen gas amount exceeds the threshold at at least one of the positions.
US08338039B2	Fuel cell A fuel cell is provided. The fuel cell includes at least one of a plant essential oil and a plant essential oil ingredient in an effective amount so as to function as a biological repellent.
US08338038B2	Electrochemical cell comprising ionically conductive membrane and porous multiphase electrode An electrochemical cell in accordance with one embodiment of the invention includes a first electrode containing a first phase intermixed with a second phase and a network of interconnected pores. The first phase contains a ceramic material and the second phase contains an electrically conductive material providing an electrically contiguous path through the first electrode. The electrochemical cell further includes a second electrode containing an alkali metal. A substantially non-porous alkali-metal-ion-selective ceramic membrane, such as a dense Nasicon, Lisicon, Li β″-alumina, or Na β″-alumina membrane, is interposed between the first and second electrodes.
US08338037B2	Positive electrode for a lithium battery A method for producing a lithium alkali transition metal oxide for use as a positive electrode material for lithium secondary batteries by a precipitation method. The positive electrode material is a lithium alkali transition metal composite oxide and is prepared by mixing a solid state mixed with alkali and transition metal carbonate and a lithium source. The mixture is thermally treated to obtain a small amount of alkali metal residual in the lithium transition metal composite oxide cathode material.
US08338035B2	Separator for fuel cell The present invention preferably provides a separator for a fuel cell, in which a strength reinforcing means is integrally formed in a region, which is not supported by a gasket, over the region from manifolds, through which reactant gases and coolant are supplied, to a reaction flow field, in which a reaction takes place, thus suitably preventing local deformation of the separator.
US08338034B2	Electrode protection in both aqueous and non-aqueous electrochemical cells, including rechargeable lithium batteries Electrode protection in electrochemical cells, and more specifically, electrode protection in both aqueous and non-aqueous electrochemical cells, including rechargeable lithium batteries, are presented. In one embodiment, an electrochemical cell includes an anode comprising lithium and a multi-layered structure positioned between the anode and an electrolyte of the cell. A multi-layered structure can include at least a first single-ion conductive material layer (e.g., a lithiated metal layer), and at least a first polymeric layer positioned between the anode and the single-ion conductive material. The invention also can provide an electrode stabilization layer positioned within the electrode, i.e., between one portion and another portion of an electrode, to control depletion and re-plating of electrode material upon charge and discharge of a battery. Advantageously, electrochemical cells comprising combinations of structures described herein are not only compatible with environments that are typically unsuitable for lithium, but the cells may be also capable of displaying long cycle life, high lithium cycling efficiency, and high energy density.
US08338033B2	Nonaqueous lithium secondary battery A nonaqueous lithium secondary battery includes a positive electrode and a negative electrode capable of intercalating and releasing lithium ions and a separator. The negative electrode includes a collector and a negative electrode mixture layer formed on the collector. The negative electrode mixture layer includes at least a negative electrode active material and a binder. Nonconductive particles are buried in a top layer of the negative electrode mixture layer. The nonconductive particles and the negative electrode active material exist as a mixture in the top layer with a depth ranging from 1 to 20 μm. A volume ratio of nonconductive particles having a diameter equal to or less than 20 μm to a total volume of all the nonconductive particles and the negative electrode active material existing in the top layer of the negative electrode mixture layer ranges from 20 to 80%.
US08338030B2	Non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery A non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery with excellent discharge cycle characteristics and a charging termination potential ranging from 4.4 to 4.6 V based on lithium, consisting of a positive electrode comprising a positive electrode active material, a negative electrode, and a non-aqueous electrolyte containing a non-aqueous solvent and an electrolyte salt, in which the positive electrode active material comprises a mixture of a lithium-cobalt composite oxide containing at least both zirconium and magnesium in LiCoO2, and a lithium-manganese-nickel composite oxide having a layered structure and containing at least both manganese and nickel, and the potential of the positive electrode active material ranges from 4.4 to 4.6 V based on lithium, and the non-aqueous electrolyte contains at least one of aromatic compounds selected from the group consisting at least of toluene derivatives, anisole derivatives, biphenyl, cyclohexyl benzene, tert-butyl benzene, tert-amyl benzene, and diphenyl ether.
US08338029B2	Negative electrode active material for nonaqueous electrolyte battery, nonaqueous electrolyte battery, battery pack, and vehicle A negative electrode active material contains a metal-displaced lithium-titanium oxide of a ramsdellite structure expressed by the formula Li(16/7)−xTi(24/7)−yMyO8 (where M is at least one metal element selected from the group consisting of Nb, Ta, Mo, and W, and x and y are respectively numbers in the range of 0
US08338026B2	Positive electrode active material, and positive electrode and lithium secondary battery including the same Provided is a positive electrode active material. The positive electrode active material includes: a small-diameter active material having an average particle diameter of about 0.5 μm and a maximum particle diameter of less than about 1 μm; and a large-diameter active material having an average particle diameter of about 5 μm to about 20 μm and a maximum particle diameter of less than about 100 μm.
US08338017B2	Microporous membrane and manufacturing method A microporous membrane comprising (a) from 40 to 60% of a first polyethylene resin having a weight average molecular weight of from 3×105 to 3.5×105 and a molecular weight distribution of from 5 to 50, (b) from 20 to 40% of a first polypropylene having a weight average molecular weight of from 0.9×106 to 1.1×106, a molecular weight distribution of from 1 to 50, and a heat of fusion of from to 120 J/g, (c) from 10 to 25% of a second polypropylene having a weight average molecular weight of from 5.7 to 105 to 6.6×105, a molecular weight distribution of from 5 to 50, and a heat of fusion of from 80 to 120 J/g, and (d) from 0 to 10% of a second polyethylene resin having a weight average molecular weight of from 1×106 to 3×106 and a molecular weight distribution of from 5 to 50, percentages based on the mass of the membrane.
US08338014B2	Battery cover latch mechanism and portable electronic device using same A battery cover latch mechanism used to releasably latching a battery cover to a housing, the battery cover latch mechanism includes a button comprising latching part, an assembly portion disposed on the housing, the assembly portion defining a latching groove and a buttonhole for receiving the button therein, a clasp disposed on the battery cover, and configured for releasably latching with the latching part of the button; and a resilient member mounted on the button, the resilient member comprising two latching portions, the latching portions latched in the latching groove. The button is slidably mounted in the buttonhole of the assembly portion such that the latching part of the button releasably latches with the clasp under the resilient member. Also disclosed is a portable electronic device using the latching mechanism.
US08338008B2	Electrolyte compositions An electrolyte for a flow cell battery is provided. The electrolyte includes a concentration of chromium ions that is greater than the concentration of iron ions.
US08338003B2	Optical material and optical element An optical element comprising a vacuum-sintered body comprising a plurality of particles each having a two-layer structure comprising a ceramic particle and a coating layer, wherein the ceramic particle comprises LnxAlyO[x+y]×1.5, where Ln represents a rare-earth element, x represents 1≦x≦10, and y represents 1≦y≦5, and has an average particle diameter of 1 μm or more and 10 μm or less, and wherein the coating layer comprises a ceramic having a lower sintering temperature than a sintering temperature of the ceramic particle.
US08338000B2	Organic light emitting device Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a heterocyclic compound and an organic light-emitting device including the heterocyclic compound. The organic light-emitting devices using the heterocyclic compounds have high-efficiency, low driving voltage, high luminance and long lifespan.
US08337998B2	Steel material for dissimilar metal joining, joined body of dissimilar metals and process for joining dissimilar metal materials A joined body of dissimilar metals which is produced by joining a steel material and an aluminum alloy material, wherein the steel material to be joined has a specific composition and is specified in the compositions of outer surface oxide layer and inner oxide layer and the aluminum alloy material to be joined is an Al—Mg-base or Al—Zn—Mg-base aluminum alloy having a specific composition. In the joined body of dissimilar metals, a content of Fe at a joint interface on the aluminum alloy material side is regulated, and a reaction layer of Fe and Al is formed at the joint interface of the joined body of dissimilar metals. The joined body of dissimilar metals exhibits high joint strength.
US08337995B2	Low penetration low formaldehyde alkyd composition Soak-in and strike through on the exposed end grain portions of low density or porous wood substrates including alder, birch, pine, poplar, and soft maple are reduced by applying to the end grain a solvent-borne coating composition containing an (i) alkyd resin having a hydroxyl number less than about 150, (ii) acid catalyst and (iii) cross linker. The resin desirably has a number average molecular weight greater than about 2000, and may have a Gardner coloration less than about 3 or may be a short oil alkyd based on coconut oil. By using a reduced hydroxyl number alkyd resin, a reduced cross linker amount may be employed, thereby reducing formaldehyde evolution in compositions made with methylated amino resin cross linkers such as methylated melamine resins.
US08337994B2	Trailer flooring with hotmelt coating A method for providing improved moisture protection to a wood board flooring comprising a plurality of solid wood components which together form the wood board, such that the wood board has a first surface and a second surface, the method comprising: applying a coating to at least one of the first and second surfaces of the wood board, the coating being substantially free of water and solvents.
US08337992B2	Multi-layer composite body A multi-layer composite body having at least a single-layer carrier layer and a PMMA layer which is carried thereby and which as its main component has standard PMMA, impact-resistant modified PMMA or mixtures thereof, wherein at least a single-layer lacquer layer is printed on the PMMA layer, and wherein the lacquer layer is printed on the surface of the PMMA layer which is remote from the carrier layer.
US08337990B2	Fluoropolymer containing laminates The multilayer film serves as a laminate. The film is a multilayered structure that, in its base form, encompasses an intermediate layer with first and second outer layer affixed to opposing sides of the intermediate layer. The first outer layer is a semi-crystalline fluoropolymer. The intermediate layer includes a polyester and the second outer layer is an olefinic polymer. The layers are bonded together in the noted order to provide the multilayer film.
US08337984B2	Carrier film for fuel cell production process and its production method To provide a carrier film for a fuel cell production process which is excellent in a recycling property and sufficient handling property in the fuel cell production process. A carrier film for a fuel cell production process, which is made of a fluororesin and has a tensile elastic modulus of at least 1,500 MPa in the machine direction, as measured in accordance with ASTM D882, and a tensile modulus of at least 100 MPa in the machine direction at 150° C., and which preferably has a thickness of from 10 to 300 μm.
US08337983B2	Heat-curable silicone rubber composition for rubber laminate A heat-curable silicone rubber composition for a rubber laminate composed of a silicone-rubber layer and a rubber layer of a material other than silicone, the composition comprising: an alkenyl-containing diorganopolysiloxane (A) which comprises: 50 to 99 mass % of a diorganopolysiloxane (A1) that contains alkenyl groups, is capped at molecular terminals with alkenyl-containing organosilyl groups, and is free of alkenyl groups in side molecular chains; 1 to 50 mass % of an alkenyl-containing diorganopolysiloxane (A2) having two or more alkenyl groups in a side molecular chain; a fine silica powder (B); an organohydrogenpolysiloxane (C) having in one molecule at least two silicon-bonded hydrogen atoms; and an organic peroxide (D).
US08337978B2	Recording material containing nonionic surfactants A recording material, containing nonionic surfactants, including: a supporting substrate, a first bottom base coat applied to at least one surface of said substrate, and a second topcoat layer applied over said bottom base coat. The supporting substrate or the bottom base coat includes nonionic surfactants that have HLB values that are inferior to 15. Also disclosed is a method to deink printed waste papers wherein the waste papers contain recording materials, containing nonionic surfactants such as defined herein.
US08337977B2	Elastic and resilient film having a layer with a barrier coating An elastic and resilient film for application to an endless moving handrail includes a first layer having a top surface and a bottom surface and having sufficient resilience to accommodate strains occurring on the surface of the endless moving handrail, the first layer having an adhesive on the bottom surface and a first barrier coating on the top surface, the first barrier coating having sufficient resilience to accommodate strains occurring on the surface of the endless moving handrail and substantially retarding the transmission of materials blooming from the endless moving handrail, optionally a second layer having a top surface and a bottom surface overlying the first layer, the second layer having sufficient resilience to accommodate strains occurring on the surface of the endless moving handrail, and further having second adhesive on the bottom surface of the second layer, and a substantially transparent layer overlying the top surface of the second layer, or the first layer if no second layer present.
US08337973B2	Structure of cylindrical boss forming place of cabinet A structure of a cylindrical boss forming place of a cabinet is provided. A resin-molded plate has a first face which is flat and a second face which is opposite to the first face. A resin-molded boss is formed into a cylindrical shape and is integrally protruded from the second face of the plate. A thickness t of a cylinder wall at a base end of the boss is less than a reference thickness T of the plate. When the plate is divided into a circular-shaped first area partly defining an inner space of the cylindrical boss, a ring-shaped second area disposed to around the first area so as to correspond to the cylinder wall and a peripheral third area disposed to surround the second area, the peripheral third area is formed such that a thickness of the third area is equal to the thickness t of the cylinder wall at an innermost portion, the thickness of the third area increases from the inside to the outside, and the thickness of the third area is equal to the reference thickness T of the plate at an outermost portion, and the circular-shaped first area is formed such that a thickness T1 of the first area is less than 0.6 times the thickness t of the cylinder wall.
US08337970B2	Armour repair system The armour repair patch uses a simplified adhesive system for securement of the repair patch in the field without specialized equipment. A preferred adhesive system includes a pressure sensitive adhesive provided on a back surface of a body member and a fabric overlay cover is and extending beyond the body member. This combination provides an effective system for battlefield repair.
US08337969B2	Liner and also the use thereof Liner comprising a film which comprises oriented polypropylene having a flexural modulus of at least 1400, preferably at least 2000 MPa, a release coating being applied on at least one of the two outer sides of the film.
US08337967B2	Can with bisphenol A capture system The present technology provides a bisphenol A capture system for food and beverage containers which include BPA-containing coatings. The capture system is made of one or more materials which bind any BPA eluting from the BPA-containing coating. The present capture system therefore reduces or prevents BPA from migrating from the can coating into the food or beverages stored in the can. The present technology further provides methods of manufacturing and using such coatings.
US08337965B2	Sealant for one drop fill process containing photo-curable resin and heat-curable resin A sealant for a one drop fill process of the invention contains the following components (1), (2), (3), and (4): (1) a curing agent composed of a reaction product produced by reacting an acid compound and a polyamine containing, within its molecule, at least one active hydrogen and at least two nitrogen atoms; (2) a heat-curable resin; (3) an acylphosphine-based photoinitiator; and (4) a photo-curable resin. A heat-curable resin containing a bisphenol A propylene oxide-modified epoxy resin is preferably used as the heat-curable resin (2), and a photo-curable resin containing a bisphenol A acrylate-modified resin is preferably used as the photo-curable resin (4).
US08337962B2	Resin film and method for producing it, polarizer and liquid crystal display device A resin film including a resin and an organic acid represented by the following formula (1), wherein the ratio of the organic acid to the resin is from 0.1 to 20% by mass: X-L-(R1)n Formula (1).
US08337957B2	Method for depositing a polymer layer containing nanomaterial on a substrate material and apparatus The invention relates to a method for depositing a polymer layer containing nanoparticles on a substrate material. The method comprises the steps of providing the substrate material, providing a polymerization material near a surface of the substrate material, conducting a gas flow near the surface of the substrate material, the gas flow comprising a nanomaterial, and depositing the polymer layer at the surface of the substrate material by applying a plasma polymerization process.
US08337956B2	Wafer A wafer has a rare earth oxide layer disposed, typically sprayed, on a substrate. It is useful as a dummy wafer in a plasma etching or deposition system.
US08337955B2	Aqueous coating composition comprising an autoxidisable amide group containing resin An aqueous coating composition comprising an autoxidisable amide group containing resin having ≧30 wt % of fatty acid residues by weight of autoxidisable amide group containing resin; a Tg in the range of from −40 to +35° C.; ND×AV≦22 mg KOH/g; a Mw in the range of from 2,500 to 20,000 g/mol; a PDi less than 10; an amide group content of at least 10 mmoles/100 g solid; and said composition having: a co-solvent content less that 25 wt %; a N-methylpyrrolidone content <13 wt % by weight of solids; a solids content >38 wt %; and when a film, a telegraphing value of less than 20 gloss units.
US08337954B2	Thermally reversible cross-linked poly (aryl ether ketone) media and method for high density data storage A composition and a method. The method including: heating one or more poly(aryl ether ketone) copolymers to form a poly(aryl ether ketone) resin, said poly(aryl ether ketone) resin covalently cross-linked by cyclo-addition reactions of said phenylethynyl moieties; and wherein each of said one or more poly(aryl ether ketone) copolymers comprises (a) a first monomer including an aryl ether ketone and (b) a second monomer including an aryl ether ketone and a hydrogen bonding cross-linking moiety, said moiety capable of forming two or more hydrogen bonds at room temperature, each of said one or more poly(aryl ether ketone) copolymers having two terminal ends, each terminal end having a phenylethynyl moiety.
US08337952B2	Metal sulfide thin film and method for production thereof An object of the present invention is to provide a single-phase film of a metal sulfide with good quality, and a method for preparing a metal sulfide film at a low cost in a convenient manner. The present invention provides a preparation method of a metal sulfide film, comprising the steps of providing metal halide, such as iron halide (FeCl3, FeI3, FeBr3, FeCl2, FeI2 and FeBr2), as a first raw material and a thioamide compound, such as thioacetamide, as a second raw material, preferably vaporizing these raw materials and reacting them at atmospheric pressure; and a metal sulfide film prepared by this method.
US08337949B2	Graphene pattern and process of preparing the same Provided are a graphene pattern and a process of preparing the same. Graphene is patterned in a predetermined shape on a substrate to form the graphene pattern. The graphene pattern can be formed by forming a graphitizing catalyst pattern on a substrate, contacting a carbonaceous material with the graphitizing catalyst and heat-treating the resultant.
US08337945B2	Method for producing an element, including a multiplicity of nanocylinders on a substrate A method for producing an element including a substrate having a plurality of nanocylinders deposited thereon includes providing the substrate. The substrate is covered with a nanoporous Al2O3 membrane so as to provide a covered substrate. The covered substrate is alternately vapor-deposited, at a vapor-deposition temperatures from 250° C. to 400° C., with atoms of a magnetic element and atoms of a non-magnetic element so as to provide the plurality of nanocylinders. Each nanocylinder includes at least four superposed layers including, alternatively, the atoms of the magnetic element and the atoms of the non-magnetic element. The nanoporous Al2O3 membrane is then removed so that the nanocylinders remain on the substrate.
US08337943B2	Nano-whisker growth and films Methods for making tin oxide films comprising nano-whiskers comprises providing a solution comprising a tin precursor and a solvent; preparing aerosol droplets of the solution; and applying the aerosol droplets to a heated glass substrate, converting the tin chloride to tin oxide to form a tin oxide film on the glass substrate, wherein the tin oxide film comprises nano-whiskers.
US08337942B2	Light induced plating of metals on silicon photovoltaic cells A method and composition for plating metal contacts on photovoltaic solar cells is described. The cell is immersed in an aqueous bath containing platable metal ions and a solubilizing agent for aluminum or aluminum alloy ions from the back side of the solar cell. The cell is then exposed to light, causing the two sides of the cell to become oppositely charged. The metal ions are plated without requiring an external electrical contact.
US08337941B2	Fluorescent substrates for monoamine transporters as optical false neurotransmitters The present invention relates to compounds of the general structure: wherein Y is O, X is O, bond α is absent and bond β is present, or Y is H, X is CH, bond α is present, and bond β is absent; atom Z is a carbon and bonds χ, δ and γ are present, or is a nitrogen and bonds χ, δ and γ are absent; R1 is —H, —OH, —O—R7, —N(H)—R8, —N(H)—(CH2)n—NH2, —N(R9)(R10), or a piperazine cation; R2 is either covalently bound to R9, or is —H, or is covalently bound to R3 so as to form a substituted or unsubstituted pyrrole or R2 is covalently bound to R9 or R8 or R7; or R1 and R2 are covalently joined to form an aromatic ring; R3 is either covalently bound to R2 so as to form a pyrrole, or is, inter alia, —H, —OH, alkyl, or when Z is nitrogen R3 is ═O; R4 is, inter alia, —H, —OH, or —R11NH2; R5 is, inter alia, —H, —OH, or —R12NH2, and R6 is either is covalently bound to R10 or is —H, or R6 is covalently bound to R10 or R8 or R7. This invention also provides processes for making the compounds as well as methods for monitoring activity of monoamine transporters or treating monoamine transporter-associated diseases by employing the compounds.
US08337939B2	Method of processing a ceramic layer and related articles A method of processing a ceramic layer is provided. The method comprises the steps of providing a ceramic layer comprising a plurality of microcracks; infiltrating at least some of the plurality of microcracks with a liquid precursor comprising at least one oxidizable metal ion; and exposing the ceramic layer to a base having a pH value of at least about 9, so as to chemically convert the oxidizable metal ion into an oxide, thereby decreasing the porosity of the ceramic layer. A solid oxide fuel cell is provided. The solid oxide fuel cell comprises an anode; a cathode; and a ceramic electrolyte disposed between the anode and the cathode. The ceramic electrolyte is processed by the method comprising the steps of providing a ceramic electrolyte comprising a plurality of microcracks; infiltrating at least some of the plurality of microcracks with a liquid precursor comprising at least one oxidizable metal ion; and exposing the ceramic electrolyte to a base having a pH value of at least about 9, so as to chemically convert the oxidizable metal ion into an oxide, thereby decreasing the porosity of the ceramic electrolyte.
US08337938B2	Implantable material and a method for the preparation thereof A method for the preparation of a regenerated silk fibroin solution comprises the steps of: treating silk or silk cocoons with an ionic reagent comprising an aqueous solution of monovalent cations and monovalent anions, the cations and anions having ionic radii of at least 1.05 Angstroms and a Jones-Dole B coefficient of between −0.001 and −0.05 at 25° C.; and subsequently degumming the treated silk or silk cocoons; or alternatively, degumming silk or silk cocoons; and subsequently treating the degummed silk or silk cocoons with an ionic reagent comprising an aqueous solution of monovalent cations and monovalent anions, the cations and anions having ionic radii of at least 1.05 Angstroms and a Jones-Dole B coefficient of between −0.001 and −0.05 at 25° C. The invention also extends to fibroin solution, a fibroin material and an implant useful for cartilage repair.
US08337935B2	Porkhide dog chews The present invention provides a method of processing porkhide dog chews. The method includes the step of first subjecting pigskin rawhide to defatting and depilation treatment. Then the rawhide is split to obtain a first, a second, a third and a fourth layer of rawhide material. The rawhide material undergoes defatting, rinsing, and sun-drying to produce a finished hide product. The hide product is smoked to achieve objectives of dying and flavoring to result in a finished porkhide dog chew product.
US08337934B2	Method of making bacon pieces One aspect of the present invention method of making bacon pieces comprises placing bellies in a vessel. Dry cure ingredients and water are added in the vessel containing the bellies. The dry cure ingredients and the water create a cure ingredients solution, which includes up to 3.0% water by weight of the bellies. The bellies and the cure ingredients solution are tumbled in the vessel under vacuum to create cured bellies. The cured bellies are cooked to a desired cook level. The up to 3.0% water by weight of the bellies allows the cured bellies to be cooked to the desired cook level in only one cooking step.
US08337931B2	Compositions containing non-polar compounds Provided herein are compositions and methods for preparing foods and beverages that contain additives. Additives include nutraceuticals, pharmaceuticals, and supplements, such as essential fatty acids, including omega-3 fatty acids, omega-6 fatty acids, conjugated fatty acids, and other fatty acids; phytochemicals, including phytosterols; other oils; and coenzymes, including Coenzyme Q10, and other oil-based additives.
US08337926B2	Use of 4-ketolutein as a food additive for egg yolk coloration A method of obtaining yellow-orange coloration of egg yolks and chicken skins using 4-ketolutein as feed additive for chicken feed.
US08337923B2	Encapsulated antimicrobial material The present invention provides an antimicrobial material in an encapsulated form, comprising (i) a core comprising an antimicrobial material and (ii) a shell of encapsulating material, wherein the shell of encapsulating material is impermeable to the antimicrobial material. The invention further provides a process for introducing an antimicrobial material into a foodstuff comprising (i) providing the antimicrobial material in an encapsulated form comprising a core of antimicrobial material and shell of encapsulating material, and (ii) introducing encapsulated antimicrobial material into or onto the foodstuff.
US08337922B2	Method for packaging crabmeat A method for packaging crabmeat is provided. In a first embodiment, the method comprises providing a packaging vessel, placing crab meat into the vessel, adjusting the volume of air within the vessel to obtain an air to meat ratio of essentially 20 percent by volume, sealing the packaging vessel, and then pasteurizing the sealed vessel to achieve desired end results.
US08337919B2	Treated paper product, combination food and treated paper product, and methods for manufacturing and using treated paper product A treated paper product is provided according to the invention. The treated paper product comprises a result of applying a water based emulsion to a paper base sheet to provide an impregnated paper product, and drying the impregnated paper product to a water content of less than about 8 wt. % to provide the treated paper product. The water based emulsion includes a barrier and/or release forming component comprising at least one of stearylated melamine, polyethylene wax, paraffin wax, isoparaffin wax, microcrystalline wax, fluoropolymer wax, silicone wax, alkyl ketene materials, octyl succinic anhydride, Werner chrome complex, natural wax, and mixtures thereof. The water based emulsion can have a solids content of between about 2 wt. % and about 50 wt. % when it is applied to the paper base sheet. Methods for manufacturing and using the treated paper product, and a combination food and treated paper product are provided.
US08337918B1	Fillable filter envelope system A filter envelope which is filled with ground coffee or other drinkable dry granular substance by a user and sealed for use comprises two (2) round filter media sections crimped together about a perimeter and an extended opening along one (1) edge. The user would fill the interior space of the filter with a desired amount of chosen dry granular substance through the opening. A preferred embodiment comprises the dry granular substance to comprise ground coffee for subsequent brewing within a conventional coffee machine including those such as percolators that require the filter to have a central hole.
US08337914B2	Dietary food supplement containing natural cyclooxygenase inhibitors and methods for inhibiting pain and inflammation The present invention describes food supplements that contain one or more fruit extracts useful for pain relief and anti-inflammation. The food supplements may be used to inhibit inflammation mediated by cyclooxygenase and more particularly by cyclooxygenase-2.
US08337911B2	Herbal formulation for the prevention and management of type-2 diabetes mellitus and vascular complications associated with diabetes This invention relates to a novel herbal formulation for the prevention and management of type-2 diabetes mellitus and vascular complications associated with diabetes comprising, preparing of hydromethanolic extract of at least one plant selected form Salacia roxburghii, Salacia oblonga, Garcinia Indica and Lagerstroemia parviflora at 70°-80° C., maintaining ph of the solution between 7-10, separating the active compounds by using TLC, HPLC, HPTLC, subjecting the active compounds to the step of molecular characterization.
US08337910B2	Herbal formulation for the treatment of bone fractures and osseous defects An herbal formulation including Symphytum Officinalis extract and Phytolacca Decandra extract may be combined to treat bone fractures and osseum defects. Specifically, the herbal formulation provides for the regeneration of osseum tissue for treating bone defects such as imperfect osteogenesis, pseudo-arthrosis infected or not, bone union delay of fractures, osteoporosis, osseum tumors, aneurismatic osseum cyst, and myeloma multiple.
US08337908B2	Plant extract from low-THC Cannabis for the treatment of disease The present invention relates to a plant extract from a low-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) variety of Cannabis sativa subsp. sativa for the treatment of disease. The invention further relates to the production of the extract and pharmaceutical compositions comprising said extract and the uses thereof.
US08337907B2	Use of volatile oil from plants in preparing medicaments for preventing and treating diabetes The present invention provides the use of d-limonene as a monocyclic monoterphene in manufacturing medicaments for treatment of diabetes. Particularly the use of such compound in manufacturing medicaments for treatment of diabetes of type 1 or type 2 is provided.
US08337901B2	Process for the manufacture of cellulose sulfate with improved characteristics The invention refers to a method for the production of cellulose sulfate which is completely water-soluble and has an adjustable solution viscosity in aqueous solution, which qualifies the produced sodium cellulose sulfate (SCS) as auxiliary material with ideal biological compatibility for biological and medical applications, in particular it is suitable for the encapsulation and immobilization of biological objects, e.g. tissue, cells, microorganisms, enzymes or viruses in microcapsule.
US08337898B2	Functionalized nanoceria composition for ophthalmic treatment The invention provides a composition comprising a plurality of nanoceria particles, a sufficient amount of at least one inhibitor of human carbonic anhydrase II associated with said plurality of nanoceria particles, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier containing said plurality of nanoceria particles with associated inhibitor. One preferred inhibitor of human carbonic anhydrase II comprises 4-carboxybenzene sulfonamide. The disclosed composition is useful in treatment of glaucoma.
US08337893B2	Sol-gel derived bioactive glass polymer composite A bioactive sol-gel solution includes a biocompatible polymer, a gelable inorganic base material, and at least one calcium and phosphorous molecular species. The base material can be an alkoxide, such as TEOS. The polymer acts as a viscosity modifier to the sol or gel, increases the viscosity range over which fibers can be sprayed or spun, and broadens the time period over which fibers can be sprayed or spun. A bioactive glass composite can be formed from the bioactive sol-gel solution, including a fibrous form. Fibers can serve as a scaffold for cell growth and in the repair of hard or soft tissue defects.
US08337888B2	Pharmaceutical formulation containing gelling agent Disclosed in certain embodiments is a controlled release oral dosage form comprising a therapeutically effective amount of a drug susceptible to abuse together with one or more pharmaceutically acceptable excipients; the dosage form further including a gelling agent in an effective amount to impart a viscosity unsuitable for administration selected from the group consisting of parenteral and nasal administration to a solubilized mixture formed when the dosage form is crushed and mixed with from about 0.5 to about 10 ml of an aqueous liquid; the dosage form providing a therapeutic effect for at least about 12 hours when orally administered to a human patient.
US08337884B2	Transdermal compositions containing low molecular weight drugs which are liquid at room temperatures A transdermal composition is disclosed which contains a blend of one or more polymers, one or more drugs, at least one of which has a low molecular weight and is liquid at or about room temperatures. The composition is substantially free of water and liquids which have a normal boiling point (a) optionally below processing temperatures and (b) greater than or equal to the temperature of the low molecular weight drugs. The composition does not suffer from the substantial loss of the lower molecular weight drug during production of the transdermal system. A transdermal composition is also disclosed which has one or more drugs, at least one of which has a low molecular weight and is liquid at or about room temperatures, and a polymer matrix including one or more high shear resistant polymers. The high shear resistant polymer(s) reduce the plasticizing effect of the low molecular weight drug, and has sufficient tack and shear for application to a human being.
US08337881B2	Cyanoacrylate monomer formulation containing diiodomethyl-p-tolylsulfone A polymerizable antimicrobial formulation for forming a wound closure adhesive comprising cyanoacrylate monomer and diiodomethyl-p-tolylsulfone; and a method for closing the approximated edges of a wound with a polymeric film that substantially inhibits the growth of microorganisms, where the polymeric film is formed by use of the polymerizable antimicrobial formulation.
US08337880B2	Oligo-saccharide enhanced oat-based drink for treating hyperlipidaemia and hyperglycemia and improving gastrointestinal function and process for preparing the same by tri-enzyme hydrolysis and micro-particle milling The invention relates to a tri-enzyme hydrolysis method for preparing an oligo-saccharide enhanced oat-based drink product useful in lowering cholesterol, triglyceride, blood sugar and improving gastrointestinal function which comprises not only oat β-glucan and but also a higher amount of isomalto-oligosacchride. In accordance with the invention, whole grains of oats are micronized to an average particle size of 100 microns prior to enzyme treatments, and a product of creamy milk-like texture is obtained without filtration so that nutrients of the whole grains of oats are retained. This invention enhances the value of oat-based processing to yield additional health-associated content and illness (such as hyperlipidaemia and hyperglycemia) prevention efficacy that are beyond the potential of oats per se.
US08337870B2	Low toxicity topical active agent delivery system An active agent delivery composition is provided that allows topical delivery of active agents including vitamin A and its derivatives. A polyhalogenic vehicle such as methoxyonafluorobutane or ethoxyonafluorobutane serves as a coupler for an active agent and a silicone carrier so as to allow solubilization of active agents not normally miscible in silicones and providing a moisture maintaining composition.
US08337867B2	Metal lactate powder and method for preparation The present invention relates to a method for the preparation of a new metal lactate powdery product and to the resulting product itself with new properties. The metal lactate powder of the present invention is made via spray-drying and has a higher flowability, is less sticky and dusty, has an improved dissolution rate and is very suited for tabletting purposes. The invention is also directed to product applications in which said spray-dried metal lactate product may be applied, wherein the metal is selected from zinc and magnesium.
US08337865B2	Modified flagellin improved toll-like receptor 5 stimulating activity Disclosed herein are flagellin mutants having an enhanced activity of stimulating the toll-like receptor-5 (hereinafter referred to as “TLR5”). More specifically, disclosed are flagellin mutants, prepared by point-mutating some of the amino acids of a TRL5 agonist flagellin so as to enhance the TRL-stimulating activity of the flagellin.
US08337864B2	Modified flagellin improved toll-like receptor 5 stimulating activity Disclosed herein are flagellin mutants having an enhanced activity of stimulating the toll-like receptor-5 (hereinafter referred to as “TLR5”). More specifically, disclosed are flagellin mutants, prepared by point-mutating some of the amino acids of a TRL5 agonist flagellin so as to enhance the TRL-stimulating activity of the flagellin.
US08337862B2	Method for treating knee joint pain caused by saphenous nerve entrapment A method using a pharmaceutical composition comprising botulinum toxin and a pharmacologically acceptable carrier to treat pain in the knee joint caused by saphenous nerve entrapment. The composition of the present invention is for subcutaneous injection above the medial side of the knee.
US08337861B2	Compositions, methods and kits for enhancing the immunogenicity of a bacterial vaccine vector The present invention comprises methods for enhancing the immunogenicity of a bacterial vaccine vector and an antigen by passaging the bacterial vaccine vector through an animal.
US08337854B2	Monoclonal antibodies against dengue and other viruses with deletion in Fc region The present invention relates to a variant of a parent polypeptide comprising an Fc region, which variant binds an Fc gamma receptor (FcγR) with lower affinity than the parent polypeptide and comprises a deletion of at least one amino acid in about position 100 to about position 150 in the Fc region and related nucleic acids, vectors, host cells and methods of producing the variant and methods for preventing or treating a disorder in a mammal.
US08337853B2	Monoclonal antibodies that bind or neutralize dengue virus The present invention relates to monoclonal antibodies that bind or neutralize dengue type 1, 2, 3, and/or 4 virus. The invention provides such antibodies, fragments of such antibodies retaining dengue virus-binding ability, fully human or humanized antibodies retaining dengue virus-binding ability, and pharmaceutical compositions including such antibodies. The invention further provides for isolated nucleic acids encoding the antibodies of the invention and host cells transformed therewith. Additionally, the invention provides for prophylactic, therapeutic, and diagnostic methods employing the antibodies and nucleic acids of the invention.
US08337850B2	4-1BB binding molecules The present disclosure provides isolated binding molecules that bind to human 4-1BB, nucleic acid molecules encoding an amino acid sequence of the binding molecules, vectors comprising the nucleic acid molecules, host cells containing the vectors, methods of making the binding molecules, pharmaceutical compositions containing the binding molecules, and methods of using the binding molecules or compositions.
US08337849B2	Anti-IL6/IL-6R antibodies This invention provides fully human monoclonal antibodies that recognize the IL-6/IL-6R complex. The invention further provides methods of using such monoclonal antibodies as a therapeutic, diagnostic, and prophylactic.
US08337843B2	Treatment of metastatic breast cancer The present invention relates to the use of an anti-EpCAM antibody for the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment of metastatic breast cancer. The present invention further relates to a method of treating metastatic breast cancer comprising administering said anti-EpCAM antibody.
US08337842B2	Monoclonal antibodies The invention provides heterochimeric antibodies and/or fragments thereof comprising (i) hypervariable region sequences wholly or substantially corresponding to sequences found in antibodies from a donor species; (ii) constant region sequences wholly or substantially corresponding to sequences found in antibodies from a target species which is different from the donor species; and (iii) heavy and/or light chain variable framework sequences which contain at least three non-CDR residues corresponding to sequences found in antibodies from a target species and at least three contiguous non-CDR residues corresponding to sequences found in antibodies from a donor species. The invention further provides antibody to canine or feline or equine antigens, e.g., CD20 or CD52, and methods of making and using antibodies as described.
US08337840B2	Anti-CD19 antibodies The present invention provides humanized, chimeric and human anti-CD19 antibodies, anti-CD19 antibody fusion proteins, and fragments thereof that bind to a human B cell marker. Such antibodies, fusion proteins and fragments thereof are useful for the treatment and diagnosis of various B-cell disorders, including B-cell malignancies and autoimmune diseases. In more particular embodiments, the humanized anti-CD19 antibodies may comprise one or more framework region amino acid substitutions designed to improve protein stability, antibody binding and/or expression levels. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the substitutions comprise a Ser91Phe substitution in the hA19 VH sequence.
US08337836B2	Methods for the treatment and prevention of diseases of biological conduits Methods are described for dilating biological conduits by removing elastin and remodeling collagens in the wall of the conduit. Methods include the use of agents that increase the release of endogenous elastase and collagenase in the wall of the conduit, either by cells that are normally present in the wall of the conduit or by inflammatory cells that are attracted to the conduit, thereby providing additional conduit dilation. Methods also include the use of agents that increase conduit wall permeability and expose elastin and collagen fibers. Methods also include removing components of the extracellular matrix of arteries and veins leading to an inhibition of intimal hyperplasia in the wall of the vessels by decreasing biomechanical stimuli directed toward the cells in the wall of the vessel. Methods further include the use of agent that degrade microfibers, in addition to elastin, in order to decrease the resynthesis of elastin. Methods also include the use of agent that stabilize the diameter of aneurysmal arteries by blocking cell surface receptors in the wall of the aneurysmal artery that are important in the recruitment of inflammatory cells.
US08337833B2	Methods of improving central nervous system functioning Methods of causing an improvement in central nervous system function are provided. The methods include administering an aliquot of stem cells to the patient, the cells being derived from blood, e.g., umbilical cord blood. In some cases a growth factor is administered with the cells.
US08337830B2	Yeast-based vaccines as immunotherapy Compositions and methods for treating and/or preventing a variety of diseases and conditions that are amenable to immunotherapy and, in one particular embodiment, compositions and methods for treating and/or preventing cancer in an animal are described. Specifically improvements related to the use of a yeast-based vaccine comprising a yeast vehicle and an antigen that is selected to elicit an antigen-specific cellular and humoral immune response in an animal, for use in prophylactic and/or therapeutic vaccination and the prevention and/or treatment of a variety of diseases and conditions are disclosed.
US08337829B2	Conditioned medium and proliferated cell lines produced therefrom The subject invention pertains to tumor cell lines useful for increasing the proliferation potential of any human or animal cell in culture, thereby providing immortalized or continuous cell lines and cultures. The invention also concerns proliferation factors, and compositions containing the factors, which are capable of increasing the proliferation potential of any human or other animal cell in culture. The subject invention further pertains to a method for proliferating cells in culture by contacting cells with the proliferation factors. The proliferated cells can range in plasticity and can include, for example, blast cells, fertilized ova, non-fertilized gametes, embryonic stem cells, adult stem cells, precursor or progenitor cells, and highly specialized cells. Optionally, the cells can be induced to cease proliferation. The proliferated cells of the subject invention are useful for cell therapy, cell/gene therapy, biological production of molecules, and as in vitro models for research, toxicity testing, and drug development.
US08337828B2	Use of thymosin alpha 1, alone or in combination with PTX3 or ganciclovir, for the treatment of cytomegalovirus infection It is described the use of thymosin alpha 1 in combination with long pentraxin PTX3 or Ganciclovir, for the preparation of a medicament for the prevention or treatment of viral diseases and/or for inhibiting virus activation.
US08337826B2	Liquid interferon-beta formulations The present invention relates to liquid formulations of human interferon-β. The formulations are characterized in that they have a buffer with a pH in the weakly acidic to neutral range of between 5 and 8, preferably between over 5.5 and 8, and that they exhibit high stability of the interferon-β in solution while retaining the molecular integrity.
US08337824B2	Linear polyol stabilized polyfluoroacrylate compositions The present invention is directed to compositions of a linear polyol and a salt of a crosslinked cation exchange polymer comprising a fluoro group and an acid group. These compositions are useful to bind potassium in the gastrointestinal tract.
US08337822B2	Use of a polysiloxane/polyurea block copolymer for the treatment of keratinous fibers The present disclosure relates to a treatment of the hair, which is resistant to shampooing operations, wherein the individual hairs are coated with a cosmetic composition comprising a polysiloxane/polyurea block copolymer wherein at least one volatile nonsilicone organic solvent and at least one silicone compound exhibit a viscosity of less than 100 cSt.
US08337807B1	Fullerene/titanium hydride gas source A solid mixture of fullerene and titanium hydride, a method of its formation, and a method of its use to rapidly produce a gaseous mixture of molecular hydrogen and fullerene on demand. The solid mixture may be resistively heated by discharge of a high power electrical current from a capacitor bank through the mixture to produce the mixture of hydrogen and fullerene within a few tens of microseconds. The resulting gaseous mixture of hydrogen and fullerene may be ionized and accelerated for the purpose of mitigating electromagnetic disruptions in a magnetically confined plasma.
US08337805B1	Method for preparing magnetite nanoparticles from low-grade iron ore and magnetite nanoparticles prepared by the same The present invention provides a method for preparing magnetite nanoparticles from low-grade iron ore and magnetite nanoparticles prepared by the same. According to the method of the present invention, in which iron ore leachate is obtained by adding low-grade iron ore powder to an acidic solution, Si and Mg that inhibit the formation of magnetite nanoparticles present in the leachate are selectively removed, iron hydroxide (Fe(OH)3) is allowed to be precipitated from a supernatant containing Fe2+ ions and Fe3+ ions, a mixed iron solution containing Fe2+ ions and Fe3+ ions is prepared using the iron hydroxide (Fe(OH)3), and the mixed iron solution is added to an alkaline solution to react, thereby preparing magnetite nanoparticles.
US08337802B2	Method for concentrating oxygen isotope or isotopes The method for concentrating an oxygen isotope or isotopes of the present invention combines the step of concentrating 17O and/or the step of depleting 18O that utilizes photodissociation of ozone by a laser beam with an oxygen distillation step that concentrates the oxygen isotope. At this time, it is preferable to carry out a step of isotope scrambling in addition to the above. When both a step of concentrating 17O and a step of depleting 18O are carried out, whichever thereof may be done first prior to the other. Also these steps may be placed either before or after the oxygen distillation step. Moreover, at least one of said oxygen distillation step, the concentrating 17O step, the depleting 18O step and the isotope scrambling step is preferably carried out twice or more.
US08337799B2	Process for manufacturing carbon coated nanoparticles of a transition metal oxide The invention relates to a method for producing nanoparticles of at least one oxide of a transition metal selected from Ti, Zr, Hf, V, Nb and Ta, which are coated with amorphous carbon, wherein said method includes the following successive steps: (i) a liquid mixture containing as precursors at least one alkoxyde of the transition metal, an alcohol, and an acetic acid relative to the transition metal is prepared and diluted in water in order to form an aqueous solution, the precursors being present in the solution according to a molar ratio such that it prevents or sufficiently limits the formation of a sol so that the aqueous solution can be freeze-dried, and such that the transition metal, the carbon and the oxygen are present in a stoichiometric ratio according to which they are included in the nanoparticles; (ii) the aqueous solution is freeze-dried; (ii) the freeze-dried product obtained during the preceding step is submitted to pyrolysis under vacuum or in an inert atmosphere in order to obtain the nanoparticles. The invention also relates to the application of the method for producing transition metal carbide.
US08337797B2	Method for producing bis(fluorosulfonyl)imide According to the method for producing bis(fluorosulfonyl)imide of the present invention, first, an unreacted mixed liquid is prepared by mixing a first fluorosulfonic acid with urea in a condition free of a chemical reaction between the first fluorosulfonic acid and urea. Then, the unreacted mixed liquid is dripped into a heated second fluorosulfonic acid or a heated bis(fluorosulfonyl)imide, allowing a chemical reaction between fluorosulfonic acid and urea to proceed. In this method, generation of carbon dioxide gas and heat during the chemical reaction can be controlled.
US08337794B2	Silicone rubber Silicone rubber containing a fumed silica doped with potassium by means of aerosol.
US08337792B2	Aromatic imine compounds for use as sulfide scavengers Compositions and methods relating to aromatic imine compounds and methods of their use are described. The compounds are formed from aromatic aldehydes and amino or amino derivatives. The compounds and their derivatives are useful, for example, as hydrogen sulfide and mercaptan scavengers for use in both water and petroleum products.
US08337786B2	Microscope slide cover with integrated reservoir A cover for a substrate including: a body defining a cavity, for positioning over the substrate to form a reaction chamber; and a projection extending from the body to define a fluid reservoir, when the cover is fitted to the substrate, the fluid reservoir being in fluid communication with the cavity.
US08337783B2	Magnetic connectors for microfluidic applications A magnetic connector assembly for microfluidic devices comprises a first magnetic connector with at least one orifice extending therethrough and a second magnetic connector. The first and second connectors are configured to magnetically attract each other. In one aspect, the first magnetic connector is configured to sealingly engage a surface of a microfluidic chip with the second magnetic connector disposed on an opposite side of the microfluidic chip. The first magnetic connector is configured to seal with the microfluidic chip about a channel opening in the microfluidic chip and provide flow communication between the channel opening and the orifice in the first magnetic connector. In at least one other aspect, the first magnetic connector and second magnetic connector each have at least one orifice and are configured to change a flow communication therebetween upon a rotation of the first or second magnetic connector with respect to the other magnetic connector.
US08337779B2	Reagent open mechanism of luminescence measurement system and open needle control method in reagent open mechanism A reagent open mechanism of the luminescence measurement system comprises a triaxial actuator and a reagent dispensing nozzle which is driven by the triaxial actuator. A reagent cartridge where a reagent to be divided by the reagent dispensing nozzle is filled in a concave and the opening of the concave is sealed by an aluminum sheet can be set in. This reagent open mechanism comprises an open needle which is driven by the triaxial actuator and makes a hole in the aluminum sheet and a fixation block between the reagent dispensing nozzle and the open needle which arranges the reagent dispensing nozzle and the open needle in such location that the reagent dispensing nozzle or the open needle does not contact with a structure including the reagent cartridge in a Z-axis operation during opening time or reagent dividing and dispensing time.
US08337777B2	Sample distribution devices and methods A device and methods for sample distribution through a channel in which an expandable valve provides a mechanism to regulate flow through the channel. The valve may be configured to exert a force on a membrane layer so as to substantially block a portion of the channel to retain the sample in a desired location and prevent flow past the valve mechanism between the channel and a chamber.
US08337776B1	Closed-loop waste disposal system for enhanced safety A system and method to safely dispose of hazardous liquid waste includes a glove box for conducting a test with a hazardous liquid material therein, the glove box having a drainage line connected to a waste tank for directing the hazardous liquid waste from the glove box to the waste tank. A waste disposal line and an air vent line are connected between the waste tank and a waste container. Double-valved connectors are positioned in the waste disposal line and in the air vent line allowing the liquid waste and air to flow between the waste tank and a waste container when the double-valved connectors are coupled together. When the double-valved connectors are uncoupled, both the waste tank and the waste container are completely sealed to the surrounding environment.
US08337773B2	Article with deodorant device An article configured to be worn or carried by a human includes a body portion with a deodorant enclosure and a deodorant insert positioned within the deodorant enclosure. The body portion is comprised of a flexible material that defines an inside and an outside of the article. An opening is formed in the body portion which provides a passage between the inside and the outside of the article. The deodorant enclosure is secured to the body portion at the opening. The deodorant enclosure includes a chamber positioned between an air permeable inner wall and an air permeable outer wall. The deodorant insert is removably positioned within the chamber of the deodorant enclosure.
US08337772B2	Device for sterilizing containers A device for sterilizing containers includes a first treatment space, which is filled with a sterilizing gaseous medium under predetermined thermodynamic conditions, a tank, which is filled with a liquid medium and extends along a closed path, and a multiplicity of holding devices for holding the containers. The holding devices are arranged rotatably with respect to the treatment space, and a dividing wall, which protrudes into the liquid medium located in the tank is arranged rotatably with respect to the tank. A discharge opening, via which the gaseous medium can be discharged, is provided between the treatment space and the tank.
US08337770B2	UV light writing instrument sterilizer A writing instrument sterilization device having an automatic dispensing delivery mechanism for recycling multiple writing instruments and automatically delivering a single sterilized writing instrument on demand. The writing instrument sterilizer is comprised of a housing having a collection aperture for receiving at least one writing instrument and a discharge aperture for dispensing the writing instrument. The writing instrument is conveyed on track that is disposed within the housing and extends between the collection aperture and the discharge aperture. A UV illumination source sterilizes the writing instrument by emitting radiation to the surface of the writing instrument. An automatic dispensing delivery mechanism is provided to move an ejector member from a first writing instrument receiving position to a second writing instrument dispensing position.
US08337768B2	Syringe, system and method for delivering oxygen-ozone In accordance with at least one exemplary embodiment, a syringe, method and system for delivering a therapeutic amount of ozone are disclosed. An exemplary syringe can have a gas chamber and one or more electrodes. A portion of at least one electrode can be within the gas chamber. Alternatively, singularly or in conjunction, one or both electrodes can be attached to the outside of an exemplary syringe. One or more electrical contact points can be outside the gas chamber. Each electrical contact point can be connected to an electrode. Oxygen gas can provided within the gas chamber of the exemplary syringe. A medical ozone generator can be connected to the syringe via the electrical contact points. Corona discharge can be effectuated via the electrodes, which can result in an amount of ozone gas can being produced from the oxygen gas.
US08337760B2	Resonant frequency bottle sanitation A system and method of cleaning an enclosure of a container defined by inner walls, including providing a container, orienting the container so that the opening is lowermost and opens downwardly and generating resonant vibration in the container at a predetermined frequency and at an energy level sufficient to dislodge any loose solid particles from the inner walls of said container but not being of an energy level to impact the structural integrity of the container and maintaining the resonant vibration within the container enclosure for a sufficient time to dislodge all loose solid particles from the inner walls of said container. The system may include a resonant chamber in the form of a shroud and means to effectuate the method steps and may also include a sanitizing step in which the containers are further sanitized to render inactive any organic contaminants.
US08337759B1	Ozone-based odor control system for controlling hydrogen sulfide and other foul odors An ozone-based system and method for eliminating odors from wastewater in a well produces an oxygen-enriched and controllably produces ozone using an ozone generator operably coupled to a programmable logic controller. In sparging mode the system supplies the oxygen enriched gas to the well. In ozonation mode the oxygen-enriched gas is used to produce ozone and the ozone is supplied to the injection port. The PLC reduces the amount of ozone produced by the ozone generator if the ozone measured at the reaction chamber outlet is not less than a setpoint amount. The reaction chamber contains a baffled reticulate interior channel causing gasses flowing therethrough to flow in opposite directions in traveling from the inlet to the outlet of the reaction chamber. The system is devoid of any fan or pump in the reaction chamber.
US08337757B2	Reactor control method A method is provided for controlling the operating temperature of a catalytic reactor using a closed-loop system that provides for varying the reactor input and other operating parameters in order to maintain the operating temperature of the reactor at or near the initial setpoint temperature for operation of the reactor. In one example, maximum and minimum operating temperatures with a catalytic partial oxidation reactor are controlled, as well as maintaining control over the corresponding minimum required ratio of oxygen atoms to carbon atoms, such that the operating temperature within the reactor is maintained below the material limits but above threshold temperatures for coking.
US08337754B2	Automated developer for immuno-stained biological samples Disclosed herein are systems and methods for the developing of immuno-stained biological samples. The systems disclosed herein are automated and are configured to control one or more steps of the developing procedure. Reagents may be added using automatic syringe dispensing. Reagent temperature, reagent stirring, and wash procedures are programmable and can be separately controlled for separate immuno-staining procedures that are performed at the same time.
US08337752B2	Sterilization method of container-packaged food and filling system To provide a sterilization method of container-packaged food which has a high effect on mixture food of solid food/soup and a filling system where all processes and devices can be simplified, a pre-seal lid material (PS), that has been cut to a dimension covering the opening of a cup filled with solid food, e.g. a dimension corresponding to the outer circumference of the flange of the cup, is fixed to a cup holder (CH) at a position for covering the cup opening by means of a holding bolt (31a) without being fusion bonded to the cup flange portion (CF), while a ventilation state between the head space of the cup and the air in a sterilization chamber is maintained. Thereafter, steam sterilization to the cup is performed in the sterilization chamber and the cup is transported to a clean box, filled with sterilized soup.
US08337750B2	Titanium alloys including increased oxygen content and exhibiting improved mechanical properties One aspect of the present disclosure is directed to a metastable β titanium alloy comprising, in weight percentages: up to 0.05 nitrogen; up to 0.10 carbon; up to 0.015 hydrogen; up to 0.10 iron; greater than 0.20 oxygen; 14.00 to 16.00 molybdenum; titanium; and incidental impurities. Articles of manufacture including the alloy also are disclosed.
US08337749B2	Lean austenitic stainless steel An austenitic stainless steel composition including relatively low Ni and Mo levels, and exhibiting corrosion resistance, resistance to elevated temperature deformation, and formability properties comparable to certain alloys including higher Ni and Mo levels. Embodiments of the austenitic stainless steel include, in weight percentages, up to 0.20 C, 2.0-9.0 Mn, up to 2.0 Si, 15.0-23.0 Cr, 1.0-9.5 Ni, up to 3.0 Mo, up to 3.0 Cu, 0.05-0.35 N, (7.5(% C))≦(% Nb+% Ti+% V+% Ta+% Zr)≦1.5, Fe, and incidental impurities.
US08337747B2	Process for manufacturing composite sintered machine components In a process for manufacturing composite sintered machine components, the composite sintered machine component has an approximately cylindrical inner member and an approximately disk-shaped outer member, the inner member has pillars arranged in a circumferential direction at equal intervals and a center shaft hole surrounded by the pillars, and the outer member has holes corresponding to the pillars of the inner member and a center shaft hole corresponding to the center shaft hole of the inner member. The process comprises compacting the inner member and the outer member individually using an iron-based alloy powder or an iron-based mixed powder so as to obtain compacts of the inner member and the outer member, tightly fitting the pillars of the inner member into the holes of the outer member, and sintering the inner member and the outer member while maintaining the above condition so as to bond them together.
US08337746B2	Transferring molten metal from one structure to another A system for transferring molten metal from a vessel and into one or more of a ladle, ingot mold, launder, feed die cast machine or other structure is disclosed. The system includes at least a vessel for containing molten metal, an overflow (or dividing) wall, and a device or structure, such as a molten metal pump, for generating a stream of molten metal. The dividing wall divides the vessel into a first chamber and a second chamber, wherein part of the second chamber has a height H2. The device for generating a stream of molten metal, which is preferably a molten metal pump, is preferably positioned in the first chamber. When the device operates, it generates a stream of molten metal from the first chamber and into the second chamber. When the level of molten metal in the second chamber exceeds H2, molten metal flows out of the vessel and into another structure, such as into one or more ladles and/or one or more launders.
US08337744B2	Process and apparatus for vacuum-assisted resin transfer molding of very tall articles A method and apparatus for maintaining constant compaction pressure in a vertically oriented resin transfer molding apparatus.
US08337743B2	Process for producing a polyethylene-polypropylene multilayer blown film The present invention relates to a process for producing a multilayer film comprising at least one polyethylene (except high pressure polyethylene) and polypropylene layer, wherein the adhesion between the polyethylene and polypropylene is enhanced without the use of any tie layer by processing the film with a freezing time of less than ten seconds.
US08337742B2	Bubble launched electrospinning jets The invention relates to a novel method for electrospinning fibers wherein the fiber-spinning solution is infused with gas bubbles which travel through the electrospinning fluid, causing the bubbles to be coated with electrospinning solution. The coated bubbles, in turn, in response to an applied electrical force, generate jets of the electrospinning fluid that travel away from the bubble surface. The invention further relates to the fibers formed by this bubble-jet process and to products made therefrom.
US08337739B2	Improving fracture toughness of medical devices with a stereocomplex nucleating agent Methods of fabricating a polymeric implantable device from a PLLA/PDLA blend such as a stent with improved fracture toughness are disclosed. The blend is melt processed to allow formation of stereocomplex crystallites, which are nucleation sites for crystal growth. A polymer construct is formed from the melt processed blend and device is formed from the polymer construct. The stereocomplex crystallites result in an in increase in nucleation density and reduced crystal size, which increases fracture toughness of the formed device.
US08337738B1	Process to make a waterway connector A process is described which uses overmolding to create an all plastic waterway within a faucet leading up to an inlet port for a spout. The waterway connector has at least two arms and a central connector and wherein the process includes the steps of: at least partially inserting one end of a tube into a first split mold; inserting at least two pins at least partially into the mold, a first pin inserted into the at least one end of the tube and a second pin inserted essentially normal to the direction of insertion of the first pin; injection overmolding a first geometry onto the one end of said tube and forming a profile for fluid transfer with the second pin and associated mold surfaces, the profile having a terminal lip; at least partially inserting two of the profiles with terminal lips into a second split mold, each of the profiles being a mirror image of the other, onto a core having a mating profile for each lip, the mating profile on said core comprising opposing grooves; and injection overmolding a second geometry about the lips to form a leak-proof upwardly extending connector. The process optionally contains the step of crosslinking the waterway connector.
US08337737B2	Method of making a piston for a dispenser A dispenser for dispensing a liquid onto a substrate includes a dispenser body having an output and a reservoir in fluid communication with the output, the reservoir being defined by a wall and adapted to hold a supply of liquid to be dispensed. A piston is disposed in the reservoir and adapted to pressurize the liquid so that an amount of liquid is dispensed from the output of the dispenser. The piston includes a base portion having an outer periphery and having a first hardness, and a skirt portion integrally molded to the outer periphery of the base portion and having a second hardness lower than the first hardness. A two-shot molding operation may be used to form the piston with the base portion being, for example, formed in the first shot of the molding operation and the skirt portion being formed in the second shot of the molding operation.
US08337736B2	Method for automatically producing a conglomerate structure and apparatus therefor A method for automatically making conglomerated structures (6). The method comprises a) modelling a building structure and a containing shell about the structure by a computer using a CAD software thus obtaining a file; b) extracting sections of modelled structure and of modelled containing shell, by means of horizontal planes spaced apart of a predetermined pitch, such that a plurality of section planes is generated, said planes being sorted from below towards above with respect to the model of the structure and of the model of the shell; c) depositing by a moving unit (3) on a ground a bottom-to-top plurality of layers of granular material (22) alternate to a binding material liquid sprayed on the layers at filled areas corresponding to filled portions of the of the structure and of the containing shell, according to a predetermined path; d) vertically raising the moving unit (3) according to a pitch between a deposited layer and the following layer; e) repeating the step of depositing granulating material and repeating the step of spraying the binding material on a granulated material at filled areas of the structure and of the shell as many times as the planar cross sections into which said structure and the containing shell have been divided; f) demolishing the containing shell (5) and removing unbound granular material (7) accumulated in the shell (5), thus releasing a conglomerate structure (6) that reproduces accurately said modelled structure.
US08337732B2	Method for fabricating a polymer electrolyte membrane for a fuel cell In order to significantly improve power generation efficiencies for the fuel cells, the present invention provides a method for fabricating a polymer electrolyte membrane comprising a surface with an array of a plurality of fine convex portion with a depth of not less than 3 μm and not more than 12 μm and an aspect ratio of not less than 0.4 and not more than 2.0, said method comprising the steps of (A) to (E), (A) preparing a mold comprising a surface with an array of a plurality of fine concave portions, wherein, each of said fine concave portions comprises a bottom and a side wall, each of said bottoms and said side walls are hydrophilic, each of side walls is smooth, each of said concave portions has a depth of not less than 3 μm and not more than 12 μm and an aspect ratio of not less than 0.4 and not more than 2.0, (B) supplying a hydrophilic polymer electrolyte solution to the surface, (C) solidifying said hydrophilic polymer electrolyte solution to form a polymer electrolyte membrane, (D) immersing said polymer electrolyte membrane into a hydrophilic liquid, and (E) peeling off said polymer electrolyte membrane from the mold in said hydrophilic liquid to form said polymer electrolyte membrane comprising said surface with said array of a plurality of fine convex portion with a depth of not less than 3 μm and not more than 12 μm and an aspect ratio of not less than 0.4 and not more than 2.0.
US08337731B2	Article comprising a dry fabric seal for liquid resin molding processes A dry fabric seal for use with tooling for liquid resin molding processes and a method for creating the seal are disclosed. In the illustrative embodiment, the seal comprises an annular resin reservoir, a level of resin within the reservoir, a device for controlling the resin level, and a perforated pressure plate that forms one wall of the reservoir. The seal is created by controlling the level of resin between the tooling (e.g., the inner and outer molds, etc.) so that air cannot leak in (for vacuum processes) or out (for pressurized processes) between the fibers in the fabric near the top of the molds.
US08337730B2	Process of making a continuous, multicellular, hollow carbon fiber The present invention relates to a continuous, multicellular, hollow carbon fiber wherein the fiber structure includes a substantially hollow fiber and multiple internal walls defining multiple integral internal hollow fibers such that the fiber structure comprises a honeycomb-like cross section.
US08337729B2	Optical disc manufacturing method An optical disc manufacturing method includes: an injection step of injecting a liquid material into a circular plate-shaped injection space having a center hole portion at a center from an injection hole connected to an inner edge portion in the injection space; a discharge step of discharging air and the liquid material from a discharge hole formed on a straight line passing through the injection hole and a center of the center hole portion in a plane direction of the circular plate and at a position opposite to the injection hole; a curing step of curing the liquid material injected into the injection space; and a takeout step of taking out the cured liquid material from the injection space.
US08337728B2	Method for producing an optical filter An optical filter containing at least a clay mineral complex (A). The clay mineral complex (A) comprises a layered clay mineral (B) intercalated with a dye cation (C), and an organic cation (D).
US08337725B2	Vinylidene fluoride copolymers The present invention pertains to a linear semi-crystalline copolymer [polymer (A)] comprising recurring units derived from vinylidene fluoride (VDF) monomer and at least one hydrophilic (meth)acrylic monomer (MA) of formula: wherein each of R1, R2, R3, equal or different from each other, is independently an hydrogen atom or a C1-C3 hydrocarbon group, and ROH is a hydrogen or a C1-C5 hydrocarbon moiety comprising at least one hydroxyl group, said polymer (A) comprising from 0.05 to 10% by moles of recurring units derived from said hydrophilic (meth)acrylic monomer (MA) and being characterized by a fraction of randomly distributed units (MA) of at least 40%, having improved thermal stability, to a process for its manufacture, to a composition comprising the same, and to its use as binder in batteries or for the manufacture of hydrophilic membranes.
US08337722B2	Method for producing zinc sulfide based phosphor The present invention provides a method for producing a zinc sulfide based phosphor by firing a zinc sulfide based precursor, comprising at least: a first firing step and a second firing step. Use of the method of the present invention makes it possible to provide a zinc sulfide based phosphor material suitable in the production of an EL device that shows high brightness.
US08337718B2	Liquid crystal compound, liquid crystal composition and liquid crystal display device The subject is to provide a liquid crystal composition that satisfies at least one of characteristics such as a high maximum temperature of a nematic phase, a low minimum temperature of a nematic phase, a small viscosity, a suitable optical anisotropy, a large dielectric anisotropy, a large specific resistance, a high stability to ultraviolet light, a high stability to heat and a large elastic constant, or that is suitably balanced regarding at least two of the characteristics. The subject is to provide an AM device that has a short response time, a large voltage holding ratio, a large contrast ratio, a long service life and so forth. The invention provides a liquid crystal composition that has a nematic phase and includes a specific four-ring compound having a high maximum temperature and a large dielectric anisotropy as a first component and a specific compound having a small dielectric anisotropy as a second component, and also provides a liquid crystal display device containing this composition. The invention further provides the compound of the first component.
US08337717B2	Process for producing aqueous chlorine dioxide for surface disinfection and decontamination The present invention provides for a method of generating an aqueous solution comprising chlorine dioxide using a chlorine-containing chemical oxidant; an effector having the capacity to reduce said chlorine-containing chemical oxidant; a chemical reductant; and water, and operating in either batch or continuous-flow modes. In batch mode, the aqueous chlorine dioxide solution can be generated in a sprayer device, a bottle, or a bucket to disinfect objects by spraying and wiping, by pouring, or by immersion, respectively. In continuous-flow mode, the aqueous chlorine dioxide solution can be generated in flow tubes or continuous-stirred tank reactors, then placed inside a suitable sprayer device, bottle, or bucket.
US08337716B2	Sarcosine compound used as corrosion inhibitor The sarcosine compounds used as a corrosion inhibitor according to the present invention include sarcosine and salt compounds thereof. The corrosion inhibitor is used in chemical mechanical polishing compositions or post CMP clean agents, which forms a protective film on the surface of a work piece to prevent the work piece from corrosion in chemical mechanical polishing, and thus common residue defect on the surface of a work piece due to the use of a conventional corrosion inhibitor (e.g. benzotriazole (BTA)) can be improved or the surface of a work piece can be protected from corrosion in post-CMP cleaning.
US08337710B2	Ozone oxidation accelerator, ozone oxidation accelerator composition, and ozone treatment method The present invention relates to an ozone oxidation accelerator containing a compound of which a 0.5% by mass aqueous solution at 25° C. has a dynamic surface tension at 100 msec of 70 mN/m or less and a dynamic surface tension at 30 sec of 55 to 67 mN/m, and an ozone oxidation accelerator composition containing the ozone oxidation accelerator. The present invention also relates to an ozone treatment method including a step of supplying ozone into water to be treated that contains a substance to be treated, in the presence of the ozone oxidation accelerator composition.
US08337708B2	Method for manufacturing green-energy water and device thereof A method for manufacturing green-energy water, including: conducting water flow through a self-support visible-light photocatalytic reaction device, which decomposes the water into hydrogen ions and hydroxide ions; conducting the hydrogen ions and the hydroxide ions through an ion separation device, which separates the hydrogen ions and the hydroxide ions from each other; and conducting the separated hydroxide ions into an amount of water to form an amount of alkaline green-energy water and conducting the separated hydrogen ions into another amount of water to form an amount of acidulous green-energy water. The green-energy water manufactured in this way is environmentally friendly and can be used in cleaning purposes of photoelectric and semiconductor industries, processing of waste water, organic cultivation, organic agriculture, purification of water, sterilization of medical facility.
US08337707B2	Dewatering facility The present invention relates to a device, for dewatering dredged material with a dry substance rate below 15%, comprising a tank (2) which is arranged with at least one inlet (5) for dredged material, a first outlet (8) for cleaned water and a second outlet (9) for sludge; the tank further comprises a mixing chamber (3), to which the inlet (5) for dredged masses leads, and a sedimentation chamber (4) in which the first (8) and the second outlet (9) are arranged. The mixing chamber (3) and the sedimentation chamber (4) are in fluid communication.
US08337702B2	Method for treating wastewater containing heavy metals A method for treating wastewater containing heavy metals comprising directing the wastewater across a reverse osmosis aromatic polyamide membrane at low pressure ranging from 40-120 psi, the membrane being capable of removing at least 90% of the target heavy metals from the wastewater.
US08337698B2	Spiral wound reverse osmosis membrane element The present invention relates to a spiral wound reverse osmosis membrane element comprising at least one set of the water purification membrane module comprising a laminated mesh-like treated water flow guiding member, a reverse osmosis membrane and a mesh-like feed water flow guiding member wound around a central treated water pipe; the reverse osmosis membrane is folded at a folded side to form a feed water flow channel therein along its inner surface and closed and sealed at areas remote from the central treated water tube at two sides adjacent to the folded side; a treated water flow channel is formed between outer surfaces of adjacent reverse osmosis membranes and opened only at a treated water outlet which opens towards the central treated water tube and is closed and sealed at remaining three sides; the mesh-like treated water flow guiding member is disposed inside the feed water flow channel.
US08337694B1	Drain screen assembly A drain screen assembly for protecting a drainage hole or line in an entranceway of a building featuring a generally flat base panel; a plurality of pores disposed in the base panel, the pores allow liquid to pass through the base panel while retaining debris; at least one handle disposed on the base panel; one or more adjustable legs extending downwardly form the bottom surface of the base panel, wherein the adjustable legs can be adjusted in height, wherein at least one side edge of the base panel is free of adjustable legs; and a set of reinforcing ribs disposed under the base panel, the reinforcing ribs help provide structural strength to the base for when an individual walks on the drain screen assembly.
US08337693B2	Enhanced filter indicatior for refrigerator An indicator for a refrigerator filter which has a body configured to contain a replaceable filter cartridge and including an openable cap to enclose the filter cartridge within the body. The indicator includes a control having a filter life determination mechanism and arranged to emit a signal when a life of the filter cartridge is determined to be expired. A visual display is arranged in association with the body which comprises an illuminating component which illuminates upon receipt of the signal from the control, graphics positioned in association with the body, and a light pipe extending from the graphics towards the illuminating component to transmit light from the illuminating component to the graphics.
US08337690B2	Method and apparatus for neutralizing electrochemically activated liquids A method and apparatus are provided for reducing an oxidation-reduction potential (ORP) of an electrochemically activated liquid. The ORP is reduced by emitting ions from an ion generator into the electrochemically activated liquid, wherein the ions have a charge polarity that is opposite to the ORP of the liquid.
US08337684B2	Method for operating an exhaust gas sensor and device for carrying out the method A method for operating an exhaust gas sensor, which has at least two electrodes, between which a pump current flows and between which a pump voltage occurs, said sensor being operated with a nominal operating temperature and a low temperature operation being intermittently provided at said sensor, wherein the temperature of the exhaust gas sensor is less with respect to the nominal operating temperature, and a device for carrying out the method are proposed. Provision is made according to the invention for the pump voltage to be acquired and for the low temperature operation to be influenced by the pump voltage.
US08337681B2	Endblock for a magnetron device with a rotatable target To achieve an improved end block, in which heating by induction eddy currents, which may occur during AC sputtering, for example, is significantly reduced relative to known end blocks, an end block for a magnetron configuration having a rotating target comprises an end block housing having an attachment surface for attaching the end block on a support apparatus, a pivot bearing for rotatable mounting of the rotating target, and at least one current conduction apparatus which conducts current through the end block housing in operation of the end block. The end block housing is implemented so that each current path in the end block housing which encloses the current conduction apparatus has an interruption at least one point.
US08337680B2	Substrate holder and plating apparatus The present invention is to provide a substrate holder which can effect a more complete sealing with a sealing member and makes it possible to take a substrate out of the substrate holder easily and securely, and also a plating apparatus provided with the substrate holder. The substrate holder includes: a fixed holding member and a movable holding member for holding a substrate therebetween; a sealing member mounted to the fixed holding member or the movable holding member; and a suction pad for attracting a back surface of the substrate held between the fixed holding member and the movable holding member.
US08337677B2	Sacrificial anode and backfill The installation and use of embedded sacrificial anodes to protect reinforced concrete may be improved. In one example a cavity [2] is formed in the concrete [3] and a puttylike backfill [4] is placed in the cavity and a compact discrete anode comprising a sacrificial metal element [1] is inserted into the backfill and a space is provided into which the backfill may move when subjected to a pressure arising from the formation of voluminous sacrificial meal corrosion products and a high current is passed from the anode to the steel in the concrete to arrest steel corrosion and activate the anode in the backfill. The space may be provided by venting the backfill to space outside the cavity through an opening [5] or by including a void space within the backfill [6] or a void space within the cavity [7].
US08337675B2	Method of plasma vapour deposition A method induces plasma vapor deposition of metal into a recess in a workpiece. The method achieves re-sputtering of the metal at the base of the recess with a sputter gas by utilizing a mixture of Ar and He and/or Ne as the sputter gas with a ratio of He and/or Ne:Ar of at least about 10:1.
US08337674B2	Ozone production by pressure swing adsorption using a noble gas additive Helium is introduced as an additive to any of the oxygen streams introduced into an ozone generator, such as a dielectric discharge (cold plasma) ozone generator, where the effluent of the generator is directed to an adsorption process for separating the ozone from the oxygen. Also disclosed is an improved PSA cycle, which is designed to reduce the amount of make-up helium and oxygen required to sustain the ozone generation and recovery process.
US08337673B2	Synthesis of silicon nanocrystals by laser pyrolysis The invention relates to the synthesis of silicon-containing nanoparticles by laser pyrolysis. For this purpose: a precursor (SiH4) containing the element silicon is conveyed, by a transport fluid (He), into a pyrolysis reactor (REAC); laser radiation (LAS) is applied, in the reactor, to a mixture that the transport fluid and the precursor form; and silicon-containing nanoparticles (nP) are recovered at the exit of the reactor. In particular, the power of the laser radiation is controlled. Furthermore, the effective pulse duration is controlled within a laser firing period. Typically, for a power greater than 500 watts and a pulse duration greater than 40% of a laser firing period, nanoparticles having a crystalline structure with a size of less than or of the order of one nanometer are obtained at a rate greater than or of the order of 80 milligrams per hour. Under optimum conditions, a record rate of greater than 740 milligrams per hour was able to be obtained.
US08337672B2	Method and device for producing vacuum in a petroleum distillation column The invention relates to the oil processing industry and can be used for producing vacuum in a vacuum petroleum distillation column. The inventive method involves pumping out a vapor-gas medium from the column by of a gas-gas ejector in such a way that a vapor-gas mixture is formed at the entry thereof and supplying said mixture to a condenser for producing a gas mixture and a vapor phase condensate. The gas mixture is supplied from the condenser to a liquid-gas jet apparatus and the condensate is delivered to an additional separator. A hydrocarbon-containing condensate is removed from the additional separator for the intended use thereof and a water-containing condensate is fed to a steam generator for producing steam by supplying heat of a hot distillate evacuated from the vacuum column. The thus obtained steam is used in the gas-gas ejector as a high-pressure gas. The device includes a line for supplying a distillate of petroleum distillation, a line for removing a distillate of petroleum refining, the steam generator and the additional separator. The invention makes it possible to reduce energy consumption, increase vacuum depth and to exclude the use of a water vapor delivered from an external source.
US08337667B2	Systems and methods for providing improved dewatering performance in a papermaking machine A doctoring system is disclosed for cleaning a moving surface in a papermaking machine, and the doctoring system includes a doctor blade and fluid assist system. The doctor blade is coupled to a doctor blade holder, and the doctor blade holder is coupled to a doctor-back. The fluid assist system is for providing a fluid under positive pressure that is higher than atmospheric pressure. The fluid is directed in a direction generally opposite a direction of movement of the moving surface such that fluid of high momentum is provided to impinge on water resident within the moving surface and adjacent a leading edge of the doctor blade during movement of the moving surface.
US08337666B2	Systems and methods for providing improved dewatering performance in a papermaking machine A doctoring system is disclosed for a papermaking machine wherein the doctoring system includes a doctor blade and a fluid assist means. The doctor blade is coupled to a doctor blade holder, and is for cleaning a moving surface. The doctor blade holder is coupled to a doctor-back. The fluid assist means is for providing a fluid under positive pressure that is higher than atmospheric pressure and is directed in a direction generally along a direction of movement of the moving surface such that a negative pressure that is lower than atmospheric pressure develops in a negative pressure zone adjacent the moving surface and a following surface of the doctor blade during movement of the moving surface.
US08337664B2	Method and apparatus for making slit-banded wrapper using moving orifices A method and apparatus of manufacturing a web which is striped with add-on material, comprising: a first slurry supply which forms a sheet of base web and moves the sheet along a first path; a second slurry supply; and a moving orifice applicator operative so as to repetitively discharge the second slurry upon the moving sheet of base web. The moving orifice applicator includes a chamber box arranged to establish a reservoir of the second slurry across the first path, an endless belt having orifice groups, the endless belt received through the chamber box, and a drive arrangement operative upon the endless belt to continuously move the orifices along an endless-path and repetitively through the chamber box. The orifices communicate with the reservoir to discharge the second slurry as bands of add-on material to the base web. Orifices within the orifice groups can be spaced relative to one another to define bands of add-on material having a relative minimum in thickness or to define spaced apart bands. Orifices may also cooperate with a stationary or moving template to define segmented bands having gaps with complex edges. The web resulting from the method or the apparatus may be used for a smoking article. A smoking article may be constructed from wrapper made with the apparatus or the method.
US08337662B2	Plasma confinement rings including RF absorbing material for reducing polymer deposition Plasma confinement rings are adapted to reach sufficiently high temperatures on plasma-exposed surfaces of the rings to substantially reduce polymer deposition on those surfaces. The plasma confinement rings include an RF lossy material effective to enhance heating at portions of the rings. A low-emissivity material can be provided on a portion of the plasma confinement ring assembly to enhance heating effects.
US08337660B2	Capacitively coupled plasma reactor having very agile wafer temperature control A plasma reactor for processing a workpiece includes a reactor chamber, an electrostatic chuck within the chamber having a top surface for supporting a workpiece and having indentations in the top surface that form enclosed gas flow channels whenever covered by a workpiece resting on the top surface. The reactor further includes thermal control apparatus thermally coupled to the electrostatic chuck, an RF plasma bias power generator coupled to apply RF power to the electrostatic chuck, a pressurized gas supply of a thermally conductive gas, a controllable gas valve coupling the pressurized gas supply to the indentations to facilitate filling the channels with the thermally conductive gas for heat transfer between a backside of a workpiece and the electrostatic chuck at a heat transfer rate that is a function of the pressure against the backside of the workpiece of the thermally conductive gas. The reactor further includes an agile workpiece temperature control loop including (a) a temperature probe in the electrostatic chuck, and (b) a backside gas pressure controller coupled to an output of the temperature probe and responsive to a specified desired temperature, the controller governing the gas valve in response to a difference between the output of the temperature probe and the desired temperature.
US08337657B1	Mechanical tape separation package and method A method of fabricating a plurality of electronic component packages includes coupling a tape to a panel. Electronic components are coupled to the tape and encapsulated to form a molded wafer. The molded wafer is mechanically separated from the panel without heating by breaking a mechanical separation adhesive of the tape. By mechanically separating the molded wafer from the panel without heating, warpage of the molded wafer associated with heating is avoided.
US08337656B2	Pressure-sensitive adhesive sheet, method of processing adherend with the pressure-sensitive adhesive sheet, and apparatus for stripping pressure-sensitive adhesive sheet To provide a pressure-sensitive adhesive sheet which protects a ground, thin, fragile adherend from “warping” and which can be removed from the fragile adherend after the completion of backgrinding without damaging and contaminating the fragile adherend. The pressure-sensitive adhesive sheet 5 includes a base layer A, a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer A, a base layer B, and a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer B arranged in this order, in which: the base layer A has a product of its Young's modulus at 25° C. and its thickness of 1.0×105 to 4.0×105 N/m and a product of its Young's modulus at 80° C. and its thickness of 2.8×105 N/m or less; the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer A has a shear modulus at 80° C. of 0.2 MPa or less; the base layer B has a product of its Young's modulus at 25° C. and its thickness of smaller than that of the base layer A and has, upon 80° C. heating, a shrink percentage in MD and a shrink percentage in TD of each 20% or more; and the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer B has a Young's modulus at 80° C. of 10 MPa or more and an adhesive strength to a silicon wafer (180-degree peel at a tensile speed of 300 mm/min) of 0.2 N/10 mm or less.
US08337654B2	Configurable tooling and molding method using the same Configurable layup tooling is used to fabricate reinforced composite parts have a common shape but varying features. The tooling includes a tool base, multiple mandrels and optionally, a tool insert, all of which may be used to form a portion of the common shape. The mandrels have differing tool geometries for forming the varying features of the commonly shaped parts. The tool base may be used as a bonding jig to assemble and bond assemblies that include the fabricated parts.
US08337653B2	Method for the individual application of hot embossing film and security documents produced therewith The invention relates to a method for the individual application of a hot embossing film, according to which an adhesive is printed on a substrate in the form of symbols, patterns, numbers etc., then a hot embossing film consisting of a backing film, peel-off layer and decorative layer is hot-laminated on the printed substrate and the backing film is removed.
US08337652B2	Efficient lamination press with flexible platens An efficient lamination presses can rapidly provide both heating and cooling, as well as pressure to resin sheets to create a laminate end-product. Specifically, an efficient lamination press can comprise one or more components and apparatus that can apply uniform fluid pressure across one or more platens. The one or more platens, in turn, can flex about one or more contours in a layup assembly. For example, an exemplary platen can comprise a plurality of coupled platen extensions, which can flex or otherwise adjust about each other to help create flexibility in the platen, and thus, uniform pressure across a laminate assembly.
US08337651B2	Method of making a textile web from which elastically stretchable diaper closures can be stamped A textile web from which elastically stretchable diaper closures can be stamped is made by first passing a pair of nonwoven textile webs longitudinally through a first laminating station at a predetermined first speed and inserting a plurality of longitudinally extending and transversely spaced strips of an elastic polymer between the webs at the first laminating station. This laminates the webs and strips together into an intermediate laminate having longitudinally extending zones where the webs are directly laminated to each other alternating with longitudinally extending stretch zones where the elastic strips are laminated between the webs. This intermediate laminate then passes through a second lamination station downstream of the first lamination station at a predetermined second speed smaller than the first predetermined speed. In the second lamination station respective inelastic strips are adhered to opposite faces of the intermediate laminate in the zones between the stretch zones.
US08337650B2	Methods for making a supported graft A method for forming a self-expanding stent-graft, including coupling a shape memory member to a polymer cladding to form a polymer clad member, disposing a length of the polymer clad member in an overlapping helical manner about a longitudinal axis, joining and sealing adjacent overlapping regions of the polymer clad member to form a stent-graft, manipulating the stent-graft from a first diameter to a second diameter smaller than the first diameter, and loading the stent-graft into a restraining sheath at the second diameter, the restraining sheath preventing expansion of the stent-graft from the second diameter to the first diameter.
US08337648B2	Ceramic joining A method for the production of joints between ceramic bodies such as silicon carbide bodies in which a preceramic polymer mixed with a powder, such as bimodal silicon carbide, is applied in slurry form. The mechanical and hermetic properties may be enhanced by the inclusion of additional bodies constraining the polymer slurry in the joint region, such as a collar. The thermal processing of the joint is described which provides a useful joint.
US08337642B2	Spring steel with improved hardenability and pitting resistance The present invention provides a spring steel that has superior hardenability, undergoes less pitting in a corrosive environment, and can achieve higher stress and toughness. More specifically, the present invention provides a high-strength and high-toughness spring steel with improved hardenability and pitting resistance, containing, in mass percent, 0.40 to 0.70% carbon, 0.05 to 0.50% silicon, 0.60 to 1.00% manganese, 1.00 to 2.00% chromium, 0.010 to 0.050% niobium, 0.005 to 0.050% aluminum, 0.0045 to 0.0100% nitrogen, 0.005 to 0.050% titanium, 0.0005 to 0.0060% boron, no more than 0.015% phosphorus and no more than 0.010% sulfur, the remainder being composed of iron and unavoidable impurities, the steel having a tensile strength of at least 1700 MPa in 400° C. tempering after quenching and a Charpy impact value of at least 40 J/cm2 for a 2 mm U-notched test piece of JIS Z 2202 and the parameter Fce being at least 1.70.
US08337640B2	Quaternary ammonium salts as a conversion coating or coating enhancement Disclosed are quaternary ammonium salts containing non-halogen anions such as carbonates, bicarbonates, phosphates, glycolates and mixtures thereof as conversion coatings or additives imparting anti-corrosive properties to paints. The invention relates to a method for inhibiting the corrosion of metal surfaces by applying a composition containing one or more quaternary ammonium carbonate or bicarbonate. The disclosure is also directed to anti-corrosive coatings for metal substrates containing these compounds and to metal substrates having these anticorrosive coatings.
US08337638B2	Powder for dust core and method for producing the same A powder for a dust core comprising a silicon-containing layer formed within a depth of less than 0.15 D from the surface of the surface layer of a soft magnetic metal powder having a particle diameter D and a method for producing the same are provided. The method for producing a powder for a dust core 10 comprising a silicon-containing layer 2 comprises performing silicon impregnation of the surface of a soft magnetic metal powder (particle) 1 containing a carbon element, wherein: silicon impregnation is performed by bringing a powder for silicon impregnation containing at least a silicon compound into contact with the surface of a soft magnetic metal powder 1, heating the powder for silicon impregnation to dissociate a silicon element from the silicon compound, and then diffusing the thus dissociated silicon element throughout the surface layer of the soft magnetic metal powder via impregnation; and silicon impregnation is performed under a diffusion atmosphere allowing dissociation where the reaction rate at which the silicon element is dissociated is higher than the diffusion rate at which the silicon element is diffused throughout the surface layer of the soft magnetic metal powder via impregnation.
US08337637B2	Method for ordering a disordered alloy and method for making a perpendicular magnetic recording medium A method for ordering a disordered alloy includes: simultaneously ion bombarding and annealing a disordered alloy to transform the disordered alloy from a disordered crystalline state to an ordered crystalline state. A method for making a perpendicular magnetic recording medium which includes an ordered alloy layer is also disclosed.
US08337636B1	Pool/spa filter saver system A first end of a connector is attached to the exterior end of a pipe. A second end of the connector is rotatably coupled with respect to the exterior end of the pipe and has female threads for removably receiving a hose. A spray head has a closed end, an open end coupled with respect to an interior end of the pipe, and an intermediate region having a plurality of radially extending micro-holes.
US08337635B2	Beverage preparation device with in-line scale removal system and descaling method using such system A beverage preparation machine comprises a fluid circuit (2) comprising a water reservoir (4), a water pump (5), a heating means (7), and a beverage producing module (9), which are fluidically connected for circulating water from the reservoir to the beverage producing module. An in-line descaling system (3) is provided in the fluid circuit (2) comprising a dedicated compartment (15) intended for receiving a predetermined dose of a water soluble/dispersible descaling agent (19). The invention also relates to a method for automatically descaling and rinsing the fluid circuit (2).
US08337634B2	Methods and removers for removing anodized films A remover contains an alkaline component, a bivalent zinc ion, a ferric ion, a chelating agent, and a nitrate ion. By using this remover, an anodized film can be selectively removed from an aluminum or aluminum-alloy member.
US08337628B2	Non-integrated bulk dispenser and method of operating a dishwasher having same A removable non-integrated treating chemistry dispensing cartridge assembly may emit a signal in response to a predetermined amount of treating chemistry being detected and in response to a predetermined amount of illumination being detected.
US08337622B2	Manufacturing apparatus and method for semiconductor device A semiconductor device manufacturing apparatus includes a chamber in which a wafer is loaded; a first gas supply unit for supplying a process gas into the chamber; a gas exhaust unit for exhausting a gas from the chamber; a wafer support member on which the wafer is placed; a ring on which the wafer support member is placed; a rotation drive control unit connected to the ring to rotate the wafer; a heater disposed in the ring and comprising a heater element for heating the wafer to a predetermined temperature and including an SiC layer on at least a surface, and a heater electrode portion molded integrally with a heater element and including an SiC layer on at least a surface; and a second gas supply unit for supplying an SiC source gas into the ring.
US08337621B2	Substrate processing apparatus A processing apparatus for processing a substrate G includes a processing chamber for processing the substrate; a depressurizing mechanism reducing an internal pressure of the processing chamber; and a transfer mechanism disposed in the processing chamber to transfer the substrate, wherein the transfer mechanism includes: a guide member; a stage for holding the substrate; a driving member for moving the stage; and a movable member supporting the stage and moving along the guide member. The guide member and the movable member are maintained so as not to contact each other by a repulsive force of magnets.
US08337619B2	Polymeric coating of substrate processing system components for contamination control A method of treating a metal surface of a portion of a substrate processing system to lower a defect concentration near a processed surface of a substrate includes forming a protective coating on the metal surface, wherein the protective coating includes nickel (Ni) and a fluoropolymer. Forming the protective coating on the metal surface can further include forming a nickel layer on the metal surface, impregnating the nickel layer with a fluoropolymer, and removing fluoropolymer from the surface leaving a predominantly nickel surface so the fluoropolymer is predominantly subsurface. A substrate processing system includes a process chamber into which a reactant gas is introduced, a pumping system for removing material from the process chamber, a first component with a protective coating, wherein the protective coating forms a surface of the component which is exposed to an interior of the substrate processing chamber or an interior of the pumping system. The protective coating includes nickel (Ni) and a flouropolymer.
US08337614B2	GaN single crystal substrate and method for processing surface of GaN single crystal substrate The surface of a gallium nitride single crystal substrate is processed, e.g., comprising steps by planarizing the top side and the bottom side of a gallium nitride original substrate positioned on a support bed; radiating light having wavelengths ranging from 370 to 800 nanometers (nm) onto the planarized gallium nitride original substrate; measuring transmittance of the gallium nitride original substrate; and confirming whether the transmittance is within the range of 65 to 90%. A gallium nitride single crystal substrate obtained through the method of processing the surface has high transmittance ranging from 65 to 90% measured using light having wavelengths of 370 to 800 nm. The thickness ratio (DLa/DLb) of the damage layers on the both sides of the gallium nitride single crystal substrate can be obtained within the range of 0.99 to 1.01.
US08337612B2	Environment friendly composite construction materials Disclosed are a system, a method and/or composition of environment friendly composite construction material. In one aspect, a method includes providing a mixture of a pozzolanic material and/or a kaolin clay with an activator solution to form an alumino-silicate cementitious material through a resulting geo-polymerization process. The alumino-silicate cementitious material is in the form of a paste. The method also includes processing the alumino-silicate cementitious material to transform the alumino-silicate cementitious material that is in the form of the paste to a form of a powder of the alumino-silicate cementitious material. The method further includes mixing the alumino-silicate cementitious material which is in the form of the powder with water to control a workability of the alumino-silicate cementitious material. Furthermore the method includes combining a mixture of the alumino-silicate cementitious material and water with a coarse aggregate, a fine aggregate and/or a plasticizer to form a composite construction material.
US08337611B2	Effect pigments Disclosed are yellowing-stable, silver-white effect pigments having high whiteness based on synthetic mica flakes and to the use thereof in paints, lacquers, printing inks, plastics, button pastes, ceramic materials, glasses, for coloring seed, as dopant in laser markings of plastics and papers, as additive for laser welding of plastics, as additive for coloring in the foods and pharmaceuticals sectors and in cosmetic formulations, and for the preparation of pigment compositions and dry preparations.
US08337607B2	Recording ink, recording medium, ink media set, ink recorded matter, ink jet recording method, and ink jet recording apparatus The present invention provides an ink-media set, record printed by use of the ink-media set, an inkjet printing method, and an inkjet printing apparatus which includes ink that has at least water, dye, and humectant and surface tension thereof is 20 to 35 mN/m at 25° C., a support, and a recording medium having the support and at least one surface thereof has a coating layer wherein transfer rate of the ink to the recording medium measured by a dynamic scanning absorptometer in 100 ms of contact time is 4 to 15 ml/m2 and transfer rate of the ink to the recording medium measured by a dynamic scanning absorptometer in 400 ms of contact time is 7 to 20 ml/m2.
US08337603B2	Apparatus for separation of gas-liquid mixtures and promoting coalescence of liquids Provided herein is a conditioning apparatus that includes a geometrical configuration having an inlet flow deceleration conduit and a cyclonic tube to effectuate both liquid-gas separation and droplet coalescence. The apparatus is typically positioned at the inlet of a separator vessel used for removing water and gas from extracted crude oil containing entrained water and gas. The apparatus promotes droplet coalescence and gas separation for mixed fluids flowing into an existing water and oil separation device.
US08337599B2	Oxygen concentrator The present invention relates to an oxygen concentrator in which a pulsation detection device for detecting pulsation of oxygen supplied and a control device for controlling an amount of air supplied from a compressor based on the detection results in a pressure swing adsorption-type oxygen concentrator, which is equipped with an adsorption bed filled with an adsorbent capable of selectively adsorbing nitrogen relative to oxygen, the compressor for supplying air to the adsorption bed, a channel switching valve to repeat in a constant timing an adsorption step, in which air is supplied from the compressor to the adsorption bed to isolate concentrated oxygen and a desorption step, in which the adsorption bed is evacuated to regenerate the adsorbent and a flow rate measuring device for determining a supply flow rate of concentrated oxygen produced and an amount of oxygen produced is controlled by a feedback with a flow rate sensor by itself after paying attention to variation of a product flow rate caused by suppressing an amount of oxygen produced, thereby realizing an apparatus to satisfy secondary performance such as miniaturization, low power consumption and silencing.
US08337598B2	Photo-crosslinked gas selective membranes as part of thin film composite hollow fiber membranes A thin film composite membrane comprises a core layer and a sheath UV-crosslinked polymer layer. The thin film composite membrane is produced by the co-extrusion of two polymer solutions. The core layer and the sheath layer can be separately optimized. The sheath layer may be UV-crosslinked to provide stability and selectivity at the desired operating temperature of the composite membrane.
US08337589B2	Method and apparatus for extracting carbon dioxide from air A method and apparatus for extracting CO2 from air comprising an anion exchange material formed in a matrix exposed to a flow of the air, and for delivering that extracted CO2 to controlled environments. The present invention contemplates the extraction of CO2 from air using conventional extraction methods or by using one of the extraction methods disclosed; e.g., humidity swing or electro dialysis. The present invention also provides delivery of the CO2 to greenhouses where increased levels of CO2 will improve conditions for growth. Alternatively, the CO2 is fed to an algae culture.
US08337588B2	Modified zeolite Y membranes for high-performance CO2 separation Supported zeolite Y membranes exhibiting exceptionally high CO2 selectivities when used in CO2/N2 gas separations are produced by a seeding/secondary (hypothermal) growth approach in which a structure directing agent such as tetramethylammonium hydroxide is included in the aqueous crystal-growing composition used for membrane formation.
US08337578B2	Air filter device The invention relates to an air filter device (1) having a filter housing comprising a filter housing cup (2) and a filter housing cover, in which filter housing at least one filter element (3) is arranged. Pertinent to the invention is that a flow-directing element (7) is provided that is configured in such a manner that it is ensured that the filter element (3) is flowed through uniformly.
US08337574B2	Antiloading compositions and methods of selecting same An abrasive product is disclosed. The abrasive product includes a binder support substrate, a binder, an abrasive material affixed to the support substrate by the binder, and an antiloading composition on the surface of the abrasive product. The antiloading composition is a lauryl sulfate. The lauryl sulfate is the only organic antiloading compound included in the antiloading composition.
US08337572B2	Battery and method for producing the same It is possible to ensure welding of an exposed portion of an electrode core member protruding from one end surface of an electrode group to a desired connection portion of a current collector plate by constituting a battery wherein an end portion of a first electrode is protruding from an end portion of a second electrode and an end portion of a separator on one end surface of an electrode group, the protruding end portion of the first electrode includes an exposed portion of a first electrode core member, the exposed portion of the first electrode core member is welded to a connection portion on one surface of the first current collector plate, and an insulating layer is formed in an area except for a reverse face portion of the connection portion on the other surface of the first current collector plate.
US08337571B2	Removal of impurities in the production of crystalline sodium carbonate, bicarbonate, or sulfite A magnesium treatment for removing water-soluble impurities in a process for making crystalline sodium carbonate, bicarbonate, or sulfite. A waste comprising such impurities is treated with a magnesium compound to form water-insoluble matter which is removed to form a purified solution. The treatment may be performed on a solution which contains the waste and optionally dissolved calcined trona. The purified solution may be used as a feedstock to form crystalline soda ash, and/or used as a reactant to produce crystalline sodium sulfite or bicarbonate via reaction with SO2 or CO2. In preferred embodiments, the waste may comprise a purge or weak liquor, a reclaimed solid, or combinations thereof. The water-soluble impurities may be silicates and/or foam-causing impurities, and the waste may contain sodium bicarbonate, sodium sesquicarbonate, and/or one or more sodium carbonate hydrates, such as decahydrate.
US08337568B2	Mechanical prosthetic finger device A prosthetic finger that is able to provide independent natural movement to mimic a real finger. The present invention utilizes unique connections to provide users with natural movement and restore their ability to perform activities that require the full dexterity of their hands. Additionally, the present invention also allows users to interact with touch screens that normally would not work due to the insulating properties of other traditional prosthetic fingers.
US08337565B2	Hip-joint prosthesis A method of optimizing the geometry of a femoral stem of hip joint prosthesis is disclosed. The femoral stem comprises a neck and an anchoring blade that is attached to the neck and that tapers towards a distal end with a lateral narrow side comprising a distal straight portion and a proximal arcuate portion corresponding to a curve. The transition between the distal straight portion and the proximal arcuate portion occurs at an outer lateral point. The method comprises a means of optimizing the profile of the curve of said proximal arcuate portion by a process of iterative modeling steps using a series of curves each defined by a path traced by the outer lateral point on withdrawal of a profile of the stem from a cavity of complementary shape to the stem.
US08337564B2	Total knee replacement prosthesis A knee replacement prosthesis comprising a femoral component and a tibial component that enable anterior-posterior translation of the femur relative to the tibia and enable the tibia to rotate about its longitudinal axis during flexion of the knee. The femoral component connects to the distal end of a resected femur and includes medial and lateral condyles having distal, articulating surfaces, and a patellar flange having a patellar articulating surface. The tibial component connects to the proximal end of a resected tibia and includes a proximal bearing surface with medial and lateral concavities that articulate with the medial and lateral condyles. The articulating surfaces of the condyles and concavities are defined by sections of toroids.
US08337557B2	Apparatus and kit for injecting a curable biomaterial into an intervertebral space A kit of parts is provided that comprises: a cannula, the distal end of the cannula adapted to be inserted through the disc annulus; an injection needle, the distal end adapted to be inserted into the proximal end of the cannula and configured for relatively close sliding fit therewithin; and a syringe for containing a quantity of curable biomaterial, the syringe adapted to be coupled to the proximal end of the needle and to inject the biomaterial into the needle under pressure. The kit may further comprise a quantity of curable biomaterial that is selected to have upon curing strong adhesive properties such as a protein polymer.
US08337555B2	Dynamic intervertebral implant The implant includes two side walls resting against the vertebral end-plates and an intermediate wall joining the supporting walls. The implant can be deformed for insertion between the vertebrae to be treated to restore the attenuated mobility of the vertebrae, and includes mounting elements mounting on the vertebrae. The side walls have a curved shape, whose convexity is oriented towards the outside of the implant; the intermediate wall has a curved shape, whose convexity is oriented towards the outside of the implant such that it does not form any pronounced angles with the supporting side walls. The supporting side walls and the intermediate wall, have a partially oval shape; and the mounting elements are configured such that the implant can be mounted on the vertebrae.
US08337553B2	Optical material and method for modifying the refractive index The invention is directed to an optical device comprising refractive optical structures, wherein the refractive structures are characterized by a change in refractive index, exhibit little or no scattering loss, and exhibit no significant differences in the Raman spectrum with respect to the non-irradiated optical, polymeric material.
US08337552B2	Intraocular lens and manufacturing method thereof An intraocular lens adapted for deployment within a lens capsule. At least part of a lens surface of the intraocular lens constitutes a cell inducing region in which are directly formed a multitude of microgrooves. The microgrooves take a form of minute linear grooves and lands of depth dimension between 0.01 and 1.0 μm and width dimension between 0.1 and 2.0 μm extending with prescribed length in a circumferential direction on the lens surface. The minute linear grooves and lands are formed with a chained pattern connected in the circumferential direction of the lens surface and with a periodic pattern arrayed periodically in a diametrical direction so that the minute linear grooves and lands are formed without intervening spaces throughout the entire cell inducing region and impart visible light transmittance of 60% or above to the cell inducing region.
US08337549B2	Apparatus for preventing dialysis graft intimal hyperplasia To prevent intimal hyperplasia within a dialysis graft, a flexible tube comprising the dialysis graft is coated interiorly with an anticarcinogen or mitosis-inhibiting agent for preventing cell division. The graft can also be irradiated by directing light into the lumen of the tube that has been grafted to the patient's blood vessel. The light source can be a light emitting diode (LED) or a chemical light source, i.e., a chemiluminescent substance for producing cool light energy at the site of the graft in sufficient amount to prevent undesired cell proliferation within the vessels, within the graft, or surrounding tissue where the invention is used without detectable damage to body tissue. Visible light can be used, e.g., visible blue or red light or the combination can be produced by an incandescent lamp or other suitable lamp, an LED, a laser or chemical light source with wavelengths predominantly between about 300 nm to about 800 nm.
US08337546B2	Mobile external coupling for branch vessel connection An endovascular prosthesis includes a tubular body and a mobile external coupling. The tubular body includes a graft material and stents coupled thereto which forms a lumen therethrough. The mobile external coupling extends outwardly from the tubular body. The mobile external coupling includes a graft material and is generally frustoconically shaped. The mobile external coupling includes a base coupled to the tubular body, a top spaced from the tubular body, and a coupling lumen disposed between the base and the top, wherein the coupling lumen is in flow communication with the body lumen. A coupling deployment device is coupled to the coupling graft material to provide an extension force to extend the mobile external coupling from a collapsed configuration against the tubular body to an extended position wherein the mobile external coupling extends from the tubular body.
US08337545B2	Woven implantable device A prosthetic valve device, a method for making a valve device, and a method for implanting a valve device into a recipient are provided. The valve device includes at least one flexible member formed at least partially from a woven layer. The woven layer includes a first material and a second material being at least partially woven together. The at least one flexible member is movable between a first position that permits fluid flow in a first direction and a second position that substantially prevents fluid flow in a second direction. The valve has a first, unexpanded configuration and a second, expanded configuration.
US08337537B2	Device from naturally occurring biologically derived materials Orthopaedic devices are disclosed. The devices include a part that is made of extracellular matrix material that has been hardened. One method of hardening the extracellular matrix is to comminute naturally occurring extracellular matrix and dry the comminuted material. The hardened extracellular matrix material can be machined to form a variety of orthopaedic devices.
US08337536B2	Load-sharing bone anchor having a deflectable post with a compliant ring and method for stabilization of the spine A dynamic bone anchor for anchoring a spine stabilization assembly which supports the spine while providing for the preservation of spinal motion. The dynamic bone anchor provides load sharing while preserving range of motion and reducing stress exerted upon the bone anchors and spinal anatomy. The dynamic bone anchor includes a deflectable post connected by a ball-joint to a threaded anchor. Deflection of the deflectable post is controlled by a compliant ring. The force/deflection properties of the dynamic bone anchor may be adapted to the anatomy and functional requirements of the patient. The dynamic bone anchor may be used as a component of a dynamic stabilization system which supports the spine while providing for the preservation of spinal motion.
US08337535B2	Bone plate assembly The present invention relates to a bone plate designed to secure locking screws inserted into the plate at various angles. The interior wall surface of the plate apertures include a series of protruding threaded ridges interspaced by relief notches. The threaded ridges and intermediate relief notches of the bone plate in combination with the threaded ridges and intermediate relief notches of the locking screw head allow the locking screw to bypass or “jump” threads of the bone plate. Thus, the locking screw can be inserted into the bone plate at a first angle and part-way through its advancement along the threads of the bone plate that angle can be changed. The second angle can either be greater than the first with respect to an orientation perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the bone plate, or less than. This gives the physician a great amount of flexibility during a surgical procedure.
US08337532B1	Methods for percutaneously extending an existing spinal construct Methods and techniques for adding an additional spinal construct in a patient are disclosed. In one arrangement the additional spinal construct extends an existing spinal construct ipsilaterally with an inline rod connector in a minimally invasive or preferably, percutaneous procedure. In another arrangement, the ipsilateral extension of an existing spinal construct uses an offset rod connector for receiving an additional spinal rod that may be placed interiorly or exteriorly of the existing spinal construct.
US08337531B2	Method of supporting and distracting opposing vertebral bodies of a spine An apparatus and method is provided for distracting, in a given direction, and supporting opposing vertebral bodies. A plurality of wafers are consecutively inserted between the vertebral bodies to create a column of wafers. The column of wafers is oriented between the vertebral bodies so as to expand in the given direction as the wafers are consecutively added to the column.
US08337530B2	Polyaxial pedicle screw with increased angulation A polyaxial bone anchor including a housing and a bone screw. A bottom surface of the housing includes an aperture that defines an angulation limit of the bone screw for each azimuthal angle around a longitudinal axis of the housing. The aperture is V-shaped, with the V-shape having converging side walls that define a low-angulation direction near their intersection and a high-angulation direction opposite the low-angulation direction. In some cases, the angulation limit of the bone screw is generally constant over a range of azimuthal angles centered around the high-angulation direction. The housing may be modular, including tabs on one component that are plastically deformed to engage a lip on another component. During assembly, a mandrel advances longitudinally along a bore in the housing, and forces the tabs radially outward toward the lip to a radially outward plastically deformed state.
US08337526B2	Flexible member with variable flexibility for providing dynamic stability to a spine The present invention relates to spinal support devices and, more specifically, to a flexible member having variable flexibility for use with a dynamic stabilization system or implant to provide dynamic stability to a person's spine. The flexible member generally includes a first material having a first portion including a first material having a first elasticity and a second portion including a second material having a second elasticity greater than the first to provide the flexible member with a variable flexibility.
US08337524B2	Method and device for closing holes in tissue A device for closing holes in tissue is delivered via a catheter to the inside of a body lumen such as a heart. An elastic barbed clip is expanded, pulled into the tissue and released, pulling the tissue with it. The operation is fully reversible.
US08337523B2	Tissue fixation assembly having prepositioned fasteners and method A tissue fastener assembly delivers a fastener for deployment. The assembly includes a fastener including a first member, a second member, the first and second members having first and second ends, and a flexible connecting member fixed to each of the first and second members intermediate the first and second ends and extending between the first and second members. The first member has a longitudinal axis and a through channel along the axis. The assembly further includes a deployment wire slidingly received within the through channel of the first member that pierces into the tissue and guides the first member through the tissue, a guide structure defining a lumen that receives the fastener and deployment wire and guides the deployment wire and fastener to the tissue, and a fastener configuration structure that orientates the second member in a predetermined position relative to the first member within the lumen for dependable deployment.
US08337521B2	Flexible wrist for surgical tool The present invention is directed to a tool having a wrist mechanism that provides pitch and yaw rotation in such a way that the tool has no singularity in roll, pitch, and yaw. In one embodiment, a minimally invasive surgical instrument includes an elongate shaft having a working end, a proximal end, a shaft axis between the working end and the proximal end, and an end effector. A wrist member has a flexible tube including an axis extending through an interior surrounded by a wall. The wall of the flexible tube includes a plurality of lumens oriented generally parallel to the axis of the flexible tube. The wrist member has a proximal portion connected to the working end of the elongate shaft and a distal portion connected to the end effector.
US08337518B2	Expandable trans-septal sheath Disclosed is an expandable transluminal sheath, for introduction into the body while in a first, low cross-sectional area configuration, and subsequent expansion of at least a part of the distal end of the sheath to a second, enlarged cross-sectional configuration. The sheath is configured for use in the vascular system and has utility in the performance of procedures in the left atrium. The access route is through the inferior vena cava to the right atrium, where a trans-septal puncture, followed by advancement of the catheter is completed. The distal end of the sheath is maintained in the first, low cross-sectional configuration during advancement to the right atrium and through the atrial septum into the left atrium. The distal end of the sheath is subsequently expanded using a radial dilatation device. In an exemplary application, the sheath is utilized to provide access for a diagnostic or therapeutic procedure such as electrophysiological mapping of the heart, radio-frequency ablation of left atrial tissue, placement of left atrial implants, mitral valve repair, or the like.
US08337516B2	Atherectomy devices and methods The devices and methods generally relate to treatment of occluded body lumens. In particular, the present devices and methods relate to removal of the occluding material from the blood vessels as well as other body lumens. The devices may include a catheter and a cutter assembly, where the cutter assembly has a distal cutter and a proximal cutter. The devices may also include a drive mechanism, a torque shaft, a deflecting mechanism and a torque control mechanism. The torque control mechanism may sweep the cutter assembly when the cutter assembly is deflected.
US08337515B2	Flexible endoscopic stitching devices An endoscopic stitching device is provided including a handle assembly and an end effector operatively connected to the handle assembly. The handle assembly includes a housing; a trigger operatively supported on the housing; and an actuation cable operatively connected to the trigger and extending from the housing in such a manner that an actuation of the trigger imparts axial translation and rotation to the actuation cable. The end effector includes a tool assembly configured and adapted to perform at least a pair of operations. The actuation cable is operatively connected to the tool assembly in such a manner that the actuation cable is capable of effecting a first operation of the pair of operations of the end effector upon the axial translation thereof and/or effecting a second operation of the pair of operations of the end effector upon the rotation thereof.
US08337514B2	Slitted tissue fixation devices and assemblies for deploying the same Tissue fasteners carried on a tissue piercing deployment wire fasten tissue layers of a mammalian body together include a first member, a second member, and a connecting member extending between the first and second members. One of the first and second members has a configuration alterable by a deployment wire to permit release of the fastener from the deployment wire after deployment and without causing excessive tissue trauma.
US08337511B2	Electrical stimulation system and associated apparatus for securing an electrical stimulation lead in position in a persons brain In one aspect, an apparatus is provided for securing an electrical stimulation lead in position in a person's brain. The apparatus includes a flexible disc comprising a substantially radial slot adapted to secure the lead in position within the brain after implantation. The slot is adapted to elastically expand as the lead is inserted into the slot and is also adapted to elastically contract on the lead to secure the lead in position within the brain after implantation. The apparatus further includes a ring adapted to seat within a burr hole formed in the person's skull. The ring comprises a channel adapted to receive and secure the flexible disc.
US08337505B2	Method for coupling an intramedullary nail and associated instruments A method of connecting an intramedullary nail and a targeting and/or nailing instrument includes engaging a coupling element which has an axially parallel projection with an axially parallel recess on the hollow connection end of the nail. The engagement of the projection and recess fastens the nail under axial engagement on the connection end of the instrument in predefined rotational position on the instrument. A quick-fastener element engages in the connection end of the nail and has a first coupling element and the connection end of the nail has a second coupling element. The coupling elements are configured so that in a first rotational position relative to the axially parallel projection the instrument can be introduced into the connection end of the nail and in a second rotational position the coupling elements cooperate so that the nail is held axially fixedly on the instrument.
US08337502B2	Compound offset handle A method for preparing a proximal femoral canal of a patient during total hip replacement surgery uses a shaping instrument or broach having a proximal portion with an anterior surface, and a posterior surface, each surface being spaced apart from a medial-lateral plane through the shaping instrument. A handle portion having a proximal portion having a first longitudinal axis is connected to a transition portion having a second longitudinal axis and a distal portion having a third longitudinal axis. Wherein the handle includes a dual offset including a first compound bend between the transition portion and the proximal portion and wherein, when following a direction from the transition portion to the proximal portion, the first compound bend includes a bend in the posterior direction and a bend in the lateral direction, and wherein the first compound bend is less than 90 degrees. No plane extending through the proximal portion is coplanar with a plane extending through both the transition portion and the distal portion.
US08337498B2	Systems and methods for providing a bone milling device A milling tool system for accurately preparing a portion of the tibia preparatory to making femoral resections. The milling too system provides a minimally invasive procedure to provide an aperture within an exposed surface of the tibia, the aperture then being used as a referencing surface to accurately resect the femur. Once the femur resections have been made, the remaining uncut portions of the tibia are exposed and easily accessible for the tibial resections.
US08337496B2	Variable geometry occipital fixation plate A fixation device for connecting a stabilization device to a bone comprises a first member comprising a first portion for attachment to a bone, and a second member comprising a second portion for attachment to a bone and connected to the first member by a pivotal connection such that the first and second portions are spaced apart by an adjustable distance, at least one of the first and second members further comprising a portion for mounting a connector adapted to secure a stabilization device.
US08337494B2	Plasma-generating device having a plasma chamber A plasma-generating device comprising an anode, a plurality of intermediate electrodes, an insulator sleeve, and a cathode is disclosed. The plurality of the intermediate electrodes and the anode form a plasma channel. One of the intermediate electrodes forms a plasma chamber. The cathode has a tapering portion that projects downstream the distal end of the insulator sleeve only partially. Also, the distal-most point of the cathode is located some distance away from the plasma channel inlet. Methods of surgical use of the plasma-generating device are also disclosed.
US08337492B2	Ablation catheter Devices, systems and methods are disclosed for the mapping of electrical signals and the ablation of tissue. Embodiments include an ablation catheter that has an array of ablation elements attached to a deployable carrier assembly. The carrier assembly can be transformed from a compact, linear configuration to a helical configuration, such as to map and ablate pulmonary vein ostia.
US08337486B2	Energy supply for fluid dispensing device Disclosed is a portable fluid dispensing device for infusing a fluid into the body of a user and/or for sensing an analyte within the body. The device includes at least one housing to retain a source of energy to energize the device, the source of energy comprising at least one electrochemical cell to produce electrical energy upon exposure of the cell to air, and a seal to prevent exposure of the at least one cell to air when the source of energy is not in use and to enable exposure of the at least one cell to air prior to energizing the device with the source of energy. The at least one housing includes an opening to provide access to the seal to enable actuation of the seal to control exposure of the at least one cell to air.
US08337479B2	Refastenable pant-like absorbent article and a method for making it A pant-type absorbent article including a first body panel having a body facing side and a garment facing side and a second body panel having a body facing side and a garment facing side, the body facing sides of first and second body panels are held together in a face-to-face relationship along lateral edges to form side connections. The article further including a first fastening member hingedly attached to or near a lateral edge of the body facing side of the first body panel and having a portion which is unattached to said first body panel, said portion is refastenably attached to a complementary second fastening member provided on the body facing side of the second body panel. A recess forming a finger grip may be provided in the lateral edge of the first body panel.
US08337477B2	Apparatus for extra-labial urine voiding An extra-labia urine voiding apparatus including a container sized and shaped to externally cover a vulval region of a female anatomy. The container has an open side and defines a reservoir that is adapted for receiving urine. The container also includes a substantially planar surface disposed at a top of the container adapted to face and generally surround a periphery of the vulval region. An extra-labia sealing structure is affixed to the planar surface of the top of the container. The sealing structure includes a pressure sensitive adhesive adapted to provide a generally fluid tight primary adhesive seal between the container and external tissue generally surrounding the vulval region. A blocking mechanism connected proximate the top of the container prevents escape of urine from the voiding apparatus and contact of urine with the vulval region of the female anatomy. The voiding apparatus also includes a conduit in fluid communication with the reservoir of the container and adapted for draining urine from the reservoir.
US08337471B2	Needle safety device The invention relates to a needle safety device for a medical device. The needle safety device includes: a base portion having a bore extending therethrough for receiving a needle; and two opposing jaws extending from the base portion each having a head portion in the region of its free end. At least one of the head portions forms a locking shoulder for securing the needle safety device in a housing of the medical device. An elastic element surrounds the jaws in a region between the base portion and the head portions. The jaws can be spread apart against a restoring force of the elastic element in order to allow the needle received in the bore to extend all the way-through the needle safety device. The invention also relates to a needle for a medical device and to an intravenous catheter apparatus comprising a needle and a needle safety device.
US08337465B2	Subcutaneous vascular access ports and related systems, methods, and implantation features Ports for accessing a vessels within a patient include passageways that can guide needles or other access devices directly into the vessels. The ports can be implanted subcutaneously within a patient. Some ports may be used in the creation and use of vascular access buttonholes.
US08337464B2	Vascular access ports and related methods Ports for accessing a vessels within a patient include passageways that can guide needles or other access devices directly into the vessels. The ports can be implanted subcutaneously within a patient. Some ports may be used in the creation and use of vascular access buttonholes.
US08337461B2	Systems and methods for providing a conventional integrated catheter with universal grip A universal gripping surface is provided on an intravenous catheter assembly. The universal gripping surface provides a plurality of surfaces whereby a user may grip the catheter assembly in a desired gripping configuration for improved balance and control of the catheter assembly during insertion of the catheter. Additionally, the universal gripping surface includes a guard feature to prevent a user's unintended contact with various components of the catheter assembly whereby the contact may result in an undesirable “over the bevel” condition.
US08337458B2	Stepped cannula Described herein are cannulas having a stepped exterior. Also described are methods of making and using these cannulas, for example to deliver one or more materials to the central nervous system of an animal.
US08337456B2	Syringe having a proximal end with an outward extending lip A syringe includes a body having a distal end, a proximal end and a center section therebetween, a plunger movably disposed in the body, and a hollow alignment flange for orienting and manipulating the syringe.
US08337446B2	Prosthetic heart valve housing A housing for a prosthetic valve comprises a first housing portion having a conduit end opening and a valve end opening, a second housing portion having a conduit end opening, a valve end opening and a threaded outer surface adjacent the valve end opening, a first conduit coupled to the conduit end opening of the first housing portion, a second conduit coupled to the conduit end opening of the second housing portion, and a connecting member having a threaded inner surface. The threaded outer surface of the second housing portion is structured to mate with the threaded inner surface of the connecting member to couple the first housing portion to the second housing portion.
US08337443B2	Apparatus for correcting an ingrown nail The present invention provides an apparatus for correcting an ingrown nail within a very short time (30 min to 1 hr) with a very simple operation and without pain. The apparatus contains an upstanding push-down member having at its lower end a push-down head; a laterally extending, lifting angle maintenance means secured at its middle portion to the push-down member; and lifting members (having anchors at their lower ends) extending downwardly from portions of the maintenance means which are opposite relative to the middle portion of the maintenance means at which the push-down member is secured. When the lifting members are placed under tension, the anchors secured to side portions of a nail are lifted to exert a lifting force on the side portions while causing the push-down member to push the middle portion of the nail in its thicknesswise direction.
US08337442B2	Ankle joint orthosis The invention relates to an ankle orthosis comprising a U-shaped support stirrup made of a flexible material, the sides of which stirrup converge beneath the foot in a web projecting as a tab toward the metatarsus, extend past the bones, and are held together at their end regions by a fastening strap wrapping around the leg. The tab has a convexity, which presses against the cuboid bone of the foot due to a preloading of the tab.
US08337437B2	System and methods for promoting health A system made up of methods and techniques designed to improve the body's postural alignment, joint range, muscle hydration, bone density, and overall musculoskeletal health. The system combines a series of exercises designed to lengthen and strengthen muscles, fascial and myofascial tissue. The system is used in combination with a vibrating roller device, which can also be used with a head cradle. The application of the vibrational motion to the body in combination with the techniques described herein work to stimulate fascial tissue and confer benefits on the user which will improve the overall quality of life.
US08337431B2	Collecting activity and sleep quality information via a medical device A device, such as an implantable medical device (IMD) or a programming device, determines when a patient is attempting to sleep. When the device determines that the patient is attempting to sleep, the device determines values for one or more metrics that indicate the quality of a patient's sleep based on at least one physiological parameter of the patient. When the device determines that the patient is not attempting to sleep, the device periodically determines activity levels of the patient. Activity metric values may be determined based on the determined activity levels. A clinician may use sleep quality information and patient activity information presented by a programming device to, for example, evaluate the effectiveness of therapy delivered to the patient by the medical device.
US08337429B2	Coil system and method for obtaining volumetric physiological measurements A coil device is provided having a member adapted to extend around and conform to an outer surface of a subject and a conductor adapted to extend only once around a first portion of the subject. The coil device can be positioned about the subject in order to measure a volume of the subject. When placed about the subject in the presence of a relatively homogeneous magnetic field, the conductor can generate a signal indicative of a volume of the first portion of the subject. The coil device may also include two or more conductors separately generating signals indicating volumes of two or more corresponding portions of the subject. In some cases the coil device includes associated authorization data that can limit use of the coil device. Systems and methods incorporating the coil device are also provided.
US08337428B2	Zero-crossing receiver for orthopedic parameter sensing A sensor system uses positive closed-loop feedback to provide energy waves into a medium. It comprises a transducer (604), a propagating structure (602), and a transducer (606). A parameter is applied to the propagating structure that affects the medium. A sensor is coupled to a propagation tuned oscillator (416) that forms a positive closed-loop feedback path. The propagation tuned oscillator (416) includes a zero-crossing receiver (200) that generates a pulse upon sensing a transition of an energy wave from the propagating structure (602). The zero-crossing receiver (200) is in the feedback path that maintains the emission of energy waves into the propagating structure (602). The zero-crossing receiver (200) comprises a preamplifier (206), a filter (208), an offset adjustment circuit (210), a comparator (212) and a pulse circuit (218). The transit time, phase, or frequency is measured of the propagating energy waves and correlated to the parameter being measured.
US08337425B2	Endovascular device with a tissue piercing distal probe and associated methods Devices, systems and methods for treating diseases and disorders effecting the cardiovascular system of the human body are disclosed. An exemplary blood vessel in accordance with this disclosure comprises a shaft, tip member fixed to the shaft, and a probe extending beyond a distal surface of the tip member. In some useful embodiments, the tip member is relatively atraumatic and the probe is shaped so as to be more likely to produce trauma than the tip member.
US08337424B2	Device for guiding or exchanging medical implements and medical exchange wire system A medical guidewire system for guiding thereon a medical implement includes an end effector, an actuation guidewire having a distal end permanently connected to the end effector, and a control assembly. The assembly has a handle, a shaft receiving the guidewire. The shaft has a proximal end permanently connected to the handle and a distal end temporarily connected to the end effector. A first actuator is movably connected to the handle and operatively connected to the guidewire to actuate the end effector. A second actuator is movably connected to the handle and operatively connected to a portion of the guidewire to disconnect the guidewire from the handle when actuated and, thereby, permit removal of the control assembly from the end effector and guidewire. When the control assembly is removed, the end effector and the guidewire form a surgical exchange or guidewire for guiding thereon the medical implement.
US08337423B2	Blood glucose sensor The invention is directed to an apparatus and method for blood sample acquisition and testing. The apparatus incorporates a test strip having a blood sample volume detection area in which a blood sample is accumulated and a minimum blood sample volume is detected. Once a minimum blood sample volume is detected, the test strip is moved with respect to the blood sample extraction site so that a bending surface of the test strip is presented to the blood sample, utilizing the surface tension of the blood sample droplet to facilitate movement of the blood sample to a measurement site on the strip where blood glucose in the sample is measured.
US08337418B2	Systems and methods for parenterally procuring bodily-fluid samples with reduced contamination The present invention is directed to the parenteral procurement of bodily-fluid samples. The present invention is also directed to systems and methods for parenterally procuring bodily-fluid samples with reduced contamination from dermally-residing microbes. In some embodiments, a bodily-fluid withdrawing system is used to withdraw bodily fluid from a patient for incubation in culture media in one or more sample vessels. Prior to withdrawing bodily fluid into the one or more sample vessels for incubation, an initial volume of withdrawn bodily fluid is placed in one or more pre-sample reservoirs and is not used for the incubation in culture media.
US08337417B2	Systems and methods for obtaining analytes from a body A method may include collecting at least one analyte from within a body, ejecting the collected at least one analyte from the body through at least one dermal layer of the body, and receiving the ejected at least one analyte outside the body. A system may include a means for collecting at least one analyte from within a body, a means for ejecting the collected at least one analyte from the body through at least one dermal layer of the body, and a means for receiving the ejected at least one analyte outside the body.
US08337414B2	Methods and devices for removing tissue from a patient The present invention is directed to tissue removal devices and methods. A tubular element having an open distal end is advanced into tissue so that tissue enters the tubular element. The tissue, which entered the tubular element is cut to separate the tissue from the surrounding tissue. The tissue is then transported proximally by the cutting element or a separate transport element.
US08337413B2	Sensor system for measuring, transmitting, processing and displaying a brain parameter A sensor system is used for measuring, transmitting, processing and displaying a brain parameter. The sensor system has at least one implantable brain parameter sensor with a wireless transmission unit for measuring the brain parameter. At least one receiving unit with an antenna is in wireless signal connection with the latter. At least one data read module is in signal connection with the antenna and a data processing and display device is in turn in signal connection with said data read module. The sensor system also has a head cap or a head hood, on which the receiving unit is fixed to predetermine a relative position relative to the transmitting unit. A sensor system is the result, the use of which remains comfortable for the patient even over a relatively long measuring period.
US08337411B2	Intra-abdominal pressure monitoring system Described herein are devices, systems, kits and methods for measuring intra-abdominal pressure (IAP) from a patient catheterized with a urinary catheter system. Devices may include a bypass lumen configured to connect to a pressure transducer, a sampling port connector connected to the bypass lumen, a drain tube housing configured to at least partially enclose a portion of the drain tube of a urinary catheter system, and a clamp mechanism. The sampling port connector may be configured for removable attachment to the sampling port of the urinary catheter system to form a fluid connection between the urinary catheter system and the bypass lumen of the IAP device. The clamp mechanism may be configured to controllably occlude the lumen of the urinary catheter system drain tube.
US08337407B2	Articulating arm for medical procedures A two-stage control system is disclosed being made of a first control means for providing command and control of a robotic arm, and a second control means for the control and movement of a therapy device, such as an ultrasound transducer. The therapy device is positioned within a therapy head. The therapy head is attached to the distal end of the robotic arm. The two-stage control system provides for a macro and micro level of control for the therapy device during a therapy procedure.
US08337404B2	Detecting, quantifying, and/or classifying seizures using multimodal data Methods, systems, and apparatus for detecting an epileptic event, for example, a seizure in a patient using a medical device. The determination is performed by providing an autonomic signal indicative of the patient's autonomic activity; providing a neurologic signal indicative of the patient's neurological activity; and detecting an epileptic event based upon the autonomic signal and the neurologic signal.
US08337403B2	Patient monitor having context-based sensitivity adjustments An application identification sensor comprises a plurality of emitters configured to transmit light into a tissue site and a detector configured to receive the light after tissue absorption. The detector generates a signal responsive to the intensity of the light and communicates the signal to a monitor. An information element is readable by the monitor so as to identify a sensor application. The monitor presets at least one user-selectable operational parameter in response to the information element.
US08337398B2	Medical instrument The present invention relates generally to the field of medicine, in particular diagnostics and surgery. By applying endoscopy in the diagnostics and surgery sector, surgical instruments, apparatus or processes are used for examining the interior of living organisms and/or for operative interventions. As such, said invention relates to a medical instrument, in particular a surgical instrument, for use in the endoscopy, comprising a tubular element, work element and an operating element. The operating element advantageously consists of an ergonomic axial grip with an integrated locking mechanism and an instrument shaft cleaning connection.
US08337396B2	Encapsulated medical device guidance system, and a method of controlling the same An encapsulated medical device system according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a selector between a receiving device and a plurality of receiving antennas having their respective directionalities. The system selects and disconnects any receiving antenna subjected to the effect of a magnetic field used to guide a capsule endoscope, and captures information about the inside of a body from the appropriate receiving antenna thus selected. The system prevents an overload current caused by induced voltage from being applied to the receiving device. The system includes the function of preventing the overload current, caused by induced voltage arising from a sudden movement of the capsule endoscope or sudden change in magnetic field gradient, from being applied to a transmission circuit of the capsule endoscope and a receiving device.
US08337393B2	Ocular implant delivery systems and methods Described herein are delivery devices and methods of using the devices for delivering an ocular implant into a suprachoroidal space without use of a goniolens. The delivery device includes a handle including a channel extending from a proximal end of the handle to a distal end of the handle, an applier coupled to the handle, the applier including a blunt distal tip and an elongate, flexible wire insertable through a fluid channel of an ocular implant, and a fiber optic image bundle reversibly inserted through the channel such that the fiber optic image bundle extends to a region proximal to the blunt distal tip of the applier.
US08337390B2	Intracardiac device for restoring the functional elasticity of the cardiac structures, holding tool for the intracardiac device, and method for implantation of the intracardiac device in the heart An intracardiac device for restoring the functional elasticity of the cardiac structures, in particular for the treatment of cardiomyopathies and or valvulopathies, by storing energy from the cardiac structures and ceding energy to the cardiac structures during the cardiac cycle, has an elongated shape, is at least partially wound in coils and is attachable to a cardiac structure; the coils are selected in material, number and dimension so as to allow an elastic elongation of the intracardiac device higher than 10% of the rest length of the intracardiac device and are exposed, in use, to the blood flow.
US08337388B2	System and method to restrict stomach size A device for restricting a cross-sectional area of a cavity formed by a stomach wall includes a band defining a cylindrical wall and a plurality of retaining members formed within the wall. Each retaining member is movable between a retracted position substantially coplanar with an outer surface of the wall and an extended position extending radially outwardly from the wall to facilitate coupling the device to the stomach wall.
US08337387B2	Imaging and evaluating embryos, oocytes, and stem cells Methods, compositions and kits for determining the developmental potential of one or more embryos or pluripotent cells and/or the presence of chromosomal abnormalities in one or more embryos or pluripotent cells are provided. These methods, compositions and kits find use in identifying embryos and oocytes in vitro that are most useful in treating infertility in humans.
US08337386B2	Surgical slings The invention relates generally to surgical implants, and in various embodiments to surgical implants configured for promoting growth of well-organized collagenous tissue at an anatomical site.
US08337385B1	Cabinet having relaxation chamber with light and sound A cabinet includes a base section, a middle section, and an upper section. The base section encloses a plurality of speakers, the middle section includes a relaxation chamber for a reclining human user, and the upper section houses light fixtures that emit light at preselected frequencies related to the sound frequencies emitted by the speakers. Stationary foot and head light fixtures illuminate a foot and a head end of the relaxation chamber, respectively. A movable middle light fixture reciprocates along the length of the relaxation chamber. Each light fixture has a hexagonal housing with mirrored interior surfaces and at least one crystal through which light passes. A color disc mounted below the movable middle light fixture has translucent colored discs mounted about its periphery, only one of which is illuminated per user.
US08337384B2	Grommet structure in incubator In this invention, a grommet structure in an incubator includes a grommet attaching portion provided to the enclosure of the incubator and a grommet member attached to the grommet attaching portion. The grommet member includes a longitudinal member holding incision to hold a longitudinal member such as an oxygen supply tube that extends through it. The longitudinal member holding incision forms at least one substantially S-shaped shape (in other words, a substantially sine-curved shape) and/or a substantially waving shape. This invention can provide the grommet structure in the incubator, in which the longitudinal member such as an oxygen supply tube held by the longitudinal incision of the grommet member and extending through the incision is less likely to move accidentally in the longitudinal direction of the incision or in the longitudinal direction of the longitudinal member. Also, a gap through which the inside and outside of the enclosure communicate with each other can be small even when the longitudinal member extends through the incision.
US08337377B2	Method and device for folding an airbag for an airbag module A method for folding an airbag for an airbag module in which the airbag is disposed on a support is provided. At least one piling element for folding the airbag is provided next to the exterior edge of the airbag disposed on the support. The airbag is folded together using the at least one piling element in that the piling element is moved along the support in the direction toward the interior of the airbag disposed on the support. A retainer protrudes from the at least one piling element and moving together with the piling element during the movement thereof and reaching over or under an edge area of the airbag. The at least one retainer acts on an edge area of the airbag in such a way that an undercut is formed in the airbag through the effect of the retainer.
US08337370B2	Weightlifting support assembly A weightlifting system includes a weight bar frame rack which includes a multitude of openings along an upright to receive a weight support assembly at various positions along the frame rack. The support assembly includes a multitude of studs which extend from an inner surface of a U-shaped support plate to engage the openings and provide a robust weight support which will bear a significant quantity of weight. In use, the weight support assembly is pushed into and down the upright such that that the studs engage and are guided by the openings. Concurrent therewith, a spring bias is overcome until a latch member encounters a lock opening to securely lock the support into the desired position. To remove the weight support assembly a lock trigger is retracted and the weight support assembly is lifted up and out of the openings. The entire locking and unlocking of the weight support assembly is readily performed with one hand.
US08337367B2	Methods and apparatus for monitoring and encouraging health and fitness Methods and apparatus are provided for monitoring and encouraging health and fitness. In accordance with a first aspect, an apparatus is provided that is adapted to assist in weight loss and exercise. The apparatus comprises a personal digital assistant (PDA) having computer program code adapted to assist in at least one of calorie counting, meal selection, meal suggestion, weight monitoring, weight loss or gain monitoring, fat consumption monitoring, sugar consumption monitoring and salt consumption monitoring. The PDA also includes computer program code adapted to display historical data regarding at least one of calorie counting, meal selection, meal suggestion, weight monitoring, weight loss or gain monitoring, fat consumption monitoring, sugar consumption monitoring and salt consumption monitoring. Numerous other embodiments are provided, as are methods, systems and computer program products.
US08337364B2	Training support system and training support method A training support system (S) allows an exerciser to practice training exercises safely and effectively with high motivation. The training support system (S) comprises a display means (4) which conducts display relating to training for the exerciser who uses a training machine (1) for muscle training, and a controller (3). The controller (3) allows dynamic display of reference motion and training motion on the display means (4) and variation of the display on the display means (4) according to the difference between the reference motion and the training motion.
US08337361B2	Multiple-ratio automatic transmission control method and system for ratio upshifts A speed ratio shaft control for multiple ratio vehicle transmission has controlled release of an off-going transmission clutch and controlled engagement of an on-coming transmission clutch during a speed ratio upshift, at least one clutch being a friction torque establishing clutch. A controller, using shift-timing software strategy, actively manages in real time a clutch torque level for each clutch so that transient torque disturbances in a transmission torque output shaft are mitigated.
US08337357B2	Hybrid vehicle auxiliary equipment energy management A parallel hybrid vehicle launches from rest or near rest with its internal combustion engine and with its electric motor/generator in generator mode, accelerates to a maximum speed, and decelerates to rest with its internal combustion engine disengaged and its motor/generator in generator mode. Electrical energy generated is stored in an energy storage device and is only as much energy as needed for operation of the vehicle's electrically powered auxiliary equipment while the vehicle is at rest.
US08337354B2	Lubricator in power transmission system of marine propulsion unit A power transmission system of a marine propulsion system includes a transmission arranged to change the speed of an output from an engine and then to transmit the output to a propeller shaft. Wet-type multi-plate clutches provided in the transmission include a plurality of clutch plates fitted to a clutch rotating body for axial movement with the clutch rotating body. The clutch rotating body includes an oil reservoir in its inner bottom portion and arranged to hold lubricating oil and a peripheral wall arranged to cover the oil reservoir from the radial outside and fit to each of the clutch plates to permit axial movement of the clutch plates. Communicating holes are arranged on the peripheral wall such that they communicate the oil reservoir side to the outside of the clutch rotating body in the radial direction.
US08337352B2	Electromechanical variable transmission A vehicle drive includes a first gear set and a second gear set both having a sun gear, a ring gear and planetary gears which couple the sun gear to the ring gear. The planetary gears of both sets are rotatably supported by respective planetary gear carriers which are coupled to each other. The vehicle drive also includes an engine, a first clutch which selectively engages the engine to the ring gear of the first gear set, a first motor/generator coupled to the sun gear of the first gear set and a second motor/generator coupled to the sun gear of the second gear set and electrically coupled to the first motor/generator, a second clutch which selectively engages the engine to the second motor/generator, and a third clutch and a third gear set which operate to selectively engage the ring gear of the second gear set to the planetary gear carriers.
US08337349B2	Power transmission belt The invention provides a power transmission belt which is superior in oil resistance so that it is swollen to only a reduced degree, reduced in hardness, and small in abrasion if the rubber layers are stained with oil while the belt is being used in an oil-present environment. Such a power transmission belt has rubber layers which comprise a compression rubber layer and an adhesion rubber layer both of which are vulcanized and bonded to each other and load carrying cords are embedded in the adhesion rubber layer, wherein at least the compression rubber layer between the two rubber layers is formed of vulcanizate obtained by vulcanizing ethylene-α-olefin-diene rubber with an organic peroxide and a trifunctional co-crosslinking agent.
US08337348B2	Silent chain In a silent chain, cushion pads are provided in the inner flank regions of at least every second link row. These cushion pads restrict inward flexion of the chain and reduce vibration of the free span regions of the chain. The cushion pads can be individual pads each associated with a link plate, or elongated pads each associated with a row of link plates. In either case, side parts protruding toward the outside of the loop formed by the chain can also restrict outward flexion of the chain.
US08337347B2	Driving belt, and device and method for assembling same A method and device of assembling a driving belt, which can fit a ring into a recess of an element easily, and which can prevent the ring from being damaged when fitting the ring into the recess of the element. A driving belt, in which two rows of endless rings are accommodated parallel to each other in a recess of a plurality of elements interlinked annularly in a manner to situate the recess to open to an outer circumferential side, includes a guide face, which is formed on an end face of a protruding portion for holding the ring to prevent detachment of the ring from the recess. The guide face produces an inward component of a pushing force pushing one of the rings to one of the end faces, and the produced inward component of pushing force is applied to an outer lateral side of the pushed ring.
US08337345B2	Sliding rack ratchet tensioner The high-performance sliding rack ratchet tensioner is inexpensively manufactured. A rack having rack teeth is slidingly received in a rack slot on the side of the piston. The rack slot is preferably open-ended on the end facing the tensioner arm. The rack and piston are both received in a piston bore in the tensioner body. The rack length is preferably shorter than the rack slot length to provide backlash. A pawl mounted in a pawl bore perpendicular to the rack bore engages the rack. The open-ended rack slot allows the rack to be inserted after the piston during assembly. The rack and pawl preferably have shark fin-shaped teeth. The pawl preferably has dummy teeth to ensure that the load is shared by the center teeth.
US08337344B2	Asymetric damping belt tensioner A tensioner for a belt drive, comprising: a base carrying a pin defining an axis; a tensioning arm, which can rotate about the pin and supports an idle pulley; and a damping element, which is constrained to a hinge point eccentric with respect to the axis and is carried by one between the base and the tensioning arm so as to co-operate with a friction surface carried by the other between the base and the tensioning arm. The belt tensioner further comprises a resilient element having a first end portion connected in a single point to the damping element and a second end portion connected to the other between the base and the tensioning arm to cause a rotation of the damping element about the hinge point against the friction surface.
US08337341B1	Arrow tip An arrow point includes a tip portion, a neck portion, a threaded portion, a front O-ring, and a rear O-ring. The depth of the front O-ring groove and the rear O-ring groove are equal to a dimension that is at least 50% of the thickness of the cross section of front O-ring and rear O-ring. The grooves have a depth of at least 50% of the cross sectional thickness of the O-rings, the grooves contain the O-rings and prevent the O-rings from being pulled out of the grooves. The cross section diameter of the neck portion of the arrow point is less than the inside diameter of the arrow insert. The compression forces on the front O-ring and the rear O-ring that concentrically align the arrow point within the arrow insert also prevent the arrow point from vibrating loose within the arrow insert.
US08337339B2	Floating gyrating swimming pool exercise ball game The invention is a floatation game device with a pole, which pole has a first (upper) end, a second (lower) end, and an intermediate section(s). A ballast weight is attached to the lower end. A generally ovoid and round float is attached to the intermediate section. A rope connector is attached to the upper end. One end of a rope is attached to the upper end of the pole and a ball is attached to the other end of the rope. The pole of the floatation game device can be disassembled into smaller sections. The attachment means can be a swivel, a hole, or other attachment means.
US08337338B2	Athletic swing training device and method for using same An athletic training device and a method for using same are shown, the device including an elastic cord; a grip, having a proximal end and a distal end, and having an axial bore therethrough; a connection member, disposed within the axial bore of the grip, said connection member protruding from the axial bore at the distal end of the grip and being adapted to connect the distal end of the grip to an end of the elastic cord, wherein said connection member further comprises a padded wrist strap, protruding from the axial bore at the proximate end of the grip and wherein the elastic cord is connected at its first end to the connection member of the grip, and the elastic cord is connected at its second end to an anchor, and wherein the elastic cord provides a resistance to force applied by a user in an athletic training exercise.
US08337335B2	Systems and methods for measuring and/or analyzing swing information In a first aspect, a system for monitoring a swing is provided that includes (1) a swing measurement device adapted to couple to a swinging object and to output a signal indicative of a characteristic of the swinging object; (2) a wireless transmitter coupled to the swing measurement device and adapted to wirelessly transmit the signal output by the swing measurement device; and (3) a wireless device adapted to receive the wirelessly transmitted signal and to provide information regarding the swinging object based on the received signal. The wireless device is a cellular telephone or personal digital assistant (PDA). Numerous other aspects are provided.
US08337334B2	Golf balls with clusters of dimples having non-uniform dimple profiles Golf balls include an exterior cover having a plurality of dimples arranged thereon, wherein from 5 to 95% of the dimples have a non-uniform dimple profile. At least a majority of the dimples having a non-uniform dimple profile on the golf ball body may be arranged in 2-24 repeating dimple clusters on the exterior surface of the ball. In some example structures, the exterior surface of the ball will include from 4-18 repeating dimple clusters, from 4-12 repeating dimple clusters, or even from 6-10 repeating dimple clusters.
US08337331B2	Very-low melt flow thermoplastic composition for golf ball core layers A golf ball including an inner core layer formed from a first thermoset rubber composition and having a diameter of about 1.25 to 1.58 inches; an outer core layer formed from a second thermoset rubber composition; and an intermediate core layer disposed between the inner core layer and outer core layer. The intermediate core layer is formed from a thermoplastic composition having a first melt flow index at 280° C. under a 10-kg load of less than about 35 g/10 min and has a thickness of about 0.005 inches to 0.10 inches and a surface hardness of greater than about 60 Shore D. A cover layer having a thickness of about 0.01 to 0.05 inches and a surface hardness of about 60 Shore D or less is formed around the core.
US08337329B2	Golf club head A golf club head maintains a low weight of a face part, keeps the resilience property of the face part in the rule conformity range, and prevents the resilience performance from decreasing even when a ball is hit by a face part deviating from the sweet spot. The golf club head has a sole, a crown, a toe, and a heel and comprises a face part formed of a metallic material. The face part comprising: an outer peripheral portion; a thick-walled portion having a wall thickness greater than that of the outer peripheral portion, the wall thickness of the thick-walled portion being greatest in a central portion of the face part and decreasing gradually from the central portion toward the outer peripheral portion, wherein the thick-walled portion is positioned over a region having a shape formed by depressing a circular or elliptical shape from two opposite sides thereof, the first depression on the toe side being directed orthogonal in the sole direction, and the second depression on the heel side being directed orthogonal in the crown direction; and at least two thin-walled portions having a wall thickness less than that of the outer peripheral portion, the thin-walled portions being positioned over a region surrounded by the two opposite sides of the circular or elliptical shape and the depressions.
US08337324B2	Golf clubs and golf club heads with high contact area groove configurations Golf club heads for iron-type golf clubs (including 1 through 9 irons, iron-type hybrid clubs, driving irons, and wedges (e.g., pitching wedges, lob wedges, gap wedges, sand wedges, etc.)) include a striking face. The striking face may comprise a plurality of spaced, parallel grooves that extend across at least a portion of the striking face. The grooves may form a herringbone groove pattern. The herringbone groove pattern may include two or more rows of diagonal, parallel grooves slanting in alternate directions to form a series of parallel Vs. The grooves may be rounded. Other possible groove shapes also are described.
US08337323B2	Golf club head A golf club head includes a striking face having a face center, a bottom portion, a top portion including an exterior surface, a hosel including an imaginary vertical hosel plane, a forwardmost point, and a rearwardmost point. In an imaginary vertical plane perpendicular to the hosel plane and passing through the face center, the exterior surface includes a path having a first point and a second point rearward of the first point. An imaginary infinite straight line passes through the first point and the second point, but does not penetrate the exterior surface. A segment of the imaginary straight line is delimited by the first point and the second point. A maximum distance between the segment and the exterior surface of the top portion is no greater than 0.70 mm and a distance between the first point and the second point is no less than 22 mm.
US08337321B2	Putting stroke training system A putting stroke training system includes a putting board with a putting section and a hole, a light sensitive or touch sensitive screen positioned in the putting section of the putting board, where the light sensitive or touch sensitive screen records stroke paths of a putter head, and a processor that correlates successful strokes with respective ones of the stroke paths. The processor generates a preferred stroke path based on an average of the successful strokes.
US08337319B2	Golf club A golf club comprises a shaft, a club head, and a connection assembly that allows the shaft to be easily disconnected from the club head. In particular embodiments, the connection assembly includes a removable hosel sleeve that allows a shaft to be supported a desired predetermined orientation relative to the club head. In this manner, the shaft loft and/or lie angle of the club can be adjusted without resorting to traditional bending of the shaft. In some embodiments, the club head has an adjustable sole piece that can be adjusted upwardly and downwardly relative to the sole of the club head, which is effective to adjust the face angle of the club head.
US08337317B2	Free swing Ferris wheel A Ferris wheel-type ride. A lever arm is mounted to the wheel rim to freely pivot between front and rear stops. Passenger gondolas, pivotally attached to the lever arms, travel through four zones experiencing differing ride dynamics. In the first zone, the lever arm abuts the front stop while, in the second, the lever arm is spaced apart from the stops and the lever arm is supported from above by the wheel via the lever arm causing the gondola to be vertically lifted and to rotate slower than the hub rotation rate. In the third zone, the lever arm abuts the rear stop and, in the fourth zone, the lever arm is spaced apart from the stops and is supported from below by the wheel as it falls toward the front stop at a rate greater than the hub rotation rate.
US08337316B2	Sealed PTO damper A torsion damper including a plurality of elastic elements, a first plate drivingly engaged with the plurality of elastic elements and adapted to drivingly engage with a transmission shaft, a gear, and a second plate drivingly engaged with the gear and the plurality of elastic elements. At least one of the first or second plate is adapted to hydraulically seal with respect to a housing for the transmission. The gear may be adapted to be a power take-off gear for the transmission.
US08337314B2	Systems and methods for improving a button assembly A button assembly is described. The button assembly includes a light emitting device that emits light. The button assembly further includes a lens cap that protects the light emitting device from being damaged. The lens cap has a top surface, a first cap side, a second cap side, a third cap side, and a fourth cap side. The second cap side connected to the first cap side, the third cap side connected to the second cap side, and the fourth cap side connected to the first cap side and the third cap side to form a plane. A first perpendicular distance between the plane and a first point on the top surface is different than a second perpendicular distance between the plane and a second point on the top surface. Additionally, a system for increasing life of a pixel is described.
US08337309B2	Data based awards for an electronic gaming device A electronic gaming device that distributes data based awards has been developed. The gaming device includes an outcome processor that determines certain machine events and an award delivery device that delivers data based awards in response to the machine events.
US08337304B2	Game console An example portable, handheld game console includes a main body incorporating a first display screen, and a cover body incorporating a second display screen. The main body is hingedly connected to the cover body along adjacent forward and rearward edges, respectively, such that the cover body is movable between closed and open positions. The main body is provided with a plurality of control buttons and a pair of game card slots for receiving game cards of different dimensions.
US08337290B2	Method of gaming, a game controller and a gaming system a generation rule specifying when a new symbol pattern is selected A method of gaming comprising: generating a game outcome by selecting symbols for a plurality of symbol positions arranged in a plurality of columns, at least some of the selected symbols being displayed to a player; generating a win entitlement by selecting a symbol pattern to be evaluated in respect of the game outcome, the symbol pattern consisting of a subset of displayed symbol positions; and evaluating the win entitlement by determining the extent to which the subset of displayed symbol positions corresponds to one or more designated winning symbols.
US08337289B2	Gaming and/or entertainment device The present invention relates to a gaming and/or entertainment device having a plurality of wager fields which can be covered individually or group-wise by a wager of a player, as well as having a plurality of winning fields of which one or more can be selected by means of a winnings determination means. Bet display means are provided at the winning fields for marking the winning fields which produce a win according to the bets made, with a detection apparatus being associated with the wager fields for the detection of the wager fields respectively covered by a bet and with a control apparatus being provided for the control of the bet display means at the winning fields in dependence on the wager fields covered by bets and detected by the detection apparatus.
US08337284B2	Game apparatus and storage medium having game program stored therein A touch panel 13 is mounted on a second LCD 12. If the player touch-operates the touch panel 13 so as to touch on an offense button OB, the symbolized representation of any offense athlete among a plurality of player objects composing the player's team becomes relatively large. Thus, in a game where the action or settings of a game object image is changed by touch-operating the game object image, the image of a game object that is highly frequently operated in situations similar to the current situation is enlarged, thereby facilitating touch-operation.
US08337283B2	Crop sample presentation system A system for presenting a crop sample to a crop property sensor is in particular suited for a harvesting machine and comprises a bypass line branching off from a crop feeding assembly, a conveyor for feeding the branched-off crop through the bypass line without damaging the crop, and a crop property sensor for sensing one or more properties of the crop in the bypass line. The bypass line is upwardly angled or extends vertical, such that the conveyor elevates the material from the crop guiding channel to the crop property sensor.
US08337281B2	Self-aligning rotary blade holder for sharpener A universal blade sharpening machine is operable to securely hold and sharpen any one of multiple variously sized circular blades. The machine includes a blade-sharpening drive with an adjustable blade sharpener and also includes a universal blade holder that is rotatably powered by the drive. The blade holder includes a blade-receiving chassis that holds the blade during sharpening and is rotatable about a rotation axis of the blade holder. The chassis includes a plurality of radially spaced blade-retaining sections each associated with a respective one of the circular blades.
US08337278B2	Wafer edge characterization by successive radius measurements Systems and methods for performing one or more measurements of a substrate at one or more radii along the substrate are described. Thickness measurements taken at various radii along the substrate can be averaged together to obtain an average value that reflects an overall substrate thickness. A more accurate measurement of the overall substrate thickness can be obtained by performing multiple measurements and averaging the measurements together. Using the average value, polishing can be adjusted to ensure that the substrate achieves a desired planarized thickness profile.
US08337276B2	Automated detection of characteristics of abrasive products during use A method of processing an article with a coated abrasive product, including a repeat of a single marking, comprises detecting at least two characteristics of the repeat of a single marking. The repeat is placed along the length of the abrasive product at a first major surface, wherein each of the detected characteristics conveys independent information regarding the abrasive product. The method further includes comparing the information to a database. A method of acquiring information of the coated abrasive product includes detection and comparing steps.
US08337272B2	Simulated eye for toy A simulated eye capable of being changed between a contracted state and a dilated state. The simulated eye includes a semispherical eyeball having a transparent portion, a inductive coil, and an elastic film. The inductive coil coils around the elastic film, a size of the coil elastic film is changeable when being operationally supplied with electricity. When the inductive coil drives the elastic film, a size of the elastic film is changeable, whereby the simulated eye is changed between the contracted state and the dilated state.
US08337271B2	Reconfigurable toy A reconfigurable toy including a body, a first leg coupled to the body, and a second leg coupled to the body is disclosed. The reconfigurable toy can be disposed in a first configuration in which the toy resembles a toy vehicle and in a second configuration in which the toy resembles a power-suit configuration.
US08337269B2	Method of manufacturing a spark plug having a platinum alloy electrode A method of manufacturing a spark plug, the method including the step of: securing an electrode tip to at least one of a side ground electrode or a center electrode of the spark plug, the electrode tip comprising a platinum-based alloy comprising 20 to 35% by weight of palladium, from greater than 0 to 15% by weight iridium, and the balance of the alloy being platinum, all % by weight being based on the total weight of the alloy.
US08337267B2	Organic EL device with filter and method of repairing same There are provided an organic electro-luminescence device with filters and a method for repairing the same which are capable of reducing variations in conditions for leak-light transmission during leak-light detection and conditions for transmission of laser light used for repairing, depending on respective types of filters. An organic electro-luminescence device with a filter includes a first electrode in a side for extraction of light to outside; a second electrode placed oppositely to the first electrode; an electro-luminescence layer placed between the first electrode and the second electrode; a filter provided on a surface of the first electrode, the surface of the first electrode being opposite to another surface of the first electrode facing to the electro-luminescence layer, wherein the filter is adapted to transmit, therethrough, light in a certain-wavelength range out of the range of 400 nm to 700 nm; and a certain-wavelength absorption film placed between the filter and the electro-luminescence layer, wherein the certain-wavelength absorption film has a transmittance for light in the certain-wavelength range out of the range of 400 nm to 700 nm lower than its transmittance for light with wavelengths of 400 nm to 700 nm, wherein the certain-wavelength absorption film is adapted to absorb light in the certain-wavelength range.
US08337262B2	Terminal connector and electric wire with terminal connector An electric wire with a terminal connector includes an electric wire and a female terminal connector crimped onto a core wire exposed at the electric wire. A female terminal connector has a wire barrel having a surface to be applied to the core wire. The surface has a plurality of recesses formed therein. Each recess has a parallelogram-shaped opening edge. The opening edge of the recess includes a pair of first opening edges that are parallel to each other and a pair of second opening edges that are parallel to each other and different from the first opening edges. The recesses are spaced in the extending direction of the first opening edges and are spaced in the extending direction of the second opening edges.
US08337255B2	Connector and series of connectors A connector has a housing (10) connectable with a mating housing (40) and projections (21) formed at ends of outer surfaces of the housing (10) with respect to a width direction orthogonal to a connecting direction. A connecting operation of the two housings (10, 40) progresses when the projections (21) are fit into recesses (46) formed in the mating housing (40) while being prevented when the projections (21) cannot fit into the recesses (46). Surfaces of the projections (21) facing a widthwise center of the housing (10) are inclined surfaces (24) inclined outwardly.
US08337254B2	Receptacle connector and complementary plug An electrical connector assembly comprises an electrical receptacle and a complementary plug connector. The electrical receptacle has an insulative housing defining a first mating cavity with a circular mating post exposed therein and extending along a rear-to-front direction, and a second mating cavity in communication with the first mating cavity but located at a lateral side of periphery of the first mating cavity. A plurality of power terminals are received in the first mating cavity and a plurality of signal terminals are received in the second mating cavity. An electrical plug connector fills the first mating cavity and the second mating cavity at the same time when mated with the electrical receptacle. The electrical receptacle can not only mate with a conventional power plug connector but also mate with the present plug connector to transmit USB signals.
US08337253B2	Super-thin USB connector receptacle housings having reduced-wear finger contacts Structures, methods, and apparatus that provide connector receptacles that have a reduced tendency to scratch and otherwise mar connector inserts, have an aesthetically-pleasing appearance, have an improved tactile response when inserts are inserted, or are very thin or have a low profile. Various examples reduce scratches and wear by utilizing domes, cylinders, balls, or other structures as finger contacts in a connector receptacle. Another example provides aesthetically-pleasing connector receptacle enclosures by forming receptacle enclosures using the same type of material, or material having the same or similar color or texture, as is used for enclosing the electronic device that includes the receptacle. Another example provides an aesthetically-pleasing receptacle enclosure by forming receptacle enclosures that are, in part or in whole, contiguous or formed with the housing. Another example provides a super-thin connector receptacle by removing fingers and portions of a shell along one or more sides.
US08337252B2	Smartconnect flash card adapter A multi-memory media adapter to read a plurality of different types of memory media cards. Signals are mapped to the contact pins depending upon the type of memory media card. In one embodiment, a controller connected to an interconnection means maps at least one signal to the contact pins depending upon the type of memory card inserted.
US08337247B2	Power electrical connector with improved metallic shell An electrical connector includes an insulative housing, a pair of terminals and a metallic shell retained in the insulative housing. The insulative housing includes a mating portion defining a first surface, a second surface opposite to the first surface and a front surface connecting the first and second surfaces. A receiving space formed in the mating portion and penetrating through the front surface. The terminals include contact portions extending into the receiving space. The metallic shell includes a first wall extending forwardly, an end wall bending downwardly from a front end of the first wall and a second wall bending rearwardly from a bottom end of the end wall. The first and second walls cover the first and second surfaces of the mating portion respectively. The end wall covers the front surface and defines an opening communicating with the receiving space.
US08337244B2	Waterproof connector with rubber sheet having resilient member A housing (11) of a waterproof connector (10) is formed with terminal accommodating chambers (12) arranged in rows one above another and columns. A rubber sheet (20) for sealing is arranged at a terminal insertion surface side of the housing (11) and has wire insertion holes (24) corresponding to the terminal accommodating chamber (12). The wire insertion holes (24) are dimensioned to be held in close contact with the outer circumferential surfaces of wires (30) inserted therethrough. The rubber sheet (20) is with resilient members (22) having a larger modulus of elasticity than a rubber sheet main body (21) in parts at least on a wire insertion side surface (21a) either or both between the respective rows of the wire insertion holes of the rubber sheet main body (21) formed with the wire insertion holes (24) or/and between the respective columns of the wire insertion holes.
US08337243B2	Cable assembly with a material at an edge of a substrate The cable assembly may include a plug connector, a cable, and a connector. The plug connector may include a housing and a board assembly. The board assembly may include a printed circuit board. The edge of the printed circuit board may be enclosed with a material. The material may be an overmolded plastic or a coating of a material. In order to reduce the crosstalk in the areas where the cable shield is removed, a shielding assembly may be used. The shielding assembly may provide 360 degrees of shielding for the wire pair at the location where the cable shield is removed. The printed circuit board may have a trace layer, a core layer, and a ground plane layer. The ground plane layer may have a portion which is a solid layer and another portion which is a non-solid layer.
US08337242B2	Data cable and connector thereof A data cable includes a first connector, two bolts, a number of wires extending from the first connector, and at least one connector electrically connected to the wires. The first connector includes an insulated main body. The main body includes an elongated installing portion and a short connection portion extending from a rear side of the installing portion. Opposite ends of the installing portion each define a through hole, and opposite ends of the connection portion each define a receiving hole. The bolts are configured to be detachably received in the receiving holes, and operable to mount the first connector to an object via the through holes.
US08337241B2	Front load keystone D-shape connector A front load keystone D-shape connector includes a D-shape connector body having a plurality of conducting terminals located on one side thereof, and a frame shell holding the D-shape connector body therein and mountable in one mounting slot on a keystone wall plate/keystone panel, the frame shell having hooks backwardly extended from a back side thereof and adapted for insertion into one mounting slot on the keystonewall plate/keystone panel from a front side for hooking on a part of the keystone wall plate/keystone panel inside the mounting slot. Thus, the invention enhances the application range and convenience of use of a D-subminiature/digital video interface connector.
US08337239B2	Hardened micro SIM adaptor An adaptor is shaped for allowing use of a micro SIM card in a mini SIM card implemented device. An adaptor body is shaped like a micro SIM card and may include a cutout region for receiving a micro SIM card therein.
US08337235B2	Connector with curved coupling between lock arm and housing A connector (10) formed by removing front and rear shaping dies in forward and backward directions. The connector (10) includes a housing (20), a lock arm (40) provided displaceably relative to the outer surface of the housing (20) and adapted to hold a mating housing and the housing (20) in a connected state. Couplings (51) connect the lock arm (40) and the housing (20) and have front and rear curved surfaces (57F, 57R). Front steps (54F) extend continuously forward from the end edge (58F) of the front curved surfaces (57F) closer to the rear curved surfaces (57R). Rear steps (54R) extend continuously back from end edges of the rear curved surfaces (57R) closer to the front curved surfaces (57F). Pairs of curved portions (59F, 59R) facing forward and back are provided at opposite ends of the curved surfaces (57F, 57R) in directions crossing the curving directions.
US08337233B2	Electrical connector assembly WTH latch mechanism easily operated An electrical connector assembly (100), comprises: a housing (1) having therein at least three receiving rooms (11) extending along a front-to-rear direction and communicating with an exterior; two printed circuit boards (2) received into each of receiving room and positioned in the housing; a strain relief (5) disposed in the housing; a latch mechanism assembled to an exterior surface of the housing; and engaging means (9) assembled to the housing along a vertical direction to interlock the strain relief to the housing.
US08337228B1	Sealing member for sealing a connection between a coaxial cable connector and a port A female equipment port a first portion having a first diameter, a second portion having a second diameter and a threaded portion, a base portion structurally integral with the first portion and the second portion, wherein the first portion axially extends from the base portion, a transition portion axially separating the first portion and the second portion, wherein the first diameter is greater than the second diameter, wherein the first portion, the second portion, and the transition portion are configured to engage portions of a seal member of a cable connector to form a plurality of environmental seals is provided. Associated methods are also provided.
US08337225B2	Bus bar connector terminal design A bus bar connector terminal design includes a bus bar having a bus bar housing, on which at least one connector terminal having a terminal housing is attached. The at least one connector terminal has a fixation device for fixation of the at least one connector terminal in a secure position on the bus bar. A bus bar as well as a connector terminal for use in such a bus bar connector terminal design are also provided.
US08337216B1	Touch sensor back plane ground connection Touch sensor panels can use touch sensors to detect the presence and location of a touch event. In order for the touch sensors to function reliably, the back plane of the touch sensor panel should be grounded. Supplying this ground connection can provide a uniform electrical reference point from which changes in voltage and capacitance due to a touch event can be measured. Without this ground connection, touch sensors may misrepresent the touch event. Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide different means for providing a ground connection for the back plane of a touch sensor panel. These embodiments are designed to provide a reliable ground connection even in the presence of various failure conditions.
US08337210B2	Behavior modification device and method A behavior modification device and method for encouraging positive behavior and discouraging negative behavior by a child. The device comprises a positive section having a positive receptacle, a neutral section having two receptacles and a negative section having a negative receptacle. Each of the positive and negative sections are made up of members that disconnect to open the receptacles and which separate from the neutral section. Tokens and reward items are placed in the neutral section and a caregiver monitors the child. If good behavior is observed, a token is moved to the positive receptacle. If further good behavior is observed, a second token is moved to the positive receptacle and the child gets a reward item. If bad behavior is observed, a token is moved to the negative receptacle. If further bad behavior is observed, a second token is moved to the negative receptacle and the child is disciplined.
US08337209B2	Computerized systems and methods for self-awareness and interpersonal relationship skill training and development for improving organizational efficiency A computerized training system and methods are provided for training an individual in self-evaluation and to interact with a partner. The training system and methods comprise an intelligence assessor to identify an intelligence makeup of the individual by scoring a completed intelligence questionnaire. Intelligences include Logic, Emotion and Intuition. An asset assessor assesses the strength of Three Assets of the individual by scoring a completed asset questionnaire. Assets include a Technical, a Psychological, and a Relational asset. A perception assayer identifies a dominant Perceptual Orientation of the individual by cross referencing the intelligence makeup with the viewpoint of the individual. An aggregator collects the profile information of the individual to generate an innate profile report and a self-insight report of the individual. A facilitator aids in exploring the insight report. A synchronizer may synchronize the individual with a partner by forming a dyad between the individual and the partner. A trainer may also train the individual to resolve conflicts with the partner.
US08337208B1	Content analysis to detect high stress in oral interviews and text documents A system of interrogation to estimate whether a subject of interrogation is likely experiencing high stress, emotional volatility and/or internal conflict in the subject's responses to an interviewer's questions. The system applies one or more of four procedures, a first statistical analysis, a second statistical analysis, a third analysis and a heat map analysis, to identify one or more documents containing the subject's responses for which further examination is recommended. Words in the documents are characterized in terms of dimensions representing different classes of emotions and states of mind, in which the subject's responses that manifest high stress, emotional volatility and/or internal conflict are identified. A heat map visually displays the dimensions manifested by the subject's responses in different colors, textures, geometric shapes or other visually distinguishable indicia.
US08337206B2	Tool for assisting in the design of an aircraft flight deck compatible with a night vision system The invention relates to a tool (10) for assisting in the design of an aircraft flight deck compatible with a night vision system, comprising a closed chamber (12) functioning as a dark room and containing: a mockup (14) that reproduces the interior of a flight deck and is representative of the visual characteristics of the station, the mockup integrating equipment items that are representative of a flight deck and that are capable of reproducing a plurality of possible illumination configurations of the flight deck on command, a light source (22) capable of reproducing at least one level of darkness in the chamber.
US08337204B2	Rotary dental tool and method of manufacture A rotary dental tool. The tool includes a blank having a shaft portion and a head portion. A single layer of diamond crystals extends from the blank at substantially uniform height, the diamond crystals covering a predetermined proportion of the surface area of the head portion. A bonding material substantially surrounds the diamond crystals, forming micro-channels between the diamond crystals. The diamond crystal size is substantially less than other rapid cutting tools yet out performs other tools in cutting speed, durability and smoothness of finish. The micro-channels are believed to both cool the dental tool and facilitate debris removal during use.
US08337203B1	Flexible dental tool apparatus and associated method A mobile suction unit preferably includes a portable body, a deformably non-resilient appendage connected to the body, and a dental instrument connected to the deformably non-resilient appendage. The deformably non-resilient appendage may be selectively bent from a non-tensioned shape to a curvilinear tensioned shape in such a manner that the deformably non-resilient appendage indefinitely retains the curvilinear tensioned shape while the dental instrument is adapted to be positioned within the patient oral cavity.
US08337199B2	Fluid permeable dental aligner A shell-shaped dental aligner for producing predetermined movement in a patient's tooth includes a shell portion comprising a fluid-permeable material, an outer surface of the shell portion, and an inner surface of the shell portion, the inner surface to be in contact with the patient's tooth. The fluid-permeable material can allow fluid to communicate between the patient's tooth and the vicinity of the outer surface.
US08337198B2	Reusable multi-piece orthodontic appliances Multi-piece, reusable orthodontic appliances that include a support assembly to be bonded to a tooth and a corrective assembly adapted to receive an archwire and direct corrective forces exerted by the archwire to the tooth. The support assembly is releasably engaged with the corrective assembly, such as with coupling portions that disengage responsive to a force applied to the corrective assembly exceeding a predetermined value, such as less than a force sufficient to debond the support assembly from the tooth. In response to such a force, the corrective assembly disengages from the support assembly, rather than the appliance debonding from the tooth. Self-release assemblies for use with a corrective orthodontic bracket, including either a support assembly or a corrective assembly, and an engagement assembly configured to disengage as described above, may allow a conventional set of orthodontic hardware to be retrofitted with a self-release feature.
US08337197B2	Coanda gas burner apparatus and methods A gas burner apparatus for discharging a mixture of fuel gas, air and flue gas into a furnace space of a furnace wherein the mixture is burned and flue gas having a low content of nitrous oxides and carbon monoxide is formed is provided. The burner tile includes at least one gas circulation port extending though the wall of the tile. The interior surface of the wall of the tile includes a Coanda surface. Fuel gas and/or flue gas conducted through the gas circulation port follows the path of the Coanda surface which allows more flue gas to be introduced into the stream. The exterior surface of the wall of the tile also includes a Coanda surface for facilitating the creation of a staged combustion zone. Also provided are improved burner tiles, improved gas tips and methods of burning a mixture of air, fuel gas and flue gas in a furnace space.
US08337195B1	Injection mold An injection mold for molding a product which has a gap and an inserting groove at a side thereof includes a movable mold and a stationary mold. A fillister is designed in an inner sidewall of the inserting groove. The stationary mold includes an inclined pillar slantwise mounted in the stationary mold. The movable mold includes a movable core and a sliding mechanism which includes a sliding block, a preventing board and a sliding element. The preventing board is further inserted in the sliding block therein. The sliding block is parted from the product to form the gap, for assisting the sliding element to be parted from the product to form the inserting groove and the fillister under the drive of the inclined pillar and the inner end face of the sliding block acting on the other end of the sliding element, when the injection mold is opened.
US08337191B2	Dies for making extruded synthetic wood and methods relating thereto The present invention is directed to extrusion dies for making extruded synthetic wood and methods relating thereto. The dies include adapter dies, transition dies, stranding dies, and molding dies. The adapter dies include a channel with a restricted cross-sectional area. The stranding dies include a plurality of non-uniform channels that differ in length, cross-sectional area, cross-sectional shape, or combinations thereof. The transition dies are coordinately configured with the stranding die to adjust the flow rate of the extrudate. Particular configurations of dies upstream of the molding die allow for higher compression ratios in the molding die than previously feasible. Each of the dies described herein may be used individually with standard dies known in the art. Alternatively, the dies may be used in combination to form integrated units. The dies described herein allow for making stronger, more consistent synthetic wood at greater output rates than previously possible.
US08337187B2	Tire holding mechanism and post cure inflator A tire holding mechanism includes a first support body, a second support body and a moving device. The first support body is provided with a substantially annular first flange which supports a first bead at one side of the tire, a lock shaft having a lock mechanism and which protrudes in an axial direction of the first flange to allow the first flange to move in the axial direction, and a stopper which restrains the first flange at the proximal end of the lock shaft. The second support body is provided with a substantially annular second flange which supports a second bead of the tire, and an engagement portion with which the lock mechanism is removably engaged. The moving device moves the first support body between a tire holding position and a tire transferring position. The lock mechanism is engaged with the engagement portion at the tire holding position.
US08337186B2	Method and apparatus for molding resin foam product An example molding method includes: feeding a molten foamable resin by injection in a cavity formed in a molding die; allowing the molten foamable resin to flow in the cavity; and foaming and solidifying the molten foamable resin to mold a resin foam product. The example molding method performs flow rate control by controlling a flow rate of the molten foamable resin at a welding portion to be equal to or higher than a flow rate of the molten foamable resin at an upstream portion adjacent to the welding portion.
US08337180B2	Mud pump cylinder assembly and liner system A fluid section for a reciprocating pump comprises a cylinder assembly including a housing having a central axis, a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and a throughbore extending axially between the first end and the second end. In addition, the cylinder assembly includes a liner disposed within the throughbore of the housing. Further, the cylinder assembly includes an end cap coupled to the second end of the housing. Still further, the cylinder assembly includes an annulus radially positioned between the liner and the housing, the annulus being in fluid communication with the throughbore of the liner. Moreover, the fluid section includes a piston slidingly disposed in the throughbore of the liner. The piston is adapted to compress a fluid disposed in a pumping chamber within the liner extending axially through the throughbore of the liner between the piston and the first end of the housing.
US08337171B2	Pump drive system A pump drive system having a pump drive element that is driven by a first or a second drive mechanism. The pump drive element is connectable or connected by a coupling element in a rotationally fixed connection either through a first free-wheel device to the first drive mechanism or through a second free-wheel device to the second drive mechanism.
US08337168B2	Finger-type peristaltic pump comprising a ribbed anvil The present invention discloses a finer-type peristaltic infusion pump comprising a ribbed anvil. More specifically, a finger-type peristaltic pump, comprising a plurality of pressing-fingers, infusion-tube, and a passive interfacing mechanism is disclosed. The passive interfacing mechanism comprises of means for accommodating said flexible infusion tube and mounting the tube in a location suitable for the pressing-fingers to apply an approximated perpendicular force on said tube to squeeze it; a ribbed anvil rigidly supporting the tube on opposite side to the pressing fingers when it is pressed by said finger; said anvil comprising a plurality of ribs selected from one or more ribs of a group including a plurality of ribs oriented to face said fingers' tip, a plurality of ribs located in between said fingers, or any combination thereof.
US08337164B2	Turbomolecular pump An object is to provide a turbomolecular pump with rotor and stator blades alternatively arranged that can prevent collision between the adjacent rotor and stator blades due to air inrush, which may take place due to vacuum break in a system operation, prevent excessive centrifugal force to a hub portion of a rotor, and further enhance pumping performance. A blade cross sectional profile taken along the circumferential direction of each of the rotor blades of a rotor blade stage has an upstream portion curved convexly backward in a rotational direction of the rotor and a downstream portion curved convexly forward in the rotational direction of the rotor, thereby forming the blade cross sectional profile into an S-shape or inversed S-shape.
US08337163B2	Fiber composite half-product with integrated elements, manufacturing method therefor and use thereof A prefabricated half-product for use in manufacture of a fiber-reinforced composite part of a wind turbine is provided, the half-product comprising at least one fiber mat and at least one inlay which is attached to the at least one fiber mat such that the relative position of the at least one inlay with respect to the at least one fiber mat remains substantially fixed during the manufacture of the fiber-reinforced composite part of the wind turbine. Furthermore, a method for manufacturing the half-product and method for the use of the half-product are provided.
US08337162B2	Quick install blade arms for ceiling fans Quick attachable and detachable mounting arms for ceiling fans. A first version has flat headed fasteners initially attached to one end of mounting arms, with key-hole slots in the endshield of the ceiling fan motor. The user raises the mounting arm so that the flat headed fasteners fits through the larger openings in the keyhole slots and then pulls the mounting arm outward until the arm locks in place by the smaller opening portions of the keyhole slots. Rubber type gaskets and washers help lock and hold the mounting arms in place. The flat headed fasteners can also be located on the endshields with the keyhole slots on mounting arms. A second embodiment includes inwardly deformable springably snapable fasteners that can be located on the ends of the mounting arms which can deform inwardly and expand after passing through slots on the endshield of the rotor. Alternatively, the fasteners can be located on the bottom of the endshield with the receiving slots on the ends of the mounting arms. The different versions can include guide posts for allowing only one single fastener to be needed. A third embodiment allows the inwardly bendable snapable fasteners to be removable with screws.
US08337161B2	Blade root extender for a wind turbine A blade root extender for a wind turbine assembled between the blade root and a hub fixed to the wind turbine's nacelle. The extender is made up of a hollow, corrugated cylinder and one or two terminal flanges with holes for some preloaded stud bolts that apply pressure to the blade root extender.
US08337156B2	Method of flight in an expanded speed range using thrust vectoring propellers The invention relates to aeronautical engineering, in particular to methods of flight due to creating of forces on air propellers, namely using thrust vectoring of direction and amount of force created by air propellers of opposite rotation with the axis, mainly in the direction of flight, in the expanded range of speeds, from 50 m/s to high near-sonic speed of flight. The invention may be applied for horizontal flight and maneuvering in flight on vertical take-off aircrafts using rotation of main rotors from the vertical stand of rotor axes during the take-off to almost horizontal position of rotor axes in horizontal flight, thus both the rotation of rotors and the change of position of an aircraft together with its rotors may be applied, and it may be also used in the horizontal take-off aircrafts with almost horizontal position of axes during the horizontal flight, including the planes with airscrew propellers.
US08337155B2	Fan assembly having reduced vibration A fan assembly is provided. The fan assembly includes a fan, and a shroud having a motor mounting portion on which a fan motor of the fan is mounted. One or more coupling units are provided at a lower side of the shroud, and on a planar surface of an apparatus, and one or more vibration preventing members are interposed between the coupling units. Because the fan and the motor mounted thereto cause vibration and noise to the fan assembly in the apparatus, the vibration preventing members are interposed between the coupling units of the shroud and the apparatus to reduce the amount of vibration and noise transmitted from the fan and the motor to the apparatus.
US08337154B2	High efficiency cooling fan A cooling fan includes an impeller which comprises a plurality of radially extending blades, each of which includes a blade hub, a blade tip and a blade midspan approximately midway between the hub and the tip. In addition, each blade includes a camber of between about 60° and 90° at the blade hub, between about 15° and 40° at the blade midspan and between about 15° and 40° at the blade tip.
US08337153B2	Turbine exhaust diffuser flow path with region of reduced total flow area An exhaust diffuser system and method for a turbine engine includes an inner boundary and an outer boundary with a flow path defined therebetween. The inner boundary is defined at least in part by a hub that has an upstream end and a downstream end. The outer boundary has a region in which the outer boundary extends radially inward toward the hub. The region can begin at a point that is substantially aligned with the downstream end of the hub or, alternatively, at a point that is proximately upstream of the downstream end of the hub. The region directs at least a portion of an exhaust flow in the diffuser toward the hub. As a result, the exhaust diffuser system and method can achieve the performance of a long hub system while enjoying the costs of a short hub system.
US08337151B2	System and method for aligning turbine components Embodiments include a system having a turbine support key having a set of key segments selectively stackable together in a plurality of combinations to adjust a thickness between turbine supports based solely on a selection of the key segments from the set.
US08337146B2	Rotor casing treatment with recessed baffles A compressor rotor casing treatment comprises a plurality of axially spaced-apart circumferential grooves defined in the inner surface of the compressor casing adjacent the tips of the compressor rotor blades. A plurality of circumferentially spaced-apart recessed baffles projects from a bottom surface of each groove to a distance less than a full height of the groove.
US08337141B2	Rotary nanotube bearing structure and methods for manufacturing and using the same In one embodiment, a rotary device includes a multiwall nanotube that extends substantially perpendicularly from a substrate. A rotor may be coupled to an outer wall of the multiwall nanotube, be spaced apart from the substrate, and be free to rotate around an elongate axis of the multiwall nanotube.
US08337136B2	Device for supporting and moving shelves for cages for laboratory animals A device for lifting and moving shelves, in particular shelves for cages for laboratory animals, said device comprising: means for lifting at least one shelf, and for keeping it lifted from the ground; moving means to allow displacement of the device in the presence of a shelf lifted from the ground, along at least one direction. Structure comprising several devices as described above, engaged with a driving system to allow translation along a common direction.
US08337129B2	Wheel nut lock Disclosed is an apparatus for locking and flagging a wheel nut, the wheel nut being rotatable about a central axis to a secured position. The apparatus comprises a substantially cylindrical body having a toothed central bore therein sized to closely surround and engage a periphery of the wheel nut. The cylindrical body having a slot therein so as to permit the cylindrical body to be radially expandable. The apparatus further comprises a first extension extending perpendicularly from the body having an indicator thereon and a second extension extending perpendicularly from the body to an opposed side thereof. The second extension having a distal end adapted to overlap and engage with a first extension of an adjacent wheel nut cover so as to cover the indicator of the adjacent wheel nut cover when the wheel nut is in a secured position.
US08337124B2	High speed hand drill with swiveling pressure foot and integrated vacuum pickup and coolant delivery duct A high speed handheld power drill includes a housing with a motor, a chuck rotationally driven by the motor, and a drill bit clamped in the chuck. A pressure foot is mounted on the housing for coaxial rotation about the drill bit and lockable in a selectable angular position relative to the housing. A drill guide is slidably disposed within the pressure foot at an outer end thereof and biased for coaxial sliding movement between the drill bit and pressure foot. A vacuum cuttings pickup and coolant fluid delivery tool is coupled to the drill guide and arranged to deliver coolant fluid to the drill bit and to remove drill cuttings and coolant fluid and vapor therefrom during drilling. A coolant fluid reservoir is coupled to the drill motor housing and adapted to deliver selectably metered amounts of coolant fluid to the cuttings pickup and coolant delivery tool during drilling.
US08337121B2	Process for in-ground water collection A groundwater barrier system for preventing the generally lateral, subterranean migration of water (including both liquid and gaseous fluids) beyond an established perimeter, while providing controlled collection of same for use. The present system utilizes a barrier wall, which is formed in-ground via non-permeable membrane in sheet/roll/panel or slurry (materials can include bentonite clay). The present system will be configured to intersect the flow path of the groundwater to be routed to enhance containment or collection of the fluid. In use, the barrier of the present invention is installed by first making an excavation to accommodate the barrier system. The excavation and barrier wall is implemented to a depth so as to allow for the maximum interception with the established water table to be contained or collected, and/or processed based on benefit vs cost analysis. The barrier can also be used to prevent contaminants (including saltwater) from entering surficial freshwater aquifers.
US08337117B2	Method and composition for road construction and surfacing Methods and compositions for improving the strength and longevity of secondary roadways through environmentally sound practices are disclosed herein. A composition for road sealing includes an aqueous emulsion of acrylic and vinyl acetate polymer, water, and a resin-modified emulsion, wherein the resin-modified emulsion includes a mixture of pitch and rosin, an emulsifying agent, and water.
US08337114B2	Barrier system A barrier system is provided including at least a first front barrier and at least a second rear barrier. The second rear barrier is located a pre-determined spaced distance behind the front barrier. At least a part of said second rear barrier is substantially greater in height than the height of said first front barrier.
US08337113B2	Stamped link for supporting an engine A torque arm for securing the position of a power train relative to a motor vehicle includes a first mount and a second mount. The first mount and the second mount are spaced by a body portion. The first mount is formed by a continuous ring defining a first central opening and is integral with the body portion. The second mount is formed by a loop defining a second central opening and the loop extends from the body portion at an opposite end of the body portion from the continuous ring.
US08337111B2	Axial retention assembly An axial retention assembly for axially retaining a retained member includes a retaining member and a retaining ring. The retaining member has a surface and an annular groove disposed on the surface, where the surface defines a cavity and the annular groove has a groove surface and an edge surface disposed between the surface and the groove surface. The retaining ring has a first portion at least partially disposed in the groove and opposing the groove surface, a second portion at least partially disposed in the cavity and opposing the retained member and the surface of the retaining member, and a recess portion disposed between the first portion and the second portion and opposing the edge surface. The recessed portion of the retaining ring does not contact the edge surface of the retaining member when the retained member exerts a predetermined force on the second portion of the retaining ring.
US08337110B2	Disposable bleaching cleaning pad Disclosed are replaceable cleaning pads capable of delivering a bleaching agent and a detersive composition to surfaces being cleaned. The pads are constructed to retain bleach separate from detersive ingredients and certain other chemicals prior to use, yet permit rapid delivery of the combined chemicals to the surface being cleaned once the pad is wetted. Most preferably a detersive mixture is melt-anchored to the pad. In one form, the pad is a two layer pad, and in another form, the pad is a three layer pad.
US08337107B2	Mechanical pencil A writing lead (10) is grasped and released by reciprocation of a chuck (3) provided in a body cylinder (1) so as to inch the writing lead forward and a rotational drive mechanism is provided for rotationally driving a rotor (5) in one direction in conjunction with retreat operation by the writing pressure applied to the writing lead and forward movement by releasing the writing pressure. A pipe support member (8) for supporting a pipe end (7) is accommodated in a base (1A) which constitutes a front end portion of the body cylinder, and a retreat drive mechanism is provided for gradually retreating the pipe support member into the body cylinder in conjunction with rotational drive operation of the rotor. With the above-mentioned structure, a pipe-slide type mechanical pencil can maintain an amount of projection of the writing lead from the pipe end within a certain range.
US08337106B2	Image forming apparatus with image forming section moveably supported by recording medium conveying section The present invention provides an image forming apparatus including: a recording medium conveying section; an image forming section, disposed to the recording medium conveying section and relatively moveably supported by the recording medium conveying section at one end side, that forms an image on a recording medium; a side panel that configures a side face portion of the image forming section in a width direction intersecting with the conveying direction, and supports a drive source that drives the image forming section; a support plate, provided between the recording medium conveying section and the image forming section to cover the bottom side of the image forming section, and is supported at a support portion provided at the other end side of the recording medium conveying section; and a resilient member that resiliently supports the support plate and the side panel.
US08337104B2	Developing apparatus, developing method and storage medium There is provided a developing apparatus and a developing method capable of rapidly forming a liquid film of a developing solution on an entire surface of a substrate while reducing a usage amount of the developing solution. The developing apparatus includes an airtightly sealed processing vessel that forms a processing atmosphere therein; a temperature control plate that is provided within the processing vessel and mounts the substrate thereon; an atmosphere gas supply unit that supplies an atmosphere gas including mist and vapor of a developing solution onto a surface of the substrate within the processing vessel; and a first temperature control unit that controls the temperature control plate to a temperature allowing the atmosphere gas to be condensed on the substrate. Here, an inner wall of the processing vessel is maintained at a temperature at which the atmosphere gas is hardly condensed on the inner wall.
US08337103B2	Long hinge actuator snubbing A device may comprise an upper module cover, a lower module cover, an outer frame, and an actuator having a movable frame. The movable frame may be at least partially disposed intermediate the upper module cover and the lower module cover. A hinge flexure may interconnect the outer frame and the movable frame such that the movable frame is rotatable with respect to the outer frame. The upper module cover and/or the lower module cover may be adapted to limit a movement of the movable frame.
US08337102B2	Shutter device for camera The present invention relates to a shutter device for camera used for small-sized digital equipment and includes a base forming a light transmission hole to expose a film or charge-coupled device (CCD) to laser beam; an electromagnet mounted on one side of the base; a driving arm which is mounted on one side of the electromagnet on the base so as to pivot on the base; a first shutter and a second shutter to open and close the light transmission hole, which pivots on the part of the base in association with the pivoting of the driving arm; and a magnetic which is installed on the driving arm and has the north magnetic pole and the south magnetic pole at opposite ends of the magnetic or on surfaces opposite to the electromagnet. The driving arm drives the first shutter and the second shutter by pivoting in a clockwise or counter-clockwise direction by the attractive force and repulsive force generated between the electromagnet and the magnetic according to the direction of the electric current applied to the electromagnet, the electromagnet includes a bobbin and a coil wound around the bobbin, and each side of the bobbin having opposite poles of magnetic field is disposed adjacent to the north and south pole.
US08337100B2	Dome security camera Disclosed herein is a dome security camera. The camera includes a housing having a circuit part. A hemispherical cover is coupled to the housing. A camera module includes a casing which has a lens mounted on a central portion thereof and coupled to a barrel, a plurality of LEDs, and a sensor. A bracket is provided in the housing and coupled to the casing in such a way that it is rotated and open or closed. The casing has a hemispherical shape, and an annular coupling step is provided on a lower end of the casing. The bracket is a cylindrical member having an opening on an upper end thereof, and includes an enlarged part provided on the upper end of the opening and coupled to the casing, and a cut groove formed by cutting a side surface of the bracket, with a knob inserted into the cut groove.
US08337099B2	Structure for mounting camera on vehicle One embodiment of the present invention provides a structure for mounting a camera on a vehicle, the structure including: a base unit fixed to a vehicle body; a camera; a slide mechanism configured to allow the camera to slide in an attaching direction so as to be detachably engaged with the base unit; protrusions provided on one of the base unit and the camera, the protrusions being disposed at front left and right sides and rear left and right sides with respect to the attaching direction; and contact portions provided on the other of the base unit and the camera, the contact portions laterally contacting the front left and right protrusions and the rear left and right protrusions, respectively, thereby positioning the camera with respect to the base unit.
US08337097B2	Modular surgical laser systems Laser emission systems for surgical and other therapeutic uses are herein disclosed. In the preferred embodiments, different laser control systems are disclosed each capable of multiple, simultaneous emission of lasers of different wavelengths in a single beam. The embodiments feature a handheld wireless laser module or a portable console with a laser tip extending therefrom. The laser module is controlled by wireless footswitch. Fiber extension modules may be used with the later embodiment.
US08337096B2	Efficient thermoelectric cooling of photonic integrated circuits An apparatus comprising a carrier comprising at least one heat-generating component and a thermoelectric cooler (TEC) coupled to a surface of the carrier, wherein the cross-sectional area of the TEC is less than the cross-sectional area of the carrier, and wherein the TEC is aligned with the heat-generating component. Included is an apparatus comprising a carrier comprising a plurality of optical transmitters and an active component, at least one TEC coupled to the surface of the carrier, and a support post coupled to the surface of the carrier, wherein the support post has a higher thermal resistivity than the TEC, wherein the cross-sectional area of the TEC is less than the cross-sectional area of the carrier, and wherein the TEC is aligned with the optical transmitters, the active component, or both.
US08337091B2	Bearing structure and retainer of bearing A bearing structure where a plurality of bearings is disposed in line in an axial direction, the bearing structure having the plurality of bearings of which at least one set of adjacent bearings include rollers and retainers, respectively. Portions of the respective retainers of at least one set of the adjacent bearings are disposed so as to overlap each other in a radial direction.
US08337089B2	Mechanical component and rolling bearing An outer ring, an inner ring and a ball serving as mechanical components configuring a deep groove ball bearing are formed of steel containing at least 0.77 mass % and not more than 0.85 mass % of carbon, at least 0.01 mass % and not more than 0.25 mass % of silicon, at least 0.01 mass % and not more than 0.35 mass % of manganese, at least 0.01 mass % and not more than 0.15 mass % of nickel, at least 3.75 mass % and not more than 4.25 mass % of chromium, at least 4 mass % and not more than 4.5 mass % of molybdenum and at least 0.9 mass % and not more than 1.1 mass % of vanadium with a remainder consisting of iron and impurity, and have raceway/rolling contact surfaces, the surface being included in a region having a nitrogen enriched layer having a nitrogen concentration of at least 0.05 mass %, the nitrogen enriched layer having a carbon concentration and the nitrogen concentration, in total, of at least 0.82 mass % and not more than 1.9 mass %.
US08337088B2	Shock absorption device for motor bearing system A shock absorption device for a motor bearing system, including a washer, an end cover, a bearing, a rotating shaft, a retaining ring, a cap, and a shock absorption pad. The bearing is disposed in a bearing seat of the end cover. The rotating shaft abuts against the bearing. The washer is disposed on the rotating shaft and on one side of the bearing. The retaining ring is buckled on the rotating shaft and axially positions the washer. The cap is disposed on the periphery of the washer, and on the end cover. The shock absorption pad is disposed on the end cover. The washer is disposed between the shock absorption pad and the retaining ring. The shock absorption pad axially separates the washer from the bearing, and end surface of the bearing seat.
US08337085B2	Air circulation ports in rotary rock bit journal bearing A thrust bearing system for a roller cone rock bit includes at least one roller cone disposed on a leg having an air channel therethrough, the thrust bearing system including a primary thrust bearing surface on the leg configured to contact a corresponding primary bearing surface on the roller cone, wherein the primary thrust bearing surface on the leg includes at least one air circulation port in fluid communication with the air channel. The thrust bearing system further includes a secondary thrust bearing surface on the leg configured to contact a corresponding secondary bearing surface on the roller cone, wherein the secondary thrust bearing surface on the leg includes at least two air circulation ports located at specified locations in the secondary bearing surface and in communication with the air channel, and wherein a first circulation port is located in an upper half of the secondary thrust bearing surface and a second circulation port is located in a lower half of the secondary thrust bearing surface.
US08337080B2	Method for measuring temperature distribution of object, and sensor unit The present invention relates to a measuring method and a sensor unit of measuring temperature distribution of an object by using an optical fiber sensing technology of BOCDA system. In the measuring method, an optical fiber that functions as a BOCDA-type optical fiber sensor is disposed two-dimensionally or three-dimensionally with respect to a predetermined measurement region of the object, and thereby the temperature distribution of the object can be measured at a high speed and a high accuracy, in the predetermined measurement region configuring a surface or space where the optical fiber is disposed.
US08337079B2	Fluorescent temperature sensor To provide a fluorescent temperature sensor capable of identifying easily the location of a failure. A fluorescent temperature sensor for producing a temperature signal from fluorescent light from a fluorescent material and that has been optically stimulated comprises a light projecting module having an LED for projecting light at the fluorescent material and a second photodiode for receiving light emitted from the LED and a light receiving module having a first photodiode for receiving the light emitted from the fluorescent material, where the location of a failure in the sensor can be identified based on, at least, the output signal from the second photodiode.
US08337078B2	Magnetic protection for a timepiece balance spring The device for protecting a timepiece balance spring (1) from stray magnetic fields includes at least one disc (2) with high magnetic permeability, arranged in a parallel plane to the plane of the balance spring, wherein the disc (2) and the balance spring are mounted coaxially with each other.
US08337074B2	Stirrer unit A stirrer unit includes a reaction vessel having an inlet port, a shaft stirrer having a stirrer blade and a stirrer shaft connected to the stirrer blade, and an adapter defining a passage. The adapter is configured to be inserted into the inlet port and releasably fastened to the inlet port using a fastening device so that, in a connected state, the stirrer blade and a part of the stirrer shaft is disposed inside the reaction vessel. Furthermore, in the connected state, an immersion depth to which the stirrer shaft extends into the reaction vessel is adjustable and securable using a locking device in at least two positions that are spaced apart from one another.
US08337073B2	Spiraling bowl A particular continuous downward spiraling cereal bowl is disclosed which allows for exceptional control over a mixing process by keeping dry substances separated from liquids until mixed in user defined portions and timeframes. The disclosure comprises a slightly asymmetrically round bowl consisting of two contiguous areas with an inner surface that continually slopes downward between the two areas and an S-shaped guide rail between these two areas. The shape of the guide rail is curved in order to hold cereal in the upper part of the spiral at a level above the fill line of liquid held in the lower portion of the spiral. In the preferred embodiment, the bowl further comprises a thumb groove underneath the inner surface of the dry area which may serve as an embedded handle.
US08337068B1	Selection system relating to light-emitting diode dies and method thereof A selection system relating to light emitting diode (LED) dies and a method thereof are provided. In the invention, by sorting all of charge-in LED dies, the LED dies with a same characteristic are disposed in a corresponding LED bin code area; moreover, a collocation lookup table recording a plurality of collocation parameters corresponding to the same lamp specification is established, where each collocation parameter is corresponding to at least one LED bin code area. Accordingly, even though the LED dies corresponding to a certain predetermined lamp specification are empty or are insufficient in reserve, the invention still suggests using other reserves or non-empty LED dies with different characteristics (i.e. mix bin) through the established collocation lookup table for manufacturing an LED lamp of a certain specification.
US08337065B2	Flexible light-guiding module with waterproof function A flexible light-guiding module with waterproof function includes a flexible light-guiding film, a light-reflecting element and a light-generating element. The light-reflecting element is disposed on a bottom side of the flexible light-guiding film. The light-generating element is embedded into the flexible light-guiding film, and the light-generating element has a circuit substrate and at least one light-generating chip electrically disposed on the circuit substrate. Hence, the light-generating element is embedded into the flexible light-guiding film, so that the light-generating element is waterproof. In addition, the present invention can be attached to any plane or curved surface by using the flexible light-guiding film, so that the application field of the present invention is very extensive. Moreover, the flexible light-guiding film and the light-reflecting element are integrally formed in order to decrease manufacturing cost of the present invention.
US08337063B2	Vehicle light A vehicle light including at least one LED light source unit disposed within a light chamber defined by a lens cover and a housing. The vehicle light can further include, within the light chamber: a heat sink and a plurality of heat dissipation fins; a back plate separated away from the heat sink main body and constituting a part of a duct together with the heat sink, the duct containing the plurality of heat dissipation fins between the heat sink main body and the back plate; an axial fan motor configured to generate an air flow passing through the duct; and a cover member, the housing having an opening used for replacing the axial fan motor with another one, the cover member being detatchably attached to the housing so as to cover the opening of the housing.
US08337060B1	Bicycle lighting systems and methods Systems and methods for providing adequate lighting and sighting for a bicycle are disclosed. A lighting system that includes an illumination ring configured to be coupled to a wheel is also disclosed. The illumination ring is configured to simultaneously project light forward and to the side of a front wheel and to project light rearward of and to the side of a rear wheel. The illumination ring may be mounted to or integrated with the bicycle wheel. Methods of controlling light sources on the illumination ring are also disclosed.
US08337058B2	Single arm mogul mount for sports lighting fixtures An apparatus and method for a high intensity lighting fixture. One aspect, a knuckle for mounting the light fixture by its bulb cone to a cross arm is attached along the side of the bulb cone. This has various potential advantages including decreased effective projected area, protection of watering to the bulb cone, and decreased moment.
US08337056B2	Enclosure for a recessed light in an attic An enclosure for a recessed light in an attic is transformable between a first configuration in which the enclosure is flat and a second configuration in which the enclosure defines a housing. The housing has an opening at a bottom end for receiving the recessed light and an upwardly-facing surface opposite the opening. The upwardly-facing surface has a variable height relative to the bottom end.
US08337055B2	Recessed lighting fixture with tamper-resistant bezel assembly A lighting fixture generally includes a mounting plate, a ceiling bracket, a reflector that houses a light source, and a bezel assembly. The ceiling bracket is supported on the ceiling by the mounting plate via the use of retainer brackets. The bezel assembly in turn is supported on the ceiling by the ceiling bracket. The bezel assembly includes a bezel housing and at least one tamper-resistant lens mounted in the housing.
US08337048B2	Light source package having a six sided light emitting die supported by electrodes A light source package includes a metal base adapted for engaging a suitable electrical socket; a transparent housing assembled with the base so as to form together with the base an accommodating space; and a light-emitting unit mounted within the accommodating space. The light-emitting unit has an LED die, and the LED die is operatively disposed in the accommodating space such that the light emitted from all of the six surfaces of the LED die is completely collected for illumination.
US08337047B1	Retractable beam splitter for microscope Systems and methods are provided for illuminating a surface to be observed microscopically using a retractable beamsplitter. The retractable beamsplitter allows the use of coaxial illumination when the beamsplitter is positioned in the operator's line of sight. The retractable beamsplitter allows the use of non-coaxial illumination without reducing the amount of illumination that reaches the operator when the beamsplitter is retracted from the operator's line of sight. As a result a single system can be used effectively to provide various types of illumination.
US08337046B2	Luminous element for backlight unit The present invention relates to a luminous element, and more particularly, to a luminous element for a backlight unit with a plurality of luminous chips mounted on a substrate. The present invention provides a luminous element for a backlight unit, in which luminous chips are arranged on a substrate so that the manufacturing process and cost can be reduced and the size of a substrate is minimized when manufacturing the luminous element, thereby minimizing the size of a backlight unit. Further, the present invention provides a luminous element for a backlight unit, in which luminance uniformity can be increased by optimizing the viewing angle of the luminous element.
US08337044B2	Elongated luminaire comprising LEDs for illuminating objects in front of the luminaire An elongated luminaire for illuminating objects in front of the luminaire, comprising a plurality of side emitting LEDs (1) in only one straight array mounted on an elongated base plate (2). The base plate (2) carries two elongated reflectors (3) extending on either side of the array of LEDs (1) and parallel to the array of LEDs (1). Each reflector (3) has a reflecting surface (4) directed towards the array of LEDs (1).
US08337041B2	Surface mounted lighting fixture Surface mounted lighting fixtures having a troffer channel and a frame that extends around the troffer channel. The troffer channel includes a top wall and side walls. To impart a “back” to the fixture, the troffer channel is positioned in the frame so that the upper surface of the lighting fixture is defined by the top wall of the troffer channel and so that the fixture is mounted to a ceiling via the top wall of the troffer channel. The side walls of the troffer channel are preferably angled relative to the top wall to reflect light out of the fixture as desired. Tie brackets, lamp holder brackets, electrical components, and traditional louvers and lensed door components may be supported by the lighting fixture. An installation bracket may be provided to facilitate installation of the lighting fixture. Such brackets may be mounted to the ceiling and used to suspend the fixture to allow the installer to perform the necessary wiring and other preparation work prior to securing the fixture directly to the ceiling via the troffer channel.
US08337040B1	Light emitting assembly A light emitting assembly for a housing with a perimeter wall and an open bottom side. A water buoyant material is attached to the perimeter wall. A light emitter is mounted to the housing. The light emitter emits a light when power is provided to the light emitter. At least one battery component is mounted to the housing. The at least one battery component is electrically coupled to the light emitter. The at least one battery component is exposed through the bottom side of the housing to allow water to enter the at least one battery component. The at least one battery generates electricity when water enters the bottom side of the housing. The housing is placed in water so that the water acts as an electrolyte for the at least one battery component to provide electricity to the light emitter.
US08337035B2	Illuminating device for a walking stick An illuminating device for a walking stick includes a main body having a through hole defined in a top thereof for adapting to receive a bottom of a walking stick, such that the main body adapts to position on the walking stick. A plurality of light source is mounted on the main body for emitting light. A light shade sleeves on the main body and encloses the light sources. The light shade allows light to pass through. A power supply is mounted in the main body and is electrically connected with the light sources. When the light sources are supplied with electricity provided by the power supply to emit light, light emitted by the light sources is transmitted through the light shade for providing an illuminating effect.
US08337032B2	Semiconductor light-emitting apparatus A blue LED 18 that is a semiconductor light-emitting device and that emits blue light as primary light having a peak wavelength in a visible region and a phosphor plate 30 that is a wavelength converter and that converts a portion of the blue light emitted from the blue LED 18 into yellow light as secondary light having a longer peak wavelength in the visible region than the peak wavelength and emits the yellow light in combination with a remainder of the blue light left unconverted. The phosphor plate 30 includes (a) a main body 39 extending across a light-emission path of the blue LED 18 and (b) a light-emitting part 42 composed of a plurality of columnar protrusions 44 on a part of the main body 39 in a direction in which the light exits.
US08337031B2	Color-tunable illumination system, lamp and luminaire The invention relates to a color-tunable illumination system (10), to a lamp and to a luminaire. The color-tunable illumination system comprises a light source (20) emitting light of a first predefined color (B), and comprises a luminescent material (30) for converting light of the first predefined color into light of a second predefined color (A). The color-tunable illumination system further comprises shielding means (40, 42) arranged for preventing at least part of the light emitted by the light source to impinge on the luminescent material. The light source, the luminescent material and/or the shielding means are changeable from a first situation to a second situation. In the first situation the color-tunable illumination system is arranged for shielding at least part of the luminescent material against impinging light of the first predefined color. In the second situation the color-tunable illumination system is arranged for shielding less of the luminescent material to the light of the first predefined color emitted by the light source compared to the first situation. The effect of the measures according to the invention is that the shielding means, luminescent material and/or the light source determine an amount of light of the second predefined color emitted by the color-tunable illumination system which determines a color of the color-tunable illumination system.
US08337029B2	Light emitting device with phosphor wavelength conversion A light emitting device comprises: an excitation source (LED) operable to generate excitation light of a first wavelength range and a phosphor (photo-luminescent) material configured to absorb at least a part of the excitation radiation and to emit light of a second wavelength range. Light emitted by the device comprises the combined light of the first and second wavelength ranges. The device is characterized by at least the light emitting surface of the excitation source being coated (encapsulated) with an encapsulating material which is transparent to light of the first and second wavelength ranges and which incorporates particles of a thermally conducting material (thermal conductivity ≧100 Wm−1K−1, e.g. silver, aluminum or carbon nano-particles) distributed throughout its volume. The phosphor material can be provided on a surface of the encapsulating material, incorporated in the encapsulating material and/or applied to the surface of, or incorporated, in an optical component such as a lens.
US08337028B2	Light guide sheet and movable contact assembly using the same A light guide sheet is adapted to be used with a light emitter. The light guide sheet includes a light-transmissive base, a light inlet section having bonded to a lower surface of the base, and an illumination section for diffusing the light entering into the base. The light inlet section has an upper surface and an edge surface connected to the upper surface. The upper surface of the light inlet section is bonded to the lower surface of the base. Light emitted from the light emitter enters into the edge surface the light inlet section. The light inlet section causes the entering light to enter into the base. The light inlet section has a refractive index lower than a refractive index of the base. The light guide sheet provides a movable contact assembly capable of reliably illumination inexpensively.
US08337025B2	Projection type display device and image displaying method A projection type display device includes a image displaying element having image display areas for displaying a plurality of images respectively, a projection optical system having an emitting part for emitting projection light flux to the image display areas of the image displaying element, and a plurality of screens for displaying projected images by the projection light flux transmitted through the image display areas of the image displaying element. In the projection type display device, the image display areas are formed in respective areas in the image displaying element independent of each other. The projected images on the screens correspond to the image display areas, respectively. Each of the screens is arranged in such a position that the each of the screens is not overlapped with shadows of the other screens which are produced since the projection light flux is emitted from the emitting part to the screens.
US08337024B2	Projection optical system and image display apparatus A projection optical system for enlarging and projecting a light flux from an image display panel modulating an irradiation light, onto a screen in an oblique direction, the projection optical system includes: a lens system including a plurality of lenses, the lens system refracting the light flux from the image display panel; a single convex mirror reflecting the light flux from the lens system, the lens system and the convex mirror being arranged in an order from the image display panel; and a stop disposed in an optical path after an emission from the lens system to an incidence on the convex mirror.
US08337023B2	Projector and trapezoidal distortion correcting method A projector includes: capturing section that images an object on which an image is projected to produce a captured image; a projection distance information generating section that generates projection distance information representing a projection distance, which is the distance to the object on which an image is projected; a judging section that judges based on the projection distance information whether the projection distance exceeds a reference value; and a correcting section that performs trapezoidal distortion correction based on boundary lines of the object on which an image is projected contained in the captured image when the projection distance exceeds the reference value, whereas performing trapezoidal distortion correction based on at least coordinate information representing three-dimensional coordinates of the object on which an image is projected when the projection distance does not exceed the reference value.
US08337020B2	Polarization conversion and color-combination techniques for pico projector illuminators Disclosed are illumination systems especially suitable for very small data projectors, called pico projectors. The disclosed illumination systems provide high optical efficiency for projectors that need polarized light but utilize unpolarized light sources such as light-emitting diodes. Some of the disclosed illumination systems make use of light sources of different colors, and provide polarization conversion in ways based on color-selective elements of a variety of different types to convert substantially all the light emitted by the light sources to a single polarization, without increasing the effective optical extent of the source. Other disclosed illumination system provide compact ways to combine light from differently colored light sources without the use of bulky x-cube or angled dichroic elements.
US08337016B2	Hanger system for glasses and case A hanger system for glasses includes glasses, a carrier, and a hanger. The glasses include a frame, lenses, hinges, and temple arms. The hanger includes a main body having a top portion for attachment to a hook and a lower portion for securing the carrier. A support is cantilevered from the main body. A first end of the support is integral to the top portion and extends out a distance of at least the depth the glasses, the second end has a hinged tab and has an aperture to receive one of the pair of temple arms. The glasses are supported where front of the frame is oriented toward the main body and the temple arms are oriented away from main body. The hinged tab provides for opening of the temple arms to allow a user to try on the glasses while the glasses remain attached to the hanger.
US08337015B2	Spectacles-mounted display device A spectacles-type image display device having an image output unit that includes a display element that displays images and is disposed on a spectacle frame and a reflection unit that is disposed adjacent to at least one of spectacle lenses and reflects the image light that is output from the image output unit toward the eyeball so that the viewer can see a virtual image of the image is provided. The reflection unit is a reflection member having a positive refractive power and an effective luminous flux that is output from the image output unit and reaches the eyeball of the viewer is configured so that the width of the luminous flux perpendicular to an optical axis is minimum at the reflection unit with respect to the optical axis cross-section parallel to an incident surface of the optical axis relative to the reflection unit.
US08337014B2	Electronic eyeglass frame The present invention generally relates to integrating electronic components into an electro-active frame for driving electro-active focusing lenses. This is accomplished in a cosmetically pleasing manner that allows a platform of frame systems to be built from a single electronic module. Specifically, the present invention discloses controlling an electro-active lens in a deliberate, hands free manner that gives the user control of the electro-active lens.
US08337012B2	Curved lenses configured to decode three-dimensional content on television and computer screens Curved lenses configured to decode three dimensional content and method of fabricating the same. The lenses decode three-dimensional content displayed on televisions or computer monitors. Sheets from which the lenses are cut have either (i) a polarizing axis of 0 degrees relative to horizontal and one sheet has a retarder axis at −45 degrees relative to horizontal and the other sheet has a retarder axis of +45 degrees relative to horizontal; (ii) a polarizing axis of −45 degrees relative to horizontal and one sheet has a retarder axis at 0 degrees relative to horizontal and the other sheet has a retarder axis of 90 degrees relative to horizontal; or (iii) a polarizing axis of +45 degrees relative to horizontal and one sheet has a retarder axis at 0 degrees relative to horizontal and the other sheet has a retarder axis of 90 degrees relative to horizontal.
US08337009B2	Method for skewing printer transfix roll A method of forming a nip with a skewed transfix roll includes positioning a first axis of rotation of a transfix roll at a skewed angle with respect to a second axis of rotation of an image drum, forming a nip with the skewed transfix roll and the image drum, and operating the printer with the nip formed with the skewed transfix roll.
US08336999B2	Liquid supply method A liquid supply method of a liquid ejecting apparatus including a tank having a liquid capacity greater than a storage amount of the liquid which is stored in a liquid storage unit, and a liquid ejection unit that ejects the liquid supplied from the tank side includes the steps of: firstly supplying all the liquid in the liquid storage unit to the tank; agitating the liquid accommodated in the tank; and secondly supplying the liquid in the tank to the liquid ejection unit.
US08336992B2	Liquid discharge apparatus A liquid discharge apparatus includes a liquid discharge head which reciprocates in a first direction on a predetermined plane, which discharges liquids, and which has connecting ports arranged in a second direction; liquid supply sources which store the liquids; and flexible tubes which are arranged in a state of being bent and each of which constructs a part of a liquid flow passage, and first ends of the tubes are connected to the connecting ports; the tubes are arranged in a third direction intersecting the predetermined plane at fixed portions of the tubes; and each of the tubes has an external shape of which cross section perpendicular to an extending direction of the tube is elliptical; and at least at one of the first end and the fixed portion, a major axis direction of the cross section is the third direction.
US08336984B2	Encoder for inkjet printers An inkjet printer includes a paper tray for holding print media; a pick roller for moving the print media through a paper transport path; and an encoder disk, which senses motion of the print media, disposed in the paper transport path and in direct contact with the print media as the print media passes through the paper transport path.
US08336983B2	Ink-jet recording apparatus for dealing with jams of recording media An ink-jet recording apparatus, including: an ink-jet head; a conveyor mechanism; a sensor to detect a recording medium being conveyed; a detecting device; an output device; and a controller to control the relative movement mechanism to conduct a first operation in which the conveyor mechanism and the ink-jet head are located at a medium removal position from a recording position, when the detecting device detects a jam, to control the conveyor mechanism to conduct a second operation in which an unremoved jammed recording medium which has not been removed by the user is conveyed so as to be detectable by the sensor, when the output device outputs a jam-clearing completion signal, and to control the relative movement mechanism to conduct a third operation in which the conveyor mechanism and the head are located at the recording position from the medium removal position after the second operation.
US08336980B2	Image recording apparatus and image recording method The image recording apparatus includes: a recording head which has at least one row of recording elements arranged at a prescribed arrangement interval in a sub-scanning direction; a scanning device which moves the recording head in a main scanning direction so as to perform recording of a same main scanning line by means of a plurality of scans in the main scanning direction with respect to a recording medium; a conveyance device which conveys the recording head and the recording medium relatively to each other in the sub-scanning direction; a recording control device which controls the recording head to perform recording by using at least two of the recording elements in the recording of the same main scanning line; a recording element selection device which selects a combination of the recording elements to perform recording of the same main scanning line in accordance with a status of each of the recording elements; and a conveyance control device which determines a combination of feed amounts in the sub-scanning direction corresponding to the combination of the recording elements selected by the recording element selection device and controls the conveyance device in accordance with the determined combination of feed amounts in the sub-scanning direction.
US08336975B2	Plenum on front of refrigerator/freezer door A refrigerator includes a cabinet defining an open storage space. A door is disposed on the cabinet operable between an open position and a closed position. The door includes a forward wall and a rearward wall. An insulation layer is disposed between the forward wall and the rearward wall. An exterior skin is disposed adjacent to the forward wall and substantially covers the forward wall. A plenum is defined by the space between the exterior skin and the forward wall and is adapted to receive utility lines.

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